ALABAMA - REP. MIKE HUBBARD
Hubbard was first elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1998, his first attempt at elected office. Hubbard was re-elected by the voters of District 79 in 2002 and 2006. He currently holds the position of House Minority Leader, the highest-ranking Republican in the Alabama House of Representatives.
He was elected as the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party on February 10, 2007 and re-elected for a second term on February 7, 2009..
Hubbard was the recipient of the 2001 Legislative Leadership Award presented by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. The Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association also named him their 2001 Alabama Lawmaker-of-the-Year. He was also named the 2003 “Republican of the Year” by the Lee County Republican Party.
A 1983 graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in radio and television, Hubbard came to Auburn two weeks after graduation where he worked for six years in the Auburn Athletic Department. During his athletic media relations career, Hubbard worked directly with two successful Heisman Trophy efforts - Herschel Walker at Georgia and Bo Jackson at Auburn.
In 1990, Hubbard left Auburn University to head up Auburn’s radio and television sports network. In 1994, Hubbard formed his own company, Auburn Network, Inc., to handle Auburn’s multi-media rights and built the network into one of the nation’s most respected collegiate sports networks.
In 2003, Hubbard sold the multi-media sports division of his company to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based International Sports Properties and continues to serve as President of ISP’s Auburn project.
Hubbard’s company, Auburn Network, Inc., owns and operates two commercial radio stations in the Auburn-Opelika market.,WANI NewsTalk 1400 and Classic Hits Wings 100.3 FM. Auburn Network also owns and operates Studio 197, an audio production company serving the national broadcast industry, as well as East Alabama Living, a regional quarterly magazine. Auburn Network, Inc., is also a partner in Craftmaster Printers, Inc., a commercial printing company based in Auburn.
Hubbard is a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Broadcasters Association. He also serves as a member of the Auburn-Opelika Airport Advisory Board.
Hubbard’s wife, Dr. Susan Hubbard, is Associate Dean of Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences.
The Hubbards are the parents of two sons, Clayte and Riley. They are active members of Auburn United Methodist Church.
ALASKA - RANDY RUEDRICH
[since June 2000] President of Arctic E & P Advisors. Served as a member of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commission, appointed Feb. 19, 2003, but later resigned. General manager of Doyon Drilling Inc., a BP contractor, 1994-98. A senior drilling engineer for ARCO. B.S. in chemical engineering from Texas A & M University, 1966.ARIZONA - RANDY PULLEN
Elected in January 2007, Randall “Randy” Pullen is serving his second term as chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. A CPA and businessman by trade, Randy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both the business and political communities to the job as chairman.
Prior to becoming chairman, Randy served as the National Committeeman from Arizona on the Republican National Committee from 2004 to 2007. He was a candidate for Mayor of the city of Phoenix in both 1999 and 2003, campaigning on a platform of fighting crime, reducing city spending and reforming immigration policies. He co-chaired the Finance Committee for the Arizona Republican Party in 2000, and was also an alternate delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Randy continues to have a successful business career that began in 1972 with his founding of Charleston Marina and Shipbuilding with his father and brother. In less than five years, the Pullen family grew Charleston Marina and Shipbuilding into the largest sport fishing company in southern Oregon. In 1988 Pullen went on to become a partner in the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. There, Randy became the firm’s expert on real estate and related banking issues throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
In 1992, Randy became President of ILX, Inc., a publicly traded resort management company headquartered in Phoenix. Within two-years, under Randy’s leadership, ILX increased its revenue from $5 million to over $20 million in sales. Randy then went on to found Pullen & Company, a successful accounting and consulting practice specializing in complex financial issues for both litigation and bankruptcy cases.
A business innovator, Randy is the founder and president of Wage Watch, Inc. Since 1999, Wage Watch has been a premier Internet based compensation and benefit survey firm serving Fortune 1000 companies. Wage Watch has over 5,000 subscribing companies representing over 1.5 million employees nationwide.
A staunch supporter of immigration reform, Randy successfully chaired the “Yes on Proposition 200, Protect Arizona Now” campaign. This landmark 2004 ballot initiative requires proof of citizenship before any individual can register to vote or apply for public benefits in the state of Arizona. In 2006, Randy was a spokesperson for the successful Proposition 300 ballot measure. This measure requires non-citizens to pay out-of-state tuition rates for post-secondary education. He has also been involved in efforts to re-empower local and state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
A true believer in giving back to the community, Randy has served on numerous non-profit boards and foundations. From 2000 to 2003, Randy served as a director and as president of the Rosie’s House Music Academy. During his tenure as president, Randy helped develop and implement a very successful after school music enrichment program for over 250 children, many of whom were from low income families. In 2001, he was a co-founder of the annual Student Entrepreneur Competition with the Arizona State University College of Engineering. He has been a member of the Phoenix Community Alliance, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, and the Social Venture Partners, a private sector investment group that invests in startup not-for-profit charities.
A graduate of Arizona State University with a Masters of Business
Administration, Randy resides in Phoenix with his wife, Katherine.
ARKANSAS - DOYLE WEBB
In state and local politics, Doyle was the first elected Republican in Saline County under the new form of county government. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1986 and served for 3 terms. As a J.P., Doyle distinguished himself as Budget Chairman and actually oversaw the lowering of property taxes in the county during his tenure.
In 1994, Doyle was elected to the State Senate as the first Republican from Saline and Perry Counties. His committee work included: Chairman of Joint Energy; Vice Chairman of State Agencies and Governmental Affairs; Joint Budget; Legislative Council; Legislative Audit; Children and Youth; Judiciary; Efficiency; City, County, and Local Affairs; Natural Cultural Resources Council; and the Rural Fire Department Study Commission. During his two terms in the State Senate, Senator Webb fought for lower taxes, government efficiency, ethics reform, the rights of the unborn and many other issues important to the people of his district and the state as a while. He co-authored the Senate's Code of Ethics and led the way in achieving the redevelopment of Interstate 30 into 6 lanes.
Near the end of Senator Webb's second term in the Senate, Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller asked the Senator to join him as his Chief of Staff. Doyle served in this capacity from April of 2002 through the 2003 and 2005 Sessions of the legislature. He worked closely with Lt. Governor Rockefeller during his term as Republican Party Chairman and in preparation for running for Governor in 2006. In June of 2005, Win announced that he would suspend his race for Governor due to an unclassified blood disorder. In July of 2006 Lt. Governor Rockefeller died while in office. Doyle continued Win's service as his Chief of Staff until January of 2007 when his term ended.
