DNC Rules Committee Membership
This is the
DNC Rules Committee for 2008:
Chairs:Sunita Leeds
Mary Rose Oakar
David Walters
Party Leaders and Elected
Officials:Carol Alvarado
Joe Carmichael
Michael Coleman, Mayor
Kevin Conlon
Rev. Luis Cortes
Donald Dunn
Irma Esparza
Bishop David Evans
Joe Garcia
Deborah Groene
Cinda Hughes
Kate Hughes
Sandi Jackson, Alderman
Sheila Johnson
Evan Low, Council Member
Claire Lucas
David Mack, State Representative
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
Regina Montoya
Roy Neel
Don Roman
Bren Simon
Art Terrazas
Wilma Webb
Sam Yoon, City Councilor
Bios (From DNC pdf file linked to above):
Governor Dean’s 2008 Convention Standing Committee Nominations
Brief Biographical Information* – Rules Committee
* Biographical sketches are based on information collected from public sources.
CHAIRS
Sunita LeedsSunita Leeds has been involved in Democratic politics for years. A software developer by training, she is now deeply involved with progressive non-profit causes particularly focused on education, is on three advisory boards related to education, and Co-
Chairs The Enfranchisement Foundation, which funds charities that act as catalysts in breaking the cycle poverty and ignorance, and charities that specialize in women's issues. As Chair of the DNC Indo-American Leadership Council Advisory Board, Ms. Leeds coordinates a network of Indian-American activists, community leaders, elected officials, and
celebrities to support the fundraising and outreach work of the Council.
Mary Rose OakarMary Rose Oakar is President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the largest Arab-American
grassroots civil rights organization in the country. Oakar represented western Cleveland, Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993. While in Congress, she worked on several pieces of legislation related to peace and justice in the Middle East and for those of Middle East ancestry. During the last 1980s, she served as secretary of the House Democratic Caucus. Her political career began when she served on the Cleveland City Council from 1974 to
1976. After leaving Congress, Representative Oakar was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. She was named President of the ADC in 2003.
David Walters David Walters is president of Walters Power International, which specializes in electrical generation equipment. He
served as governor of Oklahoma from 1990 to 1994. As Governor, he made education a top priority and increased
education funding by 30 percent and invested heavily in construction and renovation at state colleges. Gov. Walters’ prior professional experience includes university and medical center administration, commercial real estate
development, power project development. Gov. Walters received an engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
PARTY LEADERS AND
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Carol AlvaradoCarol Alvarado served as a member of the Houston City Council from 2001- 2007. Prior to her election to the
Houston city council, Ms. Alvarado worked as senior executive assistant to Houston Mayor Lee Brown. She has also served as legislative assistant to Cong. Gene Green and as a consultant in economic and community development in Houston. Ms.
Alvarado received a BA in political science from the University of Houston.
Joe CarmichaelJoe Carmichael is an attorney with the Springfield, MO law firm of Carmichael & Neal, P.C. Mr. Carmichael's primary
areas of practice include tax law, business planning and transactions as well as commercial litigation. Mr.
Carmichael served as the Missouri State Democratic Party Chair and as a member of the Democratic National
Committee from 1994 to March 2003. He was elected President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs in February 2001, and served that position until March 2003.
Michael ColemanMayor Coleman has served as the Mayor of Columbus, Ohio since January 2000. Mayor Coleman was
the first African American in Ohio history to be elected mayor of the capital city. As mayor, he has worked
to revitalize the downtown district, improve city services, and promote volunteer and mentorship programs in
the city. Prior to becoming mayor, Coleman served as President of the Columbus City Council from 1997 to
1999, and as a Council member from 1992 to 1999. Mayor Coleman graduated from the University of
Cincinnati in 1977 with a degree in Political Science. He earned his law degree from the University of Dayton
Law School in 1980.
Kevin ConlonKevin Conlon is the founder and president of Conlon Public Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm. He has been involved in numerous political campaigns, including serving as Illinois State Chairman for Gov. Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. Mr. Conlon was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Expanding Training Opportunities. He is a lecturer at the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago. Mr. Conlon holds degrees from Illinois State University, the University of Illinois and Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
Luis CortesReverend Luis Cortes is the president and CEO of Esperanza USA, the largest Hispanic faith-based community-development corporation in the country. In January 2005, he was featured as one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals." Rev.
Cortes has worked to support Hispanic faith-based service organizations, strengthen Hispanic marriages and families, and respond to the needs of troubled youth throughout the country. He has served on the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority and the City's Workforce Investment Board. Rev. Cortes is also the founder and Executive Director of
the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and is one of the founders of United Bank, the first African American owned
commercial bank in Pennsylvania.
