Republican National Committee - 2011-12  

The RNC is a confederation of state parties. Power flows from the local level up to the national level. The RNC is governed by the rules adopted at the last convention. In contrast, the DNC often changes its rules between conventions. In a sense, the RNC's lack of flexibility in changing its rules forces it to look to the future rather than adjusting to the tides of the moment.

Note: The Romney campaign began to put its stamp on the party following the April 24 primaries.  See: Michael D. Shear and Trip Gabriel. "Romney Set to Merge Staff With National Committee."  The New York Times, April 20, 2012.  The Romneys visited RNC headquarters on May 2.  The RNC has also begun announcing state Victory directors.

National Convention

Every four years.

168 Members of the RNC

Meet twice yearly. 1 Committeeman, 1 Committeewoman and 1 Chairperson from each state. Committee members terms run from Convention to Convention. (Formerly 165 Members -- increased with the addition of three Members from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Executive Committee (28 members)(Rule 6)

Sounding board for the Chair. Decisions between meetings of the full RNC.

• 8 by Region (MW, NE, S, W) - MW: Mary Buestrin (WI), Jim Bopp (IN).  NE: Louis Pope (MD), Jan Staples (MD).  S: Alec Poitevint (GA), Ruth Ulrich (LA).  W: Jeff Kent (WA), Miriam Hellreich (HI).
  
• 3 Chair Appointments - Steve King (WI), Henry Barbour (MS), Betti Hill (MT).
  
• 17 Elected and Appointed Officers - Chairman, Co-Chair, Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary; General Counsel, Finance Chairman, Chairman of State Chairmen's Advisory Comm., Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Rules Committee.

Chairman  Reince Priebus (WI)

(Elected chairman on Jan. 14, 2011 on the seventh round of voting)  Served as RNC General Counsel; announced July 31, 2009, resigned Dec. 5, 2010.  Chairman of the Wisconsin state party, first elected in May 2007.  Candidate for State Senate in 2004, losing to incumbent Bob Wirch (D) by 52% to 48%.  Partner at Best & Friedrich LLP; joined the firm in 1998.  J.D. from University of Miami School of Law, 1998.  Worked in the Wisconsin legislature before law school.  B.S. from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1994.  Born and raised in Kenosha, WI.  See also: Race for RNC Chair

Advisor and Counsel Jonathan Waclawski

Served as deputy transition director.  Finance director/chief counsel at the Republican Party of Wisconsin, March-Dec. 2010.  Previously worked as an independent consultant, and as an attorney for Centro Legal.  In 2008 served as election day operations director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.  Law degree from St. Louis University, 2008.  B.A. in government from Hamilton College, 2005.

Special Assistant to the Chairman  Wells Griffith

(started at the RNC in early March 2011)  Principal at Capitol Specialties, LLC.  Managed Steven Palazzo's successful campaign for Congress in MS-04 in 2008.  Executive director at the Mississippi Republican Party.  Graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and Virginia Military Institute.

Co-Chair  Sharon Day (FL)

(elected Jan. 14, 2011 defeating Jan Larimer by two votes)  Day served the past two years as RNC Secretary, elected Jan. 2009.  She was an unsuccessful candidate for RPOF chairman in Feb. 2010 following the resignation of Jim Greer.  "Sharon is a retired executive with marketing, group health insurance and re-insurance experience.  She is an entrepreneur that has built and sold numerous businesses."  From Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Treasurer  Tony Parker (DC)

(elected Jan. 14, 2011)  President of Parker Tide, a federal government contracting company.  Vietnam veteran, U.S. Navy; received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and his J.D. and Masters in tax law from Georgetown Law Center.

Secretary  Demetra DeMonte (IL)

(elected Jan. 14, 2011)  Explored a campaign for lieutenant governor in the first part of 2009.  Elected RNC Committeewoman in June 2008.  Tazewell County Republican chair since 2004.  Chief business-operations manager of the orthodontic practice she and her husband built, since 1978.  Resident of Pekin, Tazwell County; originally from Chicago.

