09 Jan FDRA Adds New Staff, New Push for Tariff Reforms
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has hired former U.S. Representative Sue Myrick as its key policy strategist and Thomas Crockett as the association’s director of government and regulatory affairs. Both Myrick and Crockett bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to FDRA as it fights to eliminate the over $2.5 billion in duties plaguing the footwear industry.
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Sue had a distinguished career in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost twenty years, working with both sides of the aisle to get things done,” said Priest. “I am extremely excited to add her to our footwear family as a key advisor because I see it as a game changer. She will elevate our name brand across Washington, and will help us make an even stronger case for our priorities directly to her former colleagues.”
Priest continued, “We are also excited to add Thomas as he helps us manage the day-to-day advocacy and regulatory needs of the industry. He spent over five years advising a member of Congress as his Chief Counsel and will bring that same experience to FDRA in 2015 and beyond.”
“FDRA is well known in Washington as the voice of the footwear industry, and I am happy to be a part of an organization fighting to lower consumer costs and create jobs,” said former Representative Sue Myrick. “I believe we have a moral obligation to eliminate tariffs on footwear because they are a direct hit on the pocketbooks of lower-income and middle class families – people who can least afford it. And as a former businessperson myself, I see it as an innovation tax which prevents companies from growing and creating new and higher-quality footwear. 2015 presents our best chance in a decade to pass meaningful trade legislation to eliminate these outdated tariffs. We will not miss any opportunity to tell the industry’s story with House and Senate leaders.”
Myrick came to Congress in 1995 after building a successful advertising and public relations business, and serving two terms as mayor of Charlotte, NC – the first and only female mayor in Charlotte history. She served in the House from 1995-2013 and had various leadership roles including Freshman Class Liaison, Deputy Majority Whip, and chair of the largest voting block in Congress, the Republican Study Committee (RSC). Sue served on the Rules Committee, the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, and the 
House Intelligence Committee during her time in Congress.
Since 2010, Crockett has served in the office Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), working most recently as Legislative Counsel. As legislative counsel, Thomas oversaw the issues of trade, foreign relations, government reform and immigration for the congressman. Prior to arriving on Capitol Hill, Thomas was deputy district attorney in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for two years. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama, bringing important critical thought and analytical skills to FDRA.