National Republican Congressional Committee – 2016

Chairman  Rep. Greg Walden (OR-2)

(re-elected to a second term Nov. 13, 2014; first elected Nov. 14, 2012; served as deputy chairman in the 2010 and 2012 cycles)  Elected to Congress in 1998.  From Hood River; OR-2 includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon.  Served in the Oregon Senate 1995-97; served in the Oregon House 1989-95.  With his wife radio station owners for two decades.  B.S. degree from University of Oregon, 1981.

Deputy Chairs (announced Jan. 8, 2015)
Finance Chairman  Ann Wagner (MO-2)
Recruitment Chairman  Richard Hudson (NC-8)
Patriot Program Chairman  Steve Stivers (OH-15) (support for freshmen Reps.) 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Rob Simms

(announced Dec. 3, 2014)  Served as NRCC political director throughout the 2014 cycle.  Senior consultant at Red Maverick Media, Aug.-Dec. 2012.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, Dec. 2010-Aug. 2012.  President of Persuasion Public Strategies, based in Georgia, Aug. 2009-Dec. 2010, including chief strategist on Karen Handel's campaign for Governor.  Deputy Secretary of State in Georgia, Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009.  Campaign manager on Karen Handel's campaign for Secretary of State.  Chief of staff to Fulton County Commission chair Mike Kenn, after running his campaign.  B.A. in government and politics from George Mason University, 1994.  twitter

Director of Travel and Scheduling  Hamlin Wade

(Jan. 2015)  Personal aide to the chairman at the NRCC, Jan. 2013-Dec. 2014.  Legislative correspondent in the U.S. House, July 2012-Jan. 2013.  Bachelor's degreee in political science from Wake Forest University, 2012.

Senior Advisor  Liesl Hickey

(announced Dec. 3, 2014)  Served as NRCC executive director throughout the 2014 cycle; and as NRCC Patriot Program director (incumbent retention) in the 2012 cycle.  An advisor to the NRSC in 2010.  Joined ONE in March 2007 as senior director of US campaigns, responsible for managing ONE’s 2008 presidential advocacy initiative, ONE Vote 08.  Chief of staff to Rep. Mark Kirk, Aug. 2004-Jan. 2007.  A field representative for the NRCC and assisted in John Boozman's special election victory, 2002.  Served as Kirk's campaign manager starting in 2000.   Finance director for Sen. Peter Fitzgerald's campaign in 1998.  Started in the finance department at the NRSC.  Graduate of Southern Methodist University.

POLITICAL

Political Director  John Rogers

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  NRCC deputy political director in the 2014 cycle, and Northeast regional political director in the 2012 cycle.  Equities trader for AMR Capital Trading, July 2008-Feb. 2011.  Campaign experience includes Bob Cohen 2010, Rob Astorino’s race for Westchester County Executive in 2009, Victory director for the NJ Republican Party in 2006, and director of field operations for the Pennsylvania Republican Party in Montgomery County in 2004.  During Gov. George Pataki’s administration he served as deputy director of regional and local government affairs, 2003-05 and appointments officer, 2001-03.  Graduate of Sienna College, 1999.  Originally from Upstate New York.  twitter

Regionals 
Northeast  Jon Reedy

Northeast regional political director at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle; Western regional political director at the NRCC in the 2012 cycle.  Campaign manager on Scott Bruun for Congress in Oregon's 5th CD in 2010.  Served in the Bush Administration from 2005-09, including nearly two years on staff at the White House.  Field staffer on Missouri Victory 2004.  twitter

Great Lakes and Florida  Joe Pileggi

Great Lakes and Florida regional political director at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle.  Associate at Axiom Strategies, Aug.-Nov. 2012.  Campaign director on Mark Neumann for U.S. Senate, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012.  Chief of staff to state Sen. Steve Oelrich, Nov. 2006-Sept. 2011.  Political director for NRSC/Joe Miller for U.S. Senate, Oct.-Nov. 2010.  Deputy campaign manager on Mark Neumann for Governor, May-Sept. 2010.  Camapign manager on Steve Oelrich for State Senate, April-Nov. 2006.  North central Florida field director for Senate campaigns for the Republican Party of Florida.   M.A. in political science (2005) and B.A. in political science (2003) from University of Florida.  twitter

