Since 2008, Liz Barry has provided a line of modular medical apparel for patients with limited mobility challenges. The apparel is gifted to Wounded Warriors, Veterans and Cancer Patients through the Al Barry Foundation (www.albarryfoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation.
She retired from federal government service in November of 2003 as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chair, Olympia Snowe,
on the U.S. Senate Committee on Entrepreneurship and Small Business in Washington, D.C. In addition to working on legislation to improve small business opportunities and preparing speeches for the Committee Chair, she was responsible for all non-credit legislative activities during the preparation of the 3-year Reauthorization of SBA programs and services. She served in the same position in 1997 at the request of the Committee Chair, Kit Bond.
Prior to returning to Washington, D.C. in 2003, Liz served as Director of Marketing and Outreach in the South Carolina District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for nine years. Responsibilities included the oversight and management of SBA’s economic development programs and the 8(a) Business Development Program. In 1993, her service began at SBA’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the position of Director of Marketing in the Office of Business Initiatives and Educational Training.
Her 18-year career in Washington, D.C., included Member and committee staff positions in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. During tenure on Capitol Hill, she advanced to the position of Administration Assistant/Director of DC Operations for Senator Steve Symms (R-Idaho), responsible for office administration, legislative initiatives, and representing the Member’s political interests in Washington, D.C.
From 1986 until 1991, she was Director of Government Affairs of the McNair Group, Inc., a consulting firm established by the McNair Law Firm of South Carolina. Expertise focused on federal and congressional activities on a grassroots national level as well as on a client specific level. Clients were academic institutions and businesses needing assistance in the government regulatory, procurement and legislative areas. Liz also planned and initiated political fundraising activities in Washington, D.C. and ten major cities on a volunteer and paid consultant basis.