Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- 2012

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Robbie Mook

(announced Dec. 6, 2010)  Mook started at the DCCC as political director in the beginning of 2009; in May 2010 moved over to director of independent expenditures. Campaign manager on Jeanne Shaheen's successful 2008 campaign for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. State director in Nevada, in Ohio, and in Indiana for then-Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Directed the 2006 Maryland Democratic Coordinated Campaign. In 2004 Mook served as DNC deputy field director for programs and finished out the campaign as GOTV director in Wisconsin. Earlier he served as deputy field director on Howard Dean's 2003-04 New Hampshire primary campaign (started April 20, 2003). Worked for NYC councilwoman Eva Markowitz. Field director for the Vermont Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign in 2002. B.A. in classics from Columbia University, 2002. Worked for the Vermont Democratic House caucus in 2000 and the Vermont Democratic Party as a canvasser in 1998.

Deputy Executive Director/ Communications Director  Jennifer Crider

(also served this role in the 2010 cycle and has been DCCC communications director since Feb. 2007; she also serves as political director to the Leader Pelosi)  Crider spent more than four years as deputy communications director for Minority Leader/Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 2003-07.  Crider opened Sen. Maria Cantwell's press office and served as her press secretary, 2001-03.  Legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott (WA), 2000-01, and also worked for the late U.S. Rep. Robert Matsui (CA). Throughout her career, she has worked on a number of congressional campaigns.  Crider started her career at a Fortune 500 company.

COO

Chief Operating Officer  Kristie Mark

(managing day to day operations since Jan. 2007; started at the DCCC in 2003)  Director of operations for the DCCC IE program, 2006.  Deputy COO, 2005-06.  Operations manager-special projects, 2003-04.  B.A. in political science from University of New Hampshire.

Assistant to the COO  Paulina Montenez-Montes
(Dec. 2011)  B.A. in political science, urban studies, chicano studies from UC San Diego, 2011.

Deputy Chief Operating Officer  Beth Barefoot

(Jan. 2009; started at the DCCC as director of finance operations, Feb. 2007-Dec. 2008)  Assistant to the executive director of Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services, 2006-07.  Director of operations of Regan for Lt. Governor (OK), Jan.-May 2006.  Executive assistant and schedule in the Office of U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, Jan.-Dec. 2005.  Office manager on Boren for Congress, Jan.-Dec. 2004.  Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences in women's studies from University of Oklahoma, 2003.

POLITICAL

Political Director  Kelly Ward

(leading the effort on redistricting and incumbent protection; directed the DCCC's incumbent retention efforts in the 2010 cycle)  Campaign manager on Alan Khazei's campaign for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in the Massachusetts special election (Dec. 8, 2009 primary).  Director of America Forward, a coalition of non-profits, starting in Aug. 2007.  Executive director of The Project for Arizona's Future, first part of 2007.  Campaign manager on Harry Mitchell for Congress, 2006.  Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.  Special projects in the Arizona Governor's Office.  Bachelor's in political science and Spanish from the University of Arizona, 2002.

Regional Political Directors

Northeast - Abigail Curran

(started at the DCCC in May 2010)  Campaign manager of Gov. Chet Culver's 2010 re-election campaign from Jan.-April 2010.  Managed Linda Stender's 2008 campaign for Congress in NJ-7.  Deputy Iowa field director for John Edwards' 2008 caucus campaign.  Managed Baron Hill's sucessful 2006 campaign for Congress in IN-9.  A field organizer in Dubuque for Dick Gephardt's Iowa caucus campaign, 2003-04. Her experience also includes managing congressional campaigns in New Jersey and Indiana. She is also graduate of the University of Virginia.

Plains - Brian Zuzenak

(Dec. 2011)  Campaign manager on Kate Marshall for Congress in Reno, NV, 2011.  Exeuctive director Missouri Democratic Party, 2009-11.  Campaign manager on Judy Baker for Congress in MO-9, 2008.  ERP consultant for the State of Tennessee, 2007-08.  B.S. in political science from Missouri State University, 2000.

