Team - Crypto. Here For Good.

Executive Office

Kristin Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Kristin runs Blockchain Association, where she leads the crypto industry’s development of a strategic roadmap for public policy. She is an experienced policy professional, with senior-level experience in both House and Senate offices as well as private sector experience advocating for companies in the telecommunications, Internet, and other tech-focused industries. Kristin holds an MBA in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business and a graduate degree from Georgetown University.

AnnMarie Brockhouse

Executive Assistant and Director of Operations

AnnMarie Brockhouse is the Executive Assistant and Director of Operations for Blockchain Association. She brings over two decades of management and c-suite experience including extensive expertise in client services, operations, administration, human resources, and organizational development. AnnMarie’s goal is to be a strategic partner, trusted confidant, and professional problem solver for her team.

Allie Page

Chief of Staff and Political Director

Allie Nelson serves as Chief of Staff and Political Director for Blockchain Association. Prior to joining the Association, Allie worked as director of operations at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, representing the food and fiber industry. In addition to NCBA, Allie served as the primary point of contact for federal lands ranchers in the West as DOO of the Public Lands Council. Allie received her B.S. from Montana State University in Agricultural Communications with a certificate in leadership.

Marketing, Communications, and Industry Affairs

Curtis Kincaid

Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Curtis leads Blockchain Association’s communication efforts, establishing the association as the collective voice of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. Prior to joining the association, Curtis managed strategic communications for the Consumer Technology Association and CES. Curtis earned his B.S. from the University of Mary Washington and his MBA from George Mason University.

Mara Abiera

Industry Affairs Associate

Mara is the Industry Affairs Associate at Blockchain Association. Mara joined the Association with experience in operations and marketing in the space tourism, hospitality, and software industries. Mara received her B.A. from George Mason University in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations.

Chris Jonas

Director of Industry Communications

Chris manages industry communications for the Association, elevating the initiatives of its member companies. Prior to joining the association, Chris was director of communications and programs for the National Association for Business Economics, the premier professional association for corporate economists. Chris earned his B.A. in Political Science from Wake Forest University and his M.S. from George Mason University.

Dan Spuller

Senior Director of Industry Affairs

Dan represents Blockchain Association as Senior Director of Industry Affairs. Since 2012, Dan has been an advocate of decentralized digital assets, bitcoin, and blockchain technology. From 2016-2020, Dan led membership growth at the Chamber of Digital Commerce, and in 2019 was appointed Co-Chair of the North Carolina Blockchain Initiative by the state’s Lieutenant Governor. He previously worked for North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and successfully drove a multi-stakeholder campaign leading to the passage of the NC Money Transmitters Act of 2016.

Taryn Wolf

Creative Director

Taryn oversees branding, creative, and design for the Association. She is an experienced creative director, leading the design work for organizations ranging from nonprofits to ecommerce tech companies. Taryn earned her BS at University of Miami in Public Relations and Graphic Design and her MS at Pratt Institute in Communications Design with a focus on Digital.

Policy, Government Relations, and Legal

Jake Chervinsky

Chief Policy Officer

Jake is Blockchain Association’s Chief Policy Officer, leading policy efforts in Washington on behalf of the crypto industry. Jake is an industry veteran, joining the Association from Compound Labs, the developer of a leading DeFi protocol, where he served as General Counsel. Prior to this role, he represented individual and corporate clients in cryptocurrency-related securities and commodities litigation at Kobre & Kim LLP. Jake earned his B.A. from the George Washington University, and his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

Marisa Coppel

Policy Counsel

As Policy Counsel for Blockchain Association, Marisa helps develop and advocate for policy positions on behalf of the crypto industry as well as manages long-term legal projects and strategic litigation. Prior to joining the Association, Marisa represented corporate clients in regulatory enforcement actions, internal investigations, and civil litigation matters at Covington & Burling LLP. Marisa earned her B.A. from Brandeis University, and her J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

Dave Grimaldi

Executive Vice President, Government Relations

As Executive Vice President of Government Relations for Blockchain Association, Dave is the face of the crypto industry on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining the Association, he led the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s policy team as an executive vice president. Prior to this position, Dave opened Pandora’s DC office and also held roles in the federal government, serving as Senior Counsel for the Office of Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Chief of Staff to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, followed by a J.D. at Catholic University Law School.

Ron Hammond

Director of Government Relations

Ron represents the association on Capitol Hill as Director of Government Relations. Ron’s background in crafting a bipartisan crypto regulatory framework via legislation dates back to 2016 when he served as the Financial Services Policy Lead for Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-8). During Ron’s five years on Capitol Hill, he authored several pieces of legislation including the Token Taxonomy Act, Federal Reserve Regulatory Oversight Act, and the Derivatives Fairness Act. Before coming to Capitol Hill, he was the campaign manager for three successful Texas State Senate races. Ron received his B.A. from Georgetown University.

Sarah Milby

Senior Policy Director

Sarah helps develop and implement policy decisions on behalf of the Association. She joined the Blockchain Association full time after working as their policy research intern. Sarah graduated from the University of Chicago magna cum laude, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and earned honors in her major. She has a B.A. in Law, Letters, and Society.

John Olsen

New York State Lead

John is Blockchain Association’s New York State Lead. He most recently served as senior vice president of state government affairs for the Internet Association (IA). John works with the Association to utilize existing relationships with policymakers and build new ones, share information with the Washington office and Blockchain Association member companies, and work with the Washington-based team to develop New York State-specific policies and messaging on key issues, including Bitlicense reform and Bitcoin mining legislation.