Republican State Party Chairs 2011
COMPILED BY DEMOCRACY IN ACTION - revised Sept. 27, 2011  

ALABAMA - BILL ARMISTEAD

[elected Feb. 19, 2011]
As Chairman, Bill Armistead brings a wealth of experience to the Alabama Republican Party. From 1988 to 1993, he served as the Chief Economic Advisor for Governor Guy Hunt. In 1994, Bill Armistead was elected as the State Senator for Senate District 14 which includes Shelby, Chilton and Bibb counties.

While in the Senate, he served two terms, including one as the minority leader. Bill also ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2002, served as a Presidential Elector in 1996 and has served as the Vice Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party (Districts 3, 6 and 7) for three terms.

Bill began his career with Saunders Leasing System in Birmingham as a management trainee and worked his way up to Senior Vice President. Bill also served as Vice President at McDonnell Douglas and Hanna Steel.

In 2000, he joined with three others to form Fidelity Information Systems,a tech company that made software for banks to aid in their customer relationship management. Three years ago, they sold the software company; however, Bill stayed on and remains a product consultant.

Bill and his wife, Emily, live in Columbiana.


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 - TOM MORRISSEY

[elected Jan. 22, 2011]
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Arts Law Enforcement Administration (magna cum laude) Ottawa University
Graduate Studies Master in Public Administration (Certified Public Manager) Arizona State University
1975 – 1995  United States Marshals Service, Retired as Chief Deputy US Marshal District of Arizona
1996- 2008  Chief of the Office of Special Investigations Arizona Department of Economic Security

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN ARIZONA
Precinct Committeeman  Various Districts 1995 - present
First Vice Chair LD 6  1999 - 2001
District Chairman LD 20  2001 - 2006

I have supported and provided fundraising events for several elected officials’ campaigns – most recently for J.D. Hayworth, David Schweikert and Bill Montgomery.

I currently serve as the Chairman of the Maricopa County Merit Commission.

PERSONAL
Instructor and practitioner of Chinese internal martial arts for 30 years. Professional musician, songwriter, author and film producer.
Resident of Arizona since 1986, married to Kristine Morrissey. We have 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild.

ARKANSAS - DOYLE WEBB

[re-elected to a second term on Dec. 4, 2010]
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 - TOM DEL BECCARO

[elected March 20, 2011]
Tom Del Beccaro was elected Chairman of the California Republican Party without opposition in March of 2011. He served as CRP Vice Chairman from 2007 to 2011.

Tom is the Publisher of www.PoliticalVanguard.com and author of the book The New Conservative Paradigm published in the fall of 2007. 

Tom is a frequent radio talk show guest with regular appearances on SF Bay Area's KSFO, San Diego's 1700 AM, Fresno 's KMJ, Bakersfield's KERN, Monterey's KION, and Santa Maria's AM 1440. Tom is also seen from time to time on Fox News, KTVU, KPIX, ABC7 and KRON. Tom is also a columnist for the Montecito Journal.

Tom served as the Chairman of the Contra Costa Republican Party for five years. He was unanimously elected to 3 consecutive terms as chair of that county party. Under Tom's leadership, Contra Costa led the state among large counties in Republican turnout. In 2005, Tom was elected without opposition to President of the California Republican Party's County Chairman's Association, which represents all of the county Republican parties in California.

ed. note.  Principal at Del Beccaro, Hornsby & Blake in Lafayette since 2000.  Chairman of the Contra Costa Republican Party, 2003-08.  Santa Clara University School of Law, 1987; B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley, 1983.

COLORADO - RYAN CALL

[elected March 26, 2011]  
Ryan was born in Denver, grew up in Adams County, and attended Ranum High School in Federal Heights. He received his J.D. from the University of Denver in 2005, and his M.B.A. in finance and organizational management and B.A. degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Ryan is an attorney with the Denver law firm of Hale Westfall, LLP, where he provides legal counsel and strategic advice to a broad range of corporations and trade associations, tax-exempt non-profits and advocacy organizations, political party committees, candidate and political action committees, and individuals.

Ryan served previously as a member of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Alumni Council, as a Commissioner appointed by Governor Bill Owens to the Colorado Access to Justice Commission, and worked for two sessions as a legislative aide in the Colorado General Assembly. He has served as a member of the Colorado Secretary of State’s Advisory Panels on Election Law and Campaign Finance and Lobbyist Regulation, and the Colorado Lawyer’s Committee Election Law Task Force. In addition to his membership in the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, Ryan has been an active member of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Federalist Society and the Republican National Lawyer’s Association, and is a member of the National Rifle Association.