West - Lucinda Guinn

(Jan. 2011)  Campaign manager at Ami Bera for Congress, 2010.  Campaign manager Peter Brown for Mayor, 2009.  Worked a political desk at the DCCC in the 2008 cycle.  Field director at Americans United for Change, 2006-April 2008.  Regional field director on Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, 2007.  Guinn has also managed a couple of state legislative campaigns.  Account rep. for MSHC Partners, 2004-06.  An organizer on the Gephardt for President campaign, 2003-04.  B.S. in communications from the University of Texas at Austin, 2001.

Midwest - Ian Russell

(Jan. 2011)  Consultant at Vanguard Strategies, LLC from June 2008, and managed Tom White for Congress, 2010.  Legislative aide to state Sen. Tom White, 2007-08.  Field and campaign director for the Nebraska Democratic Party, 2004-06.

South  ?Charles Kelly

x.

Political Assistant  Jerah Smith

Smith started at the DCCC in June 2010 as a research intern and served as operations assistant from July-Dec. 2010.  B.A. in political science from Wheaton College, 2010.  (Smith's experience also includes interning in Sen. Barack Obama's office in 2008).

Director of Targeting and Data  Aaron Strauss

(Jan. 2012)  Senior analyst at The Mellman Group, July 2009-Dec. 2011.  "Brainfather" of the Voting Information Project, 2007-11.  Targeting consultant to Hillary Clinton for President, 2007-08.  Analyst/statistician at The Mellman Group, 2004-05.  Database manager on Dean for America, 2003-04.  Database developer/administrator on Warren Tolman for Governor, 2002.  Ph.D. in politics from Princeton, 2009.  B.A. in M. Eng. from MIT, 2003.

Regional Targeting Directors 
West  Christina Coloroso

(March 2012)  Analyst at Lincoln Park Strategies, 2011-12.  Data analyst/traffic manager at MSHC Partners, Fall 2010.  Worked in Utah for Utah Common Values and for the Utah Democratic Party, 2007-08.  M.P.P. from Georgetown University, 2010; B.A. degrees in political science and mass communications from University of Utah, 2007.

FIELD

National Field Director  Brynne Craig

(Northeast regional field director in the 2010 cycle; started at the DCCC in Feb. 2010) Previously an Organizing for America national regional desk at the DNC, started March 2009.  Ohio deputy field director on the Campaign for Change.  A field organizer on Hillary Clinton for President starting in June 2007, then Nevada delegate selection director and Texas deputy delegate selection director.  B.A. Program for the Study of Women and Gender at Smith College 2007, after attending University of San Francisco for a couple of years.

Regional Field Directors
Northeast - Lori D'Orazio

(Aug. 2012)  Legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, 2010-12.  In Fall 2008 served as a regional field director on Obama for America in Bucks County, PA; previously a regional field director on Hillary Clinton for President in eight states, from Dec. 2007-June 2008.  Associate at SMI, 2005-07.  M.P.P. from The George Washington University, 2005; B.A. in political science from Muhlenberg College, 2003.
succeeded Erin Burger

Plains - Jake Martin 

(April 2012)  Field director in the OR-1 special election for the Democratic Party of Oregon, Nov. 2011-Jan. 2012.  Field director on Michael Hancock for Mayor (Denver), Jan.-June 2011.  Field director on Perlmutter for Congress, June-Nov. 2010.  Canvass director on the May 2010 special election in PA-12.  Regional field director for the Colorado Democratic Party, Sept. 2007-Nov. 2008.

West - Kelly Byrne

Midwest - Joe O'Hern

South - Dave Oberembt

Worked on Obama's 2008 campaign including as a regional field director in Pennsylvania (Bedford, Fayette, Greene, Somerset & Washington County) in Fall 2008; started as a field organizer in Upper Valley/Lebanon on Obama's New Hampshire primary campaign.  Worked on Capitol Hill in the first part of 2007.  Worked for the Montana Democratic Party in 2006.  Aide in the office of the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education.  Master's degree in adult and higher education from Montana State University.  Native of Miles City, MT.

Field Operations Manager  Kasmin Holt

(Nov. 2011)  Program officer for Serve DC-The Mayor's Office on Volunteerism, 2010-11.  Staff/executive assistant at the DC Office of Boards and Commissions, 2008-10.  B.A. in political science and government from Smith College, 2008.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Jennifer Crider

see above

Press Secretary  Jesse Ferguson

(started at the DCCC in Oct. 2009 as southern regional press secretary)  Communications director on Brian Moran’s Democratic primary campaign for governor in Virginia, 2009.  Chief of staff to Moran, the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Virginia House of Representatives, starting in 2006.  Executive director of Virginia 21, a higher education advocacy organization based in Richmond.  Served in the administration of Gov. Mark Warner.

