Meet BIA Director of Public Affairs and Public Policy
Annie Fultz Dutton By Stacy Smith Rogers
Annie Fultz Dutton was recently hired as BIA’s new Director of Public Affairs and Public Policy. Among Dutton’s long list of accomplishments prior to taking the job is nearly a decade of experience working on Capitol Hill where she served as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-06), whose seat was widely known to be one of the most competitive in the House of Representatives. Dutton explained that constituent outreach and fundraising were top priorities during her tenure there. Congressman Gerlach served on the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee with Dutton acting as his chief policy advisor. During her time in that role, she developed and executed the office’s strategic initiatives, policy objectives, communications plans and constituent services. With experience in campaign organization, fundraising, media, and issue development, Dutton was recognized as one of the “Top Ten Staffers” in the Pennsylvania delegation by PoliticsPA, the most-read political news source in the Keystone State.
“Being a female under 30 as a chief of staff was somewhat unusual on the Hill.” “Being a female under 30 as a chief of staff was somewhat unusual on the Hill. It was an incredible experience, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities I had to meet so many kinds of fascinating people - from presidents, foreign dignitaries, famous inventors, sports stars and more,” she said. 22 louisville builder • bialouisville.com
Prior to her time on Capitol Hill, Dutton served as Associate Director of Advocacy and education for the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council (DVHC), executing grassroots advocacy campaigns on health policy at the federal, state and local level for the Philadelphia region’s leading health care provider advocate. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Villanova University in 2003 and received the Fritz Nova Medallion for being first in her class for academic excellence in political science. Of note, also, Dutton studied abroad in London, working in the House of Lords for a semester, where her office was located under the famous Big Ben. (Ironically, she met Margaret Thatcher on her first day on the job.)
“I’m excited to be able to get engaged with members and elected officials and be an advocate for our industry while monitoring critical issues in Frankfort, Metro Council and keeping tabs on what’s going on in Washington that affect our members here.” Originally from Central Pennsylvania, Dutton and her husband, Greg, chose Louisville, Kentucky as their new home two years ago to be closer to family and enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene and a community atmosphere where they could put down permanent roots. Although she left the hustle of D.C. behind, she brought with her the skillset necessary to