Jeb Bush Organization—Pre-Campaign
more recent edition > 

(page updated June 14, 2015)

Right to Rise PAC
Right to Rise Super PAC
Right to Rise Policy Solutions

News reports suggest that if Bush runs, as expected, his super PAC will take on areas traditionally filled by the campaign organization.  The reports also suggest a "data trust" arrangement underpinning both the campaign and the super PAC.  There also will be a separate policy entity. 

See:
Jonathan Martin and Patrick Healy.  "A Shaky Start Compels Bush To Refine Tone."  The New York Times, June 14, 2015.
Ed O'Keefe and Robert Costa.  "How Jeb Bush's campaign ran off course before it even began."  The Washington Post, June 10, 2015.
Marc Caputo and Alex Isenstadt.  "Behind the Jeb Bush campaign shake-up."  Politico, June 9, 2015.
Alex Isenstadt.  "Jeb Bush names Danny Diaz as campaign manager."  Politico, June 8, 2015.
Ed O'Keefe and Matea Gold.  "Jeb Bush leans on nonprofit group as he prepares likely presidential run."  The Washington Post, May 12, 2015.
Maggie Haberman.  "Jeb Bush's Likely Campaign Starts to Take Shape."  The New York Times, April 21, 2015.
Thomas Beaumont.  "Jeb Bush prepares to give traditional campaign a makeover."  The Associated Press, April 21, 2015.
Ed O'Keefe and Matea Gold.  "Group with secret donors will aid Bush on policy."  The Washington Post, April 1, 2015.

Haberman (04/21) cites "a comprehensive organizational chart," but Bush spokespeople dismiss premature speculation on structure.  Here's a sketch based on Haberman's article:

Likely Campaign Leadership  Sally Bradshaw and David Kochel Danny Diaz Political Director  Scott Jennings Analytics  Alex Lundry Media Team Jon Downs Cesar Martinez Pollsters David Hill Brenda Wigger Gianiny

Right to Rise Super PAC Leadership  Mike Murphy and Larry McCarthy Senior Advisor  Liesl Hickey Communications Director  Paul Lindsay

Data Trust
Andrew Barkett
Sawan Tivakaran

Right to Rise Policy Solutions, Inc.
Leadership  Bill Simon

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Right to Rise PAC
Leadership  Sally Bradshaw and David Kochel
[this is the main vehicle right now]

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Right to Rise PAC
...leadership PAC launched Jan. 6, 2015.
righttorisepac.org
 Tallahassee, FL

Executive Director  Sally Bradshaw

Senior advisor to Jeb Bush.  Served as one of five members of the RNC's Growth & Opportunity Project.  Advisor to Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford.  Advisor to Governor Haley Barbour and his political action committee.  Senior advisor to the Republican Party of Florida during the 2010 general election.  Senior advisor on Mitt Romney's 2008 primary campaign (announced Oct. 17, 2006).  Senior campaign advisor to the Bush-Brogan 2002 re-election campaign.  Chief of staff for Gov. Jeb Bush from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2000, after directing the transition.  Managed Jeb Bush's 1998 and 1994 gubernatorial campaigns.  Executive director of the Foundation for Florida's Future, a non-profit grassroots public policy institute.  Political director of the Republican Party of Florida.  Executive director of the 1992 Florida Bush-Quayle campaign.  Staff director for the House Republican Office in Tallahassee.  Has lived in Florida since 1991.  Before moving to Florida, Bradshaw worked at the White House as an Associate Director for the Office of Political Affairs from 1989-91.  Regional field coordinator for the Bush for President campaign in 1988.  Undergraduate degree in political science from The George Washington University.  Originallly from Greenville, Mississippi.   twitter

Senior Strategist  Mike Murphy

"Semi-defrocked GOP Political Consultant... Meet the Press Analyst... Senior Fellow at Harvard/JFK Belfer Center... TIME Columnist... Writer/Prod in Hollywood."   Partner in the Revolution Agency, a strategic communications firm in Washington DC.  twitter