Deputy Press Secretary  Sabrina Singh

(started at the DCCC in early 2011 as a press assistant)  Previously worked in the office of Rep. Brad Sherman (CA).

Regional Press Secretaries

Northeast - Josh Schwerin

(Jan. 2011)  Previously communications director to Congressman Scott Murphy (NY) to Jan. 2011.  Communications director and earlier deputy press secretary on Scott Murphy for Congress, 2009-10 .  Field organizer on Gillibrand for Congress, June-Nov. 2008.  B.A. in economics from Trinity College-Hartford, 2008.

Plains/Northwest - Stephen Carter

Previously communications strategist at Blue Engine Message & Media.  Deputy press secretary in the 2010 cycle.  B.A. in politics from Whitman College, 2007.

West - Amber Moon

(Aug. 2011)  Communications specialist (2008-10) and communications director (2006-08) at the Texas Democratic Party.  Press secretary to Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, 2005.  Assistant press secretary at the DCCC, 2003-05.  Deputy press secretary/legislative assistant to Congressman Ken Bentsen, 2002-03.  Press assistant on Ken Bentsen for U.S. Senate, 2001-02.  B.S. in political science from the University of Houston, 2002.

Midwest - Haley Morris

Press assistant, then deputy press secretary to Sen. Sherrod Brown, 2009-10.

South - Stephanie Formas

(Feb. 2012)  Started at the DCCC as Southern regional research analyst in April 2011.  Legislative assistant to Congressman Chet Edwards, 2009-11; also served as political and research director on Edwards re-election campaign in Fall 2010 and volunteer coordinator on Edwards' re-elect in Fall 2008.  Texas delegate manager on Hillary Clinton for President, April-June 2008.  B.A. in theatre from Baylor University, 2008. 

RESEARCH

Research Director  Kevin McKeon

(Jan. 2011)  Started at the DCCC as a research analyst, Jan.-Sept. 2007, then rapid response coordinator, Oct. 2007-April 2008, then deputy research director, April 2008-May 2010, and most recently research director for the DCCC's IE effort, May-Dec. 2010.  Research analyst on Mark Taylor for Governor, 2005-06.  Research and data technician for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 2004-05.

Strategic Communications Advisor  Adam Broder

(from April 2012; previously deputy research director through March 2012).  B.A. degree from University of Rochester, 2004.

Research Coordinator  Josh Rosenthal

(Jan. 2011; at the DCCC since 2009)  Research analyst on the DCCC 2010 IE program.  Research analyst, Western region, 2009-10.  B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University, 2009.

Research Analysts 
Andrew Federick

(Jan. 2012; previously a research assistant from July 2011)  Account executive at Petel & Co., 2010.  Field organizer on Alan Khazei for U.S. Senate campaign. 2009.  B.A. degree in political science, journalism from SUNY Buffalo, 2009.

Sammantha Watson

(Jan. 2011) Research assistant at Gragert/Jones Research, 2010.  B.A. in political science and journalism from American University, 2009.

Alexander Ivey

(June 2011)  B.A. in political science, philosophy from Columbis University in the City of New York.

Logan Ferree

(May 2011)  Legislative assistant to Rep. Tom Perriello, Jan. 2009-Jan. 2011.  Scheduler and research director on Perriello for Congress, 2008.  Researcher on Eaves for Governor campaign in Mississippi, 2007.  B.A. in government, anthropology from the College of William and Mary, 2007.

Jamie Corey

(Jan. 2012)  Staff assistant in the Office of Sen. Tom Harkin, 2011-12.  Press and research assistant on Boswell for Congress, 2010.  B.A. degree from Simpson College, 2010.

Meera Sriram

(Jan. 2012; previously a research intern from Aug. 2011)  B.A. in international development from The George Washington University, 2011.

Jay Swanson

(March 2012)  President of New Jersey College Democrats, Sept. 2008-May 2011.  Executive director of the Food Justice Foundation in Trenton, NJ, Jan.-Aug. 2010.  A.B. in political science from Princeton University, 2011.

