John represented Houston’s District 7 in the United States Congress from 2001-2019. He served on the House Appropriations Committee for 16 years chairing two subcommittees: Commerce, Justice and Science, (CJS); and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

One of John’s top priorities on the Appropriations Committee was to restore NASA funding to Apollo-era levels.

In his four years as CJS chairman, he increased overall NASA funding by 20%, increased Science funding by 27%, and increased Planetary Science funding by 100%.

He is a strong supporter of NASA’s partnership with commercial space providers to help American astronauts return to low-Earth orbit and the moon and beyond. John was instrumental in the development of a 50-year blueprint for NASA that begins with the Ocean Worlds outer planet program and the search for life in the oceans of Europa, Titan and Enceladus, followed by development of the next generation of space telescopes, and a Starshade to identify the nearest Earth-like exoplanets with spectroscopic signatures of life. The 50-year blueprint would conclude in 2069 with the launch of humanity’s first interstellar probe to the nearest Earth-like planet with the most promising signs of life.

In late 2019, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine recognized John’s success in lifting NASA funding to near-record levels by presenting him with NASA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Public Service Medal. In 2019, John was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Dr. Robert Ballard’s Ocean Exploration Trust, and to the Board of Trustees of the American Battlefield Trust. In 2020, John was appointed by The White House and Administrator Bridenstine to serve on the National Space Council’s Users’ Advisory Group to advise the President and Vice President on the future of America’s space program.

Erin Dorton brings more than 20 years of experience in federal lobbying, government relations, and public policy to Federal Science Partners. She specializes in leveraging strategic relationships, navigating complex legislative and political processes, and developing effective advocacy strategies to advance client priorities.

Prior to joining Federal Science Partners, Erin spent 17 years as Managing Director at Prime Policy Group (formerly Timmons & Company), a leading bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm in Washington, D.C. She previously served as Vice President at the Glover Park Group from 2003 to 2007.

During her tenure at Prime Policy Group, Erin worked extensively with municipal governments, advocating for the protection of local revenues, equitable healthcare access, nutritious food availability, behavioral health investment, workforce solutions, and state and local government relief funding.

Before transitioning into lobbying, Erin spent ten years as Washington Finance Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). In this role, she cultivated extensive relationships with Democratic Members of Congress, congressional leadership, and key committee staff.

A native Washingtonian and graduate of Boston College, Erin resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband, Patrick, and their three children.

Allison Hays brings more than 15 years of experience in ocean policy, scientific advocacy, environmental conservation, and federal government relations to Federal Science Partners. Her expertise bridges scientific research and public policy, with a focus on advancing federal investment in ocean science, coastal infrastructure, and environmental initiatives.

Prior to joining Federal Science Partners, Allison led the Public Affairs program at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), representing a diverse membership of academic institutions, industry partners, aquaria, and scientific associations.

During her tenure, she advocated for increased federal funding for ocean research and infrastructure, led successful coalition efforts to revitalize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, and worked with Congress, federal agencies, and external partners to advance ocean science priorities. Her work included strengthening ocean observing capabilities, expanding STEM workforce development, supporting research partnerships, protecting marine biodiversity, and addressing ocean plastic pollution. She also hosted COL's annual public policy forum and directed internal and external communications initiatives.

Previously, Allison worked at The Humane Society of the United States, where she led legislative initiatives focused on wildlife conservation and strengthening the Endangered Species Act.

Allison began her career in marine science at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, working in marine turtle and dolphin rehabilitation before transitioning into marine turtle monitoring and research. She earned her master's degree in biology from the University of Central Florida, where her research examined the effects of beach restoration on nesting marine turtles.

Her firsthand experience in scientific research and wildlife conservation inspired her transition into federal advocacy, driven by a commitment to ensuring science informs public policy and decision-making.

A fifth-generation Texan, Allison now resides in Colorado with her husband and two cats.

John Martens, Partner, has over 30 years of experience working for all three branches of government; for the last 21 years John has leadership roles on the House Appropriations Committee, most recently as Senior Advisor on the Full Committee. John has been a key leader in the development of legislative and negotiating strategies used to enact dozens of bipartisan appropriations acts including annual appropriations bills, continuing resolutions, and emergency supplementals. John has led several Appropriations Subcommittees as the Clerk/Staff Director including the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, and the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.