Campaign Manager in Waiting  Danny Diaz

...following campaign shake up reported on June 8, 2015.  Politico reports Diaz is to "handle the campaign's day-to-day operations."   Diaz signed on to the Bush team to do messaging and advertising more than four months ago, first reported by CNN on Feb. 2, 2015.
Partner and co-founder (2010) at FP1 Strategies, LLC.  Owner of Diaz Communications, LLC, 2009-10.  Communications director at the RNC, 2007-Jan. 2009.  Deputy communications director on John McCain 2008, Jan.-July 16, 2007.  Deputy communications director at the RNC in the 2006 cycle (announced Feb. 9, 2005); oversaw the RNC’s regional media efforts.  Regional spokesperson for the Southwest and Mountain States for Bush-Cheney ’04.  Deputy press secretary for the NRCC.  He has also worked for several public relations firms in the Washington, DC area.  Graduate of George Mason University, 2000.  twitter

Senior Strategist  David Kochel

...Kochel was in line to be campaign manager until shake-up first reported on June 8, 2015.  Now he is to build and oversee a political operation in the early states and beyond.  He was first reported joining the Bush team on Jan. 29, 2015 and relocated from Iowa to Miami.
Owner of Redwave Communications in Des Moines.  Senior advisor on Romney's 2011-12 Iowa caucus campaign, and earlier served as treasurer of Romney's PAC.  Senior Iowa advisor on Romney's 2007-08 Iowa caucus campaign.  Executive vice president at DCI Group, Dec. 1996-Feb. 2002.  Managed Lamar Alexander's Iowa campaign in 1999.  Executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, April-Dec. 1996.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa in 1995-96.  B.A. in political science from Iowa State University, 1987.  twitter

Senior Advisor/Communications Director in Waiting  Tim Miller

(reported on Feb. 20, 2015...if Bush runs Miller is expected to become communications director)  Executive director of America Rising LLC since March 2013.  Deputy communications director at the RNC from March 2012-March 2013.  Press secretary on Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign, June 2011-Feb. 2012.  Director/kead digital communications strategist in the Public Affairs division at the Glover Park Group, from July 2009-Feb. 2011.  Communications strategist at Berman and Company, 2007-09.  Iowa communications director for John McCain, 2006-mid-2007.  Communications director on Jeff Lamberti for Congress, 2006.  Political director on Bill Dix for Congress, 2005-06.  Field on Jerry Kilgore for Governor of Virginia, 2005.  Travel aide on Bill Lee for Governor of Delaware, 2004.  B.A. in political science from The George Washington University, 2004.  twitter

Spokeswoman  Kristy Campbell

Deputy communications director for media affairs on Romney for President.  Communications director for the American Conservative Union from June 2011.  Communications director on the McCollum for Governor campaign in Florida, 2010.  Communications director at the Foundation for Florida's Future, 2008-Jan. 2010.  Florida communications director on the 2007-8 Romney campaign.  Press secretary in the Executive Office of Gov. Jeb Bush, 2006-07.  Communications director for the Florida Department of Community Affairs, 2005-06.  Graduate of Florida State University, 2004.  twitter

Allie Brandenburger

Previously director of communications for the Retail Industry Leaders Association from Feb. 2013.  A regional press secretary on Romney for President, May-Nov. 2012.  Northeast regional press secretary at the RNC, March-June 2012.  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (CA) from Jan. 2011-March 2012.  Deputy press secretary on Meg Whitman for Governor, July 2009-Nov. 2010.  B.A. in communication, psychology from the University of Southern California, 2009.  twitter

Matt Gorman

(reported by the Miami Herald on Jan. 29, 2015)  Rapid response director at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle from Jan. 2013.  Deputy rapid response director (April-Nov. 2012) and research analyst (May 2011-April 2012) on Romney for President; intern at Romney's Free and Strong America PAC, Jan.-May 2011.  B.A. in political science from Stonehill College, 2011.  twitter

