Republican Governors Association - 2011

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Phil Cox

(announced Jan. 3, 2011) Cox served as a member of the RGA's political team in the 2010 cycle working on states including FL and PA; he was also director of Gov. Bob McDonnell's Opportunity Virginia PAC/senior political advisor to McDonnell.  Campaign manager for Bob McDonnell's successful 2009 campaign for governor of Virginia, then served as transition director. Campaign manager or general consultant to more than one hundred campaigns over the past decade. Graduate of the University of Virginia. Native of Hingham, MA.

General Counsel and Deputy Executive Director  Mike Adams

(Counsel since Jan. 2007) In addition to law firm practice, Adams has served in a number of political and governmental positions, including deputy general counsel to a Republican governor, and counsel to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General. A graduate of the University of Louisville and Harvard Law School.

Governors Liaison  Monica Block

Previously, scheduler for Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.  B.A. degrees in communication and in government and international politics from George Mason University.

Executive Assistant  Larissa Ziemann

(started at the RGA in March 2010 ad a political assistant)

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Mike Schrimpf

(also held this position in the 2010 cycle; directs both media and member communications for the RGA and assists in developing and implementing RGA’s political strategy, including paid and earned media efforts in its targeted campaigns) Prior to joining the RGA, Schirmpf was the communications director for an issue advocacy group and chief of staff for the president of the board of county commissioners in his hometown of Cincinnati. Political science degree from Tufts University.

Press Secretary  Jon Thompson

(started early March 2011) Director of radio and television at the NRCC in the 2010 cycle. Press assistant at the RNC, 2007-09.  Degree in political science from UNC Wilmington, 2007.  From North Carolina.

New Media and Tech

Video Producer  Aaron James

Studied audio production and engineering at Appalachian State University; interned in the Leadership Institute's studios.

Political

Political Director  Josh Robinson

recently served as director of political operations for Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and managed his 2010 campaign for Lt. Governor. Chief of staff for Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in 2009.  In 2008 he served as a regional political director at the NRCC focusing on the South and Southwest.  South Carolina statewide field director on John McCain's presidential campaign in 2007.  Managed State Rep. Martha Wong's 2006 re-election campaign in Texas' 134th District.  Degree in finance from Texas A&M University.

National Recruitment Director  Lauren Lofstrom

(Governors Roundtable and Club Membership Director at the RGA in the 2010 cycle) Finance director for the Dino Rossi for Governor 2008 campaign.  Scheduling assistant to U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith from late 2006-Oct. 2007. B.A. in communications from Washington State University.

Political Assistant  Alex Harrison

Policy and Research

Finance

Finance Director  Paige Hahn

Oversaw the fundraising operations for Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s 2009 gubernatorial campaign and in 2010 helped launch the McDonnell’s Opportunity Virginia PAC.  Previously raised money for issue advocacy and voter education projects at the US Chamber of Commerce.  Finance Director for American Solutions, Deputy Director for the RNC’s Team 100, and Southern Regional Director for the RNC Republican Eagles program.

Statesmen, Cabinet and Board Director  Mary Ann Voigt

Prior to joining the RGA, she was the Major Donor Director at the National Republican Congressional Committee. She previously worked with the major donor programs at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee, and the Republican National Committee. She is a native Houstonian and received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Duke University.

Executive Roundtable Director  DiAnne Graham

(held this position in the 2010 cycle) Prior to joining the RGA, she was Director of Outreach in the Office of the Chief of Protocol at the U.S. Department of State. During her tenure at State, she also served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. She has previously worked for Governor Haley Barbour in Washington, DC and in Mississippi, directed the International Program at the 2004 Republican National Convention and served as the Chief of Staff to the U.S. Ambassador to the 2005 World’s Fair in Nagoya, Japan. DiAnne is a graduate of The University of Mississippi where she serves on the national board of the Alumni Association.

Executive Roundtable Deputy Director  Cara Edmundowicz

Prior to joining the RGA, Cara worked at a polling firm in DC.  Bachelor's degree in political communication and journalism & mass communication from The George Washington University; Master's degree from GW's Graduate School of Political Management.  Originally from St. Louis, MO.

Executive Roundtable Assistant  Alden Wood

Governor's Council and Roundtable Director  Joanna Evans

Prior to joining the RGA, Joanna  spent 7 years at the national headquarters of the American Red Cross where she managed corporate strategic partnerships.  Graduate of Arizona State University.

Corporate Membership Coordinator  Zaina Shaath

Previously worked in the executive office at the United Service Organizations (USO).  Worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence during the Bush Administration.  Bachelor's degree in political science and communication from the University of Cincinnati.  Originally from Findlay, OH.

CFO/COMPLIANCE

Chief Financial Officer  Tim Whiting

(RGA Director of Compliance in the 2010 cycle) Tim was born and raised in Arizona and received a Masters Degree from Brigham Young University in Accounting. Before coming to the RGA, Tim worked as an auditor with Deloitte & Touché in the McLean, Virginia office.  Prior to that, he worked as a business development analyst with the Clyde Companies in Orem Utah, and as an intern in the Washington, D.C. offices of Congressman Jeff Flake of Arizona.

MORe

Director of Events and Special Services  Ray Joiner

Ray has 15 years of experience in producing and managing events, ranging from presidential, political, social to large-scale government productions. He opened Ray Joiner Productions in 2005 and has produced events for a repeat client base, including the RGA, the 2008 Inauguration of Governor Haley Barbour, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the White House.  Prior to founding Ray Joiner Productions, Ray served as Deputy Director of Events for Press and Logistics for the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Committee. In 2003, Ray worked as Deputy Director of Communications for the G-8 Summit at Sea Island, Georgia for the U.S. Department of State.  Ray has also provided logistical support for members of the Cabinet and the Executive Branch at a variety of domestic and international events as well as four presidential campaigns ’96, ’00, ’04, and ’08.  Ray currently resides in Austin, TX with his wife Caroline; son, Hudson; and daughter Harper.

Deputy Director of Events  Rachel Dawson

Finance assistant for Gov. Rick Perry’s 2010 re-election campaign.  B.S. in event management from University of Florida.  Originally from Orlando, FL.

Counsel

General Counsel  Mike Adams

(see above)

Deputy Counsel  Erin Berry

Prior to joining RGA, Berry was the associate general counsel of the Republican State Leadership Committee. She worked at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel as a legal advisor and deputy director of Congressional relations and also served as legislative counsel to U.S. Rep. John Hostettler. J.D. and Master’s in Public Policy from Regent University in Virginia. B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Austin.