Every year, Campaigns & Elections Politics magazine selects a handful of people under the age of 35 who have already made a significant mark in political consulting, campaigning, or advocacy. This year’s class of Rising Stars includes 15 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 11 nonpartisan or international leaders chosen from a pool of hundreds of nominees.

Included in the 2010 class of Rising Stars is our very own Reed Millar. Reed joins the ranks of David Axelrod, Paul Begala, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, Rahm Emanuel, Ed Gillespie, Alexis Herman, Karen Hughes, Laura Ingraham, Celinda Lake, Jim Pinkerton, Ralph Reed, George Stephanopoulos, and grassroots solutions co-founder Robert Richman, who was a member of the 2000 class of Rising Stars.

Over the past four years, we at grassroots solutions have watched Reed build on his decade of experience managing grassroots programs in the field — running canvasses and designing volunteer and paid advocacy and electoral field programs — to integrating new media and social networking into every project.  He is a leader in our firm in helping clients integrate online and offline strategies for organizing and engagement, and has developed special skills and experience engaging young activists in grassroots initiatives.  Reed has run dozens of grassroots programs, managed hundreds of canvassers, and designed and overseen programs that have mobilized thousands of volunteers and touched hundreds of thousands of citizens. He moves seamlessly between advocacy projects and electoral campaigns and is able to connect the two to help organizations build their base of supporters and activists for both short- and long-term goals. It is this combination of skills, experiences and sensibilities that will carry Reed from a “Rising Star” to a leader within the field of grassroots voter and activist engagement.

The 2010 Rising Stars, presented by Aristotle
Contact: James Klatell
Managing Editor, Politics
jklatell@politicsmagazine.com

Campaigns & Elections’ Politics magazine is proud to announce its 2010 Rising Stars, presented by Aristotle.

This year’s winners include consultants, campaign managers, technological innovators, field organizers and fundraisers—all of whom are successful beyond their years.

“The 2010 class of Rising Stars is a diverse group of political operatives and strategists with representatives from every discipline and from across the entire political spectrum,” said James Klatell, managing editor of Politics. “These 41 men and women are helping campaigns around the world to succeed in rapidly changing environments.”

Campaigns & Elections Rising Stars are people less than 35 years old who have already made a significant mark in political consulting, campaigning or advocacy. The 2010 class includes 15 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 11 nonpartisan or international leaders chosen from a pool of hundreds of nominees.

The Rising Stars will be honored in the June issue of Politics and during our June training seminar, The Art of Political Campaigning. (For a seminar agenda: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Agenda.aspx?e=70db4dfa-258c-49ff-9d19-0b92f19dfa92)

The 2010 Rising Stars, presented by Aristotle

Democrats:

• John Balduzzi, Political Director, Kennedy Communications
• Jennifer Bethel, Art Director, Goddard Claussen
• Aaron Beytin, President, The Beytin Agency
• Michael Bronstein, Partner, Bronstein & Weaver
• Toby Chaudhuri, Director, Revolution Messaging
• Joe Rospars, Founding Partner, Blue State Digital
• Nick Gourevitch, Vice President, Global Strategy Group
• Tom Jensen, Director, Public Policy Polling
• Tharon Johnson, Campaign Manager, Kasim Reed for Mayor (Atlanta, Ga.)
• Clark Lee, Political Director, Los Angeles County Democratic Party
• Toby McGrath, Political Director, Maine Street Solutions
• Reed Millar, Senior Project Manager, Grassroots Solutions
• Tammy Palmer, Senior Strategist, Tyson Organization
• Cheyenne Shaffer, Director of Operations, Mission Control
• Emily Williams, Senior Interactive Account Executive, MSHC

Republicans:

• Michael Beach, Founder, Targeted Victory
• Anthony Bellotti, Vice President, Connell Donatelli
• Alex Conant, Communications Director, Tim Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC
• Lisa De Pasquale, CPAC Director, The American Conservative Union
• Wesley Donehue, President, Donehue Direct
• Josh Geleris, Managing Partner, Edge Targeting
• Tyler Harber, Vice President, Wilson Research
• Sarah Hoffman, Senior Account Executive, DCI Group
• Kurt Luidhardt, Vice President, The Prosper Group
• Ford O’Connell, President, Project Virginia
• Matthew Parker, President, Front Porch Strategies
• Brandon Powers, President, Powers Communications
• Meredith Quillen, Project Manager, Targeted Creative
• Brian Walsh, Political Director, National Republican Congressional Committee
• John Yob, CEO, Strategic National Consulting

Independents/Internationals/Nonpartisans:

• Armando J. Arana S., Consultant, Newlink Political
• Nancy Carlson, Sr. Account Manager, Goddard Claussen
• Andrew J. Cronin, Responsive Marketing Group
• Brittany Greer, Online Campaigns Manager, UK Conservative Party
• Jordana Ingber, Vice President, Sheinkopf Communications
• Gideon Lett, Senior Associate, APCO Worldwide
• Sarah Longwell, Communications Director, Berman and Company
• Israel Navarro, Coordinator, The Governance Program for Latin America (GWU)
• Gaurav Oberoi, CEO, Precision Polling
• Santos Ortega, Public Affairs Director, MAS Consulting
• Robert Silver, President, Dynamic Policy Consulting

Past Rising Stars include David Axelrod, Paul Begala, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, Rahm Emanuel, Ed Gillespie, Alexis Herman, Karen Hughes, Laura Ingraham, Celinda Lake, Jim Pinkerton, Ralph Reed and George Stephanopoulos. (For a list of past Rising Stars: http://politicsmagazine.com/about-ce/rising-stars-alumni/