General Counsel  Bill Crocker (TX)

(announced March 3, 2011, subject to RNC confirmation)  RNC National Committeeman for Texas since 2004 and serves as a member of the RNC Resolutions Committee and RNC Rules Committee.   Activity in party politics goes back to service as chairman of the Eastland County Republican Party in rural Texas, 1960-61.  As a student at Baylor; he was involved in the Eisenhower campaign in 1956 and the Nixon campaign in 1960.  LL.B. from Baylor University School of Law, 1960; B.B.A. from Baylor University School of Business, 1958.

Finance Chairman  Ron Weiser (MI)

(announced April 5, 2011 after serving as a co-chair of the transition finance team) Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, 2009-10.  Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, appointed by President Bush in 2001.  Founded McKinley Associates Inc., a national real estate investment company, in 1968, and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 2001.  Has chaired numerous political and judicial campaigns including four Michigan Supreme Court races; chairman of Team Michigan from 1997-2000; Michigan finance chair of Bush for President in 1999 and 2000; and a member of the National Executive Committee of Victory 2000.  Graduate of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and did post-graduate work at the Business and Law Schools.

Chairman of the State Chairmen  Matt Pinnell (OK) >

(announced Feb. 4, 2011)

Chairman of the Budget Committee  Gov. Bob List (NV)

(announced Feb. 2, 2011) 
Members of the Budget Committee: MW: Helen Van Etten (KS).  S: Linda Herren (GA).  NE: Priscilla B. Rakestraw (DE).  W: Enid Mickelsen (UT).  Plus Rob Gleason (PA) and Susie Hudson (VT). 
Ex-Officio Members: Chairman Priebus, Co-Chairman Day, Treasurer Parker. 

Chairman of the RNC Standing Committee on Resolutions (Rules Committee)  Mike Stuart (WV)

(announced March 4, 2011) 

Executive

Chief of Staff  Jeff Larson

(announced Feb. 3, 2011)  In 1999 Larson and three others formed Feather Hodges Larson & Synhorst, which became FLS-DCI and then FLS Connect, a top campaign consulting firm; he sold his stake in the firm following the 2010 elections.  In the 2010 cycle Larson chaired Minnesota Future, a 527 group that was active in the governor's race.  CEO of the Minneapolis-St. Paul 2008 Host Committee.  Founded a firm call Strategic Communications.  Worked at the RNC under Lee Atwater.  Executive director of the Delaware Republican Party in 1988 cycle.  Worked on North Dakota Gov. Alan Olson's unsuccessful 1984 re-election campaign.  Deputy campaign manager on Bud Westman's campaign for U.S. Senate in North Dakota.  Degree in business administration and economics from University of North Dakota, 1982.  Grew up in Grand Forks, ND.

Deputy Chief of Staff  Sara Armstrong

Director of membership services at the RNC in the 2010 cycle; started in March 2009. Worked at the White House from June 2002 to Jan. 2009. Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, July 2007-Jan. 2009; Director of the Visitors Office, March 2004-July 2007; Deputy Director of Correspondence for the First Lady, Dec. 2002-March 2004; Correspondence Analyst, June 2002-Dec. 2002. Sales/marketing manager at GMAC, 1999-2001. Retail services officer at BBT, 1994-97. M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina, 1999; B.S. in marketing from the University of South Carolina, 1994.

POLITICAL

Political Director  Rick Wiley

(announced Feb. 24, 2011)  Western regional political director at the RNC in the 2010 cycle.  Managed Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)'s gubernatorial campaign, Jan.-June 2009.  Deputy political director on Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, 2005-Jan. 2007; previously served as political director of the party from 2001-04.  Midwest political manager for Associated Builders and Contractors during the 2000 cycle.  Has also worked as a legislative liasion to Illinois Comptroller Loleta Didrickson and a legislative assistant to Wisconsin State Representative Gene Hahn (R-De Forest).

Deputy Political Director  Emily Cornell

Started at the RNC in March 2010 as Hawaii Victory director for three months for the special election, then served as a regional Victory director overseeing operations in targeted CDs in OR, CA and ID.  Deployment director for Virginia Victory 2009.  Regional political director on Texans for Kay Bailey Hutchison, 2009.  Regional field director on Texas Victory 2008, then went to Minnesota for the Senate recount.  Regional political coordinator on the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign, 2007-Feb. 2008.  Presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Labor, 2006-7.  B.A. in political science, communications from Hope College, 2006.