Chairman Webb holds a Juris Doctorate (law degree) and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He has practiced law for over 25 years. Doyle and his wife, Barbara, reside in Benton.
CALIFORNIA - RON NEHRING
Ron Nehring was elected Chairman of the California Republican Party
in February 2007. Since his days as President of his College Republican
club almost twenty years ago, Ron Nehring has worked hard to advance
Republican ideas and candidates. He managed campaigns for Republican
candidates in his home state of New York before moving to Washington DC
and working for some of the brightest minds in the Republican Party.
In July 2001, Ron Nehring was unanimously elected Chairman of the
Republican Party of San Diego County, one of the largest counties in
America. He was re-elected by acclamation three times (2002, 2004,
2006), serving a total of 5 1/2 years as Chairman.
His brand of leadership helped to unify what had been a badly divided
party, and helped focus it on implementing the important, but not
always glorious, programs that actually produce results for Republican
candidates: voter registration, supporting new candidates for local
offices, building a sophisticated precinct organization that increases
Republican voter turnout, and raising the money necessary to support
Republican volunteers.
In 2003, Ron Nehring was unanimously chosen by his peers to serve as
President of the California Republican County Chairmen's Association.
During his term, the County Chairmen 's Association took on major new
roles in providing professional training and support for county
chairmen, sharing information between counties, and serving as a strong
advocate for increasing support for our volunteers through our 58
county committees. In 2005 he was elected Vice Chairman of the
California Republican Party.
Ron Nehring advances conservative principles in state and local
government. From 2004 through 2006 he has served as a Trustee for the
Grossmont Union High School District , one of the largest high school
districts in California . In 2006 he proposed a bold plan for charter
schools across the district and advocated for fiscal responsibility and
transparency as Chair of the district's audit committee. In 2005 and
2006 he served as a Member of the California Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection, bring a fire victim's and citizen perspective to the
Board's deliberations.
COLORADO - DICK WADHAMS
Dick Wadhams was elected Colorado Republican State Chairman in March 2007 and reelected in March, 2009. During the 2008 campaign he also served as campaign manager for Senate candidate Bob Schaffer.
He worked from 1981 to 1989 for Colorado U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong.
He managed the statewide Colorado campaigns of U.S. Senator Hank Brown in 1990 and U.S. Senator Wayne Allard in 1996 and 2002. He was campaign manager for Governor Bill Owens in 1998 when Owens became the first Republican governor of Colorado in 24 years.
Wadhams was campaign manager for U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota in 2004 when Thune defeated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle which was the first time in 52 years a sitting Senate Democratic leader was defeated for reelection.
He also helped Montana U.S. Senator Conrad Burns in his successful reelection campaigns in 1994 and 2000. He served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator George Allen of Virginia in 2005- 2006.
Wadhams was born and raised in rural southeastern Colorado where he was a Republican county chairman at age 19 in 1975-1976 and he is a graduate of the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo.CONNECTICUT - CHRISTOPHER C. HEALY
Christopher C. Healy is the State Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party. He was unanimously elected by the 72-member State Central Committee on January 30, 2007 to fill an unexpired term through June 2007. On June 26, 2007, he was unanimously elected to a full two-year term as Chairman.
Mr. Healy has served for six years on the State Central Committee, representing both the 30th Senatorial District and the First Senatorial District, which includes Wethersfield and Hartford.
A former newspaper reporter and editor, Mayoral aide and Congressional Press Secretary, Mr. Healy has extensive experience managing political campaigns, serving as an advisor to numerous statewide office seekers and holders. In 1996, Mr. Healy was the Connecticut Director for the Bob Dole for President campaign and in 2000, managed Senator John McCain's Republican primary victory in Connecticut. Mr. Healy has served as a delegate to the 2000 and 2004 National Republican Conventions.
He recently served as campaign manager for the reelection of Congressman Rob Simmons for the Second Congressional District in Connecticut, one of the nationally watched races in the country.
A native of New York City, Healy graduated from The Gunnery School in Washington, CT, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denision University. He is a board member of the Connecticut Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America, the Connecticut Radio Information Systems (CRIS) and is a volunteer fundraiser for Trust House in Hartford, a non-profit family education center.
Mr. Healy lives in Wethersfield.DELAWARE - TOM ROSS
[elected to a second two-year term May 16, 2009]DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - ROBERT J. KABEL
FLORIDA - SEN. JOHN THRASHER
John Thrasher began his political career in 1986 with his election to the Clay County School Board. He served as vice chairman, then chairman, of the board before running for the Florida House of Representatives. In 1992 he was elected to his first term as a state representative and was re-elected without opposition in 1994, 1996, and 1998. On November 17, 1998, the House of Representatives unanimously elected John Thrasher as Speaker of the House for the 1999 through 2000 term.
John grew up in Jacksonville and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University before joining the United States Army. He served first in Germany, where he received the Army Commendation Medal, and later in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars. John attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge. John returned to Tallahassee and earned his law degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law. He was in private law practice in Daytona Beach and Tallahassee for several years before returning to Jacksonville to serve as general counsel of the Florida Medical Association, a position he held for 20 years.
John and his wife, Jean, have three children and eight grandchildren.
GEORGIA - SUE P. EVERHART
Sue was re-elected to a second term as Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in May of 2009. In June 2009, she was appointed to be a member of the RNC Ethics Committee. In September 2009, Sue was chosen as one of ten women in the United States to be honored as a woman of Achievement by the RNC. Chairman Everhart currently serves on the RNC Rules Committee and is a member of the RNC Chairman’s Kitchen Cabinet as well.
HAWAI'I - JONAH-KUHIO KALANIANA'OLE KA'AUWAI
IDAHO - NORM SEMANKO
In addition to his part-time practice with Rose Law Group, Norm Semanko serves as Executive Director & General Counsel for the Idaho Water Users Association and is Of Counsel to the firm of Barker, Rosholt and Simpson in Boise, Idaho.
Norm has extensive experience representing clients in administrative proceedings before the Idaho Department of Water Resources, the Snake River Basin Adjudication, the Idaho Supreme Court, and federal court. He represents the Coalition for Idaho Water, a group of Idaho agricultural and municipal interests, formed to protect the legal interests of water users in Endangered Species Act litigation in federal court.
Norm has represented Idaho on the Western States Water Council and is also past President of the National Water Resources Association, representing irrigated agriculture, municipal water providers, and other water users throughout the seventeen western states. He has served on the Advisory Committee for the Family Farm Alliance since 1993.
