Perry for President, Inc. political organization 2015

Perry for President, Inc.

(page updated January 14, 2016)

announced June 4, 2015.
see also: pre-campaign organization | pro-Perry super PACs.

Note: On August 10-11, 2015 reports emerged that Perry's campaign, not faring well in fundraising, had stopped paying staff. See for example: Shane Goldmacher. " Rick Perry's Financial Implosion," National Journal, August 11, 2015. Top staffers vowed to press on and pro-Perry super PACs still had millions of dollars. However Goldmacher reported, "Some Perry aides were already eyeing the job market elsewhere on Monday, multiple Republican sources said." On August 25 Politico reported that the campaign was undergoing a reorganization. On September 11 Perry suspended his effort.

Campaign Manager Jeff Miller

(also served as director of RickPAC) Manager at K&A Strategies, LLC, a limited liability company filed in Texas on Feb. 11, 2015; and manager at Abstract Communications, LLC, a limited liability company filed in Texas on June 1, 2015. Partner at Russo Miller & Associates from Jan. 2013. Partner at Capitol Advocacy in Sacramento, Jan. 2006-Dec. 2012. Served as voluntary California campaign chair for Perry for President. Senior vice president at ACC Captial Holdings, 2004-06. CFO of the Californa Republican Party, 2000-04. Finance director for the California Assembly Republican leadership, 1998-99. Staff assistant in the U.S. House, 1997. Legislative aide in the California State Assembly, 1995-96. Served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1992-98. twitter

Senior Strategist Rob Johnson

(also served as senior advisor of RickPAC) Manager at Abstract Communications, LLC, a limited liability company filed in Texas on June 1, 2015. Currently at Johnson Strategies, LLC. Managed Perry's presidential campaign in 2011-12; senior advisor to Perry in the Governor's Office after managing his 2010 re-election campaign. Johnson served a brief interlude as senior advisor, then for about a month as campaign manager on Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign before the mass exodus. Chief of staff to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (TX); managed Dewhurst's 2002 campaign for Lt. Governor. Chief of staff to Congressman Jay Dickey (AR). Bachelor's degrees in political science and public relations from Southern Methodist University, 1997. twitter

Senior Advisor Avik Roy

(announced April 20, 2015 as senior advisor to RickPAC) A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and from Jan. 2014 the opinion editor at Forbes. Served as a health care policy adviser to Mitt Romney in 2012. Author of Transcending Obamacare and How Medicaid Fails the Poor, and co-author of Fixing Veterans Health Care. Founder of Roy Healthcare Research, an investment research firm in New York. Previously, he served as an analyst and portfolio manager at Bain Capital, J.P. Morgan, and other firms. Studied at the Yale School of Medicine; undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. twitter

Policy Director Abby McCloskey

(announced April 20, 2015 as policy director to RickPAC) Program director of economic policy at the American Enterprise Institute, Feb. 2013-Aug. 2014. Director of research at the Financial Services Roundtable, July 2010-Jan. 2013. Staffer to U.S. Richard Shelby (R-AL), July 2009-July 2010. Policy associate with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, June 2008-June 2009. M.S. in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University; B.A. in economics from Wheaton College.

Foreign and Defense Policy Director Brett Fetterly

(reported April 20, 2015 as foreign policy coordinator to RickPAC) Graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

POLLING

Pollster Greg Strimple

(reported Feb. 11, 2015) President of GS Strategy Group. Strategist for the NRSC's 2012 IE program. A founding partner of Mercury Public Affairs, a national public affairs consultancy, Jan. 1997-Jan. 2010. Senior advisory roles on Mark Kirk’s victory in the Illinois Senate race in 2010 and on Chris Christie's upset victory in the New Jersey governor's race in 2009. Senior advisor for polling and advertising in Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid. Strimple served as director of polling for the NRSC in 1996. Worked for Ed Rollins at the NRCC on Republican House races in 1989-90. Graduate of Denison University, 1988. Resident of Boise, ID since 2010.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director Lucy Nashed

(spokesperson on RickPAC) Served seven years on Perry's communications team in the Office of the Governor: press secretary (from March 2014), deputy press secretary (from Dec. 2010), media relations specialist (Jan.-Dec. 2010), press assistant (May 2008-Feb. 2010) and started as a press office intern (Jan.-May 2008). B.S. in public relations from University of Texas at Austin, 2008. twitter

Rapid Response Director Drew Florio

Online media director for the Washington Free Beacon, Feb. 2013-Sept. 2014. War room director on Romney for President, May-Dec. 2012. Chief media analyst at the Center for America Freedom, Nov. 2011-May 2012. Research analyst on Jon Huntsman for President, July-Oct. 2011. War room director to Susana Martinez in New Mexico, March-July 2011. Press and war room assistant on Meg Whitman for Governor, May-Dec. 2010. Political coordinator at the California Republican Party, Aug. 2009-Jan. 2010. B.A. degree from University of Southern California, 2010.