Regional Political Directors

(announced June 1, 2011)
Western  Chris Carr

West and Southeast political director at the NRCC in the 2010 cycle.  Northwest political director at the RNC, 2007-08. Campaign manager for Sen. John Ensign’s (R-NV) successful reelection bid in 2006.  Executive director of the Nevada Victory Campaign and Nevada State Republican Party in the 2004 cycle.  Executive director of the Clark County Republicans.  Carr came to Nevada from Louisiana; extensive experience in Louisiana campaigns including manager of Dan Kyle's primary campaign for Louisiana Insurance Commissioner in 2003; manager of Donna Mayeux's 2000 campaign for mayor of Baton Rouge; and manager of State Rep. Quentin Dastugue's 1995 gubernatorial campaign.  Deputy campaign manager on Jim Gibbons' 1994 campaign for governor.  Campaign manager for Bush-Quayle in Nevada in 1992.  Interned at the White House during the administration of President George H.W. Bush.  Graduate of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA.  Originally from Sulphur.

Southeastern  Jessica Ennis

Southeast regional political at the RNC in the 2010 cycle, from July 2009, previously deputy political director at the RNC from Jan. 2007-June 2009, and regional finance director at the RNC, May 2005-Jan. 2007.  Executive director of North Carolina Victory (Bush-Cheney '04), Aug.-Nov. 2004.  Campaign manager, Cobey for Governor, Aug. 2003-Aug. 2004.  Finance director for the North Carolina Republican Party, Jan. 1999-July 2003.  B.A. in political science from East Carolina University, 1997.

Northeastern  John Gibson

Most recently worked for the digital media firm Targeted Victory.  In 2008, he was the Mid-Atlantic regional political director for the RNC where he was responsible for the RNC’s 2008 turnout program in Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Before his time at the RNC, Gibson was executive director of the Maryland Republican Party.  He also served as campaign manager for Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), campaign manager for David Albo for Delegate and legislative assistant for Rep. Bob Franks (NJ-7).

Midwestern  Mark Jefferson

Served for over four years as executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, in the 2008 and 2010 cycles, including working for then Chairman Reince Priebus.  Has run several house races and was the statewide director for the state Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.  Served as a legislative aide in the Wisconsin State Capitol for more than a decade.  B.A. from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Born in Friendship, WI.

National Field Director  Juston Johnson

(Sept. 2011)  Campaign manager on Ron Johnson for U.S. Senate to Nov. 2010.  RNC deputy director of political education, Aug. 2009-mid-2010.  Political director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009, and Wisconsin Victory director, Fall 2008.  Campaign manager on Van Hollenn for Attorney General, 2005-06.  B.A. in political science from University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2002.

State Victory Directors

Colorado: Josh Daniels (announced April 30, 2012)
Iowa: Ryan Gough (announced May 9, 2012)
Missouri: Lane Koch (announced May 4, 2012)
Nevada: Kristin Vieira (announced April 30, 2012)
New Hampshire: Brennan Ward (announced May 8, 2012)
North Carolina: Mike Rusher (announced May 3, 2012)
Ohio: Mike Bir (announced May 2, 2012)
Pennsylvania: Peter Towey (announced May 3, 2012)
Virginia: Dave Rexrode (announced May 1, 2012)
see also Social Victory Center (announced May 1, 2012)

National Turnout Director  Tim Saler

(Jan. 2012)  Executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party, Feb.-Dec. 2011.  North Carolina Victory director for the RNC, Feb.-Nov. 2010.  Regional field director for New Jersey Victory for the RNC in the latter part of 2009.  Executive director of the Camden County Republican Committee, Jan.-June 2009.  Campaign manager on Dale Glading for Congress., 2008.  Director of communications on Judge Paul Panepinto for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, first part of 2007.  Consultant on election day operations for the Pennsylvania GOP, Fall 2006.  B.A. in political science from Temple University.

Director of Political Education  Kiley Smith

(Sept. 2011)  Manager of corporate relations, fundraising and development at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce first part of 2011. Political field director (western) at the RGA, 2010.  Field director on Bob McDonnell for Governor, 2009.  Executive director for the King County (WA) Republican Party.  Field coordinator for Dino Rossi for Governor, 2007-08.  Degree in political science and business from Washington State University, 2007; served as president of the WSU College Republicans.

