Republican Governors Association - 2010

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director  Nick Ayers

(manages RGA operations, budget, and political strategy) Started as executive director in Jan. 2007. Before joining the RGA, Ayers managed Gov. Sonny Perdue (GA)’s re-election campaign overseeing a staff of 25 and 15 million dollar budget. Started at Kennesaw State University, but left freshman year to join Purdue's 2002 campaign for governor (he finished his degree in 2009). Worked at Georgia State Bank. From Cobb County, GA.
"Under Nick’s leadership, the RGA is executing a four-year plan to regain the majority of governorships for the GOP. In his first year, Nick guided the RGA to victory in two out of its three gubernatorial races. In 2008, the RGA saw all its incumbents re-elected, set new fundraising marks, and carried forward a record amount of cash on hand. Last year, the RGA won the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races and became the first GOP committee to make a net gain in members since the end of 2006."]
See: Jason Horowitz. "Young Nick Ayers has full-grown plans for a Republican return to the White House."  Washington Post, April 27, 2010. >

Deputy Executive Director and Political Director  Paul Bennecke

(responsible for RGA’s political strategy, recruitment, independent expenditures and legal coordination with campaigns and committees) Since his time at RGA, Paul has been involved in 13 gubernatorial elections managing nearly $40 million in RGA political expenditures. Before joining RGA, Paul served as Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party. Under his guidance, the GA GOP successfully re-elected its first Republican Governor in state history and elected Georgia’s first Republican Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State. The Party also won majorities in the State House (picking up 34 seats) and State Senate (picking up 8 seats). He managed a $14 million political budget including voter contact mail, voter id and registration, GOTV operations, recruitment, paid media and party/candidate training. Paul also was Political Director for Governor Sonny Perdue (GA) in 2002 when he defeated incumbent governor Roy Barnes.

helping with turnout  Timmy Teepell

(Aug. 1, 2010 for three months) On leave from position as chief of staff to Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA). Managed Jindal's successful 2007 campaign for governor. Served as Jindal's chief of staff in Congress; started with Jindal on his 2004 congressional campaign.  Deputy political director at the RNC, 2002. Executive director of the Madison Project, a political action committee. Has also worked for the National Center for Home Education. Home schooled. Baton Rouge native.

POLITICAL

Political Field Directors (responsible for independent expenditures)

Western (HI, AK, CA, CO, NV)  Kiley Smith

(Jan. 2010) Prior to joining the RGA, Smith was No. Virginia field director for Bob McDonnell for Governor in Virginia. Executive director for the King County (WA) Republican Party. Field coordinator for Dino Rossi for Governor in her home state of Washington. Graduate of Washington State University, 2007. She served as president of the College Republicans and was active in several state races.

Midwest  Brice Kornegay

Prior to working for the RGA, Brice was a field representative at the NRCC and before that served as campaign manager for Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma. Graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a B.B.A. in economics. Originally from Beaumont, TX.

Northeast  Dennise Casey 

Worked for Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas for more than seven years managing his re-election campaign in ‘06 and ‘08. Most recently she served as his deputy chief of staff and communications director. Native of Starksboro, Vermont and a graduate of the University of Vermont.

Region?  Greg Graves

Greg Graves is a 33 year campaign professional including partner at Gordian Strategies.  He has served as a Field Director for Reagan for President, the NRCC, the NRSC,  Kemp for President and as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Republican Party.

IL, IA, MI, NY and PA  Bill Klucas

A longtime national GOP campaign manager and consultant.   A native of Ohio and resident of Minnesota, Bill has been involved in several Presidential as well as state wide and federal campaigns – primarily in the Midwest.

Region?  Phil Cox

Director of Gov. Bob McDonnell's Opportunity Virginia PAC. Campaign manager for 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.

Political Assistant  Catherine Campbell

Catherine works in the political department of RGA assisting the director and maintaining campaign communications. She worked as an intern in the White House Office of Public Liaison and also in the Sales and Marketing Department at Garden and Gun magazine in Charleston, SC. A native of Thomasville, GA, Catherine received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Georgia.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Mike Schrimpf

(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.

