Dr. James Baker – Vice President for Research and Economic Development and International Programs, Dr. Erin Parrish – Director of Office of Research Administration, and Thomas Downs Esq. visited the Fruit Station today and met with Darr School of Agriculture Director Dr. Ronald Del Vecchio to discuss the current projects at the Fruit Station. After discussion the group toured the distillery/winery and the research field.
A little bit about Thomas Downs:
Having served for more than 20 years as an attorney at two national law firms in Washington, D.C., Tom represents state and local governments, institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, and other clients on public policy and funding matters. He is involved with a broad range of federal agency programs, legislation, federal funding and partnerships. He works closely with the White House, federal agencies and Congress to obtain support for a variety of initiatives to benefit his clients.
Tom spent a decade on Capitol Hill serving as chief of staff and senior legislative assistant to members sitting on various committees, including the House Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and Science, Space and Technology.
Helped public and private organizations advance legislative and agency initiatives involving drinking water and wastewater systems, wetlands protection, open space preservation and parkland acquisition.
Assisted nongovernmental organizations with successful overseas public policy initiatives. Helped obtain congressional support and funding for programs involving leadership training, poverty eradication and reconciliation efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
On behalf of health systems, hospitals, medical research and health care advocacy organizations operating in 20 states, provided advice and counsel on public policy matters and helped obtain federal funding.
While working on “the Hill,” Tom attended American University’s Washington College of Law, where he served on the law review. He is admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia. He received his B.A. from Brown University.
Federal service: Chief of Staff and Senior Legislative Assistant, Congressman George J. Hochbrueckner of New York; Legislative Assistant, Congressman Martin Olav Sabo of Minnesota, and Aide to Senator Patrick J. Leahy and Congressman James M. Jeffords of Vermont.