Communications Advisor Lexi Stemple

Experience includes senior producer at Fox News. twitter

Speechwriter Eric Bearse

Principal at Bearse & Company LLC, which he founded in 2007, providing general consulting and communications services to candidates, officeholders and officials. Deputy communications director on Perry's presidential campaign in 2011-12. Wrote speeches for Gov. Perry for eight years,1999-2007, and helped Perry write his first published book, On My Honor. Has worked on six campaigns in Texas, including Perry’s campaigns for lieutenant governor and governor. Bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University, 1993.

Coalitions Director Erin DeLullo

(announced March 16, 2015) Principal at DeLullo & Associates, LLC, has consulted on races around the country including Cuccinelli for Governor in Virginia in 2013 and a senior strategist for, Ken Blackwell for Governor campaign in Ohio in 2006. Director of development for the Patrick Henry Center, a conservative nonprofit. Deputy finance director for U.S. Sen. Bob Smith's 2002 re-election campaign in New Hampshire. Graduate of Shepherd College (now University) in Shepherdstown, WV.

Senior Director Jamie Johnson

(first reported by DMR's Jennifer Jacobs on March 18, 2015) Member of the Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee, 2012-March 2015. Vice President at World-Wide Missions, 2005-March 2015. State coalitions director on Rick Santorum for President, 2011-12. CEO/public affairs broadcaster for the Faith and Freedom Network, 2002-10. Instructor at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, 2001-04; instructor at DMACC in West Des Moines, 2001-02. M.A. in public policy from Regent University, 1997; B.A. in theology from Bethany Global University, 1987 Resident of Stratford, Iowa. twitter

FINANCE

Finance Director Margaret Lauderback

(announced March 17, 2015) Political consultant (The Lauderback Group) since Nov. 2010. Finance director on RickPerry.org, Inc., Perry's 2011-12 presidential campaign and senior finance consultant on Perry's 2010 re-elect campaign. Managing director for technology at the Carmen Group starting late 2006. Vice president for government relations at the NYSE Group, March 2005-Dec. 2006. Managing director for government affairs at Archipelago Holdings, Inc, announced March 16, 2005. Various positions with TechNet, a PAC for the hi-tech industry, including vice president of Republican outreach, vice president of membership, executive director of the Texas office, 1999-early 2005. Worked in government affairs for Ameritech. Aide to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Bachelor of journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Finance Chairman Kelcy Warren

(source: CNN July 6, 2015) Dallas based CEO and chairman of the board of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a pipeline company. More than 25 years of experience in the energy industry. (In Feb. 2015, The Texas Tribune reported that Perry had joined the board).

SCHEDULING

Director of Scheduling Stan Gerdes

(March 2015) Deputy director of scheduling and advance (April 2014-Feb. 2015) and Governor's advance (July 2013-Feb. 2015) in the Office of Gov. Perry. State Farm insurance agent, Aug. 2009-June 2013. Reali estate agent in Austin, Aug. 2007-Aug. 2009. Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, 2008.

MRS. PERRY

Chief of Staff to Mrs. Perry Minnie Salinas

COUNSEL

Chief Counsel Don McGahn

(announced March 17, 2015) Partner at Jones Day since May 2014. Partner at Patton Boggs from Sept. 2013-May 2014. Served on the FEC from 2008 to Sept. 2013. Previously general counsel at the NRCC for almost a decade. J.D. from Widener University, 1994; B.A. from University of Notre Dame, 1991.

IOWA

Senior Strategist Robert Haus

Vice president at Policy Works LLC, Nov. 2010-May 2014. Iowa chairman of the Rick Perry campaign, 2011-12. Co-founder and owner of Eagle Media Group LLC, Nov. 2005-Nov. 2010. Iowa state director on Fred Thompson's 2007-08 Iowa caucus campaign. Managing consultant for public policy and public affairs (corporate communications and issue campaigns) for DCI Group, 2000-06. Senior Iowa consultant on Steve Forbes' 2000 Iowa caucus campaign. Managed Sen. Phil Gramm's 1996 Iowa caucus campaign. Managed Sen. Chuck Grassley's 1992 re-election campaign. Worked for the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus. Graduate of Iowa State University; law degree from the University of Iowa, 1988. Originally from New Hampton, IA. twitter

Senior Director Jamie Johnson

(first reported by DMR's Jennifer Jacobs on March 18, 2015; state director from latter part of Aug. 2015) Member of the Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee, 2012-March 2015. Vice President at World-Wide Missions, 2005-March 2015. State coalitions director on Rick Santorum for President, 2011-12. CEO/public affairs broadcaster for the Faith and Freedom Network, 2002-10. Instructor at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, 2001-04; instructor at DMACC in West Des Moines, 2001-02. M.A. in public policy from Regent University, 1997; B.A. in theology from Bethany Global University, 1987 Resident of Stratford, Iowa. twitter

Endorsements
Sen. David Johnson (District 1, Ocheyedan ...March 7, 2015 DMR letter to ed.
Rep. Dawn Pettengill (District 75, Mount Auburn) ...at July 11, 2015 event >

FORMER

Perry announced his Iowa team on June 6, 2015. As noted above, on Aug. 10-11, 2015 reports emerged that the campaign had stopped paying staff. AP reported on Aug. 24 that state chair Sam Clovis left the campaign (he signed on with Trump). DMR's Jennifer Jacobs reported on Aug. 31 that Jamie Johnson is the only remaining paid Iowa staffer, with Robert Haus continuing as an unpaid strategist.

State Chair Sam Clovis

Professor of economics at Morningside College and the director of the Col. Bud Day Center for Civic Engagement. Republican nominee for Treasurer of Iowa in 2014, losing to incumbent Mike Fitzgerald; candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in the June 3, 2014 primary. Radio talk show host in the Siouxland market on KSCJ 1360 AM. Private sector experience including division manager for the Logicon Corporation. 25-year Air Force veteran, achieving the rank of full colonel. Doctorate in public administration from University of Alabama; MBA from Golden Gate University; degree in political science from the Air Force Academy, 1971. (Endorsed Rick Santorum in 2011 +).

Co-Chair Karen Fesler

(announced July 9, 2015; on Aug. 31, 2015 DMR's Jennifer Jacobs reported she has returned to support Santorum)

Consultant-Coalition Building Sheila Murphy

Experience in Iowa and Nebraska including campaign manager for Brenna Findley for Attorney General campaign in 2010 and political director of Rod Robert’s 2010 governor’s campaign.

State Director Andy Swanson

(started with Rick PAC in Feb. 2015) In 2014 Swanson worked for the Iowa Senate Majority Fund; and earlier as coalitions director for Mark Jacobs for U.S. Senate. A regional manager for the Republican Party of Virginia in 2013. Opposition research-tracker for the NRCC in Des Moines, March-Nov. 2012. Mortgage loan indexer for Wells Fargo, Oct. 2011-March 2012. Iowa ﬁeld rep. on Pawlenty for President, 2011. Consultant to Latham for Congress in 2010 and 2012. Assistant mortgage loan processor, April-Aug. 2009. Regional coalitions director for Ohio and Pennsylvania on John McCain's campaign, June-Nov. 2008; started as Iowa ﬁeld staff in Oct. 2007, and continued on to other states through June 2008. B.A. in history, political science from University of Iowa, 2005. Originally from Dayton, IA. twitter

Eastern Iowa Political Director Dane Nealson

(started with Rick PAC in Feb. 2015) Outgoing chairman of the Story County Republicans, Feb. 2013-Feb. 2015. State director of the Iowa GOP Senate Majority Fund, Oct. 2013-Nov. 2014. Certified pharmacy technician. Candidate for state representative in House District 45, Feb.-Nov. 2012. Central Iowa ﬁeld director, Rick Perry, Sept. 2011-Jan. 2012; central Iowa ﬁeld director, Pawlenty for President, April-Aug. 2011. Ames field director for the Republican Party of Iowa, 2010. Chairman of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans, April 2009-April 2010. Southeast Iowa ﬁeld coordinator, Huckabee for President, Sept. 2007-Jan. 2008. B.A. in political science from Iowa State University, 2010; attended Iowa Wesleyan College and A.A. in music education from Muscatine Community College, 2007. twitter

Western Iowa Political Director Kip Murphy

(tarted with Rick PAC in Feb. 2015) Outgoing chairman of the Harrison County Republicans. Field consultant to Robert Cramer for Congress 2014. Field consultant (Southwest Iowa) to Rick Santorum for President, Oct. 2011- 2012. Western Iowa coordinator, Americans for Perry, 2011. Southwest Iowa Victory director, the Iowa Republican Party 2010. Political director, Rod Roberts for Governor, 2010. Regional field manager, Mitt Romney for President 2007-08. Murphy also has extensive experience in Nebraska campaigns. Bachelor's degree in history and international affairs from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Field Director Quentin Marquez

(announced June 6, 2015) Recent graduate from the University of Iowa. Worked for Americans for Prosperity in 2014. Held executive positions with the University of Iowa College Republicans and Iowa Federation of College Republicans.