For the past five years, Ryan has served as the State Party’s legal counsel, assisting Party leaders, candidates, and grassroots activists in navigating the increasingly complicated campaign finance rules, election laws, and Party organizational questions. In the months leading up to the 2008 elections, he took a leave of absence from his law practice to work full-time as In House Counsel and as the State Party’s Political Director. His work for the State Party has involved traveling the state, fielding countless inquiries and calls with local leaders and candidates, and leading numerous trainings and webinars.

Ryan’s heart is and has always been with the grassroots of the conservative movement. He entered politics as a campus leader of the College Republicans at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and served as the State Chairman of the Colorado Youth for Bush effort during the 2000 campaign. In the two years he served as the State Chairman of the Colorado College Republicans, the organization started ten new campus groups and recruited thousands of young people to the Republican Party. He was elected by his peers to serve for two years as the National Co-Chairman of the College Republican National Committee, and in that capacity assisted with national fundraising and continued to provide training and support, and to rally young volunteers for the Republican cause.

In addition to his work as State Party Legal Counsel, over the past eight years Ryan has meaningfully served his own local County Party, volunteering as a precinct committeeperson, for four years as County Party Vice-Chairman, and most recently as the Chairman of the Denver Republican Party.

Under his leadership, the Denver Republican Party helped recruit and support candidates running in every single district in Denver for the first time in over a decade. Ryan helped take the fight for our Republican principles to every single neighborhood, allowing every voter a clear choice. Despite the challenging voter registration numbers in Denver, the Denver GOP delivered votes that were critical in helping Republican candidates in their election to statewide office in 2010. Many Democrats were forced to open campaign offices, spend money, and compete for their seats for the first time because of the hard work of these principled Denver candidates and the efforts of the Denver Republican Party.

Ryan has often observed that it’s no small challenge to be a principled Republican in Denver, but also believes strongly that our Republican principles of limited government, personal responsibility, and freedom appeal not just to registered Republicans but to unaffiliated and even thoughtful Democrat voters as well.

Ryan and his wife Brittany now live in Arapahoe County with their four children: Aaron (age 9), Lauren (age 7), Andrew (age 3) and Eleanor (age 8 months). In addition to his significant political involvement, he volunteers as a Sunday School teacher, and as a merit badge counselor for the local troop of the Boy Scouts of America.


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

[re-elected to a fourth term on Jan. 6, 2011]
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 - LENNY CURRY

[elected Sept. 23, 2011 to complete David Bitner's term (through Jan. 2013)]
ed. Curry had been serving as vice chairman under Bitner in addition to his role as chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County.  He is co-founder (Jan. 2003), CEO and managing director of ICX Group Inc.  Previously he was a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, 1995-2002.
 

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

[re-elected to a second term in June 2010]
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 - ERIC HOLCOMB

[elected Jan. 3, 2011]
Holcomb, 42, leaves his position as Deputy Chief of Staff in Daniels’ office to assume his role as chairman. Holcomb was a key member of Daniels’ 2004 and 2008 campaigns, serving as campaign manager in 2008.

After graduating from Hanover College, Holcomb served in the United States Navy at VS-27 in Cecil Field, Florida and abroad at CINCIBERLANT, a NATO war headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal.  He also managed campaigns for former Congressman John N. Hostettler and former Vincennes Mayor Terry Mooney.


IOWA - MATTHEW STRAWN

[re-elected Jan. 8, 2011]
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.

[re-elected Jan. 6, 2011]
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 - BOBBY SCHOSTAK

[elected Jan. 29, 2011]
An accomplished businessman, Bobby Schostak was one of the architects of the MIGOP’s successful statewide Republican “Win in ‘10” campaign which helped contribute to a statewide Republican sweep for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and the Michigan Supreme Court, expansion of the majority in the State Senate, and  winning back the majority of the state house.

Schostak’s leadership ensured that more communities had Fix Michigan centers than ever before.  Bobby Schostak oversaw the Fix Michigan Center Program placing 25 Fix Michigan Centers around the state providing local GOP groups with a place to organize.  Working with local parties and candidates, Bobby Schostak was able to provide critical resources throughout the election, but particularly in the last few days.

Frustrated by the status quo and the results of the 2008 election, Bobby Schostak decided to take a personal leave from his family business to work for the Michigan Republican Party full-time.  At  the time Schostak agreed to be finance chairman, political pundits were discussing how difficult a road Republicans had to win elections.  Undaunted by the environment, Bobby Schostak worked  full-time without a salary for the Republican Party and helped the MIGOP provide record resources to its candidates.  Applying successful business practices to grassroots programs and finance programs, the MIGOP “Win in ‘10” program was successful by every measure.

