Carson America

(page revised March 24, 2016)

announced May 4, 2015
headquarters: Alexandria, VA
see also: pre-campaign organization  |  pro-Carson super PACs.

Ed. Notes:

On Dec. 31, 2015 campaign manager Barry Bennett and communications director Doug Watts resigned effective immediately; according to press accounts the major reason was interference by Carson's business manager Armstrong Williams.  Carson named Ed Brookover as his new campaign manager and Major Gen. Bob Dees as campaign chairman (+).  Later in the day, the Des Moines Register reported deputy campaign manager Lisa Coen had also resigned.  The next day Reuters reported that 20 staff members had quit, but Ed Brookover said that report was not accurate.  On Jan. 11, 2016 Bloomberg reported that general counsel Michael Zarlenga and operations director Renee Burchard were leaving.  On Jan. 14, 2016 Politico reported that national finance chairman Dean Parker had resigned. 

Despite the tumult Carson continuing campaigning for the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses.  However, following the caucuses. the campaign is undergoing a radical downsizing; the Washington Post reported on Feb. 4 that the campaign is reducing its size by about hald, cutting "more than 50 staff positions." 

Chairman  Major Gen. Robert F. Dees, U.S. Army (ret.)

(announced as chairman on Dec. 31, 2015; started as chairman of the campaign's Foreign Policy Advisory Committee, first reported by the NYT Trip Gabriel on Nov. 17, 2015)  President of Resilience Consulting LLC.  Associate vice president for military outreach, adjunct professor, and director of the Institute for Military Resilience at Liberty University.  U.S. Army major general (ret.), retired in Jan. 2003.  Graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1972, commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry with a B.S. degree; Masters degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Former Campaign Manager  Barry Bennett

(reported by the Columbus Dispatch on March 4, 2015 resigned Dec. 31, 2015)  Longtime advisor to Sen. Rob Portman; just a couple of weeks earlier in Feb. 2015 Bennett was reported as campaign manager for the Fighting for Ohio Fund, a super PAC formed to boost Portman's 2016 re-election campaign.  A leader of the Alliance for America's Future, a group that was active in 2010 races.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH) from Sept. 2005 to 2010.  Media consultant in Washington, DC.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Frank Cremeans (OH).  Communications director on Lt. Gov. Mike DeWine's 1994 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Communications on Rob Portman's election to Congress in the 1993 special election.  twitter

Campaign Manager  Ed Brookover

(announced as campaign manager on Dec. 31, 2015 after serving as senior strategist for nine months; reported by various outlets on March 3, 2015)  Chairman of Greener and Hook’s political practice, has over 30 years experience in campaign politics.  Political director for the NRCC from 1995-99.  Political director for the NRSC during the 1988 campaign cycle.   National field director for the RNC in the 1986 cycle serving under then RNC political director Bill Greener.  twitter

Deputy Campaign Manager  Lisa Coen

(resigned Dec. 31, 2015)  Vice president and head of global public and government affairs for Bayer CropScience division.  North America government affairs and policy at Novartis Vaccines.  Vice president of public affairs at Pfizer.  Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and Global Pharmaceutical Affairs and earlier Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs during the George W. Bush administration.  Director at the White Housse National Security Council.  Worked for two law firms.  J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, 1992; undergraduate degree from Providence College.

Communications Director  A. Larry Ross

(announced Jan. 11, 2016)  President of A. Larry Ross Communications, "a full-service agency he founded in 1994 to provide cross-over media liaison emanating from, or targeted to, the Christian market."  Principal spokesperson for evangelist Billy Graham, for over 30 years beginning in 1981.  Field spokesman for the General Motors Corporation in the late 1970s.  Graduate of Wheaton College, 1976.  Lives in Lewisville, Texas.  twitter

Deputy Communications Director  Ying Ma

Visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.  Practiced law at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, a global law firm headquartered in New York.  Managed corporate communications at Sina.com, the first Mainland China-based Internet company to list on the Nasdaq.  Served on the first professional staff of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.  J.D. from Stanford Law School; B.A. in government from Cornell University.  Immigrated to the United States from Communist China at age ten; author of Chinese Girl in the Ghetto.  twitter

Press Secretary  Deana Bass

Principal/managing partner at Bass Public Affairs in Alexandria, VA from 2005.  Co-founder of Bond Girl|Books.  Deputy director of coalitions at the RNC Jan. 2005-April 2006.  Executive director of The Gloucester Institute, 2005-06.  Director of coalitions at the House Republican Conference, April 2003-Jan. 2005.  MFA in film production from Ohio University, 1999; B.A. in communications and international relations from Salem College, 1995.  twitter

Deputy Press Secretary  Stephanie Marshall

Partner at Marshall, Nappi & Schulz Publicity (MNS).

