Meet the Leadership Team of the Virginia Young Democrats!
Sean Holihan, President
Alexandria ~ Alexandria Young Democrats
Sean Holihan first entered the political arena by hosting events to register voters during the 2004 campaign cycle. Since then, he has gone on to work for Delegates Brian Moran and Lynwood Lewis. He is a member of the 2007 Sorensen Political Leaders Class and serves on the PAC Board for the Virginia Partisans and as a member of an Advisory Panel for Equality Virginia. Having lived in Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Alexandria and staying in Richmond during every General Assembly Session for the past four years, Sean, just like Gov. McDonnell, can claim many parts of the Commonwealth as his own. He currently works for State Senator George Barker as his legislative aide, where it is his pleasure to serve the constituents of Fairfax and Prince William.
Isaac Sarver, Executive Vice President
Dublin, VA ~ New River Valley Young Democrats
Isaac hails from Dublin, Virginia and most recently served as the Democratic Party of Virginia's Deputy Political Director for Southwest Virginia. Isaac began his involvement in politics by volunteering for numerous local campaigns in Pulaski County, including volunteer work for Congressman Rick Boucher and Delegate Benny Keister. In 2007, Isaac managed the campaign of Bill Thomas for House of Delegates in the 6th District. He will be finishing up a degree in Government from the College of William and Mary in 2010. Isaac has served as Vice President of the William and Mary Young Democrats, and is also a charter member of both the Southwest Virginia and New River Valley Young Democrats. In his free time, Isaac enjoys watching episodes of the West Wing, hiking in Virginia's state parks, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Trent Armitage, Membership Director
Charlottesville, VA ~ Charlottesville-Albemarle Young Democrats
Trent is originally from Bristol, CT and moved to Virginia in 2005 to attend Longwood University where he majored in Public History and Political Science. He worked as an archaeologist for Poplar Forest and interned for the Museum of the Confederacy. Trent began his political career as a GOTV coordinator for Al Weed/Jim Webb and Connie Brennan. He then served as a Common Good Summer Fellow for Tom Perriello. Since graduation he has worked for My Rural America, Dave Marsden for Senate, Eileen Filler-Corn for Delegate and Kai Degner for Delegate. Trent's foray in Young Democrats began by helping to found the Longwood University Young Democrats. Before being elected in 2010 as Membership Director, he served as the first ever Southside Regional Chair, College Caucus Chair, and as VP Membership.
Sarah Buckley, Campaign Director
Charlottesville, VA ~ Charlottesville-Albemarle Young Democrats
campaign_director@vayd.org
Sarah has been a committed Democrat since she lost a bet on the presidential race in 2000 and had to do 20 push-ups for her JROTC friends as a part of the deal. She has been a volunteer on every political campaign that has come her way since 2004, from Student Council elections, local races in Charlottesville and Albemarle County for City Council and the state legislature, all the way up to the Coordinated Campaign for Tom Perriello, Mark Warner and Barack Obama in 2008. In her time at the University of Virginia, she served as Vice President and President for the University Democrats, overseeing their volunteer efforts at voter registration and campaigning, fundraising campaigns that took the chapter as far away as the New Hampshire primary, and weekly programming on essential policy issues. In 2008, she was a co-recipient of the inaugural Senator John W. Warner Public Leadership Award.
Antonio Elias, Political Director
McLean, VA ~Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats
Antonio grew up in McLean, Virginia. After graduating from Langley High School in 2005, Antonio moved to a new place for the first time, choosing another public school – the College of William & Mary. There he became active in Democratic Politics, joining the Young Dems and working for candidates back in Fairfax County each summer. After doing finance work for Margi Vanderhye’s first campaign for Delegate in 2007, Antonio joined her Richmond staff as an intern for the 2008 and 2009 General Assembly Sessions. There he learned more than one would ever want to know about legislature, policy, and partisanship. Besides politics, Antonio gets really excited about fine art, Nicaragua, future energy sources, and aerospace.
