Romney's Staff Resumes

(perhaps the best staff resume list I've seen, thanks to Eric Appleman http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/romney/romneyorg.html)

Key People-Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)
updated Jan. 17, 2007
Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Inc. [formed Jan. 3, 2007]
585 Commercial Street, Boston, MA

Hotline On Call reported on Jan. 8, 2007 that the exploratory committee has a staff of 60.

EXECUTIVE Campaign Manager Beth Myers
(announced Aug. 21, 2006 as Director of The Commonwealth PAC) Previously chief of staff in the Governor's Office, starting at the outset of the Romney administration. Chief of staff to state Treasurer Joseph Malone for five years. Worked in Texas with Karl Rove during the 1980s. Graduate of Tufts University, 1979.



POLITICAL & FIELD Deputy Campaign Manager/Political Director Carl Forti
(first reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 11, 2006) Communications director at the NRCC and in charge of the committee's independent expenditures in the 2004 and 2006 cycles (joined the NRCC in May 1999 as deputy communications director). Prior to joining the NRCC, Forti served as the director of political media operations for Wilson Grand Communications, a Republican media/general consulting firm. Working at Wilson Grand for five years, he was responsible for all facets of media planning, including writing, directing, production management, producing and editing as well as developing campaign and fundraising plans. Originally from Rochester, NY.

Field Director Julie Teer
(started as political director for The Commonwealth PAC in March 2006) Teer served as Romney's press secretary in the Governor's office starting in April 2005. Executive director for Bush-Cheney '04 in New Hampshire. Communications director for the New Hampshire Republican State Committee starting in March 2003. Worked briefly for Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) in Washington, DC after serving as press secretary on Sununu's campaign during fall 2002. Served as press secretary to Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI). Native of East Lansing.

Deputy-Field Jessica Peterson
Deputy political director for the Commonwealth PAC.

Field/Political Assistant Joe Wall
(first reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Dec. 12, 2006) Floor assistant to Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) during the 109th Congress; started Jan. 2005. Staff assistant at the NRCC in Fall 2004. B.A. in political science from Wayne State College (Nebraska), 2004. Nebraska native.

Political Advisor Tony Feather
(first reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 11, 2006) Founding partner at FLS Connect, a voter and constituent communications consulting firm (previously Feather Larson & Synhorst DCI). Political Director for Bush/Cheney 2000. Midwest Regional Coordinator at the RNC under chairman Haley Barbour, overseeing nine Midwestern states. Managed Attorney General William L. Webster's campaign for governor of Missouri, 1991-92 (Webster won contested primary but lost general to Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan). Executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, 1987 to late 1990. Missouri native.

Advisor (outreach) Peter Flaherty
formerly deputy chief of staff in the Governor's office.
Advisor (outreach) Gary Marx
(reported by Hotline On-Call Dec. 21, 2006) Executive director of the Judicial Confirmation Network and president of Principium Consulting, a public policy and public affairs consulting firm. A coalitions organizer (social conservatives) for the Bush-Cheney 04 national campaign. Development director and lobbyist for The Family Foundation of Virginia, Focus on the Family's VA affiliate. Has worked for Ralph Reed at Century Strategies.
Advisor Jay Sekulow
(reported by Hotline On-Call Dec. 21, 2006)



POLICY Policy Director Sally Canfield
(reported by AP on Feb. 23, 2006; started March 2006) Policy adviser to House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Deputy chief of staff for policy at the Department of Homeland Security under Tom Ridge; started working on homeland security in Nov. 2001. Counselor to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. A domestic policy advisor on Bush's 2000 campaign, primarily focused on health care. Worked for Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) and earlier for Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX). Government Relations Representative for Caremark International in Chicago. Graduate of Northwestern University. Grew up in suburban Chicago.

Co-chairs of the PAC’s Economic Advisory Council (announced Nov. 29, 2006 "Bush Tax Cut Architects Join Romney's PAC)
Glenn Hubbard - Dean of the Columbia Business School and Professor of Finance and Economics since July 2004; joined the faculty at Columbia in 1988. Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, 2001-03. Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Analysis) of the U. S. Treasury Department, 1991-93. Proir to joining Columbia, Hubbard taught at Northwestern. Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University, 1983. A.M. in economics from Harvard University, 1981. B.A. and B.S. in economics from the University of Central Florida, 1979.
Greg Mankiw - (blog) Professor of Economics at Harvard University since 1987; joined the faculty in 1985. Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, 2003-05. Ph.D. in economics from M.I.T., 1984. A.B. from Princeton University, 1980.
Senior Economic Advisor Cesar Conda
(announced Nov. 29, 2006) Recently headed the domestic policy staff in the Office of the Vice President as Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief advisor on domestic and economic policy issues. Currently a Senior Fellow at Freedom Works, a member of the Policy Council of the Free Enterprise Fund, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the International Economy magazine. Has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Empower America. A policy advisor on the 1996 Dole-Kemp presidential campaign.

Policy Chairman former Rep. Vin Weber
(announced by the exploratory committee on Jan. 16, 2007) Chief executive officer of Clark & Weinstock (he opened the office in 1994) and chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy. Served as president and a co-director of Empower America. Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981-93, representing Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Campaign manager and chief Minnesota aide to Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, 1978-80. Co-publisher of The Murray County Herald, 1976-78. Press secretary to Rep. Tom Hagedorn, 1974-75. Attended the University of Minnesota, 1970-74. Has counseled numerous presidential campaigns including serving as Bush-Cheney ’04 Plains States regional chairman.



COMMUNICATIONS National Press Secretary Kevin Madden
(reported by Roll Call Nov. 29, 2006) Spokesman for House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) since Feb. 2006. Spokesman for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). Spokesman for U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Northeast regional press secretary on Bush Cheney '04 (incl. OH, PA, NH). Communications director and a senior advisor to Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), 2001-03. Public relations associate at Craig Shirley and Associates, Jan.-March 2001. Washington representative for the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency from Jan.-Sept. 2000. Primary spokesman for the Office of the Mayor of Yonkers, 1997-99. Communications director for the Office of the Yonkers City Council President, 1994-97. Degree in communications from SUNY Cortland.
Deputy Communications Director Carolyn Weyforth
(reported Jan. 3, 2007) Press secretary to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Director of television at the RNC. Worked on the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign. Graduate of the University of Kansas in Lawrence with a degree in journalism, 2003.

Senior Communications Strategist Matt Rhoades
(first reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Dec. 5, 2006) Director of Research/Deputy Communications Director at the RNC in the 2006 cycle (announced Feb. 9, 2005). Research Director for Bush-Cheney '04. Deputy Research Director at the RNC. Served as White House Liaison at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and as an Associate Director in the White House Presidential Personnel Office.

Rapid Response Joe Pounder
(reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 8, 2007) According to Cillizza Pounder worked in research for the California Republican Party in the 2006 cycle.

Hotline On Call (Jan. 8, 2007): "nine people in the communications shop, including researchers and support staff."


RESEARCH Research Director Ted Newton
(reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 8, 2007) According to Cillizza in 2004 at the RNC Newton developed the opposition research book on Sen. John Kerry.



FINANCE Finance Director Spencer Zwick
Previously served as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Romney. Worked on Romney's 2002 campaign. Worked in marketing for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Attended the University of Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University.
National Finance Advisor Ann Woods Herberger
(announced Oct. 26, 2006 "assist with the national fundraising strategy with a particular focus on Florida.")
From Miami; President of the Woods Herberger Group, which she founded in 1995. Finance Director on Jeb Bush's successful 1998 gubernatorial campaign; Executive Director of the 1996 Inaugural Committee and Finance Director on Jeb Bush's 2002 re-election campaign. Vice President of The Alexander Company, a full service fundraising and marketing company in Alexandria, Virginia, for two years starting in 1993. Took leave from the RNC to serve as the Deputy Finance Director for the Bush-Quayle ’92 re-election campaign. Western Regional Director for the RNC’s major donor program, 1989-91. Moved to Washington, DC to work at the RNC for Mary Matalin, National Victory ’88 Political Director and Margaret Alexander, National Victory ’88 Finance Director as a part of the national Victory ’88 finance team. Began her political career in 1987 with the George Bush for President campaign during the Iowa presidential caucuses. Native Iowan.
Finance Consultant Don Stirling
Managing partner of Rainmaker Sports & Entertainment in Salt Lake City, Utah. CEO of the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission, July 2004-July 2006. Marketing director for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

National Finance Co-Chairs: (first group announced Jan. 4, 2007)

Christopher Collins, Managing Member of First Atlantic Capital, LLC, Massachusetts
Mark Guzzetta, President of Gemstone Development, Florida
Jon Huntsman Sr., Chairman of the Huntsman Corporation, Utah
John Miller, Founding Member of National Beef Packing Company, LLC, Kansas City, Missouri
John Rakolta, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Walbridge Aldinger, Michigan
Ambassador Mel Sembler, Chairman of the Board of The Sembler Company and former ambassador to Italy, Australia, and Nauru, Florida
Tom Tellefsen, President of Tellefsen Investments, California
Ted Welch, Owner of Ted Welch Investments, Tennessee
Meg Whitman, President and CEO of eBay, California



CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND COUNSEL Chief Financial Officer and Counsel Charlie Spies
(reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 8, 2007) General counsel and CFO at the Republican Governors Association in the 2006 cycle. Election law counsel at the RNC in the 2004 cycle; started at the RNC in 2001. Government Relations group of Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn in Washington, DC. Legal and policy advisor to FEC Chairman Darryl R. Wold. An associate at Carr Goodson Warner in Washington, DC. Has worked in the Counsels Office at the NRSC, and been a policy advisor to Republican candidates in Michigan. J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in1998; B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1995.

More Legal Benjamin Ginsberg
Partner at Patton Boggs LLP; joined the firm in 1993. Outside counsel for the Bush-Cheney '04 (announced May 30, 2003; resigned Aug. 2004). Outside counsel for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2000 and was a central figure in the Florida recount. Prior to joining Patton Boggs, Ginsberg served eight years as counsel to the RNC, the NRSC, and the NRCC. Worked for five years as a newspaper reporter for the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, the Berkshire Eagle and the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise, prior to law school. J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, 1982. A.B. from University of Pennsylvania, 1974.



MAJOR CONSULTANTS Media Consultant Alex Castellanos
(reported Nov. 16, 2006) Started at National Media (Alexandria, VA) in 1989. Has worked on five U.S. presidential campaigns.

Pollster Jan Van Lohuizen
Principal at Voter Consumer Research Inc..



MORE
Advisors
Sally Bradshaw
(announced Oct. 17, 2006) Senior Campaign Advisor to the Bush-Brogan 2002 re-election campaign. Chief of Staff for Gov. Jeb Bush from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2000. Managed Jeb Bush's 1998 and 1994 gubernatorial campaigns. Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida's Future, a non-profit grassroots public policy institute. Political Director of the Republican Party of Florida, Executive Director of the 1992 Florida Bush-Quayle campaign, and Staff Director for the House Republican Office in Tallahassee. Has lived in Florida since 1991. Before moving to Florida, Bradshaw worked at the White House as an Associate Director for the Office of Political Affairs from 1989-91. Regional field coordinator for the Bush for President campaign in 1988. Undergraduate degree in political science from George Washington University.

Noam Neusner
(announced Oct. 17, 2006) Founding principal of Neusner Communications LLC, a firm specializing in strategic communications, speechwriting, and policy-specific writing. Director of Communications and Strategic Planning for Josh Bolten at the Office of Management and Budget he twice oversaw the editing and production of the federal budget, and managed all communications and media relations; also White House Liaison to the Jewish Community. President George W. Bush's primary speechwriter on domestic policy matters, including tax relief, Medicare reform, and energy, for nearly two years. Nearly a dozen years experience as a journalist including work at the Tampa Tribune, Bloomberg News, and U.S. News and World Report and has co-authored or edited four books.

Barbara Comstock
(announced Oct. 17, 2006) Lobbyist and strategic communications consultant at Blank Rome Government Relations LLC; joined as a principal on Oct. 1, 2003; for example she worked with conservative groups on the Supreme Court nominations of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito and served as a Bush/Cheney 2004 media surrogate. Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice, under Attorney General John Ashcroft, Jan. 2002-Sept. 2003. In 2001 she developed the RNC's "Winning Women" communications initiative focusing on outreach to women voters. In the 2000 election cycle, Comstock served as Director of Research and Strategic Planning at the RNC. Chief Counsel, Chief Investigative Counsel and Senior Counsel to the House Government Reform Committee, 1995-99. A senior staffer to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA). Professional staff member with the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, 1991. Attorney in private practice in Fairfax County, VA, 1987-90. J.D. from Georgetown Law School, 1986; A.B. from Middlebury College, 1981. Comstock has been involved in numerous Republican campaigns and conventions, including serving as a Republican convention delegate and working on the Republican Platform Committee.

Senior Advisors
Gov. Bill Owens (R-CO)
(announced Jan. 5, 2007) Term limited; term expires Jan. 2007. Elected Governor in Nov. 1998; re-elected in 2002. Formed a think tank, the Center for a New American Century, after being re-elected in 2002. Elected Colorado Treasurer in 1994. Elected to the State House in 1982, served through 1988; elected to the State Senate. Worked for 20 years in the private sector as director of a trade association ("oil and gas lobbyist") starting in 1980, with the Gates Corporation in Denver starting in 1977; and with the consulting staff of Deloitte and Touche in Washington, DC. Master's degree in public administration from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, 1975. B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University, 1973.

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
(announced Jan. 5, 2007) Represents Tennessee's 7th CD (an irregularly shaped district in the western part of the state); first elected to Congress in 2002. Elected to the State Senate in 1998. Executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission, 1995-97. Graduate of Mississippi State University.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) (letter)
(announced Jan. 9, 2007) Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, and elected president of the Republican freshman class. Owner of a Greenville based market research firm. Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and M.B.A. from Clemson University. Born and raised in Greenville, SC.

Governors Advisory Council Gov. Matt Blunt (R-MO)
(announced Dec. 5, 2006) Elected Missouri's 54th governor in 2004. Secretary of State. Member of the Missouri General Assembly. Active duty Naval Officer. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1993. Born and raised in Missouri.

House Congressional Liaison U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA)
(announced Jan. 17, 2007...lead Governor Romney's outreach efforts in the U.S. House) Represents Louisiana's 4th CD; first elected to Congress in the spring of 1988 to fill the unexpired term of Buddy Roemer. In-house counsel and regional manager for governmental affairs for Georgia Pacific Corporation. Worked for Congressman Buddy Roemer as district manager and then legislative assistant, 1981-84. Assistant City Attorney in Shreveport from 1979-80. Practiced law, 1975-78. B.A. in English and History from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, 1971; J.D from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, 1975. Born in Shreveport and grew up in Leesville.



IOWA Chairman Doug Gross
(announced May 23, 2006) Attorney at Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum PLC. The 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee. Lawyer and lobbyist. Chief of staff to Gov. Terry Branstad, 1984-89. Legislative liaison to Gov. Robert Ray, 1981-83. Director of the Fuels Division for the Iowa Energy Policy Council. Chief legislative assistant to Congressman Tom Tauke; worked on Tom Tauke's successful 1978 campaign for Congress. Law degree from Drake University, 1985. Bachelor's degree from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1977. Born in Earling, Iowa (Shelby County).

Campaign Manager Gentry Collins
Political director at the Republican Governors Association in the 2006 cycle; also did consulting for the Commonwealth PAC and the Massachusetts Republican State Congressional Committee. Deputy chairman/executive director of the Iowa Republican Party in 2004. Managed Doug Gross' 2002 campaign for governor. B.A. in political science from Iowa State University in Ames, 1998.

Field?Political Director Jill Latham
(reported by Caucus Cooler on Jan. 1, 2007) Political director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin in the 2006 cycle. Field staffer on Bush-Cheney '04 in Wisconsin. Legislative clerk for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Daughter of Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA).

Field Staff (reported by Krusty Konservative on Jan. 3, 2007)
Chad Airhart, Marcus Branstad, Sarah Craig, Derek Flowers, Tim Moran, and Candace Turitto.

Event Planning - Straw Poll Coordinator Nicole Schlinger
(reported by The Caucus Cooler on Dec. 12, 2006) President and founder of Capitol Resources ("Iowa's leading fundraising service provider for Republican candidates") based in Brooklyn, Iowa (Poweshiek County). Two years as finance director of the Republican Party of Iowa. Finance director on Bud Walker's congressional campaign in
New York through May 2006. B.A. in economics and policy studies from Syracuse University, Dec. 1995. Originally from New York.

Consultant David Kochel
(served as Treasurer for The Commonwealth PAC-Iowa) Principal at JDK Marketing & Public Affairs in Des Moines. Executive Vice President at DCI Group. Managed Lamar Alexander's 1999-2000 Iowa caucus campaign. Executive director of the Michigan Republican Party in the latter part of 1996. Executive director of the Iowa Republican Party, 1995-1996. Graduate of Iowa State University in Ames with a degree in political science, 1992.


The Commonwealth PAC Iowa Advisory Committee.
On June 17, 2006 Romney announced creation of this group "composed of fifty distinguished Iowa leaders from all across the state."
also June 17, Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson reported that Gross announced Romney has hired three staff people to work in Iowa on GOP campaigns.
Advisor House Speaker Christopher Rants
(announced Sept. 27, 2006) Represents District 54-Sioux City. First elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1992; elected Speaker Nov. 12, 2002. B.A. from Morningside College, 1989.


NEW HAMPSHIRE Chairman of NH Steering Committee Bruce Keough
(announced Sept. 26, 2006) Principal in Islington Woods LLC, a New Hampshire real estate development company. New Hampshire Vice Chairman of President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign. Candidate for the 2002 Republican nomination for Governor; finished less than 5,000 votes behind winner Craig Benson in the September 10 primary. Served on the Board of Trustees of the University System of New Hampshire; twice elected chairman. Elected to the State Senate in 1994, defeating State Senator Beverly Hollingworth; served one term. Appointed by Gov. Gregg to serve on the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority. Degrees from Dartmouth College and Yale University. Born and raised in Berlin, NH.

Director Jim Merrill
(reported by John DiStaso in "The Granite Status" on Jan. 11, 2007) In the '06 cycle Merrill served as Chairman of The Commonwealth PAC NH. Member of the Devine Millimet Law firm and served as legal counsel to the New Hampshire Republican Party. Prior to joining Devine Millimet, Merrill spent over two years on the staff of former New Hampshire Gov. Stephen E. Merrill. New Hampshire Field Director for the successful 2000 general election campaign of George W. Bush and New Hampshire Grassroots Co-Chairman for President Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004. J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center, 2001. B.A. from Gettysburg College, 1994.

Political Director Jamie Burnett
(reported by John DiStaso in "The Granite Status" on Jan. 11, 2007) Legislative director for Sen. John Sununu. In 2004 served as the Southern Hillsborough Co./Nashua field rep. for the Republican campaign ("NH Victory").

Senior Advisor Tom Rath
(announced Sept. 25, 2006) Founder of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C.; started in private practice in 1980 and has been involved in government relations since then. Member of the Republican National Committee; delegate to every Republican National Convention since 1984. Attorney General of New Hampshire, 1987-90. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush to be a director of the Legal Services Corporation. Chaired the campaigns of Sen. Warren Rudman and Sen. Judd Gregg. Senior advisor to the presidential campaigns of Howard Baker, Robert Dole (1987-88), Lamar Alexander (1995-99) and George W. Bush (1999-2000). J.D. from Georgetown University Law School, 1971. B.A. from Dartmouth College, 1967.
Advisor Rich Killion
(announced Sept. 7, 2006) Vice president of Elevare Communications, a political and strategic communications firm in Concord. Director of the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication and director of the Polling Institute at Franklin Pierce. Campaign manager for Bruce Keough's gubernatorial bid in the 2002 NH Republican primary. Executive director of N.H.Citizens for a Sound Economy during the 1999-2000 NH primary campaign. Worked at Franklin Pierce College doing fundraising and college relations and was also was an instructor in the Political Science division and help found the polling center, 1995-99. B.A. from Stonehill College in No. Easton, MA; M.P.A. from George Mason University.

The Commonwealth PAC NH Steering Committee .
On Oct. 4, 2006 Romney announced creation of this group "consisting of prominent Republicans and business leaders in all ten New Hampshire counties, from Coos to the sea." (58 people including Keough).




SOUTH CAROLINA Senior Advisor for the Southeastern Region J. Warren Tompkins, III
(announced Nov. 27, 2006) A veteran of South Carolina and national politics, Tompkins' experience includes work on six presidential campaigns. He started a political consulting practice, now Tompkins, Kinard & Associates, in 1991. Atlantic Region Chair for the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign. Strategist for the 1988 Bush presidential campaign. Tompkins helped elect Carroll Campbell governor in 1986 and served as Campbell's chief of staff, supervising a staff of more than 230 people and budgets totaling more than $91 million. Executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party starting in 1981. Executive director of both South Carolina Reagan-Bush campaigns (1980 and 1984), the first at age 28. Volunteered on Strom Thurmond's 1978 Senate campaign. First campaign was a 1974 magistrate’s race. University of South Carolina.
Field Director Nic Breeding
(reported by Hotline On Call late June 2006) Previously deputy political director at the RGA. Worked for the South Carolina Republican Party in the 2002 cycle.
Field Director George Ramsey
(reported by Chris Cillizza in The Fix on Aug. 11, 2006) Campaign manager for State Sen. Greg Ryberg's unsuccessful campaign for state treasurer in the June 2006 primary. A grassroots manager for Direct Impact, a public affairs company in Alexandria, Virginia. Political director on then Rep. Jim DeMint's successful 2004 campaign for U.S. Senate. Native of York County.
Fundraising Consultant Leslie Gaines
(reported by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal late June 2006)
Senior Advisor (National) U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
(announced Jan. 9, 2007) Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, and elected president of the Republican freshman class. Owner of a Greenville based market research firm. Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and M.B.A. from Clemson University. Born and raised in Greenville, SC.



MICHIGAN Consultant Katie Packer
Vice president of The Sterling Corporation and director of Sterling's Washington, DC office; joined the firm in 1995. Worked for two years at the U.S. Department of Energy as a senior advisor to the Secretary. Chief of staff to Michigan Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, and managed the 2002 Posthumus for Governor campaign in Michigan. A senior aide to Sen. Spence Abraham (R-MI) first on Capitol Hill and then as deputy campaign manager of his 2000 campaign. Director of Senate Majority communications for the Michigan Senate and executive director of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. Deputy state director for the Dole for President campaign in Michigan, 1996. Worked on many state legislative campaigns in Michigan. Graduated in 1990 from Evangel University in Springfield, MO.

75-Person Steering Committee
On Aug. 23, 2006 the Commonwealth PAC announced a 75-person Steering Committee comprising "7 members of President Bush’s Ranger/Pioneer finance team, 37 members of the Michigan House of Representatives, including Speaker Craig DeRoche, grassroots activists who serve as County and District Chairs, and members of the Michigan Republican State Committee. Other members of the Steering Committee include: Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Congressman Joe Knollenberg, Peter Karmanos of Detroit-based Compuware and J.C. Huizenga of Grand Rapids."
Co-Chair (announced Aug. 22, 2006) Speaker of the House Craig DeRoche>
Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2002; elected Speaker in 2005. Elected to the Novi City Council in 1997; re-elected in 1999. Regional marketing representative for Safety National Casualty, a workers’ compensation insurer, since 1997. Graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in finance.
Co-Chair/Finance Committee (announced Aug. 22, 2006) John Rakolta, Jr.
Chairman and CEO of Walbridge Aldinger Company, a Detroit-based construction company. Started with the company as an estimator in 1970 and took over from his father in 1993.
Co-Chair/Finance Committee (announced Aug. 22, 2006) David Fischer
Chairman and CEO of the Suburban Collection, Michigan's largest vehicle dealership group. Fischer's father Richard started the Suburban Collection's first dealership in 1948.



FLORIDA
Florida Steering Committee
Ann Woods Herberger-announced as National Finance Advisor on Oct. 26, 2006.
Sally Bradshaw-announced as an advisor on Oct. 17, 2006.

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings (announced as an advisor on Dec. 7, 2006).
LT. Governor, sworn in in March 2003. Ran her family owned construction business, Jack Jennings and Sons, while serving in the State Legislature. Served in the Florida State Senate for 20 consecutive years, including two terms as State Senate President from 1996 to 2000. Served two terms in the Florida State House. Began her professional career as a public school teacher at Killarney Elementary in Orange County. Native of Orlando.

former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense (announced as an advisor on Dec. 7, 2006).
Panama City businessman. Speaker 2004-06. First elected to the House in 1998. Unsuccessfully ran for the state Senate in 1992. Switched from Democrat to Republican in 1989. Graduate of Florida State University, B.S., 1972 and M.B.A., 1974.

Al Cardenas (announced as an advisor on Dec. 7, 2006).
Partner in the Tew Cardenas LLP law firm. Served two terms as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Has represented the Florida at every Republican National Convention since 1976. J.D. from Seton Hall University, 1974.


GEORGIA Georgia Finance Team Chair Eric Tanenblatt
(announced Nov. 29, 2006) A Senior Managing Director at McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP. Finance Chair for Gov. Sonny Perdue’s 2006 successful re-election campaign. Georgia Victory Chair and a Bush Ranger in the 2004 cycle. Gov. Perdue’s Chief of Staff, 2003-04. Georgia State Chairman for President Bush’s campaign in 2000. Senior Political Advisor to the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell from 1989 to 2000.

Georgia Finance Team
Nancy Coverdell - wife of the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell

Fred Cooper - Chairman of the G8 Summit Host Committee in 2004, Bush Pioneer in 2004, Georgia Victory Chair in 2002, General Chairman for Bush 2000, Georgia State Chairman for George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 1988 and 1992, and a successful businessman (Cooper Capital) and longtime Republican leader.

James Edenfield - Georgia Victory Chair in 2006, Bush Pioneer in 2004, Bush Finance Chair in 2000, and Chief Executive Officer of American Software.

Joe Rogers, Jr. - President and Chief Executive Officer of Waffle House, a successful businessman and longtime Republican fundraiser.




NOTES
Top staffers in the Governor's Office included: Chief of Staff Mark D. Nielsen
(announced Aug. 21, 2006; succeeded Beth Myers who moved over to become Director of The Commonwealth PAC) Previously Chief Legal Counsel in the Governor's Office since Sept. 2004. Practiced law in Connecticut. Republican nominee for Congress in Connecticut's 5th CD in 2000, losing to Rep. James Maloney (53.6% to 44.3%) and in 1998, losing to Maloney (49.9% to 48.4%). Served two terms in the Connecticut State Senate and one term in the State House, starting in 1993 through 1999. A.B. from Harvard College, 1986 and J.D. from Harvard Law School, 1989.

Communications Director Eric Fehrnstrom
Joined the Romney campaign in March 2002. Corporate communications for Hill, Holliday advertising agency. Media relations for state Treasurer Joseph Malone and campaign manager and communications director on Malone's unsuccessful 1998 campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Worked for a decade as a journalist, starting at a Boston-area weekly and then for nine years at the Boston Herald finishing as Statehouse bureau chief. Graduate of Boston University's College of Communication, 1984.
Counselor Cindy Gillespie
Vice president of federal relations for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

Other Senior Staff:
Chief Legal Counsel Brian Leske; Senior Legislative Director John O'Keefe.



Top staffers on Romney's 2002 campaign included Ben Coes (campaign manager), Brian Shortsleeve (deputy campaign manager for political operations), Alex Dunn (deputy political director), Martha Chayet (deputy campaign manager for finance).


Former Commonwealth PAC:
Executive Director - Trent Wisecup.
(The Boston Globe reported Jan. 27, 2006 that Wisecup would be taking leave from DC Navigators starting Spring 2006 to work full time as a strategist for Romney; Chris Cillizza reported in The Fix on March 11, 2006 that Wisecup quit after clashes with CoS Beth Myers). Partner at DC Navigators, announced April 2005. Policy aide, researcher, and debate preparation strategist on Arnold Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial campaign, 2003. Vice President at The Murphy Pintak Gautier Hudome Agency (MPGH), where he advised The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and The Financial Services Coordinating Council. Consulted on Lamar Alexander's U.S. Senate campaign and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM)'s re-election campaign, 2002. Media spokesman to former Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI), 2000. Spokesman on Ronna Romney's 1994 and 1996 U.S. Senate campaigns. Worked for Congressman Joe Knollenberg, 1993-99. Graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College.

"Top political strategist" - Mike Murphy.
(through the end of 2005) Murphy was consultant on Romney's 2002 campaign. He was chief political consultant to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lead strategist for Sen. John McCain's 2000 presidential campaign. He is a longtime Republican consultant; in 2003 he co-founded Navigators, LLC. Previously he was founder and principal at The Murphy Pintak Gautier Hudome Agency (MPGH).

Commonwealth PAC/Iowa - Matt Elliott.
(briefly; reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" severing ties Feb. 2006) Previously director of Iowa Republicans' Legislative Majority Fund. Graduated from Drake University with a degree in political science, 2003. From Farragut, Iowa.