Key People-Former Amb. and Gov. Jon Huntsman

Key People-Former Gov. and Amb. Jon Huntsman
Jon Huntsman for President, 255 Orange Street, Orlando, FL also satellite office in Utah [website]
...announced his candidacy on June 21, 2011
notes: Horizon PAC (H-PAC) was a state-based PAC set up independently while Huntsman was Ambassador; Huntsman resigned as Ambassador effective April 30, 2011; on May 2, 2011 a federal PAC was formed and filed with the FEC [website]

updated July 18, 2011
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Senior Advisor John Weaver

Through to his resignation in July 2007 Weaver was chief strategist on John McCain 2008. In 2002 Weaver moved to Manhattan and switched to the Democratic Party. He worked for years, on numerous races, as a Republican political consultant based in San Antonio, Texas. Political director on Sen. McCain's 2000 presidential campaign. National field director on Sen. Phil Gramm's 1996 presidential campaign; after Gramm withdrew he joined Lamar Alexander's campaign. Executive director of the Texas Republican Party. Worked on Bill Clements' successful gubernatorial campaign in 1986. Deputy campaign manager of Phil Gramm's successful 1984 Senate race. Graduate of Texas A&M University. Native of Kermit, Texas (near Odessa).

Media Fred Davis

Strategic Perception, Inc., Hollywood, CA. Part of the creative team on McCain-Palin and Bush-Cheney '04. Davis' first presidential campaign was Morry Taylor's longshot bid in 1996; he did his first political work for his uncle Jim Inhofe in 1974.

Executive Director Susie Wiles

(from late Jan. 2011) She managed Rick Scott's successful campaign for Governor of Florida. Chief of Communications & Special Initiatives under Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton for five years through June 2008. Served under Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney for six years through 2000 including as his chief of staff. According to an old bio on the City of Jacksonville website "Her political experience spans three Presidential campaigns, White House service in the Executive Office of the President, many local and statewide political campaigns and most recently, the Transition Team of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and McCain-Palin campaign."

Deputy Campaign Manager (focus on policy, based in Utah) Neil Ashdown

(announced July 1, 2011) Chief of staff to Huntsman when he was Ambassador and key advisor to him through his tenure as Governor. Chief economist and deputy director for the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget to Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. Ph.D. from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York in Albany. Master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Utah.

Communications

Communications Director Matt David

(first reported March 14, 2011) Deputy chief of staff and communications director to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger until the end of his term in Jan. 2010. Communications director at Freedom's Watch through the end of 2007. Deputy communication director for rapid response on McCain's presidential campaign through July 2007. Deputy communications director on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R-CA) 2006 re-election. Director of rapid response on the SCOTUS confirmation in the latter half of 2005. Deputy director of rapid response on Bush-Cheney '04. George Mason University School of Law/University of Tulsa College of Law. Undergraduate degree from University of the Ozarks, 2001.

Deputy Communications Director Jake Suski

(first reported Feb. 2011) In 2010 Suski was spokesman on Chris Dudley's 2010 campaign for governor of Oregon, after serving as communications director on Rick Snyder's primary race for governor in Michigan. Deputy communications director in the Schwarzenegger administration. Worked on John McCain's primary campaign. Worked on Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 re-election campaign. Degree in political science from UC Davis, 2005. From Northern California. twitter

Press Secretary Tim Miller

(first reported Feb. 2011) Previously lead digital communications strategist in the Public Affairs division at the Glover Park Group, from July 2009. Communications strategist at Berman and Company, 2007-09. Iowa communications director for John McCain, 2006-mid-2007. Communications director on Jeff Lamberti for Congress, 2006. Political director on Bill Dix for Congress, 2005-06. Field on Jerry Kilgore for Governor, 2005. Graduate of The George Washington University, 2004. twitter

Rapid Response Director Matt Connelly

(started as a communications advisor on H-PAC) Deputy press secretary to Gov. Schwarzenegger, June-Dec. 2010. Deputy press secretary on Steve Poizner for Governor, June 2009-June 2010. Communications manager in the Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2008-09. Six months as deputy newsroom manager at Freedom's Watch. Worked on John McCain's campaign in 2007 starting as war room intern, then as deputy war room manager. Bachelor's degree in politics from the Catholic University of America. twitter

TV/Radio and Regional Media Lisa Roskelley

Did public relations and political communications consulting as Roskelley & Associates from Oct. 2009. Communications director/spokeswoman for then Gov. Huntsman. Reporter for the Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT), 2002-05. M.P.A. from the University of Utah, 2006; B.A. in communication/journalism from Weber State University, 2001.