Norm was appointed to the Eagle City Council in January, 2008 and serves as the liaison to Eagle Sewer District.
Norm was elected Chairman of the Idaho Republican Party by the State Convention delegates in June, 2008, and also serves as a member of the Republican National Committee.
A former adjunct professor at Boise State University and the College of Southern Idaho, Norm has taught courses on water, natural resources and environmental law, as well as lecturing extensively at seminars and continuing legal education forums.
Prior to his legal practice, Norm was a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Larry Craig in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, handling water and natural resource issues. He also served the Senator as a Field Representative. He has served on the transition team for several elected officials, advising them on water and natural resources issues, including Senator Dirk Kempthorne, Congressman Mike Crapo, and Congressman Bill Sali.
Norm is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. and earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Idaho. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar Association and Past President of the Water Law Section.
ILLINOIS - PAT BRADY
[Elected August 20,
2009; re-elect March 20, 2010] Pat Brady is a former US Attorney and
former Assistant Cook County States's attorney. Having been born
in Bloomington, attended law school at Southern Illinois
University-Carbondale, and now working in Chicago, Pat has an extensive
knowledge and understanding of the entire state.
Pat has worked as both a
volunteer and fundraiser on several political campaigns, serving most
recently on the National Finance Committee for John McCain.
Serving as a Republican
National Committeeman, Pat was one of the first to support Michael
Steele's candidacy ...
Professional Resume:
Partner, Barnes and Thornburg, LLP, Chicago, Illinois
Principal, Deloitte LLP, Chicago, Illinois
United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Assistant State’s Attorney,
Special Prosecutions Bureau, Financial Crimes Division
• Born April 8, 1961 - Bloomington, Illinois
• Married to Julie Brady since June 1996
Julie served as Deputy Co-Chairperson of the McCain Illinois 2008 Campaign, and is a Homemaker, Honors graduate from St. Norbert College and the University of Wisconsin School of Law and former Federal Prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
• 4 children, ages 8 to 12
• Graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law and the University of Arizona
• Chairman of the School of Law Ethics Council
INDIANA - MURRAY CLARK
IOWA - MATTHEW STRAWN
Matthew N. Strawn, a fifth generation Iowan and Eastern Iowa native, has served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa since January 2009.
Following a successful career as a public servant on Capitol Hill, where he served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and was twice-named by The Hill newspaper of one of the top 35 under 35 in Washington, DC, Matt returned home to Iowa in 2007 with his wife to raise their young children.
Upon his return to the Hawkeye State, Matt channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into private enterprise. The most notable of those endeavors being one of the principal players in bringing top-level professional football back to Iowa when he and business partner, Jeff Lamberti, announced in 2007 that they were leading an ownership group to return arena football and the Iowa Barnstormers to Des Moines. Since the team’s return, the Barnstormers organization has been consistently recognized as one of the best operated and most successful franchises in all of arena football.
Additionally, Matt is a founding partner of Riverside Partners, Inc., an Ankeny-based public relations and capital development firm, as well as part of the management team of Nathan Strawn Farms, Inc., which operates his family’s farm in Benton County.
During his first year as Chairman, Matt’s efforts to rebuild the Iowa GOP have not gone unnoticed as he has been a constant presence at county meetings, fundraisers, and public affairs programs touting the need to return conservative, principled government to the citizens of Iowa. The Politico newspaper has named Matt as an “emerging political star” to watch, while the Des Moines Register noted that Strawn’s “youth and appeal” have put the party on “the right track” as he “is getting high marks for traveling the state and rallying activists.”
Matt is a graduate of the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law (J.D. 2003), where he graduated first in his law school class; the University of Iowa (B.A. 1996); and, Benton Community High School (Van Horne, Iowa), where he is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Matt resides with his wife, Erin, and their two small children in Ankeny.KANSAS - AMANDA ADKINS
[elected Jan. 31, 2009] Co-Chair and Founder of Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Series, January 2005-Present. Executive, Cerner Corporation, November 2004-February 2010. Catholic Member, Kansas Catholic Conference, 1974-2009. Campaign Manager, Brownback for US Senate, 2003-2004. Int. Exec Dir, Political Director, GOPAC, Inc., 2000-2002. Legislative Aide, United States Senate, 199-2000. University of Kansas, BA , Human Biology and Anthropology , 1996-1998.KENTUCKY - STEVE ROBERTSON
LOUISIANA - ROGER F. VILLERE, JR.
Roger F. Villere, Jr. was elected Chairman of the Republican Party in the spring of 2004 and re-elected in 2006, 2008 & 2010. During his time as Chairman, the Republican Party of Louisiana has made historic gains – increasing the number of elected Republicans in the State Legislature and U.S. Congress as well as in Louisiana’s statewide offices. During his tenure, Villere has communicated a message of competent conservative change and reform and Republicans have achieved success across Louisiana’s diverse political landscape.
Understanding that the primary role of the state party is to represent all Louisiana Republicans, Chairman Villere travels throughout the state advocating conservative principles, recruiting candidates, and mobilizing grassroots activists to support our candidates and causes.
Chairman Villere has attended four Republican National Conventions, his first as a volunteer to the New Orleans Convention in 1988, as a Delegate to the 2000, as Chairman-Elect in 2004, and as Chairman and Delegate in 2008. He has previously served as RNC National Committeeman and as a member of the RNC Rules Committee and RNC Resolutions Committee. In 2008 he received the honor of being elected Chairman of the Electoral College for Louisiana. He also has been significantly involved in the Pelican State Pachyderm Club, Republican Party of East Jefferson, and the Republican Party of Jefferson Parish. Chairman Villere is also a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The Chairman has been a part of and led numerous community programs and organizations, such as the Alliance for Good Government, Jaycees International, the Lafreniere Kiwanis Club, the East Jefferson Hospital Foundation, and the Women’s New Life Center.
He also has played a leadership role in the local business community with positions on the Jefferson Chamber, the Small Business Council, East Jefferson Council of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the American Academy of Florists, and the Louisiana State Florist Association.
Chairman Villere attended the University of New Orleans, is a fellow of the Loyola Institute of Politics, the LSU Academy of Politics, and the UNO Government Leadership Institute.
Chairman Villere is the owner of Villere’s Florist and currently lives in Metairie with his wife Donna. He is the father of three sons: Roger F. Villere, III, Mark C. Villere, and Jacques P. Villere, and has four granddaughters: Madison, Masey, Victoria, and Shelby.MAINE - CHARLES M. WEBSTER
MARYLAND - AUDREY SCOTT
MASSACHUSETTS - JENNIFER A. NASSOUR, ESQ.
