ALABAMA - REP. MIKE HUBBARD

Rep. Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) represents House District 79 in the Alabama House of Representatives and also serves as the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.

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

On December 13, 2008, Doyle Webb was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas.  His election was the culmination of over 35 years of grassroots work within the Party.   From a Saline County Precinct Captain to County Secretary and Chairman to General Counsel of the State Executive Committee, Doyle has served the Republican Party in every aspect.  Having attended the last 8 Republican National Committee and its roll in electing national leaders. 

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.

Ron Nehring is a leader who has stepped up to teach campaign and communications strategy and tactics to others at campaign seminars throughout the United States and Canada, and even in such troubled areas as Iraq, Bosnia, the Middle East and Haiti through the International Republican Institute, the Leadership Institute and the Project for California 's Future.

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]  Republican State Chairman Tom Ross started his political career when he was still in high school, working on Governor Pete du Pont’s Presidential campaign. 

Chairman Ross has served in the Delaware Republican Party in a number of capacities, as Wilmington City Committee Chairman, New Castle County Republican Committee Chairman, and a member of the State Republican Party Executive Committee. He has also been a candidate for public office. 

During his tenure as Republican State Chairman, the Delaware Republican Party has experienced a resurgence after the 2008 election. The Party has won three legislative special elections in Democratic districts and recruited one of the most highly touted tickets for the 2010 elections that the Party has had in years. 

Chairman Ross lives with his wife and two sons in Wilmington, and owns and operates several small businesses in both Delaware and Pennsylvania.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - ROBERT J. KABEL

As counsel at Baker & Daniels, Bob Kabel represents clients before Congress, Executive Branch departments and agencies, independent agencies and the White House. In addition to his extensive financial industry practice in the U.S., Bob assists clients navigate the legal and economic infrastructure of Brazil. By using his expertise in complying with Brazil's complicated regulatory environment, he gives his clients the tools they need to compete in this growing market.

Bob is also the founder and editor of the Intelligence Letter, a weekly newsletter that provides strategic insight and analysis, as well as insider political, legislative and regulatory forecasting from the U.S. to the business community in Brazil.

Bob represents a wide array of other major industries, ranging from aviation, health care and entertainment, as well as foreign corporations, trade associations and countries. Recognized for his expertise in health issues and his global perspective, Bob currently serves on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and its International Committee. In this capacity, he provides recommendations regarding programs and policies to the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Prior to Bob's more than 20 years of private law practice, he spent several years on Capitol Hill. During the Reagan Administration, he served for three years as Special Assistant to President Reagan for Legislative Affairs. In this position he represented the White House before the United States Senate. Bob also served as Legislative Director for Senator Richard Lugar, as well as Legislative Assistant to Senator Paul Fannin. He served as a part-time member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.

Government Service
White House Office of Legislative Affairs, 1982-85
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Sen. Paul Fannin (R-AZ)
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, Part-Time Member, 1988-90

Education
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M., 1979
Vanderbilt University, J.D., 1972
Denison University, B.A., 1969

FLORIDA - SEN. JOHN THRASHER

[elected Feb. 2010]  John Thrasher is a member of the Florida Senate and a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. While leading the Florida House of Representatives during Jeb Bush’s first two years as Governor, John helped pass some of the landmark reforms advanced by the Governor, including an overhaul of the state’s education system. Among his many accolades, John served as a Florida co-chair for the George W. Bush for President Campaign in 2004 and is a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Florida State University. John was honored by having the FSU medical school building named after him.

