National Republican Senatorial Committee – 2016

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Chairman  Sen. Roger Wicker (MS)

(elected Nov. 13, 2014)  Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2007 (succeeding Trent Lott), and elected in 2008 in a special election; re-elected in 2012.  Elected to Congress in 1994; elected president of the freshman class, and re-elected six times.  Elected to the state Senate in 1987, and served to 1994.  Lee County, Miss. public defender, 1984-87.  Judge pro tem in Tupelo.  Staff for Rep. Trent Lott on the House Rules Committee, 1980-82.  U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps (ROTC), 1976-80.  B.A.  (1973) and J.D. (1975) law degrees from University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).  Also serve as a page for U.S. Rep. Jamie L. Whitten.

Vice Chairman for Finance
Vice Chairman for Grassroots Outreach

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Ward Baker

(announced Nov. 20, 2014; Baker served as NRSC political director in the 2014 cycle, announced Jan. 29, 2013)  Political and field liaison between the Romney campaign and the RNC.  Partner at Majority Strategies, a direct mail firm in Nashville, TN.  National political director at the Republican State Leadership Committee.  Campaign director for the Virginia House Republican Caucus in 2005.  72-Hour director for the Bush-Cheney campaign in Florida.  Political director and 72-Hour director for Haley Barbour’s successful 2003 gubernatorial campaign in Mississippi.  Campaign manager for Blackburn for Congress (TN-07) in 2002.  Served in the U.S. Marine Corps.  twitter


Deputy Executive Director  Kevin McLaughlin

(announced Nov. 20, 2014; McLaughlin served as senior advisor at the NRSC in the 2014 cycle, announced Jan. 29, 2013)  Owner of North Star LLC, a strategic communications firm, from April 2012.  A vice president at DCI Group, June 2011-April 2012.  Communications director to Sen. John Cornyn.  Communications director at Texans for Senator John Cornyn, Oct. 2007-Jan. 2009.  Presidential appointee U.S. Dept. of State, Sept.-Oct. 2007.  Director of media affairs at John McCain 2008, Jan.-June 2007.  Director of broadcasting at the RNC, 2005-07.  On-air morning show at WXPT-FM, 2000-05.  B.A. in journalism from University of Saint Thomas, 1996.  twitter

Executive Assistant  Alex Clark

B.A. in public relations from University of Alabama, 2013.


COO ???

POLITICAL

Political Director  Sarah Morgan

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  NRSC Western regional political director in the 2014 cycle.  Campaign manager of Rep. Jeff Flake's (AZ) 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Vice president of rural affairs at Associated General Contractors-AZ chapter, Oct. 2007-April 2011.  Office administrator to U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, 2002-07.  Deputy campaign manager on Jon Kyl for U.S. Senate, June 2005,-Dec. 2006.  Attended Iowa State University.

Director of Political Operations  Christina Aiuto

(April 2016)  Florida political director on Jeb 2016, Inc. July 2015-March 2016.  National officer of campaign programs for The Leadership Institute in Arlington, VA, Jan.-July 2015.  Regional political and field director on Rick Scott for Governor, March-Dec. 2014.  Central Florida political director for the Republican Party of Florida, Sept. 2013-March 2014.  Legislative assistant and scheduler to U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, Dec. 2010-Aug. 2013; political director on Vern Buchanan for Congress, 2010-12.  Bachelor's degree in American policy and politics from University of Central Florida; A.A. in political science from State College of Florida.

National Field Director  Clinton Soffer

(Sept. 2015)  National field director for the NRCC, Jan.-July 2015.  Political director on Cory Gardner for U.S. Senate, April-Nov. 2014.  California state director for the RNC, July 2013-April 2014.  Representative for Councilman Scott Sherman, Dec. 2012-July 2013.  Campaign manager on George Plescia for State Senate (San Diego area), June-Nov. 2012.  Campaign manager on Scott Sherman for San Diego City Council, Jan.-June 2012.  B.A. in political science from UC San Diego, 2011.

Polling Director  David Kanevsky

(2016)  Vice president at American Viewpoint, 2011-15.  Campaign manager on Charlie Bass for Congress (NH), 2010.  Quantitative research manager at Glevum Associates, 2009-10.  Senior project director at Public Opinion Strategies, 2001-08.  Campaign manager on John Mason for Delegate, 2005.  Camapign manager on Ed Scott for Delegate, 2005.  Campaign manager on Jeannemarie Devolites for State Senate, 2003.  B.A. in political communication from The George Washington University, 2001.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Andrea Bozek

