OBAMA FOR AMERICA  (announced Feb. 10, 2007)
OBAMA EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE  (filed with the FEC on Jan. 16, 2007)
Headquarters: 233 N. Michigan Ave., 11th Floor, Chicago, Illinois.   ...in the states
...moved from smaller space on the 17th Floor to the 11th Floor in beginning of April 2007; 33,000 square feet, staff of about 100.
See:
Jason Horowitz.  "Barack Attack."  New York Observer.  March 26, 2007.
Lynn Sweet.  "Obama's new HQ has room to move." Chicago Sun-Times.  April 6, 2007.
John McCormick.  "Chicago is heart, brain center of Obama campaign."  Chicago Tribune.  June 14, 2007.
Lynn Sweet.  "Obama shakes up his campaign staff."  Chicago Sun-Times.  October 11, 2007.
Saj-nicole Joni "Making It Real" (interview with Betsy Myers).  Forbes.com.  Jan. 18, 2008.
Tim Dickinson.  "The Machinery of Hope."  Rolling Stone.  March 20, 2008.
In late Sept. and Oct. 2007 the campaign deployed many political and field staff out to work in the states.  See previous page for organization to Sept. 2007.

Campaign Manager

David Plouffe

(reported by Lynn Sweet on Jan. 11, 2007)  Joined AKP Message & Media in winter 2000 and became a named partner in Feb. 2004.  Senior political advisor on Dick Gephardt's 2004 presidential campaign.  Executive director of the DCCC, 1999-2000.  Gephardt's deputy chief of staff, 1997-98.  Managed Bob Torricelli's 1996 campaign for U.S. Senate in New Jersey.  Campaign director at the DSCC in 1995.  Managed Attorney General Charlie Oberly's unsuccessful U.S. Senate race against Sen. Bill Roth in Delaware in 1994.  Managed Rep. John Olver's (D-MA) 1992 re-election campaign.  Served as a state field director for Sen. Tom Harkin's 1992 presidential campaign, after serving as deputy field director in Harkin's 1990 U.S. Senate race.
 
 

Media Strategist

David Axelrod

Founded, in 1985, and is a principal of the Chicago-based campaign media firm now known as AKP Message & Media (formerly Axelrod & Associates); has worked on over 150 campaigns at the local, state and national levels.  Did the message and media campaign for Obama's 2004 primary campaign.  Served as media consultant on Sen. John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.  Managed Paul Simon's 1984 U.S. Senate race where he upset Sen. Charles Percy.  Eight years as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, covering national, state and local politics. Graduate of the University of Chicago.  Native of New York City.
 
 

Deputy Campaign Manager

Steve Hildebrand

Overseeing political and field operations; focused on early states through Sept. 2007 (Hildebrand traveled with Obama when he made his first Iowa visit for the Harkin Steak Fry in Sept. 2006)  South Dakota based principal of Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc..  Managed Sen. Tom Daschle's 2004 re-election campaign, a narrow loss to John Thune.  Managed Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign, a narrow win over Rep. John Thune.  Ran the Women Vote! Program for EMILY's List in 2000.  Ran the Iowa caucuses for Vice President Al Gore in 1999-2000.  Political director at the DSCC in 1997-98.  Midwest Political Director at the DNC in 1996.  Executive director of the Minnesota DFL from mid-August 1995 to mid-March 1996.  Finance director for Minnesota Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III's unsuccessful 1988 Senate campaign.
 

OPERATIONS

Chief Operating Officer

Betsy Myers

(announced by KSG on Feb. 13, 2007 but started transitioning to the position on Jan. 19)  Previously at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as executive director of the Center for Public Leadership and earlier as director of alumni programs and external relations at the Kennedy School.  Senior official in the Clinton Administration.  Served two years with the U.S. Small Business Administration as Associate Deputy Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development.  Launched and directed the first White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach, serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Women's Initiatives, 1995-97.  Director at the Office of Women's Business Ownership at the SBA.  MPA from the Kennedy School, 2000.  Sister of Dee Dee Myers, Clinton's first press secretary.
 
 

Deputy COO/Chief of Staff

Henry DeSio, Jr.

Founder (2001) and president of Way Forward Strategies, a sole proprietorship which supports progressive, pro-working family candidates and organizations.  B.A. in political science from U.C. Santa Barbara, 1984; and a M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, 2001.
 
 

Chief Financial Officer

Marianne Markowitz

 
 

POLITICAL

Political Director

Matt Nugen

(reported by Ben Smith, The Politico, Feb. 28, 2007)  Nugen comes to the campaign from position as Director of the Chairman's Office at the DNC.  Director of Delegate Operations for Sen. Joe Lieberman's campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination (announced Feb. 2003).  Vice President of Operations for Kwame Building Group, Inc.  In 2000, he served as Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.  From 1998-2000, Nugen was the Deputy Director and then the Director for the Office of the Secretary at the DNC.  He spent time as a regional field director for the '98 South Carolina Coordinated Campaign and as the field director for the 2000 South Carolina tracking operation.

  Assistant to the National Political Director: Bobby Schmuck to Kansas.
 
 

Deputy Political Director

Eureka Gilkey

to Georgia.

Regional Political Directors

Southern

Erica Brooks

to Georgia, but then left the campaign.
 

Western

Raul Alvillar

to Arizona.
 

Northeast

Nancy Hogan

Senior advisor to former Sen. Tom Daschle at Alston & Bird LLP, 2005-07.  Worked for NYC2012, New York City’s Olympic bid organization in 2005.  Deputy field director for Sen. Tom Daschle’s 2004 Senate campaign.  Assistant to the chief of staff in the Senate Democratic Leader's Office, 2003-04.  Field organizer for South Dakota Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign, 2002.  Worked for The Harbour Group.  Graduate of Emory University.  to New Hampshire
 

Midwest

Michael Dorsey

to Missouri.
 
 

Political Outreach Coordinator

Brooks Banton

A deputy director (Midwest) in the Finance Department at the DNC.  to Iowa.
 
