Matthew Lenz serves as Senior Director, State Advocacy. In this role, he leads BSA’s state advocacy program and drives engagement with state elected officials on important software policy issues. Before joining BSA, Lenz was Director of State Government Affairs for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), where he helped promote the video game industry and the positive impact of play with state elected officials. He has experience advocating on key policy issues, including intellectual property, first amendment rights, digital privacy, incentives, and innovation. Prior to ESA, Lenz served as Director of State Government Affairs for the Toy Association, leading the association’s legislative and regulatory efforts at the state level on issues related to product safety and environmental sustainability across multiple states in the northeast region. Lenz currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Rhode Island and as a member of the State Government Affairs Council’s (SGAC) Board of Directors. Lenz started his career as the Senior Policy Advisor and Special Assistant Attorney General for the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General. He drove the Attorney General’s legislative priorities on issues ranging from consumer protection to criminal justice. A native Rhode Islander, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Relations from the University of Rhode Island and a Juris Doctor from New England Law in Boston, MA.