Policy

Policy Director Mark McIntosh

(announced July 8, 2011) Most recently served as counsel at Boyden Gray & Associates in Washington, D.C., where he provided guidance on energy and natural resource issues, from May 2010. Legal advisor to ClientEarth, a London and Brussels-based NGO; founder and managing director of EcoSport Strategies. Deputy general counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. 2008-09. Senior operations officer for the Pew Environment Group, 2005-08. President for seven years of an international organization focused on marine conservation efforts. served in the Executive Office of the President under George W. Bush. J.D. (environmental law) from Pace University School of Law, 1996.

"Policy Chair" exact title tba C. Boyden Gray

(reported by Time's Mark Halperin on June 20, 2011)

Finance

Finance Director Kevin Curran

Senior consultant at Wedgewood Consulting Group from Feb. 2009-April 2011. Associate Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House, Nov. 2005-Jan. 2009. Special assistant to the Assistant Secretary at the Department of Energy, 2005. Regional finance coordinator on Bush-Cheney '04. Joint degreee in American politics and American history from UC San Diego, 2002. Los Angeles native.

Operations

Operations Director Conyers Davis

(announced July 1, 2011) Head of operations and deputy director for campaigning for the UK Conservative Party's national campaign team, started in Nov. 2008. Assistant Secretary for International Trade for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, State of California. Deputy director of advance for Gov. Schwarzenegger starting in 2007; deputy director of advance on Californians for Schwarzenegger, 2006; advance rep. for Schwarzenegger, 2005-06. Staffer in the Office of International Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, 2004-05. Confidential assistant to the assistant attorney general for the tax division in the U.S. Department of Justice, 2003-04.

Media Buying Kyle Roberts

(reported by Chris Cillizza March 24, 2011) President of Smart Media Group in Alexandria, VA, which he established in 2005; he has more than a decade of experience in planning and placing media. In 2008 Smart Media Group was the official media buying agency for the McCain-Palin campaign and the RNC. B.A. in history from Manhattan Colleg in Bronx, NY. Originally from northern New Jersey.

Member Relations Allen Shofe

Vice president of government affairs for Emergent BioSolutions. Previously director of federal government relations at Eli Lilly and Company. Shofe has more than 15 years experience in government relations and government affairs at the Federal and state levels, as well as in the international arena. B.A. in international relations/diplomacy at the University of Minnesota and an LL.M, Master of Laws from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.

Legal Counsel/Treasurer Craig Engle

Partner at Arent Fox LLP and founder of the firm's Political Law Group. General Counsel to the NRSC from 1995-2000. Executive assistant to a Commissioner at the FEC, 1986-1995. JD from Georgetown University Law Center, 1985; B.A. from University of Cincinnati, 1982.

Trip Director Lanny Wiles

Principal at Wiles Consulting, Inc.; has offices in Ponte Verde, FL and Washington, DC; over 35 years in government relations and political affairs including five presidential campaigns. Senior counselor at The Advocacy Group of Cardenas Partners, from Jan. 2011. Tour director on Rick Scott's 2010 campaign for governor of Florida and senior advisor to the inauguration. Tour director on Sen. John McCain's 2000 presidential bid. Senior advisor on Phil Gramm's 1995-96 presidential campaign. Tour director for Dan Quayle on the 1988 vice presidential campaign; a senior advisor on Jack Kemp's 1987-88 presidential campaign. Started with Reagan on his 1976 presidential campaign and continued to do advance during the Reagan administration. Worked in his father's printing business. Attended North Carolina State University. Native of Wilkes County, NC. Jacksonville, FL resident; Susie's husband.

Polling

Pollster Whit Ayres

(reported by Chris Cillizza April 20, 2011) Founder and President of Ayres, McHenry & Associates, President of the American Association of Political Consultants, and co-founder (with former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie) of Resurgent Republic. Ayres' firm has provided polling for dozens of campaigns and corporate clients since the early 1990s. Before establishing the firm, Ayres served as senior executive assistant for budget and policy to Gov. Carroll Campbell in South Carolina and has served as a tenured member of the political science faculty at the University of South Carolina. Undergraduate degree from Davidson college in North Carolina; M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

New Hampshire

State Director Ethan Eilon

Deputy campaign manager on the Buck for Colorado U.S. Senate campaign in Colorado, 2010. Manager of politcal and grassroots affairs at the David All Group, 2009-10. Executive director of the College Republican National Committee. Victory organizational director for Bush-Cheney '04 in Colorado. Degree in history from the University of Denver, 2007. Chicago native.

Deputy Campaign Manager Matt Flanders

(reported by NH Journal on July 18, 2011) New Hampshire state director for ONE. Regional special projects director on McCain-Palin 2008; served as field coordinator for Sullivan, Grafton and Coos counties during McCain's NH primary campaign. Staffer on Chuck Blasdel for Congress in Ohio's 6th CD in 2006. Graduate of Drew University, 2006. Concord, NH native.

?Title Matthew Bartlett

Prior joining the campaign, Bartlett worked for the ONE campaign as senior manager for field training and development in Washington, DC. He was involved with ONE Vote ’08 during the 2008 New Hampshire primary; joined ONE in August 2006 as a regional field organizer. Attended Fairfield University in Connecticut. New Hampshire native.

Communications Director Michael Levoff

(from March 2011; reported by WMUR-TV on May 10) In 2010 Levoff served communications roles on three campaigns: Chris Cox for Congress (Jan.-July); Rick Snyder for Michigan (June-Aug.); Strickland for Controller in California (Aug.-Dec.). Deputy press secretary on Bloomberg for Mayor 2009. Press officer in the Mayor's Office, 2007-08. Public information officer for the New York City Police Department, 2005-07. B.A. in business and communications from Fordham University, 2005.

Consultant Paul Collins

(reported by John DiStaso on March 29, 2011) In the 2010 cycle he served as senior political strategist on businessman Bill Binnie's U.S. Senate campaign for about four months, then managed Sean Mahoney's unsuccessful bid for the 1st CD seat in the Sept. 2010 primary. Executive director of the NH Republican Party, 1999. Managed John E. Sununu's congressional and Senate campaigns, 1996 through Jan. 2009. Managed Pete Wilson's brief NH primary effort (summer 1995), then when he withdrew served as state director on Steve Forbes NH campaign (from Oct. 1995). District director to Rep. Charlie Bass to July 1995. During the Administration of President George H. W. Bush, when Sununu was chief of staff, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of National Services (1,000 points of light) and then Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs. Worked for John H. Sununu starting in 1982, serving key roles on his three campaigns for governor and as a gubernatorial aide. NH political director on Pete du Pont's NH primary campaign (announced July 17, 1987; started Aug. 1).

Consultant Brad Blais

(reported by John DiStaso on March 29, 2011) Field director on Charlie Bass' fall campaign in the 1st CD after serving as deputy campaign manager on the Mahoney campaign.

Peter Spaulding

Chaired Sen. McCain's 2008 and 2000 New Hampshire primary campaigns. Elected Merrimack County Commissioner (one of three) in Nov. 2010 after an unsucessful campaign for Executive Council (lost Sept. 2010 primary to Dan St. Hilaire). Executive Councilor (District Two) from 1983-2006 (ten terms, lost to John Shea). Vice President for Community Relations with Providian National Bank in Concord. A Merrimack County Commissioner from 1970-92 (one of three). B.A. from the University of New Hampshire in 1966. New Hampshire native; grew up in Bradford, NH. Resident of Hopkinton, NH.

