Democratic State Party Executive Directors 2010
COMPILED BY DEMOCRACY IN ACTION - Updated June 5, 2010

ALABAMA - JIM SPEARMAN




ALASKA - DEBORAH E. WILLIAMS



ARIZONA - LUIS HEREDIA



ARKANSAS - MARIAH HATTA




CALIFORNIA - SHAWNDA WESTLY




COLORADO - JENNIE PEEK DUNSTONE




CONNECTICUT - JUSTIN KRONHOLM




DELAWARE - JOSH SCHOENBERG




DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - DAVID MEADOWS




FLORIDA - SCOTT ARCENEAUX



GEORGIA - MATT WEYANDT




HAWAI'I - CHARLES FREEDMAN




IDAHO - JIM HANSEN



ILLINOIS - TIM MAPES

Chief of staff to Chairman Madigan since late 1992.  Previously special assistant to Madigan, has served on Madigan's research and issues staff since 1977.  Graduate of Western Illinois University.


INDIANA - JENNY HILL WEISER

(from March 2007)  Previously served as the party's finance director.  Director of communications and special events for the Damien Center.  Residence director for former First Lady Maggie Kernan.  Hill Weiser has worked in financial and political roles on various statewide and national campaigns and served on the planning committee for the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.  Graduate of Indiana University.


IOWA - NORM STERZENBACH

(announced Feb. 6, 2009)  Political director and caucus director for the IDP during the 2008 cycle.  Deputy campaign manager for Chet Culver's successful 2006 gubernatorial campaign, after running Patty Judge's campaign.  In 2004 he served as caucus director for the American Association of Retired People (AARP).  In 1999-2000 he served as the eastern Iowa field director on Bill Bradley’s campaign.  Native of Cedar Rapids.


KANSAS - KENNY JOHNSTON

(Dec. 2008)  Started at the party as technology director.  Deputy communications director on Rep. Dennis Moore’s 2006 re-election campaign.  BSE in engineering physics, computer engineering from University of Kansas, 2006.


KENTUCKY - SHERMAN BROWN, interim

(interim following resignation of Kyle Cox effective Jan. 1, 2010)  Finance director for the party.  Finance director on Bruce Lunsford's 2008 rrimary campaign.  Member of the Beshear/Mongiardo campaign in 2007.  In 2006, he managed Jerry Rhoads’ successful state Senate campaign.  First campaign was Rep. Ken Lucas' 2002 reelection effort.  Graduate of Xavier University.


LOUISIANA -



MAINE - ARDEN MANNING

(since Spring 2007)  Started at the party as a regional field organizer, then served as communications director.  Graduate of the University of Southern Maine.  Winter Harbor native.


MARYLAND - TRAVIS TAZELAAR

(July 2009; had been interim executive director following departure of Quincey Gamble in May 2009)  Political director for the party; in 2008 served as coodinated campaign director.  Managed Baltimore City Councilman Edward L. Reisinger's re-election campaign in 2007.  In 2006 worked for Mayor Martin O’Malley's gubernatorial campaign and Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin's U.S. Senate campaign.  Served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.  Aquasco native.


MASSACHUSETTS - STACEY MONAHAN

(appointed April 2007)  Statewide labor coordinator on Deval Patrick’s campaign for Governor and a staffer during the transition period.  District director to U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, 2001-06.  Candidate in the March 2005 special election primary for the 12th Suffolk House District seat.  Graduate of Boston College with a degree in history, concentrating in women's studies and black studies.


MICHIGAN - SYLVIA PERKINS

Worked for the State House of Representatives for 22 years before joining the state party staff in 1993.


MINNESOTA - ANDY O'LEARY

(started in Sept. 2005)  Formerly political director for the Indiana Democratic Party.


MISSISSIPPI - SAM HALL

(March 2009)  Campaign manager for the Committee to Elect Jim Kitchens (for Supreme Court).  Vice president and publisher of The Demopolis Times, 2006-08.  Executive director of the Democratic caucus of the Mississippi House of Representatives, 2005-06; also communications director of the Mississippi Democratic Party, 2005-06.  Journalist from 1998-2003 (news editor at the Rankin Record, 1998-2001; editor and publisher of the Times-Post, 2001-02; editor and publisher of the Scott County Times, 2003-05).  B.S. in political science from Millsaps College, 1998.


MISSOURI - BRIAN ZUZENAK

(May 2009)  Campaign manager on Judy Baker for Congress (9th CD, Columbia), 2008.  ERP consultant for the State of Tennessee, 2007-08.  Graduate of Missouri State University, 2000.  Graduate of Raytown High School in Raytown, MO.

MONTANA - DAVID BENSON

(Nov. 2009)  Deputy campaign manager on Al Franken's ultimately successful 2008 campaign for U.S. Senate; worked on Franken's Midwest Values PAC starting in 2006.  Worked on Sen. Tom Daschle's unsuccessful 2004 re-election.  Graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, 2002; chaired College Democrats.  From Brandon, SD.


