Senator Lamar Alexander to speak Friday, June 5.
Lamar Alexander was born in Maryville, the son of a kindergarten teacher and an elementary school principal. He is a seventh-generation Tennessean.
He is the only Tennessean ever popularly elected both governor and U.S. Senator. He has been U.S. Education Secretary and University of Tennessee president. He chaired the National Governors Association and President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors.
When first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, Alexander had spent more adult years in the private sector than in public life. In 1972 he co-founded a Nashville law firm. In 1987 he and his wife and three others, including Bob Keeshan, television’s Captain Kangaroo, founded Corporate Child Care, Inc. The company became publicly traded in 1997 (NASDAQ) and later merged with Bright Horizons, Inc., creating the world’s largest provider of worksite daycare.
Three times between 2007 and 2012, his colleagues elected Sen. Alexander Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference — the third-ranking Republican position in the United States Senate.
In January 2015, Alexander was elected by his fellow committee members to serve as the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee where he has said his top priorities are fixing No Child Left Behind, deregulating and reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, and modernizing the Food and Drug Administration so that we can bring more cures and medical devices to market fast and cheaper.
Alexander also serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees energy and water appropriations. His priorities include unleashing nuclear power and other sources of the cheap, clean, reliable energy America needs, supporting government-sponsored research that leads to innovation and jobs in our free enterprise system and controlling the costs of big government construction projects in Tennessee and across the country. He also continues to support our nation’s harbors and inland waterways. Alexander was reelected to a third term in the U.S. Senate in November 2014.
In his campaign for governor, Alexander walked 1,000 miles across Tennessee in his now-famous red and black plaid shirt. Once elected, he helped Tennessee become the third largest auto producer, the state with the top-rated four-lane highway system and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. He started Tennessee’s Governor’s Schools for outstanding students. When he left the governor’s office, the state had a Triple AAA bond rating, fewer employees and no long-term highway debt.
He is a classical and country pianist and the author of seven books, including Six Months Off, the story of his family’s life in Australia after he was governor.
Lamar Alexander and Honey Buhler were married in 1969. They have four children and eight grandchildren, and a dog named Rufus. He is a Presbyterian elder.
Lamar Alexander was born in Maryville, the son of a kindergarten teacher and an elementary school principal. He is a seventh-generation Tennessean.
He is the only Tennessean ever popularly elected both governor and U.S. Senator. He has been U.S. Education Secretary and University of Tennessee president. He chaired the National Governors Association and President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors.
When first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, Alexander had spent more adult years in the private sector than in public life. In 1972 he co-founded a Nashville law firm. In 1987 he and his wife and three others, including Bob Keeshan, television’s Captain Kangaroo, founded Corporate Child Care, Inc. The company became publicly traded in 1997 (NASDAQ) and later merged with Bright Horizons, Inc., creating the world’s largest provider of worksite daycare.
Three times between 2007 and 2012, his colleagues elected Sen. Alexander Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference — the third-ranking Republican position in the United States Senate.
In January 2015, Alexander was elected by his fellow committee members to serve as the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee where he has said his top priorities are fixing No Child Left Behind, deregulating and reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, and modernizing the Food and Drug Administration so that we can bring more cures and medical devices to market fast and cheaper.
Alexander also serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees energy and water appropriations. His priorities include unleashing nuclear power and other sources of the cheap, clean, reliable energy America needs, supporting government-sponsored research that leads to innovation and jobs in our free enterprise system and controlling the costs of big government construction projects in Tennessee and across the country. He also continues to support our nation’s harbors and inland waterways. Alexander was reelected to a third term in the U.S. Senate in November 2014.
In his campaign for governor, Alexander walked 1,000 miles across Tennessee in his now-famous red and black plaid shirt. Once elected, he helped Tennessee become the third largest auto producer, the state with the top-rated four-lane highway system and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. He started Tennessee’s Governor’s Schools for outstanding students. When he left the governor’s office, the state had a Triple AAA bond rating, fewer employees and no long-term highway debt.
He is a classical and country pianist and the author of seven books, including Six Months Off, the story of his family’s life in Australia after he was governor.
