Republican Governors Association - 2012

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 as a political assistant)  M.S. in applied American politics and policy (2009) and B.S. in political science, criminology (2008) from Florida State University.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Mike Schrimpf

(started at the RGA in Sept. 2008; 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

Director of Digital Strategy  Matthew Gagnon

(Jan. 2012)  Previously senior project manager at New Media Strategies, from June 2011.  Director of new media communications for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, 2010-11.  Deputy director of digital strategy at the NRSC, 2010.  Public affairs analyst at New Media Strategies, Oct. 2008-March 2010. Intelligence analyst at iJET Intelligent Risk Systems, 2006-08. B.S. in political science from University of Maine, 2004.

Political

Political Director  Josh Robinson

(Feb. 2011) 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, 2004.

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

Policy Director  Marie Sanderson

(2011)  Director of federal policy (June 2009-Jan. 2012) and policy advisor (Dec. 2006-June 2009 for Gov. Haley Barbour.  Legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (MS), 2003-06.  M.B.A. from University of Queensland, in Brisbane Australia, 2003; undergraduate degree in marketing from Mississippi State University, 2001.

Finance

Finance Director  Paige Lance Hahn

(May 2011)  President of Hahn Group, Inc., funderaising firm since Nov. 2007.  Oversaw the fundraising operations for Bob McDonnell’s 2009 gubernatorial campaign in Virginia and in 2010 helped launch the McDonnell’s Opportunity Virginia PAC.  Finance director at American Solutions for Winning the Future, Feb.-Nov. 2007.  Vice president of sales and business development at the DMA, 2005-07.  Director of corporate development at the US Chamber of Commerce, 2000-05.  Finance director for various political organizations, 1997-2000.  Bachelor's degree in finance from University of Arkansas, Fayatteville, 1996.

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  Cara Edmundowicz

(April 2012; previously deputy director from Jan. 2011) 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 Director of Events  Jane Batson

(Aug. 2011) Prior to joining RGA, Jane was Executive Meetings Manager, at the Direct Marketing Association  (DMA).  At the DMA Jane managed all C-level and Board of Directors Events throughout the United States.    Prior to the DMA, she was Conference Services Manager at the Four Seasons where she oversaw State visits and delegations, including visits by the King of Jordan and Dali Lama.  Jane began her career at the US Chamber of Commerce working for the National Chamber Foundation, followed by becoming the Manager of Corporate Programs.  Jane is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA.

Director of Corporate Memberships  Joanna Evans

(Sept. 2011)  Prior to joining the RGA, Joanna  spent 7 1/2 years at the national headquarters of the American Red Cross where she managed corporate strategic partnerships, 2004-11.  Data product manager at eMeritus Communications, 2001-04.  Marketing manager at aTelo.com, 2000-01.  Account manager at Eclipse Communications, 1997-98.  Graduate of Arizona State University, 1996.

Director of Events, Corporate  Jodi Vaccarelli

(Jan. 2012)  Manager of programs and events at the State Government Affairs Council, 2009-11.  Worked at the Direct Marketing Association, as senior conference manager (2008-09), conference manager (2007-08) and manager of sales and business development (2006-07).  Manager of corporate relations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2004-08.  B.S. in marketing from Clemson University, College of Business and Behavioral Science, 2004.

CFO/COMPLIANCE

Chief Financial Officer  Tim Whiting

(started at the RGA in 2009...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.  Masters of Accountancy from Brigham Young University.

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.