With more than two decades of experience in government and government relations, Neal is Senior Director of Government Relations at ML Strategies. He has represented clients before the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch on a wide range of issues including appropriations, energy and sustainability, tax policy, trade, and transportation. In support of a client portfolio that has included Fortune 100 companies, start-ups, non-profits and associations, and colleges and universities, Neal works to advance client goals related to federal policy and funding opportunities, and to increase client visibility with decision makers at the congressional and federal agency level.
Prior to joining ML Strategies, Neal served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), advising him on numerous issues including appropriations, energy and environment, international relations, natural resources, and trade.
Education
- University of Georgia (BA)
Case Studies
Case Study
ML Strategies formed a coalition of hydropower and renewable energy developers to build support for Massachusetts legislation, which was enacted in August 2016, that allows the state’s utilities to enter into long-term contracts with energy suppliers.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the National Association of Health and Educational Facilities Finance Authorities (NAHEFFA) amid the Trump administration’s tax law overhaul. The final bill maintained the private activity bond tax exemption, including for nonprofit hospitals and higher education.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the interests of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and its members before the Massachusetts legislature and health agencies through several rounds of cost containment legislation and bills designed to address the opioid crisis.
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — May 2024
April 26, 2024
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2024
February 23, 2024
Events
Neal Martin and Sebastian Lucier from ML Strategies and Mintz will speak on Cleantech San Diego's webinar, "Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act."
Sebastian Lucier and Neal Martin will discuss how President Biden’s transportation and infrastructure plan will affect the cleantech sector on Cleantech San Diego's webinar, "Energy and Infrastructure in the Biden Administration."
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2023
March 3, 2023|
Our March 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a significant energy package being advanced by House Republicans, the US-UK Strategic Energy Dialogue, ARPA-E Funding for Grid Reliability and Resiliency, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — February 2023
February 3, 2023|
Our February 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a DOE clean hydrogen funding opportunity, a FEMA report on Puerto Rico grid resilience, a program launched by national labs that focuses on community energy goals, a national blueprint for transportation decarbonization, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — January 2023
December 29, 2022|
Our January 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a letter from senators to the Department of Interior urging withdrawal of energy infrastructure guidance, a Biden administration guidebook on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Treasury Department guidance on IRA labor requirements, proposed standards for energy-efficient distribution transformers, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — December 2022
December 2, 2022|
Our December 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers energy permitting reform legislation, the Renew America’s Schools grant program that focuses on energy improvements to reduce school energy costs and increase indoor air quality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking public input on required volumes of biofuel in the future, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — November 2022
October 31, 2022|
Our November 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers Treasury Department and IRS announcements seeking public input on climate and energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a roundtable discussion on clean power generation, a GSA and DOE request for information on achieving net-zero carbon buildings, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — October 2022
October 4, 2022|
Our October 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the ongoing rollout of IRA clean energy provisions, the status of the energy permitting bill, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities, and National Clean Energy Week.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — September 2022
August 29, 2022|
Our September 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the initial rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities issued by the US Department of Energy.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — August 2022
August 1, 2022|
Our August 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the Inflation Reduction Act, a pending Senate bill calling for significant investments in energy security and addressing climate change, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities issued by the US Department of Energy.
Look Ahead: Upcoming Congressional Work Period – July 2022
July 11, 2022|
The next three weeks will be full of activity in Washington D.C., as the House of Representatives and Senate are working to push their legislative agendas to garner support from their constituents ahead of an August recess and before political “silly season” officially kicks in ahead of the upcoming mid-term elections in November. Here’s our latest update on what you can expect in Congress during the July work period.
Events
Apr
8
2024
Nov
18
2021
Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Cleantech San Diego
Virtual Event
May
26
2021
Feb
17
2021