Public Policy Forum
Thursday, June 6th 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 1 Credit Hour – NAB
To ensure success, those in the field of aging services need a pulse on trending policy priorities in our sector. Join us to discuss hot industry topics from workforce and reimbursement to strengthening senior housing infrastructure with State and National Leaders in our field. We will be joined by representatives from our government affairs agencies, ByrdGomes and Princeton Public Affairs Group, as well as LeadingAge policy experts.
Nancy Hooks, Senior Vice President, Member and State Partnerships, LeadingAge
Nancy Hooks is the Senior Vice President of Member and State Partnerships for LeadingAge, where she has worked for over 23 years. Prior to her position at LeadingAge, Nancy worked at LeadingAge New York as its Director of Housing Policy and its Executive Director of the Adult Day Health Care Council. She also has several years of regulatory and survey experience with the New York State Department of Health. Nancy obtained her Master of Science in Public Health Administration degree from Russell Sage College and her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Physics from the State University of New York. She is accredited as a Certified Association Executive and a Certified Aging Services’ Professional, certified as a Housing Occupancy Specialist and licensed as a radiologic technologist. She is the past Co-Chair of the Congressional Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs of Seniors in the 21st Century. Nancy is the recipient of a testimonial citation, made before the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs for her work with the Seniors Commission. Nancy was named to the 2021 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Honor for her 30-year commitment to the field of aging services. In addition, Nancy received the Distinguished Certified Aging Services Professional Award from the University of North Texas, the Award of Excellence for Advocacy from the American Association of Service Coordinators, the Award of Excellence in Membership Development from LeadingAge, a Best Practices Award from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and a Governor’s citation for authoring enacted New York State legislation.
Kimberly B. Gomes, Partner, Byrd Gomes
Ask Kim to name her dream job, and she would say, “Lobbyist.”
Really, who even knew there were people like that?
Kim became a lobbyist in her own unique way. She did not get here through politics or law or a cause. Her earliest interests had nothing to do with lobbying. She was a gymnast and a competitor in ballroom dancing. That led to a degree from the University of Delaware in fitness management, and that led to a position at the University of Delaware as the coordinator in charge of the fitness class program on the campus.
From there, it was on to work at an insurance office and brokerage firm, except Kim was looking for a new direction, and she thought lobbying would be fun.
Of course she did. She had a taste for the unexpected. She had the slow heartbeat that comes from winning competitiveness. She had a practical foundation of business, organizational and management experience.
Kim added in an academic component by earning a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. One of the faculty members was Ed Freel, formerly the Delaware secretary of state, and he connected her with Bob Byrd. It clicked, and Kim joined the firm.
Kim’s background has been a fine fit, even her ballroom dancing. She paired with Tom Cook, who was the Delaware secretary of finance, for a charity “Dancing with the Stars” event, where they were judged the best dancers. See? Kim was right all along that lobbying could be fun.
Sam Weinstein, Lobbyist, PPAG
Sam D. Weinstein is an established political operative who brings his expertise in government affairs, coalition building, grassroots management, research, and network development skills to PPAG (Princeton Public Affairs Group.) Mr. Weinstein has honed his political skills on a series of local, county, state and federal campaigns. A member of the Firm since graduating in 2016, Mr. Weinstein interned at the firm during the summer of 2014. Throughout his time at PPAG, Mr. Weinstein has handled complex issues. Mr. Weinstein received his Bachelor of Arts fromDickinson College where he majored in Policy Management.