Lindsay Perry

Perry is part of the team at Bass Public Affairs.  twitter

Senior Communications Strategist  Jason Osborne

(started Oct. 2015 as deputy senior strategist; promotion announced Jan. 11, 2016)  Executive director of the CNMI Republican Party from Dec. 2014.  Consultant at The Trailblazer Group from Sept. 2012.  Director of external affairs for the 2012 Republican National Convention, July 2011-Sept. 2012.  A principal at The MITA Group, joined the firm in 2006.  Senior federal liaison (a senior lobbyist) for the National Rifle Association (NRA), 1999-2006.  Senior associate at the Carmen Group, 1996-99.  Director of governmental affairs in the transportation and environment division at the American Consulting Engineers Council, 1994-96.  Legislative aide to Sen. Ted Stevens, 1992-94.  M.A. in political science/congressional studies from Catholic University, 1995; B.A. in political science from the University of Alabama, 1992.  Experience also includes member of the floor operations team at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Social Media Director  Matt Cicconi

(June 2015)  Executive assistant to the CEO at HSP Direct, Sept. 2014-May 2015.  Munitions inspector for the U.S. Air Force, 2002-14.  Northeast Pennsylvania regional field director for the RNC, Aug.-Nov. 2012.  B.A. in political science and government from Kings College, 2014.

Research Director  Don Green

(reported by Politico)

Political Director  G. Michael Brown

(intially field director)  Chief of staff to Texas State Rep. Jason Isaac.  Executive director of Texas House Republican Caucus.  Texas manager of government relations and corporate development for Chesapeake Energy.  Campaign manager on Brian Munzlinger's campaign for Missouri Senate in the 18th District, 2010.  Communications director on the campaign to pass Amendment 3 (prohibiting taxes on real estate transactions) in Missouri, 2009.  Briefly press secretary at the International Trade Administration at the close of the George W. Bush administration.  Election Day operations manager for Missouri Republicans in 2006.  M.P.A. from University of Missouri-Columbia, 2009; J.D. from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, 2007; B.A. in history from Texas Tech University, 2003.

Deputy National Field Director  Andrew Hughes

Regional Field Directors
Western  Russ Walker

Midwest  Bruce Pfaff

Southern  Bobby Saparow

Northeastern  Jake Menges

National Field Manager  Matthew Posey

twitter
Ben Carson's bus  twitter

Director of Ballot Access and Delegate Selection  Brian Jack

(Sept. 2015)  Senior political analyst at AIPAC, Sept. 2011-Sept. 2015.  Staff assistant at the RNC, Jan.-Sept. 2011.  B.A. in international studies, political science from Pepperdine University, 2010.

Coalitions Director  Daniel Faraci

Director at Grassroots Political Consulting, LLC since May 2008.  Director of government affairs at the Alliance for Affordable Services, April 2007-Dec. 2014. 

    National Medical Coalition (announced Oct. 2, 2015)

Special Faith Advisor  Johnnie Moore

(announced Nov. 25, 2015)  Chief of staff for producer Mark Burnett.  Served as vice president for executive projects and media relations and campus pastor at Liberty University.  M.A. in religion (2006) and B.S. in religion (2004) from Liberty University.  Author of Defying ISIS.

Deputy Strategist/National Grassroots Director  Vernon Robinson

(Sept. 2015)  CEO at Tzu Mahan from 2007.  Co-founder of the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee.  Candidate for the Republican nomination in NC-8 in 2012, finishing third in the May 8 primary.  Republican nominee for Congress in NC-13 against Rep. Brad Miller (D) in 2006.  Candidate for NC GOP chair in May 1995.  Candidate for the Republican nomination in the open NC-5 in 2004, finishing first in the July 20 primary, but losing the Aug. runoff to state Sen. Virginia Foxx.  Candidate for state House in 2002.  Served two terms on the Winston-Salem City Council.  Candidate for state Senate in 1998.  Candidate for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1992 and 1996.  President of the N.C. Education Reform Foundation.  Served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.  Earned M.B.A. from the University of Missouri while on active duty; graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1977.  twitter

Policy Director  Colonel Christopher Bourne, USMC, Ret.

(announced Jan. 11, 2016; earlier, on Dec. 8, 2015 announced as part of nat. sec. comm.)  President of Bourne Executive Strategies, LLC  in Greenville from Nov. 2011; also vice president of operations at Thermo-Pur Technologies, llc in Greenville from Sept. 2013.  Vice president at VSConsulting, Inc., March 2010-Dec. 2011.  Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1982-May 2010.

National Security and Foreign Policy Advisory Committee

(announced Dec. 8, 2015)
Mr. George Birnbaum
Colonel Chris Bourne, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Ms. Lisa Coen
Major General Jerry Curry, U.S. Army, Retired
Major General Bob Dees, U.S. Army, Retired (Chairman of the Advisory Committee)
Dr. Paul Gregory
Brigadier General Jeff Horne, U.S. Army, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel Sue Huggler, U.S. Army, Retired
Ms. Ying Ma
Dr. David McIntyre
Mr. George Papadopoulos
Dr. Stephen Parke  
Mr. Tim Ryan
Major General Gregory A. Schumacher, U.S. Army, Retired 
Major General Mel Spiese, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

Foreign Policy Advisor  George Birnbaum

(announced Dec. 8, 2015)  Founder and CEO of GEB International.  "Credited with electing Prime Ministers and Presidents throughout Europe and Middle East"  Joined with Arthur Finkelstein to create an international political consulting firm in 2003.  Worked on international philanthropy and charitable work for two years.  Consultant to Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's 1999 campaign and served as his chief of staff for a year and a half.  Managed Charlie Crist's 1998 challenge to U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.  Deputy political director and director of survey research at the NRSC under Chairman Alfonse D’Amato, 1996.  Worked on congressional campaigns in NC, FL and VA.  Worked on Ohio Congressman Bob McEwen’s 1992 campaign.  twitter

Note: Robert F. Dees and Duane R. Clarridge reported by NYT Trip Gabriel on Nov. 17, 2015.  Birnbaum was announced in separate release on Dec. 8, 2015.

Senior Advisor/Grassroots Fundraising  Mike Murray

(formally reported mid-Feb. 2015...grassroots fundraising)  President and CEO of TMA Direct and the managing partner of Precision Data Management, both headquartered in Reston, Virginia.  Founder (2010) of American Legacy PAC [Carson is chairman of the PAC's Save Our Healthcare project since 2014].  Has provided "digital and data marketing services by numerous US Presidential candidates including: Speaker Newt Gingrich, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Fred Thompson, Mayor Rudi Giuliani [sic], businessman Herman Cain, and Governor Mitt Romney.  Mike also manages direct marketing efforts on behalf of the National Rifle Association of America, Citizens United, the College Republican National Committee, National Review and The Washington Times."  Finance degree from George Mason University School of Business.  twitter

National Finance Chairman  Dean N. Parker Jr

(announced May 10, 2015; effective May 11, 2015; resignation reported by Politico on Jan. 14, 2016)  Founder and chief executive officer of Vita Capital, an early stage investment firm.  Chairman, president and CEO of Callis Communications from June 1999 (acquired by C Spire in Dec. 2013).  Director of indirect distribution for Ericsson, Inc. Jan. 1997-May 1999.  Graduate of Liberty University, 1997.  Based in Mobile, AL.  twitter

National Finance Director  Amy Pass

(reported Feb. 23, 2015 by The Daily Caller's Alex Pappas)  President of The Pass Group, LLC in Nashville, TN from 2015.  National finance director at Newt 2012 from Aug. 2011.  Director of major gifts at American Solutions, 2007-11.  Director of planning in the Office of Speaker Newt Gingrich, 2002-07.  Degree in business administration from University of Georgia, 2002.

Deputy Finance Director-Special Events  Sonya Harrison

(March 2015)  President of Strategic Campaign Consulting in Alpharetta, GA from May 2012.  Director of Georgia operations for Newt 2012, Oct. 2011-April 2012.  Executive director to New Gingrich's office, 1999-2011.  Georgia scheduler to Speaker Newt Gingrich, 1995-99.  Fundraising assistant for the American Heart Association, 1994-95.  Staff assistant for fundraising on the Guy Millner for Governor campaign in Georgia, 1993-94.  B.A. in political science from Texas Lutheran University, 1993.