Lamar Alexander and Honey Buhler were married in 1969. They have four children and eight grandchildren, and a dog named Rufus. He is a Presbyterian elder.
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee 7th District, will be the speaker for the Opening Breakfast on Friday, June 5th.
Rep. Blackburn serves as the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee with service on the Subcommittees on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade; Oversight; Health; and Communications and Technology. She has a reputation for focusing on individual freedom and free enterprise and advocating a smaller, efficient federal government. Come and hear Rep. Blackburn’s vision for preserving our individual and states’ rights and righting our governing structures. Learn more about Rep. Blackburn on her website: http://blackburn.house.gov
Rep. Blackburn serves as the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee with service on the Subcommittees on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade; Oversight; Health; and Communications and Technology. She has a reputation for focusing on individual freedom and free enterprise and advocating a smaller, efficient federal government. Come and hear Rep. Blackburn’s vision for preserving our individual and states’ rights and righting our governing structures. Learn more about Rep. Blackburn on her website: http://blackburn.house.gov
Congressman Trey Gowdy, South Carolina 4th District, will be the speaker for the Congressional Lunch on Saturday, June 6th.
Congressman Gowdy will be introduced by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee 3rd District. This lunch will be sponsored by the Tennessee Congressional Delegation.
Congressman Gowdy serves on the House Committees on Ethics, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary. In these assignments he has fought to highlight facts, uphold the Constitution, rein in the ever expanding federal government and restore America’s trust with a renewed spirit of honesty, fairness, and reason.
Come and hear Congressman Gowdy’s prescriptions for improving the accountability, honesty and transparency of our federal government. For more information, visit his website: http://gowdy.house.gov
Congressman Gowdy will be introduced by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee 3rd District. This lunch will be sponsored by the Tennessee Congressional Delegation.
Congressman Gowdy serves on the House Committees on Ethics, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary. In these assignments he has fought to highlight facts, uphold the Constitution, rein in the ever expanding federal government and restore America’s trust with a renewed spirit of honesty, fairness, and reason.
Come and hear Congressman Gowdy’s prescriptions for improving the accountability, honesty and transparency of our federal government. For more information, visit his website: http://gowdy.house.gov
Sharon Day, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee, will deliver "State of the Party" Address on Friday, June 5.
Sharon Day was elected Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 14, 2011, and was re-elected on January 25, 2013. From 2009-2011, she served as RNC Secretary. She has served the Republican Party at the local, state and national level for more than 20 years.
Sharon has built several businesses in the insurance and marketing industry, creating jobs for hundreds of individuals and families. She has used that private sector success in the political arena working for candidates, committees and groups that believe in the power of small businesses and the free market system.
Sharon has been a member of the Broward County, Florida Republican Executive committee since 1994 and State Committeewoman from Broward County since 1996. She has served as Florida’s National Committeewoman since 2004 before her election as Secretary of the RNC.
During the election recount of 2000 Sharon played an important role by identifying and deploying Republican ballot counters in Broward County to ensure a balanced and transparent review occurred. Following that effort, she was appointed to serve on the Committee for Election Reform for the State of Florida by Governor Jeb Bush.
In 2006, Sharon was elected one of eight members on the site selection committee for the 2008 RNC Convention, where she was also selected as Chairman of the Convention’s Special Events. She was appointed to the Committee on Arrangements for 2008 and has received a similar appointment for the 2012 Convention in her home state of Florida.
Among other areas of her community service, Sharon was appointed by both Governor Bush and Governor Crist to the Broward County Housing Authority where she previously served as the Chair. Additionally, Sharon serves as a Commissioner on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
During her service to the Republican Party, Sharon has recruited numerous successful candidates and worked closely with party activists and supporters to spread the Republican message of less taxes, less spending and more freedom. In addition she looks to continuing GOP success in the future through the use of the latest technology.
Sharon was born in Texas, and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale. She earlier counted Indiana as home. Two sons and five grandchildren are a great source of pride.
