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 Meet the Team:
Mike Zolnierowicz, Chief of Staff
Mike Zolnierowicz currently serves as director of the Bruce Rauner
Transition Committee. He previously worked as deputy campaign
manager for Citizens for Rauner, Inc., overseeing more than 500 paid
employees and more than 10,000 volunteers. Prior to joining the
Rauner campaign, Mike served as Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S.
Senator Mark Kirk. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Mike managed the
Senator’s Illinois operations, overseeing the Senator’s work with
key stakeholders, including community leaders, the Congressional
delegation, the state legislature and Constitutional officers. Mike
graduated from Downers Grove North High School and graduated Phi
Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Hope College.
Tim Nuding, Director of Governor’s Office of Management and
Budget
Tim Nuding has spent 25 years working in state government for the
Illinois Senate Republican Staff. The first 16 years of his career
were spent focusing on state fiscal issues through the Senate
Appropriations Committee both as a budget analyst and as the
Director of the Senate Appropriations Staff. Most recently he has
served as Chief of Staff to Illinois Senate Republican Leader
Christine Radogno. Tim’s experience working in the legislature has
given him a unique perspective and understanding of the budget
problems facing Illinois. He is widely respected in the State
Capitol and has established a solid network of relationships with
executive agency staff, stakeholders and key legislators and
legislative staff from both political parties. Tim graduated from
Illinois State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in
Finance. He and his family reside in Rochester, Illinois.
Richard Goldberg, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs
Richard Goldberg currently serves as a senior adviser to the Bruce
Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as a senior
adviser for communications for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to
joining the Rauner campaign, Goldberg served as Deputy Chief of
Staff for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, advising all areas of policy and
communications. Goldberg was the lead Senate Republican negotiator
for three rounds of economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic
of Iran, including the “Menendez-Kirk Amendment” imposing sanctions
on the Central Bank of Iran. Prior to the Senate, Goldberg served as
a senior appropriations associate for then-Congressman Kirk before
leaving to serve as Deputy Campaign Manager on Senator Kirk’s 2010
campaign. Goldberg has served as a Navy Reserve intelligence officer
since 2006 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. Raised in Skokie,
Goldberg graduated from the Ida Crown Jewish Academy before earning
a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
Mike Schrimpf, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications
Mike Schrimpf currently serves as Communications Director for the
Transition Committee. Prior to joining the transition, Mike worked
as Communications Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. He earlier
spent nearly five years as Communications Director for the
Republican Governors Association. Mike is originally from Cincinnati
and graduated from Tufts University.
Aaron Winters, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Aaron Winters currently is the Deputy Transition Director for the
Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as the
Policy Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to joining the
Rauner campaign, he was a senior adviser to U.S. Senator Mark Kirk
and served in a variety of communications and legislative roles in
Illinois and Washington, DC, including Projects Director, where he
oversaw all infrastructure policy and Illinois economic development
initiatives. Prior to his government service, Winters was a Senior
Account Executive at Hill & Knowlton, where he was the spokesman for
the Upgrade 74 project, the complete reconstruction of I-74 through
downtown Peoria. Winters graduated from Pontiac Township High School
and Northwestern University.
Kelley Folino, Deputy Chief of Staff for Outreach
Kelley Folino got her start in government in Michigan while working
for the legislative office of the Department of Management and
Budget. She worked in the Michigan House of Representatives and the
Illinois State Senate. She subsequently worked for Congressman Mark
Kirk and served as the District Chief of Staff for Congressman Bob
Dold. Most recently, Kelley served as a Senior Adviser on Citizens
for Rauner, Inc. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science
from Michigan State University.
David Wu, Director of Government Transformation
David Wu served as a senior policy adviser for Citizens for Rauner,
Inc. He was a policy director for former Indiana Governor Mitch
Daniels, the Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, and numerous
candidates at the local, state and federal levels. He has worked to
develop policy options in a wide range of areas. In addition to his
public policy work, he has worked in international finance, and
traditional and digital media. Raised in San Francisco, he has lived
and worked in Hong Kong, Florida, Indiana and Singapore. David
earned a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut,
a master’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin –
Madison, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Jason Barclay, General Counsel
Jason Barclay is currently a partner at the law firm Barnes &
Thornburg where he focuses on some of the firm’s most challenging
litigation cases and is widely regarded as one of Indiana’s top
trial attorneys. Prior to joining the firm, Jason served as legal
counsel in the office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In state
government, Jason had a particularly sharp focus on public ethics,
helping guide one of the nation’s most comprehensive and highly
regarded integrity and compliance programs. He also played a key
role in executing the legal strategies necessary to implement
Governor Daniels’ agenda. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from
Duke University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School
of Law.
Kathy Lydon, DC Director
Kathy Lydon previously served as former U.S. Representative Judy
Biggert's Chief of Staff in D.C., building strong relationships with
the Illinois congressional delegation. Kathy also worked for the
late U.S. Senator Chuck Percy. She earned a bachelor’s degree from
Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Jim Clark, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Prior to joining the administration, Jim Clark served as Chief of
Staff to Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider at the Cook County
Board of Commissioners and Special Assistant to Illinois State
Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Jim is a graduate of Arizona State
University in Tempe, Arizona.
Edward Murphy, Research Director
Edward Murphy currently serves as Research Director for the Bruce
Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as Research
Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to joining the Rauner
campaign, Murphy served in a number of senior research roles,
including Deputy Research Director at the Republican National
Committee, Research Director for U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s 2012
re-election campaign, Research Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk’s
Senate office and 2010 campaign, and Research Director for the
Illinois Republican Party. An Illinois native, Murphy attended the
University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a bachelor’s
degree in political science.
Sarah Clamp, Director of Special Projects
Sarah Clamp worked as an adviser for the Rauner Transition
Committee. She served as political director for Citizens for Rauner,
Inc. Sarah is also an alumnus of the political departments for both
the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National
Republican Congressional Committee in Washington D.C. She is a
graduate of Cornell University.
Holly Griff, Executive Assistant to the Governor
Holly Griff is Governor-Elect Rauner’s longtime executive assistant.
Throughout the campaign and transition, Holly performed a myriad of
duties and responsibilities for the Governor-Elect and the First
Lady-designate. She also managed the calendars of both the
Governor-Elect and the Lt. Governor-Elect. Holly is a native of
Illinois.
Jared Melamed Dubnow, Special Assistant to the Governor
Jared Melamed Dubnow currently serves as special assistant to
Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner. Previously, he was a Deputy Political
Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. In that position he traveled
to all campaign events and helped oversee daily operations for the
candidate. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, Jared served as
Deputy Field Office Manager for the Dold for Congress campaign. He
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University with degrees in
economics and international studies.
Communications Team:
Lance Trover, Communications Director
Lance Trover served as Senior Communications Adviser for Citizens
for Rauner, Inc. A former communications director for U.S. Senator
Mark Kirk, he supervised media relations with local and national
press during the Highland Park Republican's successful return to
Congress following a debilitating stroke. In 2012, Lance served as
Deputy Communications Director for the National Republican
Senatorial Committee. He also directed communications for Kirk for
Senate, and the Illinois Republican Party. Raised in the deep
southern Illinois town of Vienna, where his family still resides,
Lance is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale,
where he earned both a bachelor's and law degree.
Catherine Kelly, Press Secretary
Catherine Kelly was most recently a producer at ABC 7 Chicago, where
she produced daily newscasts for the number-one station in the
nation's third-largest media market. Cate coordinated morning and
afternoon newscasts, vetting stories on the local, state and
international level. She also edited video and created graphics to
accompany stories, while assisting reporters in the field. Prior to
moving to Chicago, she worked in California's state capital at KCRA-TV,
also as a news producer. During her time there, she was nominated
for an Emmy Award for her work during the 2012 Japanese earthquake
and tsunami and its impact on Northern California. She also has
experience as a producer, reporter and web editor from the NBC
affiliate in Columbia, Mo. Cate graduated from the University of
Missouri and earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, with an
emphasis in Radio/Television.
Lyndsey Walters, Deputy Press Secretary
Lyndsey Walters currently serves as Press Secretary for the Bruce
Rauner Transition Committee. She previously served as the Press
Secretary for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to the Rauner
campaign, Lyndsey was a consultant at The Glover Park Group, a
leading Washington D.C. strategic communications firm. Lyndsey began
her career as a press lead for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2012
presidential campaign, working with the national traveling press
corps and local press affiliates. A native of Chadds Ford,
Pennsylvania, Lyndsey received a bachelor’s degree from Drexel
University with a dual major in business and communications.
Allie Bovis, Deputy Press Secretary
Allie Bovis formerly served as the Legislative Correspondent in
Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks of Indiana. Prior
to working on Capitol Hill, she served as Press Assistant in the
administration of former Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels. She
is a native of Indianapolis, Ind. and graduate of Indiana
University.
Jacquelyn Reineke, Press Assistant
Jacquelyn Reineke previously worked as the Deputy Communications
Director for the Ohio Republican Party, producing graphics and media
for the 2014 gubernatorial election. Jacquelyn grew up in Tiffin,
Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science with
minors in economics and international relations from Xavier
University in Cincinnati. Policy Team:
Joe Beyer, Efficiency and Metrics
Joe Beyer’s prior experience includes roles in finance and
consulting, most recently at William Blair and Co. in Chicago, where
he was a member of the healthcare investment banking group. Prior to
that, he spent three years at Aon Hewitt (formerly Hewitt
Associates) as an actuarial associate, providing pension consulting
services to companies with defined-benefit plans. He also previously
worked at Deutsche Bank in New York and the Federal Reserve Bank of
Chicago. Joe is a native of Springfield. He holds a B.S. in
Actuarial Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois;
a J.D. from the Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School.
Samantha Gaddy, Policy Adviser for Public Safety
Samantha Gaddy was formerly the Senior Policy Adviser for the
Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC), where she
advised policy-makers on the system-wide fiscal impact of sentencing
policies and procedures. Prior to SPAC, Samantha worked as a member
of the Illinois Attorney General’s legislative team, advocating for
the Attorney General’s legislative agenda in the areas of public
safety, the rights of crime victims and witnesses, consumer
protection, public utilities and predatory lending reform. Samantha
previously worked for the Illinois Innocence Project, helping to
investigate post-conviction claims of actual innocence. Samantha
currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fans 4 L.I.F.E, Inc.,
a school-based mentoring program for at-risk children and is a
member of Alpha Phi Sigma, a national criminal justice honor
society. Samantha is a native of Alton.
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Jennifer Hammer, Special Counsel to the Governor and Policy
Adviser for Healthcare and Human Services
Jennifer Walsh Hammer has previous experience in healthcare and
human services policy as the Executive Director of the
Healthcare Council for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. She is
also an attorney and spent a significant time in private
practice at Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes. She is a second
term elected Governor on the Illinois State Bar Association
Board of Governors. She is appointed by the Illinois Supreme
Court to the Board of Character and Fitness. Jennifer is a Past
President of the Central Illinois Women's Bar Association and
the Junior League of Springfield. She is the Secretary of the
Sangamon County Bar Association and Vice President of the
Lincoln Library Board of Trustees. Jennifer has been the
recipient of the Springfield Business Journal's Forty Under 40
Award and the Today's Chicago Woman "Women to Watch" Award.
Michael Mahoney, Policy Adviser for Revenue and Pensions
Michael Mahoney previously worked for the Illinois House
Republicans as the Deputy Research Director focusing on
personnel, pension and fiscal issues. A native of Joliet,
Michael attended Joliet Catholic Academy and received his
bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Illinois.
Sean McCarthy, Policy Adviser for Economic Development
Sean McCarthy was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman
Randy Hultgren and a Senior Community Relations Director at
Nicor Gas. Prior to joining the utility, Sean worked at Lake
County Partners and the Illinois Department of Commerce and
Community Affairs where he gained economic development
experience at the county and state level. Sean earned his
bachelor’s degree in political science from Stonehill College in
North Easton, Mass. and received his M.B.A. at Dominican
University in River Forest, Ill.
Alec Messina, Policy Adviser for Environment and Energy
Alec Messina is the Executive Director of the Illinois
Environmental Regulatory Group (“IERG”), a non-profit trade
association. Prior to returning to IERG in October of 2010,
where he initially served as its General Counsel from 2001-2005,
Messina served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency, a position he took in August
2005. Messina holds a bachelor’s degree in political science
from the University of Illinois and a law degree for Juris
Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
Brian Oszakiewski, Policy Adviser for Infrastructure
Brian Oszakiewski served eight years advising Congressman Dan
Lipinski on all rail, highway, aviation, freight, waterways,
public transportation and other issues before the U.S. House
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He was Representative
Lipinski’s Legislative Director, managing the congressman’s
legislative staff to formulate and implement his agenda. Brian
most recently worked for the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association, an organization that represents aircraft, engine,
avionics and other aviation-related manufacturers and service
providers. A native of Chicagoland, Brian holds a bachelor’s
degree from Creighton University and a master’s degree from The
Johns Hopkins University. Randy Pollard, Downstate Director
Randy Pollard served as the Downstate Director for U.S. Senator Mark
Kirk. Randy was employed at the Illinois Department of Corrections
for 25 years, and served as supervisor for Pepsi Co. Randy and his
wife Cheryl reside in Vandalia, IL.
Outreach Team:
Janice Collier, Director of Diversity and Recruitment
Janice Glenn Collier currently serves as Director of Programs for
Leadership Greater Chicago, a non-profit civic leadership
organization that creates lifelong partnerships and develops
community awareness among leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area.
In this role, she works closely with the members in the Leadership
Fellows Association within LGC, which consists of graduates from the
Fellows Program. She is responsible for executing the development of
programs and oversees outreach with members and potential members.
Prior to joining LGC in 1986, she began her career in Public and
Government Affairs with Amoco Corporation.
Marcos Peterson, Director of Latino Affairs
Marcos Peterson, a Lake County native, has a mix of both private and
public sector experience. He served at the White House as an advance
representative and has worked on the national level for a
presidential campaign. He has also run a small Latino social
services business. Most recently, Marcos served as the Director of
Latino Outreach for Citizens for Rauner, Inc.
Ashley Kalus, Coalitions Coordinator
Ashley Kalus most recently served as Coalitions Coordinator for
Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Before joining Rauner, Ashley spent 5
years directing operations and strategy for a group of medical
businesses, as well as leading an early stage medical device
company. Prior to that, Ashley worked as a consultant at Accenture.
She holds graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and
Columbia University in public administration with a focus on
economic and security policy.
Dennis Jung, Outreach Coordinator
Dennis Jung previously served as the Asian American Outreach
Coordinator on Citizens for Rauner, Inc. He was born and raised in
Illinois. Dennis graduated with honors from the University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in political science and
history.
Legal Team:
Joe Hartzler, Special Counsel
Joe Hartzler has been a federal prosecutor in Springfield for the
last 30 years. Joe is best known for being picked by former Attorney
General Janet Reno out of thousands of federal prosecutors across
the country to be the lead prosecutor in the Oklahoma City bombing
prosecution of Timothy McVeigh. He has since established himself as
one of the best legal minds in the Department of Justice, handling
the most difficult appeals. Joe will lead efforts to clean up state
government of wrongdoers, ethics violators, and serve as internal
lead at collective bargaining sessions.
Mitch Holzrichter, Deputy Counsel
Mitch Holzrichter is a senior associate at Mayer Brown. Mitch
specialized in public private partnerships at his law firm working
on major P3 transportation projects across the country, the
privatization of the first airport in the country, and the long term
lease at the Midway airport. He will lead regulatory reform review.
Mitch earned a bachelor’s degree Northwestern University and a law
degree from the University of Michigan.
Dennis Murashko, Deputy Counsel
Dennis Murashko is a senior associate at Jones Day. Dennis clerked
on the 10th and DC Circuits Courts. Dennis is a native of Russia and
also an actuary by background. Dennis will lead legal review of
pension reform, procurement and personnel reform efforts. Dennis
earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville University and a law
degree from Northwestern University.
Emily Bastedo, Associate Counsel
Emily Bastedo was an associate at Chapman & Culter before taking on
the important job of being a mom. Emily is a member of the Elmhurst
School Board. She is an expert in public finance matters and will
help oversee the operations of the various finance agencies,
including the Illinois Finance Authority and Illinois Sports
Facilities Authority. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from the
University of Notre Dame and a law degree from DePaul University.
Donovan Borvan, Associate Counsel
Donovan Borvan is an associate at Sidley Austin. Donovan is a
commercial litigator and will oversee the state's litigation and
consent decrees at various agencies, including Healthcare and Family
Services, Aging, and Department of Corrections. Donovan earned a
bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree
from the University of Chicago.
Chasity Boyce, Associate Counsel
Chasity Boyce is an associate at O'Hagan, where she is a commercial
litigator. Chasity is President of the Black Women Lawyers
Association, with an interest in children's issues, including
juvenile justice and education. Chasity will lead the clemency
review process. Chasity earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke
University and a law degree from Howard University.
Emily Gibellina, Associate Counsel
Emily Gibellina is Senior Counsel to Jim Durkin and the House
Republicans. Emily is an expert on legislative issues, especially
insurance, worker's comp and civil justice areas. She will handle
bill review and appointment processes. Emily earned a bachelor’s
degree from the University of Illinois and a law degree from
Northwestern University.
Georgia Man, Associate Counsel:
Georgia Man is an associate at Kirkland & Ellis. Georgia is in the
corporate group and handles complex M&A transactions. She will be an
ethics and FOIA officer. Georgia earned a bachelor’s degree from the
University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of
Virginia.
Joseph Wright, Assistant Counsel
Joseph Wright is a recent law school grad. Joseph has been serving
as legal counsel to the City of Des Plaines and will take the lead
on local government issues. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the
University of Illinois and a law degree from Chicago-Kent
University.
Operations Team:
Brittany Ladd, Director of Operations
Brittany Ladd comes from a diverse background in both the private
and public sector. She has extensive experience in public and
private sector consulting and has provided management consulting
services to US Government organizations and Fortune 50 companies. As
an U.S. Air Force brat, she grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona but moved
to Illinois following high school to enroll at Northwestern
University. She has worked in Operations for two national
presidential campaigns, most recently serving as Director of Advance
to Ann Romney during the 2012 presidential election.
Grant Hammer, Director of Constituent Affairs
Grant Hammer has a diverse background grounded in public affairs and
state government. He has worked in a number of public and private
endeavors over the past decade, from serving under state legislators
and constitutional offices to working on political campaigns, in
state government and for state associations. Most recently, Grant
served as Manager of Community Affairs & Marketing in the State
Treasurer's Office. Grant also serves in a number of leadership
positions within his community. He is an unpaid, elected official
tasked with promoting opportunities for recreation and conservation
within his hometown’s public park system, a unit of local government
approximately 60 square miles in size and having an annual operating
budget of id="mce_marker"7 million. Grant also actively contributes
to the not-for-profit Springfield Youth Hockey Association, serving
on the Executive Board as well as coaching youth hockey. Grant is a
Springfield native, and graduate of Southern Illinois University
Carbondale.
Jackie Lindsay, Director of Scheduling
Jackie Lindsay, a Christian County native, currently resides with
her family in Menard County. Jackie has been Legislative Director
for Raucci & Sullivan Strategies since 2007. She has over 20 years
of state government experience, the last 15 years of service was
with the Illinois Senate Republicans.
Laine Evans, Director of Advance
Evans served as the Director of Advance for Lieutenant Governor
Evelyn Sanguinetti for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Before joining
Rauner, Laine most recently hailed from Washington, D.C. where she
worked in various positions ranging from Senior Associate at
Burson-Marstellar to the Military Legislative Aid for Congressman
Phil Roe (R-TN). In 2012, she also served as Lead Press Advance on
Mitt Romney’s 2012 Presidential campaign. A Tennessee native who now
calls Illinois home, Laine received a bachelor’s degree in
Government from Wofford College. She received her master’s degree in
Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown
University.
Office of the Lieutenant Governor:
Brian Colgan, Chief of Staff
Over the last ten years, Brian has served as a Senior Adviser to
several Illinois officials including US Congresswoman Judy Biggert
and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. Brian has worked in policy, politics,
and community affairs. Brian resides in Naperville with his wife,
Sarah, and 15-month-old son. He is a graduate of the University of
Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), where he studied international,
resource, and consumer economics.
[Lance Trover, Office of
Governor-elect Bruce Rauner] |
