LINDA TARPLIN (VICE-CHAIR)

Cofounder, Tarplin, Downs and Young, LLC

Linda Tarplin cofounded Tarplin, Downs and Young, LLC in January 2006. This highly respected firm represents major corporations, trade associations and 501(c)(3)s in the health care regulatory and legislative arena. Ms. Tarplin’s extensive knowledge of the health care system stems from a 25 year career working in and with the Congress, the executive branch and the private sector. Her areas of expertise include insurance, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, health providers, and not-for-profit advocacy organizations.

Currently, Ms Tarplin is a strategic advisor to the firm’s partners and clients while pursuing other health care ventures, including serving as an advisor to health care startup companies. She also serves as vice-chair of the Advisory Council of the Stanford University Center on Longevity and as a Board Member of the Able Channel. The Able Channel is the first streaming digital health platform delivering 24/7 vital content to people with disabilities, health conditions and their families.

Prior to founding Tarplin, Downs and Young, LLC, Ms Tarplin built and serviced the health care practice at the bipartisan consulting firm, the OB-C Group (formerly O’Brien * Calio). Her career in government included high level positions in the House of Representatives, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the White House under two Republican administrations. She served as a Commissioned Officer in the White House under President George H.W. Bush, leading the Administration’s health care legislative agenda. At HHS, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation. Prior to that she served as the Director of the Office of Policy, Planning and Legislation in the HHS Office of Human Development Services, where she managed a staff of 50 people and oversaw a budget of $3 billion. Prior to HHS Linda served for a Republican Member of the House Ways and Means Committee where she oversaw policy and legislative activity for the Health Subcommittee.