Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - 2010

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Chairman  Rep. Chris Van Hollen

(also chair in the 2008 cycle; named to the position by Speaker Pelosi on Dec. 19, 2006) Elected to represent Maryland's 8th CD (portions of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties) in 2002. Previously served 12 years in the Maryland General Assembly. Senior legislative advisor for federal affairs to Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer. Professional staff of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee; legislative assistant to Sen. Charles McC. Mathias, Jr.. B.A. in philosophy from Swarthmore College, M.P.P. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Vice Chairs (4)

Incumbent Retention  Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)

(announced Dec. 2008) Chaired the DCCC’s 2008 Frontline Program and the 2008 and 2006 Red to Blue Program. 

Member Participation and Outreach  Rep. Albio Sires (NJ)

(announced Jan. 21, 2009) [Focus on the strategic planning and use of Members as surrogates in targeted districts as well as outreach to allied groups. He will also oversee Member development participation]. 

Candidate Services  Rep. Bruce Braley (IA)

(announced Jan. 6, 2009) [Includes recruiting, money, and training]. Co-chaired the Red to Blue Program in 2008.

Finance  Rep. Joe Crowley (NY)

(announced March 2, 2009) [Organize fundraising efforts by Members and other Democratic party leaders in Washington, D.C. and across the country in support of the DCCC]. Chaired the DCCC’s Business Council for the 2006 and 2008 cycles. Continues oversight of the Business Council and also oversees the DCCC’s Chairman’s Council.

Chairman, DCCC Recruiting Committee  Rep. Steve Israel (NY)

(announced Feb. 27, 2009) Member of the Recruiting Committee for the 2006 and 2008 cycles.

Director of the Chairman's Office  Sarah Fuchs


EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Jon Vogel

(announced March 9, 2009) Briefly partner at Global Strategy Group. Led the DCCC's 2008 independent expenditure program; earlier served as the political director, overseeing candidate recruitment and campaign planning and strategy.  During the 2006 cycle, Vogel served as the Northeastern and Florida regional political director.  Before coming to the DCCC, Vogel was a vice president at Winning Directions, a Democratic direct mail, firm from 2004-05. During the 2004 presidential primary campaign, he was Midwest finance director for the Gephardt for President campaign. Deputy chief of staff to Congressman Steve Israel (NY), 2001-03. Between 1997 and 2000 Vogel managed and raised money for a number of state and congressional races including helping elect Steve Israel to Congress in a Republican open seat in 2000.

Deputy Executive Director/ Communications Director  Jennifer Crider

DCCC communications director since Feb. 2007. Previously, Crider spent more than four years as deputy communications director for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and she continues to serve as a political director to the Speaker.  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.

ADMINISTRATION

Chief Operating Officer  Kristie Mark

Chief Financial Officer  Jackie Forte-Mackay

POLITICAL

Political Director  Jennifer Pihlaja

(announced May 3, 2010) Pihlaja moved up to political director after serving as director of incumbent retention from May 2009 and as Midwest regional political director at the DCCC starting in the 2008 cycle. Campaign experience includes manager of Nancy Nusbaum for Congress in WI-8 Sept. 2006 primary. Deputy director of campaign services at EMILY’s List.

Regional Political Directors

West Adam  Sullivan

Managed Scott Murphy’s March 31, 2009 special election win for Congress in NY-20 after running Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand's 2008 re-election campaign in the same district. (Gov. Paterson appointed Gillibrand to the Senate).

Midwest  Travis Lowe

Campaign manager on former Rep. Jill Long Thompson’s 2008 gubernatorial campaign in Indiana. Field director on Dick Gephardt’s Iowa caucus campaign, 2003-Jan. 2004. Worked on Iowa Democrats' Coordinated Campaign in 2002.

South  Katie Nee

Managed Don Cazayoux’s May 2008 special election win for Congress in LA-6 (Baton Rouge), served as his chief of staff on Capitol Hill, and managed his Nov. 2008 loss. Louisiana State House Democratic Caucus Director, 2007. Managed Joe Donnelly’s successful 2006 campaign for Congress in IN-2. Worked on Dick Gephardt’s presidential campaign, 2003. Graduate of University of Virginia, 2003. From Cranston, RI.

Northeast  Joe Shafer

Worked for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee in the 2008 cycle. A regional field director on Hillary Clinton’s Iowa caucus campaign. In 2006 he managed Zack Space's successful general election campaign for Congress in OH-18 after managing Tammy Duckworth’s primary campaign in IL-6. Campaign manager on Leslie Byrne for Lt. Governor in Virginia, 2005. Campaign manager on David Valesky for State Senate in New York, Fall 2004. Graduate of Northwestern University, 2002.

- B.J. Neidhardt

Washington director to Rep. Mark Schauer (MI) in 2009. Managed Schauer's successful 2008 congressional campaign and previously worked as his director of external affairs in the state Senate. Managed Nick Clooney's 2004 congressional campaign in KY-4.

Incumbent Retention  Kelly Ward

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.

FIELD

National Field Director  Marlon Marshall

Deputy White House liaison to the State Department. In Fall 2008 Marshall served as general election director in Missouri on Obama’s Campaign for Change. On Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign he was field director for the May 6 Indiana primary, the March 4 Ohio primary and the Jan. 19 Nevada caucuses. In 2006 Marshall served as field director on the Maryland Coordinated Campaign and earlier as Prince George's County regional field director. Regional field director for the Kansas Democratic Party in the 3rd CD for the last six months of 2005. In summer and fall 2004 Marshall served as Kansas City, MO field organizer/regional base vote director on the Missouri Coordinated Campaign; he finished the campaign doing GOTV in Ohio. Graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in communication studies. Native of St. Louis.

Regional Field Directors

West  Jason H. Hodges

Midwest  Chelsea Peterson

Experience includes work on Hillary Clinton for President including as a regional field director on the Nevada caucus campaign and later in the North Carolina primary campaign.

South  Will Leaverton

Northeast  Brynne Craig

(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.

Director of Trainings and Campaign Staff Recruitment  Johanna Berkson

(April 2009) Previously director of Chairman Van Hollen's office at the DCCC, 2007-09. Scheduler in Rep. Van Hollen's congressional office, 2003-06. Deputy finance director on the Van Hollen for Congress campaign, 2001-02. Executive Master's in leadership from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. Undergraduate degree in communications from the University of Maryland College Park, 2001.

Field Assistant and Fellows Program  Makese Motley

Experience includes legislative correspondent to Sen. Bob Casey, 2007-08.

Targeting Director  John Hagner

Targeting and field director for the Ohio Democratic Party in the 2008 cycle.  Field director on Sherrod Brown's 2006 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Campaign manager for Steve Young in Calif. 48th CD Oct. 4, 2005 special election/Dec. 6, 2005 runoff. Targeting director on Paul Hackett's unsuccessful campaign for Congress against Jean Schmidt in Ohio 2nd CD Aug. 2, 2005 special election.  Assistant to DNC Coordinated Campaign director Karen Hicks in Fall 2004.

Deputy Targeting Director  Samuel Nitz

(March 2010) Senior account executive at Petel & Company, March 2008-Jan. 2010. Account executive at Mack Crounse Group, 2006-08. Researcher at Bannon Communications Research, 2005-06. Master's degree in political management from The George Washington University, 2006. Undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Jennifer Crider

see above

Press Secretary  Ryan Rudominer

DCCC Midwest regional press secretary in the 2008 cycle. Communications director to Rep. Joe Sestak (PA-7) for several months at the beginning of 2007. Press secretary to Rep. Steve Israel (NY), 2004-06.

Deputy Press Secretary  Stephen Carter

 

Regional Press Secretaries

West - Andy Stone

Communications director to Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11) from Jan. 2007, the beginning of his first term, to Feb. 2009. Communications strategist at M + R Strategic Services; consulted on the Angelides for Governor campaign in 2006 in California.

Midwest - Gabby Adler

Press secretary to Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-2), Jan. 2007-Feb. 2009.

South - Jesse Ferguson

Communications director on Brian Moran’s campaign for the Democratic primary campaign for governor in Virginia, 2009.

Northeast - Shripal Shah

Press secretary to Rep Charles Gonzalez (TX-20) Feb. 2007-Feb. 2009.

RESEARCH

Research Director  Nicole Landset

Research director on Fernando Ferrer's 2005 campaign for mayor of New York City. Research director at the League of Conservation Voters through March 2005.

