The American Suntanning Association has been fighting for the rights of U.S. tanning salons since 2012 by slowing or stopping punitive federal and state regulations and taxes. Without ASA’s solid representation, your business would undoubtedly have additional regulations and state taxes far beyond what exist today. These are the leaders of Team ASA:
Melinda Norton ASA President,Federal Lobbying
Melinda Norton has spent five years as the industry’s association president, traveling to Washington, DC two weeks each month to build relationships with federal policymakers and regulators on behalf of salon operators. Melinda’s face is well known in DC thanks to thousands of meetings in politician’s offices, congressional hallways, lunches and fundraising functions. Melinda has been successful at opening doors with top agency officials to educate politicians and bureaucrats about our scientifically supported issues. Here is a list of just a few inroads Melinda has made on the industry’s behalf:
“My biggest concern is the potential for very damaging industry regulations that are on the table at various federal agencies.” – Melinda Norton
Joseph Levy ASA Director of Scientific Affairs, State Lobbying & Scientific Policy
Since 2013, Levy has been on more than 500 flights traveling to 43 states and Washington, DC to promote the professional sunbed community’s scientifically supported position, defending the tanning industry against tan bans, state taxes, mandated literal interpretation of the FDA graduated recommended exposure schedule, and other punitive regulation attempts. Levy presents a constructive approach to the market’s outreach efforts – customizing different strategies in every state based on the DNA of that state’s legislature, but always based on being scientifically accurate and elevating the perception of professional tanning facilities.
Here’s an overview of ASA’s state lobbying accomplishments so far:
“I am very focused on groups that are calling for under-21 tan bans and other punitive regulatory proposals that have become more prevalent in recent years.” – Joe Levy
Matt Russell ASA Executive Director, Regulatory, Legal and PR Support
Russell has worked for the ASA since its inception in December of 2012. As Executive Director, Matt works to coordinate efforts between Melinda Norton, Joe Levy and ASA’s federal and state lobbying consultants, as well as the ASA legal and PR teams. Over several decades, Russell has developed a historical salon database, as well as important industry data that plays an important role in all ASA efforts. Matt’s 40 years of tanning industry experience are also helpful, as he works to support ASA’s frontline team-members.
“I am concerned with the continued decrease in consumer confidence due to government-driven misinformation regarding UV tanning services.” – Matt Russell
Dale Parrott ASA Operations Director, Federal and State Lobby Support
The backbone of ASA operations, Parrott provides ASA’s frontline team-members with message delivery systems designed to target very specific individuals or groups to a very high degree. Parrott has been improving these systems for nearly a decade, allowing our frontline team to quickly and effectively get a high volume of messages to target individuals or groups. Dale’s operational expertise plays a critical role in getting our industry’s messages to the right people, at the right time.
“The tanning salon owners’ apathy toward supporting the ASA, leaving our industry wide open for another round of damaging regulations and taxes, is very concerning to me.” – Dale Parrott
The tanning industry is under constant fire! Now, more than ever, ASA needs your support to help keep our attackers at bay.
About the ASA
Founded in 2012, the American Suntanning Association is committed to defending and growing the industry through a detailed and proactive plan directed by an all-salon board and executed by more than two dozen management and consulting team members who specialize in this type of work.
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