Director of Hispanic Outreach  Bettina Inclán

(announced Jan. 11, 2012)  President of Inclán Inc., a strategic communications and Latino inclusion firm, from Jan. 2011.  Deputy director of communications on the Rick Scott for Governor campaign in Florida, Fall 2010.  Press secretary on Steve Poizner's gubernatorial primary campaign in California, 2009-10.  Director of communication and outreach at Citizens in Charge Foundation, 2009.  A regional Victory director for the Republican Party of Florida in Fall 2008.  Communications director for the House Republican Policy Committee (chaired by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter).  Executive director of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, 2005-07.  Legislative assistant/deputy press secretary/scheduler for Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL), 2003-05.  B.S. in political science, Latin American studies from Florida International University, 2003.  twitter

Hispanic Outreach State Directors

(announced April 16, 2012)
Colorado: Lizbeth Norris-Cohen
Florida: Pablo Pantoja
Nevada: Elsa Barnhill
New Mexico: Paulo Sibaja
North Carolina: Neri Martinez
Virginia: Jeyben Castro

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Sean Spicer

(announced Feb. 24, 2011)  Co-founder and partner at Endeavor Global Strategies since Feb. 2009.  Deputy Assistant, then Assistant United States Trade Representative (USTR) for Media and Public Affairs, 2006-09.  Communications director for the House Republican Conference, 2005-06.  Communications director on the House Budget Committee, 2003-05.  Director of incumbent retention at the NRCC, 2001-02.  Communications director on the House Government Reform Committee, 2000-01.  Has worked for members of Congress from New Jersey and Florida and on several local and congressional political campaigns.  B.A. in government from Connecticut College, 1993.  Commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy (Reserves).

Deputy Communications Director  Tim Miller

(March 2012)  Previously press secretary on Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign.  Lead digital communications strategist in the Public Affairs division at the Glover Park Group, from July 2009.  Communications strategist at Berman and Company, 2007-09.  Iowa communications director for John McCain, 2006-mid-2007.  Communications director on Jeff Lamberti for Congress, 2006.  Political director on Bill Dix for Congress, 2005-06.  Field on Jerry Kilgore for Governor, 2005.  Graduate of The George Washington University, 2004.

Press Secretary  Kirsten Kukowski

(from transition...title announced June 6, 2011)  Spokeswoman on Rep. Mark Kirk's successful 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate.  A regional press secretary at the RNC in 2009-10.  Communications director at the Republican Party of Wisconsin in the 2008 cycle.

Regional Press Secretaries
Southwest  Darren Littell

Previously press secretary to U.S. Rep. Joe Heck from Jan. 2011.

Midwest  Ryan Mahoney

(previously served as Eastern regional press secretary, announced June 6, 2011)  Joined the RNC from the Maryland Republican Party (MDGOP), where he served in a dual role as communications director and political director.  Field director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin in 2009 and deputy communications director in 2008.

Southeast  Matt Connelly

Rapid response director on the Jon Huntsman for President campaign (started out as an advisor for H-PAC).  Deputy press secretary to Gov. Schwarzenegger, June-Dec. 2010.  Deputy press secretary on Steve Poizner for Governor, June 2009-June 2010.  Communications manager in the Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2008-09.  Six months as deputy newsroom manager at Freedom's Watch.  Worked on John McCain's campaign in 2007 starting as war room intern, then as deputy war room manager.  Bachelor's degree in politics from the Catholic University of America.

Northeast  Allie Brandenburger

(March 23, 2012)  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (CA) from Jan. 2011.  Deputy press secretary on Meg Whitman for Governor, July 2009-Nov. 2010.  B.A. from the University of Southern California, 2009.

Specialty Media Press Secretary  Alexandra Franceschi

(Oct. 2011)  Previously legislative correspondent for U.S. Rep. Francisco Canseco (TX) from Jan. 2011.  Scheduler, then legislative assistant and correspondent to U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, 2009-10.  B.A. from Bowdoin College.