Donald DunnMr. Dunn is a former chair of the Utah Democratic Party and held a variety of positions in the Clinton White House
Irma EsparzaIrma Esparza is Chief of Staff to D.C. Council member Kwame Brown. She previously served as political action
representative for AFSCME and has worked on various political campaigns, including Gov. Howard Dean’s primary
campaign in Arizona and Jim McGreevey’s 2001 gubernatorial campaign in New Jersey. Prior to joining AFSCME, Ms. Esparza worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Office of Secretary William Daley. Ms. Esparza has a degree in
political science from Catholic University and an MPA from American University.
David EvansBishop David Evans is the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ. With more than 27,000 members,
Bethany Baptist Church has implemented ministry outreaches that are impacting the country. Bishop Evans created Generations, Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation that to address the needs of southern New Jersey residents
through economic development and serves as chairman of the board of directors. Bishop Evans was ordained as bishop and presiding officer of the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches, an international fellowship with more than 100 churches in the United States, Africa, and India. Bishop Evans graduated from Lincoln University in with degrees in economics and education.
Joe GarciaJoe Garcia is president of the National Congress of American Indians, the country’s oldest and largest Native
advocacy organization. He is a former governor of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and, at the end of his third term as governor, was elected chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council. An electrical engineer by profession, Mr. Garcia retired in 2003 from Los
Alamos National Laboratory after 25 years service. He has also taught numerous courses in computers, electronics, lasers and math at the Northern New Mexico Community College since 1979.
Deborah GroeneDebbie Groene currently serves as Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of District Council 81 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). District Council 81 represents Iowa, Nebraska, and Western Illinois. Prior to this position,
Ms. Groene served as Business Representative for District Council 81. Ms. Groene obtained B.A. from Simpson College and a J.D. from Drake University School of Law.
Cinda HughesCinda Hughes, a descendant of the Cherokee Nation and member of the Kiowa tribe, was raised in the small
rural community of Anadarko, Oklahoma. Ms. Hughes went on to be appointed by then Governor David
Boren to serve on the Bureau of Indian Affair's Advisory Committee on Exceptional Children. Ms. Hughes
served on the Board of Directors for ACLU-Oklahoma, as well as on the Advisory Board for the Oklahoma Office of Handicapped Concerns. In 2000 and 2004, she served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Ms. Hughes is currently employed as a Legislative Associate at the National Congress of American Indians There, she advocates on behalf of tribes with federal agencies and Congress. Ms. Hughes has traveled throughout country to talk about disability issues and was Ms. Wheelchair America 2004.
Kate HughesKate Hughes serves on the National Finance Board of the DNC and WLF as well as the boards and advisory councils of three universities, a private foundation and an orchestra. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey and New York City.
Sandi JacksonSandi Jackson, who was elected Chicago City Alderman in 2007, has been actively involved in Democratic Party politics for more than 18 years. A veteran of five presidential campaigns for the White House, Aldmerman Jackson served as a presidential appointee in the Clinton Administration as vice president of Congressional and external affairs for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. She also served as the director of VIP relations for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. She served as the national outreach coordinator for the Clinton/Gore 96 Campaign, organizing African American activities and serving as a
liaison with the leaders in politics, women’s organizations, veterans groups and U.S. business leaders. Alderman Jackson received her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and received her JD from the University of Illinois School of Law.
Sheila JohnsonSheila Johnson is the Team President, Managing Partner and Gvernor of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. She is the first African American woman to be an owner or partner in three professional sports franchises, also having a piece of the Washington
Capitals and Washington Wizards. Ms. Johnson is currently president and CEO of Salamander Hospitality and a
partner in Lincoln Holdings, LLC. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Sorensen Institute for
Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, Chair of the Board of Governors at Parsons The New School for Design, a violinist, philanthropist and community leader.
Evan LowAt the age of 23, Evan Low was elected to the City Council in Campbell, California. Councilman Low
has worked to be a voice for youth, Asian Americans and GLBT Americans through his community involvement and public service. In addition to his service as City Council member, Councilman Low has served on a commission for senior care,
directed a local volunteer center, and has been involved in education and the arts in his community. He was
awarded the Asian American Hero award by Santa Clara County for community involvement and civic
activism, and has been honored by the mayor of San Francisco for his community leadership. Councilman
Low holds an associate’s degree from De Anza College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from San Jose State University.
Claire LucasClaire Lucas is the Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council. Ms.
Lucas is a long time Party activist and donor. In addition, she currently serves on the Board of the National
Stonewall Democrats and is Co-Chair of its Political Action Committee. Previously, she worked at the World
Bank for several years in a variety of roles, and now is an independent investor.
David MackDavid Mack has represented Charleston County in the South Carolina Legislature since 1997 and is
a former chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. Representative Mack is a member of the Board of Directors of the S.C. Coalition for Black Voter Participation, co-chair of the Progressive Network and a member of the Charleston
Chapter of Rainbow PUSH. A graduate of Howard University, he is a businessman, health care consultant and radio talk show host.
