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RNC Committee on Arrangements
The Committee on Arrangements put together the Republican National Convention held in Tampa, FL August 27-30, 2012.
It filed its Statement of Organization with the FEC on June 21, 2010, and ultimately had about 150 paid staff.                 

(page updated Sept. 12, 2012)

See also: Committee on Resolutions (Platform Committee)
                Recommended Officers for the Republican National Convention

               

RNC 2012 Committee on Arrangements Executive Committee

Alec Poitevint, GA – Chairman (announced Feb. 2, 2011)
National Committeeman from Georgia, elected May 1989.  Poitevint served as chairman of the Georgia Republican Party from 2003-07 and from 1989-1993.  He was co-chairman/treasurer of the COA for the 2000 Republican National Convention and treasurer of the COA for the 1992 and 1996 Conventions.  Chairman and President of Southeastern Minerals, Inc. and its affiliated companies headquartered in Bainbridge.

Jan Larimer, WY – Vice Chairman

Mary Buestrin, WI – Vice Chairman

Tony Parker, DC – Treasurer

Christine Toretti, PA – Secretary

Debbie Joslin, AK Paul Reynolds, AL Reta Hamilton, AR Amata Radewagen, AS Sharon Giese, AZ Shawn Steel, CA Mark Hillman, CO John Frey, CT Betsy Werronen, DC Priscilla Rakestraw, DE Sharon Day, FL Paul Senft, FL Lenny Curry, FL Linda Herren, GA Donna Jones, GU Miriam Hellreich, HI Kim Lehman, IA Damond Watkins, ID Pat Brady, IL As of Oct. 14, 2011.  (as announced March 29, 2011) RNC Chairman appoints at least one member from each state.

Dee Dee Benkie, IN Amanda Adkins, KS Gail Russell, KY Ruth Ulrich, LA Jody Dow, MA Joyce Terhes, MD Charlie Webster, ME Saul Anuzis, MI Tony Sutton, MN David Cole, MO Bo Palacios, MP Jeanne Luckey, MS Will Deschamps, MT David Lewis, NC Sandy Boehler, ND Mark Fahleson, NE Steve Duprey, NH Bill Palatucci, NJ Rosie Tripp, NM

Heidi Smith, NV Jennifer Rich, NY Bob Bennett, OH Carolyn McLarty, OK Donna Cain, OR Bob Asher, PA Zori Fonalledas, PR Joseph Trillo, RI Glenn McCall, SC Mary Jean Jensen, SD Peggy Lambert, TN Borah Van Dormolen, TX Bruce Hough, UT Kathy Terry, VA Herb Schoenbohm, VI George Schiavone, VT Fredi Simpson, WA Steve King, WI Mike Stuart, WV Greg Schaefer, WY

Chief Executive Officer  Bill Harris

(announced May 31, 2011)  Harris has been involved in the planning and management of RNC conventions since 1984, when he served as Sergeant at Arms, and has assisted every Republican presidential campaign since 1972, when he attended his first convention.  He is a partner at the MITA Group and president of William D. Harris and Associates.  In 2008, Harris served as convention director for the McCain-Palin campaign where he coordinated all convention-related activities for the campaign, including program, political, logistics, and communications.  CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention.  Executive director of the NRSC in the 1994 cycle.  Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 1977-84.  B.A. from the University of Alabama.

Chief Operating Officer  Mike Miller

(announced May 31, 2011)  Miller has held key positions in the past ten Republican National Conventions.  He was overall director of operations for the 2008, 2004 and 1992 Conventions and was director of media operations for seven others.  He has served as a consultant to several site selection committees.  Between conventions, Miller manages his own consultancy, MVM Public Affairs.  He covered the 1964 and 1968 conventions as a correspondent for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain.

Executive Secretary  Erica Carson

(from Aug. 2011; announced Feb. 7, 2012)  Previously executive assistant at Davis Manafort Inc. in Alexandria, VA.  Assistant on the McCain campaign, 2007-08.  Field consultant for the Leadership Institute, 1999-2001.  B.A. in political science from Ashland University in Ohio, 1999.  Originally from Cincinnati.

