Gladys Barcena, Senior Director of Government Relations, brings thirteen years of public and private sector experiences primarily in the areas of technology and telecommunications. She started her career on Capitol Hill working for Ways and Means Committee Member, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and most recently, for the Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. 

 

During her time on the Appropriations Committee, Gladys was responsible for an array of transportation and housing accounts which included the Office of Inspector General for both the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, Homeless Assistance Grants and NeighborWorks America. In this capacity, she was responsible for analyzing the President’s Budget, recommending funding levels for the various accounts, incorporating Member requests when drafting her portions of the bill and report, and conferencing her accounts. 

 

Prior to her time on the Appropriations Committee, Gladys served as Principal for the Bridge Street Group where she advised clients on technology matters. She assisted in the passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 which passed with broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama.  She also served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Competitive Carriers Association where she worked with Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to promote greater competition in the wireless market. 

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Gladys is a native of Southern California, where she graduated from the University of California, Irvine. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband Robert and three boys- Benjamin, Jacob and Aaron.