The American Association for Homecare welcomes it latest team member: Ashley Plauché, who will take on the association’s newly created role of Manager of Government Affairs.
Plauché is an established executive leader with more than 12 years’ experience working in the homecare industry. Her advocacy background and homecare and communications experience led AAHomecare to choose her for the position, according to a statement from the association.
As Manager of Government Affairs, Plauché will manage three association councils while providing support on government relations initiatives affecting AAHomecare members and the HME community. The goal is to leverage Plauché’s background as an outspoken homecare advocate to improve the flow of information between Washington and the homecare community, according to AAHoemcare President and CEO Tom Ryan.
“We know that presenting a united message helps move the needle on Capitol Hill,” said Ryan, “We are consistently working to strengthen and amplify that message so that Congress has no choice but to act. We can’t do that without keeping everyone informed, educated, and motivated. Ashley will help us with that.”
“Ashley will be a great addition to the AAHomecare team,” said Jay Witter, senior director of government affairs for AAHomecare. “I’ve worked with her for many years as a state leader and I’m confident she will hit the ground running.””
After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Communications, Plauché joined her family’s business, Lambert’s Health Care, in Knoxville, Tenn., as director of communications and public relations. She spent the next decade working with congressional offices on new legislation, spearheading corporate strategic plans, and managing the company’s public relations and advertising campaigns.
She was also a Former board member of the Tennessee Association for Home Care, and co-founder, vice president and executive director of the Association for Tennessee Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment Services (ATHOMES). She also was recognized with the 2015 HME Advocate of the Year award, presented by ATHOMES membership. Additionally she volunteers on numerous industry and consumer advocacy groups, including service as the ATHOMES Legislative Committee chairperson, on AAHomecare’s State Leaders Council, with HME Christian Fellowship, and previously on the Advisory Board of the Knoxville-Knox County Office on Aging’s Senior Companion Program.