Maggie Thornton, Communications Director
Shawsville, VA ~ Charlottesville-Albemarle Young Democrats
communications_director@vayd.org
Maggie Thornton hails from Shawsville in the Fightin' Ninth Congressional District. A University of Virginia alumna, she recently finished serving in AmeriCorps. Maggie attends the Curry School of Education at UVA where she studies secondary English Education. She enjoys fiddling, phone banking, campaign food, and 3 a.m. lit drops.
Danielle Simms, Finance Director
Lynchburg, VA ~ Randolph College Young Democrats
Danielle Simms, over her life has moved from New Jersey to Maryland to North Carolina; and in 2006 she moved to Lynchburg, Virginia to attend Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. While at Randolph-Macon during her first semester, she participated in her first protest- a protest to preserve woman’s education at the college which opened Danielle’s eyes to becoming an activist. Being interested in the environment, Danielle attended the “Powershift” student climate change conferences where she became involved in environmental, social justice movements; she even lobbied and rallied Congress to pass bold, comprehensive climate and energy legislation in the middle of a snowstorm! Danielle was the tennis team captain for 2 years, designed and sold eco-friendly laundry detergent, and is a nine-time multi-instrumentalist. She interned for the Obama campaign during the presidential election, has worked for local candidates and R-MWC alumnae Senator Lincoln, and served as communications director of the college’s Young Democrats chapter in 2008-2009 and President from 2009-2010. In addition, she has been active on the college’s Environmental Issues Council and Student Government. Danielle has always demonstrated a level of leadership through service to others. Danielle will be attending the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership College Leaders Program this summer, after graduating from college with a B.S. in environmental science this May. Danielle currently serves as Finance Director for VAYD, and is looking for a job in environmentalism and politics after graduation.
Brittany Morrison, National Committeewoman
Blacksburg, VA ~ New River Valley Young Democrats
Brittany was born in New Jersey but grew up in Lexington, Virginia. Her democratic tendencies first emerged in elementary school when she voted for Bill Clinton in the mock elections. Brittany graduated from Virginia Tech in 2007 with a B.S. in Sociology, Crime and Deviance concentration, and Psychology minor. While in college, she served as a Senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, a member of VTU, PR Chair for the Sociology Club, Treasurer of YDVT, and a volunteer/intern for a Crisis Hotline. Brittany volunteered on many campaigns during college, but her most memorable experience was interning for David Cox for Delegate where she chaired the College Student Outreach Committee. Brittany previously served as the VAYD Southwest Region Chair and VP Finance and is now in her second term as National Committeewoman. She manages a volunteer Crisis Hotline for a living and serves as the President of the New River Valley Young Democrats.
John Chapman, National Committeeman
Alexandria, VA ~ Alexandria Young Democrats
John Taylor Chapman is a third generation Alexandria resident. His political and civic activities involve being the President of the Alexandria Young Democrats, he is also the National Committeeman for the Virginia Young Democrats, a commissioner on the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission, a member of the Alexandria Public School Board Budget Advisory Committee, a board member of the St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Alumni Association, a board member for the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau and member of various city organizations including Alexandria Democratic Committee, Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals, NAACP-Alexandria Chapter. John has worked on a number of local campaigns, such as Gaines for Alexandria City Council, Wilson for Alexandria City Council, Myers for Loundoun County School Board and Leary for Alexandria School Board. During the day, John is an After School Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools at Edgar Allan Poe Middle School.
Tavarris Spinks, Secretary
Richmond, VA ~ VCU Young Democrats
secretary@vayd.org
Tavarris Spinks was born and raised in Richmond, VA. His is an only child but had a large extended family. From an early age he has been influenced by democratic politics, voting for Bill Clinton in a school wide mock election in 1992. He became involved in democratic politics in College after joining the Virginia Commonwealth University Young Democrats. His policy interests include Mass Transit, Educational policy and Energy Policy.
