Hickenlooper 2020

Headquarters: 1001 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80206-0082  |  FEC
www.hickenlooper.com  |  @hickenlooper 
- announced Mar. 4, 2019.
- ended campaign Aug 15, 2019.

staff press releases

Candidate  John Hickenlooper  timeline

Wife  Robin Pringle Hickenlooper

Campaign Manager  M.E. Smith

(announced July 1, 2019, succeeding Brad Komar)  Campaign manager on Sen. Bob Casey's 2018 re-election.  Deputy campaign manager on Sen. Michael Bennet's 2016 re-election.  Deputy campaign manager on Gov. Hickenlooper's 2014 re-election.  Graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School of Government; undergraduate degree from Tufts University.  Originally from Idaho.

Senior Advisor  Rick Palacio

(reported by the Denver Post on Mar. 4, 2019)  Managing partner at The Majority Institute in Denver from Jan. 2018; founder of Palacio Strategies Group from Mar. 2017.  Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, Mar. 2011-Mar. 2017.  Deputy director of member services for U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 2008-11.  Deputy communications director to U.S. Rep. John Salazar, 2006-08.  Regional director for the Colorado Democratic Party, 2006.  Candidate for the Democratic nomination for Clerk and Recorder in Pueblo in 2006.  Assistant to the Colorado House Majority Leader Alice Madden, 2004-06.  Studied at Regis University.  6th generation Coloradan who was born and raised in Pueblo.  twitter

Political Director  Maisha J. Fields

(Apr. 2019)  Family nurse practitioner in Aurora frm Feb. 2016.  Political director on Hickenlooper for Colorado from July 2014.  Executive director at Fields Foundation in Aurora, June 2012-June 2014; director of "Children's Corridor" (Aurora and far Northeast Denver) for Piton Foundation, June 2012-June 2013.  Studied nursing at Azusa Pacific University.  twitter

Senior Communications Advisor  Marie Logsden

(Jan. 2019)  Chief of strategy and communications (April 2018-Jan. 2019) and director of strategic communications (Feb. 2017-April 2018) for Gov. John Hickenlooper.  Worked for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for almost 12 years, starting as health center assistant in April 2005 and finishing as senior vice president for communications, learning and diversity (Jan. 2015-Feb. 2017).  State director for New Voters Project's Iowa Campus Project, Jan.-Dec. 2004.  Fundraising associate for Iowa Citizen Action Network, 1999-2002.  B.A. in global studies, global health studies from University of Iowa, 2002.

Senior Advisor and Chief Speechwriter  Case Button

(Jan. 2019)  Consultant with Greenbrier from Jan. 2019.  Senior advisor and chief speechwriter to Gov. Hickenlooper from Nov. 2016.  Speechwriter and advisor at Button Communications, April 2013-Oct. 2016.  Speechwriter for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mar. 2009-Mar. 2013.  Regional director (Sept. 2008-Mar. 2009), aide for government and community relations (Aug. 2007-Sept. 2008) and special assistant (Sept. 2006-Aug. 2007) for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Assistant to the deputy campaign manager on Friends of Hillary re-election campaign, Sept.-Nov. 2006.  B.A. in government, business from Skidmore College, 2006.  twitter

Communications Director  Peter Cunningham

(announced July 13, 2019)  Executive director of Education Post, a national nonprofit based in Chicago, from June 2014.  President of Cunningham Creative from Dec. 2012.  Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education, Jan. 2009-Nov. 2012.  President of Cunningham Communications, Jan. 1997-Dec. 2008.  Head speechwriter and assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, May 1991-Dec. 1996.  Head speechwriter for the Illinois Attorney General's Office, Mar. 1990-May 1991.  Staff writer for the Finance Committee of the Chicago City Council, May 1989-Mar. 1990.  Journalist for various publications, June 1982-May 1989.  Mastors of Journalis from Columbia University, 1982; B.A. in philosophy from Duke University, 1980.  twitter

Communications Director  Lauren Hitt  ...through ea. July 2019

Press Assistant  Hayden Cleverly

(Mar. 2019)  Founder of Hayden Cleverly Consults LLC from Jan. 2019: director of operations at JVL Consulting, LLC from Jan. 2019.  Worked as program administrator, executive assistant and internship program manager in the Office of Gov. Hickenlooper, May 2017-Jan. 2019; started as an intern.  Bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from University of Vermont, 2016.

Policy Director  Hilary Steiner

(June 2019)  Global director of public policy consulting (Feb. 2018-May 2019), director of public policy consulting (from Jan. 2016), principal of custom research (from May 2013), senior analyst (Oct. 2010-Apr. 2013) and product manager (Jan.-Oct. 2010) at The Economist Intelligence Unit.  M.Sc. in international political economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science; B.A. in political science from Purdue University.

Senior Policy Advisor  Shepard Nevel

(Apr. 2019)  CEO of Jaywalk since Nov. 2016.  CEO of LiveWell Colorado, Aug. 2014-Nov. 2016.  Vice president for policy, evaluation and communications and vice president of operations for the Colorado Health Foundation, 2007-Aug. 2014.  Chief of staff in the office of Jared Polis and CEO of Jovian P4, 2003-07.  Executive director of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (1999-2003) and director of policy for Mayor Wellington Webb (1997-2000).  J.D. from Columbia University in the City of New York; B.A. from Brown University.  twitter

Foreign Policy Advisor  Jeremy Rosner
(Jan. 2019)  A managing partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.

National Finance Director  Dan Sorenson  ...through June 2019

Deputy Finance Director  Brendan Koch  ...through June 2019

Western Regional Finance Director  Erica Borsack

(Mar. 2019)  Finance director on Brindisi for Congress (NY), Aug. 2017-Mar. 2019.  Mid-Atlantic finance assistant at the DCCC and finance assistant to Nancy Pelosi for Congress and PAC To The Future, Feb.-Aug. 2017.  Finance assistant on Colleen Deacon for Congress (NY), May-Nov. 2016.  B.A. in political science from Colgate University, 2016.

Finance Associates
Caroline Dodson

(Mar. 2019)  Senior director finance and deputy campaign manager on Jena Griswold for Colorado, Jan. 2018-Jan. 2019.  B.A. in political science and government from Colorado College, 2018.

Michael Toppen

(May 2019)  Lobbyist (from Jan. 2019) and field organizer (from May 2018) at Montana PIRG.  B.A. in political science and government from  University of Montana, 2018.

National Fundraising Consultants 
Ashley Kennedy, Tonya Fulkerson and Sarah Paulos at FK & Co.

Director of Scheduling and Advance  Natalie Neubert

(June 2019...initially deputy scheduling manager from Mar. 2019)  Executive assistant to the Governor of Colorado (Oct. 2018-Jan. 2019) and special advisor to the First Lady (April 2018-Jan. 2019); scheduling assistant in the Governor's Office (Aug. 2017-Apr. 2018) and staff assistant (May-Aug. 2017).  B.A. degrees in international studies and Spanish language from University of Denver, 2015.

Special Assistant and Advance  Yared Berhane

(Jan. 2019)  Scheduling coordinator for Gov. John Hickenlooper, Aug. 2018-Jan. 2019; and citizens advocate, May 2018-Jan. 2018.  Executive intern (Jan.-Aug. 2017) in the Office of Gov. Hickenlooper.  B.S. in political science and government from Metropolitan State University of Denver, 2017.

Body Man  Ji Hoon Chang

(Mar. 2019)  Field organizer for the Colorado Democratic Party, Sept.-Nov. 2018.  Field organizer on Polis for Colorado, Feb.-Sept. 2018.  J.D. from New York Law School, 2017; B.A. in American government and politics from Juniata College, 2016.

Chief Operating Officer  Pat Meyers

(April 2019 and senior advisor from Jan. 2019)  Chief of staff to Gov. Hickenlooper, Dec. 2017-Jan. 2019.  Owner and CEO (from Jan. 2003) and owner and manager (from 2001) at PEM Enterprises in Denver.  Partner at Smashburger from Jan. 2007.  Partner, managing director and chief legal officer of Consumer Capital Partners, Jan. 1997-Oct. 2016.  A director at Quiznos, Jan. 1997-Jan. 2012.  Attorney at Moye, Giles, O'Keefe, Vermeire & Gorrell, Sept. 1991-Jan. 1997.  Special Assistant Attorney General, Apr. 1992-Dec. 1994.  Judicial law clerk, July 1990-Sept. 1991.  Submarine service in the U.S. Navy, May 1978-May 1984.  J.D. from University of California Hastings College of the Law, 1990; undergraduate studies at University of Colorado.

Director of Operations and Senior Advisor  Val Nosler-Beck

(June 2019...scheduling manager from Jan. 2019)  Director of executive operations for Gov. John Hickenlooper, Mar. 2018-Jan. 2019.  Engagement and outreach manager, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Sept. 2017-March 2018.  Candidate for City Council in Wheat Ridge, CO, Aug.-Nov. 2017.  Communications manager for the Colorado Lottery, June 2016-Sept. 2017.  Internal communications manager for the Colorado Department of Human Services, May 2015-May 2016.  Director of communications for the State of Colorado Recovery Office, Feb. 2014-April 2015.  Director of scheduling for Gov. John Hickenlooper, Jan. 2011-Jan. 2014.  Director of scheduling and advance for the City and County of Denver, Feb. -Dec. 2010.  Special assistant to Sen. Evan Bayh, Jan. 2009-Mar. 2010.  Colorado scheduler on Obama for America, July-Nov. 2008.  Legislative assistant at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen and Thomas, Aug. 2007-July 2008.  Scheduler to U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, Jan. 2005-Jan. 2007.  Degree in journalism and communications from Colorado State University, 2004.  twitter

Director of Operations and Special Projects  Sarah Feldmann   ...through June 2019

Operations and Special Projects Associate  Casey McAndrew

(June 2019...hiring coordinator from May 2019)  Started as operations and special project assistant, Mar.-May 2019; and volunteer coordinator for Hickenlooper's Giddy Up PAC.  Bachelor's degree in women and gender studies from University of Colorado Boulder, 2019; executive intern for Gov. Hickenlooper, Aug. 2018-Jan. 2019.

Chief Legal Counsel  Stephanie F. Donner

(Mar. 2019)  Chief legal, people and government affairs officer/corporate secretary at Galvanize Inc., July 2015-Mar. 2018.  Chief legal counsel (Nov. 2014-July 2015), deputy chief of staff (May-Nov. 2014), general counsel and executive director for flood recovery (Sept. 2013-April 2014) and senior deputy legal counsel (April 2011-Sept. 2013) to Gov. John Hickenlooper.  Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP, Aug. 2006-April 2011.  J.D. from University of Houston Law Center, 2003; B.A. from University of Texas at Austin 1999.

Anna Greenberg
(Dec. 2018)  A managing partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner GQR.

State Director  Sam Roecker

(reported Feb. 7, 2019)  Partner at Path to Victory LLC in Des Moines from Jan. 2018.  Director at Link Strategies LLC, Jan. 2013-Jan. 2018; and director at LPCA Public Strategies, Jan. 2013-Jan. 2018.  Campaign manager on Patty Judge for Iowa, March-Nov. 2016.  Communications director on Christie Vilsack for Iowa, March-Nov. 2012.  Communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, June 2010-March 2012.  New media director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, April 2009-June 2010.  Executive producer for Clear Channel Radio/Air America Radio, Nov. 2007-Feb. 2009.  B.A. in journalism-strategic communications, political science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2010. twitter

Iowa Caucus Director  Ferguson Yacyshyn

(started with the leadership PAC, reported on Feb. 22, 2019)  Field director for Iowa Democratic Party's 2018 Coordinated Campaign; field director on Fred Hubbell's primary campaign for governor.  In 2012 was a neighborhood team leader on the Obama campaign in Florida.  Studied at the University of South Florida.  twitter

Regional Caucus Director - Iowa City/2nd CD  Dallin Kelson

(June 2019)  Deputy field director on Education Reform Now Advocacy (Baton Rouge, LA), Feb.-Mar. 2019.  Deputy field director on Andy Kim for Congress, July-Nov. 2018.  Graduate of University of Florida.  twitter

Political Director  Kimberley Strope-Boggus

(announced April 19, 2019)  "An experienced activist and community leader, previously worked in nonprofit recruitment and with NextGen Climate Action in Iowa. Additionally, she has been an active role of Democratic campaigns and local initiatives across Polk County."  twitter

Political Director  Nolan Varee  ...through June 2019

FORMER

Campaign Manager  Brad Komar

(through June 30, 2019)  Directed Hickenlooper's GiddyUp PAC.  Campaign manager on Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam's campaign for Governor of Virginia, 2017.  State lead on Hillary Clinton's campaign in the Mar. 1, 2016 Colorado Democratic caucuses.  Campaign manager on Gov. Hickenlooper's successful re-election in 2014.  Campaign manager on Ralph Northam for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Feb.-Dec. 2013.  Campaign manager on Larry Maggi for Congress (Washington, PA), Feb.-Nov. 2012.  Campaign manager on NJ Senate/Assembly races, June-Dec 2011.  Field director in CD24 (Utica) for the New York State Democratic Committee, May-Nov. 2010.  Regional field director on the Obama campaign in Rolla, Missouri, June-Nov. 2008.  Field organizer and delegate selection coordinator on Hillary Clinton for President, June 2007-Jan. 2008.  Graduate of The George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, 2011.

Communications Director  Lauren Hitt

(transitioning out in July 2019)  Chief spokeswoman on Cythia Nixon for Governor campaign in New York, May-Sept. 2018.  Communications director on Randy Bryce for Congress, Jan.-May 2018.  Director of communications director for the City of Philadephia and senior advisor to Mayor Kenney, Jan. 2016-Jan. 2018.  Communications director on Kenney for Mayor, Feb.-Dec. 2015.  Communications director (Aug.-Nov. 2014) and press secretary (Jan.-Aug. 2014) on FitzGerald for Governor (OH).  Deputy communications director on Bill de Blasio for Mayor, June-Nov. 2013.  Press assistant in Philadelphia on Obama for America.  twitter

Digital Director and Senior Advisor for Online Communications  John Schueler

(Feb. 2019 through June 2019)  Self employed digital strategy consultant, Jan. 2018-Feb. 2019.  Digital directro for Climate Action Campaign, Feb. 2013-July 2017.  Western digital director on Obama for America, Feb.-Nov. 2012.  Senior new media strategist for the U.S. Department of Energy, Mar. 2009-Feb. 2012.  Missouri new media director (June-Nov. 2008) and field organizer (June 2007-May 2008) on Obama for America.  B.A. in politics and government from Loyola University of Chicago.  twitter

Creative Director  Danielle Hirshberg 

(through June 2019; started on the campaign as deputy digital director, Jan.-Apr. 2019)  Head of brand for Ethan's from May 2018.  Senior strategist (Mar. 2016-Jan. 2018) and creative strategist (Mar. 2015-Mar. 2016) for Fearless Unlimited in Boulder.  Field organizer in Vail  for the Colorado Democratic Party, Aug.-Nov. 2014.  Bachelor's degree in environmental studies and French from Middlebury College, 2014.
 

National Finance Director  Dan Sorenson

(through June 2019)  Started in Jan. 2019 on Hickenlooper's GiddyUp PAC.  Deputy national finance director for the DCCC.  Colorado/New Mexico finance director on Hillary for America from April 2015.  West deputy finance director at the DCCC, Feb.-April 2015.  Finance director on Lara for New Mexico, Sept. 2013-Nov. 2014.  Legislative correspondent (Jan.-Sept. 2013) and field representative (May 2011-Dec. 2012) for U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (RI); political director on David Cicilline for Congress, June-Nov. 2012.  Political and fundraising consultant on the Committee to Elect Linda Finn, Jan.-Nov. 2012.  Field organizer on David Cicilline for Congress, Sept.-Nov. 2010.  Deputy finance director on Joe Fernandez for Attorney General, April-Sept. 2010.  B.A. in political science from Drew University, 2009. 

Deputy Finance Director  Brendan Koch

(Mar. 6, 2019 campaign press release, through June 2019)  Montana finance director and deputy national finance director on Montanans for Tester from Nov. 2017.  Associate (Nov. 2017-Nov. 2017) and finance assistant (Jan.-Nov. 2014) at the Chraca Friedman Group.  Assistant to the chair at the DSCC, Jan. 2015-Dec. 2016.  B.A. in political science from The George Washington University, 2013.

Director of Operations and Special Projects  Sarah Feldmann

(Dec. 2018 through June 2019)  Campaign manager (Nov. 2017-April 2018), deputy campaign manager (Oct. 2017) and campaign coordinator (July-Sept. 2017) on Lauren Undervood for Congress (IL).  Associate (April 2016-June 2017) and senior analyst (Mar. 2014-Mar. 2016 at Next Street.  Project leader and investment analyst in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb.-Oct. 2013.  Consulting associate at Cambridge Associates, July 2011-Jan. 2013.  B.A. in economics modified with engineering from Dartmouth College, 2011.  twitter

New Hampshire Political Director  Nolan Varee

(Apr. 2019), through June 2019  Finance director on Delgado for Congress (NY), Aug. 2017-Nov. 2018.  Campaign manager for the Stark Society (NH), Apr.-Aug. 2017.  Campaign manager on Garvey for NH Senate, May-Nov. 2016.  B.A. in politics from Saint Anselm College, 2016; student body president, 2015-16.  twitter

See:
Jeff Zeleny, Eric Bradner and Dan Merica.  "Hickenlooper shakes up campaign as he fails to gain traction."  CNN, July 1, 2019.
Alex Thompson.  "Hickenlooper finance director flees to Beto."  Politico, July 1, 2019.
Sasha Pezenik. "6 key staffers leaving Hickenlooper campaign in major shakeup."  ABC News, July 2, 2019.
Alex Thompson and Nolan D. McCaskill.  "Hickenlooper campaign in shambles."  Politico, July 2, 2019.

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see also precursor:

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