Currently, Bobby Schostak sits on the Finance Committee for the Republican Governors Association, of which he is an Executive Roundtable member. Prior to his role as finance chairman, Mr. Schostak served various Republican campaigns in fundraising and strategy roles.  Candidates whom Schostak worked for include:  Former U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham, Republican candidate for governor Dick DeVos, and most recently was one of the larger fundraisers in Michigan for McCain for President.

Prior to serving as the MIGOP Finance Chair, Mr. Schostak has been active in the commercial real estate business since 1976. Mr. Schostak is the Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc. where he is responsible for raising capital partnership relationships and political advocacy. His background includes the development of over twenty million square feet of commercial property located in the Great Lakes Region.

Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc. is one of the largest, most diversified commercial real estate companies in the State of Michigan. Since 1920, three generations of the Schostak family, including its founder, Louis H. Schostak, his son, Jerome L. Schostak, and now his sons, Robert, David and Mark, have established a real estate leadership tradition.

During the past 26 years, the company diversified in to the quick service and casual dining sectors of the restaurant industry including now operating 59 Burger King Restaurants, 11 Olga’s Kitchen Restaurants and 3 Del Taco Restaurants throughout Michigan. In total the enterprise has interests in nearly 100 restaurants, employing several thousand workers in fast food, quick service and casual dining sectors.

Bobby Schostak is married to his wife Nancy for 33 years. Bobby and Nancy have 3 adult children. Dr. Michael Schostak, who is a resident at Cleveland Clinic is married to Becca and the parents of Bobby’s granddaughter Olive. Bobby’s son Jeffrey is 27 and moved back to Michigan from Chicago to work in the family business as the first 4th generation member. Bobby’s daughter Jody lives in Minneapolis and works with GOP candidates and for conservative causes in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA - TONY SUTTON

[elected June 13, 2009, re-elected April 16, 2011]  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 - ARNIE HENDERMAN

[elected Feb. 4, 2011]
Arnie Hederman entered the national political scene in the early 1990s as Executive Director of the Political Education and Training Division at the Republican National Committee, under then-Chairman Haley Barbour where he learned grassroots strategies from the best of the best.  He returned to Mississippi after the historic Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, continuing his work in politics as Political Director of the Mississippi Republican Party and also in senior staff positions on numerous campaigns, including serving as Republican Presidential nominee Bob Dole's State Director in 1996.  In 2003, he worked as Deputy Campaign Manager for Haley Barbour’s first gubernatorial campaign, where he managed the campaign’s direct main program and organized the statewide Get Out The Vote effort that resulted in the highest gubernatorial Republican turnout in history.  He then served as Director of Haley’s PAC and Executive Director of the Mississippi Republican Party for Governor Barbour’s first term.  Under his direction, Republicans achieved a majority of seats in the State Senate for the first time since Reconstruction, and Republicans nearly swept the ticket in 2007, winning 7 out of 8 statewide offices - the most Republicans elected at the statewide level in the history of Mississippi.  Hederman founded his own lobbying firm in 2008, but stayed active in politics through his role as Republican Party Treasurer.  In 2011, Hederman was unanimously elected Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, and he and business partner Austin Barbour brought 30+ years of combined experience together to form Clearwater Group, a political consulting and government relations firm with a unique emphasis on business development, as well as lobbying, grassroots strategy, and government relations services.

MISSOURI - DAVID COLE

[re-elected Jan. 8, 2011
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

[re-elected to second term Jan. 8, 2011]
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 - AMY TARKANIAN

[elected June 18, 2011 following resignation of Mark Amodei]
Wife of former U.S. Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian.


NEW HAMPSHIRE - WAYNE MacDONALD

[from Sept. 1, 2011 following resignation of Jack Kimball; term runs to Jan. 2013] 
ed. MacDonald had served as vice chair since 2003 and is a fraud investigator with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.


NEW JERSEY - MAYOR SAM RAIA

[elected Jan. 11, 2011]
Mayor of Saddle River, elected Nov. 2007; he has served on the Borough Council and Planning Board under three different mayors.  Sam has been a Saddle River resident for over 20 years.

Sam is an experienced businessman, having spent 35 years as an executive with Raia Industries, a family business, which, before being sold employed over 500 people. Today, Sam is a Principal with Raia Properties Corporation and Raia Self Storage. He is also a member of the Board of Hackensack University Medical Center as well as the Commence and Industry Association of New Jersey where he also served as an executive officer.  Sam was previously appointed by Governor Thomas Kean to the Insurance Advisory Board and today serves on the Finance Board and as Lector at Saint Gabriel’s Church in Saddle River.

Sam holds a Bachelors degree in public accounting and an MBA.

NEW MEXICO - MONTY NEWMAN

[elected Dec. 4, 2010]  ... ed. Newman is a realtor from Hobbs.  He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for New Mexico's 2nd CD in 2008, and is the former Mayor of Hobbs.