Director of Political Communications  Tim Murtaugh

(handles messaging and relations with the media in each of the 37 states which are holding governors races in 2010).  Prior joining the RGA, Murtaugh led communications efforts for the Republican Party of Virginia and was a key contributor to the election of Gov. Bob McDonnell in Nov. 2009.  A veteran of political press strategy, he has worked for Virginia leaders such as former Governor and Senator George Allen, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore and former Congresswoman Thelma Drake.  Tim also has worked for the RNC and served in the administration of President George W. Bush.  A graduate of Temple University and a former journalist, Tim lives in Arlington, Virginia.

NEW MEDIA AND TECH

Director of New Media and Technology  Alex Skatell

(oversees the IT infrastructure, software implementation, web development, online advertising, social media, and video production) Joined the RGA from Charleston, SC where he founded the web consulting and development company Anu Media. Anu Media focused in mobile application development, web development, and new media marketing.

Creative Director  Justin Schuck 

(March 2010) Principal and creative director at Justin Schuck + Co, from Jan. 2002-2010; consultant, advisor, photography and webmaster on numerous projects.  Marketing degree from Saint John's University-Peter J. Tobin College of Business, 2003.

Video Production Coordinator  Kyle Vitasek

(September 2008) Previously photography producer at Rosetta Stone, starting Oct. 2006; also worked as a freelance videographer for DIGICO, 2006-07.  Creative services producer at Gray Television, 2004-06.  Graduate of James Madison University.

POLICY AND RESEARCH

Director of Policy and Research  Adam Kincaid

Adam leads the RGA’s policy and political research efforts and plays a major role in developing and implementing RGA’s campaign strategy. Before coming to Washington he served as Director of Voter Programs at the Republican Party of Georgia during the 2006 cycle. He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia and Bachelors in History and Religion from Florida State University.

FINANCE

Finance Director  Angela Meyers

As Finance Director, Angela oversees RGA’s entire fundraising operation. Before joining the RGA in 2005, Angela was responsible for many successful fundraising ventures in Michigan, including State Finance Director for George W. Bush’s 2004 Presidential campaign. She also was the Finance Director for Dick Posthumus’s 2002 Gubernatorial campaign and was Deputy Finance Director for Spencer Abraham’s 2000 U.S. Senate race.

Governors Roundtable and Governors Club Membership Director  Lauren Lofstrom

Lauren is the Governors Roundtable and Club Membership Director at the RGA. Previously, she was the Finance Director for the Dino Rossi for Governor 2008 campaign and worked for United States Senator Gordon Smith. Lauren received a B.A. in Communications from Washington State University.

Governors Statesmen and Governors Cabinet Director  Sarah Lynch

Sarah is the Statesmen and Cabinet Membership Director at the RGA. Previously, she served as the Major Donor Director for McCain-Palin 2008 and spent four years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the fundraising department. Sarah received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Southern California.

Governors Board Director  Campbell Engle

Campbell is a member of RGA's finance team and directs the Governors Board membership program. Prior to the RGA, she was the Southern Regional Finance Director for McCain-Palin 2008. Previously, she wasthe Finance Coordinator for Senator Trent Lott's re-election campaign and the New Republican Majority Fund. Campbell received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Ole Miss.

Executive Roundtable Director  DiAnne Owen Graham

DiAnne is the RGA’s Executive Roundtable Membership Director. 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.

Governors Council Director  Katherine Haltiwanger

Katherine is a member of the RGA’s finance team and directs the Governors Council membership program. Before joining the RGA, Katherine was State Finance Director for McCain’s 2008 Presidential campaign in South Carolina. A South Carolina native, Katherine is a 2004 graduate of Wofford College.

?Events Director  Tricia Moffatt

(March 2009) Previously director of member events and relations at the RNC, 2007-09.  Graduate of Saint Louis University, 2000.

Events Assistant  Kaylee Heathcott

Prior to working at the RGA, Kaylee worked for the Texas House of Representatives for Representative Robert Talton and later for the Urban Affairs Committee.  A 2009 graduate of Texas A&M University, Kaylee worked as an RGA Finance Intern before becoming the Events Assistant. She now assists all aspects of the RGA’s events.

Finance Assistant  Maggie Rauck

Maggie assists all aspects of the RGA’s finance operation. Maggie is originally from Roanoke, VA. She is a graduate from Clemson University where she studied Political Science and Journalism.

Counsel

General Counsel  Mike Adams

(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.

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.