National Republican Senatorial Committee – 2015

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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

POLITICAL

Political Director  Sarah Morgan

(reported by Roll Call Jan. 4, 2015)  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.

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

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

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

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.

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




...below is the organization as of Fall 2014; some of these folks will likely continue on at the NRSC in 2015-16.

Executive Director  Rob Collins

(announced Dec. 21, 2012)  Taking a leave of absence from position as managing partner at Purple Strategies.  Headed the American Action Network in the 2010 cycle.  Deputy chief of staff to then House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Jan. 2009-Feb. 2010; chief of staff to Cantor, 2004-09; communications director to Cantor, 2003-04.  Sen. Chuck Hagel's press secretary in 2002.  Has worked on over 14 campaigns.  Graduate of Franklin & Marshall College.  From Syracuse, NY.  twitter

Assistant to the Executive Director  Lisa Kramer

Deputy Executive Director  Matt Lira

(reported by Roll Call March 2013)  Senior advisor in the Office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor from Jan. 2011, with a leave from Aug.-Nov. 2012 to servd as digital director for VP nominee Paul Ryan at Romney for President.  Director of new media for House Minority Whip Cantor, 2008-10; deputy communications director to Chief Deputy Minority Whip Cantor 2006-08, with a leave to serve as webmaster for the McCain campaign from April 2008.  Associate director of e-campaigns at the RNC, 2005-06.  B.A. in international studies from University of Denver, 2004.  From Denver.  twitter

COO  Alysia Barzee

Director of operations at Ground Game Strategies on assignment at the NRSC.  A brief stint as scheduler on Jon Huntsman for President (left late June 2011).  Project leader at American Action Network for the Hispanic Leadership Forum, and grassroots development with Americans for Limited Government..  A trip coordinator for President George W. Bush.  Degree in political science from Brigham Young University.

POLITICAL

Political Director  Ward Baker 

(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 Political Director  Chelsea Hawker

(announced March 2013)  In 2012, per The Hill, "deputy to RNC Political Director Rick Wiley and former RNC Chief of Staff Jeff Larson" working on the RNC's Victory program; also worked for Baker when he was RNC-Romney liaison.  Operations manager at Murphy Turner Associates.  Worked at Majority Strategies.  Also served as communications chairman of the Florida Federation of Republican Women.

Regional Political Director  Michael Joffrion

(June 2013)  North Carolina state manager on Romney for President, May 1-Nov. 2012; previously the campaign's regional political director for the South, started May 2011.  Political director for the Alabama Republican Party, April 2008-April 2011.  Worked on the Charlie Ross for Congress primary campaign in Jackson, MS and on Rudy Giuliani's Iowa caucus campaign.  A Victory field director for the RNC in Missouri, 2006.  M.P.A. (2005) and B.A. in political science (2003) from Auburn University.  Native of Birmingham, AL.

Western Regional Political Director  Sarah Morgan

(reported by Roll Call March 2013)  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.

Regional Political Director  Brittany Belt

(Jan. 2014; started at the NRSC as political coodinator in Jan. 2013)  Deputy campaign manager on Altschuler for Congress (NY), Feb.-Nov. 2012.  Scheduler for U.S. Rep. Robert Turner (NY-9), Sept. 2011-Feb. 2012.  Deputy campaign manager on Bob Turner for Congress, July-Sept. 2011.  B.A. in political science from Wheaton College, 2010.

Polling and Analytics Director  Nathan Klein

twitter

Senior Advisor  Josh Holmes

(reported by Politico on Aug. 1, 2013 to work at NRSC as "conduit to the downtown fundraising community" and on Sen. McConnell's 2014 re-elect)  Started working for McConnell in 2007; chief of staff of McConnell's Washington office from Dec. 2010 and previously staff director for the Senate Republican Communications Center; also worked on McConnell's 2008 re-elect.  Director of rapid response at the RNC, 2005-07.  Policy director on the Nethercutt for U.S. Senate campaign, April-Dec. 2004.  Legislative correspondent to Sen. Coleman, 2003-04.  A regional political director on Norm Coleman's 2002 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, 2002.  Originally from Minnesota.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Brad Dayspring

(announced Jan. 29, 2013)  Senior advisor for the YG Action Fund (Super PAC), April 2012-Jan. 2013.  Deputy chief of staff to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Dec. 2010-April 2012; press secretary to then-Republican Whip Cantor, Jan. 2009-Dec. 2010.  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling at the Republican Study Committee, April 2006-Dec. 2008.  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith (NJ), 2005-06.  Manager of media relations at the National Restaurant Association, 2004-05.  Deputy director of press advance at the White House, 2001-04.  Deputy press secretary to U.S. Rep. John Kasich, June 1999-Dec. 2000.  B.A. in political science from Villanova University, 1999.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Kevin McLaughlin

(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

Press Secretary  Brook Hougesen

(reported March 2013)  Communications director to Rep. Adam Kinzinger from 2011.  Press secretary to U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis, 2010-11.  Campaign manager on Geoff Davis for Congress, 2010.  B.S. in public relations, political science from Illinois State University, 2009.  twitter

Research

Research Director  Mark McLaughlin

(announced Jan. 29, 2013; 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.

DIGITAL

Digital Director  Tim Cameron

(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

Creative Director  Dain Valverde

(reported by Politico April 2013)  Experience includes video editor at Citizens United Productions.