NEW YORK - ED COX

Ed Cox is a lawyer with a distinguished record of service to his Party and in the domestic and international policy arenas.  He has served three U.S. Presidents, four Governors and the Republican Party at the state and national levels.  He was sworn in as Chairman of the Republican Party of New York State on September 29, 2009.

For more than forty years he has supported and campaigned for candidates across the country beginning in 1968 as a part of the Nixon presidential campaign.  In 1972, he travelled extensively as a family surrogate for President Nixon and in 1980 was active in the Reagan campaign.  In 1984, he conceived and organized the statewide volunteer effort which helped carry New York State for the Reagan‑Bush team.  In 1988 and 1992, Cox organized the New York speakers’ bureau for George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaigns. 

Cox has assisted candidates at all levels throughout New York in numerous election cycles.  And in the critical election of 1994, Cox played a key role in helping to elect George Pataki Governor.   He also participated in the Republican National Conventions and presidential campaigns of 1996, 2000, 2004. During the 2008 Presidential election, he served as State Chairman of John McCain’s campaign. 

Under President Reagan, Cox served as General Counsel to the government corporation which financed major synthetic fuels projects. As a Trustee of the State University of New York (SUNY) he has developed cutting-edge policies and programs for community colleges, charter schools, teacher training, facilities construction and finance and administration.  Cox has played a key role under four Governors in the selection of judges for New York's highest court.  In volunteer positions both in and out of government he has been a leader on energy and environmental policies.

His writings on public policy have appeared in The New Republic magazine, the Antitrust Law Journal and the New York Post, and he is co‑author of a book on the Federal Trade Commission.

Cox was born in Suffolk County, Long Island and was raised in Yorkville, New York City, where he graduated from Trinity High School.  He received his B.A. degree in 1968 from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.  He earned his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in 1972. 

He is a proud veteran having joined the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) at Princeton in 1964.  He later completed officer and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia and served as a reserve officer with the 11th Special Forces Group. 

Cox practices corporate and finance law and has served as a member of the Management Committee and the Chairman of the Corporate Department at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP.  He has represented companies in a wide variety of industries including software, finance, insurance and biotech and has been named to the list of Super Lawyers in the practice of Securities and Finance law. 

Cox married Patricia Nixon in the Rose Garden of the White House in 1971.  They have one child, Christopher, who is a graduate of Princeton and the New York University School of Law.


NORTH CAROLINA - TOM FETZER

Tom Fetzer was elected Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party on June 13, 2009. A graduate of Wake Forest, Fetzer began his political career in the administration of Gov. Jim Martin, and also worked for Sen. John East. In 1993, he made North Carolina political history as the first Republican elected Mayor of Raleigh. Tom was reelected twice before leaving office in 1999.

After his tenure as Mayor, Fetzer accepted a teaching fellowship at Harvard University’s School of Government and later went on to hold an executive position with the United States Tennis Association before returning to Raleigh. He spent many successful years as a political consultant before his election as Chairman of the NCGOP.

Tom was married in October of 2009.


NORTH DAKOTA - STAN STEIN

[elected Dec. 11, 2010 to finish final six months of Gary Emineth's term]
...farmer from Wahpeton; had been serving as vice chair.

OHIO - KEVIN DEWINE

[re-elected Jan. 9, 2011]
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 - ALLEN ALLEY

[elected Jan. 22, 2011]
Over 30 years Allen has built an experience base that spans multiple disciplines from engineering to marketing, venture capital, entrepreneurship and most recently, public service. 

In May of 2008 Allen was elected as the Republican candidate for State Treasurer.  He ran in the fall 2008 general election. Although helost,  the campaign was deemed a success by many standards.  He was selected by the state’s largest newspaper, TheOregonian as the top “winner” of the election.  In fact, Allen received the endorsement of 9 out of 11 state wide newspapers from every geographic corner and political point of view.  He won more votes in Portland’s Multnomah County than any Republican in history.  Building on the momentum started with the 2008 Treasurer’s race, in February 2009 Allen announced he would run in the 2010 election for Governor of Oregon.

Allen’s first got a taste for politics in 1964 when he helped his mother work on a Washington gubernatorial campaign.  He was reintroduced in January 2007 when he became the deputy chief of staff for the Governor of Oregon.  Allen was responsible for overseeing the policy areas of economic development, technology, transportation, workforce training, and energy. With more than 30 years’ experience in a multitude of disciplines, Alley worked to strengthen the bridge between Oregon’s public and private sectors.  He left the Governor’s office to run for State Treasurer in March 2008.

“I have been very fortunate to have had success building several global companies.  I am  passionate about business and our communities.  I am very pleased to be able to use both my business experience and passion for my community to help Oregon be a global business leader.”