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

Chairman Everhart was elected the first woman Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in May of 2007.  Prior to being elected Chairman, she was the First Vice Chairman of the Party as well as the Party's former 6th District Chairman. Chairman Everhart was named the Georgia Republican Party’s Volunteer of the Year in 2000 and received their Pioneer Award in 2005 for her long and continued service to the Party.  Sue was selected in 2007 as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. She is a former banker and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Cobb County Symphony and a member of the Cultural Arts Board of Cobb County.  She is the past Chairman of the Cobb Board of Elections and former Board Member of the Cobb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

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

[elected May 16, 2009]  Jonah-Kuhio Ka'auwai is the Chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party.  Jonah can be best described as a man of deep faith and moral conviction. He is best described as a devout husband to his wife, Shari, a nurturing father to his two sons Zion and Ridge, a fiscally prudent businessman, and a proud Hawaii Republican. His friends, family and business associates love and respect him because of his character, passion, values, enthusiasm and especially his genuine love for others.

Born and raised in Waipouli on Kauai, Jonah-Kuhio was named after Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaiana’ole (his wife was great aunt Princess Elizabeth Kahanu Ka’auwai) with direct lineal descendents of chiefs of Maui and Hawaii.  Jonah is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received his Bachelors Degree in Marketing and Philosophy from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts.

He worked for the Department of Public Safety’s Hawaii Correctional Industries Division for nearly ten years, most recently as Division Administrator working to bring more accountability and self-sufficiency to operations and management to Correctional Industries and leading the division to its most healthy and vibrant economic condition in its 25+ year history.

He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona, Jr., for two years, coordinating staff, constituent concerts and community events on behalf of the Lt. Governor and serving as a key advisor and liaison for the Office of the Lt. Governor.

Jonah was elected as Chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party in May 2009 and continues to serve the people of Hawaii by championing the Hawaii Republican Party values of Liberty, Limited Government, Individual Responsibility, Fiscal Accountability and Equality of Opportunity.

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

Personal Resume
• 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

Murray Clark practices law at Baker & Daniels LLP in several legal areas, including government affairs and administrative law, where he has over a decades worth of experience. Murray has been involved in Republican politics his entire adult life. He began his political career as Precinct Committeeman, a position that he still holds today. For 11 years Murray served as an Indiana State Senator in the 29th district. While serving as Senator, Murray was active in many issues, and was acknowledged as being an outstanding legislator. Consistently supporting small businesses, Murray was given the Small Business Champion Award by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2004, as well as the Guardian of Small Business Award by the National Federation of Independent Business in 2001. In the 2005 legislative session, he authored a successful bill to improve the child adoption process. Before leaving the Senate, Murray was the ranking member of two committees: Economic Development and Technology, as well as Insurance and Financial Institutions. He was also chairman of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee. Along with Murray’s extensive experience as a Senator and attorney, he has served the political process in many other ways. He was delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1996 and has been a delegate to every biennial Indiana State Republican Convention since 1994. Murray has served as Marion County Republican Central Committee Treasurer and Ward Chairman and has served on the Township Advisory Board and Election Board. He ran for Lieutenant Governor with running mate David McIntosh in 2000. In 2003, he campaigned for Governor and later became the campaign chairman for Governor Mitch Daniels. Before joining Baker & Daniels, Murray practiced law at the Indianapolis firm of Clark, Quinn, Moses, Scott & Grahn for 23 years. Murray graduated with a B.A. from Kenyon College in 1979 and a law degree from IU-Indianapolis in 1982. Murray participates in several civic activities including serving on the Board of Trustees of The Indianapolis Foundation, the Board of Directors of The Hundred Club (assisting families of fallen police officers and firefighters), Saint Elizabeth’s Home, Children’s Bureau Foundation, Dynamo Soccer Club, Carmel-Clay Chamber of Commerce, Nora Northside Community Council, and Coach of the First Baptist Church Little League. Murray is married to Janet Clark, and they have four children: James, Holly, Katherine, and Anne. They’re members of St. Luke Catholic Church.

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

Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Steve Robertson has been involved in the Kentucky political arena for more than a decade.

Robertson has served as Chairman of the State Party since June 2007. Prior to accepting this position, Robertson served as the Commissioner of the Governor’s Office for Local Development at the appointment of Governor Ernie Fletcher.