Operations

Director of Operations  Ryan Price

(announced Jan. 30, 2012)  Co-founder (with Christian Ferry) of The Trailblazer Group, a political consulting firm.  Price worked on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign from its inception in Dec. 2006, serving as deputy political director  During the primaries he handled ballot access as national delegate and state convention director; he was director of delegate and caucus operations for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis; and in the Fall he served as director of the national surrogates and coalitions divisions.  Political director on Tom Gallagher's 2006 gubernatorial primary campaign in Florida.  Worked on George W. Bush's 2000 campaign.  Southeast field director for gubernatorial candidate Jeb Bush in his 1998 campaign for governor of Florida.  Law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.  Served in the U.S. Army's First Ranger Battalion.  B.S. in communications from Appalachian State University.  Originally from West Palm Beach, FL. 

Venue and Master Calendar Coordinator  Amanda Oliver

(Jan. 2012)  Assistant director of alumnae and parent relations at Meredith College, 2008-11.  Service coordinator at the Wake County DHHS, 2005-08.  B.A. in psychology from Meredith College, 2002.

Events Manager  Megan Badasch

(March 2012)  Resident program officer for the International Republican Institute in Tunisia (2011-12) and Jordan (2009-11).  National director of surrogate operations at the RNC in the 2008 cycle.  Director of business development at Cardinal Communication Strategies, LLC, 2007.  Associate director of political operations at the RNC, 2006. Special assistant to the director of the National Park Service, 2005.  Regional field representative on Bush-Cheney '04 in California.  Staff assistant for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 2003-04.  Regional director on Jim Ryan gubernatorial campaign in Fall 2002.  Policy advisor in the Office of Illinois Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood, 2000-02.  B.A. in political science from Illinois College, 1999.

Convention Program Director  Anne Hathaway

(announced May 31, 2012)  President at Hathaway Strategies in Indianapolis, IN, since 2009, including primary campaign manager/consultant for Dan Coats for Indiana in 2010.  Chief of staff at the RNC announced Jan. 2007.  Joined the RNC in 2001 as Great Lakes regional political director.  Executive Director of the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee.  Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Scheduling and Public Liaison; also executive director of Quayle's political action committee, Campaign America. Scheduler for Marilyn Tucker Quayle on the Bush-Quayle campaign in Fall 1988, then transition director for Mrs. Quayle.  Worked n the Office of Public Liaison at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  Worked on congressional races in Illinois in the early 1980s. Graduate of the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture.  Native of Galva, Illinois.

Director of Whip Operations  Tony Feather

(announced May 31, 2012)  Principal and founding partner at FLS, a voter and constituent communications consulting firm (previously Feather Larson & Synhorst DCI).  Political director for Bush/Cheney 2000.  Midwest regional coordinator at the RNC under chairman Haley Barbour, overseeing nine Midwestern states.  Managed Attorney General William L. Webster's campaign for governor of Missouri, 1991-92 (Webster won contested primary but lost general to Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan).  Executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, 1987 to late 1990.  Missouri native.

Director of Delegate Outreach  Todd Craney

(announced May 31, 2012)  Deputy political director at Romney for President since April 2011.  Deputy campaign manager/political director on Meg Whitman's 2010 campaign for governor of California.  Campaign manager on Nathan Fletcher for Assembly, 2008.  Western regional political director on Romney's 2007-08 campaign.  Regional political director on California Victory 2006 (Carlsbad Republican Victory Headquarters).  Field representative on Bush-Cheney '04 first in California and then in Nevada.  Staff assistant to Sen. Orrin Hatch, 2003-04.  B.S. in finance from Brigham Young University, 2002.

production

Executive Producer  Phil Alongi

CEO of Alongi Media Solutions which he founded in 2009 after 30 years at NBC News (July 1978-March 2009) most recently serving as executive producer of specials and politics. In 2010 he returned to NBC News and oversaw its coverage of the Winter Olympics.  Oversaw "Decision 2008" coverage; has covered the 9/11 attacks, both Iraq wars, the death and funeral of Ronald Reagan, the passing of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, Millennium 2000, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.  B.S. in accounting from St. Francis College, 1976.

