Kent Johns is the Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at the National Electrical and Communications Association. Kent commenced his career as an industrial chemist in the shipping industry and now he leads the National Electrical & Communications Associations national advocacy as Head of Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs. He has focused this advocacy role in licensing, safety, skills, sector diversity, energy transition, and regulatory reform, achieving major outcomes for the electro technology and construction sectors. Kent previously served as a senior executive with Veolia Water Network Services, overseeing large-scale civil pipeline and infrastructure operations across multiple states and delivering complex projects for major utilities. He has also owned and operated a contracting SME, providing him with a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing contractors today.