Andrew Almand, Treasurer
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
treasurer@vayd.org
Andrew Almand, an Arlington native, is currently serving his sixth term as Treasurer of the organization. Andrew got involved in political campaigns early in his youth and has continued to remain active in Virginia politics. Educated in Arlington County public schools, Andrew served as president of the Yorktown High School Young Democrats. He attended Christopher Newport University, where he graduated with honors in Political Science and was a leader in the CNU Young Democrats. During his time at CNU, Andrew revitalized the CNU Young Democrats organization by tripling its membership and revenues while building alliances within the surrounding community in Newport News. Andrew is currently a law student at the College of William & Mary and married to the lovely Emily Reijmers.
Sarah Lowdon, Outreach Chair
Roanoke, VA ~ Mary Washington Young Democrats
Sarah Elizabeth Lowdon was born in Salem, Virginia and grew up in Botetourt County before moving to Fredericksburg to attend the University of Mary Washington. She is a Philosophy major and will be applying to law school later this year. At Mary Washington Sarah is a part of the Student Government Executive Board, is involved in Multicultural student activities. and is a part of the Mary Washington Young Democrats, as well as the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee. Her interest in politics began at an early age and began sneeking out in high school to volunteer for Democratic campaigns in Roanoke City. Sarah as served as the Central Region Chair for the VAYD and is in her second year serving as the VAYD Outreach Chair.
Lauren Gilbert, Council of Presidents Chair
Alexandria, VA ~ JMU College Democrats
presidents_chair@vayd.org
Lauren Gilbert, a native of Alexandria, showed an interest in Democratic politics early by voting for Bill Clinton in mock elementary school elections. Lauren will graduate from James Madison University in May 2010 with a major in Political Science and a minor in Political Communication. In Fall of 2008 she completed a semester-long internship for Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01). Lauren is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership College Leaders Program of 2009. She served as Secretary of the JMU Democrats in 2007-2008 and President from 2009-2010. During her tenure as President the JMU Democrats were awarded VAYD Club of the Year, and she was also named Female YD of the Year. Lauren currently serves as Council of Presidents Chair and is looking for a job like every other post-grad in the world.... so let her know if you know of something and she will gladly send you a copy of her resume. Please please please hire her!!!
Meghan Czaikoski, College Caucus Chair
Farmville, VA ~ Longwood Young Democrats
college_chair@vayd.org
Meghan Czaikoski is a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sociology at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Not until recently has Meghan become truly involved in politics. Due to a series of fortunate or unfortunate events (however one may look at it) Meghan inherited the Presidency of the Longwood Young Democrats her junior year of college. She volunteered to help out campaigns for Dave Marsden and Eileen Filler-Corn in Northern Va, and Shannon Valentine in Lynchburg. She was also nominated as the College Caucus Chair at the 2010 VAYD Convention in Alexandria. Meghan has held a leadership role since her freshman year of college being involved with numerous organizations. She is now the Treasurer of the Academic Criminal Justice Fraternity- Lambda Alpha Epsilon, and a member of the honors Sociology Fraternity- Alpha Kappa Delta. This summer she will be serving as a Common Good Summer Fellow for Tom Perriello.
Richard Fowler, City/County Caucus Chair
Alexandria, VA ~ Alexandria Young Democrats
citycounty_chair@vayd.org
Richard A. Fowler is a resident of Alexandria, Virginia and has been a lifelong democrat, starting from his First Campaign at the tender age of 12 years old to his involvement in issue advocacy for issues facing young people all across America. Richard is a graduate from the George Washington University, where he received a bachelors of Science in Economics and a bachelors of Art in International Affairs. While attending George Washington University, Richard was involved in issues on both the national and international arenas. From issues of African American male retention on the college level to increasing the US foreign direct investment to Africa, Richard has demonstrated a level of commitment and service to others. Richard has and will always be passionate on ending poverty in America and empowering those that have remained quiet for way too long. He is the Co-Founder of Phoenix Freedom Political Action Committee, an organization that is focuses on electing candidate that support Multi-Modal Transportation. Richard is currently perusing his Masters Certification in Project Management at the Georgetown University, after finishing he plans on continuing his dream of owning a political image consulting and finance firm in Virginia. In addition to politics, Richard has a passion for the fashion and apparel industry, reading, listening to music and dreaming big.
Corrigan Blanchfield, Teen Caucus Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ York High School Young Democrats
teen_chair@vayd.org
Corrigan is a resident of Williamsburg, Virginia. He first became interested in politics during the 2004 campaign cycle and has worked on the Obama, McAuliffe, and Krystal Ball campaigns. Corrigan is the president and founder of the Young Democrats club at York High School, from which he will graduate in 2011. In addition, Corrigan serves as Class Chair of the 2009 Sorensen Institute High School Leaders Program. Outside of politics, Corrigan enjoys playing tennis and expanding his musical horizons.
REGIONAL CAUCUS CHAIRS
Katie Deabler, Southeast Region Co-Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ William and Mary Young Democrats
southeast_region@vayd.org
Katie Deabler grew up in Stafford, VA and spent much of her adolescence trying to persuade her friends and neighbors to vote for Democrats. She has volunteered for every campaign she could since Senator Jim Webb's successful campaign in 2006, including a stint as an intern for the Virginia Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign in 2008. For the past two years, Katie has been a student at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where she is studying Government and History has been an active member of the William and Mary Young Democrats. This past year, she was Treasurer of the W&M Young Democrats, and she was recently elected President for the 2010-2011 academic year. Katie is pleased to have been elected Chair of the Hampton Roads region.
Beau Wright, Southeast Region Co-Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ William and Mary Young Democrats
southeast_region@vayd.org
Beau Wright is a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, and is currently a junior at the College of William & Mary majoring in Government and History. From his first campaign experience handing out buttons at a Don Beyer rally, Beau has been politically active in his community, as well as in state and national campaigns. Beau is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership High School Leadership Program of 2006. He has the opportunity to intern in the Washington office of Congessman Rick Boucher (VA-09), and in the Richmond offices of Del. Shannon Valentine and Sen. Dave Marsden. When not thinking about how awesome progressive politics is, Beau spends his time playing the cello, reading history books, and hanging out at the local airport.
Aida Barnes, Piedmont Region Chair
Charlottesville, VA ~ University Democrats
piedmont_region@vayd.org
Aida Barnes is unabashedly liberal and proud of it. She has lived all over the country; she was born in Kansas City, spent her childhood years in Iowa and Massachusetts, and currently hails from El Centro, California when she is not away at school. She also moved to Costa Rica for a year when she was ten years old, an experience she credits with awakening her social consciousness. Aida is currently finishing her first year at the University of Virginia, where she has already declared her major in government. She is an active member of the University Democrats, where she is the program manager for campaigns. She knocked on doors and made phone calls for Creigh Deeds (and would like to note that Charlottesville voted for him even when NoVa didn't) and enthusiastically anticipates doing the same thing for Tom Perriello. She is about the biggest Barack Obama supporter you ever will meet, and still occasionally gets weepy over old election night videos. She loves The West Wing, her multiracial identity (Puerto Rican and white), and real Mexican food. She is very excited to serve the Virginia Young Democrats as the new chair of the Piedmont Region!
Andy Eblin, Valley Region Chair
Harrisonburg, VA ~ JMU College Democrats
valley_region@vayd.org
An avid follower of politics since the fourth grade, when his Dad forbade him from watching anything other than news for a week, Andy first got truly involved with the Democratic Party during the Presidential Election in 2008. Serving as one of two campus organizers for the Obama campaign at James Madison University, Andy contributed to the sweeping democratic victory in Harrisonburg. His first true taste of politics, however, was arguably in Student Government at the GW Community School in Springfield, VA. During his time there, he held the offices of Secretary and, in his junior year, President. Andy is currently a student at James Madison University and is double-majoring in History and Media Arts and Design, as well as minoring in Graphic Design. In his spare time, Andy enjoys muddling around on his guitar, reading up on and listening to 1980’s DC Punk, doing freelance design work in the Adobe CS4 suite and taking stupid pictures of himself using Photobooth.
Bryan Rice, Southside Region Chair
Lynchburg, VA ~ Lynchburg United Young Democrats
southside_region@vayd.org
Bryan was born and raised in Hurt, VA (population 1,276 as of the 2000 Census). He first became interested in politics in a mock election in elementary school, and passionate about politics during his academic career at Liberty University. It was after being told that all of his troubles could be attributed to God's judgment for being a democrat and supporting a socialist presidential candidate - Barack Obama, that he decided to stand up and speak out against the conservative christian paradox. (That person now works for Bob McDonald.) Bryan pushed to have a Democrat group on Liberty campus, which later gained national attention. He volunteered briefly in 2009 with a rural political advocacy group known as "My Rural America" and in 2010 became Political Chair for Lynchburg United Young Democrats. He is most passionate about human rights, social and economic justice, and environmental issues. He is also committed to ending unneccesary male genital mutliation in this country. In 2005 he traveled to Banda, Aceh, Indonesia after the devastating tsunami that struck December 2004, as a humanitarian aid effort to rebuild. His hobbies include: hiking the Appalachain Trail, skiing, swimming, and organic gardening; traveling, learning foreign languages, and enjoying foreign foods.
Bryan Spoon, Northern Region Chair
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
northern_region@vayd.org
Awaiting Bio
Jake Wellington, Southwest Region Chair
Blacksburg, VA ~ Virginia Tech Young Democrats
southwest_region@vayd.org
Jake Wellington grew up in Herndon, Virginia, and currently attends
Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, working towards a major in Computer Science and a minor in Political Science. He got involved in politics in 2009, interning for Terry McAuliffe and later for Creigh Deeds. He is currently the Vice President of the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech, hoping to win big for Rick Boucher in the fall. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, listening to music, and fighting an unhealthy obsession with "The West Wing" and "Firefly."
Gonzalo Aida, Central Region Chair
Richmond, VA ~ VCU Young Democrats
central_region@vayd.org
Gonzalo is a Senior at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Political Science. In April 2008 he was elected as a Senator to the VCU Student Government Association where he was elected as Chairman of the Student Life Committee in December of 2008. In January of 2010 he was elected as the Chairman of the Student Body Senate and leader of the legislative branch of the VCU Student Government Association. Gonzalo became active in the Young Democrats chapter at VCU in the fall of 2008 and is currently Vice-President of Communication. Gonzalo has worked for a variety of statewide and local campaigns, most recently he was a Legislative Assistant for State Senator Dave Marsden (D-37). Originally born in Lima, Peru, The proudest day of Gonzalo's life is July 24th, 2008 when he became a Citizen of the United States. Gonzalo is affectionately known as "Gonzi" by his friends and family. His favorite band is The Beatles, and his favorite movie is Quadrophenia. In his free time he enjoys watching auto racing and hanging out with his friends..
CONSTITUENCY GROUP CHAIRS
Laura Kleiner, Faith Caucus Chair
Staunton, VA ~ Mary Baldwin College Democrats
Laura Kleiner was raised most of her life in Blacksburg, Virginia. She attends Mary Baldwin College with a major in Political science and minors in Peacemaking Conflict Resolution Minor and Studio Art. She became interested in politics at an early age. In 2009, Laura was an intern for the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library partnered with the History Channel to make a documentary on the Jim Crow Laws in Staunton, VA. She also volunteered on Obama’s campaign in 2008. In 2009, she was
a legislative intern at the Senate of Virginia, an intern for the Deeds for Governor Campaign, as well as the Campaign Coordinator for Erik Curren for Delegate Campaign in Augusta County. She has been an intern for Organizing for America 2009-2010. Laura currently serves as the VA Young Democrats Valley Region Vice Chair, the Mary Baldwin Young Democrats Outreach Coordinator, the Young Democrats of Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro, Outreach Coordinator, Faith/religion committee Chair, and the Animal Rights committee Co-chair. She is
currently in the Quest interfaith program, which promotes understanding of different faiths as well as doing community service. Her hobbies are theater, singing, dancing, studio art, hiking and camping.