John Zito

IT

Director of IT  Scott Morris

Official proceedings

Director of Official Proceedings  Larry Harlow

Director of Official Proceedings for the 2004 Republican National Convention.  Opened Harlow Government Relations LLC in 2011.  Earlier served as vice president of Prime Policy Group starting Jan. 2010, and as president and CEO of Timmons and Company from 2000-09; he joined Timmons in 1991.  Served for ten years in the administrations of President George H.W. Bush and Reagan (both terms).  Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Treasury, and earlier Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury.  Special Assistant to the President in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House, 1986-89, Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget, worked at the Federal Trade Commission; director of the Office of Legislation at the Environmental Protection Agency.  EPA employee in Colorado.  Started career working for Howard Baker in 1969. 

Deputy Director of Official Proceedings  Elizabeth Heil

(Feb. 2012)  Member services and events coordinator at the Council for National Policy, 2010-12.  Interned in Official Proceedings for the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.  B.A. in political science from Hillsdale College, 2009.

Communications

Director of Communications and Chief Spokesman  James Davis

(beginning of Oct. 2011)  Associate at the Brunswick Group, 2010-11.  Manager of digital communications at Gibraltar Associates, 2009-10.  Founder of The Surge Strategies, which advocated for funding for a Pentagon program.  Deputy director of media affairs at the RNC, Sept.-Dec. 2008.  Associate director of communications at the 2008 Republican National Convention.  Worked at the Department of Defense from 2003-07, first as director of congressional research/legislative liaison, then as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.  MPA (2008) and undergraduate degree (2003) from Georgia College and State University.

Deputy Communications Director  Paul Morrell

Vice president of Systems Media Group at S4, Inc., a defense consulting firm, 2009-10.  Chief of staff at NASA, 2005-09.  Director for communications planning at the National Security Council, 2004-05.  Deputy chief of staff for strategic planning at the U.S. Department of Energy, 2003-04.  Previously two decades working on Capitol Hill.  From 1995-2002 he worked for House Majority leader Dick Armey in a variety of positions including chief of staff; previously he was Washington staff director for U.S. Rep Jonh Doolittle, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bob Dornan (CA), and he started as a communications specialist to U.S. Rep. Andy Ireland (FL).  B.S. in journalism from University of Maryland College Park.

Press Assistant  Caroline Gonzmart

(from Oct. 2011)  Previously a general assignment reporter for Tallahassee station WCTV-TV.  B.S. in communications and media studies from Florida State University, 2010.

Press Secretary  Kyle Downey

(announced June 20, 2012)  Downey has extensive experience on Capitol Hill.  He comes to the committee from his position as communications director for the Senate Republican Conference.  Previously, he served as communications director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee.  In both roles he worked under the chairmanship of Sen. John Thune; Downey started with Thune as communications director in 2005.  Press secretary to Rep. Rob Portman, 2003-05.  Ppress secretary to the House Budget Committee under the chairmanship of Rep. Jim Nussle (R-IA).  He also served as press secretary to the House Republican Conference under the chairmanship of Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK).  Wisconsin native.

Deputy Press Secretary  Pam Stevens

(June 2012)  Producer for MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell.  Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the State Department under Condoleeza Rice.  Assistant Press Secretary and Director of TV for President George W. Bush, 2003-05.  Senior editorial producer for CNN, 1997-2002; chief political producer for Larry King Live, 1996-97; associate producer for America's Talking, cable television channel, 1994-96.  Worked in the Office of the Secretary and then in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1989-93.  Trip coordinator,then staff assistant to the chief of staff in the Reagan White House, 1985-89.  B.A. in communications from James Madison University, 1983.

Deputy Press Secretary for Specialty Media  Emily Benavides

(April 2012)  Came to the committee from position as systems administrator in the office of Rep. Robert Aderholt, 2011-12; also interned for Rep. J. Randy Forbes in the first part of 2009 and Rep. Robert Latta in the latter part of 2008.  M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University, 2010; B.A. in government from The College of William and Mary, 2007.

