Rudy Giuliani-Organization, South Carolina
updated November 18, 2007

RUDY GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE, INC.
RUDY GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE, INC.  [Filed papers with New York State on Nov. 10, 2006 and with the FEC on Nov. 20, 2006]

Offices:  1221 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC (behind the Sunset Grill)
             1639 Tatum Street, Charleston, SC    (grand openings for both offices on July 18, 2007)
             113 West Main Street, Spartanburg, SC (a room in the front of the Palladian Group)  (official opening with national campaign manager Mike DuHaime on Nov. 12, 2007)
 
Chairman Barry Wynn
(announced June 20, 2007; succeeded Thomas Ravenel) A former chairman of the South Carolina GOP.   Currently serves as President and CEO of Colonial Trust Company in Spartanburg.  Wynn played prominent roles in both campaigns of President George W. Bush in South Carolina and served as South Carolina Finance Chair for President George H.W. Bush in 1992.  A graduate of the Citadel.
 
 
Executive Director Ryan Meerstein
During the 2006 election cycle, Meerstein served at the director of political education at the Republican National Committee (RNC) and worked with the RNC's Victory Program on the successful campaign of Bob Corker for U.S. Senate in Tennessee.  In 2004 he served as the RNC Victory field director for Central Ohio.  Graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, 2003.

Regional Field Directors
Upstate Matthew Nichols
Nichols, a Louisiana State University graduate who has worked on several congressional races across the country, is a former executive director for the Young Republican Leadership Fund in Washington D.C.
 
 
Upstate Tim O'Toole
(announced Oct. 1, 2007)  O’Toole served as an intern with both the RNC and former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO).  He joins the Giuliani campaign after working as an account coordinator for a public relations firm.  O’Toole has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.
 
 
Lowcountry Chuck Poplstein
Most recently a legislative liaison for the Missouri Department of Higher Education.  Served on the Missouri Victory staff in 2006.
 
 
Lowcountry Sarah Bjorkman
(announced Oct. 1, 2007)  Bjorkman, a native of Charleston, recently graduated from the College of Charleston.  She is a graduate of the South Carolina Winning Women Program, an RNC leadership training program that encourages women at the local, state and national levels to become more active in the political process.  Bjorkman also served as an intern for U.S. Sen.Jim DeMint (R-SC).
 
 
Grand Strand Yonnick Hammond
(announced Oct. 17, 2007)  Hammond joined the Giuliani campaign from the office of South Carolina Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr.  where he served as legislative correspondent and earlier as an intern.   He also served as a field representative for Jim DeMint’s successful 2004 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Graduate of Charleston Southern University   Native of Summerville, SC.
 
 
Midlands Pete Stevenson
Stevenson has interrupted his doctorate studies at the University of Virginia to join the Giuliani effort.  He is a Furman graduate who served as the Secretary of State with the South Carolina Student Legislature.
 
 
Midlands Justin Charboneau
(announced Oct. 17, 2007)  Charboneau served as a field director for the RNC's Victory 2006 effort in Missouri and was also a 72 Hour Campaign Coordinator in the 2006 cycle. He has held leadership roles in the Webster University College Republicans as well as with various Young Republican groups.
 
 
 
political advising and fundraising Karen Floyd 
(reported by The Politico Jan. 24, 2007 and earlier by The Chaser)  CEO of The Palladian Group.  Republican nominee for Superindent of Education in 2006.  A vice president for Flagstar Corporation, a publicly traded holding company for seven restaurant chains.  Elected chief magistrate of Spartanburg County.  Prosecutor with the 7th Judicial Circuit.  Attorney with the office of South Carolina Senate Research.
 

