The Utility and Transportation Contractors Association has named a new director of government affairs and communications, the Wall-based trade group announced Monday.
Ryan Sharpe has more than 20 years of experience as a legislative staffer, and most recently served as chief of staff for Assemblyman Edward Thomson (R-Wall). He has also served as chief of staff for several other legislators, and has worked as a communications specialist for the state Senate.
“We are thrilled to have Ryan on board,” UTCA Executive Director Dave Rible said in a prepared statement. “He brings a wide variety of skills and knowledge — both of the Legislature and of the issues that are most important to our membership — and he is a talented writer. Ryan is a welcomed addition to our UTCA team, and we look forward to accomplishing great things with him at the helm of our government affairs and communications team.”
In his new role, Sharpe will manage and implement all aspects of the organization’s legislative and governmental policies and directives, UTCA said, as well as developing policies and positions and interfacing with elected officials and other political leaders and staff in New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
“I am execited to utilize my two decades of government experience to be a forceful advocate for the contractors who build and maintain our state’s infrastructure,” he said in a statement. “With New Jersey slated to receive billions of federal dollars for infrastructure and our Transportation Trust Fund coming up for renewal, it is a unique moment to join this dedicated and widely respected organization.”
Sharpe has also served as director of public relations for the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, and has been involved in multiple political campaigns at all levels.
UTCA is a nonprofit trade association that represents approximately 1,000 member firms in the public and private sectors, active in all phases of heavy, highway, utility and marine construction, as well as site work including remediation.
