Judith Thorman, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy 

Judith Thorman is  Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, spearheading the association's federal and state lobbying efforts on issues such as credit access, healthcare reform, job creation, and creating employment and ownership opportunities for returning U.S. military service members and minorities. 

Thorman was recognized as one of the nation's "top lobbyists" by CEO Update in 2010 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Beverage Association, where she also ran state programs.  She held senior leadership positions with the Washington offices of New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean (R) and Illinois Governor James R. Thompson (R), as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service during the Reagan Administration. Thorman began her career on the staff of Sen. Charles Percy (R-IL). 

Thorman has a B.A. in Political Science from American University and a M.P.A. from The George Washington University.  She can be reached at jthorman@franchise.org.