Smith, Watts & Hartmann
Professionals
Mark Watts joined Smith, Watts & Hartmann as Partner in 1999, an advocacy and consulting firm that specializes in transportation project funding and implementation. Mr. Watts has served in a variety of capacities in state government and the private sector as lobbyist as well.
In 1996, Mr. Watts was selected to spearhead the management of the California State Assembly as the Chief of Staff for Assembly Speaker curt Pringle. Previously, Mr. Watts was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve as Undersecretary for Transportation for BT & H in May 1994 with oversight responsibility for Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Transportation Commission (CTC).
From 1988 to 1990 he served as staff director for the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and as lead staff for the budget Subcommittee on Transportation.
Other experience includes: Various staff positions at Caltrans from 1975 through 1985; Principal Consultant for the Assembly Ways and Means Committee; an associate at a leading legsilative advocacy firm from 1990 through 1994; and for a brief six-month period in 1995, Mr. Watts was recruited to serve as Co-Chief Administrative Officer of the Assembly Rules Committee during the historic power-sharing arrangement between Republican Leader Jim Brulte and Speaker Willie Brown.
Education
In 1973, Mr. Watts graduated from University of California Santa Barbara.
Mr. Watts is married with two children and resides in Auburn.
D. J. Smith is founder and President of Smith, Watts & Hartmann a full service advocacy and consulting firm specializing in transportation, energy, resource and local government work. These services include consulting and advocacy on the cost and availability of energy, and the development and implementation of plans, programs and policies to better utilize public and private transportation infrastructure. The firm assists clients with strategies that enable them to capture additional resources for and expedite implementation of major infrastructure programs.
The firm also acts as a strategic advisor on environmental, financial, political and community processes and issues related to implementation of energy and transportation programs. The firm has also developed a specialization on local government fiscal issues in recent years. Clients include major manufacturers, private energy, residential and commercial developers, city and county governments, and regional transportation authorities throughout California and the West.
Prior to establishing the firm in 1981, Mr. Smith was District Manager of Public Affairs, Pacific Coast Division for Bethlehem Steel Corporation (1979-81); Chief Consultant to the California State Assembly Committee on Transportation (1975-79) and he began his professional career in various management positions in the Office of the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Transportation in Washington D. C. (1971-75).
Education
In 1969, Mr. Smith graduated from the American University, School of Government and Public Administration, in Washington D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Urban Affairs. In 1971, he graduated from Florida State University, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, specializing in Public Policy and Transportation Planning.
Mr. Smith is married with four children and resides in Napa.
Audra Hartmann joined Smith, Watts & Hartmann as a Partner in July 2015. The firm specializes in energy and transportation issues, acting as a strategic advisor on environmental, financial, political and community processes and issues related to the implementation of energy and transportation programs.
Ms. Hartmann brings a wealth of political and policy expertise to the field of government relations, having worked in and with state and local governments for the last 20 years. In her current role, Ms. Hartmann provides strategic advice and advocacy on a variety of energy and water projects. She represents private energy developers, large industrial energy consumers, manufacturers, private developers of hydrogen fueling stations, and transmission-related entities before the legislative, executive and regulatory branches of the California State Government.
Prior to joining Smith, Watts & Hartmann, Ms. Hartmann was the owner and CEO of Hartmann Strategies Group. She provided advice, strategy and advocacy to clients on legislative and regulatory issues in California.
Prior to that, Ms. Hartmann worked internally for several large energy corporations where she helped them navigate the state’s energy crisis; played a major role in the enactment of California’s 33% Renewable Portfolio Standards program; was instrumental in the passage of key tax benefits legislation for renewable energy; and represented their legislative and regulatory interests on a variety of energy, tax, greenhouse gas emissions, and water quality issues in several Western states, including California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. Additionally, Ms. Hartmann worked on siting and land use issues with state and local government officials in California and Arizona.
Before starting her career in the private sector, Ms. Hartmann held key staff positions in the
California State Senate and was appointed by former Governor Pete Wilson to serve as
Legislative Liaison to the California Public Utilities Commission, where she worked on energy and telecommunications issues.
Ms. Hartmann attended the University of Southern California (USC) and majored in public administration. She was admitted to USC under the Resident Honor Program, a program that allows high school students to enter college a year early. She holds the rank of first degree black belt (Jo Kyo Nim) in Kuk Sool Won, a Korean martial art, and is studying to attain the rank of second degree black belt.
Audra Hartmann