Before joining the Fletcher administration, Robertson was president and CEO of the Robertson Group, a political consulting firm. His other previous professional experiences include working as the Republican National Committee’s state legislative director for 11 southeastern states, managing volunteer voter programs for the 2000 Bush-Cheney Campaign and working as a legislative analyst for Kentucky State Senate President David L. Williams.

Robertson, a Lexington native, resides in Frankfort, Kentucky.

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

[elected Nov. 20, 2009]  Audrey Scott is a former Republican elected official, dedicated public servant, communicator, fundraiser and a grassroots activist. She is known for her tireless work ethic, consensus building and ability to get the job done. Audrey's commitment to improving the State of Maryland earned her an induction into the highly prestigious Maryland Women Hall of Fame as well as a Maryland Woman of Achievement award. 

Audrey has a tremendous amount of executive experience having served two Republican Presidents and a Republican Governor. First, as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for President Ronald Reagan and then for President George H.W Bush. Most recently, Audrey served in Governor Robert Ehrlich's Cabinet as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning. She is also a past Executive Director of the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a General Manager of Chaney Enterprises.

Audrey was also a popular eight-year host of an award-winning cable television show that explored city, county and state government, private enterprise and community non-profits, as well as a national speaker on topics ranging from Republican politics to the legislative process.

Audrey began her elected career as a Bowie City Council member and then as a three-term Bowie Mayor. Audrey was next elected twice to the Prince George's County Council, For nearly eight years, Audrey was the only elected Republican in Prince George's County. In addition, while Mayor of Bowie, Audrey was elected President of the Maryland Municipal League where she spearheaded the effort to get the Democratic controlled State Legislature to pass the Municipal Tax Differential legislation, which provided protection for Maryland citizens from being taxed twice for the same governmental services.

In all of Audrey's political races, Democrats far outnumbered Republicans. She attributes her success at the ballot box to grassroots organization, hard work and respect for her opponents. Audrey's ability to lead was so admired by her Democrat colleagues that they elected her Vice Chairman of the Prince George's County Council.

Audrey's commitment to the community includes leading the effort to build a much needed hospital in Bowie and her election to the Boards of Preservation Maryland, The Maryland Women's Heritage Center and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.

Audrey's commitment to the community also includes her efforts to help elect Republicans, which include: regional political chair for the presidential campaigns of President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, Senator Bob Dole and President George W Bush; two-time Chairman of the Republican Bay Club, a fundraising arm of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women; a five-time Republican National Convention delegate; and a regional campaign director for Bob Ehrlich. In addition, Audrey spends countless hours advising and fundraising for up-and-coming Republican candidates, 

Audrey is a frequent speaker and auctioneer at various county Lincoln Day dinners, as well as local Republican clubs and Maryland Federation of Republican Women events. In addition, she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Republican candidates and causes.

Audrey Scott received a B.A. in English from Tufts University and a M.A. in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. Audrey and her husband, John, raised four sons and live in Queenstown, Maryland. She attends Calvary Methodist church and in her spare time enjoys gardening and reading.

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.

Born in South Bend, Indiana on July 7, 1945, he married Eileen Lappin in 1983. Their son, Daniel, was born on October 1, 2000. The Weisers have two married children and three grandchildren.

MINNESOTA - TONY SUTTON

[elected June 13, 2009]  Tony Sutton was born and St. Paul and graduated from Hibbing High School and currently lives with his wife, Bridget, and their four children in Inver Grove Heights.  Starting his political work knocking on doors for President Ronald Reagan in 1986, Tony has served on numerous campaigns and Republican committees on both the local and national level including his work as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Minnesota.  Most recently, Tony has served as Secretary-Treasurer of Republican Party of Minnesota from 2005-present.  Tony is also a successful entrepreneur and CEO of the Minnesota based Baja Sol Restaurant Group.

MISSISSIPPI - BRAD WHITE

[elected May 9, 2008; started Sept. 2008] Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Brad White was born and raised in the small Simpson County community of Jupiter.  After graduating from college with a degree in Business Management, Brad purchased their family home in Jupiter from his parents and still resides there today.

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]  David Cole was unanimously elected Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party in January 2009. 

For the past two decades, David has focused on strengthening our party and electing Republicans across the state.  As the chairman of the 7th District Republican Congressional Committee, David successfully developed and implemented fundraising, political, and budgeting plans in a critically important region of the state.  He has served as the Barry County Coordinator for the campaigns of Roy Blunt, Matt, Blunt, Kit Bond, Jim Talent, Peter Kinder, and John Ashcroft, among others.

Prior to his election as Chairman, David has served on the Republican State Committee for 12 years and was elected to the Executive Committee.  He also served the Republican Party at the state and local levels as committeeman for Flat Creek City Township and Chairman of the Barry County Republican Central Committee.  He is also a past President of the Missouri Association of Republicans.

In addition to his work with the Missouri Republican Party, David has served his community as a member of the Cassville R-IV Board of Education, Crowder College Foundation Board of Directors, and South Barry County Hospital Board of Directors.  David is an active member and past president of Cassville Chamber of Commerce.  In 2006, he was appointed to Missouri’s Coordinating Board of Higher Education, which oversees the state’s higher education institutions.

David graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in Business Administration and received a law degree from the University of Missouri—Columbia.  He is currently a partner in the law firm of Ellis, Cupps & Cole.

MONTANA - WILL DESCHAMPS

Will Deschamps, elected as Republican State Party chairman on June 12, 2009, is a life long resident of Missoula, with family roots dating from 1868 in Frenchtown. He is married to Janice, his wife of 30 years, and they have three children and 5 grandchildren. Will, the eldest son of two Marine Corps officers, who served during WWII, was raised on a ranch west of Missoula. After attending parochial and public school in Missoula, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps. He served four years active duty with tour in Viet Nam as well as other areas of the world. Upon discharge from active duty Will worked at Hughes Aircraft Company while attending college at California State College at Fullerton. Will graduated from The University Of Montana in 1978 with BS in Business Management.

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

Mark Fahleson is a native of Waverly, Nebraska and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Agricultural Honors.  Fahleson graduated with high distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Nebraska Law Review and was admitted into the Order of the Coif.  Upon graduation from law school, Fahleson served as judicial clerk to Judge D. Nick Caporale of the Nebraska Supreme Court.  

Fahleson is a veteran of Republican political campaigns in Nebraska, serving in various capacities for Republican candidates for local, state and federal office.  In 1994, he helped challenger Jon Christensen defeat incumbent Rep. Peter Hoagland (D-NE).  Fahleson moved to Washington, D.C. in November 1994 to serve as Legislative Director to newly-elected Rep. Jon Christensen.  In May 1995 Fahleson became Christensen’s Chief of Staff.  Fahleson helped coordinate Christensen’s successful reelection effort in 1996, despite the fact that Christensen was heavily targeted by organized labor and environmental groups. 

In 1997, Fahleson returned to Lincoln, Nebraska to practice law and is currently a partner with Rembolt Ludtke LLP.   Fahleson has since served as General Counsel to the Nebraska Republican Party, as a member of the state GOP’s Executive and Central Committees.   In 1999, Fahleson served as Vice-President and General Counsel to the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference, Inc., a 13-state regional political conference showcasing the Republican party’s finest. 

Fahleson served as Chairman of the Lancaster County, Nebraska Republican Party from 2005 to 2007.  Fahleson was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention and served as Nebraska Co-Chair for Lawyers for John McCain for President.  In January 2009 Fahleson was elected Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party.  In this capacity he serves as a voting member of the Republican National Committee and on the RNC’s Rules and Technology Committees.  

Fahleson and his wife, Sara, currently reside in Lincoln, Nebraska, with their three young daughters.

NEVADA - SEN. MARK AMODEI

[elected May 16, 2010] Mark's love of Nevada and his country are as deep as his Nevada roots. When his Irish ancestors fled famine-ridden Ireland in the 1860's, they ultimately settled in Virginia City, slogging through the gray mud, to work in the gold mines. The mud was later determined to be silver, and the silver mines were also opened. There was plenty of work for the Galligan and Egan families.

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.

When Mark Amodei entered the U.S. Army, he had not yet passed the bar exam. So, he was assigned to an artillery division. Upon passing the bar, he became an Army J.A.G.C. officer prosecuting criminal matters.

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

[elected Jan. 21, 2009]  Governor Sununu received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and taught engineering at Tufts University for 16 years. He served three terms as the governor of New Hampshire before President George H.W. Bush appointed him Chief of Staff in 1989, a position that he held until March 1992. After his tenure as Chief of Staff, he co-hosted CNN’s Crossfire, ran an engineering firm, and then in 2004 served as the visiting Roy M. and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of Practice in Public Service at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Governor Sununu is a former partner in Trinity International Partners, a private financial firm, and currently serves as President of JHS Associates, Ltd.

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.

[elected Jan. 10, 2009]  Chairman Harvey E. Yates, Jr. is President of Jalapeno Corporation in Albuquerque, an oil and gas exploration and real estate company.  Yates is a graduate of Artesia High School, the University of Texas at Austin, and Cornell University School of Law. He served six years in the Army Reserves and has worked with several non-profit organizations including Adelante Now and Boy Scouts of America.  He has been married to his wife Jan for thirty-three years and they have four children. 

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 11^th 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 - TONY CLARK

[elected July 26, 2010]  North Dakotans elected Commissioner Tony Clark to his first six-year term in November 2000.  He was re-elected in 2006.

Prior to his election he was Labor Commissioner, serving in the cabinet of former Gov. Ed Schafer. From 1997-99 he was Administrative Officer for the state Tax Department.

Commissioner Clark is a former two-term state legislator. He represented District 44 (Fargo) in the House of Representatives from 1994-97.

In 1998, the Council of State Governments selected him one of 40 “Toll Fellows” for his outstanding achievement and service to state government. He is a graduate of the Bowhay Institute of Legislative Leadership Development and the Program for Emerging Political Leaders at the University of Virginia.

He is a graduate of Fargo North High School and holds degrees in political science and history education from North Dakota State University. He holds a masters degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota.

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

[first elected in 2002 and elected to full terms in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009] Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and raised in Lawton, Gary graduated from Lawton Eisenhower High School in 1972 and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cameron University in 1978. Gary is a Certified Public Accountant, farmer and rancher, and he is also involved in commercial real estate.

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

Gio Cicione lives in Barrington with his wife Chelia and three children.  Gio earned his BA at George Mason University, and JD at Boston University School of Law.  Gio opened his own law firm in Barrington in 2006.  Before opening his own firm, Gio was an attorney at the firm Adler, Pollock & Sheehan in Providence.  Gio has served as Legal Counsel for the RIGOP, led all legal operations during the 2006 elections, leader and active member of the RI Young Republicans, and ran as the endorsed candidate in 1996 against Democrat Congressman Patrick Kennedy in the first Congressional District.  Gio is a member of the Barrington Republican Town Committee, and trustee of the RI Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

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.

In her free time, Karen enjoys reading, running, and duck hunting.

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.

She serves on the Advisory Board for the Young Conservatives of Texas, an independent, non-partisan, youth organization dedicated to the preservation of individual liberties and freedoms through limited government. Cathie is also a strong supporter and donor for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texans Alliance for Life and National Rifle Association.