Finance Operations Director  Rachel Howat

(June 2015)  WIC nutritionist for Mobile County Health Department, Oct. 2012-June 2015.  M.B.A. from University of South Alabama, 2015; B.S. in food and nutrition from University of Alabama, 2011.

Director of Scheduling  Audrey Jones

Longtime office manager to Carson at Johns Hopkins; started working for him in 1996.  Degree in psychology from University of Maryland College Park.

3 Schedulers including:
Karaina "Raina" Callahan
(May 2015)  B.A. in English literature and English writing from High Point University, 2015.

Director of Advance Mike Nason

Executive producer of New Life Live, a one hour daily radio show, since June 2010.  Owner of The Nason Group, a strategic media relations company in Orange County, CA, since Jan. 1990.  Executive producer of "Hour of Power," 1972-90.  twitter
Advance Team includes: William Russell

Director of Technology  Brian Haley

Previously Google Apps administrator for Coolhead Tech in Austin, TX, May 2013-April 2015.

Operations Director  Renee Burchard

(departure reported by Bloomberg on Jan. 11, 2016)

Operations  Kevin Manning

(April 2015)  Associate at BKM Strategies, March 2013-March 2015.  Executive assistant/scheduler to U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, June 2012-Jan. 2013; also did several stints as an intern to Schmidt.  Graduate of Xavier University, 2012.

Treasurer  Logan D. Delany Jr.

(??? CFO of the campaign)  President of Delany Capital Management Corp., a private equity firm, since 1986.  First vice president in the merger and acquisition group at Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated.  Former chairman of Howard Industries, Inc., 7-Up Bottling Company of St. Louis and Graham Industries. Former director of Grant Industries, Inc.  Studied economics at Oxford University; J.D. from Harvard Law School; A.B. in economics from Harvard College.

General Counsel  Michael W. Zarlenga

(May 2015 to Jan. 2016; departure reported by Bloomberg on Jan. 11, 2016)  Also of counsel at Bergstrom & Taylor and of counsel at Arsenal Attorneys, from Jan. 2015.  Owner of The Trophy Room, LLC, which handles firearms transfers, from Jan. 2008 to present.  Principal at Zarlenga Strategic Consulting from Jan. 2008.  Owner of The Trophy Room, LLC, a hunting and fly fishing boutique in Old Town Alexandria, June 2001-Jan. 2008.  President and general counsel at Internet Verification Systems, Inc., May 2000-June 2001.  Associate attorney at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, Nov. 1996-May 2000.  Associate attorney at Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, PC, Sept. 1994-Nov. 1996.  J.D. from Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, 1994.  B.S./B.A. in international business from Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, 1990.

Also close to Carson
Armstrong Williams

Owner of Howard Stirk Holdings (owns several TV stations) from April 2013.  TV and radio host at Armstrong Williams Productions from Feb. 2005; started his radio career in Washington, DC in 1991.  President and executive producer at The Graham Williams Group (international marketing, advertising and public relations consulting firm) from Feb. 1998.  Vice president for governmental and international affairs at the public relations firm B&C Associations.  Confidential assistant to the chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, presidential appointee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Carroll Campbell, and legislative aide and advisor to U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond.  B.A. in political science and English from South Carolina State University, 1981.  Board member of the Carson Scholars Fund. 

Headquarters: 2633 86th St., Urbandale, IA  50322-4309
Office: 3349 Southgate Ct., SW, Suite 105, Cedar Rapids, IA  52404

State Director  Ryan Rhodes

(reported by The Iowa Republican, Jan. 16, 2015)   Grassroots director for Sec. of State Matt Schultz in his 2014 Republican primary campaign in Iowa's 3rd CD.  Tea Party outreach director on Michele Bachmann's Iowa caucus campaign (announced Dec. 1, 2011).  Founder and co-chairman of the Iowa Tea Party.  Political director for  Dave Funk in his 2010 Republican primary campaign in Iowa's 3rd CD, and was a consultant for the Iowa Senate Republican Fund on six campaigns during 2010.  Worked at a Chrysler dealership.  Candidate for Iowa House in District 45 in 2008, while a student, losing to Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) by 58.2% to 41.8%.  Graduate of Iowa State University.  Iowa native.

