Republican National Committee - 2012  

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 set up Victory organizations in key states.. For the 2012 cycle through December 18, based on FEC data as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics, the RNC raised $399,695,646, spent $394,446,827 and finished with cash on hand of $6,035,082.

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 primary campaign for Congress in MS-04 in 2010.  Executive director at the Mississippi Republican Party.  Graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and Virginia Military Institute.  Native of Mobile, Alabama.

Director of External Affairs and Special Projects  Ben Key

(from Jan. 2012, with a break from June-Sept. 2012 to serve as executive director of the Republican Platform Committee)  President of Key Consulting, 2008-11.  Executive vice president of sales and marketing at Reddy Ice. 1997-2008.  President at Key Consulting, Inc. 1994-97.  Senior vice president at Foster & Associates, 1988-1994.  Partner at Marsh & Key Consulting, 1984-88.  Chief of staff to Republican Caucus Leader Pat Nolan, 1983-84.  Field rep. to Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., 1977-82.  Field rep. on the President Ford Committee, 1976.  Bachelor's degree in economics from UCLA, 1976.

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  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 for Operations  Betsy Ankney

(June 2012)  Associate at Collins Anderson Philp Public Affairs, May 2011-May 2012.  Political fundraising consultant (Epiphany Productions), organized the NRCC March Dinner, Jan.-April 2011.  A regional political coordinator at the RNC, June 2009-Jan. 2011.  Assistant to the president and CEO at the 2008 Republican National Convention, Jan.-Sept. 2008.  B.A. in political science and business from Vanderbilt University, 2009.

Regional Political Directors

(7 directors announced May 10, 2012) 

UT, WY, CO, KS, OK, SD, MN, IA and WI  Mark Jefferson

(Midwestern regional political director since May 2011)  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.

WA, OR, ID, AZ, NM, TX, AK and MO  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 and as deputy political director.  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.

AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL  David Raad

Senior advisor on Romney's South Carolina primary campaign (announced May 19, 2011).  Raad served as national field director at the Republican National Committee in the 2010 cycle.  With his wife Lori he co-founded LDR Services, based in Upstate South Carolina.  He has worked on campaigns since 1996, including serving as executive director of the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign in Missouri, and as the Bush campaign's Upstate field director during the 1999-2000 South Carolina primary.  After the 2000 campaign Raad worked at the U.S. Department of State, where he was a founder of the Sudan Programs Group and served as the Senior Desk Officer for Sudan.  He later founded David Raad & Associates, a business and investment consulting service in South Sudan.  Degree in history and political science from Clemson University, 1997.  Served in the U.S. Army's First Ranger Battalion.  Resident of Powdersville, SC.

IN, KY, TN, OH, PA  Darren Bearson

Comes to the RNC from position as executive director of the Ohio Republican Party (announced March 22, 2011).  Midwest regional political director at the RNC in the 2010 cycle.  President at Compass Point Strategies, LLC.  Executive director of the Minnesota Republican Party in 2008 cycle (announced April 19, 2007).  White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Energy.  An associate political director at the White House.  Worked in the Office of Presidential Personnel from 2001-03.  Field director for then-Gov. Bush's 2000 campaign in Ohio and West Virginia.  Worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Bill Archer and Congressman Jim Ramstad.  Graduate of Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.  Native of Hopkins, MN.

HI, CA, MT, ND, NE, IL  Jayme Odom

Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger's successful 2012 primary election.  Field director to U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, 2011.  Worked for the RNC as Nevada Victory director, March-Nov. 2010.  Director of capacity coordination for the Sam Adams Alliance and Team Sam, 2008-10.  Illinois political director for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee.  Director of field operations for the Illinois Republican Party.  Political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, 2002 after obtaining Associate's degree in political science at Lake Land College, 2000.

