Blue Dogs Name Adam Finkel Policy Coordinator

The Blue Dog Coalition on Wednesday announced Adam Finkel has joined its staff in the role of policy coordinator.

Finkel, who previously served as Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology, will work alongside Brooke Lillard, who has served as the coalition’s communications director over the past two years.

In his new role Finkel will be working directly with members of the centrist and fiscally responsible coalition and its staff.

His responsibilities will also include working with the coalition’s Policy Task Forces, to promote Blue Dog legislative priorities.

“With extensive policy experience that reflects the Blue Dog Coalition’s pragmatic approach to governance, Adam will be a valuable resource as we push commonsense legislative solutions to the challenges our nation faces,” said Representative Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. 

“As we look to the future, I am confident that Adam’s expertise will enable the Coalition to continue the great work it has already accomplished this Congress. I am proud to welcome him to the team,” O’Halleran said.

Finkel said he’s thrilled to begin working for the Blue Dog Coalition “at such a critical time in our nation’s history.” 

“The Blue Dogs understand that the American people want a Congress that works to find commonsense solutions to issues that impact their everyday lives, and I look forward to helping the Coalition work with Democrats and Republicans to achieve this goal,” he said.

As director of government relations for the AAA, Finkel oversaw the organization’s federal advocacy efforts focusing on issues related to affordability and accessibility to hearing health care, including expanding access to early childhood hearing screenings, telehealth, and access to hearing health care services for patients on Medicare.

Before joining AAA, he served as the field director for Indiana Democrat Baron Hill’s 2016 Senate campaign and as the canvass director for Iowa Democrat Jim Mowrer’s 2016 Congressional campaign.

Finkel has also served as the director of government relations for the National Court Reporters Association, where he worked on telecommunications and education issues.

Early in his career, Finkel interned in the office of Congressman Mike Ross, D-Ark., a former co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.