She joined the board of the Dallas Eagle Forum in the mid-1980s, and then served as president for 5 years until being appointed president of the Texas Eagle Forum (www.texaseagle.org) in 1993 by the national affiliate’s leader Phyllis Schlafly. Cathie also serves on the board of the national Eagle Forum.

As a frequent speaker to Republican clubs and other conservative groups, she has helped to enable thousands of conservative Republican men and women to participate in the process of self-government and public policy-making so that America will continue to be a land of individual liberty, respect for family integrity, public and private virtue, and private enterprise.

Cathie has been involved as a volunteer lobbyist in Austin since 1989 and has testified before the State Board of Education as well as Legislative committees in Austin. Capitol Inside’s Texas Lobby Power Rankings 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (www.capitolinside.com) placed Cathie first on their list of lobbyists for causes. “Adams, a veteran activist who was elected to the Republican National Committee last summer, commands the immediate attention of GOP lawmakers whenever her organization decides to turn up the grassroots pressure on conservative issues dear to its heart.”

Since 1995, Mrs. Adams attended the Women’s Conference in Beijing, China; the Housing Summit in Istanbul, Turkey; the Food Summit in Rome, Italy; and a number of Climate Change meetings from Kyoto, Japan, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Bonn, Germany, The Hague, Netherlands to Poznan, Poland. When the International Criminal Court was created in Rome in 1998, Cathie attended the proceedings. She also attended the 2000 Millennium Summit in New York City, the Global Taxing Summit in Monterrey, Mexico, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. She traveled to Hong Kong for a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization and to Paris, France for a UNESCO meeting.

Mrs. Cathie Adams is a fulltime volunteer. She has been married to Dr. Homer Adams for 40 years and they have five grandchildren. Their son and daughter-in-law are both Texas A&M graduates.

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

[elected Nov. 14, 2009] Steve Larrabee was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, on November 20, 1956, and has been a lifelong resident of Danville, Vermont. Occupation: Owner, Larrabee's Building Supply, Inc.. He was educated in elementary and secondary schools in Danville. He is married to the former Wendi Wallace, and they have one daughter and one son. Member of: Masons; Shriners; Danville Chamber of Commerce; Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce; Northeast Retail Lumber Dealers Association; Caledonia County Forest and Stream Club; Regional Planning Commission. He has served as a selectman and planning commission member. Member of the House: 1995-96, 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008. Religious preference: Methodist.

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 30^th , 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 - MIKE STUART

[elected July 24, 2010] Mike Stuart has been married for 14 years to Katrina Pileggi Stuart. They are the very proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Isabella Grace (8 years) and Audrey Frances (7 years) and currently reside in South Charleston, West Virginia.

Mike is the President and founder of the West Virginia Conservative Foundation, a certified 501(c)(4) organization and West Virginia’s largest conservative organization.

The Conservative Foundation formulates and promotes public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and traditional American values. The Conservative Foundation has worked with Tea Party organizations throughout West Virginia, organized rallies and town hall meetings against Cap & Trade and nationalized healthcare, and have worked to build regional conservative networks.

Mike is a corporate attorney with the regional law firm Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC. He serves on the Energy and Economic Development Committees of the West Virginia State Chamber of Commerce. Mike served as chairman of the Increasing Entrepreneurship Committee of a Vision Shared; in the latter capacity he was the architect of the “Blueprint for Entrepreneurship: A Strategy for Economic Development and Community Renewal.” Mike obtained more than $500,000 in funding for this committee through grants.

In 2005, Mike founded and served as publisher of West Virginia’s largest statewide business magazine, WVInc., a bi-monthly geared to growing companies. In 2006 he was designated by a panel organized by statewide business periodical State Journal as one of 40 persons in “Generation Next,” an effort to identify West Virginia’s next generation of leaders.

In 2007, Mike was selected to represent West Virginia and the United States as one of approximately 20 ambassadors to the American Swiss Foundation’s Young Leaders Conference in Switzerland.