Jesse Hunt

(reported by the Miami Herald on Jan. 29, 2015)  Deputy communications director on Scott Brown for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, May-Nov. 2014.  Digital rapid response manager for the Republican Party of Florida, March-May 2014.  Field research analyst in Baton Rouge for America Rising LLC, Oct. 2013-March 2014.  Deputy press secretary on Gabriel Gomez for U.S. Senate (MA), May-July 2013; communications on Dan Winslow for U.S. Senate (MA), March-April 2013.  B.A. in communications from Stonehill College, 2013.  twitter

Communications Advisor and Spokesperson for Hispanic Media  Emily Benavides

(reported by Buzzfeed on April 8, 2015)  Communications director on Gov. Rick Snyder's 2014 re-election campaign.  Florida press secretary on Romney for President in Fall 2012.  Deputy press secretary for specialty media for the 2012 Republican National Convention, April-Sept. 2012.  Legislative aide/systems administrator in the office of Rep. Robert Aderholt, Aug. 2010-March 2012.  Marketing database assistant at the National Geographic Society, 2009-10.  Interned in Rep. Randy Forbes office (Jan.-April 2009) and Rep. Robert Latta's office (Aug.-Dec. 2008).  Legal assistant at Paley Rothman, 2007-08.  M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University, 2010; B.A. in government from The College of William and Mary, 2007.  Ohio native.  twitter

Finance Director  Heather Larrison

Finance director at the NRSC for 2014 (from Sept. 2013).  President of The Larrison Group since 2006.  According to The Washington Post Larrison served as executive director of Haley's PAC, Gov. Haley Barbour's leadership PAC, when he looked into a presidential campaign in 2010-11.  Worked on the finance team of Gov. George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.  Undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, 1996.

Finance  Ann Herberger

(reported by Bloomberg, Jan. 9, 2015)  President of the Woods Herberger Group, which she founded in 1995, based in Coral Gables, FL.  A senior finance consultant to Pawlenty for President in 2011.  National finance advisor on Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign ("national fundraising strategy with a particular focus on Florida.")  Finance director on Jeb Bush's successful 1998 gubernatorial campaign; executive director of the 1996 Inaugural Committee and finance director on Jeb Bush's 2002 re-election campaign.  Vice president of The Alexander Company, a full service fundraising and marketing company in Alexandria, Virginia, for two years starting in 1993.  Took leave from the RNC to serve as the deputy finance director for the Bush-Quayle ’92 re-election campaign.  Western regional director for the RNC’s major donor program, 1989-91.  Moved to Washington, DC to work at the RNC for Mary Matalin, national Victory ’88 political director and Margaret Alexander, national Victory ’88 finance director as a part of the national Victory ’88 finance team.  Began her political career in 1987 with the George Bush for President campaign during the Iowa presidential caucuses.  Native Iowan.

Josh Venable

Served as legislative and development director and earlier national state advocacy director at the Foundation for Excellence in Education.  Deputy finance director at the RNC, Feb. 2011-July 2012.  Chief of staff at the Michigan Republican Party in the 2010 cycle; previously held other positions at the Michigan party including finance director (Nov. 2007 through the 2008 campaign), strategic planning director (2007) and deputy political director (2005-06).  72-Hour director on Michigan Victory 2004.  Other experience includes a legislative director in the Michigan Senate; political director for the Great Lakes Education Project; and service in the Office of Innovation and Improvement at the US Department of Education.  Degree in political science/psychology from Hillsdale College, 2002; served as chair of the College Republicans, 2001-02.  Michigan native.

Karen Unger

(reported by the Miami Herald on Jan. 29, 2015)  Senior advisor for Florida on Rudy Giuliani's campaign, announced Feb. 22, 2007.  Deputy chief of staff to Gov. Jeb Bush.  Managed Bush's 2002 re-election campaign.  Director of external affairs and director of appointments in Gov. Jeb Bush's administration.  Field director for Broward and Palm Beach counties on Bush's 1998 campaign.  Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw's re-election campaign in 1996 and finance director for Shaw's 1994 campaign.  1992 graduate of University of Florida.

