Chairman Greer Announces RPOF Staff Changes

Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today announced staff changes for the RPOF Political, Finance, Field Operations and Communications Departments. The Chairman appointed Bret Prater, a veteran political operative, to serve as Political Director, promoted Amanda Wheeler to serve as Finance Director and Brad Herold to Deputy Director of Field Operations. Chairman Greer restructured the Communications Department, promoting Katie Gordon to Communications Director, Jennifer McMillan to Deputy Director of Communications and Carla Rivera to Deputy Director of Communications, overseeing Hispanic Media Relations.

“Throughout 2009, the RPOF is focused on voter registration, technology, coalitions building, and youth outreach,” said Greer. “The reorganization of these key departments maximizes our talent and resources in the off-year, and will lead to greater success in 2010.”

“Chairman Greer announced today’s staff changes as the conclusion of a reorganization of the RPOF Political, Finance, Field Operations and Communications Departments,” said RPOF Executive Director Delmar Johnson. “The new structure will allow for a better utilization of staff and resources during the off year, in preparation for the 2010 Election next November.”

Bret Prater, Political Director, most recently served the Republican Party as a coordinator of the RPOF’s Get Out the Vote Program, specifically managing a statewide team focused on absentee ballot chase efforts. Prater previously served as the Deputy Director of External Affairs in the Executive Office of Governor Crist and as a Special Assistant to the Governor for a 37 county region in North Florida. During the 2006 Election Cycle, Prater organized the RPOF’s statewide precinct walker program and served on the Charlie Crist Inaugural Committee. He spent much of 2005 and 2006 organizing the political activities for Florida’s largest professional trade association, the Florida Assoc iation of Realtors. Prater worked with the Bush/Cheney ‘04 team, where he served as a Victory Field Director in North Florida and was also a grassroots organizer for the Bush/Brogan ‘02 Gubernatorial Campaign in Miami-Dade County.

Amanda Wheeler, Finance Director, most recently served as the RPOF’s Finance Liaison, working with Chairman Greer, RPOF Finance Chairman Ambassador John Rood, Finance Co-Chairman Steve Burton, members of the RPOF Statewide Finance Committee and senior management to develop the Party’s statewide finance strategy. Wheeler is responsible for coordinating every aspect of major donor events here in Florida and across the country. She is a graduate of the Florida State University.

Brad Herold, Deputy Director of Field Operations, joined the RPOF Team in 2007, after serving in the Executive Office of Governor Crist. As the Deputy Director of Field Operations, Herold will assist Bret Prater and Deputy Executive Director of Operations John Davis with the coordination of 67 Republican Executive Committees as well as Republican clubs and organizations throughout Florida. The department manages the RPOF Field Coordinators and works with members of the State Executive Committee to ensure that the Chairman’s initiatives are carried out across the state. Herold will take on additional responsibilities including graphic design and multimedia production.

The Field Operations Department is responsible for overseeing the 2009 RPOF Youth Initiative. Led by recently appointed Youth Outreach Coordinators, Tim Nungesser and Kathryn Salerno, the RPOF Youth Outreach Initiative is a comprehensive program aimed at encouraging young Floridians between the ages of 15 and 35 to consider joining the Republican Party. The program includes multiple voter registration and technology components and will culminate with a statewide conference this summer.

Katie Gordon, Communications Director, most recently served as Press Secretary of the Republican Party of Florida. Gordon rejoined the RPOF Team in January 2008, after coordinating communications for the Florida Office of the Fred Thompson for President Campaign. She previously served as a speechwriter in the Press and Communications Office of Governor Crist and worked as a Communications Assistant on the Crist Transition Team and at the Republican Party of Florida. Gordon graduated from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History and a Master’s Degree in Political Science.

Jennifer McMillan, Deputy Communications Director, has served as the RPOF Press Assistant for nearly two years. In her new capacity, McMillan will oversee e-campaigns and new media, taking on a leadership role in the Party’s continued efforts to upgrade technology and diversify communication strategies. McMillan is a graduate of the Florida State University.

Carla Rivera, Deputy Communications Director overseeing Hispanic Media Relations, will continue to coordinate the RPOF’s outreach to Hispanic media and will remain the Hispanic spokesperson for the organization. Rivera is a graduate of Florida International University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Linguistics as well as a Certificate in Translating and Interpreting.