Josh Batkin serves as the Vice President of Council Relations where he has the opportunity to put his experience working with state governments on behalf of national organizations, and his passion for engaging stakeholders, to work in support of NCARB’s 55 Member Boards. Josh leads the Council department dedicated to supporting the Member Boards, engaging volunteers, fostering relationships with partner organizations and supporting advocacy efforts on behalf of public protection. He joined NCARB in 2017 after more than two decades in government and nonprofit agencies dedicated to public health and safety missions. Before NCARB, he served as the presidentially appointed director of the Office of External Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he led congressional affairs, public affairs, intergovernmental affairs, private sector relations, and strategic communications efforts. Prior to that position, he worked in the U.S. Senate and also led communications and marketing efforts at a nonprofit building safety association. Additionally, he has served as the chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Josh obtained his M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and his undergraduate degree in political science from Duke University.