YRNF AscendTeam

I’ve worn many hats since joining the Young Republicans, everything from local officer to state chair, to the person on the other end of the 2 AM phone call when you need help. YRs gave me the opportunity to travel across my Commonwealth and our Country to support Republican candidates, train activists of all ages, recruit candidates to run for office, and advance our conservative principles to new communities. Through this organization, I wake up everyday seeing the tangible effects of YRs working to save our nation. This organization is where I found my dearest friends, happiest memories, and even my husband! I deeply love YRNF and want to see its legacy preserved and its opportunities carried on to every young conservative in our nation who wants to change the world.

I’m an American by the grace of God and a Virginian by choice. When I left home at 17 all I knew was that I wanted to make an impact in government and advance the conservative message. I’m not from a political family and had no idea where to start. I worked my way through a BA & MBA and scraped together the money to get myself to as many political meetings and events as possible in order to teach myself the political process up close. I worked my way from night shifts at Waffle House to political nonprofits to a Fortune 200 company. I’ve never stopped doing everything I can to promote our principles. It wasn’t until I found the Young Republicans that I knew I was in the right spot. After years struggling to get a foot in the door, it’s my turn to hold the door open wide for any young republican with a passion for our principles.

Last year, I helped build a coalition to recruit more than 20 candidates in Virginia’s toughest districts. I campaigned for Young Republicans seeking election for both public and party office, resulting in over 30% of Virginia’s Central Committee seats held by YRs and a growing caucus in state government. I’ve volunteered on campaigns from the local to the Presidential level, built training and fundraising programs for my Federation, and helped prove Virginia is not a lost cause for Republicans. During my time in the YRs, I’ve served as a club Vice Chair, local club Chairman, National Committeewoman, State Chairman, and in 2020 was chosen as a Trump Delegate to represent my district– the youngest in Virginia!

While working alongside Young Republicans across the country, I’ve heard the desire for a state-focused YRNF, listening to your needs, helping you respond to the unique challenges your Federations face, and building resources and opportunities that can be shared with every Young Republican across our nation. When a group of State Chairs asked me to run for YRNF Chairman, I listened and started building a team.

YRNF Ascend isn’t about me, it’s about every one of you and it’s about every bright eyed young conservative who has a vision for a better America and wants to get to work. Join our coalition, and we’ll take YRNF to the next level, together.

(P.S. My bio’s the only one in first person because I built the front end of our website, designed the logo, and make our graphics. We're all self-made here, so we might as well go all the way and build the website too.)

Section 5.04 – Co-Chairman. The Co-Chairman shall act as assistant to the Chairman and shall perform such duties as directed by the Chairman. He or she shall be a member of all committees of the National Committee and of the Board of Directors.

Ascend Vision:

• Internal Operation Specialist
• Mediator: Internal negotiations & proactive disputes resolution
• Responsible for management within the Board of Directors
• Proactively recommending policies & procedures for internal governance
• Private sector equivalent title: Operations Manager “COO”

Section 5.05 – Vice-Chairman At-Large. The Vice Chairman At-Large shall supervise and coordinate the activities of the Regional Vice-Chairmen, working to ensure active participation from all Regions in YRNF activities.

Ascend Vision:

• External Operations Specialist
• Responsible for ensuring sustainable engagement in each region
• Leadership developer for Regional Vice-Chairs and State Chairmen
• Proactively recommends opportunities for YRNF to provide support & resources to regions and states
• Private sector equivalent title: Chief Growth Officer

Section 5.08 – Auditor. The Auditor shall be responsible for engaging an independent firm to conduct a review of the financial records of the YRNF for each fiscal year that ends during the Auditor’s term of office in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of these Bylaws. The Auditor, in consultation with legal counsel, shall be responsible for coordinating the YRNF’s policy and programs concerning insurance, risk management, and liability.

Ascend Vision:

• Ensure that the Board of Directors is briefed on compliance and risk management requirements for all activities of the YRNF
• Provide oversight on YRNF financial activities
• Advise the Board and the Chairman on any potential liabilities or risks of proposed programs
• Recommend policies to establish a high standard of legal compliance from all Board Members and Members of the National Committee
• Conducting and presenting audits to the National Committee via the proceedure outlined in the bylaws

Andy has served in many roles in Republican politics since he was 18 years old. Andy started his journey serving as an intern for the Tennessee Republican Party in 2011. He quickly began working on campaigns. In 2012, he helped Republicans flip a state senate seat for the first time since Reconstruction. In college, Andy helped restart the Belmont College Republicans chapter and became the chapter chair. Later, Andy went to grad school in Washington, DC, and served as an intern in the House of Representatives. After grad school, Andy launched his campaign for the Tennessee House of Representatives and became the first person born in the 1990s to win a contested primary for a state legislative seat. 

During this time, Andy became the Chair of the Crockett County Young Republicans and was then elected Tennessee Young Republicans Secretary in 2017. He was quickly promoted to Vice Chair in 2018. Andy was elected Chair of the Tennessee Young Republicans in 2021. 

During his time in Tennessee Young Republicans, Andy oversaw a complete restructure of the organization starting with a complete revision of the organization's governing documents. Andy then assisted the organization with rebranding with an entirely new logo and website. Additionally, he led a team to create the organization's first strategic plan. All of this work has led the organization to grow from only 9 local clubs to 24 local clubs and over 800 members. 

This past year, Andy led the country in developing the first of its kind, award winning partnership with Tennessee College Republicans. This partnership was designed to help bridge the two youth wings of the Republican Party and grow both organizations by providing free membership to College Republican members and mentoring opportunities.

Section 5.07 – Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and account for the funds of the YRNF under the supervision and direction of the Board and the National Committee. He or she shall attend all meetings and Conventions of the membership of the YRNF. The National Committee may require the Treasurer to give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum as it deems advisable, the costs of such bond shall be borne by the YRNF.

Ascend Vision:

• Ensure YRNF is complaint with all legal requirements related to finances and fundraising
• Steward the organization’s fundraising program & expenditures
• Report regularly to the National Committee regarding the status of YRNF’s finances
• Proactively seek out opportunities to develop YRNF’s fundraising capabilities to benefit YRNF & State Federations
• Private sector equivalent title: Chief Financial Officer

Section 3.08 (a) – State Chairman’s Association. The State Chairman's Association shall be comprised of the chief executive officer of each state federation duly recognized and chartered by the YRNF. The Association shall serve as an advisory body to the National Committee, to the Board, and to the YRNF on all matters of policy and procedure effecting Young Republicans and to share information among its membership.

Ascend Vision:

• Leadership Development for current state Chairmen
• Working with state chairman and Vice-Chairs to create policy, procedure, and training material for more effective state federation governance and growth
• Advise the Board and National Committee on recommendations for programing or tools to support state leadership
• Reviewing and understanding the electoral and political position of each state and working with Vice-Chairs and State Chairs to create annual goals
• Providing feedback to the Board on the viability or progress of proposed programs and goals

Section 5.06 – …In the absence of the Secretary or at the Secretary’s direction, the Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary and any other duty as may be directed by the Board.

Ascend Vision:

• Assist the secretary in transmitting internal communications and records
• Maintain YRNF’s brand integrity in communications
• External liaison (first contact) for between YRNF and outside organizations
• Proactively seeking opportunities to bring YRNF’s message to new platforms
• Private sector equivalent title: Public Relations Manager

Bill Dumais currently serves as the National Committeeman for the DC Young Republicans, and has been a member of the organization since 2019. He has attended many deployments in Virginia and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and has previously served as Vice-Chair of Communications and Executive Vice Chair.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Bill sought ways to keep Young Republicans engaged and politically active despite not being able to meet on an in-person basis. Bill launched the club's first-ever podcast, the District Download, where he hosted and produced episodes featuring fellow young republicans from across the country, along with elected leaders and policy experts. Bill also helped support Marya Pickering's campaign for DC Council At-Large in 2020.

At his day job, Bill is a member of the three-person legislative outreach team at one of the nation's leading non-partisan state policy think tanks. Bill engages with state legislators from across a twenty-state portfolio, offering both membership and public policy support, and works to bring people together and strengthen relationships with other constituencies through proactive engagement efforts.

Bill originally grew up in southeastern Connecticut, and has lived and worked in the Mid-Atlantic region since earning his Bachelor of Arts from Providence College in 2017, where he majored in Political Science & English. Bill is a seafood enthusiast, an avid football & college basketball fan, and enjoys biking and walking throughout Rock Creek Park.

Bill’s experience dealing with policymakers across our nation will ensure that YRNF is able to build strong, lasting, and productive relationships. As Assistant Treasurer, Bill will continue to pioneer creative solutions to engage new partners and support YRNF’s mission to activate young voters.

