Craig Obey is the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs (OIPA). Prior to this position, Mr. Obey was the Senior Advisor for the American Brain Coalition. He spent nearly six years as Chief of Government Relations for the American Psychiatric Association, where he led federal and state relations and oversaw the APA Political Action Committee as part of the APA’s administrative leadership. He was previously Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer at Families USA, where he oversaw all of Families USA’s operations, worked with strategic partners, chaired the leadership team and was a central founder in the primary national coalition that fought repeal of the Affordable Care Act. His experience with mental health dates to his work as the senior health staffer for a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, his role in advancing the first mental health parity amendment to pass a Senate committee, and his leadership of government affairs efforts for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
Mr. Obey has extensive experience in federal and state policymaking, organizational management, fundraising, and partnership development. During his 30 years working with and in the private and public sectors, he has been a change agent in organizational leadership roles and across public policy settings. His public policy expertise includes such wide-ranging areas as health reform, mental health parity, occupational health and safety, active outdoor recreation, budget and appropriations, national parks, public lands, tribal affairs, and transportation.
In addition to his experience in the health care arena, Mr. Obey was Senior Vice President for Government Affairs with the National Parks Conservation Association, where he led and developed programs, education strategies, partnerships and alliances. and provided organizational leadership as a member of the Executive Team. As a group Vice President at Powell-Tate, the top-rated public affairs firm in the nation’s capital, he helped agricultural, business, foundation, and health care clients develop communications and consumer awareness strategies. In addition, he has operated small, private sector technology and consulting businesses.
Mr. Obey spent nearly a decade in key staff roles for a U.S. Senator, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs. He also spent several years leading the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor.
Mr. Obey received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.