CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

FY23 House Appropriations Bills: What’s in Them for Oceans?

This week, the House passed six of its 12 Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) funding bills, with the other six reported out of committee and ready to be considered. The appropriations process, by which Congress allocates federal spending each fiscal year, can be tricky to follow. We’ve prepared an update on what’s going on with government […]

New Bill Aims to Support Veteran Conservation Divers

On World Oceans Day, ESP Advisors announces the introduction of the Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act, a bill that aims to provide funding for nonprofit groups that “hire, retrain, and redeploy veterans to conduct coastal, Great Lakes, and underwater conservation missions.” Show your support using the sign-on letter here. When Steve “Gonzo” Gonzalez dipped […]

PRESS RELEASE: ESP Advisors Announces Staff Updates

Washington, D.C. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 – ESP Advisors is pleased to announce the addition of two new team members, celebrate three promotions, and share upcoming employment opportunities with the firm. “I am thrilled to strengthen our team of talented ocean policy and communications experts in support of our clients and the continued growth of […]

PRESS RELEASE: ESP Advisors Expands Team

Washington, D.C. Tuesday, March 8, 2022 – On International Women’s Day, ESP Advisors announced the addition of four new team members to the women-owned and -operated firm. Pamela Day and Christine Sur are joining as Senior Advisors, providing high-level policy insight consulting and strategy for the firm’s clients. Day has 25 years of experience working […]

Happy Birthday ESP Advisors

Our firm turned two today! Please join us in a brief moment of celebration, from our (home) offices in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Seattle, and Los Angeles. A letter from our founder It is crazy to think how much we’ve grown and accomplished in only two years. On March 2, 2020, we were […]

Federal Funding for Oceans: Status, Timing, and What’s Next

The House and Senate Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills include significant increases for ocean, science, and environmental programs. Here’s a summary of where we are in the process, what comes next, and what’s in the bills. Graphic by Cat Elia, ESP Advisors Art Director Appropriations 101 A (very simplified) synopsis of how government funding is […]

Appropriations 101

Appropriations are decisions made by Congress about how to allocate federal spending. This process occurs every fiscal year, and the details can be hard to understand. Here’s a (very simplified) synopsis of how appropriations is supposed to work, though there are often political hiccups: Step 1: After working with the agencies on their needs and […]

Competing for Innovation (in Oceans)

On February 2, 2022, the House passed the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act (H.R. 4521). This bill is the House answer to the Senate’s bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) (S. 1260), which passed the upper chamber in May 2021 on a vote of 68-32. […]

A Tale of Two Bills: the BIF, the BBB, and what’s in them for oceans

President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, informally known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), into law on Monday, November 15. It passed the House by a vote of 228 – 206 and the Senate in a 69-30 vote. A second bill that that would fund additional infrastructure projects, the Build […]

PRESS RELEASE: ESP Advisors Announces Executive Promotions

Washington, D.C. Thursday, September 30, 2021 — ESP Advisors today announced the promotion of two senior company leaders: Martha Newell-Kinsman to Chief of Staff and Kat Montgomery to Policy Director. Both appointments are effective immediately. In this newly created role as Chief of Staff, Martha Newell-Kinsman will oversee the firm’s business practices and will be […]

Mike Henry

Mike Henry is a Washington, D.C.-based science and technology policy leader focused on weather, water, and ocean advocacy. He has shaped federal science policy through roles at UCAR, NASA, and the American Institute of Physics, and began his career on the Senate staff of Sen. Ben Cardin.

FAVORITES

Aperol Spritz

Blue Crab 

Based in DC

Brandon Elsner

Brandon Elsner is a government affairs professional with extensive experience shaping federal policy in oceans, science, environment, and infrastructure. He most recently directed federal strategic services at Waggoner Engineering, helping communities secure significant federal funding for water, transportation, and economic development projects. Brandon previously held senior advisory roles at NOAA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality and was a Legislative Assistant for Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS).

FAVORITES

Thai Boba Tea

Orca

Based in Maryland

Marianne Brisson

Marianne helps mission-driven organizations scale their impact through streamlined operations, project leadership, and strategic communications. She leads ESP’s day-to-day operations and ensures firm-wide success. Marianne previously served as Policy and Operations Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

FAVORITES

Hot latte with oatmilk

Nudibranch

Based in Oregon

Monaliza Manalinding

Monaliza has over three years of experience supporting small businesses professionals and managing fast-paced administrative operations. She brings strong skills in client relations, scheduling, and marketing support, ensuring efficient workflows and exceptional service across all facets of the firm.

FAVORITES

Ginger Tea

Sea turtles

Based in Philippines

Sarah Keartes

Sarah brings a decade of media relations and science communication expertise to her role at ESP Advisors. Before joining ESP, she reported on marine and coastal science for outlets including National Geographic News, PBS Digital Studios, and Hakai Magazine.

FAVORITES

Iced tea

Scalloped hammerhead

Based in Oregon

Cat Elia

With over a decade of experience bringing clients’ visions to reality, Cat specializes in marketing and brand development. As both a designer and artist, she excels in visual storytelling and graphic strategy.

FAVORITES

Iced coffee with milk

Frog fish

Based on the West Coast

Caroline Roche

Caroline brings sharp policy instincts and a passion for coastal resilience to ESP Advisors. At the White House Council on Environmental Quality, she supported both the freshwater and ocean policy teams. Most recently, she worked on communications and government affairs for Restore America’s Estuaries, deepening her expertise in habitat protection and federal engagement. Caroline holds a dual degree in Political Science and Fine Art from George Washington University.

FAVORITES

Unsweetened Iced Green Tea

Beluga Whale

Based in DC

Austen Stovall

Austen Stovall’s background is in coral reef ecology, nature-based solutions, and coastal management. She most recently worked for Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) on his oceans and fisheries portfolio. Austen holds a master’s degree in coastal science and policy from UC Santa Cruz.

FAVORITES

Iced oat milk latte with coconut syrup

Corals

Based in DC

Kat Montgomery

Kat draws upon her ocean policy expertise and years of experience managing projects, programs, and teams to catalyze success for ESP Advisors and our clients. Most recently, Kat served as staff for Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), former Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

FAVORITES

Cappuccino with sugar

Seahorse

Based in Virginia

Emily Patrolia

Emily Patrolia founded ESP Advisors to address the need for sophisticated government and public affairs services in the community she holds dear. Emily uses her advocacy and congressional experience and deep understanding of environmental science to lead the firm in all its endeavors.

FAVORITES

Cappuccino

Yeti crab

Based in DC

tttttttt

We are a small but mighty team working to build a culture that leans into vulnerability, clarity, integrity, and transparency. Open communication, collaboration, and relationship building are of the utmost importance to our team. While our work is hard-charging and relies on exceptional attention to detail and deadline management, we remain dedicated to the wellbeing of our staff. Our goal is to ensure our team members are fulfilled both personally and professionally.

PAMELA DAY TAPSCOTT

Pamela Day has over 25 years of experience on Capitol Hill. As Chief of Staff for the late Congressman Don Young (R-AK), father of many initiatives and laws that govern ocean resources today, Pamela managed the annual appropriations process and oversaw 16 original bills that were signed into law.

FAVORITES

Coffee

Otter

Based in Maryland