Mary Cronin Joins Smith Dawson & Andrews
Mary C. Cronin, Executive Director of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition since 2007, has joined Smith Dawson & Andrews as Senior Legislative Associate. "We are very pleased to welcome Mary Cronin to the Smith Dawson & Andrews team," said SDA President James P. Smith. "Mary's issues expertise and understanding of Congress will complement our firm's established strengths and enable us to continue to provide our clients with the best possible service."
At the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (NEMW), Ms. Cronin managed the portfolios of a number of Congressional task forces, coordinating common policy interests among more than 70 Members of Congress representing 18 Northeast and Midwestern states. She promoted policies and programs important to the manufacturing sector, brownfields clean-up, economic restoration, wastewater infrastructure financing, housing and assistance for low income families and underserved communities, fossil fuel and renewable energy technologies and transportation initiatives. The bipartisan organization is currently chaired by Representatives James L. Oberstar (D-MN) and Steve C. LaTourette (R-OH).
Prior to her service on Capitol Hill, Ms. Cronin was Assistant Director of Government Relations for the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools, where she worked with state and federal policy makers to advance the legislative goals of the nation's 12th-largest school system. Previously, she served as Legislative Director to the Assistant Majority Whip in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
A native of Stow, Massachusetts, Mary Cronin earned her undergraduate degree from Saint Michael's College and a Master of Science in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies. She is a 2010 candidate to receive a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the College of International Security Affairs at the National Defense University.
Ronald Bonneau Joins Smith Dawson & Andrews
Ronald Bonneau, former Executive Director of Illinois' SouthCom E9-1-1 Center, has joined Smith Dawson & Andrews as Senior Consultant. Mr. Bonneau brings a comprehensive knowledge of the public safety arena to SDA, where he will focus on business development and providing direct support to clients that work with or market to public safety organizations.
During his tenure at SouthCom in Matteson, Illinois, Mr. Bonneau built a new combined and consolidated 9-1-1 center, implemented Phase II wireless 9-1-1 and began the process of SouthCom joining an existing interoperable 800 MHz radio network. Among man special assignments, he provided Incident Command and Communications for the 2003 U.S. Open Golf Tournament held at the Olympia Fields Country Club, as well as serving on the communications committee for the Illinois Terrorism Taskforce.
Prior to SouthCom, Ron served as a Riverdale, Illinois police officer for twenty seven years, retiring with the rank of Captain. He spent his last ten years in Riverdale managing the support services division, which included computer services, records, dispatch, 9-1-1 and investigations.
"We are thrilled to have Ron as a member of the SDA team," said firm President and Founder, James Smith. "Ron's experience, knowledge and understanding of emergency communications and other homeland security issues give great strength to our capabilities in a key area."
Ron recently completed a term as National President of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and since 1995 has served as a member of the NENA Executive Board. In those positions, he interacted regularly with Commissioners and staff of the Federal Communications Commission, the Director and staff at FEMA, the E911 Congressional Caucus and numerous other federal and state lawmakers and regulators. He has been a featured speaker at 9-1-1 events throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as in Europe and Asia. He is the author of numerous articles in trade publications and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and Readers Digest.
A native of Riverdale, Illinois, Mr. Bonneau was awarded a Master of Arts from Western Illinois University and completed his undergraduate studies at Northern Illinois University. Ron also holds Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification from NENA.