Deputy Research Director  Adam Broder


Research Analysts  Christy Lombardi, Brien Lenzmeier, Ryan Karlsgodt, David Beard

 

Policy Director  Heather McHugh

Experience includes legislative director to Rep. Steve Israel (NY).

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 Online Communications  Brandon English

(Editor of the"The Stakeholder" blog and develops and implements interactive campaigns across multiple platforms-including the DCCC’s website, mobile action campaigns, and social networks.) DCCC online communications manager during the 2008 cycle; during the 2006 cycle, English managed micro-sites and e-mail campaigns for the DCCC's Independent Expenditure Program.

Deputy Director of Direct Marketing  Angela Guzman

(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.

Online Editor  Stephanie Grasmick

Deputy press secretary and earlier press assistant to Sen. Evan Bayh, 2006-07. Data entry for Sen. Barack Obama for a couple of months in 2005.

Direct Marketing Manager  David Higa

 

Membership Coordinator  Eshawn Rawlley

B.A. in political science from The George Washington University, 2009.

FINANCE

National Finance Director  Louisa Whitney

Finance director for Jeanne Shaheen’s successful 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in New Hampshire. Deputy finance director for Sen. Chris Dodd’s presidential campaign. Finance director for Ned Lamont’s 2006 U.S. Senate campaign in Connecticut. Finance director for Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign. Graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in business administration and finance. Native of South Carolina.

Deputy National Finance Director  Missy Kurek
Deputy National Finance Director  Lindsey Melander

 

Candidate Fundraising Director  Lauren Dikis

(Aug. 2009) Previously regional candidate services director at the DCCC starting in May 2007. Finance director for the Montana Democratic Party, May 2006-May 2007. A regional field organizer for Carry Oregon/Democratic Party of Oregon, Aug.-Nov. 2004. Graduate of Ohio University, 2001.

Director of Candidate Services  Mark Warren

(Aug. 2009) Campaign manager for John Adler for Congress (NJ-3) in 2008. Other experience includes manager for Joseph DiVincenzo in the 2002 Democratic primary campaign for Essex County Executive. M.B.A. from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, 2009. B.A. in political science from Rutgers, 1993.

MEMBER SERVICES

Director of Member Services  Beverly Gilyard

Joined the DCCC in June 2003 to direct the Member Services Department. Prior to joining the DCCC, Gilyard worked as a campaign manager and a field coordinator on a number of political campaigns.  Earlier, she served for over five years as the chief of staff and legislative director to U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02) and for three years as part of U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (MD-5) legislative staff. J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and B.A. (dual majors) in Political Science and Law & Society from American University.

Deputy Director of Member Services  Adam Goldberg

(Jan. 2009) Previously served two years as assistant to Chairman Van Hollen. B.A. in history from University of Maryland, College Park, 2005.

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.

INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

IE, operating separately and independently from the DCCC, spent $62 million largely on advertising.

IE Director  Robby Mook

(announced May 3, 2010, moved over after serving as DCCC political director since the beginning of 2009) Campaign manager on Jeanne Shaheen's successful 2008 campaign for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. Previously, he was 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.

IE Senior Advisor  John Lapp

Partner at Ralston Lapp Media. Previously a partner at McMahon Squier Lapp and Associates. Lapp was one of the chief media consultants for the DCCC in the 2008 cycle, and served as IE director at the DCCC in the 2006 cycle after serving as DCCC executive director, starting Jan. 2005.  In 2003, Lapp served as the Iowa State Director for Dick Gephardt's presidential campaign. Lapp managed Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack's successful 2002 re-election campaign after serving as Vilsack's Deputy Chief of Staff. Before moving to Iowa, Lapp worked in congressional politics, managing the open-seat congressional race for Kentucky Rep. Ken Lucas, thereafter serving as Lucas’ chief of staff. In 2000, Lapp directed the successful effort to take back New York's 2nd District, electing Steve Israel to Congress. Subsequently, Lapp served as Israel’s chief of staff.  M.P.A. from The George Washington University; B.A. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.

IE Director of Operations  Lila Rose

(May 2010) Rose moved over from serving as director of the Chairman's office; in the 2008 cycle she served as deputy director of operations for the DCCC's independent expenditure program and earlier as the DCCC's incumbent retention and candidate training coordinator and as an aide to Ron Klein for the first part of 2007. M.S. in management and M.A. in international business from University of Florida's Warrington College of Business; B.S. in international affairs from Florida State University.