Peter Giunta is Chairman of the New York State Young Republicans, a position he was unanimously elected to at the Federation’s 2021 Biennial Convention in Montgomery, NY.

Under Giunta’s leadership, the Federation has grown in size significantly and currently represents some 2,000 members spanning more than 50 community and campus-based chapters. Initiatives launched by his administration have benefitted member clubs, whether through the myriad of services offered to chapters, such as graphic design, or through opportunities for networking and professional development, such as leadership training.

Over the past year, Chairman Giunta has overseen a revitalized fundraising initiative for the NYSYR, generating a revenue of approximately $100k in fiscal year 22-23, which is almost four times as much as the revenue of the previous four fiscal years combined.

Giunta has worked closely with party officials and elected officials to recruit and elect the next generation of Republican leaders. This year, there are more than 35 Young Republicans on the ballot for local, state, and federal office in New York — a more than 60% increase when compared to the number of Young Republicans who were on the ballot in 2020.

In the past year, Chairman Giunta has led a successful revitalization of an organization that was once stagnant and lacking direction, into a Federation that is incredibly capable and highly respected.  He has rallied young leaders from across the state and empowered them with the tools they need to not just be part of the political process, but to actually own it.

Giunta has been recognized twice by the Young Republican National Federation for his efforts to develop social media content that advances the Federation’s mission to recruit, train, and elect the next generation of Republican leaders, as well as promote the platform of the Republican Party. 

Giunta serves as Chief of Staff to a member of the New York State Assembly and also operates a boutique political firm in New York City.  He’s worked for numerous candidates, including 2018 Republican Candidate for New York State Governor Marc Molinaro, and 2021 Republican Candidate for New York City Mayor Curtis Sliwa. In 2019, he was recognized by City & State magazine as a 40 Under 40 Rising Star.

Jack McAdams lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he has spent the last 10 years of his life advocating for the conservative movement in his home state. Throughout the last decade, Jack played a key role in many legislative races across the state and has also played an integral part in several statewide campaigns for State Treasurer and Secretary of State. Jack worked closely with the lieutenant governor as special project manager from 2019 through 2021.

By 2017 the Louisiana Young Republican Federation had become a defunct organization. Jack and his friends stepped in to create the first permanent Young Republican club in Baton Rouge–Greater Baton Rouge Young Republicans. Jack was elected club chair in 2018 and state chair in 2019 after successfully lobbying and gaining recognition from the National Federation. Jack’s proudest accomplishment as chair of the Louisiana Young Republican Federation was coordinating a relief effort in 2020 with 60 YR volunteers from four southern states: including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas. Volunteers helped with the devastating effects of hurricane Laura which ravish the southwestern Louisiana coastline. It was the first non-political deployment in Young Republicans history. Together they brought over 2,000 pounds of water, canned food, and medical supplies. They also helped gut over 15 damaged homes.

Jack McAdams stepped down as chair of the Louisiana Young Republican Federation in early 2021 after being appointed as a Regional Director by Chairman Loughery. He was re-elected at the Indiana Young Republican Convention and still serves in this role.

Abby Oliver started her YRNF journey in 2018, serving as the National Committeewoman for Michigan, and soon becoming the Chair of the Michigan YRs. During her time as chair, she re-built the organization from the ground up. Her proudest moment as chair was winning the award "Best 2020 Deployment" where volunteers made over 42,000 voter contacts.

Abby currently serves as the Midwest Regional Vice Chair for the YRNF. She is blessed to serve alongside confident leaders, who've worked hard to revitalize this region's position within the YRNF and looks forward to growing the region even more in her second term. Her experience has given her great insight into how regional leadership can support states, provide resources for continued growth, and foster relationships with YR leaders around the country.

Lenny grew up with a love for Washington state and a love for nature’s bountiful blessings. To him, being raised in the Pacific Northwest was like being raised in a Garden of Eden. Whether it’s salmon fishing, driving an ATV up a mountainside, or catching crabs off a pier, these experiences make him love the state he calls home. 

This love for home drove Lenny to further the growth and mission of the Washington State Young Republicans. He concentrated on building and refining the WSYR infrastructure, developing the organization into an effective institution that will survive for posterity. The results of this work include almost tripling membership and growing our chapters from two to ten in less than two years. He has established committees that run the day-to-day operations of the WSYR. 

Through engagement, communication, and empowering the WSYRs to take on leadership positions, Lenny successfully built an organization that the local and state party, as well as Washington’s Republican elected officials, respect and rely on for their work.