Public Policy

Leo Coco is a senior policy advisor at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in the firm’s Washington DC office and for many years has worked with NAMM’s government relations team to advocate for access to quality music education programs.  He has played a vital role in representing music education causes before Congress and the Executive Branch and with national organizations in Washington.  Prior to his work with NAMM at Nelson Mullins, he served as a senior advisor to US Secretary of Education Richard Riley and over 2 decades held numerous senior level positions at the com

Richard Riley served as Secretary of Education under Bill Clinton and was a two term Governor of South Carolina.  His love of music goes back to his parents and his piano lessons as a boy.  While he followed the avenue of public service, his musical passion was always a deep part of his life.  As Secretary of Education he ensured that music and the arts were included in the core plan for learning.  He has worked long and hard to partner with advocacy groups, such as the NAMM Foundation, to ensure the highest levels of government are presented both studies and testimonies that outl