Teri demonstrated exceptional proficiency in navigating the intricate webs of government advocacy, strategically championing causes with significant financial and advocacy impact, as evidenced by her pivotal role in advancing the passage of legislation addressing the Rum Cover-Over issue.

Rum Cover-Over H.R. 3146 Coalition 

• Legislative Advocacy: Spearheading a broad coalition in pursuit of a permanent solution for the Rum Cover-Over. Advocacy efforts focus on securing the passage of legislation establishing a rate of $13.25 per proof gallon for Puerto Rico and the USVI, projected to yield over $200 million annually for the Virgin Islands and over $300 million annually for Puerto Rico.
• Communications Strategy Shift: Orchestrated a shift in the communications strategy, emphasizing the impact on retirees and infrastructure projects over the benefit to rum companies, effectively conveying the broader significance of the issue.
• Effective Leadership: Leading the Washington Team and Rum Cover-Over working group, managing planning committee meetings to ensure the success of critical discussions with key stakeholders and rum cover-over passage. This includes engagement with Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees, Governor Bryan, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, senior financial leaders, and key congressional leaders, namely Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
• Advocacy Impact: Championing H.R. 3146 to address the Rum Cover-Over issue, to provide sustainable economic growth for the Government Employees’ Retirement System of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico’s Conservation Trust to address substantial revenue loss retroactively.