Page 5 - OhioAlaCarteSpring11NEW

www.ohiorestaurant.org 3 Spring Issue

Under the Dome: A Legislative Update for ORA

With all humility, I do believe lobbyists are important. In America today, if a business is unaffliated with an organization with a paid advocate, there is a much better chance that government will make decisions that negatively impact their business.

However, and this is a big “however,” a lobbyist’s success is directly proportionate to the engagement of the lobbyist’s clients – in my case - the ORA’s members. Whether it’s writing a letter or sending an e-mail to your lawmaker; putting together a foursome for the ORA’s SAFE golf class on June 20; or writing a check to our political action committee (PAC), every member of the ORA can truly make a difference.

Members can also contribute to our advocacy program by serving on our Government Affairs Committee. This committee is appointed by Chairman Lynn Brown and is the primary means for the ORA to determine our position on legislation proposed in the Ohio General Assembly. Chairman Brown appointed Jamie Richardson to serve as the chair of the Government Affairs Committee for 2011-2012.

Jamie Richardson is Vice President of Government and Shareholder Relations for White Castle System, Inc, based in Columbus. Jamie was an early White Castle “craver”, which was nurtured during his time serving the White Castle account while working for advertising agency J. Walter Thompson. His current duties include government affairs, shareholder relations, community relations and public relations.

Jamie and his wife, Kate, have fve children and live in Mt. Vernon. He’s active in many community and professional organizations, including Family Enterprise USA, The American Red Cross, The National Council of Chain Restaurants, The Kiwanis Club, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and Boy Scout Pack 332.

To gather more personal insight into Jamie’s interest in advocacy, I posed a series of questions to him:

Richard: When did you become interested in advocacy and politics?

Jamie: In high school, I had the chance to attend Boy’s State and was fortunate to be one of two attendees picked to go to Boy’s Nation in Washington D.C. where we served as senators for eight days. Later in college, I volunteered to write a column for the school newspaper about political philosophy called “Of Life and Liberty” and had the chance to do a congressional internship in D.C. for Congressman Carl Purcell. All were great experiences and gave me a frst-hand glimpse of the important role the political

world plays in shaping our everyday lives.

Richard: How important is government affairs to White Castle?

Jamie: Very. Government laws and regulations are factored into almost every business decision we make.

Richard: How does the ORA Government Affairs Committee decide what position the association should take on political issues?

Jamie: We have approximately 30 members on our committee who represent all segments of the foodservice industry from every corner of our

Jamie Richardson, Vice President of Government and Shareholder Relations for White Castle System, Inc., meets with Ohio House Representative Bob Mecklenborg (R) Cincinnati, Chairman of the House State Government Committee, prior to testifying on behalf of the ORA in support of House Bill 1.