CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

It’s Infrastructure Week (finally)!

The Senate just cleared the major procedural vote to move forward on a bipartisan infrastructure package. The full text is not yet released (and may not even be written yet), but based on a robust outline, here are some great highlights for oceans, ports, coastal resilience, and science: Research and Science Resiliency – Ecosystems Maritime […]

House Moves to Vote on Funding Bills for Fiscal Year 2022

Next week, the House will begin voting on some of the 12 appropriations bills that together fund the federal government. With a slim majority, Democrats will have to carefully count votes before bringing any of the more controversial bills to the floor, including the Commerce-Justice-Science bill through which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the […]

Rising Tide Newsletter | July, 2021

Welcome to our inaugural quarterly newsletter from ESP Advisors, summarizing recent news in ocean and environmental policy broadly as well as updates from our clients and team members. In the last three months, much of the country has started to reopen as the Biden Administration picked up speed. Dr. Rick Spinrad was nominated, confirmed by […]

World Ocean Whirlwind

As always, the week surrounding World Ocean Day is a whirlwind of announcements. Here’s a brief summary of some of the major news from the biggest week in ocean policy, 2021: NOAA Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget Request On Wednesday, NOAA released the Congressional Justification for its FY22 Budget Request. This detailed document provides policy […]

Biden “Skinny” Budget: Insights for Environment, Science, and Oceans

The President’s “skinny” budget was released today. If enacted, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would get $6.9 billion, or an increase of more than $1.4 billion from the 2021 enacted level. This would include $800 million to expand investments in climate research, support regional and local decision-making with climate data and tools, and […]

Biden’s American Jobs Plan – What’s in it for Oceans?

On Wednesday, March 31, President Biden announced his American Jobs Plan, which is the first in his two part Build Back Better campaign. The second part will focus on some Democrats’ more progressive goals, such as making the expanded child tax credit permanent, investing in child care, increasing the minimum wage, and making community college […]

PRESS RELEASE: ESP Advisors Strengthens Leadership Team With New Executive Vice President

WASHINGTON, D.C. — ESP Advisors is pleased to announce that Martha Newell-Kinsman is joining the policy and communications firm as Executive Vice President. In her new role, she will oversee client deliverables and the company’s operations as the firm continues to grow. Newell-Kinsman brings leadership and experience from the military, Capitol Hill, and the non-profit […]

Celebrating Our One Year Anniversary!

Environment, Science, and Policy Advisors was formed one year ago today on March 1, 2020. What a year it has been! That first week of March 2020, we organized ESP Advisors’ first “fly-in” with a client. It was full of racing around the Capitol grounds, engaging with Members of Congress and their staff in back […]

Seafood Drowned Out in House Version of Relief Package

By Jay Sterne and Emily Patrolia Here we are in 2021, yet it feels like we are in the 15th month of 2020. So many in the U.S. are dealing with the cumulative and ongoing impacts of COVID, and the next round of federal relief will be critical for many sectors around the country. On […]

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