Southeast  George Nassar

Southeast regional political director at the NRCC from July 2012; political specialist at the NRCC from Dec. 2011-July 2012.  Campaign consultant races in Mississippi and Virginia, Jan.-Dec. 2011.  Southeast regional field director at the NRCC, July 2009-Dec. 2010.  B.B.A. in political science and marketing from University of Mississippi, 2009.  twitter

Central Midwest  David Watts

Central Midwest regional political director at the NRCC in the 2014 cycle; Midwest regional political director at the NRCC in the 2012 cycle.  A Republican operative for the last 15 years and has worked on local, state and national campaigns in Texas, Missouri and Illinois. He has also worked for former President George W. Bush, Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, as well as Illinois Reps. Bobby Schilling and Peter Roskam.

National Field Director  Jordan Wiggins

Iowa field director (May 2015-Feb. 2016) then Virginia state director and Florida deputy state director on Marco Rubio for President.  Political coordinator at American Crossroads, Feb. 2013-April 2015.  Virginia volunteer director on Romney for President, May-Nov. 2012.  Staff assistant to Sen. Richard Lugar, Jan. 2011-May 2012.  Bachelor's degree in international relations and affairs from Western Michigan University, 2009.  twitter

Women's Engagement Director  Micah Yousefi

Political coordinator at the NRCC from May 2013.  Legislative correspondent in the U.S. House, Dec. 2011-April 2013.  Fulbright grantee in Korea, 2010-11.  Client service administrator at Persels & Associates, Dec. 2009-June 2010.  Special assistant to the president at Carefree Kitchens Inc., Feb. 2002-Sept. 2009.  B.A. in pre-law, philosophy, history from Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2010.

STRATEGY

Strategy Director  Jeff McGowan

National deputy data director at the NRCC from June 2012; NRCC field operations manager in the Arizona CD-8 special election, March-June 2012.  Co-founder and vice president of the 525 Group, LLC from Nov. 2009.  Political director on Sam Rohrer for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, Jan.-March 2012.  Nevada political director on Santorum for President, Jan.-Feb. 2012.  Political director on Kapanke for State Senate in LaCrosse, WI, June-Sept. 2011.  Political anaylst at Targeted Victory, July 2010-May 2011.  Deputy political director on Sue Lowden for U.S. Senate in Nevada, Jan.-June 2010.  Victory coordinator (June-Dec. 2008) and voter registration deputy director (Jan.-June 2008) for the RNC in Nevada.

Regional Data Director  Megan Dutra

(Sept. 2015)  Associate at Venture Strategic, March 2014-Aug. 2015.  Field representative for the California Republican Party, Sept. 2013-March 2014.  B.S. in philosophy from Suffolk University, 2013.

Database Administrator  Merissa Jones

(April 2015)  Regional data coordinator for GOP Data Trust, Sept. 2014-April 2015.  Campaign manager on Kennedy for Ohio, Feb.-Aug. 2014.  B.A. in political science and economics from The Ohio State University, 2014.

Strategy Coordinator  Robert Lewis

(Nov. 2015)  Started at the NRCC in May 2015 as office manager.  B.A. in political science and government from University of Missouri-Columbia, 2013.

Polling Director  Lauren Hutchinson

(from May 2014)  Started at the NRCC as political specialist in Jan. 2013 and was NRCC I.E. coordinator, May-Dec. 2012.  Bachelor's degree in political science from American University, 2012; internships included RNC, Jan.-May 2012. 

