Secty of State: Brunner (D) Announces Leadership Team

Secretary of State-elect Jennifer Brunner (D-Columbus) has announced key individuals who will serve under her after she takes office on January 8th:

Assistant Secretary of State – Christopher Nance, Deputy District Director for Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Cleveland). "Nance’s experience includes extensive election work with Ohio and Cleveland voting issues on behalf of the Congresswoman, as well as non-profit administration, institutional advancement, development and private sector consulting."

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State – Elections, Campaign Finance and Field – David Farrell, Chairman of the Clark County Board of Elections. Farrell has "administrative experience gained in 18 years in government, serving currently as a communications program manager at The Ohio State University."

Chief of Staff – Thomas Worley, coordinator of Brunner transition team. "As a former mediation administrator for the State Employment Relations Board, he is known nationally for his development of innovative labor-management cooperation training programs. Worley’s experience as a mediator, trainer, webmaster, and Election Judge has been excellent training to serve as Chief of Staff for the Secretary of State."

General Counsel – Eleanor Speelman, Senior Judicial Law Clerk to Chief Justice Thomas Moyers. "Speelman is an attorney with over 20 years of legal experience, including private practice and hearing office experience."

Assistant General Counsel/Elections Counsel – Brian Shinn. "Shinn comes to the Brunner administration from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel with the Supreme Court of Ohio, with 10 years legal experience, including work in private practice and having served as a judicial law clerk with the Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Franklin County Common Pleas Court."

Director of Human Resources – Gretchen Green, Executive Director of Human Resources for the Ohio Department of Education. "Green has nearly 30 years of experience working in Human Resources with state and county government. She holds two Masters Degrees, one in Labor Relations and the other in Public Administration."

Director of Legislative Affairs and Counsel to the Voting Rights Institute – Laurel Beatty. "Beatty is an attorney with 7 years private practice experience ranging from government affairs to business transactional work. She is also actively involved in community service, currently serving on the boards of the YWCA of Columbus and the ADAMH Board. In 2005 she was selected as one of Business First’s “Forty under 40” and a fellow in the African American Leadership Academy."

Director of Communications – Patrick Gallaway, Communications Director for Brunner campaign. "Gallaway is a public relations professional serving in the communication and marketing arena for two state agencies, two non-profit agencies and a state university. Gallaway served as the Press Secretary to Brunner since June 2006. As Director of Communications, Gallaway will continue as Press Secretary for Secretary of State Brunner and oversee media services and public affairs."

Director of the Voting Rights Institute – Kellye Pinkleton, Statewide Field Director for Brunner campaign. "Pinkleton has a background in state government and non-profit administration, serving as interim director for Stonewall Columbus prior to" joining the campaign in July 2006.

Elections Counsel – Brian Green. "Green holds direct experience as Statewide Voter Protection Coordinator for the Ohio Democratic Party as well as legal experience in the federal court system and state government and business experience in New York and the U.K. before commencing his legal career. He also is active with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

Elections Counsel – Gretchen Quinn. "Quinn, an attorney since 1987, has been an elections attorney with the Secretary of State’s office since 1995, joining the office under the Taft administration. Her background includes private practice experience and experience in the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office."

Elections Administrator – Patricia Wolfe. "Wolfe has been with the office since 1992, having previously served as director and deputy director of the Coshocton County Board of Elections. Her knowledge of Ohio election administration will provide the Brunner administration with expertise and experience in direct advisement of the state’s 88 county boards of elections."

Campaign Finance Administrator – J. Curtis Mayhew. "Mayhew currently serves in the Secretary of State’s office, having worked in campaign finance since 1992. He has become an invaluable resource to many throughout the state who have sought his campaign finance expertise."

Assistant Campaign Finance Administrator – Kelly Joseph Neer. "Neer currently serves in the Secretary of State’s office, having joined the office in 1995. He has demonstrated the ability to work effectively in providing guidance and assistance in navigating the state’s campaign finance laws."