Republican State Leadership Committee – 2013-14

 2013-14 edition  |  2012 edition MISSING  |  2011 edition  |  2010 edition
(page revised and corrected Dec. 9, 2014) disclaimer

RSLC, twitter  || DLCC Organization

Chairman  Bill McCollum

(elected Jan. 15, 2014; had been serving as RSLC vice chairman)  Partner in Dentons' Public Policy and Regulation practice since 2011.  Candidate for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination, losing the primary to Rick Scott.  Attorney general of Florida from 2007-11.  Candidate for the 2004 Republican U.S. Senate nomination, losing to Mel Martinez.  Partner at Baker & Hostetler from April 2001.  Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2000, losing to Bill Nelson.  Elected to Congress in 1980 and served ten terms (Jan. 1981-Jan. 2001).  Practiced law in Orlando.  J.D. from University of Florida, 1968; B.A. from University of Florida, 1965.  Native of Brooksville in central Florida.  twitter

Vice Chairman  Christopher Rants

(Jan. 15, 2014)  President of inSight Communications, a lobbying and public affairs firm in the Sioux City area, from April 2010.  Partner at Rauschenberger Partners from March 2010.  President of The Legacy Foundation from Jan. 2009.  Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from Nov. 1992-Dec. 2010, including as Majority Leader, 1999-2003; Speaker of the House, Jan. 2003-Dec. 2006; and Republican Leader, Jan. 2007-Nov. 2008.  Environmental compliance director at Metz Baking Company, 1992-99.

Board of Directors: Chairman Bill McCollum  -  Vice Chairman Christopher Rants  -  Chairman of Prime Policy Group Charlie Black  -  former Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño  -   Chairman and CEO of S.W. Jack Drilling Co. and RNC National Committeewoman from Pennsylvania, Christine Toretti  -  former South Carolina Speaker David Wilkins

EXECUTIVE

President  Matt Walter

(from Jan. 2014, succeeded Chris Jankowski; at the RSLC since 2010)  Previously RSLC managing director of communications and political affairs, announced March 11, 2013; RSLC political director in 2012 cycle, announced June 2011; and RSLC's New York in-state independent expenditure coordinator in 2010.  Executive director from June 2008, director of strategic planning and communications director at the New York State Republican Party for four years starting in 2007; he also took a leave of absense in mid-2010 to run Rick Lazio's gubernatorial campaign.  Various positions in the New York State Senate Majority communications department for eleven years.  M.A. in American political history from the College of Saint Rose, 1995; B.A. degrees in political science and French from SUNY College at Geneseo, 1994.  twitter


Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer  Staci (Swanson) Goede

(with the RSLC since its beginning in 2002) Goede was a field representative for the College Republican National Committee focusing on the Southwest and Midwest. B.A. in political science and political communications from Valparaiso University.

POLITICAL

Political Director  Justin Richards

(announced Dec. 12, 2013)  Executive director of the New Jersey Senate Republican Majority in both the 2011 and 2013 cycles.  Campaign manager for freshman Congressman Sean Duffy (WI)’s 2012 re-election.  Campaign manager for Tom Kean’s 2007 re-election to the New Jersey State Senate and worked on Kean's 2006 U.S. Senate campaign.  Degree in political science from The College of New Jersey.  New Jersey native.

Political and Press Assistant  Kaylin Bugos

(May 2014)  Political intern at National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sept. 2013 - May 2014.  Editorial intern at The American Spectator, May- Aug. 2013.  Grassroots intern at Republican Jewish Coalition Sept.-Dec. 2012.  B.A. in journalism and government & politics from the University of Maryland, 2014.  Native of Greenville, SC.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Jill Bader

(announced March 11, 2013)  Communications director for RNC Victory in Florida, July-Nov. 2012.  Senior public policy and communications advisor to the Girl Scouts of the USA, March 2011-July 2012.  Communications director at Friends of Scott Walker, Sept. 2009-Jan. 2011.  Press secretary to Senate Republican Conference chairman Lamar Alexander, Jan. 2008-Sept. 2009.  Deputy press secretary Alexander for Senate, Fall 2008.  Constituent services, online communication on Bob Corker for Senate, Fall 2006.  Constituent relations director for Sen. Lamar Alexander, 2005-06.  B.A. in communications, political science from Wake Forest University.  Native of Nashville, TN.  twitter

Press Secretary  Julia Mazzone

(started June 2014 as assistant press secretary) Digital strategist at IMGE Consulting April 2013-May 2014.  Staff assistant in Member Relations & Events at the RNC, Nov. 2011-April 2013.  Scheduler on Pawlenty for President, May-Aug. 2011.  B.A. in political science from Southern Methodist University.