Alley’s resume is exceptionally broad and diverse.  In January 1997 he co-founded Pixelworks. 

        Pixelworks (NASDAQ:PXLW), a fabless semiconductor company, is a leading provider of system-on-chip ICs for the advanced display industry. Pixelworks' solutions provide the intelligence for advanced televisions, multimedia projectors and flat panel monitors by processing and optimizing video and computer graphics signals to produce high quality images. Many of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and computer display products utilize our technology to enhance image quality and ease of use of their products.

Under Allen’s leadership as President, CEO and Chairman for 10 years, Pixelworks has achieved many major accomplishments, including:

•    Growing Pixelworks into a global company with approximately 250 employees at offices in Portland, San Jose, Tokyo, Taipei and Shanghai.

•    Leading a successful initial public offering in May 2000 raising $66.1 million which was the top semiconductor IPO of 2000.

•    Exceeding $1 billion in cumulative revenue since founding in 1997 and  $171 million in annual revenue in 2005.

Prior to founding Pixelworks, Allen was the Vice President of Corporate Development, Product Marketing and Engineering at InFocus Systems.  He was part of the executive team who lead the growth of InFocus from a $50 million company to $250 million.  He also served as co-CEO of the joint venture with Motorola called Motif.

Allen’s connection with InFocus began during his tenure as General Partner with Battery Ventures.  Allen was the lead investor for Oregon based InFocus and served on the InFocus Board of Directors from 1988 to 1992. Battery Ventures, founded in 1986, is one of the largest and most respected venture firms in the country with over $3 billion raised since inception.  Allen’s personal investment concentration was in multimedia display technologies, CAD/CAM and computer graphics software and hardware.

Allen began his career with the Ford Motor Company and Boeing in various product engineering design roles.  He also spent four years with Computervision, Corp. as Director of Product Marketing where he pioneered their early efforts in computer aided industrial design.  Prior to embarking on his professional career, Allen graduated from Purdue University in May 1976, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a Minor Emphasis in Business. 

In addition to his role at Pixelworks, Allen has shared his business expertise with several other companies.   He joined the Board of Directors of Applied Films (NASDAQ:AFCO),  in September 2002 and served on their board until the sale of Applied Films to Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AFCO), in July 2006.  Applied Films was a publicly traded company that provided advanced thin film deposition equipment for the flat panel display, architectural glass, packaging and solar industries.  He also served on advisory boards for venture funds and start-up companies.

Allen is an active civic leader, contributing  his time and energy to several organizations.  Allen was appointed by Governor John Kitzhaber in January 2002 as the chair of the inaugural Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development, a council that led efforts to stimulate economic development in Oregon by working with the leaders in higher education, economic development and the private sector. 

In February 2002, he accepted an appointment by President Bush to the U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission which worked to promote sustainable economic growth in both countries. 

In 2006, Allen was named as the Chairman of the Oregon Business Plan, a statewide effort to shape public policy in Oregon that will ensure continued economic growth. 

Allen currently serves on the boards of several not for profit organizations: Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Council at Purdue University and the Purdue Foundation.  He also serves as the chair of the TechAmerica Oregon Council, the state’s largest trade group for the high technology industry. 

As Allen’s family was growing, he volunteered for nine years as a youth soccer coach and is the past chair of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), one of the nation's top ten science museums Allen also has enjoyed being a guest auctioneer for local charities and schools

Allen enjoys travel both for business and pleasure.  His first visit to Asia was in 1982 and with Pixelworks traveled to Asia up to 15 times per year.  He has been married to Debbie for 28 years and has three children ages 24, 22 and 18. 


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 - KEN McKAY

[elected March 19, 2011]
Attorney in private practice.  Chief of staff at the RNC from March 2009 to resignation on April 5, 2010. Attorney in private practice and earlier at Brown Rudnick. Managed Don Carcieri's successful campaigns for governor of Rhode Island in 2002 and 2006; served on the transition team for Gov.-elect Carcieri and as his chief of staff for his first 3 1/2 years in office. J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law, 1996. Served in the U.S. Army infantry for three years. B.S. from High Point University, 1991.


SOUTH CAROLINA - CHAD CONNELLY

[Elected May 7, 2011]
Chad Connelly is a husband, father, and proven leader. His experiences range from creating small businesses to inspiring thousands - all while remaining true to his Christian, conservative principles.