Jennifer A. Nassour, Esq. is the Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, elected to the post on January 27, 2009, by the Massachusetts Republican State Committee. A full-time chairman, Nassour leads a State Committee and professional staff in all aspects of the party's operations, including fund raising, party building and communications.
Previously, Nassour served as a member of the State Committee representing the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex District. In addition, she was Of Counsel to the law firm Consigli & Brucato.
In addition to her law career, Nassour is an accomplished political and charitable fundraiser, experienced staffer in both the executive and legislative branches of state governments, and a veteran of Republican campaigns and causes. Nassour served as finance director for the 2002 Republican nominee for state treasurer and as a staff member in the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts. Previously, she served as a legislative aide in the New York State Senate, and as an aide, law clerk and chief of staff in the Nassau County, N.Y., legislature.
Nassour earned her juris doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 2000. She also holds a master's degree in political science from C.W. Post University and a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Nassour is active in the Junior League of Boston and the Charlestown Mother’s Association, as well as serving on the Bridgewater State College Board of Trustees. Nassour is a member of the Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Woman’s Bar Association, and a former member of the Massachusetts Public Health Council.
Nassour and her husband, C.J. Brucato, live in Charlestown with their two daughters.MICHIGAN - RON WEISER
A dedicated public servant and successful businessman, Ambassador
Ronald N. Weiser has served his country, state and community for much
of his adult life.
In 2001, he was appointed by President Bush as Ambassador to the Slovak
Republic. While at post, Ambassador Weiser officially visited all 138
Slovak cities. In addition to his diplomatic responsibilities, he
worked with the Embassy to organize three international investment
conferences attended by investors representing hundreds of companies.
In 2004, he received from Slovak President Rudolph Schuster the highest
award given to non-Slovaks, The White Double Cross, for his work in
furthering the Slovak economic and political relationship with the
United States. He recently received the Cultural Pluralism Award from
the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad for
his work in the restoration of the Jewish cemetery in Zakopane, Poland,
and one of Slovakia’s most cherished historical sites, the medieval
Trencin Castle.
Ambassador Weiser founded McKinley Associates Inc., a national real
estate investment company, in 1968, and served as its Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer until 2001. McKinley and its property
management subsidiary own or manage real estate valued in excess of
$1.2 billion. McKinley also invests in and manages investments in oil
and gas, venture capital, stocks and bonds. McKinley’s national
headquarters is located in Ann Arbor, and it has properties located in
nine states.
He is a graduate with honors from the Ross School of Business at the
University of Michigan, and did post-graduate work at the Business and
Law Schools. In April 2005, he received the David D. Alger award as the
outstanding alumnus of the University of Michigan Business School and
gave the commencement address to the Gerald R. Ford School of Public
Policy.
Ambassador Weiser has chaired numerous political and judicial campaigns
including four Michigan Supreme Court races and was Chairman of Team
Michigan from 1997-2000. He served as the Michigan Finance Chair of
Bush for President in 1999 and 2000 and as a member of the National
Executive Committee of Victory 2000. He currently serves as the
Michigan Republic State Finance Chair and as National Co-Chair of
Senator John McCain’s PAC.
MINNESOTA - TONY SUTTON
MISSISSIPPI - BRAD WHITE
Brad began his service in Republican Party politics at the age of fourteen during Kirk Fordice’s 1991 campaign for Governor. Afterwards, Brad served as President of the Simpson County Teenage Republicans and later served as President of the Mississippi Teenage Republicans. He was also Founder and Charter President of the Co-Lin College Republicans.
In 1996, Brad became the youngest Mississippi Republican Party County Chairman at the age of nineteen. While serving in this capacity, Brad’s leadership energized the growth of the Simpson County Republican Party, resulting in a quadrupled turnout for the local Republican Primary and ushering in the first-ever locally elected Republican officials.
In 2007, Governor Barbour named Brad Chairman of Candidate Recruitment as well as the MSGOP Get-Out-The-Vote Director for the 2007 elections where the MSGOP elected 7 of 8 statewide officials.
Within his community, Brad serves as a Deacon at Jupiter Baptist Church, a small rural church partly founded by his family in the 1920s. His experience also includes serving as President of both the Mendenhall Area Chamber of Commerce and the Simpson County Development Foundation. For his extensive community involvement, Brad was named Citizen of the Year by the Mendenhall Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
MISSOURI - DAVID COLE
[elected Jan. 17, 2009]MONTANA - WILL DESCHAMPS
As a small business owner for 35 years, Will became involved with many local organizations. He has been a member of the Southside Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Cub Scouts, Missoula Planning Board, Western Montana Fair, Larchmont Golf Course, Hellgate Elementary School Board, Montana Unified School Trust, Marine Corps League and Toys For Tots. He is or has been the chair or leader in each of these organizations.
On the political front, Will has been a Pachyderm member for many years, the current chair of the Missoula County Republican Central Committee, a past member of the Republican State Executive Board, and past chair of the Republican State Rules Committee.
Will has been a past candidate for Missoula County Commissioner and House District 98 Legislative seat.
Will’s interest range from family, flying, scuba diving, and travel.
NEBRASKA - MARK FAHLESON
NEVADA - SEN. MARK AMODEI
It was the largest city in Nevada at the time, and by 1880, three-quarters of Nevada's Irish population lived in Virginia City. But by the end of the 1880's the boom was largely over. Still there was much rejoicing when Mary Egan married Richard Galligan and they settled down to raise their family. Daughter Lillian Galligan left the Virginia City area when she married Mark A. Amodei, an Italian immigrant, and they settled down in Elko, Nevada, where he worked for the Department of Transportation. Life and circumstances would ultimately move them to Carson City.
The Amodei's worked hard to support their family. Donald Amodei was a volunteer fireman who found his calling with the Forestry Division, while his wife Joy worked for a local physician. They raised Mark and his sister Denise with thrifty traditional American values.
Following graduation from Carson High School in 1976, where he was student class president, Mark attended the University of Nevada Reno before enrolling at McGeorge Law School. He received his J.D. in 1983. Scholarships and R.O.T.C. paid for UNR. He completed his McGeorge education with student loans that were rapidly paid off.
During his four years of active duty, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney and Assistant Post Judge Advocate in Maryland, Texas and Utah. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Award.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Mark returned home to begin his law practice and raise his family.
His original decision to run for office was driven by his desire to help the people of his district. The voters awarded his hard work, conservative values and honesty by repeatedly and overwhelmingly returning him to office.
Elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1996, Mark was named the Outstanding Freshman Legislator for the 69th session. Mark successfully ran for the state senate in 1998, defeating an incumbent state senator. In 2002 and 2006, he was reelected, receiving over 80% of the popular vote. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mark was selected by his fellow senators as the best Senate Committee Chairman.
Special Legislative assignments have included presiding over the Senate's Committee of the Whole for the only impeachment trial in Nevada's history. Additionally, he selected to serve as the President Pro Tem of the Nevada State Senate.
He has served on the Legislative Commission, Vice Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Public Health Care, Education Commission of the States, Public Lands committee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Legislative Oversight committee, Chairman of the Education Technology committee, and was a member of the Nevada Supreme Court's committee on Court Funding, as well as numerous committees covering myriad statewide issues.
When Mark Amodei first ran for office, he committed to following the provisions of term limits. When some powerful people approached him about challenging the term limits law in the courts, Amodei refused, saying he gave his word and he keeps his word.
Mark enjoys working on his old trucks, hunting, golf, do-it-yourself projects, and exploring Nevada history.
He is close to his family and has two adult daughters -- Erin, a nursing student at TMCC and Ryanne, an engineer presently on active duty with the U.S. Navy.
note: Sen. Amodei is term limited and not seeking re-election in 2010; he ran for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate until Feb. 2010.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - JOHN H. SUNUNU
NEW JERSEY - ASSEMBLYMAN JAY WEBBER
Assemblyman Jay Webber started his service in the New Jersey Legislature for the residents of the 26th Legislative District in January 2008. He serves on the Budget and Labor Committees.
Jay was raised in Clifton in Passaic County and attended St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale and later The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
After college, Jay served as a Budget Staffer and District Director for former Congressman William Martini from 1995 to 1997. After leaving Congressman Martini’s office, Jay was a staff member at the Manhattan Institute, a free-market think tank in New York City.
From 1997 to 2000, Jay attended Harvard Law School, where he met his wife Johanna, who is also a member of Harvard Law School’s Class of 2000.
As an attorney, Jay represented taxpayers and the Republican Party three times in legal actions against New Jersey Governors to stop their unconstitutional borrowing and spending schemes. Each of those actions resulted in victories for New Jersey taxpayers. Jay currently practices law in Morristown, New Jersey.
Jay is the founder and host of New Jersey Reagan Day, an annual tribute to the life and leadership of President Reagan, and is a member of the Executive Board of the New Jersey Lawyers Chapter of The Federalist Society.
Jay and Johanna live with their five children in Morris Plains, where Jay is a Trustee in St. Virgil’s Parish and a member of the Morris Plains Republican County Committee.
NEW MEXICO - HARVEY E. YATES, JR.
NEW YORK - ED COX
Ed Cox is a lawyer with a distinguished record of service to his Party and in the domestic and international policy arenas. He has served three U.S. Presidents, four Governors and the Republican Party at the state and national levels. He was sworn in as Chairman of the Republican Party of New York State on September 29, 2009.
For more than forty years he has supported and campaigned for candidates across the country beginning in 1968 as a part of the Nixon presidential campaign. In 1972, he travelled extensively as a family surrogate for President Nixon and in 1980 was active in the Reagan campaign. In 1984, he conceived and organized the statewide volunteer effort which helped carry New York State for the Reagan‑Bush team. In 1988 and 1992, Cox organized the New York speakers’ bureau for George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaigns.
Cox has assisted candidates at all levels throughout New York in numerous election cycles. And in the critical election of 1994, Cox played a key role in helping to elect George Pataki Governor. He also participated in the Republican National Conventions and presidential campaigns of 1996, 2000, 2004. During the 2008 Presidential election, he served as State Chairman of John McCain’s campaign.
Under President Reagan, Cox served as General Counsel to the government corporation which financed major synthetic fuels projects. As a Trustee of the State University of New York (SUNY) he has developed cutting-edge policies and programs for community colleges, charter schools, teacher training, facilities construction and finance and administration. Cox has played a key role under four Governors in the selection of judges for New York's highest court. In volunteer positions both in and out of government he has been a leader on energy and environmental policies.
His writings on public policy have appeared in The New Republic magazine, the Antitrust Law Journal and the New York Post, and he is co‑author of a book on the Federal Trade Commission.
Cox was born in Suffolk County, Long Island and was raised in Yorkville, New York City, where he graduated from Trinity High School. He received his B.A. degree in 1968 from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He earned his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in 1972.
He is a proud veteran having joined the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) at Princeton in 1964. He later completed officer and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia and served as a reserve officer with the 11th Special Forces Group.
Cox practices corporate and finance law and has served as a member of the Management Committee and the Chairman of the Corporate Department at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. He has represented companies in a wide variety of industries including software, finance, insurance and biotech and has been named to the list of Super Lawyers in the practice of Securities and Finance law.
Cox married Patricia Nixon in the Rose Garden of the White House in 1971. They have one child, Christopher, who is a graduate of Princeton and the New York University School of Law.
NORTH CAROLINA - TOM FETZER
Tom Fetzer was elected Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party on June 13, 2009. A graduate of Wake Forest, Fetzer began his political career in the administration of Gov. Jim Martin, and also worked for Sen. John East. In 1993, he made North Carolina political history as the first Republican elected Mayor of Raleigh. Tom was reelected twice before leaving office in 1999.
After his tenure as Mayor, Fetzer accepted a teaching fellowship at Harvard University’s School of Government and later went on to hold an executive position with the United States Tennis Association before returning to Raleigh. He spent many successful years as a political consultant before his election as Chairman of the NCGOP.
Tom was married in October of 2009.
NORTH DAKOTA - GARY EMINETH
Present
State Chairman, North Dakota Republican State Committee, elected June
9, 2007; re-elected June 2009
CEO and founder of SmartEcho, a technology solutions provider for cross-marketing in the grocery and gasoline industries
PreviousPresident, Systemware, a California based firm specializing in high-level technical security, electronic warfare and satellite communications
VP of Marketing, Immune Systems, a start-up Artificial Intelligence company for the E-commerce industry
General Manager, Software 4 Retail Solutions (S4), a retailing software company with over 6,000 store users, a division of DSI, one of the nation’s largest POS resellers
Owner and Operator of retail grocery and convenience stores
RNC Activity
North Dakota State Republican Party Finance Chair, 2007
North Dakota State Republican Party Executive Director, 1986-1989
North Dakota State Republican Party Finance Director, 1985
District 8 Republican Party, 1983-1989
Washburn City Council Member
OHIO - KEVIN DEWINE
On January 16, 2009, the 66-member Republican State Central & Executive Committee of Ohio unanimously elected Kevin DeWine to serve as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, one of the largest state party organizations in the nation.
