NARFE Taps Hatton to Lead Policy and Programs Staff, Announces Other Internal Promotions

Alexandria, Va. – NARFE: Federal Benefits Experts is pleased to announce the promotions of several key policy and programs staff members.

John Hatton will take on the role of staff vice president, policy and programs, leading the association’s advocacy efforts and overseeing the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute. Hatton, who currently serves as senior director, legislative and political affairs, previously served as deputy director of advocacy/legislation from 2012 to 2018, and as legislative representative after joining the staff as legislative specialist in 2010. Hatton began his career in legislative affairs as a legal clerk for the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and DC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial labor relations with a concentration in economics from Cornell University and a juris doctor from New York University School of Law.

“NARFE members have not only committed careers to serving the public; they also extend their civic participation through NARFE membership and often as grassroots advocates for the entire federal community,” said Hatton. “It’s an honor to lead NARFE’s nationwide advocacy efforts on their behalf – and on behalf of the millions of federal employees and retirees who have served their fellow Americans. Through their service they earn valuable federal benefits that are unique, complex and subject to change. I look forward to ensuring that NARFE not only defends and advances those benefits, but that it continues to serve as the go-to resource for federal employees and retirees seeking clear, reliable and accessible counsel to make critical decisions to gain confidence in a secure future for themselves and their families.”

NARFE National President Ken Thomas hailed the move.

“NARFE is fortunate to have such a deep bench of experts in grassroots advocacy, policy and programs,” Thomas said. “John Hatton has worked on behalf of NARFE members for more than 11 years; he is intimately familiar with the many needs of the federal family in terms of their rights and earned benefits and also highly skilled in communicating those needs to people in power. He’s been making a difference for Feds throughout his career, and we’re thrilled to have him lead this team.”

Hatton assumes leadership of the departments from Jessica Klement, who is moving this month to the American Society of Travel Advisors as vice president, advocacy. Klement served the association in a variety of roles, and we wish her well in her future endeavors.

“In her 9.5 years with NARFE, Jessie led efforts to strengthen our advocacy efforts beyond Capitol Hill, expanding our influence on administrative policy,” Thomas said. “Under her leadership, the Federal Benefits Institute has increased and diversified its offerings. Partnerships she orchestrated with outside experts have helped NARFE meet our members’ ever more complex needs. But chief among her many valuable contributions to the association is her assembly of the highly skilled policy and programs team she leaves in charge.”

Other promotions announced today by NARFE:

• Erin Carter’s new title will be director of programs, with the assumption of the program and logistics aspects of meetings and events, including FEDcon, LEGcon, and other face-to-face, in-person and virtual meetings, webinars, and committee support, among many additional responsibilities. Carter joined NARFE in October 2020 as director of the Federal Benefits Institute. She has more than 25 years of experience in association and hospitality management, and she is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She has an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College and studied Organizational Management at George Mason University.

• Marsha Padilla-Goad will become director, grassroots. Padilla-Goad joined NARFE as grassroots program manager in 2019 after extensive experience in the private and nonprofit sectors as an advocate for small businesses, seniors, veterans and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from George Mason University.

• Ross Apter will become director, legislative and political affairs. Currently the association’s political associate, Apter previously served as grassroot associate prior to joining the staff in 2016 as NARFE’s legislative staff assistant. Apter holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and is completing his master’s in Public Administration from George Washington University.

# # #

As the only organization solely dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy. For 100 years, NARFE has been a trusted source of knowledge for the federal community, Capitol Hill, the executive branch and the media.