 

National Outreach Director

Rudi Shenk

to New York.

On September 16, 2007 the campaign announced its National Advisory Outreach Team ("work with Senator Obama and his campaign team to ensure that the campaign platform is inclusive of the ideas of all groups.")

Preeta Bansal, AAPI Outreach
Assemblywoman Karen Bass, African American Outreach
Rep. Gwen Moore, African American Outreach
Jim Zogby, Arab American Outreach
Reverend Willie Barrow, Faith Outreach
Reverend Joseph Lowery, Faith Outreach
Rep. Robert Wexler, Jewish Outreach
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Latino Outreach
Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Latino Outreach
Stampp Corbin, LGBT Outreach
Tobias Wolff, LGBT Outreach
Wizipan Garriott, Native American Outreach
General Scott Gration, Veteran Outreach
John Hurley, Veteran Outreach
        On Nov. 12, 2007 the campaign announced its National Veterans Advisory Committee.
        On Nov. 15, 2007 the campaign announced endorsements of technology leaders.
        On Dec. 4, 2007 the campaign announced its African American Religious Leadership Committee.
 
 

Director of Religious Affairs

Joshua DuBois

Legislative correspondent in Obama's Senate office from 2005-07.  MPA from Princeton, 2005.
 
 

Director of Women for Obama

Becky Carroll

(started Oct. 2007)  Came to the campaign from position as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Blagojevich; started working for Blagojevich in early 2003.  Worked on Rahm Emanuel's successful campaign for Congress in 2002.  Spokesperson for the 2000 Illinois Democratic Coordinated campaign.  Spokesperson for Chicago Department of Planning and Development.  Press secretary on Chicago lawyer John Schmidt's 1998 gubernatorial primary campaign.  Public relations director for the Chicago Department of Housing.  Assistant communications director of the Mayor Daley's 1995 re-election campaign.  Undergraduate degree in political science and communications from Loyola University Chicago, 1994.  Native of Chicago.
 
 

National Director of Delegate Operations

Jeff Berman

Berman fulfilled a similar role on both of Dick Gephardt's presidential campaigns.
 
 

Deputy Director For Delegate Selection

Myesha Ward

Deputy political director for Sen. John Kerry's PAC Keeping America's Promise.  In 2004 Ward worked as deputy GOTV director - Milwaukee on the Kerry-Edwards campaign, as deputy political director for Southern and Northeastern States on Kerry-Edwards, in the boiler room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, and as a delegate tracker for Southern states at Kerry headquarters in Washington, DC.  Howard University alumna.  to Iowa.
 
 

Delegates and Congressional Relations Coordinator

Michael Robertson

to Iowa.
 

Political Assistant

Eugene Kang

 

Voter Contact Director - Feb. 5 states

Jon Carson

(reported by Lynn Sweet.  "Obama shakes up his campaign staff."  Chicago Sun-Times.  October 11, 2007)  Initially Illinois State Director (reported by Lynn Sweet.  "Obama's Illinois operation. Campaign to launch "'Camp Obama'"  Chicago Sun-Times.  May 3, 2007)  Managed Tammy Duckworth's 2006 general election campaign in Illinois' 6th CD.  Served in the Peace Corps.  Worked for South Carolina Democrats in the 2002 cycle, helping to target African-American voters.  Director of the Wisconsin Senate Democratic Caucus from Feb. to Aug. 2001.  A regional field organizer on Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign.  Worked on Russ Feingold's 1998 U.S. Senate campaign.  Graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in civil engineering.  From La Crosse, WI.
 

FIELD

Field Director

Cuauhtemoc "Temo" Figueroa

(Feb. 2007)  As assistant political director at AFSCME, Figueroa oversaw the union's independent expenditure program during the 2006 elections.  Administrator of AFSCME Council 18, New Mexico.  Served on the DNC's Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling.

Regional - dispatched to work in states in Sept.-Oct. 2007

West	Buffy Wicks

to California.
 

Northeast

Ray Rivera

to Colorado.
 

Midwest

Chris Miller

to Minnesota.
 

South

Trista Allen

to Georgia.
 
 

Youth Vote Director

Hans Reimer

Reimer was previously political and issues director for Rock the Vote; he joined Rock the Vote in 2003.  A resident of Silver Spring, MD, he ran for Montgomery County Council in 2006.  Senior policy analyst directing the Social Security Information Project at the Institute for America's Future, 2001-03.  Director of the 2030 Center, a public policy organization for young adults focused on economic issues and particularly Social Security, 1996-2001.  Graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1995.  Born and raised in Oakland, CA.
 

Deputy Youth Vote Director

Mary Hodge

to Arizona.
 
 

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director

Robert Gibbs

Joined Obama shortly after he won the March 16, 2004 U.S. Senate primary.  Press secretary for John Kerry for President for the first 10-plus months; resigned Nov. 2003.  Press secretary for the DSCC, 2001-02.  Communications director for Debbie Stabenow's U.S. Senate campaign, 1999-2000.  Press secretary to Sen. Max Cleland, 1999.  Communications director for Fritz Hollings' 1998 re-election campaign.
 
 

National Press Secretary

Bill Burton

(from Jan. 2007)  Communications director at the DCCC for the 2006 cycle (started March 2005).  Came to the DCCC from the office of Sen. Richard Durbin (IL). Served as a Regional Communications Director on John Kerry's presidential campaign.  Press Secretary for Rep. Dick Gephardt's Iowa caucus campaign.  Press secretary to Sen. Tom Harkin, 2001-03.  Earlier worked for U.S. Rep. Bill Luther.  Originally from Buffalo, NY.
 
 

Traveling Press Secretary

Dan Pfeiffer

Communications director for Sen. Evan Bayh's All America PAC (started Sept. 2006); came to the PAC from Bayh's Senate office, where he started in 2005.  Deputy campaign manager on Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's unsuccessful re-election campaign in 2004.  Worked on Sen. Tim Johnson's (D-SD) successful 2002 re-election campaign.  Communications director at the Democratic Governors Association.
 