Daniel Newcomb, Rural Issues Caucus Chair
Blacksburg, VA ~ Virginia Tech Young Democrats
Daniel Newcomb hails from the beautiful mountains of Highland County, Virginia (a county in which there are more sheep than people). He first got involved in politics in Middle School helping campaign for Democrat Bruce Elder seeking Chris Saxman’s seat in the House of Delegates. In high school Daniel held many offices including those of Student Body President, Class of 2009 President (for three years), and Drama Club President. To add to this list he is a member of the Monterey Presbyterian Church, the Highland Democratic Committee, Mill Gap Ruritan Club, and the Monterey Lions International Chapter. Daniel is student at Virginia Tech majoring in History (with a focus on Early America and the Civil War) and is involved in the Virginia Tech Young Democrats and the Virginia Tech LGBTA. Daniel’s hobbies include spending time with friends, hiking, reading, visiting historical landmarks, and playing golf.
Kristin Smith, Minority Issues Co-Chairs
Virginia Beach, VA ~ Virginia Beach Young Democrats
Kristin's life began 1 score ago in the Northern Virginia county of Fairfax on January the 28th. Her parents, realizing the travesty they committed by birthing a child in the Northern region, quickly moved to Kristin's current homeland, Virginia Beach. While in high school at Princess Anne, Kristin enjoyed and stayed active by taking on the roles of Undefeated member of the Chess Club, Captain of the Debate Team, and performer in a National Awarding winning Show choir. After High School, fearing that she wasn't nerdy enough, Kristin decided to take on the role of "politico" whilst attending Longwood University in Farmville where she was voted in as the Treasurer of her YD club and the VAYD Regional Chair for Southside Virginia. Kristin also interned for the Obama Campaign, served as the Statewide Chair for Students for Terry McAuliffe, and worked as a Field Organizer for Delegate Bobby Mathieson in 2009. In doing her part to make the World a better place, Kristin is currently working with the Human Rights Campaign as a Field Organizer in the Hampton Roads area on their Campaign to repeal the military's current policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell". Kristin is also a member of Calvary Revival Church, the Minority Student Union, and the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee. Her favorite movie is Crooklyn and she loves Starbucks, Peter Orszag, Twitter, CSPAN after dark, and gazing at the stars.
Ian Jordan, Minority Issues Co-Chairs
Richmond, VA ~ VCU Young Democrats
Hailing from the magic city, Birmingham, AL, Ian Jordan is a lifelong democrat. Having planted his new roots in Virginia Beach, within America's First Region of Hampton Roads, Ian's democratic activism began early in his teen years. Never having stopped since working on his first campaign at age 15, Ian Went on to found his high school's first Young Democrats group in many. many years. A proud volunteer on numerous campaigns; Kaine for Governor, Kellam for Congress, Forgit for Congress, Mathieson for Delegate, Bouchard for delegate, and others; Ian is committed to electing democrats and moving forward the progressive cause.
Jessica Lee, Women's Caucus Chair
Charlottesville, VA ~ University Law Democrats
womens_chair@vayd.org
Jessica Lee was raised in Hampton, VA and is proud to have been a lifelong progressive. Although active in issue politics since middle school, Jessica's first foray into partisan politics was in the Kerry campaign, where she found that suffering loss and humiliation can indeed make you stronger. Inspired by the camaraderie and values of her fellow campaign volunteers, Jessica became a member of the VCU Young Democrats, where she was an officer and eventually President. She worked on the VAYD Executive Committee as Environmental Caucus Chair, and later, Outreach Chair. Jessica was elected to the job of Student Body President of VCU in 2007-2008, after serving three years in the VCU Student Senate. Jessica graduated from VCU in 2008 with a B.A. in Political Science, and minors in Homeland Security and Global Studies. Since then she has assisted felons in regaining their right to vote, has worked as a fundraiser for a Mayoral campaign, and has worked as an energy and climate change advocate with the VA League of Conservation Voters. Jessica is currently a law student at the University of Virginia School of Law, where she studies Constitutional, Criminal, and Human Rights Law. In her free time, Jessica fights to get wrongfully convicted people out of prison, informs immigrants of their rights, researches Indigenous land claims and gardens. She considers Hampton, Richmond, and Charlottesville home...so when you see her cruising on I-64, please wave.
Terron Sims, Veteran Issues Caucus Chair
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
Terron is a 2000 graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point, whose life in public service began during his deployment in Iraq from May 2003 to July 2004. During that time, he established and mentored the government in Baghdad's Tisa Nissan District and spent much of his energy forwarding the cause and civil rights of Iraq's women, growing and strengthening the democratic process, and enhancing Tisa Nissan's municipality. Terron's time and work in Baghdad created a strong desire to serve the public good back home in Virginia. When he returned home to Virginia in the spring of 2005, Terron became active in Democratic politics, as an ardent volunteer for Bruce Roemmelt’s first House of Delegates run, as well as becoming active with Veterans for Kaine. Terron later joined the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) and Arlington Young Democrats (AYD). His efforts led him to the NAACP, where he began volunteering in the community through several mentor and tutoring programs. Currently, Terron sits on Organizing for America's (OFA) Veterans Steering Committee, serves as President of the Northern Virginia Black Democrats, Chairman of Arlington County’s Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, as a member of the 8th Congressional District Steering Committee, and as the ACDC Deputy Outreach Director. Terron is a Fellow of the Truman National Security Project and a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In his free time, Terron serves as a tutor and mentor and is an education and community activist.
Dan Richardson, Lambda Caucus Chair
Harrisonburg, VA ~ JMU College Democrats
Dan Richardson was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He now lives in Loudoun County, VA in the city of Leesburg. He got his first government experience as the Intern to the Office of the Loudoun County Administrator when he was 18. Since that time, he has worked on various national and state elections, including the campaigns of Brian Moran and Barack Obama. He currently attends James Madison University, where he studies Public Management, Political Science and Economics. He also serves as the Chairman of the JMU Honors Student Council. His lifelong political interest has been the area of Human Rights. In High School, Dan was President of the local Amnesty International Chapter. He has worked on issues such as freedom of expression, restoration of rights, equal access to education and other problems that threaten to undermine the dignity and rights of human beings. Also, Dan has worked through JMU as a Political Science Research Assistant, working on projects that explore Female Representativeness in Bureaucracies and Gubernatorial Power over State Budgets. When he is not working, he enjoys playing tennis, watching Rachel Maddow and practicing saxophone.
Ben Bakkum, Labor Issues Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ York High School Young Democrats
Benjamin Bakkum has lived in Yorktown, VA since birth and is currently a senior at York High School where he has served as class president both junior and senior years. Ben has participated in Model United Nations and extemporaneous speaking competitions since freshman year. He has also been named a Wyndham B. Blanton Scholar by the Virginia Historical Society and a J. Clifford Miller Scholar by the Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation. Ben has done field work as a volunteer on democratic national, statewide, and local district campaigns, and he has also served on the York County Youth Commission along with cofounded York’s VAYD chapter. Ben will join the University of Virginia class of 2014 in the fall of 2010.
