Ronald L. Kelley, a long-time consultant for the Materials Research Society’s (MRS) Office of Government Affairs, has announced his retirement. In his 23 years of service, Kelley has seen the MRS presence in Washington, DC, grow from a Society learning how the political system works to forming a robust MRS Government Affairs Committee that guides the Society’s advocacy activities.

Kelley recently said, “The [MRS] Government Affairs Committee has created new opportunities in letter writing to Congress and the Administration through [the] Materials Voice software; arranged for visits to the offices of Members of Congress through our Congressional Visits Day programs; supported the development of over 19 years of selecting and assigning Congressional Fellows to work on Capitol Hill and then to maintain this knowledge and expertise within MRS; initiated opportunities for federal program directors to present at all major MRS meetings; [and] created and supported policy sessions for congressional staff and Members on the Hill.” Kelley also credited MRS with supporting policy studies in energy critical materials and follow-on legislation and developing a forum for federal materials leaders to have a chance to collaborate.

As president of Strategic Partners, Inc., Kelley has provided guidance to the Society on science and technology programs, funding, and policy primarily in the high-tech sector for over three decades. For the past 14 years, he has also been associated with The Livingston Group, LLC, a government relations firm in Washington, DC. Kelley’s clients have included Dow Corning Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Case Western Reserve University, Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, Soitec, Echo Star, Energy Conversion Devices, Current Group, Cetacean Networks, MTI Micro Fuel Cells, US Advanced Ceramics Association, and Genesis Microchip. He has worked on projects relating to nanotechnology, semiconductors, photonics, materials science, hardware and software, information systems, biotechnology, stem cells, electrical smart grids, fuel cells, solar energy, protective armor, light-emitting diodes, helium, satellite communications, Internet protocols, wireless telecommunications, and information networks.

Damon A. Dozier (left) and Ronald L. Kelley (right)

Alan J. Hurd, who has served as MRS president and as a Franklin Fellow for The US State Department, said, “Ron Kelley is in the top tier of professional advocates in Washington. He is truly the dean of science policy consultants. Ron’s expertise in creating effective advocacy for important science legislation is second to none. As a result, MRS imprint can be seen on individual pieces of legislation over the years. However, it is Kelley’s expert sculpting, training, and growing of our politically smart cadre, both volunteer and professional, that is his greatest legacy.”

In recent years, MRS has expanded its relationship with Kelley’s Strategic Partners, Inc. as a result of volunteer and community demand for an increased voice in Washington, DC. With Kelley’s retirement, MRS has hired Damon A. Dozier, formerly the Director of Public Affairs for the American Anthropological Association, as the Director of Government Affairs. In his new post, Dozier will be responsible, in conjunction with the MRS Government Affairs Committee, for the overall direction of all advocacy and public policy activities of the Society. His duties will include developing government relations strategies and programs, informing MRS members about legislative developments, and serving as a chief advocate on interdisciplinary materials research and technology issues.

“I am both pleased and excited to be a member of a strong MRS team that includes a talented and respected staff, strong volunteer leadership, and a well-deserved reputation for successful advocacy in the Washington, DC, legislative and regulatory community,” Dozier said. “My plan is to build upon the strong work that Ron has done for the past 23 years and, in conjunction with the MRS Government Affairs Committee, raise our level of engagement with all of our partners in the nation’s capital.”

In his most recent post, Dozier was responsible for providing leadership to the American Anthropological Association in conceptualizing, planning, and directing government affairs, media relations, and international policy functions. He coordinated the Association’s responses to public policy issues of concern to the membership, and advised the organization on strategic priorities for long-term engagement on public policy issues. He monitored Congressional and Executive Branch actions relevant to the field’s research and education; advocated for their interests with policymakers; prepared and submitted testimony to government groups; identified experts in the field to serve in federal policy roles; and cultivated relationships with international institutions, including the United Nations. He also produced the Association’s biweekly podcast, a monthly column in the organization’s printed newspaper, and its Annual Report.

After receiving his BA degree in 1989 from Howard University, Dozier embarked on his long career of working in government relations and public affairs, including as an Assistant Advocate for Environmental Policy with the Small Business Administration, a Legislative Assistant on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, where he worked on numerous small business-related regulatory issues for Ranking Member Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, and the Director of Government and Public Affairs for the National Small Business Association. He also spent three years as the Legislative Director for former Congressional representative Juanita Millender-McDonald. In that capacity, he had an active role in shaping the Congresswoman’s legislative profile, including a very extensive science and scientific research portfolio that included securing appropriations for institutions of higher learning in the Congresswoman’s district.

Dozier is an active member of several societies, including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Council of Engineering and Social Science Executives (CESSE).