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The RNC is a confederation of state parties. Power flows
from the local level up to the national level.
National Convention
Every four years.
168 Members of the RNC ("the 168")
Meet twice yearly. 1 Committeeman, 1 Committeewoman and 1 Chairperson from each state. Committee members terms run from Convention to Convention. (Formerly 165 Members -- increased with the addition of three Members from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Executive Committee (28 members)(Rule 6)
Sounding board for the Chair. Decisions between meetings of the full RNC.
- 8 by Region (MW, NE, S, W). 3 Chair Appointments. 17 Elected and Appointed Officers - Chairman, Co-Chair, Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary; General Counsel, Finance Chairman, Chairman of State Chairmen's Advisory Comm., Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Rules Committee.
Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel (MI)
(announced Dec. 14, 2016; elected Jan. 19,
2017, re-elected Jan. 25, 2019) Previously chair of the
Michigan Republican Party, elected Feb. 21, 2015.
Has "worked as a manager for the staffing firm Ajilon, as a
business manager for the video company Mills James
Productions, and as a production manager for SRCP
Media." B.A. in English from Brigham Young
University. First campaign was as a driver on her mother
Ronna Romney's 1994 run for U.S. Senate. Resident of
Northville. (She is Mitt Romney's niece; daughter of
Ronna Romney who married G. Scott Romney, Mitt Romney's
brother). twitter
Co-Chair Tommy Hicks, Jr.
(elected Jan. 25, 2019) Chairman of
America First Action PAC and America First Policies.
National finance co-chairman for Trump’s 2016 campaign, then
vice chairman of the finance committee for the presidential
inauguration. Partner of Hicks Holdings LLC (from 2015),
"a family investment firm looking for opportunistic control,
co-control or growth equity investments of all sizes."
Also founding partner of Scout SSG, LLC, "an investment firm
looking primarily to deploy capital into distressed and other
special situations." An analyst at Greenhill, a New
York-based merchant banking firm. Graduated from the
University of Texas at Austin in 2001. See also:
Tarini Parti. "Trump's 'Low-Profile' 'Ulitimate
Loyalist' Now Has More Power Ahead Of 2020." BuzzFeed,
Feb. 11, 2019. twitter
Treasurer Ron Kaufman (MA)
(elected Jan. 25, 2019) Senior advisor at Denton's. Senior advisor to Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. At Dutko Grayling; joined the firm in 1994. Top advisor in the White House during George H.W. Bush's presidency, initially White House Personnel Director and then Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director. Founded Vice President Bush's PAC and ran his 1988 primary campaign in New Hampshire. National campaign director for Vice President Bush's 1984 reelection campaign. Regional then national political director of the Republican National Committee under President Reagan. Started his career in national politics in 1978 with George H. W. Bush's campaign for president.
Secretary Vicki Drummond (AL)
(elected Jan. 25, 2019)
General Counsel
Finance Chairman Todd Ricketts
(approved by the full RNC on Feb. 2, 2018) Ricketts is co-owner of the Chicago Cubs,
and son of Joe Ricketts the founder
of Ameritrade. With his wife
owns Higher Gear bike shop in Wilmette. Served as
director and CEO of Ending Spending, Inc., a group founded
by his father in 2010. Also of note, on Nov. 30, 2016
President-elect Trump nominated Ricketts to be Deputy
Commerce Secretary, but he withdrew from consideration on
April 19, 2017.
Chairman of the Budget Committee (12
members)
Chairman of the RNC Standing Committee on Resolutions (9
members)
Chairman of the RNC Standing Committee on Rules (56
members)
Chairman of the State Chairmen
Executive
Chief of Staff Richard Walters
(reported as interim on Aug. 31, 2017 by Politico) Walters
succeeded Sara Armstrong; he had been serving as finance
director (announced Feb. 6, 2017) and was a four-year veteran
of the RNC finance team, including as regional finance
director for the Northeast and Midwest. Part of the Mitt
Romney for President and Romney Victory fundraising
operations. Fundraising experience for statewide
campaigns and other national political organizations.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Mike Reed
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Research
director and deputy director of communications at the RNC in
the 2018 cycle (announced Mar. 8, 2017). Founder and
president of Rive Delta Strategies LLC in Baton Rouge, LA,
Feb. 2016-Feb. 2017. Communications director (Feb.
2014-Jan. 2016) and deputy communications director (Feb.
2013-Feb. 2014) to Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA),. Research
director (Jan. 2011-Dec. 2012) and senior research analyst
(2010 cycle) at the NRSC. Researcher at McCarthy Marcus
Hennings, April-Dec. 2008. Research analyst on former
Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, Jan. 2007-Feb. 2008.
B.A. in public policy from Hobart College, 2006. Boston
native. twitter
Chief Operating Officer
Tinna Jackson
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Chief human resources officer for the 2018 cycle (from Nov. 2017) and director of human resources and deputy director of the administration division (from March 2015) at the RNC. Director of administration at Equal Justice Works, July 2013-Mar. 2015). Executive administrator for the Entertainment Software Association and Aegis Defense Services, Feb. 2012-July 2013. Deputy chief of staff (Oct. 2007-July 2011) and director of administration, executive assistant (Feb. 2001-May 2007) to U.S. Sen. John Ensign. Assistant to the managing partner and office scheduler at Ball Janik LLP. B.A. In management from National Louis University.
Trump Victory Political Director Chris Carr
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Pollitical
director for Donald J. Trump for President re-election
announced May 23, 2018. Political director at the RNC in
the 2016 cycle, announced Feb. 9, 2015. Co-founder and
consultant to Engage Nevada, a conservative 501(c)(4)
organization. Nevada state manager on the Romney
campaign, reported May 2012. Western regional political
director at the RNC, announced June 1, 2011 to May 2012.
Western regional political director at the NRCC in 2010.
West and Southeast political director at the NRCC in the 2010
cycle. Northwest political director at the RNC, 2007-08.
Campaign manager for Sen. John Ensign’s (R-NV) successful
reelection bid in 2006. Executive director of the Nevada
Victory Campaign and Nevada State Republican Party in the 2004
cycle. Executive director of the Clark County
Republicans. Carr came to Nevada from Louisiana;
extensive experience in Louisiana campaigns including manager
of Dan Kyle's primary campaign for Louisiana Insurance
Commissioner in 2003; manager of Donna Mayeux's 2000 campaign
for mayor of Baton Rouge; and manager of State Rep. Quentin
Dastugue's 1995 gubernatorial campaign. Deputy campaign
manager on Jim Gibbons' 1994 campaign for governor.
Campaign manager for Bush-Quayle in Nevada in 1992.
Interned at the White House during the administration of
President George H.W. Bush. Graduate of McNeese State
University in Lake Charles, LA. Originally from Sulphur.
NIne Regional Political Directors:
Northeast (ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT) Elissa Voccola
(from Mar. 2017) New Hampshire deputy
state director on Marco Rubio for President, May 2015-Mar.
2016. Executive director of the New Hampshire
Republican Party, Feb.-May 2015. Executive director of
the Connecticut Republican Party, May 2013-Jan. 2015.
Colorado field director on Romney for President in the fall
campaign; during the primaries served as the Romney campaign's
Utah and Wyoming director, from Nov. 2011. Political
director at the Connecticut Republican Party, Aug.-Nov.
2011. Field manager on Tim Pawlenty for President,
May-Aug. 2011. Legislative aide in the Connecticut
House, Dec. 2010-May 2011. Political director on Sam
Caligiuri for Congress, June-Nov. 2010. Field
representative on Simmons for U.S. Senate, Nov. 2009-May 2010.
Degree in political science, history, communications from
Western Connecticut State University, 2010; earlier studied at
Clarkson University. twitter
Mid-Atlantic (DE, MD, MI, PA and
DC) Jon Black
(from Apr. 2017) [Based in Harrisburg] Director of turnout and targeting for the RNC, May 2013-Apr. 2017. Digital political director at Romney for President, Nov. 2011-Nov. 2012. Political analyst at Target Victory, Feb.-Nov. 2011. Voter programs for the Michigan Republican Party, Dec. 2009-Dec. 2010. Republican Party of Virginia Victory, June-Nov. 2009. Deputy director of political technology/Voter Vault (May 2008-March 2009) and a regional Voter Vault coordinator (April 2007-May 2008) at the RNC. Worked on the Rhode Island Victory campaign in latter half of 2006, ID-ing and mobilizing likely voters in the U.S. Senate race. Degree in political science from Allegheny College, 2006.
Southern Atlantic (KY, NC, SC, TN and
VA) Jason Simmons
(Mar. 2019) Associate Administrator
at the U.S. Small Business Administration, Nov. 2017-Mar.
2019. Chief of staff (Apr.-Nov. 2017) and senior White
House advisor (Jan.-Apr. 2017) for the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management. North Carolina state director
for the Trump campaign, Aug.-Nov. 2016.
Comes to the campaign from the Office of Gov. Pat
McCrory. Senior advisor to the North Carolina Department
of Health and Human Services, April 2013-Dec. 2015.
Worked in Office of Gov. Pat McCrory, Jan.-April 2013.
Regional manager for Charlotte on RNC Victory in North
Carolina; during the South Carolina primary campaign, Simmons
was field director assistant at Mitt Romney for President and
executive director of South Carolina Students for Mitt
Romney. M.A. in international studies, international
relations and foreign policy analysis (2012) and B.A. in
political science, Islamic studies (2010) from University of
South Carolina-Columbia. Combat medic/mental health
specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve, 1996-2004.
Florida Alex Garcia
(Apr. 2019) Chief of staff to Lt. Gov.
Jeanette Nunez, Nov. 2018-Apr. 2019. Political director
for House campaigns for the Republican Party of Florida, Jan.