Chad's Republican Party credentials are, without question, strong and true. For over 20 years, Chad has faithfully served the GOP; working on campaigns at the local, state and regional levels. Most recently, he was a senior advisor to Jeff Duncan's successful campaign in South Carolina's 3rd Congressional district. He was the second alternate delegate to the 2004 Republican National convention in New York City and has been a state GOP convention delegate to the past four conventions. In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully for the SC State Senate seat vacated when Andre Bauer won the Lieutenant Governor's race. Although Chad lost, and was outspent significantly, he demonstrated great fundraising skills by raising over $52,000 in the short special election during the normally quiet Christmas and holiday season. He also raised money in South Carolina for Mitt Romney when the governor ran against U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy in 1994.

Currently, Chad serves as Chairman of the Newberry County GOP and has actively worked to build the county party over the past decade from a solid Democratic county to one that consistently votes for Republicans. In the past election cycle under Chad's leadership and vision, Newberry County supported all NINE of the Republican Constitutional officers for the first time since Reconstruction. In addition, Newberry County helped elect Mick Mulvaney to the U.S. House, beating 28-year incumbent Congressman John Spratt in the county by almost 2000 votes. Chad was recently selected to serve on the SC GOP 2011 Platform Committee.

Chad is active and involved in his community as well, applying his leadership skills as the Chairman of the Board for the past four years at his children's school, Newberry Academy. He is also active in his church, Newberry First Baptist, where he serves as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Chairman of the Church council as well as being on numerous church committees. He has served on the Board of the Palmetto Family Council for over 9 years, filling such roles as Treasurer and Committee Chairman during his tenure. Chad also sits on the Board of the South Carolina Citizens for Life Committee.  In the spring, Chad loves coaching his youngest son's baseball team in the Dixie Minors league in Prosperity, SC.

Chad has been heavily involved in the school choice movement for over 7 years. He serves on the board of the school choice and limited government advocacy group, South Carolinians for Responsible Government and has spoken over 500 times in schools, churches, civic groups and other organizational meetings on the topic of school choice. He has also appeared in debates, radio shows and television shows discussing the subject.

A graduate of Clemson University, Chad earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1985. At Clemson, he was selected for admission in the prestigious Tiger Brotherhood organization that recognizes leadership and character traits in its members. He was also chosen for the Honorary Fraternity, Blue Key, a national organization whose responsibility at Clemson is to conduct the annual Tigerama celebration at Homecoming. While in Blue Key, Chad was the Business Manager of the organization, which hosted over 35,000 people at Death Valley for the event. In addition, Chad was a member of Clemson's Army ROTC program, working his way up to a rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, the second in command in Clemson's Cadet Structure. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army at the completion of his Army ROTC courses. While in Army ROTC, Chad was also selected to be in the Military Honorary Scabbard and Blade and was second in command in that organization while in school. Chad served in the South Carolina Army National Guard as a Platoon Leader in a tank company as an Armor officer from 1985 until 1991. He is currently a National Rifle Association member and a Concealed Weapons Permit holder.

After graduation from Clemson, Chad worked for a national engineering firm, Professional Service Industries for almost 8 years, beginning as a staff engineer and progressing to Division Manager of PSI's Augusta, GA operation. In the Augusta office, Chad took over a failing operation that had only done $125,000 in fees the year before and through his marketing and sales efforts, expanded the office to over $1.2 million in fees, landing his group among the most profitable operations in PSI's North American offices. He then was promoted to Senior Division Manager over PSI's SC and Augusta, GA operations managing over 100 employees, 8 offices and over $4 million in revenues. After watching his dad lose a 22 year career to downsizing, Chad decided to take the plunge and start a business of his own.  For the next 12 years, he helped entrepreneurs begin and grow their own small businesses, leading to a coaching, speaking, and consulting career. Chad found he had a talent for helping groups of people come together and build an effective team, even when some of them had little in common and little motivation to do so at the start. In the course of building his own small business, Chad saw the apathy and misunderstanding that people had for the American ideal of free enterprise and free market success. He did a speech in front of a large audience that was so well received that Chad authored a book, Freedom Tide, a short book dedicated to inspiring Americans about the truth about America's heritage, which has now sold over 45,000 copies. From the book's success, Chad has now spoken to thousands of people in a variety of venues across America and in four foreign countries, including speaking in arenas such as the Palace at Auburn Hills, Michigan, Atlanta's Phillips Arena and to a crowd of over 25,000 in the Edward D. Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.  Chad is passionate about and is active in speaking on issues ranging from American Christian history, free enterprise, and attitude and motivation and is in national demand as a motivational speaker. He is also the founder and president of The Foundation for American Restoration, an organization committed to educating Americans about our true history and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference.

Chad is outspoken about his faith and has literally seen God's hand at work in his life. In 2006, he lost his wife of 18 ½ years, Michelle, to suicide. That tragedy left Chad as the widowed dad of two little boys whose lives were rocked. His faith and determination never swayed in light of the fact that he got to live God's restoration power. In 2007, he met a woman widowed by a similar tragedy who was raising two little girls on her own. Not only did her beauty impress Chad, but he was taken with her attitude and ability to overcome horrific tragedy and show resolve in moving on with life. Chad and Dana were married in July of 2007 and now have four children, CJ, who is 13 ½, Leigha, 11 ½, Bennett, 10 and Summer, who is almost 9. They live in Prosperity, South Carolina.


SOUTH DAKOTA - TIM RAVE

[elected Jan. 22, 2011
Tim was elected to the State Senate in November 2010 after completing four terms in the State House of Representatives.  Tim is a recognized leader, and his peers elected him to serve for the past two years as Speaker of the House.  As a freshman senator, Tim has been chosen as a Majority Whip. 

From Baltic.  Operations manager at Rural/Metro Ambulance.


TENNESSEE - CHRIS DEVANEY

[first elected on May 30, 2009; re-elected Dec. 4, 2010]
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 December 4, 2010, Chris Devaney was overwhelmingly re-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 2012 – 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 - THOMAS WRIGHT

[elected Jan. 22, 2011]
Thomas Wright is a self-made businessman who built his businesses from the ground up through hard work, innovation and dedication.

Thomas is currently Managing Broker at Summit Sotheby’s International Realty and was formerly the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at New Freedom Mortgage in Salt Lake City. He is also an owner of Wasatch Front Property Management and Spotlight Home Tours.

He served as Chairman of the Salt Lake County Republican Party starting April 2009.

Thomas Wright was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated with honors from the University of Utah in 1997 with Bachelor of Art degrees in Marketing and Russian. Thomas graduated from Quince Orchard High School in the Washington D.C. metro area in 1991 after being selected to be a United States Senate Page by Senator Orrin Hatch and former Senator Jake Garn.

After the prestigious firm of Lewis Wolcott & Dornbush Real Estate was affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty Thomas became a partner, where he serves as the President and Principal Broker of Summit Sotheby’s International Realty.

Prior to joining Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, he was a top producing agent with Prudential Utah Real Estate where he was licensed for several years. He also served as the marketing director for Coldwell Banker Premier Realty and was responsible for the marketing initiatives for several hundred real estate agents in offices all across the state of Utah.

Thomas was a former partner of the largest real estate photography company in the United States and co-authored two patents related to online lead generation. Thomas has also been a national speaker in the real estate industry, speaking to large and small groups about lead generation, effective management of leads, innovative sales techniques, and web site creation.

Thomas is an avid amateur golfer. While in high school, he won the Maryland State Golf Championship and then played for the University of Utah competing in several major NCAA competitions. Thomas enjoys traveling the world which has included a three week safari in Africa, a two week golf excursion to Scotland and an Arctic Circle fishing adventure for Northern Pike. Thomas is a civically-minded citizen and has been elected and appointed to serve on several key organizations in the community.

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 30th , 2009, he was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.


WASHINGTON - KIRBY WILBUR

[elected on Jan. 22, 2011]
Kirby Wilbur was born in Washington DC and moved to Seattle at the age of 8. He attended Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington where he graduated with a BA in History. He has also studied at Hillsdale College and Georgetown University.

He was the host of the morning drive show on 570 KVI radio in Seattle for nearly 16 years. He was named several times during his career as one of the top 100 talk show hosts in America by Talker’s magazine, the leading talk radio trade journal. Before becoming a talk show host, he was a real estate appraiser and owned his own firm, Liberty Consultants.

For the last twelve years, he has taught American and World History and American Government and Economics to high schoolers in several home school coops. He is an avid reader, primarily of current events and American and military history.

Memberships include the Tailhook Association, the Club for Growth, and life memberships in the International Churchill Association and the National Rifle Association.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of Young America’s Foundation, the Second Amendment Foundation, the American Conservative Union and Citizen’s United. He is an Associate of Hillsdale College and serves on the Civil Service Commission of his hometown of Duvall.

He has been involved in conservative and Republican politics for over 35 years and has served in numerous volunteer and leadership positions, including serving as state chair of the Young Republicans and four times as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

He is a much sought-after speaker, has appeared on Fox News, CSPAN, Fox Business Channel and network news, and has received numerous awards from family, law enforcement, charitable and political organizations, including The Fund for American Studies, Young America’s Foundation and Families Northwest.

He and his wife Trina have been married for 28 years and have two sons, Nathan, 27 and Adam, 22.

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 - BRAD COURTNEY

[elected on March 4, 2011]
Brad Courtney has served on the RPW’s Executive Committee since 1993 and recently served as Grassroots Chairman for Scott Walker’s campaign for governor.  Courtney is a small business owner who resides in Whitefish Bay with his wife Barbara and their three daughters.

Ed. Courtney has worked in the family business, Courtney Industrial Battery, for over two decades.  He has degrees in political science and business administration from Vanderbilt University. 

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 chairs...changes since Feb. 2011


FLORIDA - DAVID BITNER  ...to Sept. 2011

[elected Jan. 15, 2011...announced on Aug. 31 he would resign due to ALS; died Sept. 8] 
Dave Bitner is a longtime Floridian, a lifelong Republican, a small business owner and a former member of the Florida Legislature. As an owner of the Charlotte Sun-Herald, Dave built a business from the ground up and saw firsthand the need to cut government red tape and fight for the lower taxes on small businesses and families. In 1992, Dave was elected by the people of District 71 to serve as State Representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

Dave served eight years in the Florida Legislature and never asked for one earmark, returning taxpayer dollars to the state from his office every quarter. Dave earned a reputation as a hard-working, common sense conservative committed to cutting the size of Florida’s government and fighting for lower taxes.

Dave helped the Republican Party gain the majority in the Florida House under Speakers Webster and Thrasher, then under Governor Jeb Bush.

Dave started as a precinct committeeman and currently serves as a state committeeman for Jefferson County.  Dave and his wife Wendy have walked door-to-door for hundreds of state and local candidates over the last 18 years.

Grassroots Experience
Participated in Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Steve Southerland campaigns in 2010
Participated in Gov. Bush’s campaigns in 1998 and 2002
Traveled across Florida for President Bush in 2000
Member, Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee, 2004-present
Member, Charlotte County Republican Club, 1992-present
Jefferson County precinct committeeman
Jefferson County state committeeman
Walked door-to-door for more than 100 Republicans in state and local races across the state
Past President Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce


NEW HAMPSHIRE - JACK KIMBALL  ...to Sept. 1, 2011

[elected Jan. 22, 2011...resigned Sept. 1 under pressure] 
Jack Kimball is a lifelong New Englander and a 40 year resident of New Hampshire.  He learned the values of hard work early by working his way through college and being a single parent. Jack also has demonstrated his understanding and commitment to service having served in the Navy on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. While in the Navy, Jack received the Honorman of Company Award and was honorably discharged in 1970. Following his military service, Jack moved to Nashua, New Hampshire. He enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he earned his degree in Business Administration while working for BASF full-time. Later, he left BASF to start his own company eventually turning Great Bay Facility Maintenance Service into a million dollar enterprise.

His activism started with the Granite State Patriots – a group he founded to provide a positive message concerning NH and the United States at rallies that he felt were being held by the “blame America First” type groups that often denigrated this country and concentrated on the negatives of the United States without ever acknowledging the time, talen, and treasure that Americans have given to the world through the years.  Working as a founding member of the NH TEA Party Coalition,  Jack’s decision to run for governor came after many months of thought and discussion as the TEA Party movement, barely two years old, became a force in American and NH politics.  An active participant of the Tea Party movement, he decided the best way to fight for New Hampshire was to lead the charge in taking it back and stepped into the political arena for the first time, running for the Governorship of New Hampshire.

Having lost the Primary (but campaigning hard and widely for the winner, John Stephens, as well as for other Republicans state wide), he believes that in the NH GOP Chairman’s race, he offers an alternative to the old, staid Republicanism of the past and can bring the vitality of the new Republican ethos and energy to the NH GOP Party.  Having met with, and campaigned for many of the newly elected state level Republicans in the NH House and NH Senate, as well as the Federal level delegation.  He can be that bridge between the traditional and the newly activated with his charismatic speaking style, running an efficient NH GOP organization based on his established business acumen and entrepreneurship, and a sense of knowing the priorities that need to be met.

In addition to his successful business pursuits, Jack is a Pease Greeter and an active supporter of military causes. His military and business history prove he is a leader who understands what it takes to preserve the New Hampshire Advantage. Jack lives in Dover, NH with his wife Donna Marie, who is a nurse; his step-daughter, Leah; and mother-in-law, Jeanne. Jack also has a daughter Tammy who lives in Rochester with her husband Tate and two daughters Teya and Tiana.


NEVADA - SEN. MARK AMODEI  ...to May 27, 2011

[elected May 16, 2010...resigned May 27 to run for Congress in CD2 special election]
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.


SOUTH CAROLINA - KAREN FLOYD  ...to May 7, 2011

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.


COLORADO - DICK WADHAMS   ...to March 26, 2011

 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.

CALIFORNIA - RON NEHRING  ...to March 20, 2011

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.


RHODE ISLAND - GIOVANNE CICIONE  ...to March 19, 2011

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.

WISCONSIN - REINCE PRIEBUS  ...to RNC chairman

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.


ALABAMA - REP. MIKE HUBBARD   ...to Feb. 19, 2011

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.