Meet the Leadership Team of the Virginia Young Democrats!
Jennifer Bissett, 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. In 2008, Jen started at Lake Research Partners, in Washington, DC in the Field Department. 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. Joining the YDs in college, Jen has served as Northern Virginia Regional Chair, Vice President of Political Action, Executive Vice President, and has been President since November 2007.
Sean Holihan, Executive Vice President
Norfolk, VA ~ Tidewater Young Democrats
Sean Holihan first entered politics though registering voters for the presidential campaign in 2004. Since then, he has gone to work for Delegates Bob Brink and Brian Moran as well as volunteering for nearly every Democratic candidate in Hampton Roads. He is a member of the 2007 Sorensen Political Leaders Class and serves on the PAC Boards for Equality Virginia and the Virginia Partisans. He is currently the Vice-President of his family's construction business based in Virginia Beach, and serves as Legislative Aide to Delegate Lynwood Lewis.
Bree Raum, National Committeewoman
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
Bree Raum, a proud Arlingtonian, is serving her second year as National Committeewoman. She also sits on the Young Democrats of America National Committee, the Virginia State Central Committee and the Eighth Congressional District Committee.
She is a treasurer for Virginia state delegate Adam Ebbin's campaign committee, treasurer for a Virginia state PAC and last year served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Finance Director for Virginia state delegate Bob Brink. She served two years as the Arlington County Democratic Joint Campaign Finance Chair and is Chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee's Jefferson Jackson Dinner, the committee's largest fundraiser of the year. For the past three years, she held positions on the Arlington Young Democrats steering committee, and is currently the organization's President.
She has a degree in Political Science with a concentration in environmental policy and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in non-profit management from The Johns Hopkins University. Bree currently works in government relations for renewable energy in Washington, DC.
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.
Trent Armitage, Vice President, Membership
Farmville, VA ~ Longwood College Young Democrats
Read Trent's Blog
Trent is originally from Bristol, CT and moved to Virginia in 2005 to attend Longwood University where majors in Public History and Political Science. He worked as an archaeologist for Poplar Forest and interned for the Museum of the Confederacy. Trent has also worked as a GOTV coordinator for Al Weed/Jim Webb and Connie Brennan served as a Common Good Summer Fellow for Tom Perriello. Trent's foray in Young Democrats began by helping to found the Longwood University Young Democrats. Before being elected in 2008 as the VAYD Vice President of Membership, he served as the first ever Southside Regional Chair and the College Caucus Chair.
Brittany Morrison, Vice President, Finance
Blacksburg, VA ~ New River Valley Young Democrats
Born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Brittany was raised 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 Virginia Tech Union, Public Relations chair for the Sociology Club, Treasurer of the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech, and a volunteer/intern for the Raft 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 was the Southwest Region Chair for VAYD before becoming the VP Finance. She also serves as the Vice President of the New River Valley Young Democrats and the Volunteer Coordinator for the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, and she works as a Clinical Phone Assessment Case Manager for New River Valley Community Services.
Kenton Ngo, Vice President, Communications
Springfield, VA ~ Fairfax Young Democrats
Read Kenton's Blog
Kenton was born in Los Angeles, CA on March 21, 1991. After spending time in Atlanta and Boston, Kenton eventually settled in Northern Virginia.
Kenton's interest in politics was born of a third-grade assignment, reading the Boston Globe for stories about the 2000 presidential election. In 2003, he volunteered for Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, largely in response to the actions of the Bush administration' By the end of 2004, as a 13-year-old, he realized there were only so many ways he could say he disliked the Bush administration. He started writing about Virginia politics. Today, Kenton is one of Virginia's youngest and widely regarded as one of its best, political bloggers. In his spare time, he uses mapping technology and raw voting statistics to highlight political trends in the Commonwealth.
Kenton remains active in Northern Virginia Democratic politics, and has been a member of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee for the past five years. More recently, Kenton served as a page to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. When he graduates from high school, Kenton hopes pursue a career in law.
Isaac Sarver, Vice President, Political Action
Dublin, VA ~ New River Valley Young Democrats
Isaac hails from Dublin, Virginia and currently serves 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.
Tavarris Spinks, Secreatry
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 fourth 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. These new alliances resulted in the addition of CNU Young Democrats permanent seats on the Newport News City Democratic Committee. Since graduating Andrew has continued service to his community for the past two years through his management of the local CVS/pharmacy in the Williamsburg precinct of Arlington. Andrew is currently a law student and engaged to the lovely Ms. Emily Reijmers.
Tina Hawley, Outreach Chair
Farmville, VA ~ Longwood Young Democrats
outreach_chair@vayd.org
Tina is from the great city of Newport News, and currently a Senior majoring in Political Science at Longwood University. Tina has gained a great deal of experience within the political and governmental spheres; She served as an intern for the Tim Kaine's campaign for governor. In 2005, worked on the Al Weed/Jim Webb race in 2006, and served as an intern in Senator Webb's constituency service office in Virginia Beach during 2007. Currently Tina serves as an intern to the United Steel Workers Political Action Committee.
Tina's current leadership positions include serving as Vice President of the Longwood University Young Democrats and Outreach Chair for the Virginia Young Democrats.
On a more pesonal note, Tina has a newspaper collection she started age of four with her grandmother and continues to add to the collection today. Tina's prized possession is a book she acquired which formerly belonged to Thomas Jefferson. One fun fact about Tina is that she cannot stand when her food touches on the plate.
Sarah Buckley, Council of Presidents Chair
Charlottesville, VA ~ University Democrats
presidents_chair@vayd.org
I am the president of the University of Virginia Democrats and a rising 4th-year at the University of Virginia studying Environmental Thought & Practice and Political Philosophy, Policy & Law. I am currently living in Charlottesville and working at the legal offices of Buck, Toscano and Tereskerz. Besides working on political campaigns from Tim Kaine's gubernatorial run to Tom Perriello's Congressional campaign, I play scrumhalf on the Virginia Women's Rugby team.
Johnny Camacho, Teen Caucus Chair
Hot Springs, VA ~ Alleghany Young Democrats
teen_chair@vayd.org
Johnny Camacho is 19 years old and a lifelong Virginian. He was born in Newport News, and was raised in Bath County where he still resides. He became particularly interested in politics during the run-up to the 2004 presidential election and immediately gravitated toward the Democratic Party because of its commitment to the working class, the environment, and the public education system. Johnny, who is a great admirer of the late Senator Paul Wellstone, takes pride in describing himself as a member of the "democratic wing of the of the Democratic Party" and believes that the party is strongest when it is aggressively promoting a solid Progressive agenda. In addition to his involvement with the VAYD, Johnny sits on the Bath County Democratic committee as the Vice Chairman, provides YD updates to the sixth district Democratic committee at their monthly meetings, and presides over the Allegheny Mountain Young Democrats.
Zach Pilchen, College Caucus Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ William & Mary Young Democrats
Born in Arlington, Zach now makes his home in Williamsburg, where he double majors in Government and Environmental Policy at the College of William and Mary. Although Zach has done work on a variety of Democratic campaigns since entering college, he became deeply passionate about youth voter registration and voter protection issues. As Chair of the VAYD College Caucus, Zach also serves as the de facto President of the Virginia College Democrats. He is also the Virginia State Chair of the DNC's Youth Voting Rights Institute, "to address youth disenfranchisement, promote youth voter participation and encourage young people to become involved in voter protection.
Adam Osterman, City/County Cacus Chair
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
citycounty_chair@vayd.org
Adam was born and raised in the Washington DC Metro Area. He went to Longwood College and graduated with a BSBA with a concentration in Accounting. Adam currently works at EPA as an Accountant. He is on the Financial Integrity Team which makes sure EPA is following its internal controls. In addition to serving as the VAYD City/County Chair, Adam is the Treasurer of the Alexandria Young Democrats. Adam also serves on the Alexandria Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
John Alex Golden, Immediate Past President
Arlington, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats past_president@vayd.org
John Alex Golden served as President of the Virginia Young Democrats until November 2007 and is a proud member of the Arlington Young Democrats. John Alex, known as JAG to his friends, is a 2005 graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. John Alex worked as a staff assistant to Congressman Jim Moran from 2005 to 2007 in Washington, DC. Prior to that, he served as a Board and Volunteer Management Intern at the Human Rights Campaign. Presently, John Alex serves as a legislative aide to Delegate David Englin.
In his spare time, JAG enjoys photography, living out his desire for world domination by playing Warfish, and visiting MacRumors.com to learn about the latest genius technology to come from the mind of Steve Jobs.
REGIONAL CAUCUS CHAIRS
Kristin Smith, Southside Region Chair
Virginia Beach, VA ~ Longwood Young Democrats
southside_region@vayd.org
Kristin is a native of Virginia Beach where she graduated from Princess Anne High School. Currently Kristin attends Longwood University where she majors in Political Science and Economics and serves as the university's Young Democrats Treasurer. Her interests include golf, church, and trying to get in shape. She also loves her cat Molasses and watching horrible pointless reality television.
Sarah Lowdon, Central Region Chair
Roanoke, VA ~ Mary Washington Young Democrats
Sarah Lowdon is a geography major at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Sarah grew up in Botetourt County in Southwestern Virginia where she volunteered for the Kaine and Webb campaign offices in Roanoke. Last year Sarah volunteered for Carlos Del Toro for Delegate and has loved being a part of the Mary Washington Young Democrats in Fredericksburg.