Paul Chevalier

A life member of Portsmouth Emerson Hovey VFW Post 168. Part of the Veterans for McCain leadership in the 2007-08 New Hampshire primary campaign.

Richard Brothers

Commissioner of Employment Security, appointed by Gov. Craig Benson, appointed Nov. 2004, started Dec. served to 2009.

Bill Grimm

From Franklin, NH. In the 2008 primary served as a member of John McCain's New Hampshire Veterans Advisory Committee; in the 2004 general he was part of the Bush-Cheney '04 New Hampshire Education Leadership Team. Served in the U.S. Navy.

pre-campaign
(Horizon PAC-NH filed with the Secretary of State's office on April 14, 2011)... Chairman Wally Stickney
(reported by John DiStaso on April 14, 2011) Chairman of Municipal Resources, Inc. of Meredith. Thirty-year career in government through 1993, including director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during the George H.W. Bush administration. B.S. in Civil Engineering from New England College, a Masters in Engineering from Northeastern University and a M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School.

SOUTH CAROLINA

State Director Joel Sawyer

(reported by CNN on May 23, 2011) Sawyer served as executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party in the 2010 cycle starting in an interim capacity in Feb. 2010 and continuing through May 23, 2011. He worked for Gov. Mark Sanford for six and a half years, leaving as communications director on Aug. 5, 2009 to found New Level Strategies. Earlier he worked as a reporter for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Richard Quinn

(CNN in a Jan. 31, 2011 article quoted Quinn, "I stand ready to help if he runs." The article noted Quinn organized a meeting of then-Gov. Huntsman with SC Republicans in Columbia way back in Feb. 2009) Principal of Richard Quinn and Associates, consulting firm based in Columbia. South Carolina consultant for McCain's 2008 campaign and lead South Carolina strategist for McCain's 2000 campaign. Consultant to Sen. Phil Gramm's (R-TX) 1996 campaign in South Carolina.

Chris Allen

Field director on McCain's 2008 South Carolina primary campaign (started with McCain's Straight Talk America in July 2006). Aide to Gov. Mark Sanford.

Political Director for the Carolinas Adam Piper

(announced June 28, 2011) Public affairs director at the South Carolina Attorney General's office, from Jan. 2011, after serving as campaign manager on Alan Wilson for Attorney General, 2010. Of counsel at Richard Quinn & Associates from March 2008. South Carolina campaign manager on Huckabee for President. Grassroots coordinator on Americans for Prosperity-SC. Campaign manager on Campbell for Lt. Governor, 2005-06. Political director on State Sen. Russ Potts 2005 gubernatorial campaign in Virginia. Grassroots director on Beasley for Senate, 2004. B.A. in political science from University of South Carolina, 2006. Piper is also a state vice chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, elected in 2009 and unanimously re-elected in 2011.

Endorsements
State Sen. John Courson (District 20-Columbia)
(reported by CNN on April 18, 2011) In the 2008 cycle Courson was an early McCain supporter (announced as a legislative co-chair on Aug. 30, 2006). First elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1984, and has served there continuously since then. Senior Vice President of KeenanSuggs Insurance. State Chairman or State Treasurer on Sen. Strom Thurmond’s last three re-election campaigns. Active in the presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush in 1988, and George W. Bush in 2000. Republican National Committeeman for South Carolina. Chair of Reagan’s 1980 and 1984 campaign committees in South Carolina; Reagan delegate to two national conventions; one of South Carolina's presidential electors for Reagan. Graduate of the University of South Carolina, 1968.