MI, WV, VA, NC  Matt Mason

Executive political director for the Michigan Repulbican Party in 2010.  Victory director in Virginia in 2009.  Regional political director for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee covering the Great Lakes region, 2007. Ohio Victory director in the '04, '06, and '08 cycles.  After Sept. 11, 2001 Mason joined the U.S. Marine Corps; he served with Lima Company 3rd Battalion 25th Marines in Iraq in 2005 and is a combat veteran.  A field representative for the Ohio Republican Party in 2001.  Victory coordinator for the Ohio Republican Party in 2000.  Mason got his start in politics in the late 90's in Southeast Ohio managing five successful local races while studying political management at Ohio University; degree in political management, Dec. 2000.  

NV, ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NY, DE, MD  Allison Coccia

Most recently worked for the NRCC directing the Young Guns program and as national finance director for U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia, 2008-09.  Executive director of the New York Republican Party starting Jan. 2007.  Political director of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, 2005-06.   Has run several state house races in Pennsylvania and worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives/PA House Republican Campaign Committee.  Finance director on Reilly for Congress, 1999-2000.  Deputy finance director/acting finance director for the Pennsylvania Republican Party, 1997-98.  Graduate of Dickinson College.

Regional Political Coordinator  Annie Haury

(July 2011) ...liaison to campaigns, state parties, Victory directors.  Interned in the political and strategy divisions at the RNC, Feb.-June 2011.  Regional field director on Oregon Victory 2010 in Salem.  B.A. in politics from Willamette University, 2009. 

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

(most announced in early May 2012)
Colorado: Josh Daniels (+)
Florida: Tom Dickens
Iowa: Ryan Gough (+)
Michigan: Steven Ostrow
Missouri: Lane Koch (+)
Nevada: Kristin Vieira (+)
New Hampshire: Brennan Ward (+)
New Mexico: Iris Wilbur
North Carolina: Mike Rusher (+)  ...succeeded in Aug. 2012 by Patrick Sebastian
Ohio: Mike Bir (+)
Pennsylvania: Peter Towey (+)
Virginia: Dave Rexrode (+)
Wisconsin: Alyssa Moyer

see also Social Victory Center (announced May 1, 2012)

National Turnout Director  Tim Saler

(Feb. 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.

Absentee/Early Vote Director and Counsel  Chirag Shah

(Aug. 2012)  Campaign manager on J.B. Van Hollen for Attorney General (WI), Jan.-Nov. 2010.  Legislative aide and correspondent in the office of Congressman Joe Wilson, 2006-08.  J.D. from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, 2012; bachelor's degree in political science and international studies from University of Wisconsin, 2006.

Deputy GOTV Director  Kyle Brown

(June 2012)  Campaign manager at Shane Goettle for Congress (North Dakota) Jan.-April 2012.  Political director-South for the Mississippi Republican Party, March-Dec. 2011.  English teacher at Teach and Learn with Georgia, July-Dec. 2010.  Grant specialist at Waggoner Engineering, 2009-10.  M.S. in economic development (2009) and B.A. in international studies (2007) from University of Southern Mississippi.

National Victory Coordinator  Emily Evans

(June 2012)  B.A. in economics from Hope College, 2012 (interned at the RNC, Feb.-April 2011).

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.

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   ...replaced by Humberto Collado
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.  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 Jan. 2011...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

Ryan Mahoney

(announced June 6, 2011 as Eastern regional)  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.

Matt Connelly

(Jan. 2012)  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.

Ted Kwong

(May 2012)  Deputy press secretary at the NRCC, Jan. 2011-May 2012.  Rapid response director on Susana Martinez for Governor, Aug.-Nov. 2010.  War room manager on Steve Poizner for Governor (CA), June 2009-June 2010.  War room intern on the McCain presidential campaign, June-Nov. 2008.  B.A. in political science from UC Berkeley, 2009, after starting out at UC Davis.

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. in political science, international relations from Houghton College, 2009.

Deputy War Room Director  Dean Cleary

(Jan. 2012)  War room intern at Romney for President, Sept.-Dec. 2011; also interned in the Chairman's office at the RNC, Oct. 2010-May 2011.  M.P.S. in political management from The George Washington University, 2011; B.A. in political science from Merrimack 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

(Aug. 2011)  B.A. in psychology from University of Dallas, 2011.

Speechwriter  Mark Isaacson

(Aug. 2011)  B.A. in government from Harvard University, 2011.

