The Florida Swimming Pool Association is ramping up its lobbying efforts.
Converge Government Affairs of Florida will represent the association before legislative and executive branches of the state government.
“Over the past two years, FSPA members and associates statewide have greatly expanded the energy and resources they contribute to our government relations program. Adding a premier firm like Converge to our team increases the value of FSPA membership tremendously,” FSPA President Brian Kelly stated in a press release.
Converge was selected after an extensive review process. The firm has offices across the state, allowing it to work closely with the organization’s 16 chapters.
In addition, FSPA hired Walter Clemence as an in-house government relations manager. Clemence has an M.S. in Applied American Politics and Policy and a B.S. in Political Science and Economics from Florida State University. Prior to joining FSPA he was a policy analyst with the state department of energy. He replaces Jennifer Hatfield who had served both FSPA and APSP as a government relations consultant simultaneously. She continues to work for APSP as the director of government affairs.
Converge will work with policymakers on state issues while Clemence will represent members at the local level, said FSPA Executive Director Wendy Parker-Barsell, and will work closely with the group’s builder, service and commercial councils.
FSPA retains the counsel of Bruce Kershner as a regulatory consultant with expertise in licensing. Kershner represented the United Pool and Spa Association before the two trade groups combined last year.
Officials say there is nothing scary coming down the legislative pipeline. Rather, the trade group simply wants a seasoned team of professionals to be proactive in advocating on the industry’s behalf and further develop relationships with the Florida Building Commission, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the state Department of Health.
“We’ve made good strides in government relations over the past 10 years and it’s going well, but there are always opportunities to be on the front side of things,” Parker-Barsell said. “We’re excited about what this means for the future of our government relations program.”