Social Media Coordinator  Brittany Cohan

(March 2011)  Came to the RNC after working for several months at the Republican Policy Committee (U.S. Senate).  Social media director on  Mark Neumann for Governor in the 2010 primary campaign.  Worked on the ROCKS program for the City of Costa Mesa.  B.A. from Biola University, 2007; A.A. from Orange Coast College, 2002.

War Room Director  Michael Danylak

(April 2011)  Worked as a legislative correspondent for Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart for several months in the first part of 2011.  Served on the RNC's war room staff in 2010.  B.A. from Houghton College, 2009.

Director of Surrogates  Amanda Isaacson

(March 2012)  Campaign manager on Barbara Comstock for Delegate re-election campaign in Virginia, 2011.  Director of scheduling on Rick Scott for Florida, May-Nov. 2010, then Inaugural scheduler.  Business development coordinator at Parsons, 2009-10.  Deputy director of surrogate operations at the RNC, May-Nov. 2008.  B.A. in journalism and mass communications from University of Minnesota, 2008.

Surrogate Booking-Radio/TV  Victoria Delgado

Graduate of University of Dallas.

Special Projects Director  John Horneman

(March 2012; joined the RNC in March 2010 as a junior analyst on economic and budget policy, and in March 2011 promoted to senior analyst)  Writer, 2009-10.  Branch manager West Texas Food Bank, 2008-09.  Operations manager at Hunt Valley Tile & Stone, 2006-07.  B.S. degrees in political science and electronic media and film, 2005.

Communications-RESEARCH

Research Director and Deputy Director of Communications  Joe Pounder

(announced May 16, 2011)  Joins the RNC from position as communications director in the office of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.  Deputy campaign manager for Rubio’s successful 2010 bid for the Senate.  Before joining the Rubio campaign, Pounder was director of rapid response on Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and earlier on Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential primary campaign.  Deputy research director for the California Republican Party, 2006.  Deputy Associate Director of the White House Office of Communications in the George W. Bush Administration.

Deputy Research Director  Byron Koay

(July 2010)  Research director on Steve Poizner for Governor, 2009-10.  Senior research analyst at the RNC, 2007-09.  Policy analyst on Californians for Schwarzenegger, 2006, then worked on the inauguration.  B.A. in government and economics from Claremont McKenna College, 2006.

Deputy Research Director for Regional Communications  Raj Shah

(Jan. 2012)  Shah's third stint at the RNC.  Most recently research/communications consultant, 2010-11.  In the 2010 cycle Shah did research on the Carly for California campaign, very briefly was communications director on the Martinez for Governor campaign in New Mexico, and was communications director on Simmons for Senate in Connecticut.  Senior public policy specialist at Akin Gump.  Senior research analyst at the RNC in 2007-09.  Director of vetting on John McCain 2008 in 2007.  A research assistant at the White House, early 2007.  Junior research analyst at the RNC in 2006.  B.A. in government from Cornell University.

NEW MEDIA

Digital Director  Tyler Brown

(announced as deputy communications director on June 6, 2011)  During the 2010 cycle Brown was director of rapid response at the RNC and earlier served as northeast regional press secretary.  In the 2008 general election campaign Brown served as communications director for Victory 2008 in Virginia.  Field representative (Hillsborough County) on Mitt Romney's NH primary campaign.  Staff assistant, then legislative correspondent, then press secretary then communications director to Rep. Thelma Drake (VA), 2005-07.  B.A. in government and economics from the University of Virginia in 2003.  Originally from Charlottesville, VA.

STRATEGY AND DATA SERVICES

Voter File Development - Voter Vault - Polling - Targeting - Mapping - Election Data

Director of Strategy  Bill Steiner

(announced as director July 20, 2007) A veteran of the RNC, having served during four presidential campaign cycles. Deputy director of strategy starting in 2005.  Deputy IT director, 2000-04.  Director of the Political Analysis Department, 1996-2000.   B.A. from Colgate University.  Steiner hails from Pennsylvania.

Targeting Coordinator  Deepak Ramnath

(Aug. 2006) B.A. in international studies from University of Iowa, 2006.

MEMBERSHIP Events and Relations

Director of Member Events and Relations  Tory Maguire

Deputy director of member services in the 2010 cycle; started at the RNC in 2006.  Graduate of Villanova University, 2005.