Brandi Brown

(reported by the Miami Herald on Jan. 29, 2015)  External affairs director at the Foundation for Excellence in Education.  Opened an event planning firm in Tallahassee.  Deputy chief of staff at Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration.  Started in the Offce of Gov. Jeb Bush as special events director in 1999 and rose to director of external affairs.  Joined Jeb Bush's campaign team in 1997.  Graduate of The Florida State University.  Resident of Tallahasse.  Native Floridian.

Pablo Diaz

(reported by the Miami Herald on Jan. 29, 2015)  One of two transition leaders for new RPOF chairman Blaise Ingoglia in Jan. 2014.  Campaign manager on Attorney General Pam Bondi's 2014 re-election.  Legislative director for NFIB/Florida from Jan. 2012-June 2013.  Served in various positions at the Republican Party of Florida, including coalitions director, director of field operations, director of party development and finally deputy executive director.  Regional coalitions coordinator at the RNC.  Deputy operations budget manager for the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign.  Worked on Jeb Bush's 2002 re-election campaign.  Worked in the Florida office of the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign and on the recount.

Assisting  Former Congressman Vin Weber

(reported by the Washington Post's Robert Costa on Feb. 18, 2015 >)  Partner at Mercury.  Special advisor on policy to Mitt Romney's campaign, announced Aug. 24, 2011; earlier policy advisor to Pawlenty for President.  Bush-Cheney '04 Plains States regional chairman.  Opened Clark & Weinstock's Washington, D.C. office in 1994.  Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981-93 representing Minnesota's 2nd CD.  Campaign manager and chief Minnesota aide to Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, 1978-80.  Co-publisher of the Murray County Herald, 1976-78.  Press secretary to Rep. Tom  Hagedorn, 1974-75.  Attended the University of Minnesota, 1970-74. 

TREASURER

Treasurer  James P. Robinson

(from Jan. 2015) 

Assistant Treasurer for both the PAC and super PAC  Salvatore Purpura

(from Jan. 2015; already has experience on six presidential campaigns)  Treasurer at RickPerry.org, Inc., Aug. 2011-April 2012.  Treasurer of Steven Colbert's super PAC, May-Aug. 2011.  Treasurer on John Boozman's 2010 U.S. Senate campaign.  Director of treasury for Friends of John McCain and for Country First PAC, from Dec. 2008.  Director of treasury for John McCain 2008, McCain-Palin 2008 and the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund, from Nov. 2006.  Treasurer on Carly for California.  Treasurer and comptroller on Bush-Cheney '04.  Comptroller on Jeb Bush for Governor and Bush-Brogan '02, July 2001-March 2003.  National budget director on George W. Bush for President and Bush-Cheney.  Deputy comptroller on Jeb Bush for Governor and Bush-Brogan '98.  States budget manager on Dole-Kemp '96.  Budget and accounts payable manager on Phil Gramm for President, 1995-96.  Legislative staff assistant at the Florida Department of Education, Jan.-May 1995.  Accounting assistant on Jeb Bush for Governor and Bush-Feeney '94, Aug. 1993-May 1994.  B.S. in political science from Florida State University, 1997.

Director-Designate  Annie Kelly

(reported by the Des Moines Register on March 2, 2015)  Senior vice president at FP1 Strategies.  A regional political director (top offensive targets) at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle from Jan. 2013.  Managed U.S. Rep. Tom Latham’s successful 2012 campaign against U.S. Rep. Tom Boswell in Iowa.  Deputy state director for Tim Pawlenty's Iowa campaign, and earlier operations director for his Freedom First PAC (announced Oct. 1, 2009).  A senior associate with the Washington-based firm BlueFront Strategies, Feb. 2008-Dec. 2009.  Confidential assistant at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Aug. 2007-Feb. 2008.  Director of administration on the McCain presidential campaign in 2007.  Deputy campaign manager for Pawlenty’s gubernatorial campaign in 2006.  Director of operations for the College Republican National Committee, June 2004-Dec. 2005.  She also interned in the White House Office of Senior Advisor Karl Rove.  B.A. in literature from The George Washington University, 2007.  Philadelphia native.