As the party’s chief executive officer, DeWine is responsible for the management of all party operations and services, including candidate recruitment, campaign support, training, fundraising, voter contact programs, communications, technology resources and legal strategies.
After his election as chairman, he introduced a 10-point strategy, called the Leading Ohio Plan, designed to center the Ohio Republican Party’s political resurgence on a set of fundamental goals. The plan calls for restoring the party’s conservative credibility, developing a broad policy agenda, building beyond the party’s traditional base, re-engaging the middle class, connecting on campuses, developing advanced voter contact programs, using new technology to improve communications, creating a comprehensive political education program, improving candidate recruitment and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. DeWine restructured the party’s internal operation to ensure that each staff position has a specific role in implementing these objectives.
As chairman, DeWine travels extensively on behalf of the party, meeting with voters, donors, candidates, elected officials and volunteers. He frequently hosts townhall-style meetings as part of a “Party to the People” outreach effort, designed to engage Ohioans in a discussion about the Republican Party and its ideas.
In addition to his role as chairman, DeWine is a member of the Republican National Committee, where he sits on the party’s ethics and site selection committees. He previously served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, rising to the chamber’s second-highest position as Speaker Pro Tempore. His legislative accomplishments include extensive efforts to improve voter confidence in Ohio's elections process, including major reforms to state voting and campaign finance laws. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Dayton and an MBA from Wright State University. He and his wife, Kelle, reside in Fairborn with their four sons.
OKLAHOMA - GARY JONES
Gary and his wife of twenty-nine years, Mary Jane, reside on their farm southwest of Cache, Oklahoma. They have two children, daughter Kelly, a student, and her husband Brandon Dollarhite, a minister at the First United Methodist Church in Comanche, Oklahoma, and son Chris, who manages the family farm. They also have a 2 ½ year old grandson, Blake, whom Grandpa calls "Buck" and a newborn granddaughter, Lauren.Gary and Mary Jane have attended the First United Methodist Church in Cache for the last 27 years where Gary has been a Sunday School teacher and served on the board of trustees.
Gary has been involved in grassroots Republican politics for years, having served as precinct chairman, Comanche County Vice-Chairman, and Fourth District Republican Chairman. Gary also serves as the executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Party in addition to State Chairman. In 1994 Gary was elected Comanche County Commissioner. In November 2002 he ran for the office of State Auditor and Inspector, and despite being outspent nearly 3 to 1, Gary was able to garner 49% of the vote.
Boards and Organizations: Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants Certified Fraud Examiner National Cattlemen's Association Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Comanche County Cattlemen Comanche County Industrial Development Authority Cache Economic Development Authority Republican National Committee The Oklahoma Republican Party
OREGON - BOB TIERNAN
Bob Tiernan was elected as Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party in January 2009. Bob has the professional and personal experience we need to turn the party around. He is a successful business owner and consultant and serves as President of Tiernan and Associates. Bob also founded and is an owner of the new PayLess Drug, now the largest institutional drug company in Oregon.
In 2004, the board of a struggling Grocery Outlet, Inc. sought Bob's leadership and experience to serve as its President and Chief Operating Officer with a charge to turn the company around. In three years time, Bob took the discount grocery store chain with locations throughout Oregon and the western United States from financial difficulty to 14 straight quarters of positive sales and opened 24 new stores. When Bob left in 2007, Grocery Outlet over $600 million in sales and employed over 3,000 people.
In addition to professional endeavors, Bob has spent his much of his adult life in public service to our state and nation. From 1993 - 1997, he served as State Representative from District 24 in Lake Oswego. In the Legislature Bob was selected to Chair both the General Government and Crime and Corrections Committee, and served on the Judiciary and Labor Committees. Bob was also the Chief sponsor of three successful Oregon ballot initiatives: Measure 11, Oregon's "tough on crime" ballot measure; Measure 8, the pension reform initiative; and Measure 17, an initiative to make prisoners work.
Bob is also a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve where he serves as an Intelligence Officer for special intelligence units and has been a member of the U.S. Navy since 1983.
Bob graduated from Oregon State University with a BA in 1977 and went on to earn a JD from Seattle University School of Law in 1980 and a LLM from Georgetown University Law School in 1983. Bob now resides in Lake Oswego and is the proud father of three adult children.
PENNSYLVANIA - ROB GLEASON
Rob Gleason brings unmatched enthusiasm and experience to the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. Elected chairman in June of 2006, Rob’s work ethic and drive to succeed is unparalleled. Rob was re-elected Chairman in 2009 to a four-year term.
Rob joined his family’s business in 1965, after four years of active duty as a Captain in the United States Air Force. The grandson of company founder, Gus M. Gleason, Rob has held virtually every position at Gleason. Upon the retirement of his father, Robert A. Gleason, Sr. in 1970, Rob served as the Agency’s President until 1994, at which time he was named Chairman and CEO. Under his skilled leadership, Gleason is now ranked among the 150 largest property and casualty insurance brokers in the United States.
In 1985, Rob took a sabbatical to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Appointed to a two-year term by former Pennsylvania Governor and United States Attorney General, Dick Thornburgh, Rob resigned from his position at Gleason and moved to Harrisburg, PA to assume the new role. Rob’s appointment and his unanimous approval by the Senate were due to what Thornburgh referred to as his “excellence and commitment to good, clean, hard-hitting politics, solid government and devotion to the community.”
He returned to Gleason in 1987 and still remains extremely active in
politics on the national, state and county levels. In 1996 he succeeded
his father, Robert A. Gleason Sr. as Chairman of the Cambria County
Republican Committee. Robert A. Gleason Sr. was the longest tenured
County Chairman in the history of the Republican Party. Rob Gleason was
unanimously re-elected as Chairman in 1998.
In May 1993, the late Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey nominated
him to be a member of the five-person Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
The Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously confirmed him. He served on
the Commission until September 1997, during which time he helped
determine policy on construction, operation, and maintenance issues, as
well as addressing finance and contract concerns.
