Welcome to the US Biochar Coalition

Maureen Walsh is the Executive Director at the U.S. Biochar Coalition and Co-Founder & Partner at SMART Policy Group. 

Maureen brings over two decades of legislative, regulatory, and government relations expertise. Her creative, proactive approach to advocacy has generated many critical wins for emerging climate tech industries, including biogas, compost, and advanced recycling. 

Maureen has served as lobbyist for the American Biogas Council for the last 12 years, successfully navigating regulatory hurdles, raising the profile of biogas, and obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars of incentives for the industry. Her record of achievement growing nascent climate tech industries in the U.S. through policy and industry organization is second to none.

Carrie Annand is Policy Director at the U.S. Biochar Coalition and Co-Founder and Partner at SMART Policy Group. 

Carrie is a biomass policy subject matter expert, with unparalleled legislative, regulatory, and industry knowledge and extensive government & private sector relationships. 

She has served as lobbyist for the Biomass Power Association for the last 9 years and has built, run, and achieved tremendous success for numerous industry coalitions and associations including the Renewable Fuel Standard Coalition, the Baseload Power Coalition, and the Circular Economy Coalition, among others.

Sean Trambley is Policy & Communications Director at the U.S. Biochar Coalition and a Senior Director at SMART Policy Group. 

Sean brings a decade of expertise in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, and crisis management across the private and public sectors. 

Sean has cultivated strong relationships with reporters, producers, and columnists in markets from coast to coast focused on a variety of issues including government, housing, environment, energy, telecom, and campaigns.

Deirdre Seling is Communications & Marketing Manager at the U.S. Biochar Coalition (USBC) and Manager at SMART Policy Group (SPG).  

Deirdre comes to USBC & SPG with a B.A. in Political Science and a blend of skills in communication, design, and policy. Her experience includes social media management across platforms, and she has experience with graphic design for professional materials. 

Deirdre knows advocacy related to sustainability, bioenergy, and circular economy, bringing creativity and a thoughtful approach to these important topics.  

Rebecca Pselos has over a decade of experience in federal acquisitions and procurement reform.  In addition to being a Senior Advisor to SMART Policy Group, she is the President of Kite Tail Strategy, LLC.  Kite Tail Strategy specializes in integrating federal contracting consulting and government relations services to help clients capture contracting opportunities.  

Previously, she was Deputy Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at GSA, overseeing legislative strategy for the agency’s $70 billion procurement operations. She played a key role in shaping federal procurement and technology modernization laws, including FedRAMP and supply chain risk management.  

Rebecca began her career at GAO, identifying procurement efficiencies that could save up to $12 billion and advising Congress on defense and homeland security acquisitions. She later assessed NASA procurements as a senior analyst with the agency’s OIG, auditing service contracts and facility use.

Markus Videnieks, a strategic advisor at SMART Policy Group, has over 20 years of experience in public policy and communications. He helps clients navigate legislative and regulatory challenges, from securing Congressional appropriations to addressing complex agency rules.  

Specializing in renewable energy, he has guided clients through rulemakings and legislation on converting organic matter into energy. He has also led national advocacy campaigns in transportation policy, including safety and environmental issues. Previously, Markus spent a decade at a top lobbying firm, securing legislative wins in transportation, energy, education, and municipal policy.