Campbell family
Mike Campbell, the youngest son of the late Gov. Caroll A. Campbell announcde his support for Huntsman on May 16, 2011. He served as South Carolina chairman for Mike Huckabee in the 2008 primary campaign. In June 2006, Campbell won a three-way primary for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina by 8%, before narrowly losing in a run-off two weeks later to the incumbent. Businessman. Founded, in 2003, and is president and CEO of Palmetto International, LLC, which represents and secures projects for companies to participate in the reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Founded, in 2002, and president and CEO of the Crescent Group Inc., a business development-consulting firm specializing in government relations. Co-owned a successful chain of 19 Wendy’s fast food restaurants located throughout South Carolina. Director for business development and governmental affairs at Quovadx. Co-founding shareholder in TeleQuest Corporation. Vice president of marketing and business development for Banc Plus Corporation. Worked in the hospitality industry. Experience on many South Carolina campaigns; volunteered on Ronald Reagan's campaign in 1980 at age 12.
In addition, Iris Campbell, wife of the late Gov. Campbell, and eldest son Carroll Campbell III endorsed Huntsman at a press conference in Greenville on July 12, 2011. Former Gov. Campbell chief of staff Bob McAlister joined them for the event.

also note South Carolina experience of pollster Whit Ayres.

Florida

State Director Nikki Jerger Lowrey

(reported by the Orlando Sentinel on May 18, 2011 ) According to the Sentinel Lowrey had been slated to be the state director for Haley Barbour. Public relations and government affairs consulting since March 2009. Director of external relations at InnoVida, 2008-09. Deputy chief of state Florida FEMA, 2005-08. Director of external affairs in the office of Gov. Jeb Bush, 2003-05. A regional coordinator on Gov. Jeb Bush's 2003 re-election campaign. President of Jerger Communications, Inc, 1997-2002. Director of government affairs for the St. Petersburg Suncoast Association of Realtors, 1996-97. Public relations specialist for PARC, 1994-96. B.A. in communications/public relations from Southern Methodist University, 1994.

Consultant David "DJ" Johnson

(reported June 20, 2011 by Hotline OnCall) Runs the David Johnson Group LLC, since Feb. 2003. Executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, 2001-03. Partner at Tidewater Consulting, Inc, 1999-2001.

Consultant Marc Reichelderfer

(reported June 20, 2011 by Hotline OnCall) President at Landmarc Strategies, Inc. since Jan. 2004. A Florida advisor on Mitt Romney's 2008 campaign. Director of Consensus Communications' Tallahassee office. Managed Katherine Harris' campaign for Florida Secretary of State in 1998.Worked on Rudy Giuliani's 1997 mayoral re-election campaign.Served as State Sen. Anna Cowin’s chief of staff for a year; managed Cowin's 1996 campaign. Florida field director for Lamar Alexander’s 1996 presidential campaign.

Consultant Alex W. Castellanos, Jr.

(reported June 20, 2011 by Hotline OnCall) Partner at Purple Strategies.

Florida connection: Huntsman's wife attended Cherokee Junior High in Orlando before moving to Utah.

Massachusetts

Chairman and Northeast Regional Co-Chair Jim Rappaport

(announced July 7, 2011) Real estate developer, entrepreneur, attorney, and political activist. Currently serves as chairman of Specialty Hospitals of America, LLC and chairman and CEO of New Boston Fund, Inc. In 2002, he ran for the Massachusetts Republican nomination for Lt. Governor. Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party and a member of the RNC from 1992-97. Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Massachusetts in 1990. In 1985, Rappaport was elected chairman of the Mass Taxpayers Committee, an organization that provided political education for fiscally responsible Massachusetts legislators. He has been a well-known fund-raiser for Republicans throughout the country, and has served as a regional chair of the Republican National Committee Finance Committee and was national finance chair for Kasich 2000, the presidential committee.

Finance Co-Chairs
Peter Monaco
Peter Malone

Member NE Regional Finance Team Rice Powell

For information on the PAC that preceded the campaign see:

Amelia Chasse. "Huntsman Assembles New Hampshire Team." NH Journal, March 9, 2011.

Erin McPike. "Huntsman Backers to Gather for Strategy Session." Real Clear Politics, March 7, 2011. Describes strategy session planned for March 18 in New Orleans.

David M. Drucker. "Huntsman Boosters Say PAC Is ‘Coincidence.’" Roll Call, Feb. 25, 2011. According to this article, "Despite the fact that some Huntsman supporters are involved with the PAC, its goal is to raise money for GOP candidates running in 2012 and to support the party, not Huntsman."