Romney 2012 General Election Campaign Organization, Florida
FLORIDA  |  Romney Main Page 

(page corrected Feb. 29, 2016)
...for additions, corrections and other changes contact

Romney for President  |  302 Knights Run Ave. Suite 110  |  Tampa, FL 33602

State Director Molly Donlin

State director for Romney's Florida primary campaign, then went on to direct the campaigns in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  In 2010 Donlin directed Republicans' Michigan Victory effort.  In the fall 2008 campaign she directed Republicans' Victory 2008 effort in Arizona; earlier in the cycle she served as field director for Central Florida on the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee.  Donlin was a presidential appointee in the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, where she served as assistant to the director.  Deputy director of volunteer development for the RNC from Aug. 2005 to Dec. 2006, and 72-Hour field director for Hamilton County for the Ohio Republican Party.  B.S. degree in international affairs from Xavier University in Cincinnati, 2004.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Brett Doster

Founder and president of Front Line Strategies; also president of Doster Broker Group, a commercial real estate firm from 2008.  Opened up and headed the Florida office of Revolution Agency, a media and communications firm, 2007.  Campaign manager for the Tom Gallagher for Governor campaign from 2005-06.  Executive director of the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign in Florida.  Associate at Uhlfelder & Associates, P.A. in Tallahassee, starting Feb. 2003.  Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, focusing particularly on developing new high technology business in the state, 2001-03.  Florida political director for the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign, and in the fall statewide political director for Florida Victory 2000.  Special assistant to Jeb Bush in his first gubernatorial campaign in 1993 and worked on his 1997 and 2001 campaigns.  Graduated from The Citadel.  Fifth generation native of Florida.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Alberto Martinez

Senior advisor to Marco Rubio's 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate and earlier communications director in the Florida House Majority Office under Rubio.  Spokesman on Tom Gallagher's 2006 campaign for governor.  Deputy speechwriter for Gov. Jeb Bush.  Florida communications director for President George W. Bush’s reelection campaign in 2004.  Miami native.  twitter

Communications Director Jeff Bechdel

(July 2012)  Deputy communications director on Friends of Connie Mack, Jan.-June 2012.  Press secretary to Rep. Mack from July 2011-Jan. 2012.  Communications assistant to Sen. Marco Rubio, Jan.-July 2011.  Deputy director of rapid response on Texans for Kay Bailey Hutchison, June 2009-March 2010.  Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications from University of Texas at Austin, 2009.  Originally from Beaver, PA (Pittsburgh area).  twitter

Press Secretary  Emily Benavides

(Sept. 2012)  Deputy press secretary for specialty media for the 2012 Republican National Convention, April-Sept. 2012.  Legislative aide/systems administrator in the office of Rep. Robert Aderholt, Aug. 2010-March 2012.  Marketing database assistant at the National Geographic Society, 2009-10.  Interned in Rep. Randy Forbes office (Jan.-April 2009) and Rep. Robert Latta's office (Aug.-Dec. 2008).  Legal assistant at Paley Rothman, 2007-08.  M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University, 2010; B.A. in government from The College of William and Mary, 2007.

Communications Assistant  Pace McMullen


Regional Field Directors

South Florida  J.C. Hernandez

Field director on Romney's Florida primary campaign.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Miami Dade County, 2010-11.  Director at Barry University, 2008-10.  Legislative aide at Dutko Worldwide, LLC, Jan.-June 2007.  B.A. in political science from Roosevelt University (Chicago), 2004.

Southwest Florida  Ben Mitchell


Tampa Bay  Alex Melendez

Tampa Bay regional field director on Romney's Florida primary campaign.  Deputy director of legislative affaris at the Florida Department of Corrections, Jan.-Aug. 2011.  Tampa Bay regional field director on Rick Scott's gubernatorial campaign, Aug-Nov. 2010.  Tampa Bay regional director at Southern Campaign Resources; and special assistant in the office of Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, 2009-10.  In 2008 interned on the McCain campaign.  B.S. in political science/business management from Florida State University.

North Florida  Daryn Iwicki

(April 2012)  Director of education and training (Oct. 2011-March 2012) and state programs manager (July 2010-Oct. 2011) at Americans for Prosperity.  Youth Leadership School advance coordinator at the Leadership Institute, 2007-10.  B.S. in political science and government from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2007.

Central Florida  George Riley

(May 2012)  Prior to starting on the campaign Riley was West Florida regional field director for the Republican Party of Florida and earlier worked on House and Senate campaigns for the party.  Tampa Bay regional political director on McCollum for Governor campaign, 2010.  B.A. in history from Gettysburg College.