NEBRASKA - JIM ROGERS

(Feb. 2009)  Campaign manager for 2nd CD candidate Jim Esch in 2008.


NEVADA - TRAVIS BROCK

(announced March 29, 2007)  National field director Tom Vilsack for President.  Political director for the Iowa Democratic Party.  In Fall 2004 Brock served as state director of the Kerry-Edwards '04 Kentucky campaign (he started Aug. 1, 2004 and the campaign stayed there for about 6 weeks); he then returned to Iowa, where he served as Johnson County GOTV director for the coordinated campaign.  Brock's earlier experience includes Midwest political director at the DNC, deputy communications director for Vilsack/Pederson 2002, an organizer for the AFSCME Florida Political Organizing Project, field director for the 2000 Wisconsin Democratic Coordinated Campaign, field staff for Gore 2000, and field staff for the1998 Iowa Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign.  B.A. in communications from University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1993.


NEW HAMPSHIRE - MICHAEL BRUNELLE

Political director for the NHDP in Fall 2008.  Manchester regional field director on Chris Dodd's NH primary campaign.  Deputy political director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.  Served one term as State Representative for Manchester Wards 10, 11, 12; elected Nov. 2006, did not seek re-election.  Worked for Manchester City Democrats starting in 2003 and became executive director in 2005.  Graduate of the UNH Manchester, 2007; two years as student body president.  Native of Manchester.



NEW JERSEY - ROBERT (ROB) ANGELO

(Jan. 2007)  Previously political director for the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York PAC, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA).  A political representative for the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).  Graduate degree from Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics; undergraduate degree from Boston University.  Raised in East Brunswick and lives in Highland Park.


NEW MEXICO - SCOTT FORRESTER

(started Dec. 1, 2009)  Previously chief of staff to Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chávez; started working for Chávez in Dec. 2005.  Did advance/college outreach on Colorado Victory 2004 (coordinated campaign).  Bachelor's degree in political science from Regis University in Denver, 2004.  Attended St. Pius X High School.  Albuquerque native.


NEW YORK - CHARLIE KING

(announced April 13, 2010)  In April 2009 King and Frank Hoare formed War Room Consulting.  Acting director of Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network.  Candidate for Democratic nomination for Attorney General of New York in 2006, finished distant fourth.  Running mate on Andrew Cuomo's unsuccessful campaign for the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial nomination.  Regional director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for New York and New Jersey, 1999-2001.  Candidate for lieutenant governor in 1998, finishing second to Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel.  J.D. from New York University, 1987.  Undergraduate degree from Brown University, 1981.


NORTH CAROLINA - ANDREW WHALEN

(late April 2009)  Came to the party from position as communications director to Rep. Heath Shuler. Worked for Shuler starting in Feb. 2006; deputy campaign manager and communications director on Shuler's 2006 campaign; communications director to Shuler in the U.S. House; managed Shuler's 2008 campaign.  Worked on a couple of delegate campaigns.  Communications director on Jon Jennings for Congress in Indiana, 2003-04.  Denison University, 2000-03.


NORTH DAKOTA - JOE ARONSON

(August 2009)  A regional field director (7th CD) for the Minnesota DFL in 2008, then worked on Al Franken's recount operation.  Legislative assistant in the Minnesota House of Representatives, 2007-08; field organizer for the DFL House Caucus.  B.A. in political science from St. John's University, 2006.  Born in Minneapolis.

OHIO - DOUG KELLY

(2007)  Prior to joining the ODP, Kelly served director of political affairs for the Mario Morino Family of Cleveland and special advisor at Venture Philanthropy Partners, June 2005-2007.  Previously Kelly spent 10 years at the DNC in Washington, DC including as technology director starting in 2001 and research director during the Clinton years.  Director of tax analysis at Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ).  He has authored numerous publications and studies, and provided the research for Paul Begala's 2000 book, Is Our Children Learning?  Bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University, 1987.  Native of Adrian, Michigan.


OKLAHOMA - [TODD GOODMAN]

Chairman Goodman fulfills the responsibilities of executive director.


OREGON - TRENT LUTZ

(April 2007)  Previously deputy legislative director to Gov. Ted Kulongoski.  Finance director on Kulongoski's 2006 campaign for governor.  Finance director on David Wu for Congress, 2004.  Deputy field director on the 2002 Coordinated Campaign in Oregon. Worked for the Legislative Affairs Department at the Oregon School Board Association.  Moved to Oregon to run a field office for the Democratic Party in Clatsop County in Fall 2000.  Graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN in 2000.  Born and raised in rural Ponca City, Oklahoma.


PENNSYLVANIA - MARY ISENHOUR

(Feb. 2007)  Took leave from executive director position to serve as state director of Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania primary campaign.  Directed the 2006 Democratic coordinated campaign in Pennsylvania.  Kansas native.