2017-Nov. 2018. RNC deputy state director (July
2015-Nov. 2016) and director of Hispanic initiatives (from
Oct. 2013) in Florida.Legislative aide to state Rep. Michael
Bileca, Jan. 2011-Sept. 2013. Campaign manager on
Michael Bileca for State Rep., May-Nov. 2012.
Legislative aide (Nov. 2010-Jan. 2011) and district aide
(Jan.-Nov. 2010) to state Sen. Anitere Flores. Deputy
campaign manager on Anitere Flores for State Senate in
2010. B.S. in health science from Florida International
University, 2008. twitter
Ohio Valley (IL, IN, OH, WV and WI) Clayton Henson
(reportd by Cleveland.com on May 2019) Most recently a regional political director at the White House. Ohio coalitions director on Trump's 2016 campaign. Manager of regional services for Sec. of State Jon Husted and deputy campaign manager on Husted's 2014 re-election campaign. Marine Corps veteran. Pickaway County, OH native.
Midwest (IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, OK, SD
and TX) Stephanie (Milligan) Alexander
Founding partner (Sept. 2015) at 26/7
Lifestyle Management in Oklahoma City and president of HERA
Consulting from June 2014. Battleground
states director on Trump's 2016 campaign from June; previously
Midwest regional political director, promotion announced
March 3, 2016, and earlier served as state director in
Arkansas and Oklahoma. Vice
president of government relations at Capitol Insight, Nov.
2010-June 2014; vice president at Alexander Companies, May
2010-Dec. 2014. State chairman of the Oklahoma
Federation of Young Republicans, June 2010-July 2013.
Finance director on several campaigns. Legislative
assistant in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Nov.
2009-June 2010. Loan officer at the Oklahoma Employees
Credit Union, Oct. 2008-May 2009. twitter
Southern Gulf (AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, MO and
Carribean territories) Brian Barrett
State strategist for Majority Strategies from
Feb. 2017. RNC Victory director in Florida in the 2016
cycle, started as RNC state director in July 2015. RNC Victory
director for Georgia in 2014. Chief of staff to the
Montana Senate President during the 2013 session. Deputy
chief of staff at Montanans for Rehberg, Jan. 2011-Dec.
2012. Campaign manager on Jeff Miller for Congress,
Feb.-Dec. 2010. Absentee ballot director for the
Republican Party of Virginia, 2009. B.S. in political
science and government from Rollins College, 2007. twitter
West (AZ, CO, MT, NM, UT and WY) Brian Seitchik
Owner of RDP
Strategies in Scottsdale.
Campaign manager on Steve Gaynor's 2018 campaign
for Arizona Secretary of State, a narrow loss to Kate Hobbs
(D). Arizona state director on Donald J. Trump for
President, July-Nov. 2016. Campaign
manager on Christine Jones for Governor (AZ), 2014.
Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren (CA), July 2012-Jan.
2013. Campaign manager on George LeMieux for Senate
(FL), June 2011-July 2012. Communications
consultant/spokesman for the California Republican Party,
July-Nov. 2010. Campaign manager on Danny Tarkanian
for U.S. Senate, Oct. 2009-June 2010. Campaign manager
on Poizner for Insurance Commissioner, March 2007-May
2009. Communications director on Mike DeWine for U.S.
Senate, Jan.-Nov. 2006. Campaign manager on Redistrict
California/Yes on Prop. 77, Sept.-Nov. 2005. Director
of communications/spokesman for U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren, Dec.
2004-Sept. 2005. Campaign manager on Gary Podesto for
State Senate, April-Dec. 2004. Campaign manager on Dan
Lungren for Congress, Dec. 2003-March 2004. Deputy
director of policy and opinion research on Bill Simon for
Governor, Jan. 2001-Dec. 2002. Director of research
for the polling company TM,
Feb. 1999-June 2001. Research associate at Dresner,
Wickers & Associates, Dec. 1997-Jan. 1999.
Undergraduate degree from University of Michigan, 1997.
Pacific (AK, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR and WA) Jeremy Hughes
(Mar. 2019) [Based in Las Vegas]
Consultant at November Inc., Dec. 2014-Mar. 2019. Nevada
state director on Marco Rubio for President, May 2015-Apr.
2016. Campaign manager on Gov. Brian
Sandoval's 2014 re-election and a consultant on Mark
Hutchison's 2014 campaign for lieutenant governor.
Political director on U.S. Sen. Dean Heller's 2012
campaign. Nevada state director
on Gov. Rick Perry's campaign (announced Oct. 5,
2011). Worked on Mississippi State
Treasurer Tate Reeves' campaign for Lt. Governor, Aug. 2011
primary. In Fall 2010 served
as treasurer for "Citizens for a Working America," a group
active in the SC-5 U.S. House race (reported by HuffPo's Sam
Stein). Political director on Kentucky Secretary of
State Trey Grayson's U.S. Senate campaign in the May 2010
primary election. Campaign manager for Kentucky
Congressman Geoff Davis. Managed managed
Jack Ditty’s campaign in the Aug. 25, 2009 state senate
special election in northeastern Kentucky. Staffer of
the Northern Kentucky Republican Victory Office. Executive director of Freedom Vote,
an Ohio-based non-profit, focusing on voter turnout efforts
in the state. Graduate of Morehead State
University. Kentucky native. twitter
See: Michael C. Bender. "Republicans Hire Nine Regional Directors for Trump 2020 Election. Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2019.
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Faith Engagement
Mike Mears
(July 2013) Senior director at Family
Research Council Action, Jan. 2012-June 2013. Executive
director at Concerned Women for America PAC, Jan. 2006-Dec.
2011. twitter
Director of Targeted Engagement Juan O'Leary
(May 2017) Senior field director for
Americans for Prosperity, Dec. 2016-May 2017. Virginia
field director for The LIBRE Initiative, Aug. 2014-Dec.
2015. Studied political science at Salisbury
University. twitter
Director of Military and Veteran
Engagement
Director of Asian Pacific American Engagement Adi Sathi
(Nov. 2017) Also chief of staff at the
YRNF from Sept. 2017. Experience on more than a dozen
campaigns since 2010. Most recently in 2017 he served as
as a field manager on Gillespie for Governor (VA) via In Field
Strategies; served as a senior advisor on Lena Epstein for
U.S. Senate Mackinac operations; and managed Kevin Tatulyan's
campaign for MIGOP vice chair of coalitions. APAICS
legislative fellow in the office of Sen. Orrin Hatch (UT),
Sept. 2016-Sept. 2017. One of six vice chairs of the
Michigan Republican Party, Feb. 2015-Feb. 2017. Deputy
executive director of the Republican Hindu Coalition, Nov.
2015-July 2016. M.S.W. in community organization (2014)
and B.A. in political science (2013) from University of
Michigan. twitter
Director of Hispanic Engagement Sandra Benitez
(Mar. 2018...started as deputy director in Aug.
2017) Director of government affairs and policy at the
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mar.-Aug. 2017.
Virginia field director for The LIBRE Initiative, June
2015-Aug. 2016. Deputy political diirector for the NJ
Republican State Committee, Jan. 2014-June 2015. NJ
director of Hispanic initiatives for the RNC, July 2013-Jan.
2014. B.A. in political science from Ramapo College of
New Jersey. twitter
Deputy Director of Hispanic Engagement Jesus Rodriguez
(May 2018) Started as Hispanic initiatives
coordinator at the RNC from May 2015; also served as political
intern (Sept.-Nov. 2014) Studied at The George
Washington University. twitter
Director of Youth Engagement Mitchell Freckleton
(Nov. 2017) Legislative correspondent
(June-Nov. 2017) and staff assistant (June 2016-June 2017) to
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (UT). RNC field organizer for the
Nevada GOP in the Reno area, Jan.-June 2016. H.B.A. in
political science from University of Utah, 2015. twitter
Urban Engagement Coordinator Gina Barr
(Aug. 2017) Regional field director for
the Michigan Republican Party from Feb. 2014. Security
supervisor at G4S International from Jan. 2012.
POLITICAL
Political Strategy Director Matt
Dailer
Previously national field director in the 2018 cycle from Mar. 2017 and deputy director for political training, Sept. 2015-Mar. 2017. Executive director of the West Virginia Republican Party, Jan.-Oct. 2015; state director at the West Virginia Republican Party, July 2013-Dec. 2014. Analyst in the West Virginia Legislature, Jan.-Apr.. 2013. West Virginia field coordinator for Victory 2012, July-Nov. 2012. Analyst in the West Virginia Legislature, Jan.-Mar. 2012. B.A. in political science from Marshall University, 2011. twitter
National Field Director Elliott Echols
Has worked for the RNC since Oct. 2013; deputy
national field director in the 2018 cycle (from Dec. 2017),
Virginia state director (July-Dec. 2017), GA-06 district
director (Feb.-June 2017), director of the Republican
Leadership Initiative (Jan. 2015-Feb. 2017), and national
youth director (Oct. 2013-Jan. 2015). Additionally
Echols served as a regional political director for the CRNC,
June-Nov. 2012; and as state chairman of Georgia College
Republicans, March 2011-April 2012. B.S. in economics
from Berry College, 2013. twitter
Deputy Director of State Party and Campaign Resources Joseph Cueto
(2019) Communications director on John
Kingston for U.S. Senate, Inc. (MA), July-Sept. 2018.
Campaign manager on Newman for Congress, Dec. 2017-June
2018. Press secretary (June-Dec. 2017) and public
information (Jan. 2015-June 2017) in the Office of Gov. Susana
Martinez. Regional political on Susan Martinez for
Governor, Mar.-Nov. 2014. Statewide campaign coordinator
for the NM House Republican Leadership PAC, Mar.-Dec.
2013. Policy analyst for New Mexico House Republican
leadership, Jan.-Mar. 2013. Statewide campaign
coordinator for the NM House Republican Leadership PAC,
May-Dec. 2012. B.A. in history from New Mexico State
University, 2012. twitter
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications
Director Michael R. Ahrens
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) RNC rapid
response director in the 2018 cycle. Spokesman on Sen.
Marco Rubio's re-election campaign. Worked on Romney for
President, 2012. twitter
Deputy Communications Director and Spokesperson Cassie
Smedile
(Aug. 2017) Director of communications for U.S. Sen. Todd Young (IN), Jan.-Aug. 2017. Communications director for U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (WI), May 2013-Dec. 2016. Director of digital content for the Republican National Convention, May-Aug. 2016. Communications director for U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (FL), June 2009-Dec. 2010. Deputy communications director on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Nov 2007-Oct. 2009. Staff assistant in the Office of the House Republican Whip, May-Nov. 2007. B.A. in broadcast and electronic communication from Marquette University, 2007. twitter
Deputy Communications Director Rick Gorka
(promotion reported by Politico, April 13, 2017
"regional comms., 2018, day to day") RNC regional
communications director in 2016. Traveling press
secretary on Romney for President from late Dec. 2011-Nov.
2012. Communications director at the New Jersey
Republican Party, Jan.-Dec. 2011. Spokesman on Charlie
Baker's campaign for governor of Massachusetts, March-Nov.
2010. Regional communications director/regional press
secretary at the RNC, Oct. 2009-March 2010. Regional
political director at Freedom's Watch starting Dec. 2007, with
an interlude as regional communications director (West) on the
McCain-Palin campaign. Campaign manager for state Senate
candidate Mark D. Tate in Virginia in 2007. In 2006
Gorka served as field director for U.S. House candidate Gus
Bilirakis and earlier as a field representative for U.S.
Senate candidate Katherine Harris through the primary.
Staff assistant to U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, 2001.
Spokane native.
twitter
National Spokesperson Elizabeth Harrington
(announced Apr. 11, 2019) Senior writer
at the Washington Free
Beacon. Staff writer for CNSNews.com.
twitter
National Press Secretary Mandi Merritt
(Jan. 2020; previously RNC regional
communications director, Mar. 2019-Jan. 2020 and Ohio
communications director, July 2018-Mar. 2019) Press
secretary (Jan. 2016-July 2018) and deputy press secretary
(Jan.-Dec. 2015) in the Ohio Treasurer's Office. Senior
account manager (Feb.-Dec. 2014) and operations specialist
(Aug. 2012-Feb. 2014) for Front Porch Strategies (Ohio).
B.A. in political science, international studies from The Ohio
State University, 2013. twitter
Assistant National Press Secretary Allie (Alexandra) Carroll
(Mar. 2019) Started as a press assistant
in Sept. 2017. Staff assistant on Meehan for Congress
(PA), Jan.-Nov. 2016. Interned at the RNC, May-Aug.
2016. Undergraduate degree from Villanova University,
2017. twitter
Press Assistant Abigail Marone
(Apr. 2019) Bachelor's degree in political science and government from The George Washington University, 2019. Internships include communications/research at the RNC, Aug.-Dec. 2016, and finance on Marco Rubio for President, Jan.-Mar. 2016. twitter
Deputy Director of Regional Communications Christiana
Purves
(Apr. 2019) Started as a regional
communications director in Apr. 2017. Campaign manager
and communications director on Justin Fareed for Congress
(CA), Feb. 2016-Jan. 2017. National deputy press
secretary on Lindsey Graham 2016 presidential campaign, June
2015-Jan. 2016. Staff in Office of Sen. Graham, July
2014-May 2015. Communications assistant on Team
Graham, Inc., Aug. 2013-July 2014. B.A. in public
relations from University of South Carolina-Columbia,
2014. twitter
Director of Hispanic Media Yali Nunez
(May 2017) Director of Hispanic
communications on Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate, June 2016-Jan.
2017. News reporter in Miami (April 2014-2016) and
sports anchor and segment and field producer in Fresno (July
2013-Feb. 2014) for Univision. Programming
coordinator/on air talent/production associate for Fox
Networks Group, June 2012-2013. Bachelor of Arts and
Sciences in mass communication, telecom.-news from University
of South Florida, 2011. Freelance reporter for Azteca
America, 2012. Field reporter/anchor for WFLA-TV,
June-Dec. 2011. twitter
Director of Media Affairs and Surrogates Johanna Persing
(Mar. 2017) RNC New Hampshire communications director, Jan. 2016-Mar. 2017. Communications director to U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (PA), Jan. 2015-Jan. 2016. Communications director on Barbara Comstock for Congress, June-Nov. 2014. Director of radio (April 2013-June 2014) press assistant (Nov. 2011-Apr. 2013) and intern (Aug.-Nov. 2011) at the RNC. B.A. in political science and religious studies from Gettysburg College, 2011. twitter
Senior Communications Advisor for Black Media Affairs
Paris Dennard
(2020) On leave from position as senior
director of strategic communications at the Thurgood Marshall
College Fund. Founded PD Consulting Group in 2013.
Director of public affairs for a South Carolina law firm;
director of events at the McCain Institute. Associate
director of coalitions for the RNC, 2009-11. B.A. in
political science and public relations from Pepperdine
University, 2005. Chaired Arizona Teenage Republicans
and spoke at the 2000 Republican National Convention. twitter
Rapid Response Director Steve Guest
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Promoted from
deputy rapid response director (from April 2017) and deputy
press secretary (Aug. 2016-April 2017) at the RNC. Media
reporter for The Daily Caller, Aug. 2015-Aug. 2016.
Associate producer for The Hugh Hewitt Show, April-July
2015. B.A. in political science from UCLA, 2015;
Associate's degree from Orange Coast College, 2013. twitter
Chief Speechwriter Andrew Brennan
(Dec. 2019) Communications assistant to
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX), Jan. 2018-Nov. 2019.
B.A. in political science, rhetoric and communications from
University of Richmond, 2017.
Communications-RESEARCH
Research Director Joe Ascioti
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Assistant
research and rapid response director at the RNC for the 2018
cycle from July 2017. Director of special projects (July
2016-June 2017), war room director (May 2015-July 2016) and
deputy research director (Jan. 2014-May 2015) and staff
assistant (Sept. 2013-Jan. 2014) at FP1 Strategies, LLC.
B.A. in political science from Colgate University, 2013.
twitter
TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL And Data
TECHNOLOGY
....software
developers, operations, DevOps, and security
Chief Technology
Officer Puran Nebhnani
(announced Mar. 17, 2017 and Mar. 1,
2019) RNC deputy CTO from Jan. 2016; started as director
of engineering in Feb. 2014. CTO/co-founder of BritSoft,
May 2011-Aug. 2015. Principal engineer for various
clients including National Geographic Society, US Marine Corps
via SSG, Dec. 2007-Jan. 2014. Technical lead at Pharad,
LLC, March 2006-Dec. 2007. Senior software architect and
engineer at Corvis/Broadwing Communications (acquired b Level
3 Communications). Member of technical staff at Bell
Labs Lucent Technologies, 2000-01.Software engineer,
1996-2000. M.S. in computer science and software
engineering from Monmouth University 1996; B.S. in electronics
engineering from University of Mumbai.
DIGITAL ....marketing, social media
Chief Digital Officer Kevin Zambrano
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Deputy digital
director (from Mar. 2017) and senior manager for online
fundraising (Mar. 2016-Mar. 2017). Digital strategist at
the NRCC in the 2014 cycle. Account manager at
Conservative Connector, announced May 2013. Deputy data
analyst on Romney/Ryan. Graduate of Syracuse
University. New Hampshire native. twitter
DATA twitter
Chief Data Officer Ellen Bredenkoetter
(announced Mar. 1, 2019; also held this role in
the 2018 cycle from late July 2017) Chief data officer
at Data Trust, Oct. 2015-July 2017. Deputy chief data
officer at Scott Walker Inc., June-Sept. 2015; deputy chief
data officer at Our American Revival, March-June 2015.
National data director (April 2014-March 2015) and regional
data director (Dec. 2013-March 2014) at the NRCC. Deputy
director of political analytics (March-Nov. 2012) and
political (April 2011-Feb. 2012) on Romney for
President. Political on Friends of Roy Blunt, May-Nov.
2010. B.A. in political science from University of
Alabama, finsihed degree in Dec. 2013. twitter
Director of Analytics Caleb Walker
(Jan. 2019) Previously RNC deputy
director of analytics (May 2018-Jan. 2019) and analytics
manager (Oct. 2017-May 2018). Messaging and message
research associat at In Pursuit Of, May-Oct. 2017.
Senior research assistant (Feb. 2015-Apr. 2017) and junior
research assistant (May-Nov. 2014) at Public Opinion
Strategies B.A. in politics from Washington and Lee
University, 2014 Internships include RNC in summer 2013
and Romney for President in summer 2012.
Deputy Director of Analytics Alexi Donovan
(Jan. 2019) Polling director (Jan.
2017-Dec. 2018) and polling coordinator (Feb.-Dec. 2016) and
assistant to the executive director (Feb. 2015-Dec. 2016) at
the NRCC. Staff assistant on the Committee on Education
and the Workforce, June 2014-Jan. 2015.
Analytics Manager Benjamin Horton
(Apr. 2019) Started at the RNC as a data
analyst, Aug. 2018-Apr. 2019. Junior associate at Axiom
Strategies, Jan.-Aug. 2018. B.A. in political science
and government from University of Texas at Austin, 2018.
Director of External Supprt–Data Kristian D. Hemphill
(Feb. 2019) Previously West regional data director (from Aug. 2017) and RNC Colorado data director (Jan. 2015-Dec. 2016). Field director for the Colorado Republican Committee, May 2014-April 2015. B.A. in political science and government from Hastings College, 2014. twitter
Information Technology
IT Director/Director of Network
Operations
FINANCE
Finance Director Sarah K.
Robinson
(also finance director in the 2018 cycle) Previously RNC deputy finance director. Experience includes deputy finance director at Marco Rubio for President.
Deputy Finance Director Elise
Dickens (Dietsch)
(Jan. 2019) Previously South regional
finance director, Feb. 2017-Dec. 2018. Principal at
EMD Consulting LLC in Camden ME from Mar. 2016. Deputy
finance director on Chris Christie for President, Inc., June
2015-Feb. 2016; a regional finance director at
Christie's Leadership Matters for America PAC, Feb.-June
2015. Finance director on Ed Gillespie for Senate
(VA), March-Dec. 2014. Executive director of
Inaugural 2014, Inc., Christie's inaugural committee, Nov.
2013-Feb. 2014. Deputy finance director on Chris
Christie for Governor, Feb.-Nov. 2013. Comptroller
for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, March 2011-Jan.
2013. Scheduler to U.S. Rep. Sean P. Duffy (WI-7)
Nov. 2010-March 2011. Finance on Sean Duffy for
Congress, May-Nov. 2010. B.A. in political science
from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Regional Finance Directors include:
South Adrienne Gamez
(Jan. 2019) Previously South regional
deputy finance director, Feb. 2017-Dec. 2018.
Associate at Sentinel Strategic Advisors, LLC, Aug.
2016-Feb. 2017. Donor fundraising in Austin, June
2015-June 2016. B.S. in corporate communications from
the University of Texas at Austin, 2015.
South Deputy McKenna Skeeters
(Jan. 2019) Previously South regional
finance coordinator from May 2018. Bachelor's degree
in international relations and global studies from the
University of Texas at Austin, 2018.
Major Donor Programs
Administration
CFO Josh Fisher
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) CFO and vice president of finance
and administration at Freedom Partners Chamber of
Commerce.
MEMBER Services
Director of Member Services Mariana Herrera
(Sept. 2019, previously deputy director from June
2017) Finance coordinator at The Larrison Group, Sept.
2015-Jan. 2017. Executive assistant/scheduler of the
Office of the Co-Chairman at the RNC, June 2014-Sept.
2015. B.A. in government and world affairs from
University of Tampa, 2014.
Member Services Coordinator Callie Estes
(Sept. 2019, previously member services manager from Mar. 2019 and member services coordinator from June 2017) Staff assistant in the U.S. Senate, Sept. 2016-June 2017. Public relations manager (March-May 2016) and account executive (Aug. 2015-May 2016) for Roxo. B.S. in strategic communication from Texas Christian University, 2016.
Member Services Manager Anna Dorsey
(Sept. 2019, previously member services
coordinator from Feb. 2019 and member services assistant from
Mar. 2018) Administrative assistant at Grand Valley
Consulting LLC, Oct. 2017-Jan. 2018. Undegraduate degree
in government from University of Virginia, 2017.
and Sarah Valdez
LEGAL
Chief Counsel Justin Riemer
(announced Mar. 1, 2019) Deputy general counsel for postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education. Deputy chief counsel for the RNC during the 2016 presidential election cycle. Elections and political consultant at JJR Consulting, LLC, Jan 2014-Jan. 2015. Deputy Secretary of the State Board of Elections of Virginia, Nov. 2010-Jan. 2014. Deputy director of the Republican National Lawyers Association, April 2009-Nov. 2010. Associate counsel on John McCain 2008, Sept. 2007-Jan. 2009. J.D. from University of Baltimore School of Law, 2007; bachelor's degree, double major in history and religion from Gettysburg College, 2003. twitter
FORMER STAFF
National Press Secretary Blair
Ellis ...moved over to director of communications for
Republican National Convention COA
Deputy national press secretary at the RNC in the 2018 cycle from Aug. 2017. Press secretary and digital coordinator for the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, July 2016-July 2017. Communications director (Nov. 2015-June. 2016), press secretary (Oct. 2014-Oct. 2015), and press assistant (Oct. 2013-Sept. 2014) to U.S. Rep. Renee Elmers (NC). Research assistant to NC Speaker Thom Tillis, June-Sept. 2013. B.A. in political science and public relations from UNC Chapel Hill, 2013. twitter
Deputy Chief Counsel Eric S.
Brown ...to Apr. 2020 moved to compliance
risk management lead at USAA
(Apr. 2019) Counsel, legal and policy advisor to Commissioner at the Federal Election Commission, Jaly 2016-Mar. 2019. General counsel to Cruz for President, June 2015-May 2016. Legal and policy advisor to Commissioner at the FEC, June 2008-May 2015. Associate at Patton Boggs LLP, Apr. 2005-June 2008. Special assistant to the Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Feb.-Apr. 2005. Associate counsel for the 55th PIC, Dec. 2004-Jan. 2005. Deputy counsel at the RNC, Mar.-Nov. 2004. Reports analyst/law clerk/counsel at the FEC, July 1990-Mar. 2004. J.D. from George Mason University; B.A. political communication from The George Washington University.
Associate Counsel Jenna Kirsch
(Feb. 2019) Previously policy analyst for
the RNC, Nov. 2017-Feb. 2019. J.D. from Drake University
Law School, 2017; bachelor's degree in journalism and mass
communications from University of Iowa, 2012.
Director of Member Services Emily (Keech) Threadgill
(April 2017) Executive director of the Republican Secretaries of State Committee, RSLC, from April 2015. Manager of government relations at LEVICK, Sept. 2014-Mar. 2015. Deputy director of Member Services under Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Jan. 2012-July 2014; and staff assistant in the Office of the Majority Leader, Jan. 2011-Feb. 2012. Graduate of Rollins College, 2010.
Notes:
2020 Winter Meeting -
Miami, FL (Trump National Doral Miami), Jan. 2020 (+).
2019 Summer Meeting - Charlotte, NC, Aug. 1-2, 2019 (+).
2019 Winter Meeting - Albuquerque, NM, Jan.
23-25, 2019 [PDF].
2018 Summer Meeting - Austin, TX (Fairmont Austin),
July 18-20, 2018 (+).
2018 Spring Meeting - Miami, FL (Trump National
Doral Miami), May 2-5, 2018 (+).
2018 Winter Meeting - Washington, DC (Washington Hilton), Jan.
31-Feb. 3, 2018 (report).
2017 Summer Meeting - Nashville, TN (Gaylord Opryland Resort &
Convention Center), Aug. 23-25, 2017 (+).
2017 Spring Meeting - San Diego, CA
(Hotel del Coronado), May 10-13, 2017 (+).
2017 Winter Meeting - Washington, DC (Omni Shoreham
Hotel), Jan. 17-21, 2017 (+).
Committee on
Arrangements
Chair Toni Anne Dashiell (TX)
Co-Chair Glenn McCall (SC)
Vice Chairs Jane Timken (OH) and Luis Fortuño (PR)
Treasurer Ron Kaufman (MA)
Secretary Vicki Drummond (AL)
President and CEO Marcia Lee Kelly
Director of operations for the 2016 Republican National Convention from mid-2015. Chief advancement officer for Trinity Law School in Orange County, CA from Aug. 2013. Director of strategic projectts for the Romney Transition Team, Sept..-Nov. 2012. Consultant to the 2012 Republican National Convention. Director of the Mercy Health System Foundation in Wisconsin, Dec. 2009-July 2011. Chief development officer for the Riverfront in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Dec. 2004-Dec. 2009. Associate director of external affars for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Worked as a consultant in New York, 2001-04. Various roles for the New York City Mayor’s office, Jan. 1994-May 2001. B.A. degrees in political science and urban affairs from Manhattan College, 1992. See: Ahn Do. "Orange County native is tapped to coordinate what could be a wild Republican National Convention." Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2016.
Trump Make America Great Again Committee
a joint fundraising committee authorized by and composed of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. and the Republican National Committee
see also:
Donald J. Trump for
President, Inc.
Campaign Manager Brad Parscale
(announced Feb. 27, 2018) Digital
director on Trump's 2016 campaign, announced June 21, 2016
after serving as a digital marketing strategist for the Trump
Organizatino. President
of Giles-Parscale, based in San Antonio, TX from Sept. 2011;
owner of Perscale Media from Sept. 2005.
B.S. in business finance, international business, economics
from Trinity University, 1999. twitter
White House
Senior Advisor to the President Jared
Kushner
Trump's son-in-law; played a key role in his 2016 campaign. CEO of Kushner Properties from 2008. Owner of New York Observer weekly newspaper, purchased in 2006. J.D. and M.B.A. from New York University, 2007. B.A. in sociology from Harvard College, 2003. Son of real estate developer Charles Kushner; married Ivanka Trump in 2009. see: Steven Bertoni. "Exclusive Interview: How Jared Kushner Won Trump The White House." Forbes. Dec. 20, 2016 (online Nov. 22, 2016).
Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs Brian Jack
(Feb. 2019) Speical assistant to the
President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs at the
White House, Jan. 2017-Feb. 2019. Battleground state
director (July-Nov. 2016) and national delegate director
(Mar.-July 2016) on Donald J. Trump for President, Inc..
Director of ballot access and delegate selection on Ben
Carson's campaign from Sept. 2015. Senior political
analyst at AIPAC, Sept. 2011-Sept. 2015. Staff assistant
at the RNC, Jan.-Sept. 2011. B.A. in international
studies, political science from Pepperdine University,
2010. Atlanta native. twitter