In September 1997, Pennsylvania Governor Thomas J. Ridge appointed Rob to the State Transportation Commission. The Commission gathers and studies information relating to the needs of highways and all types of mass transportation to determine the need and the recommended order of priority for their construction or reconstruction. Among his many political accomplishments Rob Gleason is proud to have led gubernatorial candidate Mike Fisher to victory in Cambria County. Despite an overwhelming 2:1 Democratic edge, Mike Fisher won Cambria County with 57% of the vote. Again in 2004 with the same registration statistics, Rob Gleason pulled off a huge win for President Bush, and for the first time in over 50 years, a Republican presidential candidate carried Cambria County with a 2.2% margin.
A 1961 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Rob remains very active in the University. In 1998, he was appointed a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gleason has also served as a trustee of St. Francis College, Loretto, PA from 1978-1988 and was the Vice Chair from 1991-1992.
In October 1999, he was elected Chairman of The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, an organization that represents the 300 largest insurance brokers in the United States. The Council places 80% - more than $90 billion – of the commercial property/casualty insurance premiums in the United States. They also provide industry leadership, visible and effective representation before government, executive training and agency management programs.
Rob has always believed in community involvement and is affiliated with various civic, philanthropic and professional organizations. He is a director and secretary for the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and is also a trustee and former Chairman of Memorial Medical Center, a trustee of Conemaugh Health System, and Chairman of the Parish Finance Council of the Church of Our Mother of Sorrows.
In 2004 Rob was named Co-Chairman for the Catholics for Bush in PA. He traveled the state extensively, meeting with the Catholic leadership. This effort and increased the Catholic vote for President Bush in the Commonwealth by 4% (increase from 2000). Rob is currently member of the Catholic Advisory Committee of the Republican National Committee.
In May 2006, President George W. Bush announced his intentions to nominate Mr. Gleason to the Commission on Presidential Scholars. The members of the Commission on Presidential Scholars are charged with honoring, on behalf of President of the United States, some our of Nation's future leaders. The Commissioners are appointed by the President and come from across the country, representing a variety of fields, including: education, medicine, law, public service, business, and other professions.
Rob Gleason is well known throughout the country in his field and is considered one of the leading brokers in the insurance industry.
Rob Gleason has been married to Jeanne for 45 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.
RHODE ISLAND - GIOVANNE CICIONE
SOUTH CAROLINA - KAREN FLOYD
Karen Floyd was elected State Chairman of the South Carolina
Republican Party on May 16, 2009, by acclimation. She is the first
woman in the history of the South Carolina Republican Party to be
elected to this position. Karen is the founder and CEO of the Palladian
Group, a global marketing, development, and technology firm.
In 2006, Karen was the Republican nominee for South Carolina
Superintendent of Education, winning a five-man Republican primary,
only to lose the general election by the smallest margin in the state’s
history. She is a former Chairman of Spartanburg County Council, former
vice-president for Flagstar Corporation, former prosecutor, and a
former Chief Magistrate, the youngest to serve at the time. In 2003,
Karen was awarded the Order of the Palmetto. She currently serves
on the State Ports Authority Board where she recently became the first
woman to Chair the Legal and Audit Committee.
Karen grew up in Irmo, South Carolina. While attending Irmo High
School, she held the number one ranking in the state for women’s
cross-country running. Karen still relies on the strong work ethic,
perseverance, and dedication she learned from the hours and hours of
cross country training years ago.
Karen and her husband Gordon live in Spartanburg where they are
members of the First Presbyterian Church. Karen is a commissioned
Stephen Minister and a founding donor and supporter of the Carolina
Pregnancy Center. Karen and Gordon have teenage twins, Chris and Ernie.
SOUTH DAKOTA - BOB GRAY
Bob Gray was elected Chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party in February 2009, and brings to the Party over fifteen years of political experience. Bob was elected to the State Senate in 2004 and has served as President Pro Tempore since 2007. From 1994 to 2002, he worked as an advisor and spokesperson for Attorney General Mark Barnett. He is currently a partner in Reinke Gray Wealth Management, a financial advisory firm in Pierre. Bob grew up in Piedmont, graduated from St. Martin’s Academy in Rapid City, and later earned his accounting degree from the University of South Dakota. Gray resides in Pierre with his wife Cara and their daughter and son.
TENNESSEE - CHRIS DEVANEY
Chris Devaney grew up in a small town in Texas where he learned from an early age the values that would later shape his career. It was also here that Chris first saw the power of grassroots Republican politics when he watched his parents help lead a small local party into the majority by leading with principle and never giving up.
By the time Chris attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in Political Science, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the public arena.
Upon graduation, he began what he thought may be a career in journalism and eventually went to Washington with NBC Radio News. Chris, however, wanted to be more directly engaged in promoting conservative values, so he left journalism to work for the United States Senate Republican Conference where he performed media relations.
In 1994, Chris came to Tennessee to help a Nashville attorney by the name of Fred Thompson win a seat in the United States Senate. Chris stayed with Senator Thompson and worked for him both in Tennessee and Washington. He has said many times that this experience working with Senator Thompson gave him an insight into principled leadership that continues to guide him today.
Chris later applied the skills he had gained by becoming the Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party. Under his leadership of the Party’s political operation, Devaney played an important role in helping to elect United States Senator Bob Corker in 2006 and set the stage statewide for what would become the historic State Senate elections of 2006 and State House elections of 2008.
His approach to building a political organization was very simple and was rooted in what he had learned in life - stand for the principles you know are right, never give up and never forget that it is the grassroots volunteers who carry you to victory.
Following Senator Corker’s election in 2006, Chris was asked to join the Senator as his State Director. As with his time with Senator Thompson, Chris took this as an opportunity to be on the front lines of where Republican principles and sound public policy meet and to learn first hand what effective leadership truly means.
On May 30, 2009, Chris Devaney was elected as the Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. He is proud to have the chance to stand with an outstanding State Executive Committee and countless fellow Tennesseans in order to fight for the values and principles that have made our Party and our nation great. Chris is confident that the Party’s number one goal – victory in 2010 – can and will be achieved.
Chris and his wife Heather live in Chattanooga with their four children and attend Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
TEXAS - CATHIE ADAMS
Cathie Adams has been involved in the Republican Party in many ways: as an election judge, a member of the district, state and national resolutions/platform committees; a Delegate to every senatorial and state convention since 1988; and a Delegate to the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Republican National Conventions. At the 2008 State Convention, Cathie was elected as the Republican National Committeewoman for Texas. Cathie was elected Chairman of the RPT in October 2009 by members of the State Executive Committee.
She served as a member of the National Platform Committee in 2000, 2004 and 2008 where she led on issues such as the Right to Life, Border Security, Tort Reform, Limited Government/lower taxes, Sanctity of Marriage, Photo ID to Vote, U.S. Sovereignty and many others.