Deputy State Director  Gregory Manz

(Sept. 2015)  Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government; B.A. in political science from University of New Hampshire, 2011.  twitter

Volunteer Coordinator  Megan Assman

Studied political science at South Dakota State University, after attending Simpson College in 2011-12.  Originally from South Dakota.  twitter

Regional Coordinators

Northwest (4th CD)  Megan Dieken

From Logan, Iowa.  twitter

Eastern (1st and 2nd CDs)  Emma Nemecek 

President and CEO of Music 2 Link US Productions, Inc. since 2002, and vice president of Nemecek Electric from Sept. 1997.  Northeast field rep. on Bachmann for President Iowa caucus campaign in 2011-12.  Other experience includes election volunteer coordinator for the National Rifle Association, chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Republicans, past president of the All Nations Association, Linn County chair for the Matthew Schultz for Secretary of State campaign, and 2nd CD representative for 2008 presidential candidates Sam Brownback and John McCain.  Republican nominee for State House against Ro Foege in District 29 in 2006 and 2008.  Resident of Mount Vernon Rapids.  B.S. in Management from Colegio de San Agustin in the Philippines.  Born in Basilan City, Philippines.

Southwest (3rd CD)  Nathan Arnold

(May 2015)  Field staff for National Draft Ben Carson for President/The 2016 Committee in Des Moines, Iowa, July 2014-Feb. 2015.  Field director on Bobby Schilling for Congress, July-Nov. 2012.  Political field staffer on Rick Santorum for President, Aug. 2011-Jan. 2012.  B.A. in political science from Drake University, 2013, and is a third year law student at Drake.

Office Manager / Iowa Advance  Chelsea Barnett

(Aug. 2015)  Field director in Western Iowa for Students for Branstad, Aug.-Nov. 2014.  Deputy director of federal affairs to Gov. Mary Fallin, in Washington, DC during her term as chair of the NGA, June 2013-July 2014.  Legislative assistant (June 2011-June 2013) and staff assistant (March-June 2011) to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas.  Special projects coordinator for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, May 2010-March 2011.  B.B.A. in economics/public administration from University of Central Oklahoma, 2010.

Co-Chairs

(announced late March 2015...previously served as Iowa co-chairs of the independent draft effort)
State Rep. Rob Taylor (R-West Des Moines) - Elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2012 representing District 44; considered running for Congress or Sec. of State in 2014 but decided against.  Sales director for a small business in central Iowa, a consultant and trainer for the automotive industry, and a diesel and bio-fuel specialist.  Masters degree in business leadership from William Penn University; B.S. from Upper Iowa University; A.A. degree from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.  Born and raised in Des Moines.
Dr. Christi Taylor - An internist with the Iowa Clinic.  Immediate past chair of the Dallas County Republican Party.   

County Chairs in all 99 Counties

(announced Oct. 7, 2015)

 

Headquarters: 84 South Commercial St., Manchester, NH  03101

State Director  David Tille

(announced June 16, 2015)  Director of Job Creators Network in New Hampshire from Feb. 2013.  NH political director on Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign.  Outreach director for Congressman Jeb Bradley.  Field director on Bradley's 2002 congressional campaign in NH's 1st CD, after managing Portsmouth businessman Sean Mahoney's primary campaign.  State coordinator for Sen. Bob Smith.  Co-field director on Ovide Lamontagne for Governor in 1996.  U.S. Army veteran who served in active duty as a Russian linguist and analyst on Russia and Eastern Europe, 1992-96. A.A. in Russian language from the Defense Language Institute, 1993.  Executive director of the NH Republican Party in the early 1990s.  B.A. in political science, economics and international administration from New England College, 1989.  Interned at Pete duPont's headquarters in Manchester during the 1988 New Hampshire primary.