Hannah Wiegard, Environmental Chair
Chester, VA ~ William & Mary Young Democrats
environmental_chair@vayd.org
Hannah is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Environmental Science and Policy at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, Hannah spent this past summer interning at the Richmond office of the Sierra Club, near her hometown of Chester, VA. She brings a turntable for vinyl records to college every year, and tells herself that buying used albums is fairly sustainable way to blow all her cash.
Daniel Davis, Disability Issues Caucus
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
Six years ago Daniel settled in Arlington as a young professional after graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with Highest Honors in History. Little did he know that he experience history being made in 2008 as Virginia voted for a Democratic President for the first time since 1964! Currently, Daniel puts his research and analysis skills to work on Capitol Hill as professional investigative staffer for a congressional committee. Previously, he was Acting Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the National Council on Independent Living, a national disability rights organization, in which capacity he helped to achieve legislative gains advancing the rights of people with disabilities involving emergency preparedness and response, as well as access to home and community based services. In his free time, Daniel enjoys running, swimming, exploring the DC metro area with friends , and catching up on the latest in movies, music, museums and sports. Daniel also serves as Parliamentarian for Young Democrats of America
Adam Sharp, Family Caucus Chair
Stratsburg, VA ~ JMU College Democrats
Adam Sharp has blogged, organized, managed campaigns, tweeted and raised money for progressive candidates and causes in Virginia since 2003. He is returning to the Virginia Young Democrats' Executive Board after serving as 6th District Chair in 2005-2006 and Blogmaster from 2006-2007. Adam lives in Strasburg with his wife and 4-year-old son.
Tina Hawley, Presidential Adviser on Finance
Newport News, VA ~ Virginia Beach Young Democrats
Tina first entered the political arena in 2005 where she served as an intern on former Governor Kaine’s gubernatorial race. She then became a member of the Longwood University Young Democrats where she served as outreach chair and Vice President, during her time at Longwood, she worked at the grassroots level on various state, local, and national races to include; Webb for Senate, Brennan for House of Delegates, Perriello for Congress, and Obama for President. Tina served two terms as Outreach Chair for the Virginia Young Democrats from 2007-2009. She has also worked in Constituency Services for Senator Webb in 2007 and has worked for the United Steel Workers PAC in 2008. In May 2009, Tina graduated from Longwood University with her degree in Political Science. Since graduation, Tina has worded in education. Beyond the political scope, Tina enjoys cooking and drinking coffee by the gallon! Tina lives by the quote: “Silence gives consent…”
Jennifer Bissett, Immediate Past President
Alexandria, VA ~ Alexandria Young Democrats
Read Jen's Blog
Jennifer Bissett, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, has worked in Democratic Politics for ten years. Raised in York County, Virginia, Jen started volunteering on local campaigns in high school before attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. While in college studying Political Science, Jen was accepted into an internship program that took her to Washington, DC and the Human Rights Campaign. In 2004, Jen moved to Anchorage, AK to work for the Knowles for Senate Campaign. One year later she moved back to Virginia to work for the 2005 Coordinated Campaign and Kaine for Governor. After the success of the Kaine race, Jen began working for Fairfax Delegate Mark Sickles as his Legislative Aide. During the 2008 cycle, Jen started worked Lake Research Partners, in Washington, DC in the Field Department. When Delegate Brian Moran left his House of Delegates seat to run for Governor, Jen went to work for Charniele Herring in her bid to become the newest Delegate from Alexandria. Jen now serves as Delegate Charniele Herring's Legislative Aide. Aside from Politics, Jen has enjoyed success in competitive sports including tennis, riflery, and archery in college where she was on the women's compound varsity team. Jen served 17 months as President, presiding over perhaps the largest and most successful period of growth the VAYD has in its history. Recognized for her achievements, she was awarded Female YD of the Year at the 2009 Awards Banquet. She is happy that Sean decided to run for another year as this allows her to serve on the Executive Committee for one more year.
