Prior to joining the Foundation for Government Accountaibility, Tarren served as Chief Executive Officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a free market think tank based in Portland, Maine.  Under his leadership, the organization grew to become the largest state-based free market think tank on a per capita basis.  In September 2010, he received the Thomas Roe Award, given annually by the State Policy Network to the individual with the greatest impact on the nation’s free market movement.

From 1996 through 2000, Tarren served in the Maine House of Representatives.  Elected at the age of 21, Tarren remains the youngest person ever elected to the Maine House.