DIGITAL

Digital Director  Robert Sechrist  ...and president at Acquire Digital LLC since Dec. 2013

(digital director since 2009; joined the RSLC in 2007 as a research analyst)  Deputy campaign manager on Jack Johnson for State Senate (TN), Aug.-Nov. 2006.  East TN field director on Van Hilleary for U.S. Senate, Feb.-Aug. 2006.  B.A. in political science from the University of Tennessee, 2005.

Vice President, Sales and Marketing, .GOP  Will Martinez

(from Jan. 2013; announced March 11, 2013)  Advance on Romney for President, May-Nov. 2012.  East Coast regional manager (Jan. 2011-April 2012) and business development (July 2010-Jan. 2011) for Savored, Inc., company acquired by Groupon.  Analyst for Goldman Sachs, July 2008-April 2010.

Vice President, Operations, .gop  Patrick Finnegan

(Dec. 2013)  Special assistant to the Speaker, Office of the Speaker, John Boehner, 2008-2013. B.B.A from Ohio University, 2008.

RLCC

Republican Legislative Campaign Committee

Executive Director   Erin Veltman

(Jan. 2011)  Finance director on Michael Grimm for Congress, Sept.-Nov. 2010; finance director on Frank Scaturro for Congress, July 2009-Sept. 2010.  Fundraiser for Captel/the Republican National Committee, Sept. 2008-Aug. 2009.  Staff assistant to Sen. Arlen Specter, March-May 2009.  Finance assistant at Citizens for Arlen Specter, Aug. 2008-Jan. 2009.  B.B.A. in legal studies in business from Hofstra University, 2008.

Assistant Director  Kiley Smith

(Jan. 2013)  Political education director at the RNC, Sept. 2011-Dec. 2012.  Manager of corporate relations, fundraising and development at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, March-Sept. 2011.  Political field director at the Republican Governors Association, Jan.-Dec. 2010.  Field director on Bob McDonnell for Governor, May-Nov. 2009.  Executive director for King County Republicans, Nov. 2008-March 2009.  Field coordinator on Dino Rossi for Governor, Nov. 2007-Nov. 2008.  Degree in business and political science from Washington State University, 2007.

Assistant Director  Grace Eberhart

(Jan. 2014)  Previously finance assistant at the RSLC, Jan. 2013-Jan. 2014.  Deputy finance director at the Republican Party of Wisconsin, April 2012-Dec. 2012.  B.S. in political science from University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dec. 2012.

Director of Operations Alyson Higgins

(Jan. 2014)  Also a founding member of RightNOW Women PAC, Nov. 2013.  Manager of government affairs ad Dow Lohnes Government Strategies, April-Dec. 2013.  Speakers Bureau coordinator at the RNC, March 2012-April 2013; also worked on the Growth and Opportunity Project, Jan.-March 2013 and as a Convention delegate coordinator, June-Aug. 2012.  B.A. in communications, law, economics and government (CLEG) from American University.

RSCC

Republican Secretaries of State Committee

Director  Jessica Simmons

(July 2013)  Constituent affairs manager (Nov. 2012-May 2013), special assistant (July 2011-Oct. 2012) and elections operations coordinator (Jan.-June 2011) for the Georgia Secretary of State.  Deputy political director at Kemp for Secretary of State, Sept.-Nov. 2010.  B.A. in political science from The University of Georgia, 2010.

RLGA

Republican Lieutenant Governors Association

Director  Jesse Adams

(Dec. 2012; previously at RLCC as assistant director from April 2012 and finance assistant from July 2011)  Property manager for Geneva Management LLC from June 2007.  B.B.A. from Gordon College.

Assistant Director  Howard Wang

(April 2014)  Previously at finance assistant at the RSLC from June 2013-April 2014; research assistant at RLGA, Jan.-June 2013.  Digital intern on the Romney campaign, Sept.-Nov. 2012.  Political intern at the RSLC, May-Aug. 2012.  B.A. in philosophy and political science from Boston University, 2013.

FINANCE

Executive Roundtable Director  Erin Ehrich

Owner of EME Consulting from 2008, with clients ranging from Senator Tom Kean (NJ), Romney for President and Chris Christie for Governor.  Finance Director for Tom Kean for US Senate 2006.   B.A. in government from Liberty University.