Sharon Day was elected Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 14, 2011, and was re-elected on January 25, 2013. From 2009-2011, she served as RNC Secretary. She has served the Republican Party at the local, state and national level for more than 20 years.
Sharon has built several businesses in the insurance and marketing industry, creating jobs for hundreds of individuals and families. She has used that private sector success in the political arena working for candidates, committees and groups that believe in the power of small businesses and the free market system.
Sharon has been a member of the Broward County, Florida Republican Executive committee since 1994 and State Committeewoman from Broward County since 1996. She has served as Florida’s National Committeewoman since 2004 before her election as Secretary of the RNC.
During the election recount of 2000 Sharon played an important role by identifying and deploying Republican ballot counters in Broward County to ensure a balanced and transparent review occurred. Following that effort, she was appointed to serve on the Committee for Election Reform for the State of Florida by Governor Jeb Bush.
In 2006, Sharon was elected one of eight members on the site selection committee for the 2008 RNC Convention, where she was also selected as Chairman of the Convention’s Special Events. She was appointed to the Committee on Arrangements for 2008 and has received a similar appointment for the 2012 Convention in her home state of Florida.
Among other areas of her community service, Sharon was appointed by both Governor Bush and Governor Crist to the Broward County Housing Authority where she previously served as the Chair. Additionally, Sharon serves as a Commissioner on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
During her service to the Republican Party, Sharon has recruited numerous successful candidates and worked closely with party activists and supporters to spread the Republican message of less taxes, less spending and more freedom. In addition she looks to continuing GOP success in the future through the use of the latest technology.
Sharon was born in Texas, and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale. She earlier counted Indiana as home. Two sons and five grandchildren are a great source of pride.
Dr. Mark Green to share his story of success: From doctor to soldier to CEO & Senator!
Dr. Mark Green, Tennessee Senator (SD 22) will be a speaker in the Friday afternoon breakout session. A graduate of West Point and decorated solider, Dr. Green was an Army flight surgeon in Iraq and was the medical officer on the mission that captured and initially interviewed Saddam Hussein. In civilian life, Dr. Green is the founder and CEO of a health care company providing emergency department staffing in the southern states. As a businessman and doctor, he understands the problems in the healthcare industry. Elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2012, Dr. Green is currently the Vice-Chair of the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee as well as a member of the Judiciary and State and Local Government Committees. Mark was selected as the Tennessee Journal’s Rookie of the Year, appointed to co-chair of Physician Legislators from 16 states, and was recognized as one of GOPAC’s top 21 Emerging Leaders. Come hear his remarkable story of success. Learn more about Dr. Green at his website: http://www.markgreenfortennessee.com.
Dr. Mark Green, Tennessee Senator (SD 22) will be a speaker in the Friday afternoon breakout session. A graduate of West Point and decorated solider, Dr. Green was an Army flight surgeon in Iraq and was the medical officer on the mission that captured and initially interviewed Saddam Hussein. In civilian life, Dr. Green is the founder and CEO of a health care company providing emergency department staffing in the southern states. As a businessman and doctor, he understands the problems in the healthcare industry. Elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2012, Dr. Green is currently the Vice-Chair of the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee as well as a member of the Judiciary and State and Local Government Committees. Mark was selected as the Tennessee Journal’s Rookie of the Year, appointed to co-chair of Physician Legislators from 16 states, and was recognized as one of GOPAC’s top 21 Emerging Leaders. Come hear his remarkable story of success. Learn more about Dr. Green at his website: http://www.markgreenfortennessee.com.
Charlie Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, will address the Convention the morning of June 6th.
Turning Point USA is a national student movement dedicated to educating, empowering, and mobilizing young people behind the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Since the inception of Turning Point USA on June 5th of 2012 Charlie has grown Turning Point USA from nothing to having representation on over 750 high schools and colleges nationwide. At 21 years old, he has appeared on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX Business News over ninety times including frequent appearances on “Your World with Neil Cavuto” “Varney & Co.” and “The Willis Report.” He is a featured columnist for the Washington Times and a contributor for Breitbart.com. In addition to his entrepreneurial political endeavors, Charlie plays every type of Saxophone, was captain of his school’s Varsity Basketball and Football team, and is a proud Eagle Scout.