Creative Director  Joshua Sharp

(Oct. 2011)  Producer/editor/graphics designer at NJI Media, Jan.-Sept. 2011.  Producer/editor at the Stevens & Schriefer Group, July-Dec. 2010.  Director of online media at Steve Poizner for Governor (CA), May 2009-June 2010.  B.A. in communication from the University of Southern California.

Producer/Editor  Matthew Mazzone

(May 2012; initially in the strategy department, Jan.-May 2012)  Geologist I at ARCADIS in the Atlanta area, Jan. 2011-Jan. 2012.  B.S. in geology from University of Mississippi, 2010.

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.

Director of Targeting  Deepak Ramnath

(from March 2010; previously election data coordinator from Aug. 2006) B.A. in international studies from University of Iowa, 2006.

Voter File Development  Liam O'Rourke

(Sept. 2011) Previously election data coordinator at the RNC from March 2010; joined the RNC in June 2009 as a data analyst.  B.A. in government from Georgetown University, 2009.

Election Data Coordinator  Kyle Iturralde

(Sept. 2011)  Previously worked as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives after starting as an intern.  In 2010 Iturralde worked at the RNC as a regional data coordinator and research assistant.  M.P.S. in political management from The George Washington University, 2011; B.A. degrees in history and Spanish from St. Francis University, 2009.

more Strategy Division
Conor Maguire

(Dec. 2011)  Campaign manager on John Barsa for Delegate, Fall 2011.  Deputy campaign manager on Mara 2011 in mid-2011.  Connecticut Victory Director, 2010-11.  W. Mass. field director on Scott Brown for U.S. Senate.  Victory field director for Northern Colorado in Fall 2008.  Undergraduate degree from Villanova University, 2009.

Drew Dougherty

(July 2012)  Political data/database specialist at TargetPoint Consulting, June 2011-July 2012.  Quality control and development at Aristotle in the first half of 20011.  Political technology at the RNC in the last half of 2010.  Campaign manager on Ali Hasan for Colorado Treasurer, 2009-10.  Campaign manager on Hornung for City Council, 2009.  Regional field director for Colorado Victory 2008.  eCampaign/field director at the Nebraska Republican Party, 2006-08.  B.A. in political science and economics from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008.

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.

LEGAL

Chief Counsel  John Phillippe

(July 2009)  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.

Associate Counsel  Ashley Stow

(March 2012)  Counsel to FEC Commissioner Donald McGahn, Dec. 2008-March 2012.  Elections counsel at the U.S. House Committee on House Administration, 2008.  Legislaive aide in the U.S. House, 2005-07.  Manager of grassroots programs and regulatory affairs at the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, 2000-05.  J.D. from American University Washington College of Law; B.A. from Georgetown University.

Administrative Director  Jennifer Voldness

Previously VP of product management at Peppermint Park, 2010-11.  Retail sales coordinator at Cole Haan from Jan. 2008-10.  Worked at CareerBuilder.com as a sales support administrator, interactive marketing specialist and marketing events specialist.  Undergraduate degre in journalism from University of Kansas, 2005.

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.

Redistricting, Deputy Director of Strategic Analysis  Mike Wild

(Sept. 2009) CEO of WildSolutions from March 1999.  Special assistant at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005-Jan. 2009.  Resource integration manager at the RNC, 2001-05.  IT director for the Georgia Republican Party, 1996-1999.  Information services director for the Republican Party of Iowa, 1994-95.  Field director for the Grassley Committee, 1992.  M.A. in political science from SUNY Stony Brook; B.S. in political science from the University of Iowa, 1990.

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.

former '12 cycle staff include

Deputy Finance Director-Major Donors  Josh Venable

(to July 2012; started Feb. 2011)  Chief of staff at the Michigan Republican Party in the 2010 cycle; previously held other positions at the Michigan party including finance director (Nov. 2007 through the 2008 campaign), strategic planning director (2007) and deputy political director (2005-06).  72-Hour director on Michigan Victory 2004.  Degree in political science/psychology from Hillsdale College, 2002; served as chair of the College Republicans, 2001-02.

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 Tronovitch

(to March 2012; started 2010)  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.