For Immediate Release

December 3, 2014

NRCC Chairman Walden Announces Rob Simms As Executive Director

Liesl Hickey to Serve as Senior Advisor for the Committee in 2016 Cycle

WASHINGTON – National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) announced today that Executive Director Liesl Hickey, who oversaw a historic 13-seat gain in the 2014 elections, will transition out of her role at the end of this year, and current Political Director Rob Simms will succeed her as Executive Director in 2015-2016.  Hickey will work closely with Chairman Walden and serve as a Senior Advisor to the committee. Both Hickey and Simms were instrumental in leading House Republicans to historic gains in 2014.
 
“Rob was instrumental in helping us win this historic majority and now he’s going to lead our efforts to keep it and help Members build the best campaigns possible,” said NRCC Chairman Greg Walden.  “Liesl Hickey did a tremendous job this cycle securing a historic majority and I’m thrilled she will continue to be a part of the team in 2016.  Her new role as Senior Advisor will allow us to focus her time on what she does best - winning in competitive districts.”  
 
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Chairman Greg Walden again and look forward to continuing to be a part of our outstanding team at the NRCC,” said Rob Simms. “Chairman Walden and I want to build upon the improvements we made in 2014, and engineer a stronger committee and an even stronger majority.”

“Thanks to the support of our Members, and our all-star team at the NRCC, we have a historic majority to protect in 2016,” said Liesl Hickey. “I look forward to continue working with Chairman Walden, our incumbent members, and staff at the NRCC to make 2016 a successful cycle.”

Rob Simms, Executive Director: Rob most recently served as NRCC Political Director where he successfully led the NRCC’s political department. Rob was instrumental in recruiting candidates that fit their districts and worked hand-in-hand with Members to develop winning campaigns in difficult seats. Previously, Rob was a senior consultant at Red Maverick Media. Before that, he was chief of staff to Rep. Bill Shuster and president of Persuasion Public Strategies, a political consulting firm. Rob was Georgia’s deputy secretary of state from 2007 until 2009. His vast experience spans from congressional to senatorial to gubernatorial campaigns.

Liesl Hickey, Senior Advisor: Most recently Liesl served as Executive Director of the NRCC. Under her leadership, House Republicans have the largest Majority since 1928.  In 2012, Liesl Hickey led the Patriot Program and the NRCC’s effort to reelect members of the Republican Conference across the country in competitive districts. Prior to rejoining the NRCC in 2011, Hickey served as a consultant for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in 2010. Hickey served as then-Rep. Kirk's chief of staff during his time in Congress. During the 2002 cycle, Hickey was a Field Representative at the NRCC and assisted with John Boozman’s 2002 special election victory. Hickey’s career in politics got its start at the NRSC when she served in the Finance Department, before moving on to serve as Finance Director for Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (IL) during his successful 1998 campaign.