 

Deputy Press Secretary

Jen Psaki

Spokeswoman at the DCCC in the 2006 cycle.  Communications director to Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY).  In Fall 2004 worked on the Kerry campaign doing press for the Kerry/Heinz children.  Deputy communications director and earlier assistant to the state director on Sen. John Kerry's 2003-04 Iowa caucus campaign.  Field organizer for the Iowa Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign in 2002.  Graduate of the College of William and Mary; studied English and sociology.  From Stamford, CT.
 
 

Deputy Press Secretary

Amy Brundage

Previously worked as spokesperson for Sen. John Kerry's Keeping America's Promise and earlier in Kerry's Senate office and in scheduling and advance on Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.
 
 
 

Senior Spokesman

Hari Sevugan

(started April 8, 2008)  Communications director on Sen. Chris Dodd's presidential campaign (started as deputy communications director in March 2007, then succeeded Beneva Schulte starting in May).  Communications director on the O'Malley-Brown gubernatorial campaign in Maryland starting in Feb. 2006.  Policy director for Tim Kaine's 2005 gubernatorial campaign.  Deputy policy director for Dan Hynes’ 2004 U.S. Senate primary campaign in Illinois, then deputy campaign manager for Dr. Daniel Mongiardo's U.S. Senate campaign in Kentucky.  Practiced securities law in Chicago for two years.  J.D. from Northwestern School of Law.  Two years as an award-winning school teacher in the Washington Heights community of New York as part of Teach for America.  Graduate of the University of Illinois, where he studied political science and finance.
 
 

Director of Communications Planning

Liz Oxhorn

(CQ People on the Move via Potomac Flacks May 29, 2007)  Oxhorn came to the campaign from her position as deputy communications director for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
 
 

Director of Speechwriting

Jon Favreau

Worked in Obama's Senate office.  Deputy director of speechwriting on the Kerry-Edwards campaign; started on John Kerry for President early on as national press assistant.  Graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester,  Mass., 2003 with a degree in political science; class valedictorian.  Worked as a press intern for Kerry in Spring 2001.  From North Reading, Mass.
 

Speechwriter

Adam Frankel

Research assistant to Theodore Sorensen and completed a fellowship with the Office of Counter-terrorism at the State Department.  Speechwriter and led the speechwriting research team on the Kerry campaign (took leave from graduate studies at the London School of Economics to join the campaign) >.  Graduate of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, 2003; he was president of the College Democrats, program director of Head Start, columnist for the Daily Princetonian, and a founder of the campus chapter of the Student Global AIDS Campaign.
 

Speechwriter

Ben Rhodes

Special Assistant to President Lee H. Hamilton at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars starting in June 2002, and also a freelance speechwriter based in Washington, DC.  Author, with Hamilton and Thomas H. Kean, of Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission (Knopf, 2006).  Previously, he taught and worked in local politics in New York City.
 

INTERNET

New Media Director

Joe Rospars

On leave from Blue State Digital where he is a founding partner.  Part of Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign Internet team, where he wrote and edited emails and also worked on message development, online brand building, and grassroots organizing.  Prior to the campaign, he taught English in Stockholm, Sweden and wrote for NotGeniuses.com, a political blog.  Bachelor's degree in political science from The George Washington University.  Originally from Long Island.
 

Deputy New Media Director

Michael Slaby

Deputy campaign manager on Vi Daley's re-election campaign for Alderman in Chicago.  Production manager at The Strategy Group.  Graduate of Brown University.

Senior Producers: Jon Jones, Scott Thomas.

Design Lead: John Slabyk - Brand strategist based in Chicago.  Worked at Entertainment Direct as a creative director.  Co-founded celsiusDesign.  Studied graphic design at RIT. >

Online Organizers: Emily Bokar, Gray Brooks, Chris Hughes.

External Online Director: Scott Goodstein.

Blogger: Sam Graham-Felsen.

Writers: Sarah Ramey, Nikki Sutton.

Video: Kate Albright-Hanna (Director of Video Production), Chris Northcross (Videographer), Jessica Slider (Video Editor).

Director of Field Production: Arun Chaudhary.

E-mail: Stephen Geer (lead), Teddy Goff (writer, producer), Udai Rohagi (writer/analyst), Stephen Speakman (writer/producer).

Internet Advertising: Michael Organ - Organ has a twenty-year marketing career and is an internet marketing expert.  Author of internetadvocacy.com/The Internet Advocacy Book.  Executive director of Charity Guide, a 501(c)(3).  Founded Mosaic Data Solutions, an Internet and database marketing company, in 2001.  Worked with Accenture for nine years, including as vice president of marketing for Accenture Procurment Solutions.  Co-founded College Financial Aid Service.  Started his marketing career at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising doing television and print ads. >

Data Analyst: Alexander McCormmach.
 

IT

Chief Technology Officer

Kevin Malover

Headed the technology team that started up BuySide Realty, an online buyer's agent, in 2005-06.  Founding CIO of Orbitz, the travel Web site co-owned by several airlines, from April 2000 (third employee) through 2004.  Worked for four years as Director of Internet Network Operation at Ameritech Interactive Media Services.  Previously worked with Ameritech New Media Enterprises directing the integration testing of the company`s broadband analog and interactive digital video services.  Joined Ameritech in 1979.  B.S. in mathematics/computer science from Lawrence Technological University in Michigan; M.B.A. from Oakland University in California.
 

Database Manager

Luke Peterson

Peterson "has been hacking together databases since 2000 with various organizations in three fourths of the lower 48 states as voter file manager, redistricting consultant, and union organizer."  (Politics Online Conference 2008)
 

POLICY

Senior Policy Strategist

Heather Higginbottom

Longtime aide to Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); announced as his legislative director in Feb. 2006.  Deputy national policy director on Kerry's presidential campaign, where she oversaw the development of all domestic policies for the primary and general elections.  Deputy legislative director in Kerry’s Washington Senate office, 1999-2003.  M.P.P. from the George Washington University School of Public Policy.  Undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester.
 
 

Deputy Policy Director

Carlos Monje

Special assistant for policy and communications in Obama's Senate office.  Legislative assistant in Sen. Ken Salazar's Senate office.  Spokesman on Erskine Bowles' 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina.  Worked on Sen. John Edwards' presidential campaign after serving as deputy press secretary in his Senate office.
 
 

Deputy Policy Director

Danielle Gray

Leave of absence from position as litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.  Clerked for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer October term 2005.  Worked on the policy staff of Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.  Clerked for Judge Merrick Garland.  J.D. from Harvard Law School, 2003.  Undergraduate degree from Duke University.  Originally from Long Island.
 
 

National Security Coordinator

Denis McDonough

(July 2007)  Senior fellow and senior advisor to Tom Daschle at the Center for American Progress.  Legislative director for Sen. Ken Salazar.  Foreign policy advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, July 2000-Dec. 2004.  Fellow with the Robert Bosch Foundation of Stuttgart, Germany.  Professional staff of the House International Relations Committee, 1996-99.  Master's degree from Georgetown University, 1996; undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, 1992.

Policy Advisors (Nov. 2007)
 

and
Mark Alexander - served as Policy Director for the first seven-plus months of the campaign, before taking on the role of New Jersey State Director (announced October 9, 2007).  According to the press release he "will remain a Senior Advisor to Obama, continuing with special policy projects, political efforts, and strategic planning."  Alexander took a leave of absence from his position at Seton Hall starting end of Feb. 2007 to join the campaign.
 
 

RESEARCH

Research Director

Devorah Adler

(reported by Lynn Sweet on Jan. 11, 2007; started on the campaign on Jan. 24)  Research director at the DNC in the 2006 cycle (starting Sept. or Oct. 2005 through Jan. 23).  Previously deputy research director at the DNC under Mike Gehrke.  At the DSCC in 2004.  Policy director for Ron Kirk’s 2002 U.S. Senate race.  Special Assistant in the Office of the Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.  Has also worked for Nancy Pelosi.  Associate Director for Health Policy (Domestic Policy Council) in the Clinton Administration.  Graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
 

Deputy Research Director

Shauna Daly

(reported by Lynn Sweet on Jan. 11, 2007)  Deputy research director at the DNC in the 2006 cycle.  Experience includes work for Sen. John Edwards' presidential campaign.
 
 

SCHEDULING AND ADVANCE

Scheduling and Advance

Alyssa Mastromonaco

Political Director at Obama's HOPEFUND.  Deputy scheduling director on John Kerry for President, Inc.  Press secretary for Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) in his congressional office in Washington.  Worked in Kerry's Senate office in Boston.  Worked in New York City for a number of years.  Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998.  Grew up in Rhinebeck, NY.
 
 

Director of Advance

Emmett Beliveau

Attorney at Patton Boggs, LLP.  J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.  Undergraduate degree from Colby College, 1999.  Son of Severin Beliveau, a prominent Maine Democrat.
 
 

Trip Director

Marvin Nicholson

Traveling assistant on John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.  Served as Kerry's driver; interned in Kerry's Senate office in 2000.  Moved to Massachusetts from Canada in 1998 (holds dual citizenship).  Graduate of the University of Western Ontario.
 
 

MICHELLE OBAMA

Chief of Staff

Melissa Winter

Previously worked for Sen. Joe Lieberman (DI-CT), serving as his scheduler and executive assistant, including work on the Gore/Lieberman campaign in 2000 and scheduler on Lieberman's 2003-04 presidential campaign.
 

Communications Director

Katie McCormick Lelyveld

A deputy communications director on John Kerry for President.  Associate at The Harbour Group, LLC.  Graduated from Georgetown University in 2001 with a B.A. in psychology and English; two years as a White House intern in the Office of former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
 
 

CORRESPONDENCE

Director of Correspondence

Amy Lee Boonstra

Experience includes QA Analyst at SPSS Inc.; Statistical Analyst at Econometrics, Inc.  Ph.D. in sociology and demography from University of Michigan, 1997; A.B. in sociology and East Asian studies from University of Chicago, 1991.
 
 

FINANCE

Finance Director

Julianna Smoot

Finance director at the DSCC in the 2006 cycle.  Veteran Democratic fundraiser; experience includes work for then Sen. Tom Daschle's DASH PAC, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and Sen. John Edwards.  Graduate of Smith College, 1989.
 
 

Deputy Finance Director

Ami Copeland

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)'s 2006 re-election campaign.
 

Illinois - Jordan Kaplan
Sarah Rosenzwieg
Illinois Finance Committee
Co-Chairs: James Crown, president of Henry Crown and Co. and John Rogers, founder and CEO of Ariel Capital Management Inc.

Northern California - Tammy Paster
Chris Young

Southern California and Southwest - Julie Fitzgerald
Adia Smith

Florida - Teddy Johnston
Chair: Kirk Wagar, attorney with Wagar Murray & Feit

Mid-Atlantic - Shomik Dutta - 2005 graduate of Williams College. and Joanna Martin
Ravi Gupta

Midwest/South - Ari Koban

New York - Jenny Yeager
Jennifer Tabach

Northeast - Nate Turnbull
James Dinneen

Northwest - Melissa Schwartz

Southern - Jenny Cizner

Texas and Oklahoma - Adrienne Donato
 
 

Director of Director Marketing

Meaghan Burdick

[http://store.barackobama.com]  Director of marketing and online services at the DCCC in the 2006 cycle (started there in Jan. 2005).  Previously at the DSCC.
 
 

National Finance Chair

Penny Pritzker

(announced by the exploratory committee Jan. 31, 2007)  Member of one of America's richest families, founders of Hyatt Hotels.  Founder, chairman and CEO of Classic Residence by Hyatt, a unit that does luxury retirement communities; and chairman of the Board of TransUnion Corporation, a credit data and information management business.  Chairman of Superior Bank, 1989-94.  Bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University, 1981; J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Stanford University, 1984.
National Finance Committee
Hispanic Leadership Council (announced Mar. 27, 2008)
 

CONSULTANTS

Media

David Axelrod

AKP Message & Media (see above)
 

Media

Jim Margolis and Jason Ralston

(announced April 28, 2007; development and placement of media and serving as senior strategists) Senior partner and partner, repectively at GMMB.
 
 

Pollster

Paul Harstad

CEO of Harstad Strategic Research, based in Boulder, CO.  33 years of experience in government, public affairs, polling, and campaign strategy.   During the 1990s he directed public affairs polling for Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy in Boulder.  During the 1980s he was senior vice president at Peter Hart Research and Garin-Hart Research in Washington, DC.  During the 1970s he worked as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.
 

Pollster

Cornell Belcher

President, Brilliant-Corners, Research & Strategies.  Belcher is also DNC pollster.
 

Pollster

Joel Benenson

(reported Feb. 20, 2007 by Greg Sargent at TPM Cafe)  Founding Partner of the Benenson Strategy Group (BSG).

>According to Sargent at TPM Cafe, Benenson will be in charge of polling for New Hampshire, Belcher for South Carolina, and Harstead for Iowa.
 
 
 

Direct Mail

Pete Giangreco

Partner in The Strategy Group's Chicago office.
 

And SS+K, a strategic communications firm located in New York, is helping the campaign with nontraditional ideas and new ways to reach the younger voting population.  The effort is being headed up by Rob Shepardson, founding partner of the firm.
 
 

SENIOR ADVISORS
Anita Dunn - (strategic communications...reported April 8, 2008 by Lynn Sweet)  Principal at Squier Knapp Dunn; joined the firm in 1993 after working for Sen. Bill Bradley.  Media consultant to Sen. Evan Bayh's All America PAC in 2006 and developed strategy and produced the media for Bayh's 2004  re-election campaign.  Senior political advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, 2001-02.  Took leave from the firm in 1999 to serve as communications director and chief strategist for Sen. Bill Bradley’s presidential campaign.  Communications and political director and then chief of staff to Sen. Bill Bradley.  Communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) for the 1988 and 1990 election cycles.  Cmmunications director for U.S. Rep. Bob Edgar’s 1984 congressional and 1986 senatorial campaigns.  Press assistant on Sen. John Glenn’s 1984 campaign.  Began her career in politics working for White House Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan under President Jimmy Carter.

Ertharin Cousin - (reported Feb. 20, 2007 by Greg Sargent at TPM Cafe)  Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at America’s Second Harvest.  Previously worked with Albertson's, Inc., the food and drug retailer, as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs; joned Albertson's in 1997.  White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of State, 1993-97.  Worked at the DNC.  Worked in Illinois including as Director of Government Relations for AT&T and Illinois assistant Attorney General, as well as on state and local campaigns.  B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago; J.D. from the University of Georgia, 1982.
 

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
Federico Peña - (announced Sept. 7, 2007)  A managing director of Vestar Capital Partners, a private equity fund headquartered in New York; joined the firm as a senior advisor in 1998.  Secretary of Energy, 1997-98.  Secretary of Transportation, 1993-97.  President and CEO of Peña Investment Advisors, 1991-92.  Elected Mayor of Denver in 1983, defeating a 14-year incumbent, and re-elected in 1987.  Elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1979, and rose to become Minority Leader.  B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, 1969; J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, 1972.
 
 

Chronological Feb. 5   |  Feb. 9-10   |  Feb. 12  |  Feb. 19  |  March 4  |  later contests
Iowa

State Director

Paul Tewes

(reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 16, 2007)  Campaign manager of Americans United to Protect Social Security in 2005.  Formed Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc. with Steve Hildebrand in early 2005.  Political director of the DSCC in the 2004 cycle.  Field director on Vice President Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign starting in June 1999.  Executive director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, 1998.  Managed Sandy Pappas’ mayoral campaign in St. Paul in 1997.  Managed U.S. Rep. David Minge's re-election campaign in 1996.  Western MN field coordinator for Ann Wynia's U.S. Senate campaign in 1994.  Graduate of Carleton College with a degree in Political Science, 1993.  Native of Mt. Lake, MN.
  See Iowa page >>
 

New Hampshire

State Director

Matt Rodriguez

(reported by John DiStaso in "The Granite Status" on Jan. 18, 2007)  In 2006 Rodriguez ran Kevin de León's successful campaign for Assembly in California's 45th District (Los Angeles).  District director for Rep. Marty Meehan in Lowell, Mass.  Campaign manager for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)'s 2004 re-election campaign.  Deputy political director on Dick Gephardt's campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination and previously at Gephardt's leadership PAC, the Effective Government Committee.  A year as a volunteer teacher in Roxbury, Mass.  Ran the 2nd CD for Sen. Bill Bradley's 2000 NH primary campaign.  Volunteer teacher with the Jesuit Corps in Roxbury, Mass. for three years.  Graduate of Holy Cross University with a degree in Spanish.
  See New Hampshire page >>
 

Nevada

State Director

David Cohen

(reported by AP on Feb. 15, 2007)  Campaign manager for Jill Derby's 2006 race against Dean Heller (R) in Nevada's 2nd CD.  Earlier in the 2006 cycle, Cohen served as director of operations on Deval Patrick's gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts.  In the 2004 cycle, he worked in New Hampshire and Tennessee on Gen. Wes Clark's presidential campaign, and later on Sen. Tom Daschle's re-election campaign in South Dakota.  Cohen is a former educator, having taught at the high school and college levels.  He is also an entrepreneur, having founded two companies and a non-profit organization – the Brown University Entrepreneurship Program – where he still serves as an ex-officio board member.
  See Nevada page >>
 

South Carolina (Jan. 26)

State Director

Stacey Brayboy

Twelve years of experience in various levels of government.  Deputy director of the Virginia Council on Human Rights, appointed by Gov. Tim Kaine in Feb. 2006.  State core director for Tim Kaine’s successful gubernatorial campaign and for the Virginia Coordinated Campaign in 2005.  Midlands regional director on Wesley Clark's South Carolina primary campaign.  From Atlanta.
  See South Carolina page >>
 

Florida (Jan. 29)
Florida Advisory Council (announced July 20, 2007)
  See Florida page >>
 
 

Alaska

State Director

Joe Hardenbrook

Creating Alaska project coordinator on The 49th Star, a project to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Constitutional Convention in 2005-06.  Earned degree in political science and history from University of Alaska Fairbanks.
  See Alaska page >>
 

Arizona

State Director

Raul Alvillar

(reported by The Arizona Republic on Oct. 12, 2007)  Alvillar previously served as the campaign's Western political director in Chicago.  Worked for Sen. John Kerry's Keeping America's Promise PAC.  In 2004 Alvillar served as political director on the New Mexico Democratic Coordinated Campaign, and earlier worked in the boiler room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, worked as a delegate tracker at Kerry headquarters in DC, and served as 1st CD regional field director on Kerry's NM caucus campaign, 2003-Feb. 3, 2004.  Worked for the ATR Institute at the University of New Mexico.  Deputy field organizer on Richard Romero for Congress, 2002.  District scheduler for Congressman Tom Udall, 2000-02.  Volunteer coordinator on the 2000 NM Coordinated Campaign.  Started off in politics working for the Democratic Party of New Mexico as originator of the party's e-news newsletter.  Studied political science at the University of New Mexico.  Born and raised in New Mexico.
  See Arizona page >>
 

Arkansas

State Director

Tim Fraser

(arrived mid-Jan. 2008)  A regional director on Obama's NH primary campaign.
  See Arkansas page >>
 

California

State Director

Mitchell Schwartz

(announced August 16, 2007)  President and founder (1999) of the Bomaye Company, a public affairs firm in Los Angeles.  Has served on the campaigns of Senator Boxer, Governor Davis and Mayor Villaraigosa.  Served in the Office of Public Affairs for the Department of State under President Clinton, 1993-95.  Gov. Bill Clinton's New Hampshire State Director in 1992.  Worked on the Dukakis campaign in 1988 and the Mondale campaign in 1984.
  See California page >>
 

Colorado

State Director

Ray Rivera

(reported by the Rocky Mountain News on Sept. 7, 2007)  Rivera previously served as the campaign's Northeast regional field director in Chicago.  In 2006 he was executive director of Colorado Senate Majority, a 527 organization that worked to build Democrats' majority in the state Senate.  Worked several years for AFSCME, starting as an organizer, then Nevada political director and finally Colorado political director.  Field director on state Sen. Richard Romero's 2002 congressional campaign against Rep. Heather Wilson in NM's 1st CD.  Youth coordinator on the Gore-Lieberman campaign in New Mexico in Fall of 2000.  Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of New Mexico, 2001.  From New Mexico.
  See Colorado page >>
 

Delaware

State Director

Brandon Hurlbut

Worked in the political department on Obama's NH primary campaign, overseeing veterans, seniors and labor.  Came to the campaign from Washington, DC where he was associate at Baker & Daniels LLP.  Campaign experience includes Dorothy Brown for Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 2000; Bill Bradley for President, 1999–2000; and Glenn Poshard for Governor of Illinois, 1998.  J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, 2004.  B.A. from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana,
  See Delaware page >>
 

Georgia

State Director

Eureka Gilkey

(announced Oct. 10, 2007)  Gilkey previously served as the campaign's deputy political director in Chicago.  National training director for EMILY's List during the 2006 cycle.  Deputy political director of NARAL Pro-Choice America during the 2004 election cycle.  PAC coordinator at the AFL-CIO during the 2002 election cycle.  Message and polling coordinator at the DNC.  Gilkey has worked on several campaigns, including Diane E. Watson for Congress (CA-32) and Ron Kirk for U.S. Senate in Texas.  First job out of college was political assistant at EMILY's List.  Graduate of Howard University.  Texas native.  [Note. As national training director for EMILY's List, Gilkey collaborated with Obama's Leadership PAC, Hopefund, to launch "Yes We Can" -- a training program for young African American and Hispanic activists].
  See Georgia page >>
 

Idaho

State Director

Katie Ingebretson

Regional field director on Obama's Iowa Caucus campaign, based in Waterloo.  Worked on Virginia Victory 2005, helping to elect Tim Kaine governor.
  See Idaho page >>
 

Illinois

State Director

Nate Tamarin

(succeeded Jon Carson when he moved over to do voter contact for Feb. 5 states)  Initially Illinois political director and national labor outreach.  Served as political director at Obama's Hopefund.  Deputy campaign manager on Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.
  See Illinois page >>
 

Kansas

State Director (KS, MN, ND)

Chris Miller

Miller previously served as the campaign's Midwest field director.  National field director for 21st Century Democrats.  Worked on Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign.
  See Kansas page >>
 

Massachusetts

State Director

Jarel LaPan

Previously worked on Obama's NH Primary campaign doing health care, environment, disabilities, sportsmen in the political department.  Moved to NH from Montana, where she worked on health policy and legislative matters for the Governor's office.  In Fall 2004 LaPan was early vote/vote by mail deputy at the DNC.  Worked on Howard Dean's 2003-04 NH primary campaign first as a Seacoast area organizer then as the regional director in the Concord office.  Graduate of The George Washington University with a degree in political science, May 2003.  From Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  See Massachusetts page >>
 

Minnesota

State Director (KS, MN, ND)

Chris Miller

(announced Oct. 3, 2007)  Miller previously served as the campaign's Midwest field director.  National field director for 21st Century Democrats.  Worked on Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign.
  See Minnesota page >>
 

Missouri

State Director

Mike Dorsey

(reported by "The Swamp" Sept. 25, 2007)  Dorsey previously served as the campaign's Midwest political director in Chicago.  Directed the Rhode Island Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 2006.   Worked on Patty Wetterling's U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota (she withdrew in Jan. 2006). Deputy research director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee during the 2004 cycle.  Graduate of the University of Kansas.  Minnesota native.
  See Missouri page >>
 

New Jersey

State Director

Mark Alexander

(announced Oct. 9, 2007)  Alexander previously served as the campaign's policy director, he took a leave of absence from Seton Hall starting end of Feb. 2007 to join the campaign.  Law professor at Seton Hall; joined the faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor.  Took leave to serve as general counsel to Cory Booker’s campaign for Mayor of Newark, 2006.  Issues director for the Bill Bradley for President campaign, Jan. 1999-April 2000.  Litigator with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in San Francisco.  Clerked for Chief Judge Thelton Henderson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  Issues director for Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-MA) 1988 reelection campaign.  Legislative assistant to Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, 1986-88.  J.D. from Yale University Law School, 1992.  B.A. in architecture from Yale University, 1986.
  See New Jersey page >>
 

New Mexico

State Director (also National Deputy Policy Director)

Carlos Monje

Special assistant for policy and communications in Obama's Senate office.  Legislative assistant in Sen. Ken Salazar's Senate office.  Spokesman on Erskine Bowles' 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina.  Worked on Sen. John Edwards' presidential campaign after serving as deputy press secretary in his Senate office.
  See New Mexico page >>
 

New York

State Director

Rudi Shenk

Shenk previously served as the campaign's national outreach director in Chicago.  Oversaw Kerry-Edwards outreach to CEOs and small business owners during '04 cycle.  Aide to New York State Comptroller, H. Carl McCall during his 2002 gubernatorial bid.  Government affairs associate for Napster.  Undergraduate degree from NYU; J.D. from Fordham Law School.  Grew up in Portland, Oregon.
  See New York page >>
 

North Dakota

Caucus Director

Matthew Weinstein

(Nov. 2007)  A field director for the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, the 2006 campaign to repeal HB 1215, the ban on abortions.  In 2005 he served on the Virginia Democratic coordinated campaign in Virginia Beach.
  See North Dakota page >>
 

Oklahoma

State Director

Carrie Glenn

Glenn previously served as a regional field director on Obama's NH Primary campaign.  Deputy field director for John Tester's U.S Senate campaign in Montana in 2006.  Worked for Alliance for Justice.  Volunteer coordinator on John Kerry's 2004 Georgia primary campaign.  Native of Oregon.
  See Oklahoma page >>
 

Tennessee

State Director

Rohan Patel

Previously directed Rural America/Agriculture, Environmental/Energy and Young Professional outreach and served as Polk County political director on Obama's Iowa Caucus campaign (started on the campaign in Jan. 2007).  Previously served as an events director for Gov. Chet Culver’s Inaugural Committee.  Worked on the Iowa State Senate campaign initially on the finance team and then in the field for Sen. Herman Quirmbach.  Worked on Sen. Evan Bayh’s AllAmerica PAC in 2006 in Washington, DC and Des Moines.  Graduate of Northwestern University.
  See Tennessee page >>
 

Utah

State Director

Anne Filipic

Field director on Obama's Iowa caucus campaign.  Came to the campaign from Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc.  Has worked on Tom Daschle for South Dakota and Americans United to Protect Social Security.
  See Utah page >>
 
 

Nebraska

State Director

Rory Steele

Regional field director for Southwest Iowa on Obama's Iowa caucus campaign.  Did GOTV in Washington State in the 2006 cycle.  Former Marine.
  See Nebraska page >>
 

Washington

State Director

Chelsea Waliser

Regional field director for Polk County on Obama's Iowa caucus campaign.  Worked on the communications staff of the Washington Senate Democratic Caucus during the 2007 legislative session.  Political director for U.S. Rep .Adam Smith during the 2006 election cycle, during which she ran south Puget Sound GOTV for the 2006 Washington state Coordinated Campaign.  Field organizer on U.S. Sen. Patty Murray's 2004 re-election campaign.  Washington state native and graduate of the University of Puget Sound.
  See Washington page >>
 

Maine (Feb. 10)

State Director

Rob Hill

State field director on Obama's NH Primary campaign.  Directed Montana Democrats' 2006 Coordinated Campaign.  Field director for Carry Oregon (2004 Oregon Democratic Coordinated Campaign); field organizer in Waterloo on Kerry's Iowa caucus campaign.  Field organizer and then field director on Sen. Max Baucus' 2002 re-election campaign.  Worked as an environmental organizer with the PIRGs, first in Georgia and then in New Jersey.  Graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in history.
  See Maine page >>
 
 

Maryland

State Director

Jeremy Bird

Field director for Wake-Up Wal-Mart.  Deputy field director for training and GOTV at the DNC in Fall 2004 (started late July 2004 right before the Convention).  Training director for Democratic GAIN.  One of the two Congressional District directors on Howard Dean's 2003-04 New Hampshire presidential primary.  Bachelor's degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, 2000; Master's degree from Harvard Divinity School.  Grew up in High Ridge, outside of St. Louis, Missouri.
  See Maryland page >>
 

Virginia

State Director

Stacey Brayboy

Obama's state director for the Jan. 26 South Carolina primary campaign.  Twelve years of experience in various levels of government.  Deputy director of the Virginia Council on Human Rights, appointed by Gov. Tim Kaine in Feb. 2006.  State core director for Tim Kaine’s successful gubernatorial campaign and for the Virginia Coordinated Campaign in 2005.  Midlands regional director on Wesley Clark's South Carolina primary campaign.  From Atlanta.
  See Virginia page >>
 
 

Wisconsin

State Director

Craig Schirmer

GOTV director on Obama's South Carolina primary campaign.  Los Angeles-based political consultant.  Directed South Carolina Democrats' Coordinated Campaign in 1998.  Graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  See Wisconsin page >>
 
 

Rhode Island

State Director

Mike Dorsey

Dorsey previously served as the Obama's Missouri state director and earlier as Midwest political director in Chicago.  Directed the Rhode Island Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 2006.  Worked on Patty Wetterling's U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota (she withdrew in Jan. 2006). Deputy research director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee during the 2004 cycle.  Graduate of the University of Kansas.  Minnesota native.
  See Rhode Island page >>
 

Texas

State Director

Adrian Saenz

(announced Feb. 6, 2008)  Chief of staff to Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX).  National field director at the DCCC.  Communications director for Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX) and president of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association.  Took leave from those roles during the fall 2004 campaign to serve as base vote director (Hispanic) on the New Mexico Democratic Coordinated Campaign, based out of Santa Fe office.  B.S. in political science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
  See Texas page >>
 

Vermont

State Director

Rob Hill

Served as Obama's Maine state director for the Feb. 10 caucuses and earlier as field director on Obama's NH primary campaign.  Directed Montana Democrats' 2006 Coordinated Campaign.  Field director for Carry Oregon (2004 Oregon Democratic Coordinated Campaign); field organizer in Waterloo on Kerry's Iowa caucus campaign.  Field organizer and then field director on Sen. Max Baucus' 2002 re-election campaign.  Worked as an environmental organizer with the PIRGs, first in Georgia and then in New Jersey.  Graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in history.
  See Vermont page >>
 
 

Indiana (May 6)

State Director

Mitch Stewart

Stewart served as Obama's Iowa caucus director, then worked on the campaign in Nevada and Minnesota and as field director on the March 4 Texas campaign.  Coordinated Campaign director in Minnesota during the 2006 midterm elections.  Field director on Sen. Tom Daschle's 2004 re-election campaign.  Eastern Iowa regional field director for Sen. John Edwards’ Iowa caucus campaign (announced May 2003).  A regional field director for the Louisiana Democratic Party during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign.  A regional field director for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign.  Has also served as a research assistant and staff assistant in Johnson's Senate office.
  See Indiana page >>
 

North Carolina (May 6)

State Director

Craig Schirmer

State director on Obama's Wisconsin primary campaign and earlier GOTV director on Obama's South Carolina primary campaign.  Los Angeles-based political consultant.  Campaign manager on Erskine Bowles' 2002 race for U.S. Senate in North Carolina (open Helms seat; lost to Elizabeth Dole).  Directed South Carolina Democrats' Coordinated Campaign in 1998.  Graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  See North Carolina page >>
 

West Virginia (May 13)

State Director

Ashley Walker

Served as deputy to political director Matt Nugen in Chicago; joined the campaign in Aug. 2007, and was in line to work in Florida.  Walker managed Jeremy Ring (D-Margate)'s successful 2006 campaign for State Senate in Florida.
  See West Virginia page >>
 

Kentucky (May 20)

Director

Carolyn Whitaker-Tandy

District director of U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth's Louisville office.  President and CEO of The Crimson Group LLC, a public relations, campaign management and fund-raising services firm.  Director of African American Outreach for the DNC starting in 1998.  National field director for College Democrats of America (CDA).  Bachelor's degree in sociology from Gordon College (Wenham, Mass.), 1996.  Native of Dallas, Texas.
  See Kentucky page >>
 

Oregon (May 20)

State Director

Rob Hill

Served as Obama's Vermont state director for the March 4 primary, Maine state director for the Feb. 10 caucuses, and state field director on the Jan. 8 NH primary campaign.  Directed Montana Democrats' 2006 Coordinated Campaign.  Field director for Carry Oregon (2004 Oregon Democratic Coordinated Campaign); field organizer in Waterloo on Kerry's Iowa caucus campaign.  Field organizer and then field director on Sen. Max Baucus' 2002 re-election campaign.  Worked as an environmental organizer with the PIRGs, first in Georgia and then in New Jersey.  Graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in history.
  See Oregon page >>
 
 

Montana (June 3)

State Director

Gabe Cohen

Served as Obama's state director for the March 8 Wyoming caucuses.  On leave from the Kenney Group, a Denver-based consulting firm.  Cohen has worked on numerous candidate and ballot initiative campaigns in both field management and public opinion research including, most recently, the Denver Preschool Matters campaign, the Denver Justice Center campaign, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and the statewide ballot initiative Referendum I.  Prior to joining the Kenney Group, he worked for the Mellman Group in Washington DC. Kenney holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon.
  See Montana page >>
 

South Dakota (June 3)

State Director

Nathan Peterson

(announced April 1, ,2008)  Part of the Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc.  During the 2006 election cycle with Hildebrand Tewes, Peterson was deputy campaign manager and on-the-record spokesperson for the campaign that overturned South Dakota's total ban on abortions in 2006.  He has successfully managed several local school bond and opt-out elections, conducted multiple state-wide initiative and referendum petition drives and worked as the South Dakota organizer/spokesperson for the National Environmental Trust.  In 2004, prior to joining Hildebrand Tewes, Peterson was U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's campaign scheduler and personal aide.  He played an important role in the implementation of the field strategy on Sen. Tim Johnson's re-election campaign in 2002.  Peterson is an enlisted member of the Air National Guard; pursuing a Masters degree in communications.
  See South Dakota page >>
 

former campaign staff

New Media Deputy Director

Josh Orton

(The Atlantic.com's Marc Ambinder reported Orton resigned in late Sept. 2007 because he "disagreed with the campaign’s blogger outreach strategy.")  Most recently served as online and Nevada press secretary for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Executive producer of Air America Radio's "The Majority Report" with Sam Seder and Janeane Garofalo.  Communications director for Gwen Moore's (WI-04) campaign in 2004.  Graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
 

Southern Regional Political Director/ briefly Georgia State Director

Erica Brooks

(The Atlantic.com's Marc Ambinder reported that Brooks had left the campaign)  Brooks previously served as the campaign's Southern regional political director in Chicago.Director of the Office of National Development at the Democratic National Committee starting in Spring 2001.  Deputy state director to U.S. Sen. Zell Miller; deputy campaign manager on Zell Miller's 2000 U.S. Senate campaign.  Senior scheduler to U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, 1996-98.  In 1994, Brooks became a special assistant to then-Secretary of State Max Cleland.
 

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action