Mike has a law degree from the Boston University School of Law and accounting and political science degrees from West Virginia University where he was named the College of Business and Economics Outstanding Graduating Student.

Mike was born in Philippi, West Virginia, and raised in Morgantown. After graduating from West Virginia University, Mike moved to Pittsburgh where he was an accountant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international accounting firm. After graduating from Boston University, Mike was a corporate attorney for K&L Gates, one of the ten largest law firms in the United States, in its Boston, Massachusetts office.

Mike, Katrina, Isabella and Audrey returned to West Virginia in 2003 to begin the effort to fight for working folks, to rebuild West Virginia’s economy, and to create an economic environment where future generations of West Virginians can reside and thrive.

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

In May of 2009, Diana Vaughan was unanimously elected Chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party.   She has been a grass roots activist for the Republican Party for more than 20 years, and has served in every elected position (treasurer, secretary, state committeewoman, 3 term chairman) in the Teton County Republican Party prior to being elected first as state party secretary, then vice chairman, and now chairman.  She has been a delegate to every Wyoming State Convention since 1990 and was the chair of the Nominating Committee in 2004.  She has chaired state conventions and co-chaired the 1999 Western States Leadership Conference held at Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming.  Diana has chaired and volunteered on countless election committees for Wyoming U.S. Senators and representatives as well as state elected officials.

She has attended National Conventions since 1996 and has been a delegate to numerous conventions as well as serving on the 2004 RNC Platform committee.  Diana currently serves on the RNC Rules Committee.

Since moving to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1984 with her husband and two children, Diana has been an active member of her community.  Diana is a member of the Federation of Republican Women. She is also a member of the Jackson Hole Rotary Supper Club and currently sits on the Rotary Board of Directors.  She is a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the Jackson Hole SnowDevils Snowmobile Club, and is the Teton County Relay for Life sponsorship chair. Diana is a member of the First Baptist Church and for several years chaired the Caring Committee. She also helped lobby for the Professional Pilots Federation.

Diana and her husband Doyle are owners of Vaughan Distributing, a distribution company for synthetic lubricants.  They have been married since 1967 and he is a retired airline pilot.

---

Former
WEST VIRGINIA - DOUG MCKINNEY through July 24, 2010; defeated in bid for second term

Dr. Doug McKinney is Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, having been elected in the summer of 2006 to a four-year term. Doug was born in Bud, West Virginia, on March 17, 1943, the son of Dewey and Violet (Church) McKinney. His father was a barber, gospel musician and longtime Republican county chairman in Wyoming County, and his mother was a housewife. Growing up with three younger sisters, Doug attended Itmann grade school and was valedictorian of Mullens High School, class of 1960, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He attended West Virginia University, where he made the basketball team as a freshman walk-on and had a scholarship to play baseball. He graduated from the WVU Medical School in 1967.

Doug served in the U.S. Navy from 1967-76, including one year of submarine duty and four years of residency in urological surgery. From 1978-86, he operated a practice in Ashland, Ky., then practiced in Bridgeport-Clarksburg until 2004. Doug has also served as President of the County Medical Society in WV and KY, and Kings Daughters Medical Staff, President of the County Medical Society, President of WVU Med School Alumni Association, President of WV State Medical Association, Chairman of WESPAC, Board of Directors for the American Association of Clinical Urologists, Board of UROPAC, and the Board of Directors and President of the Mid-Atlantic Section of American Urological Association. He is Chief of Urology at Clarksburg VAMC.

In addition to practicing medicine, Doug established and coached high school soccer in KY and at Bridgeport High School.  He also served as administrator of the state youth soccer program and was a certified soccer referee. Since becoming Chairman of the WVGOP, Doug led the effort to retire the party’s debt and is building the party for the election challenges ahead.  Doug and his wife, Sue, have four children and eight grandchildren.

NORTH DAKOTA - GARY EMINETH resigned July 2, 2010

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

Previous
President, 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