Vashti McKenzieBishop Vashti McKenzie received her first ordination in 1984 when she was made an itinerant deacon and appointed pastor of a small church in Chesapeake City, Maryland. She later served as Pastor of Payne Memorial AME Church in Baltimore. While
serving at Payne Memorial AME, Bishop McKenzie was elected bishop of the AME church, becoming the first woman to serve as bishop in any predominantly African American Methodist denomination in America. In 2005,Bishop McKenzie made history
again by becoming the first female president of the Council of Bishops of the AME Church. Bishop McKenzie received a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, a master of divinity from Howard University and a doctor of divinity from United
Theological Seminary.
Regina MontoyaRegina Montoya is the chief executive office of New American Alliance where her responsibilities include the development of strategic and tactical plans to fulfill NAA’s mission of promoting the advancement of the Latino community with a focus on
economic and political empowerment. Prior to joining NAA, Ms. Montoya was founder and president of WORKRules,
a Texas-based workforce training and media and community relations company. Ms. Montoya has been honored by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the country. She earned her BA from Wellesley College and her JD from Harvard Law School.
Roy NeelRoy Neel served as Chief of Staff for Vice President Al Gore in the White House and continues to serve in the that capacity today. He was also Deputy Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, where he was responsible for coordinating all policy and
communications for the President. In 2004, Mr Neel served as the Campaign Manager for Gov. Dean’s presidential campaign. He also served as president and CEO of the U.S. Telecom Association, a trade group representing the regional Bell companies. He is an adjunct professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches courses in Presidential Transitions and
Presidential Leadership. Mr. Neel is a graduate of Vanderbilt and has an MPA from Harvard University.
Don RomanDon Roman, an attorney, is a Senior Financial Advisor for Met Life in Atlanta. Mr. Roman has been active in Georgia Democratic politics for many years. Mr. Roman is also active in 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., an organization that works to empower
Atlanta’s challenged communities. He is a graduate of Yale and received a JD from Harvard.
Bren SimonBren Simon is the owner of Corporate Design Associates, Inc., and president of Gambit Capital Management, MBS Associates, Inc., LLC, Property Management Company, and Bren Marine Inc. Active in business, she also contributes significantly to a wide
variety of organizations and projects. Along with husband, she founded and serves as a director of the Mel and Bren Simon Charitable Trust and the Max Simon Charitable Trust. In Indianapolis, she co-founded the Family Support Centre, serves on the
board of the Coalition from Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, and on the boards of advisors of the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, the Heartland Film Festival and Dance Kaleidoscope. Through the Charitable Trust, she supports many cultural and civic organizations, including the Indianapolis Zoo.
Art TerrazaArt Terrazas is the Deputy Executive Director for the Anthony-Berino Economic Development Corporation in his hometown of Anthony New Mexico. Mr. Terrazas also serves as the Vice- Chair for the county Democratic Party. He discovered politics during the American Legion’s Boy’s State program and volunteered for various local Democratic races in Doña Ana County Mr. Terrezas was an intern in the office U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, and went to join the field staff for John Kerry’s Presidential campaign. He served as the southern New Mexico field coordinator during the primary election and served as the Hispanic
outreach coordinator to help secure the endorsement of the Utah State Democratic Hispanic caucus. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from New Mexico State University in 2003, Mr. Terrazas was asked to serve as the Southern New Mexico Regional Field coordinator for the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign. Mr. Terrazas was named as the local Director for Communities United, a new non-profit, issue advocacy group for Albuquerque’s middle-class families.
Wilma WebbWilma Webb was elected to the Colorado State Legislature in 1980 where she sponsored dozens of bills including school reform and equality initiatives. One of her most noteworthy efforts was legislation that adopted Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a Colorado state holiday prior to it becoming a national holiday. Ms. Webb has been recognized by several
organizations, including the National Education Association and the Association for Retarded Citizens. Ms. Webb is married to former Denver mayor Wellington Webb.
Sam YoonSam Yoon was sworn in to the Boston City Council in January 2006 as a Councilor-At-Large and serves as chairperson of the Housing and Human Services committees on the City Council. Born in Seoul, Korea, Councilor Yoon was the first Asian American to be elected to any public office in Boston. Prior to his election to the City Council, he worked with
numerous community-based nonprofits, including The Community Builders, the nation’s largest non-profit developer of affordable housing. In addition to his work for non-profits, Councilor Yoon is a founding member and core steering committee member for the New Majority, a coalition of African Americans, Latinos and Asians who work to advance a common
agenda for communities of color in Boston. He received a BA degree in philosophy from Princeton and a
masters in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Tomorrow may be a strange day at the Marriott Wardman Park in NW Washington D.C.
So, after years of casual following of politics, he finally sat down and spent some time researching presidential candidates for ‘08 with what he describes as a "truly open mind, for the first time." This led to further soul-searching and research into all manner of political information, including the current state of affairs as a nation.