Turning Point USA is a national student movement dedicated to educating, empowering, and mobilizing young people behind the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Since the inception of Turning Point USA on June 5th of 2012 Charlie has grown Turning Point USA from nothing to having representation on over 750 high schools and colleges nationwide. At 21 years old, he has appeared on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX Business News over ninety times including frequent appearances on “Your World with Neil Cavuto” “Varney & Co.” and “The Willis Report.” He is a featured columnist for the Washington Times and a contributor for Breitbart.com. In addition to his entrepreneurial political endeavors, Charlie plays every type of Saxophone, was captain of his school’s Varsity Basketball and Football team, and is a proud Eagle Scout.
Loren Spivack, “The Free Market Warrior,” will speak the morning of June 6.
Mr. Spivak was born and raised in Massachusetts and spent most of his adult life in New York City. Before becoming active in politics, Spivack worked for several non-profits and as a management consultant for both profit and non-profit companies.
Spivack founded “Free Market Warrior” in 2009 in an effort to make a positive difference in American politics and economics. Since then, Loren has devoted his time to teaching conservative groups about free market economics. He conducts "Economic Literacy" seminars across the United States. So far, Spivack has delivered his famous seminar on “Economic Literacy" to almost 200 groups in 17 states.
Mr. Spivak was born and raised in Massachusetts and spent most of his adult life in New York City. Before becoming active in politics, Spivack worked for several non-profits and as a management consultant for both profit and non-profit companies.
Spivack founded “Free Market Warrior” in 2009 in an effort to make a positive difference in American politics and economics. Since then, Loren has devoted his time to teaching conservative groups about free market economics. He conducts "Economic Literacy" seminars across the United States. So far, Spivack has delivered his famous seminar on “Economic Literacy" to almost 200 groups in 17 states.
John Anthony will present "Social Networking in Politics Today" on Friday, June 5.
John Anthony is a former teacher in the Philadelphia School System. He left academia to become director of Sales and Marketing for Paul Mitchell Systems.
Mr. Anthony founded Corporate Measures, LLC, an executive leadership development firm, in 1989. He created the Edu‐Link Success Profile, a personality assessment tool used in businesses throughout the USA, Europe and Asia.
John is deeply concerned about the impact of government on personal property rights, individual freedoms and our exceptional American way of life. To that end, he founded Sustainable Freedom Lab to develop and present programs to inform conservative, liberal, and independent citizens of the dangers of current policies.
John Anthony is a former teacher in the Philadelphia School System. He left academia to become director of Sales and Marketing for Paul Mitchell Systems.
Mr. Anthony founded Corporate Measures, LLC, an executive leadership development firm, in 1989. He created the Edu‐Link Success Profile, a personality assessment tool used in businesses throughout the USA, Europe and Asia.
John is deeply concerned about the impact of government on personal property rights, individual freedoms and our exceptional American way of life. To that end, he founded Sustainable Freedom Lab to develop and present programs to inform conservative, liberal, and independent citizens of the dangers of current policies.
Israel Ortega to speak on Saturday, June 6.
Israel Ortega is an author and radio host, and is the former chief spokesperson to all Hispanic media for The Heritage Foundation, a conservative, free market think tank in Washington, D.C.
Israel got his start as a Congressional aide for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and later working for the third highest-ranking Republican Member of Congress during the 105th U.S. Congress.
Israel then went on to work for The Heritage Foundation where he helped launch The Heritage Foundation’s first targeted campaign to reach out to Hispanics in the United States. In the process, Israel authored hundreds of columns for various publications, including: The Wall Street Journal, National Review Online, Human Events, Town Hall, and Breitbart to name a few.
Israel has also appeared in dozens of media outlets including, FOX News Channel, ABC, NBC, MSNBC as well as Univision and Telemundo. Among Israel’s most notable media appearances include a Spring 2014 appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Finally, The Huffington Post recently included Israel among the Top 40 Latinos under 40 in politics.
Israel is married and has two young daughters, ages 3 and 1, and resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Israel Ortega is an author and radio host, and is the former chief spokesperson to all Hispanic media for The Heritage Foundation, a conservative, free market think tank in Washington, D.C.
Israel got his start as a Congressional aide for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and later working for the third highest-ranking Republican Member of Congress during the 105th U.S. Congress.
Israel then went on to work for The Heritage Foundation where he helped launch The Heritage Foundation’s first targeted campaign to reach out to Hispanics in the United States. In the process, Israel authored hundreds of columns for various publications, including: The Wall Street Journal, National Review Online, Human Events, Town Hall, and Breitbart to name a few.
Israel has also appeared in dozens of media outlets including, FOX News Channel, ABC, NBC, MSNBC as well as Univision and Telemundo. Among Israel’s most notable media appearances include a Spring 2014 appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Finally, The Huffington Post recently included Israel among the Top 40 Latinos under 40 in politics.
Israel is married and has two young daughters, ages 3 and 1, and resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Matt Batzel, of American Majority, to lead workshops on Saturday, June 6.
Matt Batzel is American Majority's National Executive Director. Previously he served as Wisconsin Executive Director for American Majority. Under his leadership, the American Majority Wisconsin chapter has trained 128 winning candidates at the state and local level, held over 120 trainings and trained more than 4,800 individuals in four-and-a-half years. During the height of the 2011 union protests in Madison, Batzel organized the American Majority “I Stand with Walker” rally, gathering more than 10,000 patriots to show the nation their support for public-sector-union reforms. Prior to both Wisconsin recall elections in 2011 and 2012, Batzel executed training blitzes to show hundreds of activists how to assist candidates at locations across Wisconsin. The father-of-five has also deployed a massive online army through co-creating a Twitter hashtag – #Wiright – designed to mobilize grassroots conservatives online.
Batzel has appeared on Fox News’ “Justice with Judge Jeanine;” TMJ4 (Milwaukee), WISC-TV (Madison); FOX 6 Milwaukee; and Wisconsin Public Radio and has been quoted in numerous print and online publications including NYTimes.com; ABCNews.com; Politico; Roll Call; FoxBusiness.com; Time.com, Reuters.com; CNBC.com; MSNBC.com; Yahoo News; The Washington Examiner; Chicago Tribune; and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also writes columns that have appeared on FOXNation; Townhall.com; Redstate.com; and RightWisconsin.com.
Prior to joining American Majority, Batzel gained experience at the state and federal levels, including in all three branches of the federal government. He has a tax-law background, having practiced in the private sector for more than two years following his graduation from law school. He lives in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin with his wife and children.
Matt Batzel is American Majority's National Executive Director. Previously he served as Wisconsin Executive Director for American Majority. Under his leadership, the American Majority Wisconsin chapter has trained 128 winning candidates at the state and local level, held over 120 trainings and trained more than 4,800 individuals in four-and-a-half years. During the height of the 2011 union protests in Madison, Batzel organized the American Majority “I Stand with Walker” rally, gathering more than 10,000 patriots to show the nation their support for public-sector-union reforms. Prior to both Wisconsin recall elections in 2011 and 2012, Batzel executed training blitzes to show hundreds of activists how to assist candidates at locations across Wisconsin. The father-of-five has also deployed a massive online army through co-creating a Twitter hashtag – #Wiright – designed to mobilize grassroots conservatives online.
Batzel has appeared on Fox News’ “Justice with Judge Jeanine;” TMJ4 (Milwaukee), WISC-TV (Madison); FOX 6 Milwaukee; and Wisconsin Public Radio and has been quoted in numerous print and online publications including NYTimes.com; ABCNews.com; Politico; Roll Call; FoxBusiness.com; Time.com, Reuters.com; CNBC.com; MSNBC.com; Yahoo News; The Washington Examiner; Chicago Tribune; and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also writes columns that have appeared on FOXNation; Townhall.com; Redstate.com; and RightWisconsin.com.
Prior to joining American Majority, Batzel gained experience at the state and federal levels, including in all three branches of the federal government. He has a tax-law background, having practiced in the private sector for more than two years following his graduation from law school. He lives in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin with his wife and children.