Co-Finance Chairman (announced April 5, 2007)
Barry Wynn
A former chairman of the South Carolina GOP.   Currently serves as President and CEO of Colonial Trust Company in Spartanburg.  Wynn played prominent roles in both campaigns of President George W. Bush in South Carolina and served as South Carolina Finance Chair for President George H.W. Bush in 1992.  A graduate of the Citadel.
Gayle Averyt
Former chairman of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance.  A graduate of Davidson College and Harvard Business School.  Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
 
 

Regional Chairman
Lowcountry Arthur Ravenel
(announced April 5, 2007)  In 2006 Ravenel won a seat on the school board of Charleston County at the age of 79.  State Senator, 1996-2004; shepherded construction of Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River.  Ran for Governor in 1994.  Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 and served four terms.  Member of the South Carolina Senate, 1980-86.  Joined the Republican Party in 1960.  Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, 1953-58.  B.S. from the College of Charleston in 1950.  Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1945-46.  Born in Charleston, SC.  Realtor; founder of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. company in Charleston.
 
Midlands Joyce Hearn
(announced June 25, 2007)  Former State Representative.
 
Upstate Jim Miles
(announced June 25, 2007)  Former South Carolina Secretary of State.
 
Pee Dee Co-Chairs Mark Kelley and Deanna Cochran
(announced June 25, 2007)  Mark Kelley is a former State Representative; Deanna Cochran is a former South Carolina Republican Party Treasurer.
 

County Chairs/Co-Chairs  (announced Sept. 20, 2007)
Aiken County
Todd Etheridge, Mayor of Jackson
Don Sprawls, Aiken City Councilman and firefighter

Anderson County
Richard Shirley, former Mayor of Anderson
Page Rice, Anderson County GOP 1st Vice Chair

Bamberg County
Ronald Maxwell, local business leader and GOP activist

Cherokee County
Daniel Lawrence, small business owner
Chester County Chair
David Tavernier, Chester GOP Executive Committee member and member of the Chester Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors Edgefield County Chair
Sonny Yonce, peach farmer
Florence County Chair and Co-Chairs
Kenneth Ard, Florence County Councilman, County Chair
John Moss, retired doctor, County Co-Chair
Michael Reino, Florence County GOP Vice-Chair, County Co-Chair

Georgetown County
Clyde Davis, retired and local GOP activist
Kathryn Davis, retired, Sun Microsystems

Greenville County
Dennis Jones, retired and local GOP activist

Lancaster County
Rev. Norman Dobson, Pastor and local GOP activist

Lexington County
Christopher Harmon, Auditor, Lexington County
Benjamin "Todd" Limehouse, Manager, Palmetto Medical Products

Marlboro County
Geraldine Scism, Co-Owner, Scism Construction

McCormick County
Rita Smith, President of McCormick County GOP Women

Pickens County
John Hawkins, retired and local GOP activist

Richland County
William "Rusty" DePass, former State Election Commission Chairman
Michael Montgomery, Richland County Councilman

Spartanburg County
O’Neal Mintz, Spartanburg County Councilman
Walter McSherry, retired Army veteran and former National GOP delegate
Allison Black Strange, local GOP activist Union County Chair
James Yarbrough, Firefighter, Monarch Fire Department

York County
Jeanie Quantz, local community activist
 
 
 
Lowcountry County Leadership (announced July 30, 2007)
Beaufort County
Mike Passanite - local businessman and Republican activist
Bill Roe - former Beaufort County Republican Party Chairman 

Berkeley County
Tim Callanan - Berkeley County Councilman
Deanna Trout - small business owner and former county co-chair for President George W. Bush

Charleston County
Jane Barr - former President of the Charleston League of Women Voters 

Colleton County
Mary “Libba” Flowers - retired teacher and mother of seven

Dorchester County
Grant Mishoe - Captain with the North Charleston Fire Department

Jasper County
Thaire “Scooter” Daley, Jr. - South Carolina Republican Party State Executive Committeeman
 

Horry County  (announced April 5, 2007)
Leadership Team
John Rhodes - First-term Mayor of Myrtle Beach.  He is also the Executive Director of the Myrtle Beach Beachball classic, which is one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the country.

Randal Wallace - A second-term Myrtle Beach Councilman.  His full time profession is in commercial real estate.

Chuck Martino - A third-term Myrtle Beach Councilman.  Martino runs Martino and Associates, which specializes in estate, retirement and business planning.

Mike Ryan - A second term Horry County Councilman; has had a long career in local education.

Mark Lazarus - A former Horry County Councilman.  He is the owner of one of the largest water parks in Myrtle Beach and recently ran for Chairman of the County Council.
 

>South Carolina Firefighters for Rudy
On March 9, 2007 the Exploratory Committee announced the support of nearly one hundred firefighters from across South Carolina.  On July 20, 2007 the campaign announced that nearly 200 firefighters and members of the first responder community are supporting Giuliani.
Chair Lewis Hayes, Chief of the Croft Fire Department

Co-Chairs (announced Sept. 6, 2007)
Barry Frost, Chief, Duncan Fire Department
Joe Palmer, Chief, Newberry Fire Department
Michael Sonefeld, Chief, Irmo Fire Department
 

>South Carolina Law Enforcement for Rudy
Chair - Lt. Dave Soderberg, Criminal Investigations Division Commander, Goose Creek Police Department (announced Sept. 6, 2007)
 

>South Carolina Business Leaders for Rudy Leadership Team  (announced Aug. 23, 2007)
Tim Cantrell - CTMI, Spartanburg
John Cattano - Value Place Hotels, Columbia
Coker Day - Daybreak Adult Care services, Aiken
Jason Edens - Edens Equipment Sales, Columbia
Daniel Lawrence - Dan Lawrence, AIA, Gaffney
Mark Lazarus - Wild Water Water Park, Myrtle Beach
William Milner - CARElina Homecare, Charleston
O'Neal Mintz - Mintz Scrap Metal, Chesnee
Thomas Parsell - Hospitality Management Corporation, Charleston
Evelyn Reis Perry - Carolina Sound Communications, Charleston
William Somers - Deck Pro, INC, Beaufort
 

>South Carolina College Students for Rudy  (announced Oct. 25, 2007)
Chair - Phil Paradise  ...Senior at the College of Charleston.  Governor of the South Carolina Student Legislature and the vice president of his Senior Class.  He has a triple major in Political Science, Urban Studies and Historic Preservation.
 
 

also note
Southeast Regional Communications Director Elliott Bundy
(started Feb. 2007)  Press secretary and director of policy on Mike McGavick's 2006 U.S. Senate campaign in Washington state.  Press secretary on Lisa Murkowski's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, and then in her Senate office.  Assistant to the chief of staff for Sen. Ted Stevens.  B.A. in political science from Columbia University, 2003.  From Alaska; graduate of West Anchorage High School.
 
 
Deputy Director of Communications (National) Jason Miller
(start April 2007 "oversee the Committee's national rapid response and surrogate speaker efforts from the headquarters in New York City, while also contributing to the Committee's organization-building efforts in South Carolina and several other early-primary states.") More than a decade of national political experience.  Moves to the campaign from position as deputy chief of staff to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.  Campaign manager for Sanford's 2006 re-election campaign; he came to the Sanford campaign after serving as campaign manager for Sen. George Allen's 2006 re-election campaign through late 2005.  In 2003-04 Miller was campaign manager for Jack Ryan's U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois, and after that effort ended he worked on Tom Coburn's U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois.  Campaign manager on Ric Keller's successful 2000 campaign for Congress in Florida's 8th CD, then served as chief of staff to the Florida Congressman.  Worked for Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA).  Native of Seattle.
 
 
 
 

former
Communications Director Braden Bunch
(announced June 26, 2007)  Most recently worked as Research Analyst with the South Carolina Department of Commerce.  Served on Gov. Mark Sanford's reelection campaign in 2006, and earlier worked for two years in Sanford's communications office.  Senior political writer for The Item in Sumter, SC.
 
Chairman State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel
(announced April 5, 2007; stepped down on June 19, 2007 following indictment on drug charges)  Elected South Carolina State Treasurer in 2006.  Sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2004 (won by Jim DeMint).  Founded the Ravenel Development Corporation, a commercial real estate development company, in 1992.  M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina, 1991.  Sold real estate for four years.  B.S. in business administration from The Citadel, 1985.  Grew up in Charleston; son of former South Carolina Representative and Senator Arthur Ravenel.
 
Copyright © 2007  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action