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  Communications director at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle; NRCC deputy communications director in 2012, and previously regional press secretary for the Midwest and Southeast, announced Jan. 31, 2011.  Account supervisor at Edelman.  Communications director for Rep. Chris Lee (NY), Jan. 2009-June 2010.  Press secretary to Rep. Tom Reynolds (NY), Aug. 2007-Jan. 2009.  Research analyst and rgional coordinator for John McCain’s presidential campaign in the first part of 2007.  Communications assistant at the NRCC in the 2006 cycle.  Buffalo native.  twitter

Deputy Communications Director  Greg Blair

(Aug. 2015)  Special advisor to the Long Beach City Council (CA), June-Aug. 2015.  Deputy communications director at Rick Scott for Florida, Feb.-Dec. 2014.  Press secretary to U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, May 2013-Feb. 2014.  Press secretary to Gov. Susana Martinez, Jan. 2011-May 2013.  Dputy press secretary at the NRSC, June 2009-Dec. 2010.  Deputy comunications director for the Republican Study Committee (chair Rep. Tom Price), Jan.-June 2009.  Press assistant at the NRCC, July-Dec. 2008.  M.A. in American government from Georgetown University, 2008; B.A. in government from Claremont McKenna College, 2007.  twitter

National Press Secretary  Alleigh Marré

(Oct. 2015)  Communications director to Sen. Susan Collins, Jan.-Oct. 2015.  Press secretary for Friends of Scott Walker, Feb. 2014-Jan. 2015.  Regional press secretary-West at the NRCC, Feb. 2013-Feb. 2014.  Press secretary on Scott Brown for U.S. Senate, Jan.-Dec. 2012.  Assistant account executive at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, Aug. 2010-Jan. 2012.  Digital director on Oz Griebel for Governor, March-Aug. 2010.  Account executive at BIGfish Communications, Jan. 2009-March 2010.  Studied marketing communication at Emerson College.  twitter

War Room Director  Peter Finocchio

(June 2016)  Campaign manager on Carter Smith for Norfolk School Board, March-May 2016.

Research

Research Director  Mark McLaughlin

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  Also NRSC research director in the 2014 cycle; started at the NRSC in the research department in June 2009.  War room deputy at Freedom's Watch, Aug.-Dec. 2008.  Communications intern on Romney for President, Jan. 2007-Feb. 2008.  B.A. in journalism, political science from Northeastern University, 2009.  twitter

Deputy Research Director  Zachary Gillan

(Nov. 2013) Rapid response/research on Ken Cuccinelli for Governor, Feb.-Nov. 2013.  Briefly research analyst at Americans for a Strong Defense.  Research analyst at the NRSC, June 2011-Dec. 2012.  Also interned at the NRSC June-Aug. 2010 and for Sen. John Cornyn, Aug. -Dec. 2009.  B.A. in government from Hamilton College, 2011.  twitter

DIGITAL

Chief Digital Strategist  Tim Cameron

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  Digital director at the NRSC from Nov. 2013.  Director of digital media for the House Republican Conference, Jan.-Nov. 2013.  Director of digital at CRAFT " Media/Digital, Aug. 2011-Jan. 2013.  Director of digital operations at American Solutions for Winning the Future, June 2008-July 2011; digital consultant at American Solutions PAC, Sept. 2010-Feb. 2011.  eCampaign consultant, Dec. 2006-June 2008.  Campaign manager at Phillip Lowe for SC House, Aug.-Nov. 2006.  Deputy finance director at the South Carolina Republican Party, April 2005-May 2006.  twitter

Digital Director  Jon Adams

(March 2015)  Project manager of data platforms at Targeted Victory, June 2011-March 2015.  Budget manager at John McCain 2008, June 2008-Jan. 2009.  Legislative assistant at Balch & Bingham LLP, Aug. 2007-June 2008.  Studied at University of Alabama.

National Digital Campaign Director  Ben Friedmann

(Aug. 2016)  Director of digital operations and tech partnerships for the Republican National Convention, April-July 2016.  Account manager/online advertising (Jan. 2013-April 2014); analytical lead for the elections team (Aug.-Nov. 2012); and advertising strategist/small-medium business and eCommerce development (Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012) at Google.  Brand licensing for Creative Artists Agency in Century City, CA, March 2010-Sept. 2011.  Studied at Columbia University's Business School; B.S. in radio/TV/film from Northwestern University, 2009.

Director of Digital Standards  Eric Wilson

(Aug. 2016)  Digital advisor to the Liberal Party of Australia, May-July 2016.  Digital director on Marco Rubio for President, April 2015-March 2016.  Digital director on Ed Gillespie for Senate, Feb.-Nov. 2014.  Digital director at the American Action Network, American Action Forum, and Congressional Leadership Fund, Feb. 2013-Jan. 2014. Client strategist at Engage, LLC, Dec. 2009-Feb. 2013.  Executive direotor of the Congressional Health Care Caucus/Rep. Michael C. Burgess, Feb.-Dec. 2009.  Policy analyst for the House Republican Policy Committee, Feb. 2007-Nov. 2008.  B.A. in mathematic from Sewanee-The University of the South, 2007.  twitter

Lead Digital Copywriter  Katie Johnson

(March 2015)  Client strategy coordinator at Targeted Victory, June 2014-March 2015.  B.A. in political science and government from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2014.