Finance Coordinator  Anne Thomas

(March 2014) Digital Finance Manager at Republican National Committee (Sept. 2013-Mar. 2014); Deputy South Finance Director & Deputy Regents Director at Republican National Committee (Jun. 2013-Aug. 2013). Deputy Regional Manager for North Carolina Republican Party (Aug. 2012-Dec. 2012). B.A. Political Science at Elon University.

Future Majority Project

2013-14: "$6 million to the goal of recruiting 200 new candidates of diverse descent and 300 new women through the Right Women, Right Now initiative."

Director, Future Majority Project  Neri Martinez

(announced March 11, 2013)  Hispanic coalition director for North Carolina Victory, announced April 2012.  Legislative department of Associated Builders and Contractors.  Business development manager at KONE Elevators.  President of the Free Cuba Foundation.  Graduate of Florida International University, 2005.  Cuban-American; native of Miami, FL.

More

Research and Compliance Counsel  Micah Ketchel

(announced March 11, 2013)  Senior research and legal analyst on the NRCC IE unit from Feb. 2012.  policy counsel to the House Veterans Affairs Committee.  J.D. from Florida State University College of Law.  Florida native.


also note:
The State Government Leadership Foundation, a 501(c)(4) shares office space with and is a strategic partner of the RSLC.  The SGLF "spotlights hotbed issues and conservative policies that state government officials wrestle with most..."  The SGLF "is taking the lead on educating elected and appointed state government officials, providing support to local officeholders, and highlighting meaningful, conservative solutions."



FORMER...

Assistant Communications Director  John Loe   ...to political director at SP&M

(announced March 11, 2013)  Worked on Romney for President on rapid-response and research in the general election and policy rollouts, ballot access and get out the vote in the primaries.  Worked in the private sector.  M.P.P. from University of Maryland; B.A. in political science from St. Mary's College of Maryland.  Louisiana native.

Deputy Political Director  D.J. Eckert   ...campaign manager at DeWine for AG in Ohio from Jan. 2014

(May 2012; announced March 11, 2013)  Political director of Gov. Bob McDonnell's (VA) political action committee Opportunity Virginia PAC, Jan. 2010-March 2012.  Regional field director for Republican Party of Virginia, May 2009-Jan. 2010.  Political-voter contact (mail and phone program) on the McCain campaign, April-Nov. 2008.  Acquisitions analyst at American Assets, Inc.  Sept. 2006-April 2008.  Bachelor's in political science from Northwestern University, 2006.  Native of Wayland, MA.

President  Chris Jankowski   ...to Feb. 2014

(Feb. 2011; started at the RSLC as executive director of the REDistricting MAjority Project (RED MAP), March-Oct. 2010)  Managing principal at Rhumb Line, LLC government affairs firm, Jan. 2003-Oct. 2010.  Executive director of the Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee. Consulted for the RSLC in 2003-04.  Director of state political affairs  and counsel for the American Council of Life Insurers, Jan. 1998-Dec. 2002.  Assistant Attorney General in South Carolina, Nov. 1996-Dec. 1997.  J.D. from University of South Carolina-Columbia, 1996; B.A. in political science and government from the College of Charleston, 1993.

Chairman  Ed Gillespie   ... resigned to run for U.S. Senate; resignation accepted Jan. 15, 2014

(announced Jan. 25, 2010)  Founder of Ed Gillespie Strategies.  Senior advisor at Romney for President, announced April 2012.  Chairman of Bob McDonnell’s successful campaign for governor of Virginia in 2009.  Counselor to President George W. Bush in the last 18 months of the his Administration starting in late June 2007.  Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Dec. 2006-June 2007.  Seven years as co-chairman of Quinn Gillespie and Associates, firm he co-founded in 2000.  Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 2003-04.  Advisor on Rep. John Kasich's presidential run in 1999.  President and CEO of Policy Impact Communications, Inc., which he co-founded in 1997 with Haley Barbour.  Director of communications and congressional affairs at the RNC, 1996.  Long-time aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Armey; as policy and communications director for the House Republican Conference, he was a principal drafter of the Contract with America in 1994.  A telephone solicitor for the RNC.  B.A. degree from The Catholic University of America, 1983.  Author of Winning Right: Campaign Politics and Conservative Policies (Simon and Schuster,Spring 2006).  twitter

Polling and Data Director  Caitlin Reed

(announced as polling and data director March 11, 2013; joined the RSLC in 2011)  Worked for the micro targeting firm Grassroots Targeting.   Bachelor’s degree in political science from American University.  Denver native.

Events Director  Linsey Haynie   ...to Dec. 2013

(May 2011)  Event coordinator at RIS DC, Sept. 2010-May 2011.  Special events/catering manager at the Metropolitan Club, April 2009-Sept. 2010.  Events specialist at Two Sisters Catering, March 2008-Feb. 2009.  Catering sales manager at Doubletree Guest Suites, Feb. 2006-Feb. 2008.  B.A.  in communication and media studies from the College of Charleston, 2005.

Finance Director  Liz Murray  ...to Nov. 2013; doing national fundraising for Jindal's America Next

(announced April 2013)  Owner of the E.H. Murray Group from Jan. 2000; joins the RSLC with nearly two decades of political fundraising experience including for Orrin Hatch from Jan. 2008; Olympia Snowe, Feb. 2010-Feb. 2012; John McCain, Jan. 2008-Nov. 2010; and Saxby Chambliss, 2002-08.  B.A. in political science and government from University of Arizona.

Communications Assistant  Jessica Carroll   ...to Nov. 2013

(started at the RSLC in July 2012; interned for RAGA)  Field rep. on U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus' (AL) primary campaign.  Degree in history from Samford University.  Native of Montgomery, AL.

 
 Republican Attorney Generals Association
  ...became a separate organization in Jan./Feb. 2014

Director  Jessica Medeiros Garrison

(July 2011)  Also of counsel for Balch & Bingham LLP from Sept. 2011.  Chief counsel to Deputy Attorney General of Alabama, Jan.-July 2011.  Campaign manager at Luther Strange for Attorney General, June 2009-Jan. 2011.  Partner at Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, LLP, Dec. 1998-Dec. 2010.  Director of public relations and legislative affairs for Alabama Attorney General's Office, 1997-98.  J.D. from University of Alabama Law School, 2000; B.S. in consumer sciences from University of Alabama, 1997.

Deputy Director  Amanda Gonzalez

(Oct. 2013; assistant director at RAGA from Dec. 2012-Oct. 2013 and started at the RSLC as a finance assistant in Jan. 2012)  Paralegal in the Alabama Attorney General's Office, April 2011-Jan. 2012.  Real estate paralegal for Ready Mix USA, May 2010-April 2011.  Paralegal at Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, Aug. 2005-May 2010.  Volunteer on Luther Strange for AG in 2009-11 and on Luther Strange for Lt. Gov. in 2006.  B.S. in education from University of Alabama, 2005.

Political Director  Scott Will

(Jan. 2013; announced March 11, 2013)  Campaign manager on Patrick Morrisey for Attorney General (WV), June 2012-Jan. 2013.  Camapign manager on Justin Bernier for Congress, May 2011-June 2012.  Deputy campaign manager on Linda McMahon for Senate 2010, Aug. 2009-Dec. 2010.  Republican Party of Iowa Senate field director, Aug.-Nov. 2008.  Campaign manager on Northup for Congress, April-Aug. 2008.  Iowa political director on Friends of Fred Thompson, July 2007-Jan. 2008.  Regional field director on John McCain 2008, Dec. 2006-July 2007.  Field director on Lamberti for Congress, June-Nov. 2006.  B.A. in political science from University of Iowa, 2006.

Assistant Political Director  Robert Simpson

(Feb. 2014)  Legislative aide to Connecticut House Republicans, Dec. 2011-Dec. 2013.  Field manager at Pawlenty for President, May-Aug. 2011.  Field representative on McMahon for Senate, 2009-10.

Policy Director  Brian Sanderson

(March 2014)  Also president of Cardinal Group, LLC from 2013.  Attorney at Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, 2010-13.  President of the Gulf Coast business Council, 2006-10.  Deputy director at the Office of Recovery and Renewal for Gov. Haley Barbour, 2005-06.  Attorney at Butler Snow LLP, 1995-2005.  J.D. from University of Mississippi School of Law; B.B.A. from University of Mississippi.

Director of Operations  Jason Heath

(Sept. 2013)  Lead advance at Romney for President, May-Nov. 2012.  Political director on Bernier for Congress, Oct. 2011-May 2012.  Director of operations New Hampshire at Jon Huntsman for President, May-Sept. 2011.  Director of operations at Linda McMahon for Senate, 2009-10.  Advance on John McCain campaign in 2008.  Bachelor's degree in communications from University of Connecticut, 2004.

Executive Assistant  Mary Louise Stephenson

(2014)  Also legal administrative assistant at Shook, Hardy & Bacon.



2011-12 Cycle Bottom Line:  Raised $39 million, direct political spending $27 million, invested in 42 states.  The RSLC's Future Majority Project spent $5 million to identify 125 new Republican Hispanic candidates and 185 women candidates, and supported the successful elections of 15 new Hispanic legislators, and 84 new women officials in state offices across the country.


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