Polling Coordinator  Alexi Donovan

(Feb. 2016)  Started at the NRCC as assistant to the executive director in Feb. 2015 (also served as a political intern in summer 2013).  Staff assistant at the Committee on Education and the Workforce, June 2014-Jan. 2015.  B.A. in political science and government from the University of Pittsburgh, 2014.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Katie Martin

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  NRCC Southeast/Midwest regional press secretary in the 2014 cycle.  Press secretary to Wil Cardon, a candidate in the U.S. Senate primary in Arizona, Nov. 2011-June 2012.  Press secretary to U.S. Rep. David McKinley (WV).  Communications director on Jeff Miller for Congress, Aug.-Nov. 2010.  Press secretary on Mike Bouchard for Governor (MI), June 2009-Aug. 2010.  Originally from Metro Detroit area.  twitter

Rapid Response Director  Bob Salera

(Jan. 2016)  Attorney at Choice Counsel, Dec. 2014-Jan. 2016.  Research director on Tom Corbett for Governor, April-Nov. 2014.  Contract attorney for Solvaire Technologies, April 2013-April 2014.  Western regional Victory director for PA GOP/Victory 2012, July-Nov. 2012.  Director of correspondence in the Office of Gov. Tom Corbett, Feb. 2011-July 2012.  Victory field director for PA GOP in SW Pennsylvania, July-Nov. 2010.  J.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2009; B.A. in criminology and criminal justice from University of Maryland College Park, 2006.  twitter

Regional Press Secretary, West/Midwest  Zach Hunter

(Jan. 2015)  Communications director for U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger from April 2013.  Deputy press secretary Nov. 2012-April 2013 and press aide (June-Nov. 2012) for American Action Network.  Legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, staff assistant in the U.S. House, Sept. 2010-June 2012.  B.B.A. in management from University of Georgia -Terry College of Business, 2009.  From Georgia.  twitter

Regional Press Secretary, East  Chris Pack

(Jan. 2015)  Communications director at Tom Corbett for Governor, March-Dec. 2014.  Press secretary to U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, Feb. 2013-March 2014.  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Rick Berg, April 2012-Jan. 2013; also communications advisor on Rick Berg for U.S. Senate.  Communications coordinator in the Office of the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, March 2010-May 2012.  Campaign manager and director of communications at Jack Quinn for New York State Senate, June-Nov. 2010.  Worked in New York Assembly offices and campaigns, Dec. 2005-March 2010.  M.A. in communication from SUNY at Albany, 2012; B.A. in political science, criminal justice from SUNY at Albany, 2006.

Deputy Press Secretary  Kate Constantini

(Jan. 2015)  IE assistant at American Action Network, June 2014-Jan. 2015.  B.A. in political science and government from The George Washington University, 2014.  twitter

Director of Television and Radio  Camille Gallo

(Feb. 2015)  Booker at segment producer at The Independents and Kennedy (Nov. 2013-Feb. 2015) and production assistant at Countdown to the Closing Bell, After the Bell (April 2012-Nov. 2013) for Fox Business Network.  Radio marketing coordinator at the Fox News Channel, Jan. 2011-April 2012.  Campaign coordinator on Scott Sipprelle for Congress, Jan.-Nov. 2010.  Complliance for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, July-Nov. 2009.  B.A. in political science, economics from Drew University.  twitter

Digital

Digital Director  Tom Newhouse

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  NRCC digital political director from April 2014 (advised congressional campaigns on digital strategy).  Manager for client strategy at Targeted Victory, July 2011-April 2014.  B.A. in political economy from Tulane University, 2011; interned at the NRCC in summer 2010.  Native of Alexandria, VA.  twitter

Deputy Digital Director  Katie Nielsen

(April 2016)  Online fundraiser for The Heritage Foundation, May 2012-April 2016.  Development manager at the National Center for Public Policy Research, Aug. 2010-May 2012.  Associate political fundraiser for Marriott Group, 2009-10.  Working toward M.B.A. from The George Washington University School of Business; B.A. in political science from Union College, 2009.

Regional Digital Political Director  Brett Field

Digital Political Coordinator  Chris Joondeph

Web Developer  Zachary Huberty

RESEARCH

Research Director  Todd Johnson

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  NRCC research director in the 2014 cycle; research director for the NRCC independent expenditure in the 2012 cycle; deputy research director at the NRCC from 2010.  Worked at in the research department at the NRSC in the 2008 cyclee.  Started at the NRCC as a research analyst in 2006.  Graduate of Pepperdine University.  Originally from Tucson, AZ.

Tracking Director  Daniel Chiasson

Started at the NRCC as media research analyst in June 2012.  B.A. in history, Russian studies from University of Richmond, 2011.

POLICY

Policy Director & Communications Advisor  Jordan Davis

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  Same role in the 2014 cycle.  Chief of staff (June 2012-Jan. 2013) and legislative director (Oct. 2011-June 2012) to U.S. Rep. Rick Berg (ND).  Legislative director in the Research Department at the NRCC, March 2009-Oct. 2011.  Senior legislative assistant, legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, staff assistant, intern to U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (VA), Oct. 2005-Jan. 2009.  State Farm Insurance agent, Aug. 2003-Oct. 2005.  B.A. in political science from University of Central Florida, 2003.  Born in Kentucky.  twitter

FINANCE

Finance Director  Megan Cummings

(announced Jan. 9, 2015)  NRCC deputy finance director in the 2014 cycle; NRCC PAC director in the 2012 cycle.  Worked at the Bellwether Consulting Group, a PAC-fundraising and consulting firm based in Washington, DC.  Graduate of the University of Richmond.  Washington, DC native.

Deputy Finance Director  Creigh Behnke

(Jan. 2015)  Director of D.C. Services at Starboard Group from Jan. 2013.  Regional finance director at the NRCC, Jan. 2011-Dec. 2012.  Associate at Starboard Group, Jan. 2009-Dec. 2010.  B.A. in political science and government from Colorado State University.

Deputy Finance Director  Lucy Noell Croxton

(Jan. 2015)  President at Lucy Croxton Consulting in Charlotte, NC from Aug. 2011.  Assistant to the executive director at the NRCC, Dec. 2010-Sept. 2011.  Worked for Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Sept.-Dec. 2010.  B.A. in journalism, political science from University of Georgia, 2009.

Field Finance Director  John Weber

(Feb. 2015)  Deputy chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, Jan.-Feb. 2015; campaign manager on Mike Bost for Congress, April-Nov. 2014.  Public affairs manager with the State of Illinois, March 2013-April 2014.  Legislative assistant in the U.S. House, Jan. 2011-Feb. 2013.  Campaign manager on Tim Fox for Attorney Genera, Aug.-Nov. 2012.  Travel and advance on Brady for Governor, May 2009-Nov. 2010.  Regional political coordinator for the Montana Republican Party, July-Nov. 2008.  Degree in political science, history from James Madison University, 2008.

Deputy Field Finance Director  Lizzie Coombs

(May 2015)  Finance assistant at the Colorado Republican Party, March 2013-April 2015.  B.A. in political science and international affairs from University of Colorado at Boulder, 2013.

Major Donor & Regional Finance Director  Laura Kleffner

(Jan. 2015)  Director of Wagner Victory Team from May 2014, and assistant treasurer of ANN PAC from Sept. 2012.  Special assistant in the U.S. House, Jan. 2013-April 2014.  Finance director on Ann Wagner for Congress, Jan. 2012-April 2014.  Legislative assistant for MI State Rep. Kenneth Kurtz, May 2010-April 2012.  B.A. in comparative cultures and politics from Michigan State University, 2010.

Major Donor & Regional Finance  Alli Papa

Director of Member Giving  Leigh Tenewitz

(Feb. 2015)  Director of communications and government affairs (Aug. 2013-Jan. 2015) and director of communications (Nov. 2011-Aug. 2013) for the March of Dimes in the Georgia.  Walk director for the American Heart Association in New Orleans, Feb. 2010-Nov. 2011.  Community director for the March of Dimes in Nashville, Jan. 2009-Feb. 2010.  M.P.A. in public administration (2008) and A.B.J. in public relations (2007) from The University of Georgia.

Director of Marketing  Sarah Rhoden

(May 2015)  Started at the NRCC as director mail manager, May 2013-April 2015.  Finance at Romney for President, May-Nov. 2012.  Studies at Brigham Young University.

PAC Director  Krista Madaio

(Jan. 2015)  Deputy PAC director in the 2014 cycle from Jan. 2013.  Account manager at Bellwether Consulting Group, June 2011-Jan. 2013.  Degree in leadership studies, political science from University of Richmond, 2011.

Deputy PAC Director  Grafton Pritchartt

Scheduler to U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15) from Jan. 2013.  Staff assistant to U.S. Rep. Tom Price (GA-06).  Degrees in journalism and public relations from the University of Mississippi, 2010.

Treasury

CFO  Rob Jentgens

(started as controller i.e. director of accounting/treasury Sept. 2011; became CFO in 2013 after Ben Ottenhoff moved over to the RNC)  President of RDJ Consulting, July 2009-Sept. 2011.  Director of accounting at the NRSC, Aug. 2007-July 2009.  Deputy CFO on Romney for President, Inc. Jan.-Aug. 2007.  Accounting and logistics manager at Wishoo, 2001-04.  M.B.A. in finance from University of Cincinnati College of Business, 2001; B.A. in history, political science from Indiana University Bloomington, 1995.

IT Director  George Griffin

(Feb. 2004)  Owner and network engineer at Griffin Consulting, LLC, 2001-04.  IT director at Global Metro Networks, April 2000-Oct. 2001.  IT director on Forbes 2000, May 1999-March 2000.  IT for SoftMed Systems,1998-99.  Director of network services at the RNC, 1995-98.

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INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

Independent Expenditure Director  Jessica (Furst) Johnson

(announced Jan. 9, 2015 as deputy executive director and general counsel)  Also served this role in the 2014 cycle; general counsel in the 2012 cycle; started at the NRCC in Feb. 2009.  Attorney-associate at Foley and Lardner LLP, Sept. 2007-Feb. 2009.  Communications director on Katherine Harris' successful campaign for Congress in Florida in 2004.  Law degree from University of Florida's Fredric G. Levin College of Law, 2007; B.A./B.J. from University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003.

FORMER

Network Administrator  Josiah Gross   ...systems administrator at The Heritage Foundation

(Sept. 2014 to May 2016)  Technical consultant at Southwest Associates of Technology, April 2013-Aug. 2014.  Post production at Nichols Printing, Oct. 2012-March 2013.  Practice leader at Delorey Chiropractic, May-Aug. 2012.  General studies at Maranatha Baptist Bible College; and civil engineering technology/technician at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Deputy Counsel  Christine Martin

Perhaps best known for the Politics to Pastries blog.

National Data Director  Ellen Bredenkoetter  ...deputy chief data officer for Scott Walker's Our American Revival and Scott Walker Inc.

(from April 2014 to March 2015)  Started at the NRCC as regional data manager, Jan.-March 2014.  Deputy director of political analytics at Romney for President, April-Nov. 2012; political intern on the campaign from June 2011-March 2012.  Finshed bachelor's degree from University of Alabama in Dec. 2013.  twitter

Press Secretary  Ian Prior   ....communications director at American Crossroads

(Jan. 2015 to May 2015)  NRCC Northeast regional press secretary in the 2014 cycle from Jan. 2013.  Campaign manager and communications director for Brendan Doherty for Congress in Rhode Island’s First District.  Attorney for several large firms and worked as a trial lawyer for several years for the City of Boston Corporation Counsel’s Office.  LLM (2009) and J.D. (2002) from Boston University Law School; B.A. in history from Boston University, 1999.  twitter

Deputy Digital Director  Ashleigh Grant

(April 2014)  Digital operations associate at the Republican State Leadership Committee, Aug. 2013-April 2014.  Communications and volunteer coordinator at Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, Aug. 2012-Aug. 2013.  Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2013; B.A. in public relations, political science from Florida State University, 2010.  twitter

Deputy CFO  Katy Williams

(July 2013; budget manager starting Jan. 2013, and treasury analyst, Feb. 2011-Jan. 2013)  Legislative aide at Financial Executives International, Sept. 2010-Jan. 2011.  B.S. in international economics from Belmont University.

Major Donor & Regional Finance Director  Paige Davis

Finance director (March-Nov. 2012) and office manager (Feb. 2011-Feb. 2012) at the Utah Republican Party.  B.A. in public administration from Auburn University, 2010.

Field Finance Director  Dana Klein

Regional finance director (from Jan. 2013) and finance coordinator (from May 2011) at the NRCC.  B.A. in political science and public health from The George Washington University, 2011.

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