'Top of game' required at all times
Anna Durham Windrow was recently named the Senior Advisor to Gov. Phil Bredesen for Legislation and Policy. Windrow is responsible for developing the governor's legislative agenda and communicating his policy priorities to lawmakers. She also advises Gov. Bredesen on the direction of his policy positions. It takes a powerful and strong person to assume under one job description what it has taken several people to accomplish in previous administrations. Anna Durham Windrow took time out of her hectic schedule for some Q & A about politics with political columnist Saralee Terry Woods.
SW: How did you get interested in politics and legislative political campaign work?
ADW: Genetic coding. My parents were both political science majors at Vanderbilt - they sat next to each other in class and both of my great-grandfathers served in the Tennessee State Senate. I am reminded of that everytime I see my great-grandfather Tom Durham's photograph looking down at me in the War Memorial Building. So you see politics is really in my blood.
SW: What did you study in school?
ADW: While I was in high school I was a reporter for our local newspapers, the Gallatin Examiner and the Sumner County News. Then I majored in English at Sewanee (The University of the South). I was in the first class at Sewanee that included women graduates so I learned at a young age how to be a part of the boys club.
SW: Was your English major helpful?
ADW: Very much so, my father (noted author Walter Durham) said if you can write and communicate verbally with ease - then you can do anything.
SW: What were your first jobs?
ADW: I worked for First American Bank in marketing for Neal Cunningham and helped develop the Young Nashvillian's Club and my first political job where I was paid staff was the Sasser for Senate campaign. That happened because of the late Frank Gorrell and because Gina Lodge (now Tennessee Commissioner of Human Services) was teaching us the art of fundraising.
SW: Where did you go from there?
ADW: I worked in the Nashville office of the Sasser Senate staff, and then later became Executive Director of the Tennessee Builders and Dealers Association, which was composed of retail lumber and independent businessmen across the state. Their legal counsel was Frank Gorrell. Then I was lobbying and running the association. Frank Gorrell hired me to work for Bass Berry and Sims and I then started my own company, Anna Windrow and Associates.
SW: How did you meet Phil Bredesen?
ADW: I met him when he ran for Congress, and I helped him in his race for Mayor. Then I represented Metro Nashville government in the legislature.
SW: Did you and Gov. Bredesen immediately connect?
ADW: It took about a year. We worked together on serious issues as I lobbied for Metro Nashville. Gov. Bredesen is the single most innovative, logical man that I have worked with and that I had ever met (other than my father). He - Bredesen - has an immediate grasp of issues. I can say here are the politics; what's going on; and he would get it. He has intuitive abilities mixed with a sensible approach to issues, which creates and sets up the right way to work. He made working on difficult issues intriguing and fun. He thinks outside the box and does not accept anything as a given.
SW: Describe your favorite job.
ADW: This one, if I can get some sleep.
SW: When did you last have time off?
ADW: I took a week after the legislative session in 2002 and that is all the time I have had off in two years. Our first Bredesen Transition meeting was at 4 p.m. the day after the election and the pace has not stopped. I have an enormous amount of energy and never have I been so thankful for that energy.
SW: When does your day start and stop - and is this always the same or only really intense during the legislative session?
ADW: It is always more intense for the first six months of the year - when the legislature is in session. I sleep a maximum of five hours a night and run on adrenaline. This year the legislature convened before the inauguration took place. I usually get up early about 4:45 a.m. and arrive at work at 7:30 a.m. and try to get home by 9 p.m. When the legislature is in session there just are not enough hours in the day.
SW: How do you really "manage" your agenda?
ADW: I have an established system of how I conduct business. It is a real challenge to be proactive and be responsive to the Governor and to make plans to present to him. The biggest challenge is how to prioritize what is in front of you and to carve out what has to be done. What is different about my job is that you have to be on top of your game all of the time, because what you are doing is too significant.
SW: Do you delegate or micromanage?
ADW: I am getting to be be great delegator and I have a bright, energetic staff.
SW: What skills are important to develop or to study to be a successful politico/ legislative persuader?
ADW: Credibility, to be known as a person who tells the truth and knows the subject matter. If you have ever compromised the truth or been ill prepared you are in trouble. If you ever lie, your representation is gone. You might as well walk out the door. A psychology degree would be helpful in this job because there is an art to dealing with your peers and people you work with. Elected officials bring power and support from local communities and every lobbyist has to honor and respect that, even if you do not always agree with them.
SW: What is your advice to those who aspire to your job?
ADW: Be prepared for great personal sacrifice. In this business it is difficult to maintain your personal relationships. If you are not in this business it is hard do understand how difficult this business is. It is an ongoing challenge if you are "called" to this arena. You do tend to just live it. I never feel like I have done enough. It is similar to a minister, weighty stuff.
SW: How do you relax?
ADW: I go to Monteagle, walk in the woods, read a book.
SW: Tell us about your family.
ADW: I have one son who is a junior in college at the University of the South. He was with me on the platform at inauguration and it was fun to be there with a grown young man who was proud of his mother.
SW: What advice do you give people interested in politics?
ADW: Close every other chapter in your life.
