January 22-24, 2012
St. Regis Resort
Dana Point, CA
The California Sweet Potato Council is happy to be hosting the 50th Annual United States Sweet Potato Convention. The meeting will be held in Dana Point, California at the St Regis Resort. The Convention dates are January 22–24, 2012, make plans to come early and
enjoy the luxuries of St. Regis Resort.
Keynote speaker
Frederick D. McClure
Fred McClure is the managing partner of SNR Denton’s Washington, DC, office. He has extensive legislative experience with Congress and broad advocacy experience with the executive branch of the US government.
Fred has been described by Legal Times as a "seasoned political operative" and by The Washington Post as a "guardian of bipartisanship." National media organizations regularly seek him out for insight on the nexus of public policy, politics and business.
Among his many career highlights, Fred has served as assistant for legislative affairs to President George H. W. Bush (1989–92), as special assistant for legislative affairs to President Ronald Reagan (1985–86) and as associate deputy US attorney general (1984–85).
In 2001, he completed a six-year term on the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System, where he served two years as vice chairman.
Fred is the former managing shareholder of Winstead Sechrest and Minick’s Washington, DC, office. A former Government Affairs staff vice president of Texas Air Corporation, he also previously served for more than five years as managing director of Public Strategies, Inc.
Fred was also managing director of public finance for First Southwest Company, a financial advisory and investment banking firm.
His other US government service includes legislative director to US Senator John Tower of Texas, chairman of the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy and a member of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission.
Representative Experience
- Counseled Global 500 insurance company on issues related to the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
- Counseled an Indian nation on tribal sovereignty, territorial and business issues.
- Advised US life unit of Munich-based insurance group regarding congressional oversight of annuity products for senior citizens.
Counseled wireless telecommunications service provider on congressional oversight of unauthorized collection of data using pretexting.
- Advised Fortune 40 telecommunications company on affecting legislative and executive branch decisions on telecommunications policy.
- Counseled defense technologies and system integration company on Department of Homeland Security pilot project relating to anti-aircraft missile technologies for commercial aircraft.
- Advised nonrenewable power generation company on expanding federal definition of bioenergy to embrace new technology, e.g., biogas.
- Developed strategies for technology company seeking federal and state government partnerships for installation of border security surveillance systems, including protection of related intellectual property.
- Counseled high-tech company on public policy options to prevent unauthorized use abroad of US process patents and tariff provisions affecting importation of raw products.
- Counseled Canada’s research-based pharmaceutical companies on prohibiting commercial importation of low-cost prescription drugs into the US.
Honors and Awards
- In 1991, Fred’s alma mater, Texas A&M University, honored him as its 115th Distinguished Alumnus.
- Also in 1991, Baylor University, his law school alma mater, named him an Outstanding Young Alumnus.
- Four Texas governors from both political parties have appointed Fred to state government public service positions.
Organizations
- In 2011, Fred was elected president of the Board of Governors of The University Club of Washington, DC.
- Fred is a member of the Board of Directors of the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, and of the Board of Directors of Alex Lee, Inc., a multiplatform food-service corporation.
- In 2006 he completed a term as a member of the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board.
- In February 2002, Fred completed four years as chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.
