Dear Republican Leader:

Earlier this month, the Republican Party of Texas announced the return of our Campaign Management School. As the application deadline quickly approaches, we have been busy lining up great speakers and planning an informative and entertaining agenda.

To apply for enrollment, please download and complete this PDF application, and return it to the RPT by Wednesday, June 1st for enrollment consideration.

This three day training program runs June 13-15 in Austin and will cover every aspect of the political campaign including: The Role of the Campaign Manager, Fundraising, Communications and Political Organization. For each topic, we will have a series of workshops led by outstanding presenters and some of the country’s most successful political professionals.

In addition to formal presentation of material, students will participate in small group projects and also have networking opportunities with presenters and special guests, providing attendees with the opportunity not only to expand their knowledge but also their contact lists.

Below is sample from our list of already confirmed speakers. Anyone who wants to start a career in politics should not miss an opportunity to learn from these tested political experts. And, as many of them have attended Campaign Management School in the past, you might be among this list in the future.

Visit this link to download a copy of our Campaign Manager’s School application form. RPT will accept applications through June 1st and applicants will be notified by June 3rd of their acceptance into the program. Tuition is $250 and covers the cost of the class, materials and meals. Attendees should be prepared for productive, fast moving days – starting promptly at 9:00 am, working through lunch and adjourning around 7:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday and until 1:00 PM on Wednesday.

We look forward to hearing from you by June 1st. Please let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached by phone, 512-879-4055 or email, bcubriel@texasgop.org.

Thank you,

Beth Cubriel
Organization Director
Republican Party of Texas

2011 Republican Party of Texas Campaign Manager’s School Featured Presenters

Below is just a sample of already confirmed speakers. And since we are in Austin, you never know which surprise guest might show up at the last minute!

Ryan Erwin, President of Ryan Erwin and Associates, has helped deliver victory for candidates and initiatives in some of the most contested races in the Western United States. Since beginning his political career in his native state of Ohio, Ryan Erwin has held leadership positions on political campaigns in eight states ranging from state legislative contests to presidential campaigns.

Susan Lilly, President of Lilly & Company, has built a reputation based on integrity with a can-do attitude. Susan runs the state’s only full serve political fundraising firm and has consistently been recognized as Texas’ Top Fundraiser among Republican and Democrats by Capital insider since 2005.

Jenifer Sarver has 12 years of political and communications experience helping corporate and non-profit clients, public figures and candidates effectively articulate key messages that resonate with intended audiences. Sarver serves as Chief of Staff to Ambassador Karen Hughes, who is currently global vice chair of Burson-Marsteller, one of the world’s leading public relations firms.

Miguel Romano currently serves as President of Associated Republicans of Texas (ART). Prior to ART, Romano worked for Public Strategies Inc. where he provided strategic counsel to clients. Previously, he was the national budget director on the John McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign. Romano has served as the business liaison director in the Office of the U.S. Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank, where he assisted U.S. companies with commercial and financing ventures in Latin America. Other previous positions include senior advisor in the Office of International Trade within the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Bush-Cheney 2004 Presidential Campaign and working on Capitol Hill on financial services issues.

Vincent Harris has been a pioneer in online communications since 2004. His firm, Harris Media, has worked alongside numerous notable political, public affairs, and business clients in over 15 states. Included on his resume are the campaigns of Huckabee for President, US Senator John Cornyn, Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia and the successful dark horse candidate Rick Scott for Florida Governor.

Will Franklin served as Director of New Media & Research at Texans for Rick Perry. He guided a team that crafted online messaging, directed online fundraising, and engaged supporters in grassroots efforts for Texas Governor Rick Perry’s 2010 re-election campaign. Will also created most written and video content for WashingtonKay.com, LiberalBill.com, and RickPerry.org.

Keats Norfleet, a 2001 graduate of the RPT’s Campaign Manager School, has managed successful political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. In 2007, he joined The Election Group, LLC (formerly known as The Eppstein Group), which is one of the most successful FULL BALLOT Republican political consulting firms in Texas, with a winning percentage of over 90%.

Kevin Shuvalov prior to joining Olsen & Shuvalov, served as Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee. As RPD, Kevin worked with state parties and campaigns in his region to grow Republican majorities in the Senate, House and Governorships. He helped win Iowa for President Bush in 2004, win other nationally prominent races, and helped create the successful “72 Hour” turnout program. Kevin began his career in Texas politics with Karl Rove, where he was part of Karl Rove + Company from 1996 to 1999.

Jessica Colón has national campaign experience and a 15-year tenure in various roles in the political realm, Jessica Colón opened Colón & Company in 2009. She now directs several campaigns throughout Houston, working to elect conservatives and Republicans on every level of the ballot. Colón was named a 2009 Rising Star by Campaigns and Elections’ Politics Magazine.

Scott Howell has become one of the country’s most admired media consultants. Scott worked at the RNC under the legendary Lee Atwater as a specialist for targeted legislative campaigns. Scott also worked under GOP mastermind Karl Rove prior to starting his own political consulting firm in 1993. In 2002, Scott Howell & Company won the pivotal races that swung control of the US Senate to the Republicans.

Chris Turner co-founded Murphy Turner Associates in 2001. He’s a veteran of three Republican Presidential campaigns and over 500 campaigns as a paid consultant. The firm recently received the prestigious Reed Award from Campaigns & Elections Magazine for the “Best Republican Legislative TV Ad” and “Best GOTV Plan and Execution” in America for the 2010 cycle. In addition, they won “Best Legislative Advertising” honors from Capitol Inside and received several other awards, specifically for direct mail and other forms of print advertising, from the American Association of Political Consultants for work done in the 2010 cycle.

Donna Garcia Davidson is an attorney with three decades of capitol experience, advising clients on campaign ethics, open meetings and public information issues. Donna has served as General Counsel to the Republican Party of Texas, Ethics Advisor to Governor George W. Bush and General Counsel to Lt. Governor Rick Perry. She currently practices with her own law firm and her client list includes statewide officials and many present and former members of the Texas Legislature.

Also confirmed are:

  • Mark Miner, Director of Communications, Texans for Rick Perry;
  • Scott Yeldell, Chief of Staff to Congressman Quico Canseco and Campaign Manager, Canseco for Congress.

A complete list and biographical information will be available on all of our speakers at registration.