Northeast - Steve Pierce

(June 2011)  B.A. in communications, political science from Brigham Young University, 2011; started work on an M.A. in political management from The George Washington University.

Plains - Jenna Kruse

(Jan. 2010)  B.A. in political science and government from Miami University, 2009.

West - ?Amanda Hurley

Midwest - Shelby Boxenbaum

(Feb. 2012)  Associate at Winston & Strawn LLP, 2010-11.  Law clerk at ACLU of Colorado, 2009-10.  J.D. from University of Michigan Law School, 2009; B.A. in international studies and history from The Johns Hopkins University, 2006.

South - Diana Astiz

(March 2012; previously research analyst from Aug. 2011; started as an intern in summer 2011)  B.A. in international studies from The Johns Hopkins University.

Policy Director  Mike Ryan

(Dec. 2010)  Legislative director to Rep. Steve Israel, 2007-Dec. 2010.  Deputy field organizer on the Obama/Biden Campaign for Change, Oct.Nov. 2008.  Senior legislative assistant for Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL), 2004-07.  Manager of congressional affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2001-04.  B.A. in political science from the University of Vermont, 1999.

MARKETING AND NEW MEDIA

Director of Marketing and New Media  Taryn Rosenkranz

Started at the DCCC as online marketing manager in Aug. 2005. Legislative assistant at the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2003-05. Associate director at Dittus Communications, Dec. 2001-April 2003. Account executive at Powell Tate/Weber Shandwick, 2000-01. Staff assistant at the coalition for America’s Children, 1999-2000. M.A. in political science from American University, 2000; B.A. in political science from American University, 1998.

Deputy Director of Direct Marketing  Angela Guzman

(managing the day-to-day operations for the Committee’s direct marketing efforts, including all direct mail and telemarketing fundraising campaign; at the DCCC since May 2007)  Previously a government relations specialist for the Boeing Company, started in Oct. 2003.  Production manager at Production Solutions, 1999-2003.  M.A. in communication from John Hopkins University, 2007.  Undergraduate degree from American University.

Digital Director  Brandon English

Started at the DCCC in July 2006; during the 2006 cycle, English managed micro-sites and e-mail campaigns for the DCCC's Independent Expenditure Program.  DCCC online communications manager during the 2008 cycle.

Deputy Digital Director  Greg Berlin

(May 2009; started at the DCCC as membership coordinator-online and direct mail fundrising support from July 2008-May 2009)  Staff assistant to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, May-July 2008.  B.A. in political science from The George Washington University, 2008.

Online Editor  Stephanie Grasmick

(June 2009)  Assistant editor of CIOLN for DMG World Media, 2008-10.  Product development at Guthy-Renker, 2008.  Deputy press secretary and earlier press assistant to Sen. Evan Bayh, 2006-07. Communications coordinator at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2005-06.  In the 2004 cycle Grasmick worked for nine months on the John Edwards for president campaign (research, field), then on Tom Daschle for Senate.  Bachelor of journalism degree from University of Missouri, 2004.

FINANCE

National Finance Director  Missy Kurek

(focusing on the national individual donor program; one of two deputy national finance directors in the 2010 cycle) This is Kurek's fourth cycle at the DCCC.  Bachelor's degree in international relations from Syracuse University.

National Finance Director  Lindsey Melander Schulte

(focusing on the Member participation program and DC region; one of two deputy national finance directors in the 2010 cycle)  Started at the DCCC in April 2005 as deputy finance director of the Washington, DC region.  Worked at the League of Conservation voters for 10 months.  2004 graduate of the School of Business Administration at the University of Vermont.  Native of Williston, VT.

Deputy National Finance Director  Stella Ross

Courtney Lee-Ashley

Regional Finance Directors 
Northeast - Megan Nashban

(March 2012; started as deputy northeast finance director, June 2011-April 2012)  Finance director on Kratovil for Congress (MD-1), June-Nov. 2010.  Finance associate at HudsonTG, Dec. 2009-May 2010.  B.A. in government, gender and women's studies from Connecticut College, 2009.

Plains -

West -

(Jan. 2011; previously West finance assistant, Sept. 2009-ea. 2011)  Also deputy finance director to Nancy Pelosi for Congress from Feb. 2011.  Staff assistant to U.S. Sen Jeanne Shaheen, Jan.-Sept. 2009.  Deputy finance director at Jeanne Shaheen for Senate, Aug. 2007-Jan. 2009.  B.A. in political science from Elizabethtown College, 2007.