Director of Regional Media  Melissa Sellers

Communications director to Gov. Bobby Jindal from 2008 through Dec. 2011.  Managed Kris Gillespie's campaign for a Texas House in 2002.  Degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.  Interned on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign in Austin, TX.

Director of Research  Thomas Yu

Started his own research consulting firm.  Senior researcher in the communications department at the Republican National Committee.  Producer and researcher for Mary Matalin.  Started as an intern for former U.S. Rep. Bill Paxon (R-NY) and the NRCC in the 1994 cycle.

Chief Blogger  Mike Kersmarki

(March 2012)  Principal at www.ManageThePress.com, a crisis communications and media management firm based in Tampa, since 2010; operated KerzCasa, LLC, which included real estate investment and debt crisis counseling.  Resigned from The Tampa Tribune to work on the McCain campaign, serving as new media assistant for the Southeast region starting July 2008.  Worked for more than a decade at The Tampa Tribune, as assistant business editor (1999-June 2008) and Pasco County bureau chief (1997-99).  Assistant metro editor at the Ann Arbor News, 1992-97.  Graduate of The Ohio State University, 1981.

Associate Director of Communications and Director of Radio  Andy Polesovsky

(April 2012)  Director of radio at the RNC, 2008-09.  J.D. from The Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law, 2012; B.A. in political science from The Ohio State University, 2008.  Interned in the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign in Ohio and, after the election, in the Bush White House Office of Media Affairs.

Director of Television  Daniel Turner

(May 2012)  Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, 2009-May 2012.  Advisor on his uncle Ted Turner's win the 2011 special election in New York's 9th CD.  Worked at the U.s. Department of State, 2007 through the end of the Bush Administration.  Sen. Rick Santorum's body man during his 2006 re-election campaign.  Director of development at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.  From Queens, NY.

Director of Digital Integration  Jonathan Torres

(started beginning of Feb. 2012)  Owner of Jonathan Torres, Event Entertainment since 2004; DJ, master of ceremonies, public address announcer.  Owner of Torres Marketing/Advertising, 2008-11.  National social media director (2010), marketing/advertising coordinator (2006-08) and online sales consultant (2006-07) at DR Horton.

Sr. Logistics Coordinator  Christopher Toland

Major (reserve officer) in the USMC; served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.  Staffer to U.S. Rep. Bob Dornan.  B.S. in political science from Texas A&M University, 1992.

Logistics Coordinator  Kristen J. Sabella

(June 2012)  Came to the committe from Institute for 21st Century Energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Special projects manager at Madhatter LLC, 2010-11.  Worked for Manifest Energy, 2009-10.  Policy advisor and special assistant in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Interior, 2007-09.  Scheduler and legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel (R-IN), 2005-07.  Graduate of Patrick Henry College, 2004.  Connecticut native.

Communications Intern  William Schmidt

Student at West Virginia University.  From Virginia.

Senior Advisor  Jim Dyke

(announced May 31, 2012)  Founded Jim Dyke & Associates, now JDA Frontline, in 2005.  He has served as senior communications advisor to the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign and a communications advisor to President George W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's VOLPAC in the first half of 2006.  Communications director at the RNC during the 2004 cycle after starting there as press secretary.  Press secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce under Don Evans.  Worked at Quinn Gillespie & Associates building coalitions and developing communications strategies for clients.  A one-time assistant to the brewmeister at Capital City Brewing Company, Dyke became a lobbyist for the Beer Institute.  He started his career in Washington, DC as a Senate parking lot attendant.  Graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in history.  Resident of Charleston, SC.

Media Operations

Director of Media Operations  Julie Shugar

(announced Jan. 2012)  Director of the Media Center in the 2008 and 2004 Republican National Conventions.  Worked on roles supporting media operations in the 2000 and 1996 conventions.  First convention was the 1988 convention when she worked for convention manager Bill Phillips.  Other experience includes assistant clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, work in the political division of the RNC, and political appointee at the Department of Health and Human Services during the George H.W. Bush administration.