Field Director Christina Bettini

(announced June 6, 2015) Worked with the Iowa House Majority Fund in 2014 and has served as a legislative clerk in the Iowa State House.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

FORMER
Perry announced his NH team on June 7, 2015. As noted above, on Aug. 10-11, 2015 reports emerged that the campaign had stopped paying staff. On Sept. 1 Boston Globe's James Pindell reported that Dante Vitagliano had signed on with Kasich, and on Sept. 2 WMUR's John DiStaso reported that senior advisor Mike Dennehy, although he considers himself a strong supporter, is no longer advising Perry.

Senior Advisor Mike Dennehy

Co-founder and partner at Dennehy & Bouley. Senior advisor, and initially national political director on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Founder and president of The Dennehy Group, based in Concord, NH. Managed Craig Benson's successful 2002 campaign for governor in New Hampshire. New England political director and New Hampshire campaign manager on Sen. McCain's 2000 presidential campaign. Managed Jay Lucas' 1998 gubernatorial campaign in New Hampshire. Executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party, starting in March 1996 through late 1997. New Hampshire political director on Sen. Phil Gramm's 1996 primary campaign. Special assistant to Gov. Stephen Merrill (R-NH). B.S. from Southern New Hampshire University. twitter

Political Director Dante Vitagliano

(started with Rick PAC, announced March 11, 2015) Deputy political director for Marilinda Garcia for Congress, Republican nominee in the 2nd CD, April-Nov. 2014. South East Pennsylvania field director for the 60 Plus Association, Aug. 2012-Sept. 2013. Field operations coordinator on Al Schmidt for City commissioner in Philadelphia, 2011-12. B.A. in political science - philosophy from Temple University, 2011. twitter

Senior Field Manager Ryder Selmi

(started with Rick PAC, announced March 11, 2015) North Country field manager for the Garcia campaign. twitter

SOUTH CAROLINA

Headquarters: Idlewilde Blvd., Columbia, SC ...from early Sept. 2015. note: office is not closed as was incorrectly reported; moved from initial location: 1315 Calhoun St., Columbia, SC ...June to early Sept. 2015.

(announced June 8, 2015)
State Chair Katon Dawson

Principal at Dawson Public Affairs in Columbia. Dawson was South Carolina chairman of the Rick Perry campaign in 2011-12, after starting out as Newt Gingrich's top advisor in South Carolina. He was candidate for RNC chairman in Feb. 2009, finishing second to Michael Steele. Elected Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party in spring 2002 and unanimously re-elected in 2004 and 2007, he served to May 2009. President and general manager of family-owned Burns Auto Parts in Columbia. Active in Republican Party politics for more than 40 years. "On Halloween night 1964, Dawson was just 8 years old when his mother drove him to the downtown auditorium in Columbia, South Carolina, to hear Ronald Reagan stump for Republican presidential nominee Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona." B.S. in management from the University of South Carolina, 1979.

Senior Advisor Walter Whetsell

Founder (in 1996) of Starboard Communications based in Lexington, SC. Whetsell was South Carolina senior advisor for the Rick Perry campaign in 2011-12. He has advised Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, and SC Reps. Tom Rice, Mick Mulvaney and Jeff Duncan, and implemented and developed voter contact programs for numerous state-wide races. Advisor/in-state consultant on Friends of Fred Thompson in 2007-08. Coordinated the voter contact direct mail program for Gov. Mark Sanford's successful re-election campaign in 2006. In 2004, Whetsell played an important role in helping Rep. Jim DeMint in both his successful primary and general election bid for the U.S. Senate. Graduate of Furman University in Greenville, SC.

Political Director Le Frye

(managing day-to-day operations) At Starboard Communications. Served as Perry's South Carolina political director in 2011-12. twitter

Field Director Jeff Alderman

In the 2014 cycle Alderman managed successful countywide, state representative, and solicitor races in South Carolina.

Field Representatives

Webster Hall - most recently worked for Sen. Graham's 2014 re-election campaign.
Bryan Goodas - Citadel graduate, has workd on two South Carolina special elections this year.
Erik Corcoran - recent graduate of Charleston Southern University, where he was chairman of College Republicans.