Midwest - Christopher Carr

(May 2011)  Finance director at the Maryland Democratic Party, March 2010-May 2011.  Finance director Cheryle Jackson for U.S. Senate (IL) Aug. 2009-Feb. 2010.  Finance director on Bill Foster for Congress, April-Aug. 2009.  Finance director on Friends of Sara Feigenholtz, Dec. 2008-March 2009.  Finance director on Bennett 2008, April-Nov. 2008.  Finance director on Beth Hafer for Congress, Oct. 2007-April 2008.  Studied at University of Pittsburgh.

South -

DC -

Deputy DC  Michael Smith

(Sept. 2011)  Development manager at Campus Progress, Feb.-Sept. 2011.  Finance manager and youth outreach director at Sestak for Senate, July-Nov. 2010.  Director of the Legal Task Force (Aug. 2009-July 2010) and legislative policy analyst (June 2007-July 2010 at the Council of State Governments; also legislative policy analyst for the National Emergency Management Association, June 2007-Jan. 2009.  B.A. in political science from Rutgers, 2007.

Member Dues  Brian O'Donnell

(Jan. 2011; started as member dues assistant, March 2009-Dec. 2010)  Teacher of English as a second language in Istanbul, Oct. 2007-Oct. 2008.  B.A. in political science and government from Georgetown University, 2006.

Finance Assistant  Daniel Boysen

(Nov. 2011)  B.A. in political science, public policy, international relations from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 2011.

Candidate Services

Director of Candidate Services  Amy Strathdee

(started at the DCCC as Western regional candidate services in 2009)  Prior to the DCCC, Strathdee led PAC fundraising efforts in the NY-20 special election to elect Scott Murphy.  In the 2008 election cycle, she was a fundraiser for Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and led the out-of-state fundraising efforts for Judy Baker for Congress (MO-09).  During the 2006 election cycle she was the finance director for Ellen Simon for Congress (AZ-01) and the Francine Busby for Congress (CA-50) special election.

Regional Candidate Services Directors
Southern - Sarah Cotton

(June 2011)  Development coordinator at American Association for Justice, March-June 2011.  Finance director at Friends of Dan Maffei, Dec. 2007-Dec. 2010.  B.A. in political science, international affairs, economics from Marquette University, 2007.

Midwest - Nicole Eynard

Fundraising experience includes Jennifer Brunner primary campaign for U.S. Senate (OH), Kay Barnes for Congress (MO) in 2008 and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's campaign.

Candidate Services and Fundraising Associate  Alexandra Shapiro

(April 2012)  Research assistant at ICF International, July 2010-April 2012.  B.A. in political science, environmental studies from Tufts University, 2010.

Candidate Services Fundraising Coordinator  Ashley McNeil

(Feb. 2011)  Call time manager on Rep. Betsy Markey's 2010 campaign.  Project coordinator at Lott Carey, 2006-08.  B.A. in economics from Spelman College, 2005; M.P.P. in social policy from American University, 2009.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Director of IT  David Winston

IT director at the DCCC since Jan. 2004. Previously system administrator for Reilly Mortgage Group, 1998-2003. B.S. in business administration-MIS, 1998.

Database Administrator  Dan Fagella

CFO

Chief Financial Officer  Jackie Forte-Mackay

(overseeing the Committee's finances and compliance reporting)  Has served as the DCCC's CFO for nine cycles.  She is also the DCCC's Chief Diversity Officer.

Compliance Manager  Kate Zawacki

(Dec. 2011)  Revenue assistant at World Wildlife Fund, Dec. 2010-11.  Temporary worker for JustinBradley, June-Dec. 2010.  Accounting assistant for Ron Kubik, Accountant, Dec. 2009-May 2010.  B.A. in finance from Michigan State University, 2009.

Accounting and Compliance Analyst  Thomas Buneo

(March 2012)  B.A. in international relations and national security studies from SUNY College at Geneseo, 2011, working towards M.P.P at George Mason University.

LEGAL

Counsel  Marc Elias

Chair of the Perkins Coie Political Law practice.

InDependent Expenditures