Special Press Coordinator  Katherine Lyons

Started as receptionist.

Delegate Services

Director of Delegate Services  Anne Stewart

(announced May 31, 2011)  Most recently program manager, executive development at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.  Deputy director of delegate services, hotels, venues and master calendar for the 2008 Republican National Convention.  Special assistant in White House Social Office, 2005-07.  Managing director of special services on the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Committee.  Worked at the RNC from July 2003-Nov. 2004, starting as a staff assistant, then scheduler in the chairman's office, and deputy events director for the Northeast on Victory 2004.  Degree in business administration from Meredith College, 2003.  From Fayetteville, NC.

Transportation

Director of Transportation  Paul Sorenson

(announced Feb. 15, 2012)  Executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party in 2009.  Deputy director of operations for the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul.  Veteran of a number of congressional campaigns.  Began his career working for U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert in Washington, D.C. as a legislative assistant.  Indiana native.

Security

Director of Security  Al Concordia

(announced Feb. 15, 2012)  A U.S. Secret Service agent for 20 years.  Other experience includes Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the U.S. Senate, and work for the Philadelphia Eagles and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.  B.A. in modern languages from Villanova University.  Philadelphia native.

External affairs

Director of External Affairs  Jason Osborne

(from July 2011; announced Jan. 26, 2012)  A principal at The MITA Group, joined the firm in 2006.  Senior federal liaison (a senior lobbyist) for the National Rifle Association (NRA), 1999-2006.  Senior associate at the Carmen Group, 1996-99.  Director of governmental affairs in the transportation and environment division at the American Consulting Engineers Council, 1994-96.  Legislative aide to Sen. Ted Stevens, 1992-94.  M.A. in political science/congressional studies from Catholic University, 1995; B.A. in political science from the University of Alabama, 1992.  Experience also includes member of the floor operations team at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Community Outreach / Special events

Director of Community Outreach/Special Events  Holly McGovern Barber

(announced Feb. 21, 2012)  Moved back to Tampa in 1997.  Experience includes director of public affairs and special events at the International Republican Institute starting in 1989.  Worked in the communications department for the 1988 Republican National Convention in New Orleans and as deputy director of the international program at the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston.  Tampa native.

Official Innovation Provider  Microsoft

(announced April 19, 2012) "The relationship includes a host of pioneering Microsoft solutions such as natural user interface in Microsoft's Kinect, and video communications technology in Microsoft's Skype. In addition, collaboration will be streamlined and improved through the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint technologies and consulting services."

Official Social Platform and Live Stream Provider  Google

(announced April 13, 2012) "will provide a range of technology support and services, including streaming high-quality, live video of convention events and programs...  Using a host of new technologies and communications platforms including "Google+ Hangouts" (a new multi-party videoconferencing feature), convention organizers hope to provide voters a virtual front-row seat to convention proceedings and activities."

Official Telecommunications Provider  Bright House Networks

(announced Feb. 22, 2012) "the exclusive vendor and provider of video, high-speed data and wireline voice services to the COA and convention attendees, vendors, and media. The company will offer a broad range of video and communications options, including dedicated access Internet services scalable from ten megabits per second (Mbps) to one gigabit per second (Gbps) and metro Ethernet."

Official Newswire Service  PRNewswire

(announced Dec. 13, 2011) "will distribute news and information released by the 2012 Republican National Convention to its worldwide network of over 27,000 news outlets and 6,000 web sites, increasing the visibility of the convention in online media. Additionally, PR Newswire will provide simultaneous, electronic distribution of materials during the convention to the estimated 15,000-member press corps that will be on site covering the event."

Transportation Services  SP Plus Gameday

(announced Oct. 13, 2011) "will contract, both locally and regionally, and manage a fleet of 300 modern, air-conditioned buses that will carry 5000 delegates, alternate delegates and guests between the estimated 95 official convention hotels in the Tampa Bay area and the convention site."

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