---
title: "How I Got Here: Nate Smith"
id: "9491"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-nate-smith"
published_at: "2018-11-09T00:00:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-14T22:51:29+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/11/09/how-i-got-here-nate-smith/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/11/09/how-i-got-here-nate-smith.md"
excerpt: "Nate Smith Vice President, Government Relations American Traffic Safety Services Association Fredericksburg, Virginia As a congressional intern for Rep. Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Nate Smith handled constituent issues and helped to solve problems residents were facing. The skills he learned..."
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  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "ASAEcenter"
  - "Association Industry"
  - "Career Development"
  - "careers"
  - "Leadership"
  - "Professional Development"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Executive Team"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

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 » How I Got Here: Nate Smith

**Nate Smith**  
 Vice President, Government Relations  
 American Traffic Safety Services Association  
 Fredericksburg, Virginia

As a congressional intern for Rep. Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Nate Smith handled constituent issues and helped to solve problems residents were facing. The skills he learned there are ones he still applies to his job at ATSSA, where he’s focused on grassroots lobbying and advocacy strategy. “I learned how to relate to people and communicate to them in a way that made them feel supported and heard,” he says. Here are a few stops on his career journey so far:

> Don’t be afraid to get out there and let others hear your voice.

**2005:**Congressional Intern for Rep. Thomas H. Allen

**2006:**Researcher for University of New Hampshire Justiceworks

**2006-2009:**Senior Government Relations Specialist at National Court Reporters Association

**2010-2014:**Associate Director of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

**2014-2015:**Director of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

**2015-Present:**Vice President of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

Tags: [#Association Industry](https://associationsnow.com/tag/association-industry/)
 [#Career Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/career-development/)
 [#careers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/careers/)
 [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/)
 [#Professional Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-development/)

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