VERONA, PA - Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) has announced the expansion of his campaign communications and research team.

Rick Santorum said: "I am proud to announce the formation and expansion of my 2016 presidential campaign communications team.  Our team is made up of an exceptionally qualified group of professionals who are committed to one united goal of fighting for hardworking American families.  I am blessed to have such a strong and experienced team at the ready, prepared to help lead our campaign to victory next November."

The following staff additions will work with Santorum's senior advisors John Brabender (Senior Campaign Strategist) and Matt Beynon (National Communications Director).  Future advisories will be issued as additional staff and advisors join the Santorum Team.

Ian Patrick Hines - Digital Strategy Director

The Beag Co.'s president and sole founder, Ian takes a lead role in client strategy, website design, and responsive web development.  From 2012-2013 Ian worked at NationBuilder, where he served as an in-house product expert. Since leaving the company in 2013, Hines launched more than 70 different client websites on the platform and become a leading voice on digital strategy in conservative politics.

 

Megan Howie - Digital Media Advisor

Megan Howie has extensive digital marketing and branding experience working with leading corporate and political entities.  Howie has spent time at industry-leading companies like AOL, where she oversaw digital strategy across several online departments, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In the political arena, Howie's clients have included Congressmen Todd Young and Luke Messer, the National Federation of Independent Business and the New York Republican Party.

 

Melissa Young - Grassroots Communications Director

Melissa Young has over two decades of campaign experience at the local, state, and federal level.  As Grassroots Communications Director, Young will serve as the campaign's liaison to the campaign's 50-state network of grassroots activist.  Young first worked for Santorum when he was a member of the House of Representatives, later working in his United States Senate office.  During his 2012 campaign, Melissa played a key role on Santorum's South Carolina team in the run-up to the South Carolina primary.  In between, Melissa worked on two presidential campaigns and several statewide political and advocacy campaigns.