The JMP&A staff will work with the NSPS Board of Directors and Government Affairs committee to advocate for, and bring awareness to, Congress and the Executive Branch of the federal government for NSPS and the surveying profession.

JMP&A will advise and counsel NSPS on legislative strategy and provide lobbying services to advocate NSPS policy positions to enhance NSPS members' professional image, permit members to carry out their professional practices under a legislative framework that is consistent with their professional ethics and standards of practice, and create market opportunities in the Federal government. The firm will also keep NSPS informed of actions in Congress and Federal agencies affecting NSPS members' business and professional practice, and keep government officials aware of NSPS policy positions. JMP&A will provide regular reports, newsletter content and articles to keep NSPS members informed on government-related activities affecting their profession and educated on government policies.

"NSPS is delighted to have John M. Palatiello & Associates on our team. This will strengthen our voice in Washington, enhance the image of surveyors, and provide more value and benefit to our members, particularly as we implement our 100 percent joint membership program with the state societies," said Curt Sumner, LS, NSPS Executive Director. "We went through a professional, qualifications based selection process and selected JMP&A based on the firm's past performance and record of knowledge and effectiveness on behalf of the surveying and mapping community."

Palatiello was the first Government Affairs Director of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), in 1982, and a former ACSM Assistant Executive Director. He will provide overall strategic services to NSPS. John L. Byrd will be the primary registered lobbyist representing NSPS. Byrd is the Government Affairs Manager for JMP&A and has worked in the public policy arena for 12 years. Prior to joining JMP&A, Mr. Byrd worked as an aide to U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA).

JMP&A was formed in 1987 and John Palatiello has been an effective advocate for the surveying and mapping profession in Washington, DC for more than 30 years. Mr. Palatiello and his firm's accomplishments include Congressional enactment of the first National Surveyors Week resolution and a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan, reinstatement of the surveyor as a lead professional under the Surface Mining Act, amending the Brooks Act to include surveying and mapping, liability limitations for surveyors in the "Superfund" program, preserving cash accounting for surveyors for tax purposes, and the recently enacted MAP-21 Act that reforms FEMA flood mapping.

"Our team takes great pride in representing the surveying profession and I am personally honored to once again be working with the NSPS," commented John Palatiello.

JMP&A's clients include MAPPS, the association of private firms in the geospatial field; the Council on Federal Procurement of Architectural-Engineering Services (COFPAES), a coalition of the nation's leading design professional societies, and the Business Coalition for Fair Competition (BCFC), an organization comprised of trade associations, businesses, and organizations dedicated to relief from unfair government sponsored competition.

"NSPS is an excellent addition to our stable of clients. The surveyors' agenda is consistent with and complementary to the other organizations we represent. Indeed, this will give the broad surveying and mapping profession a more effective voice in Washington," said Palatiello.