Coalitions Director  Chris Wood

(reported by WMUR's John DiStaso on July 14, 2015)  NH coalitions director on Romney for President in the 2012 general election; consultant on coalitions to Rep. Ron Paul's 2011-12 NH primary campaign.  Founder and principal at Whitefield & Burke, LLC.  In the 2008 cycle he served as political director on Fred Thompson's NH primary campaign and earlier as coalitions director on Rudy Giuliani's New Hampshire primary campaign.  Field director for Victory New Hampshire, a network of conservative groups promoting lower taxes, less government and strong defense.  Has worked on state and local campaigns including Craig Benson for Governor, Chuck Douglas for Congress, Peter Bragdon for State Senate, Ray Wieczorek for Mayor, and Frank Guinta for Mayor.   Grassroots director of NH Citizens for a Sound Economy.  Deputy campaign manager/field on Forbes 2000 New Hampshire primary campaign.  Executive director of New England Right to Work Committee.  Volunteer coordinator on Pat Buchanan's 1992 campaign.  B.S. in political science, business and philosophy from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Faith Based Coordinator  Shelly Uscinski

Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo's NH primary campaign in 2007-08.  Campaign manager on Pat Buchanan's NH primary campaign in 1999 (announced April 7, 1999) and continued with him when he sought the Reform Party ticket.  Chairman of the New Hampshire Christian Coalition.  Buchanan delegate to the 1996 Republican convention in San Diego.  Elected to the Merrimack School Board in May 1994 and served through 1997.

Operations Director  Rhonda Hensley

(initially Nashua field representative)  from Merrimack.

Field Representatives 

North, Rockingham Co.  Steve Small

retired U.S. Marine Corps.

Hillsborough Co.  Bob Carsten

retired U.S. Marine Corps.

Jaryn Haines

Volunteer Coordinator  Rhonda Hensley

From Concord.  Campaign experience includes Havenstein for Governor (2014), Lamontagne for Senate (2012), Pawlenty for President (2011) and Ayotte for Senate (2010).

Statewide Leadership includes:

State Chair  Cathie Chevalier

(announced June 5, 2015)  past state president of the New Hampshire Ladies Auxiliary VFW.

Eddie Edwards - Republican nominee for state Senate District 4 in 2014, losing to incumbent state Sen. David Watters.  Over two decades of law enforcement experience including as police chief in South Hampton and as director of the New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement Division.

Marga Coulp - Owner/operator of Classic Cutters in Portsmouth.

County Leadership includes:

Rockingham  Tom Puzzo
Strafford  Bob Guida - Former New Hampshire House deputy majority leader, from Warren.

Former
Field Director  Jared Powers

Worked on Texas state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)'s 2014 re-election campaign, then served as Creighton's Montgomery County district director.  Graduate of the University of Houston; worked through school as a yard supervisor at a steel distribution company within the Port of Houston.

Field Operations, North Country  Merle Burke

Owner of Burke Painting in Bartlett.  Has worked on numerous campaigns including Bartlett town chair for Sen. John McCain's 2007-08 NH primary campaign and for Pat Buchanan.

State Director  Ruth Sherlock

(reported by Time's Tessa Berenson on Feb. 12, 2015) (early Nov. 2011)  Partner at Sherlock and Gaines Consulting Group of Greenville and principal at Sherlock & Associates.  Deputy South Carolina director on Newt 2012 from Nov. 2011, then national deputy political director.  Campaign manager/chief of staff at Joseph Cao for Congress and for Congressman Cao, 2008.  Marketing director at BE&K Government Group, 2006-07.  Vice president of marketing at Mpower Systems Public Policy Group, 2003.  Regional finance director/national field finance director at the RNC, 2000-02.  Partner and COO at The Palladian Group, 2001.  Community relations for Greenville Hospital System, 1998-99.  Finance director for the SC House Republican Caucus, 1998-99.  Campaign manager on Clyborne for Congress, 1997-98.  Finance director on Robin Hayes for Governor, 1996.  Incumbent field representative for the NRCC, 1995-96.  Contract labor for Sen. Paul Coverdell, 1993-94.  Special assistant at the U.S. Department of Energy, 1989-93.  BBA in marketing from Texas A&M University, 1983.

Deputy State Director  Andrew Yates

(May 2015)  Also managing owner of A.W.C. Yates Consulting from May 2015.  NRA-ILA Georgia field representative, July-Dec. 2014.  Upstate regional field director on Lindsey Graham's campaign Nov. 2013-June 2014.  Account executive at The Palladian Group, April 2013-June 2014.  Political director on Mark Lazarus for Horry County Council Chairman, Jan.-March 2013.  Deputy field director in the Richmond area for Republican Party of Virginia, Aug.-Nov. 2012.  Yates also interned on Rick Perry's presidential campaign from Aug.-Dec. 2011.  B.A. in political science from Clemson University, 2011.