UTAH - DAVE HANSEN
Born – 1947, Ogden, Utah
Raised – Syracuse, Utah
Education
High School – Clearfield High, Clearfield, Utah
College – B.A. from Brigham Young University
Graduate
work
at the University of Utah
Professional
Experience
1971-73 Teacher, Layton High
School, Layton, Utah
1973-74 Executive Director, Montana Republican Party
1975-78 Teacher, Clearfield High School, Clearfield, Utah
1978-84 Executive Director, Utah Republican Party
1984-85 Regional Political
Director, Republican National Committee
1985-91 Deputy. Lt. Governor,
State of Utah
1991-93 Executive Director,
Utah Republican Party
1993-97 Regional Political
Director, Republican National Committee
1997-2001 Political Director,
National Republican Senatorial Committee
2001-02 Regional Political
Director, Republican National Committee
2002-Present Campaign/Public
Relations Consultant
2002 John
Swallow for Congress, Utah CD 2
2004 Fred
Lampropoulos for Governor, Utah
2006
Senator Orrin Hatch re-election
2009-Present Chairman, Utah
Republican Party
VERMONT - STEVE LARRABEE
VIRGINIA - PAT MULLINS
Pat Mullins, a Virginia resident for 46 years, began his career in Virginia politics in 1972 working for the election of Bill Scott to the United States Senate. He was an active grass-roots worker, precinct captain, and volunteer. He ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate for Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County in 1979 and 1987.
He ran for Chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee in 1990, winning that convention that was attended by over 1,000 delegates.
He served as Chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee from 1990 to 1996. During that time, he was successful in leading the Republican Party to its first Republican Majority on the Board of Supervisors in the County history in 1991, helped elect multiple new House of Delegate and State Senate members, helped elect George Allen to the Virginia Governorship in 1993 by carrying Fairfax County, and helped elect Republican Congressman Tom Davis to the 11th Congressional District seat in 1994, defeating ultra-liberal Leslie Byrne.
Pat moved to Louisa County in 1998 and joined the Republican Committee there working as a grass-roots volunteer. Last year he was elected Chairman of the Louisa County Republican Committee. Since becoming Chairman, Party membership has grown by 400%. At the Don Huffman Republican Advance, the Louisa Party was named most improved unit committee in the 7th Congressional District.
Pat works for Markel Insurance of Glen Allen, VA and specializes in equine insurance.
During his professional career, Pat has been a community activist, serving as (partial list):
District Governor of Rotary - District 760 Virginia
President of the Annandale Chamber of Commerce
President of the Annandale Rotary Club
President of the Annandale/Springfield National Little League
President of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs
President of the Turnpike Basketball League
President of the National Therapeutic Riding Association
Pat has been married to his wife Jackie for 45 years and they have 4 children (Cathy, Steve, Mike, and Debbie) who all graduated from Virginia Universities, and they have 6 grandchildren who are all born and bred Virginians.
Pat was born in St. Albans, West Virginia, graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a BA Degree. Pat also received a JD Degree from George Washington University.
On May 30th , 2009, he was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.
WASHINGTON - LUKE ESSER
[elected to a second two-year term on Jan. 24, 2009]
Former State Senator (2003-2006) and State Representative (1999-2002).
Legislative Leadership Positions: Senate Republican Floor Leader from 2003-2006 (Senate Majority Floor Leader 2003-04), Chairman of Senate Technology & Communications Committee in 2003, Co-Vice Chair of House Capital Budget Committee from 1999-2001, Member of Boeing 7E7 Five Corners Alliance in 2003, member of Regional Transportation Leadership Group in 2005.
Legislative Awards: Legislator of the Year, Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs for 2006; Citation of Merit from Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition in 2005; Cornerstone Award from Association of Washington Business in 2005; National Association of Home Builders’ State Official of the Year for 2004; “Guardian of Small Business” award winner in 2004 & 2000 from National Federation of Independent Business; Gold Medal Award winner from Independent Business Association in 2004; Certificate of Thanks from Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2004 for his “sincere commitment to addressing domestic violence issues in our state”; Certificate of Recognition from SPEEA in 2004 for helping to land the 7E7 for our state; Certificate of Appreciation from Washington Parks & Recreation Association in 2004; Washington Tow Truck Association Legislator of the Year for 2003; “Housing Supporter” award from Low-Income Housing Congress in 2001 for support of improved funding and public policy for low-income housing; “Star” Award from Bellevue Community College Trustees in 2001 for support and advocacy on behalf of the state’s community colleges.
Other Work Experience: Former Outreach Director for state Attorney General’s Office, former Policy Director for King County Councilmember Rob McKenna, former Special Deputy Prosecutor in King County Juvenile Court, former Law Clerk/Bailiff in King County Superior Court, former sports writer and member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Personal: Bellevue native. Attended local public schools, graduating from Interlake High in 1979. Finished fourth in state at 1979 Washington State Debate Tournament. Lifetime parishioner at St. Louise Catholic Parish in Bellevue. Rotarian. Lives in Lake Hills.
Education: J.D., University of Washington Law School, 1989; Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting & Editorial Journalism, University of Washington, 1985.
WEST VIRGINIA - DOUG MCKINNEY
Note: West Virginia
Republican Party Reorganization Meeting will be held Saturday, July
24th in Morgantown WV.
WISCONSIN - REINCE PRIEBUS
Before being elected as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin in 2007, Chairman Priebus devoted his time and effort to electing Republican officials for many years, including running as a GOP candidate for state Senate in 2004. Chairman Priebus also previously worked in the Wisconsin legislature as the Committee Clerk for the State Assembly Education Committee. After enrolling at the University of Miami School of Law, Chairman Priebus clerked for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in Los Angeles, California.
In 2009, after chairing Michael Steele’s successful bid to become the RNC Chairman, Priebus was asked to serve in the prestigious post of General Counsel to the Republican National Committee.
Chairman Priebus has made numerous media appearances as a panelist on Sunday Insight with Charles Sykes, as a guest on Up Front with Mike Gousha, weekly radio guest appearances on AM 1400 WRJN in Racine and AM 1050 WLIP in Kenosha, and has even made appearances on Fox News with Megyn Kelly, Geraldo Rivera, MSNBC and C-SPAN's "Road to the Whitehouse."
Priebus resides in Kenosha with his wife Sally, his son Jack, and baby girl Grace Avalyn.
WYOMING - DIANA VAUGHAN