PAR’s Public Policy Department Names New Director

PAR’s Public Policy and Political Affairs Department has reorganized some responsibilities and welcomes a new member to the team.

Sherri Martin is the new the director of public policy and political affairs and will be responsible for coordinating the operations of the department, as well as the Pennsylvania Realtors® Political Action Committee. Martin accepted the position in July, following the departure of Alex Charlton.

PAR CEO Mike McGee said, “We conducted a thorough review of the departmental structure after Alex left, including talking to internal staff, volunteer leaders and local association representatives. Their feedback helped us identify areas where we needed more focus and provided us with examples of how we could better utilize staff and members, which contributed to the creation of the new structure. Equally important, with Sherri as the director, we have someone who understands the issues, the members and has a strong political acumen. I have every confidence that she will take our program to the next level, while amplifying the team-oriented culture we strive to build within our organization.”

Wayne Crawford and new hire Jeff Dempsey both serve as public policy managers, representing PAR’s lobbying efforts at the state Capitol. Savannah Beeler, public policy and political programs manager, will be responsible for representing PAR with regulatory agencies and managing independent expenditures. And Chuck Liedike, field operations and grassroots manager, will oversee the field representative program, as well as the grassroots operations.

Martin has worked with PAR for six years managing RPAC fundraising efforts, which have reached record levels in the past several years. Prior to working with PAR, she worked for eight years as the government affairs director for Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors®. She is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College.

Martin said, “I am very excited to continue serving the PAR membership in this new role. Advocating for Realtors® and consumers over the last 14 years has been a privilege, and I look forward to leading our advocacy efforts and working with our strong team at PAR and the local association government affairs directors to achieve the members’ goals.”

Crawford has worked at PAR for a year. Prior to joining PAR’s public policy department, he served as senior legal counsel and executive director of the Professional Licensure Committee for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He is a graduate of Juniata College and Widener University School of Law and is a U.S. Army veteran.

The newest member of the department, Dempsey, previously worked as a program director for a statewide advocacy group. He also ran for state office and worked as deputy chief of staff for state House member. Dempsey is a graduate of Temple University.

Beeler has worked for PAR for a year and previously served as a government affairs director for GHAR. She is a graduate of Shippensburg University.

Liedike began working for PAR in 2014, as the first field representative. Prior to working for PAR, he served as the government affairs director for the Reading-Berks Association of Realtors®. He is a graduate of Widener University.