RHODE ISLAND - vacant



SOUTH CAROLINA - JAY PARMLEY
(executive director during the 2008 campaign) Started at the party as technology director.  Directed Mississippi Democrats' coordinated campaign in 2007.  Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, 2001-05.  President of the Young Democrats of America, 1999-2001.  Chancellor's student relations liaison for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 1995-97.  M.P.A from University of Oklahoma, 1995; B.A. in public administration from University of Oklahoma, 1993; A.A. degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.  Wyandotte native.

SOUTH DAKOTA - ERIN MCCARRICK

(end of April/ea. May 2009)  Customer service representative/field representative to Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, 2005-07, and deputy campaign manager on her 2008 re-election campaign.  Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder.  From Rapid City.


TENNESSEE - JENNIFER BUCK WALLACE, director of operations

(annouced May 6, 2009)  Field director on Obama's Tennessee primary campaign and key role in his general election effort in the state.  Producer/writer at Country Music Television, 2001-07.  J.D. from University of Tennessee College of Law, 2000.  Undergraduate degree in political science from Maryville College, 1997.  Native of East Tennessee.

TEXAS - RUBEN HERNANDEZ

(Oct. 1, 2005)  A deputy regional political director for the Service Employees International Union.  In 1999, Hernandez moved to Washington where he worked as campaign communications specialist for the national AFL-CIO, and political director for Grassroots Democrats.  Worked for Rep. Nick Lampson (TX) and Rep. Martin Frost (TX); also worked as a regional field organizer for the DCCC where he helped coordinate the Dallas Co. coordinated effort.  Field and convention staff for the Texas Democratic Party in 1996.


UTAH - TODD TAYLOR



VERMONT - ROBERT DEMPSEY

(May 2009)  Midwest candidate services director at the DCCC, June 2007-Dec. 2008.  Political director for Ohio Senate Democrats, 2005-07.  Regional representative for Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH), Dec. 2002-June 2005, also served as her campaign manager in Fall 2004.  Field director on Jacobs for Congress, Fall 2002.  Regional director for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee.  Campaign manager on Kalamazoo Against Discrimination, Fall 2001.  Legislative assistant in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  Campaign manager on Mark Chilutti for PA State Representative, 2000.  State University of New York at Buffalo, 1999.

VIRGINIA - DAVE MILLS

(announced March 8, 2010)  Mills had been serving as the party's finance director.  Finance director on Brian Moran's 2009 campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, then worked on Creigh Deeds' campaign. Western regional finance director for Tim Kaine's 2005 campaign for governor; then served on the Kaine Inaugural Committee. Worked to pass Mark Warner's 2004 historic investment in Virginia schools. Mills has also managed a campaign for Congress in Charlottesville and a race for House of Delegates in Hampton Roads.


WASHINGTON - JAXON RAVENS

(since 2005)  Has been working for the Washington State Democrats since 2004 when he managed the caucus cycle.  Executive director for the King County Democrats for a couple of years around 2000.  President of the Washington State Young Democrats, 2000-01. Spent the 1990s traveling overseas.  Bachelors degree in politics and economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an M.B.A. in international management from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management.  Grew up in Missoula, MT.

WEST VIRGINIA - DEREK SCARBRO

(announced Jan. 29, 2009)  Started at the party as a field organizer in Aug. 2003, served as field director during the 2006 cycle,  as deputy executive director during the 2008 cycle and most recently oversaw the party's finances.  Scarbro has also served as State President for the Young Democrats.  Graduate of Marshall University.  Graduate of St. Albans High School.  Resides in Huntington.


WISCONSIN - MAGGIE BRICK

(August 2009)  Communications director in the Offfice of Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson, Jan.-Aug. 2009.  Campaign manager for Alison Page for State Senate, June-Nov. 2008.  Campaign director on Citzens for Dane County's Future, Nov. 2007-April 2008.  Campaign manager for Ann Hraychuck for State Assembly, June-Nov. 2006.  B.A. in political science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008.


WYOMING - BILL LUCKETT

(from April 7, 2008)  Joined the Wyoming Democratic Party staff in August 2005 as communications director.  Before that, he spent nine years as a reporter for the Casper Star-Tribune, the last six covering politics and state government from the newspaper's capital bureau in Cheyenne.  Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wyoming.  Born and raised in Sheridan.


DEMS ABROAD - LINDSEY REYNOLDS

(held this position during the 2008 campaign)  Executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party during the 2004 cycle; started at the party in March 2002 as finance director.  In 2000, she became the finance director for the Joint Democratic Caucus in Virginia.  Started her career in Virginia Democratic politics in 1998 as the legislative assistant to Stanley C. Walker of Norfolk, then President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate. B.A. in political science from Virginia Wesleyan College, 1998.