Electronic Transactions Association Expands Government Affairs Activities

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the trade association of the global electronic payments industry, today announced the next step in its continued expansion of government relations activities with the hiring of seasoned Hill veteran Jaime Graham as the association's new Senior Government Affairs Manager.

"Jaime brings extensive experience in grassroots and legislative affairs to our growing ETA team," said Jason Oxman, CEO of ETA. "Her background as a legislative director on Capitol Hill gives her a deep understanding of government affairs, and her campaign work has put her right in the thick of grassroots outreach. Her strong institutional knowledge will be invaluable to us as we ramp up our advocacy on behalf of our members."

ETA is significantly enhancing its government affairs operations, including the recently announced formation of the payments industry's first political action committee, the ETA PAC; the registration of ETA's first in-house lobbyist, Hill veteran Mary Bennett, ETA's Director of Government and Industry Relations; and the expansion of ETA's Government Relations Committee to include representatives from more than 30 of the nation's largest financial and technology companies.

"At a time of unprecedented change in the payments industry, ETA's government relations efforts are enormously important," said Bobby Thomson, Head of US Government Relations at Visa Inc., and Chair of ETA's Government Relations Committee. "We are pleased to see ETA enhancing its advocacy to ensure state and federal policymakers understand the enormous benefits of payments innovation for consumers and our economy."

While on Capitol Hill, Ms. Graham served as Legislative Director for a member of the House Appropriations Committee. She also acted as legislative representative to constituents, agencies and associations. Before her work in Congress, she assisted on campaigns in several states, including Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.

"I am thrilled to join ETA's team," said Ms. Graham. "The association is enjoying tremendous growth, and I am excited to be part of their effort to expand grassroots outreach on Capitol Hill. ETA members are bringing exciting innovations in payments technology to consumers, and I look forward to helping policymakers understand the need for policies that promote such innovation."

SOURCE Electronic Transactions Association