Politics and Policy 2023 - A Capitol Hill Briefing and Commentary

Stanley E. Kolbe, Jr. has been a construction industry Washington representative for three decades and is currently Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs for SMACNA. He works on industry issues representing SMACNA as well as the American Institute of Architects. Prior to that, he worked for the US Conference of Mayors and the United States Senate Small Business Committee.

In his role as Executive Director, Stan implements an ambitious legislative affairs agenda for SMACNA in the Congress, Administration, and various state legislatures. Additionally, he has served as President of the National Alliance for Fair Competition (NAFC), a national coalition of associations and independent members confronting anti-competitive utility practices harmful to small private energy service and construction firms. Kolbe also serves on the steering committee of the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency (AIE), a coalition of national associations promoting policy efforts to boost industrial efficiency.

Mr. Kolbe, a native of Marshalltown, Iowa, received a BS degree in management and labor relations at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. He was an honors graduate of George Washington University, where he received a master’s degree in Government Policy. In addition, Mr. Kolbe attended the George Washington University Graduate School of Business.

Erykka Thompson - In her role as Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs for SMACNA, Erykka Thompson represents the interests of SMACNA’s membership with Members of Congress, personal Congressional staff, Committee staff, government officials, coalition members, and at political events. Advocating on behalf of the industry in Washington is only half of the equation; change in Washington is predicated on the voice of the constituent. So, Erykka has a strong interest in partnering with chapters and members to mobilize support or opposition for proposed policies and legislation.

A native of Maryland, Ms. Thompson has worked as a change agent and advocate across many diverse fields, including manufacturing, contracting, public relations, and education. With experience in both the public and private sectors, she understands government processes and business operations.  

She received a BS degree in chemistry at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999. Upon graduation, she served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, earning many awards and commendations. She earned her Six Sigma Black Belt Certification while working for GE, and she has completed continuing education courses through the John F. Welch Leadership Development Center, the Defense Acquisition University, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa.