Team

Liz DeBarros

CEO

Liz DeBarros is the CEO at the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) where she advances the economic, community, and civic impact of the DC real estate development industry and its leaders. Liz has over 18 years of public and private sector experience, adhering to financial stewardship while adding significant value to organizations through proactive stakeholder engagement and solution-focused public policy and administrative objectives and activities. She has extensive experience in government operations and business trade association management. Liz’s previous roles include Senior Advisor of DCBIA, Chief of Staff and Legislative Director at the District of Columbia Government Department of Employment Services, and Vice President of the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C. Liz serves on the Board of Directors of the Workforce Investment Council, D.C Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Council (YAAC) and is a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College and Master of Arts from Temple University. She resides in Kingman Park, Washington, DC in Ward 7. CONTACT edebarros@dcbia.org

Erika Wadlington

Senior Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs

Erika Wadlington is the Senior Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at DCBIA. In this role, she works in close collaboration with DCBIA leadership focusing on regulations that promote DC real estate development.  In addition, Erika cultivates and maintains strong relationships with key policymakers and their staff. She is the eyes and ears on the ground and the bridge between the committees and agencies. She helps shape, promote, and advance regulatory matters that will improve DC communities. Erika draws from over 14 years of experience in advocacy, primarily in the public and private sector such as government relations; legislative affairs; and external relations. Rooted in her beliefs that the development community and broader business community has a critical role to play in the future prosperity of the District and its residents, Ms. Wadlington is a value add to the organization and a forceful advocate on the behalf of DCBIA's members and the industry. Working with government officials and community stakeholders, she facilitates change within executive agencies for actions that support the industry, makes development more effective, easier, and efficient for members – ultimately helping businesses grow. After over a decade of experience, she understands that to achieve such results, it takes commitment, relationships, great communication, knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process, and the ability to further connections. Therefore, she leverages her skills, her existing relationships with the state and local government personnel, and her passion for the business community to help the organization reach its goals. Before her current position, Ms. Erika Wadlington has served as the Director of Public Policy & Programs for the DC Chamber of Commerce for over 6 years, where she coordinated and managed the organization’s policy agenda and government affairs strategy aiming to revitalize and strengthen the District’s economy all while striving to make the City one of the best to live, work and do business. Additionally, Ms. Wadlington guided the DC Chamber’s government contracts, program, and served as the liaison to its external and strategic partners. Erika's previous roles also include Committee Director and legislative assistant for the Council of the District of Columbia. Erika Wadlington is a ward 5 resident. She attended Howard University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2007 with her Bachelor Degree in Political Science. Later, she earned her Masters of Legislative Affairs at George Washington University. CONTACT erika@dcbia.org

David Goldblatt, GMP LLP

Legislative Counsel

David L. Goldblatt of GMP LLP serves as legislative counsel to DCBIA.  He brings a wealth of experience in legislative advocacy and real estate development which has helped DCBIA formulate efficient and effective advocacy campaigns for and against legislation effecting the development industry.  For his clients, Mr. Goldblatt provides access to governmental officials and guidance on how to traverse government agencies and programs. He regularly provides advice and counsel to clients on a vast range of local legal, legislative and policy issues. Mr. Goldblatt has drafted numerous legislative and regulatory initiatives that have been enacted or adopted by the District of Columbia on a variety of subjects. He has a keen understanding of D.C. economic development programs and initiatives, including tax increment financing, business improvement districts, surplus property dispositions, real property tax exemptions, payment in lieu of taxes and industrial revenue bonds. In 2013, Mr. Goldblatt co-founded GMP to help clients address evolving legal and political issues in the District of Columbia. The firm’s team of attorneys and professional staff are well versed in District government relations, real estate, contract negotiations, administrative law, government ethics, local campaign finance law, and litigation.

CONTACT dgoldblatt@gmpllp.com