Creative Director  Michael Marinaccio

(Feb. 2015)  Media consultant at Magnitude Digital, Aug. 2009.  Digital Director in the U.S. House, May 2013-Feb. 2015; digital director for the Republican Communications Association, Oct. 2013-Feb. 2015.  Communications director, digital on Thom Tillis for Senate, Sept.-Dec. 2014.  Director of public affairs and operations, deputy political director at Total Spectrum/Steve Gordon & Associates, Jan. 2012-May 2013.  M.A. in economics from University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business, 2009; B.A. in political science from Coastal Carolina University, 2009.  twitter

Finance

Finance Director  Claire Holloway Avella

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  Founder (2003) and president of Holloway Consulting Inc..  In addition to many statewide campaigns, Holloway served as deputy national finance director for the McCain-Palin RNC Victory Committee.  Attended University of Georgia.

Deputy Finance Director, Management and Operations Les Williamson

Consultant at The Larrison Group, LLC from 2009.  Special assistant at the U.S. Department of Commerce, April 2005-Jan. 2009.  B.A. in finance and economics from Southern Methodist University, 2004.


Regional Finance Directors including
Falicia Mandel

(Jan. 2015)  Iowa finance director on Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate, Nov. 2013-Jan. 2015.  Associate director of major donor programs at GOPAC, Inc., July 2011-Nov. 2013.  Legal assistant at Gordon and Gordon Law Firm in Calif. Oct. 2010-July 2011.  B.A. in political science and history from University of Southern California, 2009.


Senior Finance Coordinator  Patrick O'Connor

(Dec. 2015)  Director of operations at The Foreign Policy Initiative, March 2013-Dec. 2015.  Deputy finance director at LVH Consulting, May-Nov. 2012.  Staff assistant in Congress, Jan. 2011-May 2012.  B.A. in political science from Siena College, 2010.

Director of Events and Senate Liaison  Mary Ellis Kahlstorf Finnerty

(Fepb. 2015)  Deputy finance director (Jan. 2013-Jan. 2015), director of Member giving (Jan. 2011-Dec. 2012) assistant to the executive director (July 2010-Dec. 2011) and administrative assistant (Jan.-June 2009) at the NRCC.  B.B.A. in marketing from University of Mississippi, 2008.

PAC

PAC Director  Michelle McGann

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  Deputy finance director on Scott Brown's 2014 campaign for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.  Young Guns coordinator at the NRCC from June 2012.  Junior legislative assistant in the U.S. House, Jan. 2011-May 2012.  B.S. in political science from Amherst College, 2010.  twitter

Deputy PAC Director  Tessa Lacy Adams

Sales support consultant/marketing administrator (Oct. 2012-July 2013) and medical sales consultant (Sept. 2008-July 2013)  at EBSCO.  B.A. in communication from University of Alabama, 2007.

ADMINISTRATION

CFO  Jay Banning

Previously CFO/CAO at the RNC through March 2009; was at the RNC for 33 years.

Controller  Kris Ozanus

(Aug. 2009)  Previously senior accountant/asst. controller (from May 2008) and started at the NRSC in March 2006 as accounts receivable/accounts payable.  Pension analyst at Pipefitters National Pension Fund, 2004-06.  M.B.A. from Regis University, 2004; B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College, 2002.

INDEPENDENT  EXPENDITURES

[IE, operating separately and independently from the NRCC, spends tens of millions of dollars largely on advertising]

Director of Independent Expenditures  Daniel Huey

(announced Jan. 25, 2016)  Previously senior advisor at the NRSC, deputy director of the I.E. unit in the 2014 cycle, and director of digital and data from April 2013.  Deputy political director at the Republican Governors Association, July 2011-Jan. 2013.  Account executive at CRAFT | Media/Digital, Dec. 2009-July 2011.  Originally from Canton, GA.

Deputy Director Director of Independent Expenditures  Chelsea Hawker

(announced Jan. 25, 2016)  Moved over from position as COO of the NRSC; started at the NRSC in 2013 as deputy political director.  Deputy to Romney For President liaison and senior advisor Ward Baker, at the RNC,managing the $100 million paid voter contact effort across 12 battleground states.  Worked for Majority Strategies, a Republican direct mail firm.  a regional field director for North Carolina Victory during the 2008 presidential election. From Jacksonville, FL.




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