New government affairs exec leads three teams focused on advocacy

Cicely Simpson wasn't interested when the CEO of the National Restaurant Association first talked to her about a possible position several years ago.

Simpson liked her job as the top lobbyist for "coffee, donuts and ice cream" at Dunkin' Brands. But last year Dawn Sweeney offered Simpson the chance to lead all advocacy efforts for the association—including the government affairs, communications and research teams.

"She's a hard friend and colleague to say no to twice," Simpson said. "I know where she's trying to move the association and the value she wants to provide to the industry. Once she laid that out, I said OK. I'm all in."

Simpson, 41, joined NRA in May as executive vice president of government affairs and policy. Since then, she has been developing a new advocacy strategy to support the three pillars of the association's five-year plan: image, influence and engagement. Her teams total nearly 40 people at the $80 million-revenue organization.

One of the first challenges had been to prioritize—in partnership with board members— more than 60 issues facing the industry from federal, state and local perspectives. Another challenge is to engage grassroots advocates. In February, the association launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #RestaurantsDecide, and encouraged restaurateurs, employees and patrons to photograph candidates on the trail.

Simpson's early career goal had been to be a trial attorney, and her first job after law school was as a criminal prosecutor. But then she volunteered for the U.S. House campaign of home-state Democrat Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, and went to work for him after his 2002 election.

"I find the best opportunities come when I'm not looking for them," Simpson said. "I don't know what's next, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be very cool and exciting."

UP CLOSE
First job: A summer bolting together trucks at Peterbilt Motors
Proudest achievement: Getting into law school despite being a poor test-taker, then graduating with top honors
Dream job: U.S. Supreme Court justice
All sports fanatic: Grew up cheering the Tennessee Volunteers, played travel/college softball, will attend next Wimbledon in London
Words of wisdom: No regrets. "I would rather try and fail than to not try at all."