Director of Finance and Events  Shannon Reilly

President of Reilly Consulting LLC in Greenville; floral designer at Fairytale Florist in Greenville.

Faith Outreach Director  Kristopher Jones

Veterans Coalition Chairman  Maj. Michael Middleton

Regional Field Directors 
Horry County (Myrtle Beach)  Nate Klein

Faith Leaders

(announced Dec. 2, 2015)
Dameron Batson, Evangelist/Christian Rapper, Spartanburg
Mark Anthony Busbee, Evangelist, Gaston
Robert Mark Clary, Care Team at New Spring Community Church, Anderson
Joshua Clowney, Christian Rapper, Wellford
David Fields, Evangelist/Christian Rapper, Greenville
Rev. Jimmy Gallant, Charleston
Larry Theodore Hipp, Jr,  Evangelist, Anderson
Austin Luke Holadia, Evangelist, Anderson
Rev. Altheresa Howard, Lancaster
Rev. Dennis Peake, Greenville
Evangelist Chancey-Lindsey Peake, Greenville
Earl Christopher Troup, MD, Greenville
Pastor Scott Williams, Lyman
Pastor Mark Wall, Anderson
Pastor Mark Wills, Greenville

FORMER

Chairman  Terry Giles

[Giles was chairman from the outset (reported to be in line to be chairman of campaign back in Aug. 2014) through the exploratory phase; he assembled the team....  He and several top leaders left the campaign in May 2015 to take on other roles in the Carson effort.  See: June 6 letter]. 
A longtime friend of Carson, Giles is a Houston businessman and retired lawyer.  He is owner, chairman and president of Giles Enterprises, a private holding company, since 2000.  Chair and director of Landmark Education Corporation, 2000-05.  Owner of GWE, LLC.  Principal at Giles & O'Malley in Houston.  Served in the U.S. Army, 1970-76.  Law degree from Pepperdine; B.A. from Cal State Fullerton, attended on a debate scholarship.  Grew up in St. Louis, MO and attended 21 schools in ten years.

National Finance Chairman  Jeff Reeter

(resgned approx. May 2015 as reported by The Washington Post on June 5, 2015)  Managing partner at Northwestern Mutual in Houston since 2002; appointed managing partner in Dallas in 1996; joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Dallas in 1984.  graduated from Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business in 1984.

Deputy Campaign Manager  Stephen C. Rubino

(resignation reported by The Washington Post on June 5, 2015)  Thirty-year career as a trial lawyer; Rubino has concentrated his practice primarily in clergy sexual abuse and childhood sexual abuse litigation (since 1988), and served as chairman of the American Trial Lawyers Association Litigation Group for Childhood Sexual Abuse from 1993-2010.  His law practice is based in Margate, New Jersey.  President and CEO of The Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc., 2010-13.  J.D. from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law; B.S. from Mount St. Mary's College.

General Counsel  Kathy Freberg

(resignation reported by The Washington Post on June 5, 2015)  Attorney based in Irvine, CA.

See:
Robert Costa.  "Ben Carson slashes staff as funds dry up."  The Washington Post.  Feb. 4, 2016.

Kyle Cheney.  "Carson's finance chief resigns amid campaign storm."  Politico, Jan. 14, 2016.

Steve Ginsberg and Robert Costa.  "Ben Carson on the brink: A process like this is pretty brutal."  The Washington Post, Dec. 28, 2015.

Nia-Malika Henderson.  "Ben Carson campaign at war with itself."  CNN, Dec. 11, 2015.  [describes tension between Armstrong Williams, who is close to Carson but not on the campaign, and campaign staff]

Robert Costa and Philip Rucker.  "Ben Carson’s campaign faces turmoil amid staff exits and super PAC rivalry."  The Washington Post, June 5, 2015.  Also: letter from Terry Giles to Robert Costa in response to June 5 article.

Reid J. Epstein.  "Ben Carson Creates Committee to Explore Presidential Bid."  The Wall Street Journal, March 2, 2015

Eliana Johnson.  "Carson Gets Ready."  National Review, Dec. 3, 2014:

Press Release: "Over $2 Million in Grassroots Support Contributed to Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson’s Presidential Exploratory Committee," April 6, 2015.  

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