David McKinney, Valley Region Chair
Winchester, VA ~ James Madison Young Democrats
valley_region@vayd.org
Elizabeth Pedraja, Hampton Roads Chair
Williamsburg, VA ~ William & Mary Young Democrats
hamptonroads_region@vayd.org
Jason Sarfati, Southwest Chair
Ashburn, VA ~ Virginia Tech Young Democrats
southwest_region@vayd.org
Robert Latham, Northern Chair
Potomac Falls, VA ~ Loudoun County Young Democrats
Read Robert's Blog
Robert Latham was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley and moved to Northern Virginia in 2003. He worked his first shift at the polls to help Don Beyer against Jim Gilmore in 1997 at the age of 14. Robert founded and organized Loudoun County Young Democrats in record time and is looking forward to assisting several new chapters in chartering this year. Robert is currently Senior Loan Officer at Greenway Financial (a mortgage firm) in Tysons Corner. He was an active professional photographer from 2002-2005 with work published in several major publications, and local news outlets. His hobbies include photography, airplanes, and old Volvo's.
CONSTITUENCY GROUP CHAIRS
Antoine Green, Minority Issues Chair
Richmond, VA ~ Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats
Antione M. Green is a Richmond native. Mr. Green attended Henrico County Public Schools and graduated from Hermitage High School in 1997. Currently, Mr. Green attends Virginia Commonwealth University and is expected to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in 2008.
In 1998, Mr. Green was recruited to join the Richmond Crusade for Voters. In 2003, at the age of 24, he decided to apply his Crusade education and run for a seat on the Henrico School Board, in which he received a respectable 986 votes.
In 2004, Mr. Green was elected 1st Vice-President of the Richmond Crusade for Voters and in 2006; Mr. Green was elected President of the Crusade for Voters. Mr. Green was installed in January 2007 as the youngest president, at age 28, in the Richmond Crusade for Voters history. In his current capacity, Mr. Green has been a strong advocate for greater voter empowerment in the Metro Richmond area and in strengthening the Crusade's legacy by adding new members who will continue the Crusade's proud heritage.
In addition to his Crusade role and responsibilities, Mr. Green serves as a proud member of the Richmond City Democratic Committee; fundraising chair for the Richmond Council of PTAs, and was recently elected Treasurer for the Virginia State Conference NAACP.
Mr. Green balances the responsibilities of his office, work, school, and community service with the duties of being a good and supportive uncle, son, and grandson. In his spare time, Mr. Green is an avid reader of history, political biographies and plays basketball.
Jessica Honke, Women's Caucus Chair
Richmond, VA ~ Metro Richmond Young Democrats
womens_chair@vayd.org
Brandon Beall, Lambda Caucus Chair
Blacksburg, VA ~ Virginia Tech Young Democrats
Brandon goes to Virginia Tech, home of the Hokies. He is a senior Marketing major who works at a small chain of restaurants located mostly in Southwest Virginia called Macado's as a server. He has held many positions within his local chapter with this year being the treasurer. As Lambda Caucus Chair, he hopes to bring many queer friendly topics to this table for this election cycle.
Amanda Wolfe, Labor Issues Chair
Falls Church, VA ~ Arlington Young Democrats
Amanda Wolfe is a 9 year resident of Falls Church, Virginia. She moved to Virginia after receiving her BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University.When at GW Amanda was the Business Manager for their Solar Car team and participated in a cross country race, from Indianapolis to Colorado Springs.
Amanda worked for the United Union of Roofers for over 8 years and now serves as the Director of Membership Services for The American Association of University Professors.
In addition to her role as VAYD Labor Caucus Chair, Amanda is currently Vice President of the Arlington Young Democrats and Treasurer for the Arlington County Democratic Committee.
Joe Puckett, Rural Caucus Chair
Lebanon, VA ~ Southwest Virginia Young Democrats
rural_chair@vayd.org
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
After growing up in New York, Daniel attended the University of California at Berkeley where he majored in history and graduated with highest honors. Daniel Davis also serves as the Young Democrats of America's Parliamentarian.
Currently, Daniel puts his research and analysis skills to work on Capitol Hill as professional staffer for an investigative 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 and sports.
STAFF
Christie Ann Bieber, Executive Director
Richmond, VA ~ Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats
Read Christie's Blog
Born and raised in Virginia, Christie Ann Bieber first became active in politics when she joined her Young Democrats club at Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Christie has been involved in the Virginia Young Democrats longer than virtually any other active member. She has performed nearly every role in the organization, including National Committeewoman, Convention Organizer, and President. She has been a political fundraiser and campaign manager for numerous candidates and elected officials, and worked at the General Assembly as a legislative assistant for 2 Delegates. In 2003, Governor Mark Warner appointed Christie to the Virginia Commission on the Status of Women. Before joining the VAYD's staff she worked as a Branch Administrator for one of the country's largest and most respected landscape corporations. Christie came on board as VAYD's first Executive Director in April 2008.