Analytics Program Director  Lucas Todd Thompson

(March 2014; fellow at the NRSC from June 2013-March 2014)  Lecturer in political science at Yale University from Sept. 2013.  Ph.D, M.Phil, M.A. in political science from Yale University, 2013; B.A. from University of Kansas, 2007.

Digital Engagement Manager  Arica VanBoxtel

(May 2013)  Digital media consultant at Aver Informatics Inc. from May 2012.  Undergraduate degreee from Marquette Univesity, 2013.

Digital Standards Liaison  Kelsey Jarrett

(April 2014)  Google+ Community Partnerships, political team, May 2013-April 2014.  Writer/editor at The Life and Style Guild, Sept. 2012-March 2013.  B.S. in human organization and development from Vanderbilt University, 2013.

Digital Associate  Michael Lehmann

Production Assistant  Bradley Leonard

Finance

Finance Director  Heather Larrison

(reported by The Hill on Sept. 4, 2013 succeeding Shelly Carson who was shifted to direct donor outreach)  President of The Larrison Group since 2006.  Undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, 1996.

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.

Deputy Finance Director, Major Donors  Dougie Simmons

Director of scheduling for Sen. Ted Cruz from Jan. 2013.  Director of events at the RNC, Oct. 2011-Dec. 2012.  Scheduler to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Aug. 2009-Dec. 2011.  Associate at The Larrison Group, July 207-Oct. 2008.  Executive assistant to the Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, Feb. 2005-Aug. 2007.  Scheduler in the Office of Presidential Scheduling at the White House, May 2004-Feb. 2005.  Scheduler in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 2003-May 2004.  Staff assistant to Sen. Jeff Sessions, Jan.-Aprii 2003.  Graduate of the University of Alabama, 2002.

Deputy Finance Director Brittney Godoy

(Feb. 2013)  Chairman's program director at the RSLC, Aug. 2011-Jan. 2013.  Finance director on Byrne for Alabama, July 2009-July 2010.  Legislative correspondent to U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, May 2007-July 2009.  B.S. in advertising/PR from University of Alabama, 2007.

Deputy Finance Director Robyn Knecht

Senior staff on Mike Pence for Governor campaign, 2012.  Deputy finance director for House Speaker John Boehner.  Finance director on the Dan Coats for Senate campaign, 2010.  Deputy director for external affairs at the 2008 Republican National Convention.  Director of Governors Office relations and events at the RGA in the 2006 cycle.

Deputy Finance Director Fifi Knott

(started at the NRSC in Feb. 2013 as regional finance director ot the tri-state region - NY, NJ, CT).  Deputy finance director of the tri-state region at Romney for President, March 2011-Nov. 2012.  Account coordinator at Behrman Communications, Jan. 2010-Feb. 2011.  Intern for the tri-state finance office on John McCain 2008, May-Aug. 2008.  B.A. in American studies, art history from UNC Chapel Hill, 2009.

Deputy Finance Director  Catherine (Campbell) Onnen

(Oct. 2013)  Communitydevelopment manger for First Book, Nov. 2012-Oct. 2013.  Outreach and development officer at the Hospice Foundation of America, Feb. 2011-Nov. 2012.  Political assistant at the Republican Governors Association, Feb. 2009-Feb. 2011.  B.B.A. in marketing from The University of Georgia, 2008.

Events Director and Senate  Kalyn Stephens


PAC Director  Rachel Kelley

(March 2013)  Manager of political affairs at ICSC, from Sept. 2008.  PAC manager at the National Association of Home Builders, 2006-08.  Manager of government relations at Public Policy Partners/GAGE, 2005-06.  Staff assistant, then constituent relations for Sen. Jeff Sessions, 2003-05.  Bachelor's degree in political science and public relations from University of Alabama, 2003.

Deputy PAC Director  Anne Lesser

(March 2014; started at the NRSC as PAC assistant in April 2013)  Legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, Jan.-April 2013.  Legislative assistant (Oct.-Nov. 2012) and director of outreach (Nov. 2011-Oct. 2012) to U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams.  Campaign manager on Sandy Adams for Congress, Jan.-Aug. 2012.  Legislative correspondent to U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams, Jan.-Nov. 2011.  Campaign manager at Bill Posey for Congress, April-Dec. 2010.  B.A. in political science from University of Florida, 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  Jeff Larson

(reported Nov. 2013)  CEO of Roosevelt Group.  RNC chief of staff announced Feb. 3, 2011 through April 2013.  In 1999 Larson and three others formed Feather Hodges Larson & Synhorst, which became FLS-DCI and then FLS Connect, a top campaign consulting firm; he sold his stake in the firm following the 2010 elections.  In the 2010 cycle Larson chaired Minnesota Future, a 527 group that was active in the governor's race.  CEO of the Minneapolis-St. Paul 2008 Host Committee.  Founded a firm call Strategic Communications.  Worked at the RNC under Lee Atwater.  Executive director of the Delaware Republican Party in 1988 cycle.  Worked on North Dakota Gov. Alan Olson's unsuccessful 1984 re-election campaign.  Deputy campaign manager on Bud Westman's campaign for U.S. Senate in North Dakota.  Degree in business administration and economics from University of North Dakota, 1982.  Grew up in Grand Forks, ND.

Deputy Director of Independent Expenditures  Daniel Huey

(Jan. 2014)  Previously NRSC 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.

Deputy Research Director, Independent Expenditures  Angela Zirkelbach





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