Fred Abousleman is the Executive Director of the National Association of Regional Councils in Washington, D.C. He leads a professional staff in representing the interests of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Regional Councils, large and small, urban and rural, across the country. NARC is responsible for advocacy, policy, technical assistance, events, services and training for its members. He was previously the Deputy Director and the Transportation Director with the Association. Mr. Abousleman brings to NARC knowledge of urban and rural policy across many program areas through his work in local, state, and federal agencies and programs. He has worked in politics as a Field Director for a major presidential campaign and legislative director for senate leadership in state legislature. He has also managed major federal programs including the Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program; the Federal Highway Administration's Rural Capacity Building Program; planning for the Territories of the United States, and was point person on Round Two of the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Program. In 1999, Fred was a Visiting Fellow to the Library of Congress and has also had his work published on various planning and policy issues. Fred holds Masters Degrees in Public Policy and Community and Regional Planning and has won numerous awards from the Department of Transportation, a Hammer Award for Reinventing Government, and a National Civic League All American City Award.