national role...see above  David Kochel

(reported by the New York Times on Jan. 29, 2015; relocated to Miami)  Owner of Redwave Communications in Des Moines.  Senior advisor on Romney's 2011-12 Iowa caucus campaign, and earlier served as treasurer of Romney's PAC.  Senior Iowa advisor on Romney's 2007-08 Iowa caucus campaign.  Executive vice president at DCI Group, Dec. 1996-Feb. 2002.  Managed Lamar Alexander's Iowa campaign in 1999.  Executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, April-Dec. 1996.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa in 1995-96.  B.A. in political science from Iowa State University, 1987.  twitter

Influential Supporters 
David Orman

(the Des Moines Register reported on March 9, 2015 that Orman helped organize Bush's Iowa Ag Summit trip)  A key Romney supporter in 2011-12.   Executive at Earthpark Development, LLC since 2001.  Executive at Heritage Communications/TIC/AT&T, 1984-2001.  Chief of staff to Govs. Robert Ray and Terry Branstad, 1974-84.

Doug Gross 

(see The Washington Post, Jan. 16, 2015)  Attorney at BrownWinick.  2002 Republican nominee for governor of Iowa.  Other experience includes chief of staff to Gov, Terry Branstad, 1984-89, director of business and finance at the Iowa State Board of Regents, administrative assistant to Gov. Robert D. Ray, 1981-83; director of fuels division of the Iowa Energy Policy Council, chief legislative assistant and campaign co-manager for Congressman Tom Tauke, legislative field director for the Iowa Republican Party and legislative intern to the Iowa General Assembly.  Co-chair of President George W. Bush's finance effort in Iowa and chairman of Gov. Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign (from May 2006).

Strategist  Rich Killion

(reported by the Boston Globe's James Pindell on Feb. 12, 2015)  Managing partner at Elevare Communications, LLC since 2004.  Senior advisor on Pawlenty for President, March-Aug. 2011.  Consultant and NH strategist on Romney for President, 2007-08.  Director of the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce College, 2002-04.  Campaign manager on Keough for Governor, 2001-02.  New Hampshire state director for Citizens for a Sound Economy, 1999-2001.  Managing director of college relations and lecturer at Franklin Pierce College, 1995-99.  Director of education, legislation and finance at TCI/Taylor, Hagerty & Associates, 1994-95.  Director of Tele-Consultants, Inc., 1989-94.  M.P.A. from George Mason University, 1994.  B.A. in economic from Stonehill College, 1989.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Rob Varsalone

(reported by the Boston Globe's James Pindell on March 11, 2015)  Partner at Global Strategic Partners, LLC since June 2012; founder of Maven Public Affairs, LLC.  Strategist on Ayotte for Senate, April 2010-Jan. 2011.  Resident country director in Iraq (May 2008-March 2010), in Pakistan (Dec. 2006-Jan. 2008) and in Afghanistan (Feb. 2005-Dec. 2006)  for the International Republican Institute.  Executive director of RNC's NH Victory, Jan.-Dec. 2004.  Senior political advisor and speechwriter fo Gov. Craig Benson, Jan.-Dec. 2003.  Strategist on Benson for Governor, Aug. 2001-Jan. 2003.  Deputy NH director for Citizens for a Sound Economy, Jan. 1999-March 2000.  Member of the NH House of Representatives, served one term, Jan. 1995-Dec. 1996.  Research for the NH GOP, May-Dec. 1993.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Nate Lamb

(reported by the Boston Globe's James Pindell on March 11, 2015)  State field director on NH for Scott Brown, Sept.-Nov. 2014.  Deputy campaign manager on Dan Innis for Congress, Nov. 2013-Sept. 2014.  Regional field director for the RNC in Ocean City, NJ, July-Nov. 2013.  Sales associate/independent contractor for Velocity Performance and for Workforce Extended in Nashua, Dec. 2012-March 2013.  Field representative on Ovide Lamontagne for Governor, June-Nov. 2012.  B.A. in political science from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2012.  twitter

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