Constituent Services

Director of Constituent Services (and intern coordinator)  Nancy Dehlinger

Experience includes office manager to then Rep. Phil Crane (IL) through early 2001.

More

Victory Budget Director  Andrew Abdel Malik

(May 2011)  Co-founder of Gotham Management Group, 2009-May 2011.  In 2010 served as deputy campaign manager on David Malpass for Senate, as well as senior advisor for new media on the Rick Lazio for Governor campaign.  Did some development work for American Majority in 2009.  Executive vice president at Concord Capital, 2008-09.  Budget manager for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, 2007-08.  National Victory coordinator, 2006.  B.S. in economics from The George Washington University, 2006; interned at the White House and on Bush-Cheney '04.

LEGAL

Chief Counsel  John Phillippe

Counsel to the McDonnell for Governor campaign in mid-2009. Associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, Dec. 2005-March 2009. J.D./M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, 2005; undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1996.

Associate Counsel  Leslie Rutledge

(Feb. 2010)  Attorney in private practice.  Deputy legal counsel at the NRCC, 2008-Jan. 2009.  Assistant legal counsel on Huckabee for President, Dec. 2007-April 2008.  Attorney for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, 2006-07.  Deputy prosecuting attorney in the Lonoke County Prosecutor's Office, 2005-06.  Deputy legal counsel in the Office of Gov. Mike Huckabee, 2004-05.  J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, 2001.

REDISTRICTING

Redistricting Consultant  Dr. Thomas Hofeller

(May 2009) 'Over 40 years of redistricting expertise,' including serving as the RNC’s director of redistricting from 1989-93 and 1999-2003.  Associate Administrator for Operations and Management for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Staff director to the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Census. Director of administration of the Partes Corporation, a software development firm. B.A. in political science from Claremont McKenna College, 1970. Served in the United States Navy, 1965-69.

Mike Wild

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Convention

RNC Committee on Arrangements
Chairman  Alec Poitevint

(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.

Chairman of the Committee on Contests  Robert M. “Mike” Duncan (KY)

(announced Nov. 10, 2011)

former

Director of New Media  Todd van Etten

(to Feb. 2012; deputy director starting May 2007; became director after Todd Herman left Nov. 2010) Previously special assistant to the Counselor at the U.S. Department of Labor.  Part of the RNC's eCampaign team in the latter half of 2006.  Editorial/correspondence intern at Townhall.com.  Worked on the Tarrant for Senate 2006 campaign in Vermont.  B.A. in political science and philosophy from the University of Vermont, 2006.

Western Regional Press Secretary  Ryan Tronovich

(announced June 6, 2011)  Joins the RNC from the office of Sen. Rob Portman where he served as deputy communications director.  Tronovitch was the Midwest regional press secretary for the RNC during the 2010 cycle.  In 2008, Tronovitch served as North Carolina communications director for McCain/Palin.  Tronovitch worked three years on Capitol Hill, starting in April 2007 as a staff assistant to Rep. Mike Pence (IN), then serving as communications director/press secretary to Rep. David Davis (TN), and then deputy press secretary to Rep. Kevin Brady (TX). Master's degree in sports management from SUNY at Cortland; bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY at Cortland.

Specialty Media Press Secretary  Victoria Martinez

(announced June 6, 2011)  Prior to joining the RNC, Martinez served as district director for Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) from 2008-10, and press secretary for Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart from 2006-08.  Martinez has also worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Transition Team

(announced Jan. 19, 2011 to operate for 30 days) Chaired by Ed Gillespie and directed by Nick Ayers.

Transition Finance Team

(announced Jan. 21, 2011 to run through March 31) National co-chairs are Sam Fox, Ron Weiser and Al Hoffman.

Ed. note: Due to the RNC's financial situation there were significant layoffs immediately following the election of the new chairman.  (In a Jan. 31 article, Roll Call quoted Priebus putting the committee's debt at over $23 million, "comprising $15 million in loans and $8 million owed to vendors."  Priebus stated that "in the first two weeks we have reduced staff from 124 positions to 82.")  By Spring, however the party had begun to fill in positions.