WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of America announced that Armenian Americans active in politics are joining a panel on “The Importance of Advocacy” during the Assembly’s National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday, September 16.
California State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian; President Donald Trump’s Transition Team Executive Director and Nahigian Strategies President and Founder Keith Nahigian; Michigan State Representative Mari Manoogian; and President George W. Bush Administration’s US Department of Transportation Maritime Administrator and former Michigan legislator John Jamian will join a panel moderated by Elise Kenderian Aronson, Vice President of Government Affairs at MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings and a former chief of staff on Capitol Hill.
“This panel discussion of Armenian Americans with experience in government relations and media messaging alongside current and former elected officials offers an important opportunity to inspire conference participants to advocate for stronger US-Armenia relations,” Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan said.
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian represents California’s 46th Assembly District, which includes the Hollywood Hills, Lake Balboa, North Hills, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Universal City, Van Nuys, and Valley Village. He has led many efforts in support of Armenians in California since his election in 2012, including the Turkish Divestment Bill and formal reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as his work strengthening ties between the Republic of Armenia and California, spearheading delegations of fellow state elected officials and business leaders while visiting Armenia and Artsakh.
Prior to being elected, Nazarian served as Chief of Staff to Paul Krekorian in both of Krekorian’s capacities as Assistant Majority Leader in the California State Legislature and as Los Angeles Councilmember. He was also as an aide to Congressman Brad Sherman, participated in the prestigious CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs, and was appointed Special Assistant to the California Trade and Commerce Agency by former Gov. Gray Davis.
A 27-year veteran with top-level experience advising, designing, and managing some of the largest political campaigns in US history, Keith Nahigian has worked for governors, members of Congress, and served in the White House under the first Bush Administration. His work has taken him around the world to dozens of countries and almost every state in the nation. Among other roles, he has served as Special Assistant to the vice president of the United States, special assistant to the Governor of New Jersey, consultant to the secretary of health and human services (HHS), and campaign manager to Rep. Michele Bachmann in her 2012 presidential campaign.