Space Coast  Joe Masters

(July 2012)  Experience includes Missouri RNC Victory regional field director (Rolla), July-Nov. 2006.  B.A. in American history from Troy University, 2002.

Panhandle  Luke Strickland

(May 2012)  Regional field director (Jan. 2011-May 2012) and party development coordinator (2010) for the Republican Party of Florida.  B.S. in political science and communications from Florida State University, 2010.


Data Director  Jennifer Locetta

(May 2012)  Statewide data director for the Republican Party of Kentucky, June-Nov. 2011.  Human resources and office manager at Innoprise Software in Colorado, 2006-11.  B.A. in American studies from University of Notre Dame, 2006.

Deputy Data Director  Kali Dean

Worked in the strategy division at the RNC starting in 2009.  Victory field director in the St. Charles, MO office on the 2008 campaign.  B.S. in political science from Arizona State University, 2009.

Canvass Director  Robert (Bobby) Talbot

(Sept. 2012)  Deputy campaign manager on Wil Cardon for U.S. Senate (AZ), Jan.-Aug. 2012.  Campaign manager on David Ramadan for Delegate (No. VA), 2011.  In the first part of 2011 served as field operations manager on the Justice Prosser recount in Wisconsin and earlier as 12th Senate Distrct director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.  Regional field director on Mike Bouchard for Governor, March-Aug. 2010.  B.S. in political science from Michigan State University, 2009.


Digital Director  Damon Roberson

(July 2012)  Owner of Roberson Digital Media Group in Baton Rouge, LA and served as a digital/social media specialist for the Louisiana Legislature, from Jan. 2008-mid-2012.  Associate at Haynie & Associates in Baton Rouge, 2006-07.  Election and compliance specialist at the Lousiana Secretary of State's office, 2002-06.  M.P.A. from Louisiana State University  and Agricultural and Mechanical College; B.A. in social sciences from Northwestern State University.


Events Director  Grace Cushing

(June 2012)  Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl project manager at ESPN, Sept. 2011-Jan. 2012.  2012 RNC Committee on Arrangements, Aug. 2010-Jan. 2011 (before the overhaul).  Chairman's office at the RNC, June 2009-Nov. 2010.  Political director on Devolites Davis for State Senate, 2007.  Regional political director on Steele for Maryland, 2006.  Graduate of Simmons College, 2008.

Deputy Events Director  Kristin Collis

(July 2012)  Community outreach director for Congressman Dennis Ross, Jan. 2011-June 2012.  Director of field operations on Dennis Ross for Congress campaign, Feb.-Dec. 2010.  Campaign coordinator on John Wood for Florida House of Representatives, April-Nov. 2008.  M.S. in political science (2007) and B.S. in criminal justice (2006) from Florida State University.

...team of nine event coordinators produced over 500 events in Florida’s seven media markets.


Special Projects Director  Judy Gowen


Election Day Operations Director  Andrew Bonderud

(June 2012)  J.D. from Boston College Law School, 2012.  Surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, 2005-09.  B.A. in political science from Vanderbilt University, 2005.


Office Manager/Intern Coordinator  Holly Rood

(June 2012)  Marketing manager at The Bankers Exchange in Smyrna, GA, Oct. 2011-May 2012.  Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing from University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, 2011.


Coalitions Director  Andrew (Drew) Messer

(May 2012)  Worked on Romney's primary campaign starting Sept. 2011 as North Florida regional field director.  President of The Vineyard Co., a Jacksonville-based political consulting firm, Nov. 2010-July 2011.  North Florida director on Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, July 2010-Jan. 2011.  J.D. from Liberty University School of Law, 2010; and B.S. in government, politics and public policy from Liberty University, 2007.

Women for Mitt Coordinator  Ashley Montenegro


Catholics for Romney Coalition Director  Julia Moffett

(July 2012)  Interned at the Republican Party of Florida, May-July 2012.  Degree in creative writing from Florida State University, 2012.


Veterans for Romney Coalition Director  Miller Townsend


State Chairman, Veterans for Romney-Ryan  Chris Hart


Educators, Public Safety, Seniors for Romney Coalition Director  Betsy Rupp

(July 2012)  Interned with the Republican Party of Florida.  B.A. in English/theatre from University of Mississippi, 2011.

Juntos Con Romney Leadership

(announced June 22, 2012)  Nancy Acevedo  -  Alex Acosta  -  Jorge Arrizurieta  -  Bertica Cabrera Morris  -  Cesar Calvet  -  Carlos Colon, Jr.  -  Remedios Diaz-Oliver  -  Zoraida Fonalledas  -  Justina Gonzalez-Martí  -  Luis Hernandez  -  Alci Maldonado  -  Jesse Manzano  -  Carlos Rey



RNC Victory
Director  Thomas Dickens

(June 2012)  Came to the position from the Republican Party of Wisconsin, where he started in June 2010; RPW political director and Victory director (March 2011-June 2012), statewide field director (March 2010-March 2011) and deputy Victory director and absentee ballot/early vote director (July-Nov. 2010).  A regional director on Scott Brown for U.S. Senate, Dec. 2009-Jan. 2010.  Field director for Maine Republican Party/Victory 2008 in Fall 2008.  Attended the University of Maine for two years. 

Deputy Director  John Vinson

(June 2012)  NW regional Victory director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Dec. 2011-June 2012.  Politicaldirector on Tom Garrett for Senate (VA), Fall 2011.  Field director on Pawlenty for President in Des Moines, Iowa, May-Aug. 2011.  Deputy campaign manager on Zaun for Congress (IA), Fall 2010.  Field director on Allen Alley for Governor, Jan.-May 2010.  Campaign manager on Jennifer Lee for Delegate, 2009.  Field director on Wayne Parker for Congress (AL), Fall 2008.  B.S. in political science from Shenandoah Univeristy, 2008.

Communications Director  Jill Bader

(July 2012)  Senor public policy and communications advisor to the Girl Scouts of the USA, March 2011-July 2012.  Communications director at Friends of Scott Walker, Sept. 2009-Jan. 2011.  Press secretary to Senate Republican Conference chairman Lamar Alexander, Jan. 2008-Sept. 2009.  Deputy press secretary Alexander for Senate, Fall 2008.  Constituent services, online communication on Bob Corker for Senat, Fall 2006.  Constituent relations director for Sen. Lamar Alexander, 2005-06.  B.A. in communications, political science from Wake Forest University.

Hispanic Outreach Director  Humberto Collado

During the George W. Bush Administration, worked for several years as a special assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs’ Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba at the U.S. Department of State.  Press assistant in the Office of Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, where he did press advance for the President.  Executive assistant at the International Monetary Fund.  Also served in the Office of Public Diplomacy.  Florida Victory 2004 field staffer in Miami-Dade.  B.A. in international relations from Florida International University, 2004.  born in Managua, Nicaragua and riased in Miami and Puerto Rico.   ...succeeded Pablo Pantoja

Events Staff
Anne Allen Weldon
Rachael Eddy
Lauren Eddy
Andrew Vargas Vila 


Victory Offices (43 as of Aug. 3)

Orange Co. -  2469 State Road 436, Apopka, FL 32703   ...Virginia Beckett


Palm Beach Co. -  1962 NE 5th Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33431   ...Ashley Walukevich


Manatee Co. -  2601 Manatee Ave. West, Ste D, Bradenton, FL, 34205   ...Sarah Sussman
 
Hillsborough Co. -  1602 Oakfield Drive, Suite 207, Brandon, FL, 33511  ...Chris Martin Joe Byrd
 
Seminole Co. -  218 State Road 436, Casselberry, FL, 32707  ...Tommy Larsen
 
Pinellas Co. -  4707 140th Avenue North, Suite 208, Clearwater, FL, 33762  ...Caitlin Warren   TJ Wolfto Oldsmar
 
Charlotte Co. -  1160 South McCall Road, Englewood, FL 34224   ...Evelyn Kuzma


Broward Co. -  2817 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 200-A, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33306   ...Micah Spangler


Lee Co. -  17595 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 203, Fort Myers, FL, 33908  ...Cody Vildostogui


Oskaloosa Co. -  8 Racetrak Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547   ...Curtis Sprung
 
Alachua Co. -  1722 NW 80th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, 32306   ...John Robinson


Miami-Dade Co. -  3800 W 12th St, Suite 1, Hialeah, FL 33012   ...Diana De La Rosa


Volusia Co. -  921 N. Nova Rd., Holly Hill, FL, 32117  ...Matt Ritzenthaler Jared Mitchell


Duval Co. -  10210 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32257   ...David Mitchell Glass
 
Duval Co. -  4963 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207    ...Gary Hollis

Osceola Co. -  804 W Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741   ...Max Barnett
 
Polk Co. -  4277 South Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL, 33813  ...Dena DeCamp
 
Brevard Co. -  6769 N. Wickham Rd. Suite B101, Melbourne, FL, 32940  ...Taraneh Dugas
 
Miami-Dade Co. -  8500 SW 8th St., Suite 280, Miami, FL, 33144   ...Robert Iglesias


Miami-Dade Co. -  8950 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33157   ...Zach Mingo
 
Collier Co. -  2500 Tamiami Trail N, #107, Naples, FL, 34103  ...Cameron Lewis


Santa Rosa Co. -  1841 Alpine Dr., Navarre, FL   ...Ehren Oates
 
Duval Co. - 1517 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266   ...Chelsea Marrow


Pasco Co. -  4768 US Hwy 19, New Port Richey, FL, 34652  ...Kayla Barthle
 
Marion Co. -  2611 SW 19th Street, Suite 200, Ocala, FL, 34471  ...Britanny Fornof


Pinellas Co. -  3150 Tampa Road, Suite 16, Oldsmar, FL  34677   ...TJ Wolf
 
Clay Co. -  155-5 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL, 32072   ...Judith Chapple


Orange Co. -  234 South Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32807  ...Harold Hedrick  Rob Richmond
 
Sarasota Co. -  1260 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL, 34229   ...Elizabeth Buchwalter
 
Palm Beach Co. -  1555 Palm Beach Lakes, Suite 210, Palm Beach, FL, 33401  ...Christina Caraballo
 
Bay Co. -  1607 Lisenby Ave, Suite C, Panama City, FL, 32405   ...Kyle Neese
 
Escambia Co. -  4455 Bayou Bvld Suite C, Pensacola, FL, 32503  ...Benjamin Dessart Luke Strickland
 
Broward Co. -  150 S Andrews Ave, Suite 370, Pompano Beach, FL, 33069  ...Brandon Rodriguez Diana De La Rosa

St. Lucie Co. -  6835 S. US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34952   ...Jonathan Errico


Sarasota Co. -  5436 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34234   ...Liz Kot


Hernando Co. -  2939 Landover Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34608   ...Chris Steinke


St. Johns Co. -  525 State Road 16, Suite 104, St. Augustine, FL, 32084  ...Justin Henson
 
Pinellas Co. -  2101 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL, 33710  ...Ashley Overend
 
Martin Co. -  1111 SE U.S. Hwy 1, Suite 134, Stuart, FL, 34994  ...John Errico
 
Leon Co. -  420 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301  ...Aaron Morell


Hillsborough Co.-South -  4465 Gandy Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33611   ...Joe Byrd  Chris Martin


Pasco Co. -  27709 State Road 56, Unit #103, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33544   ...Tyler Cash


Orange Co. -  501 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 341, Winter Park, FL, 32789   ...Kathryn Bell

(initial 23 Victory offices announced June 4, 2012)



former

Hispanic Outreach Director  Pablo Pantoja

(announced April 16, 2012) Central Florida regional field director on Romney's Florida primary campaign.  Worked for the RPOF as a Victory field director in Central Florida from Sept. 2010, and more recently as coalitions director from Jan. 2011.  Florida Division of Emergency Management, 2008-10.  Served in the Florida National Guard and is an infantry combat veteran, Kuwait/Iraq, 2003-04.  M.S. in political science from Florida State University.  B.A. in Spanish from Florida State University.  Originally from Puerto Rico.



Republican Party of Florida  |  420 E. Jefferson Street  P.O. Box 311  |  Tallahassee, FL 32301  +
Chairman  Lenny Curry

(elected Sept. 23, 2011 to complete David Bitner's term, through Jan. 2013; Curry had been serving as vice chairman under Bitner) Curry is also chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County.  He is co-founder (2002), CEO and managing director of ICX Group Inc., a professional services firm based in Jacksonville.  Previously he was a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, 1995-2002.  Graduate of The University of Florida.  Native Floridian.

Executive Director  Mike Grissom

(announced Oct. 4, 2011) Previously deputy executive director of the RPOF from Jan. 2011.  A strategist on Rick Scott's gubernatorial campaign in Fall 2010 after serving as statewide field director on Bill McCollum for Governor.  Michigan Victory director in the second half of 2008.  Victory director for the Kentucky Republican Party, 2007-March 2008.  Briefly deputy political director in South Carolina on John McCain 2008.  72-Hour director in Maryland, 2006.  Political director on Katherne Harris for Congress in Fall 2004 after serving as field director on Melissa Brown for Congress in the first part of 2004.  Campaign manager on Scott Maxwell for Mayor, 2003.  Field rep./intern for Congressman Ric Keller.  Graduate of the University of Central Florida, 2002.  Grew up in Riverview.