California Delegation to the Republican National Convention Staff    

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Executive Director  Kathy Tavoularis

Served as executive director of the 2008 California Delegation for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Director of special projects for Meg Whitman for Governor of California, 2010.  Statewide Coordinator for New Majority California, the largest PAC in California.  Senior Advisor for Victory 2008.  Statewide field director for Victory 2006.  Director of public affairs at Iger & Associates in Newport Beach.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Orange County, California.  B.A. in political science from California State University at Long Beach.


COO  Don Willet

Head of The Don Willet Company, an event production & convention management company.  Willet has served as the principal outside consultant for the California Republican Party's semi-annual state conventions and special events.


Deputy Executive Director  Anthony Kuo

Orange County Regional Field Representative for Victory 2010 and the Meg Whitman for Governor campaign.  Served on staff of the 2008 California Delegation for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.  Attended Southern Methodist University.  Native of Orange County.


Media Director  Mitch Zak

Partner and co-owner of Randle Communications.  Served as an advisor and spokesperson for Meg Whitman’s gubernatorial campaign and coalitions director on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful campaign in the 2003 recall election.  A senior communications official for the California Trade and Commerce Agency and worked for three years as a member of Gov. Pete Wilson’s personal staff.  M.P.A. from the University of Southern California; B.A. in international relations from UC Davis.

Transportation Coordinator  Tom Scott

Executive director of California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse for about 16 years.  Has worked for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, State Senator John Seymour, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and then Sen. Pete Wilson. M.P.A. from the University of Southern California.  B.A. in political science from Cal State University Long Beach. 


Housing Coordinator  Jasmine Megrabyan

Founded (2007) and principal at Soirée Verde event planning.  Director of meetings and conventions for the California Republican Party since 1998.  Previously catering manager for the State Association and Government market with Hilton Hotels.


Major Gifts Coordinator  Janine Eggers

Experience includes district director for Senate Republican Leader Rob Hurtt, California chief of staff to the chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee Rep. Chris Cox, work for the Orange County Medical Association.


Senior Finance Consultant  Molly Parnell

Finance director of the California Republican Party; joined the CRP in June 2006.  Worked in sales for Clear Channel Outdoor. Special assistant to Donna Lucas, who was the Deputy Chief of Staff of External Affairs and also the Chief of Staff to First Lady Maria Shriver in Gov. Schwarzenegger’s administration.  Deputy scheduling director during the first two years of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s administration.  Started her career as scheduling assistant and press aide on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial campaign.  Bachelor's degree in journalism and advertising from University of Colorado Boulder.


Senior Advisor  Jeff Randall (also senior advisor to Romney for President)

President and CEO of Randle Communications.  Senior advisor to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and her 2010 California gubernatorial campaign and continues to advise her.  Senior member of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s political team.  Executive vice president of Stoorza Communications, 1998-2001.  Deputy chief of staff to Gov. Pete Wilson, 1991-98.  B.A. in political science from UCLA, 1986.



March 01, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mitch Zak

GOP LEADERS LAUNCH 2012 CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATION COMMITTEE
“Countdown to Tampa Bay and a Winning Republican Ticket”

SACRAMENTO – California Republicans will send the largest and most diverse delegation to Tampa Bay, Florida in August to nominate the next President and Vice President of the United States of America. This effort begins today with the formation of the official California 2012 Republican National Convention Delegation Committee. Former Governor Pete Wilson, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Congressman Darrell Issa and former Secretary of State Bill Jones will serve as Honorary Co-Chairmen of the committee that will ensure Golden State delegates from 53 congressional districts can champion a Republican vision to restore America’s economy, cut unemployment and put our nation back on the right track to prosperity and global leadership. A committee previously announced by the California Republican Party has been merged into this new committee.
 
“America desperately needs Republican leadership in the Executive Branch of government to reverse the unprecedented and utterly irresponsible borrowing, taxing and spending of the Obama administration,” Governor Wilson said. “The California Republican Delegation will represent the Golden State, unified in the need to rescue this great nation from the tragedy of a second Obama term that threatens grave and perhaps irreparable harm to both our economy and our national security.”
 
Veteran GOP strategists Jeff Randle and Tony Russo will serve as pro-bono Senior Advisors to the Committee. Don Willett will be the Chief Operating Officer; Charles Bell will serve as Legal Counsel; Kathy Tavoularis is Executive Director and Molly Parnell will be a senior finance consultant. The Committee will manage operations, programs and logistics for the California Delegation including fundraising, events, operations, communications, and accommodations for the nation's largest delegation. It will also coordinate with the California Republican Party, the Republican National Committee, the Tampa Bay Host Committee and all Presidential campaigns, including the eventual Republican Nominee for President and Vice President.
 
“Building a strong organization will ensure that we can execute a winning game plan to expand our majority in the House of Representatives, take the United States Senate and elect a Republican President that will help create private sector jobs and American prosperity,” House Majority Whip McCarthy said.
 
“A strong California Delegation will be the catalyst for a successful GOP convention that highlights a winning Republican vision for America. President Obama has failed on every level, spending money, destroying our credibility and jeopardizing our future. It is our responsibility to elect a new President and Vice President that will put America back on track,” Congressman Issa said.
 
“The California Republican Party is pleased to work with these distinguished Republican leaders to form the official delegation committee. We will work closely with grass roots volunteers and elected officials around the state to support the Republican Presidential nominee and ensure President Obama does not win a second term,” California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro said.
 
“California’s diversity reflects the best of American ideals, and the Republican Party represents the policies we need to support job creation, innovation and optimism for the future. Our 2012 Republican Delegation will play a decisive role in the campaign and election of a new Republican President,” Secretary Jones said.
 
The Committee has launched a website at CaRNC12.com to provide more information. The California Delegation is an independent legal entity and does not share any staff, financial resources or policy controls with any other entity. The delegation will have legal contracts with entities to fulfill certain obligations, including funding, transportation, leased facilities, security, housing, hotels and venues among other things.

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