John has a wealth of experience formulating policy and setting funding levels for a diverse array of federal agencies including the Departments of Commerce, Interior, Justice and Treasury, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Forest Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and many more. In his various roles for the Committee, John has worked collaboratively with Members and staff of both parties, authorizing committees, agency staff, and other stakeholders.

Prior to working for Congress, John was a budget analyst for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts where he formulated and executed budgets for the Third Branch of government and staffed the Budget Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. John started his federal career as budget analyst for the Naval Sea Systems Command.

John lives in Burke, Virginia, with his wife, Gail, and has a daughter living in Manhattan and a son attending Virginia Tech. John has a bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon College and master’s degree from Troy University.

Meg Thompson brings more than 20 years of Capitol Hill experience to Federal Science Partners, helping clients navigate the federal appropriations process, secure funding opportunities, and advance strategic priorities across federal agencies.

Prior to becoming a consultant, Meg served as professional staff on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, where she oversaw funding for the Department of Justice.

She previously served on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, with primary responsibility for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Preparedness Directorate. Meg also worked on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, overseeing the Department of Labor's budget. She began her congressional career on the corresponding Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.

Beyond Capitol Hill, Meg served as Director of Communications for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, managing congressional and corporate communications and collaborating with corporate sponsors, including ExxonMobil and Shell Oil.

Meg also brings extensive experience advocating for health and medical research funding. As a lobbyist, she represented organizations including the National Coalition for Cancer Research, Schering-Plough Corporation, and the Campaign for Medical Research. Her advocacy contributed to the broader effort that successfully doubled the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget between 1997 and 2002.

A native Washingtonian and graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Meg resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, three daughters, and two Brittany Spaniels.

Lesley Young joined Federal Science Partners in January 2026, bringing more than 23 years of federal government experience in defense policy, national security, strategic planning, and executive leadership. She advises private companies and nonprofit organizations on navigating federal policy processes and advancing their national security and defense priorities.

Most recently, Lesley served as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, overseeing assessments of U.S. Cyber Command's organization, training, and equipping.

From 2021 to 2024, she served as Director of Office Operations and a trusted advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, ensuring senior leadership received accurate, timely, and actionable information to support critical national defense decisions.

Earlier in her career, Lesley held numerous defense policy and leadership positions, developing extensive expertise in defense strategy, contingency planning, force development, international defense agreements, humanitarian law, homeland defense, NATO affairs, and security cooperation. Her roles ranged from policy analyst to office director and chief of staff to senior political appointees and military leaders.

From 2014 to 2021, Lesley served at the Veterans Benefits Administration, where she directed strategic planning and organizational transformation initiatives focused on veterans' benefits. She also developed and managed executive leadership development and employee training programs.

Lesley began her national security career conducting research at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University.

She holds a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law, degrees from Brown University and the London School of Economics, and is a graduate of the National War College.

A native of Chicago, Lesley resides outside Washington, D.C., with her husband, a first-generation American and 26-year U.S. Army veteran.

Joel Widder brings decades of experience in federal science policy, congressional appropriations, and government relations to Federal Science Partners. Since 2002, he has advised universities and scientific institutions, helping organizations advance their federal funding and public policy priorities.

Prior to his consulting career, Joel held senior leadership positions at the National Science Foundation (NSF), serving as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. In these roles, he helped develop and execute NSF's congressional strategy, overseeing engagement in the federal budget process, authorization and appropriations legislation, and congressional oversight.

During his tenure at NSF, Joel also completed a two-year assignment with the Senate Appropriations Committee's former Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies. There, he advised on federal funding and policy matters involving scientific research, education, space exploration, and environmental programs.

Joel's expertise extends to national scientific and environmental advisory organizations. He was an original member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Environmental Information Services Working Group, which reports to the NOAA Science Advisory Board.

He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate within the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and previously served on the Steering Committee of the American Meteorological Society's Weather & Climate Enterprise Commission.

Originally from New York, Joel is a graduate of the University of Maryland and pursued graduate studies at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He resides in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife.