america first policy institute staff america first policy institute staff

Most recently, he served as National Press Secretary for President Trumps Re-Election Campaign and Principal Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President in the Trump Administration. Thomas J. Tsaveras grew up in Massapequa, New York, and serves as Director of Operations of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). Sam Trippie is from Buffalo, New York, and serves as Development Manager for AFPI. He is an avid hunter, pursuing deer, turkey, and pheasants. He has two children and in his free time enjoys playing golf. A noted trash talker on the basketball court, his shots purportedly (by him) always go in. Previously, Cypher worked for Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, where she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of External Affairs. When hes not in class, Alec can be found cheering on his beloved Horned Frogs, playing as much golf as possible, and spending time with his friends and family. Parry most recently served at the White House under President Donald Trump as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Brooke Rollins. Over the 15 years that McEnany spent in sports, she developed a unique set of skills and gained valuable experiences that she continues to carry with her into the political scene. He graduated from the University of Iowa summa cum laude. He enjoys Hermeneutics, hunting, and traveling the world with his wife of 53 years. She is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. Kellogg graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Political Science and went on to receive his masters degree in International Studies from Kansas University. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons, was published in 2020. Mr. Ingle earned a Global Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.. Our guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national greatness, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all we do. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan research institute. Matias Perttula serves as the Director of the Center for American Values at AFPI. She started her career in the fashion industry, serving as the Events Assistant at The Fashion Group International, NYC, as well as a Communications Assistant at Ana Martins Communications. Ken Blackwell is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and serves as the Chair of the Center for Election Integrity at AFPI. He previously served as Senior Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation and an analyst at the National Security Agency. Most recently, he assisted rural Michigan residents as a presidential appointee and State Director of USDA Rural Development. Perttula was born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1986 and spent his childhood in Finland. Previously, Baehr was a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Orleans and an active-duty Marine judge advocate defense counsel at Camp Pendleton. Bush and in their 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992 presidential campaigns. Schuster earned a degree in politics and journalism from Hillsdale College. When she is not globetrotting, Wilson enjoys eating medium rare steaks and listening to music. Despite being the Nations youngest governor when he was elected in 2007, Jindal was well-prepared thanks to stints as the head of the state Department of Health and Hospitals, President of the University of Louisiana System, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Executive Director of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare all before his thirtieth birthday. If Wesley is not working, you can usually find him playing golf, watching his favorite Baltimore sports teams, or hanging out with his dog, Chipper. If you too would like to join in this fight, join us at TakeOnBigTech.com. Before DHS, Zemek was served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. Schindler received a degree in philosophy in comparative religion from Colorado State University. Schuster is a regular contributor and former intern for The Federalist, and a current columnist for The Conservateur. Lee E. Ohanian is from Santa Barbara, California, and serves as a Member on AFPIs Board of Academic Advisors. Overton graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from UNMs Combined BA/MD Program, received her medical degree from the UNM School of Medicine, and obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Investigation from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. The brave man inattentive to his duty is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.. Whitaker spent the last year at Deloitte as a Senior Consultant in the Government and Public Services practice, developing strategic project management oversight for defense, security, and justice clientele. Before heading CFPL, Sanders was the director of regulatory studies at Locke, where he also served as research editor. Law has a decade of immigration law, regulation, and policy expertise and has held leadership positions at other immigration-focused think tanks. LEILA FADEL,. They push the human race forward. Every battle is won before it's ever fought.. Lavorgna is an avid golfer, and his wife is from the great state of Michigan. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Oxford, where his research exploresthe politics of corporate and energy policy in Africa and the Middle East. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.. In his free time, Whitaker enjoys traveling, being on the water, riding horses, and hiking, and he regularly returns to Tennessee to spend time with his family and friends. She later earned masters degrees in Political Economy from both Georgetown University and Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management. He also is a Newsmax TV contributor. During his time at DHS, he successfully navigated numerous global and domestic challenges to the nations security, including COVID-19, civil unrest, numerous border and immigration crises, historic natural disasters, and threats to global aviation security. Under his leadership, CKE expanded to more than 3,800 restaurants globally. Yates was a candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in Idahos May 2018 primary. Previously, he also served as Chief Economist of the White House Council of Economic Advisers and as a visiting professor teaching public economics at Harvard University, Clemson University, and the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago. Sam also ran Operations for Governor DeSantis inauguration before becoming a Policy Chief in his administration. Prior to her work at the White House, she co-founded one of the fastest growing and largest churches in the nation, which currently has over 28,000 members. He served as John McCain's chief economic adviser in the 2000 presidential primaries and an economic adviser to the campaigns of George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election and McCain in the presidential election of 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. Wilkie also serves as Senior National Security Analyst for Newsmax Television. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he assisted in negotiating the CARES Act and was the senior Treasury official who led the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Our guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national greatness, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all . Steven Smith's Phone Number and Email Last Update. He is also the host of Kudlow on Fox Business and The Larry Kudlow Show on WABC Talk Radio. Beforehis research career, McPherson-Smith worked as a television correspondent in Africa and Europe. Message frequency varies. Prior to joining AFPI, Bardon served as Executive Assistant to Trump Victory Chairwoman, Kimberly Guilfoyle, on the Trump-Pence 2020 presidential campaign, and most recently as the Executive Roundtable Manager at the Republican Attorneys General Association. McEnany currently holds the 8th fastest 60-meter hurdle time in the universitys history. Scott earned degrees in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Kansas, where he was a Division 1 student-athlete and Editor-in-Chief of "The Wave," a Kansas Jayhawks sports magazine. Before her time in the Trump Administration, Sands was the first woman to serve as Chairman & CEO of Vintage Capital Group in 2015. He resides with his family and dog, Wrigley, in the Washington, D.C. area. Mr. Whitaker is also of counsel with the Graves Garrett law firm. He was also the Executive Director for FACT, The Foundation for Accountability & Civic Trust, an ethics and accountability watchdog, from 2014 to 2017. I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.. He is also the founder and president of The Gethsemane Group. Cate Crosbie is from Lexington, Kentucky, and serves as a Development Specialist at AFPI. He began his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a staff economist. He previously served as an Assistant to the President and Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs under President Donald Trump, where he was the Administrations primary liaison to the nations governors, lieutenant governors, attorneys general, and other state, local, and tribal leaders. Taylor enjoys visiting Ohio each summer to see extended family and cheer on the Cincinnati Reds. Previously, she interned for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on the digital team, where she assisted with social media, press conferences, and marketing of the governors visits to local businesses across the state. He received a masters degree in China Studies from the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. Jase Panebianco is from Selden, New York, and serves as an Associate Attorney for the Constitutional Litigation Partnership at AFPI. AFPI exists to advance policies that put the American people first. He most recently served as China Program Coordinator at the Center for Security Policy, building the program from the ground up, and has held research and communications roles in the national security policy space for more than a decade. America First Policies is an organization created following the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017 to promote the America First policy agenda of his administration. He attended Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he majored in business administration. He also studied at the Harvard Extension School in International Security Studies. Zemek has degrees from Yale University and the National Defense University and conducted advanced studies with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.. Previously, she was appointed to President Donald J. Trumps Economic Advisory Council, and in 2017, President Trump called on Sands to represent the United States as the Ambassador to Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. In 2004, he started his own firm, the Brewer Group, where he serves as Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager. Most recently, Beckham served as Communications Director for U.S. Representative Andy Biggs from Arizona, where she handled all media relations for local and national news. Previously, he worked at the Republican National Committee as a Business Intelligence Analyst. During her tenure at the Womens Bureau, she focused the agency on issues of childcare, paid family leave, and grants to support women in apprenticeship. Campana has not stepped foot on a track since college but now enjoys running half marathons in different countries around the world. Sherk previously served as Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy on the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Donald Trump. Pidluzny received his Ph.D. in political science at Boston College and holds B.A. Andy Rosenblatt is from Ellicott City, Maryland, and serves as a Communications Specialist at AFPI. A graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff, Air Command and Staff College, the United States Army War College, and the Joint Forces Staff College, Wilkie has published many articles. Kellogg and his wife, Paige, have three children, and love nothing more than having their four grandchildren stay with them and spoil them with anything they want. Fleitz holds a B.A. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank for 20 years, where he was the firms Chief U.S. The misfits. He has received the U.S. Secretary of Transportation 9/11 Medal, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. Before joining AFPI, Lawson served in the Office of the Florida Attorney General as the Director of the Consumer Protection Division. In 2011, he became the Chief of Staff to the co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In 2010 he was the President of the Association for Public Policy and Management. When not working, Law and his wife, Torrey, are kept busy by our two daughters and Irish doodle puppy, though they try to find time to travel, enjoy the D.C. restaurant scene, and cheer on the Nationals and Capitals. Hudson, her husband, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson, and their young son live in Concord, North Carolina. She served as Class President for three years on the universitys Student Government Association. Perry previously served as the 14th Secretary of Energy under President Donald Trump, where he advanced Americas dominance in energy production to help American businesses, workers, families, and farmers. Following her graduation, Schuster participated in a year-long research fellowship with Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., where she conducted research and coordinated media for professors, particularly Mollie Hemingway and Matthew Spalding. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness.. Before joining the presidential campaign and White House, he worked in top communication roles in Indiana state government, Communications Director for former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Communications Director for former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, and the McCain-Palin Campaign in Indiana. If we worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance.. In this role, Tsaveras was responsible for overseeing operations and facilities for the entire White House complex and delivering direct operational and logistical support to the President, First Lady, and White House senior staff. of Digital Strategy for various technology, accounting, media, and non-profit companies. He earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Kent State in 1959, a Master of Arts in Arts and Education from the University of Iowa in 1961, and has received numerous honorary doctorate degrees. Hilton Beckham is from Long Beach, California, and serves as the Director of Communications at AFPI. A former baseball player until an injury ended his career, Martinez has a passion for coaching his sons teams, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his time with the Attorney General, Lawsons public service in Florida also included serving as Deputy Chief of the Economic Crime Unit for the State Attorneys Office in Tampa, Florida. Blackwell has an extensive career in public service and is widely regarded as a leading expert on elections and election security. Her memoir was published in Spring 2022. Prior to her work with the United States Department of Labor, Dr. Todd-Smith served as Senior Education and Workforce Policy Advisor to Governor Phil Bryant. AFPI exists to advance policies that put the American people first. Fleitzs last book, Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Chair, Constitutional Litigation Partnership and Co-Chair, Center for Law and Justice, Chair, Center for Opportunity Now and Vice-Chair, Center for 1776, Vice Chair, Center for Election Integrity & Senior Advisor for Communications, Vice Chair, Center for Energy & Environment, Senior Fellow and Chair, China Policy Initiative, Kellyanne Conway is from Atco, New Jersey, and serves as the Chair of the Center for the American Child at AFPI. He has a passion for seeing the Church equip gospel-centered, culture-shaping Christians who build the city of God in the midst of the city of man. He then earned a Master of Public Affairs and his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. Fleitz served in U.S. national security positions for 25 years with the CIA, DIA, the Department of State and the House Intelligence Committee staff. Buchan enjoys woodworking, sailing, and monitoring black market energy trade. Ryann McEnany is a Tampa, Florida native and serves as the Digital Marketing and Brand Communications Strategist and Engagement Officer at AFPI. In addition to his extensive career as head football coach for several universities, including Notre Dame, William & Mary, Minnesota, Arkansas, and North Carolina State, he was the head coach of the NFLs New York Jets. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago in 1976. Her reporting largely focuses on cultural and social issues such as gender ideology, education, and religious liberty. He resides in Californiaand enjoys surfing, skiing, and debating tax policy with his husband. It drives their parents nuts. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. Jindals agenda included top-to-bottom reformation and privatization of the state-run charity hospital and the states healthcare payer systems. SMS opt in will not be sold, rented, or shared. Two of her co-edited books on President Ronald Reagan wereNew York Timesbest sellers, and one receivedthe Hoover InstitutionsUncommon Book Award. He is a White House appointee on the Congressional Commission for the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, and is currently a Professor at Fordham Gabelli School of Business, where he has created curriculum tailored for transitioning athletes and prisoners. By checking the opt in box, you consent to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages. Sam Mims is from Niceville, Florida, and serves as the Director of Digital Production and Data at AFPI. Previously, David served in the policy debate world as a founding director of the policy debate team at Concordia-Chicago. Bernhardt also led the effort to enact the Great American Outdoors Act, which established the most consequential dedicated funding for maintaining critical facilities and infrastructure at our national parks, wildlife refuges, and recreational facilities in history. He also led the messaging and speechwriting team for the 2020 Republican National Convention. Free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.. Kellyanne Conway is from Atco, New Jersey, and serves as the Chair of the Center for the American Child at AFPI. Kellogg is a highly decorated, retired three-star Army General and has extensive experience in the military and international business. Jack Brewer was raised in Grapevine, Texas, and serves as the Chair of the Center for Opportunity Now, and Vice-Chair of the Center for 1776 at AFPI. Aaron Hedlund is from Wheaton, Illinois, and serves as AFPIs Director of Research. He holds personal and unit decorations, as well as the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest noncareer civilian award of the Department. While at the White House, Hassett was the top public spokesperson for the White House on economic policy and the state of economy, appearing regularly on Fox News, Fox Business, CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, and more. Fleitz served in U.S. national security positions for 25 years with the CIA, DIA, the Department of State and the House Intelligence Committee staff. He earned an engineering degree at Clemson University, served as an Armor Officer in the U.S. Army, led a national engineering firm in sales and revenue, and ran a multi-million-dollar business coaching, mentoring, and leading others into entrepreneurship. Dr.Kiron K. Skinner is from Chicago, Illinois, and serves as a Member of the Board of Academic Advisors at AFPI. Davis previously served as the President of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities. He was confirmed by the United States Senate after previously serving as the acting Secretary of VA. Before confirmation as VA Secretary, Wilkie was the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Martin has also served as the Editor-at-Large for a glossy imprint of the New York Observer. We believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars, for they show us truth, they make us brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than we were.. Schieffelin has channeled her expansive entrepreneurial career in sourcing, manufacturing, financing, and distribution toward the empowerment of our Nations workforce and the spirit of the American Worker. Campbells research covers macroeconomics, industrial organization, and econometrics. He also worked closely with other state attorney general offices and the Federal Trade Commission; during his tenure, Florida became the first state to receive the FTCs Partnership Award. You cannot succeed without believing in yourself, and that belief is completely under your control.. Sanders is a contributing columnist to the American Institute for Economic Research and the Senior Fellow of Regulations and the New Economy for the Beacon Center of Tennessee. Simon Miller is from Clarkesville, Georgia, and serves as a Government Affairs Coordinator at AFPI. Fred Fleitz is originally from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and serves as Vice Chair of AFPIs Center for American Security. Troup Calhoun Hemenway is a native Virginian and serves as a Senior Advisor for the American Leadership Initiative at AFPI. White-Cain also served as an advisor to President Donald J. Trump in the Office of Public Liaisons Faith and Opportunity Initiative. He holds a masters degree in economics with a minor in statistics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and language from North Carolina State University, a left brain/right brain confluence that sometimes causes him to drop favorite quotes from literature amid a dry policy discussion. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Smith received a degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. Jason Allen is from rural Michigan and serves as Michigan Policy Advisor in the Center for Election Integrity at AFPI. Dills and her husband Jacob live in Falls Church, Virginia, and she spends her weekends trying to cook like Julia Child, reading, and entertaining friends. Joseph has over 25 years of financial services experience. Rollins was formerly Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Chief Strategist in the White House under President Donald Trump, where she also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. Senator David Perdue, and served as the National Political Director at the College Republican National Committee. There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.. Holtz is the father of four children, grandparent to nine children, and he currently resides in Orlando, Florida. He has more than 30 years of experience as an economist and is a leading thinker on the impact of government on business. Hedlund, his wife, and their four kids live in Columbia, Missouri, where he is also an associate professor of economics at the University of Missouri. Conway holds a law degree, with honors, from George Washington University Law Center and completed her undergraduate studies at Trinity College and Oxford University. All the greatest things are simple and many can be expressed in a single word: Freedom; Justice; Honor; Duty; Mercy; Hope.. Before DHS, Zemek was served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. Liberty once lost is lost forever.. Paula White-Cain was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and serves as the Chair of the Center for American Values at AFPI. He also worked on multiple local and congressional campaigns, including as a field representative for Rep. Van Duynes campaign. Her work has been widely featured in ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, NBC, New York Times, NPR, PBS, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other media outlets and used in government regulations and congressional testimonies. Luke J. Lindberg is from Harrisburg, South Dakota, and serves as a Senior Fellow in the Center for American Prosperity at AFPI. In January 2021, Sands received the Department of Defenses highest civilian honor, the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, for her work to increase security in the high north while countering Russia and China. He was senior captain of the debate team, finishing his senior year as the highest-ranked collegiate debater in the United States among several hundreds of competitors. America was not built on fear. Casey is a Professor in Economics at the College at the University of Chicago; he received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago in 1993. Catharine Cypher is a Hilton Head Island, South Carolina native, but calls Fenton, Michigan, home and serves as Deputy Chief of Staff; Chief Of Staff, Constitutional Litigation Partnership; Advisor, Center for the American Child at AFPI. Jim has served in senior roles at the Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, and National Economic Council at the White House. Additionally, Davis was a presidential appointee to the 1776 Commission. With experience in strategic communications, writing, and speechwriting, his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Esquire, and Travel + Leisure, among other publications. Campana most recently served three years in the White House under President Donald Trump, first at the Office of Management and Budget and later at the Domestic Policy Council (DPC). As a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Wesley received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy. Anna Pingel is from Bel Air, Maryland, and serves as a Policy Analyst in the Center for Election Integrity at AFPI. He is an avid hiker, mountain biker, cyclist, and rock climber. The son of two schoolteachers and the youngest of six, John was born in Illinois but got to Texas as fast as I could. He and his family reside in Heath, Texas, where John previously served as mayor for eight years. Perttula completed his masters in business administration in 2013 at Southeastern University and was named the most outstanding graduate of his class. When Price is not focused on politics or his studies, he enjoys watching the Dallas Cowboys compete every Sunday. Most recently, she started a new business, KAConsulting LLC, which provides clients advice, polling, and media training. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education awarded Davis with the E. Burr Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant and lasting impact on the field of institutional advancement. Bernhardt is active in numerous charitable and business endeavors, practices administrative law, and enjoys the spectacular outdoors with his spouse, Gena Rae Bernhardt, their two teenagers, and two yellow Labrador Retrievers. Julie Taylor is from Naples, Florida, and serves as the Director of Institutional Giving at AFPI. America First Policy Institute. He appeared in season three of House of Cards, playing a U.S. Ingle spent several years working in the federal government in both media affairs and communications. He began his professional career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as an economist in the Monetary Analysis & Projections Division. Mocarski grew up with a passion for absorbing copious amounts of information and enjoys skiing, traveling to Connecticut and New York City to see family, watching Broadway plays, and listening to music legends like Frank Sinatra. While at Iowa, Whitaker was a three-year letterman on the football team, where he received the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor. Fleitz is a prolific writer who has written extensively on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear program, the growing threat to U.S. security from China, the politicization of U.S. intelligence and many other national security topics. America First Policy Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Tax ID # 85-4202763. powered by nucleus. Outside of work he enjoys reading about the lives of the saints, playing basketball, and spending time with his family of eight. Chad F. Wolf serves as AFPIs Executive Director, Chief Strategy Officer, and the Chair for the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration.