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Chair

Jim Dean, Chair

As the chair of Democracy for America, Jim Dean is committed to carrying on the legacy of his brother, Governor Howard Dean. As DFA's key spokesperson and fundraiser, Jim keeps DFA in the national spotlight. Jim brings DFA's mission across the country to all 50 states. He meets with candidates, organizers, party leaders and activists, inspiring everyone to get involved and take back our country. Jim has been involved with DFA since our founding in 2004.

Before joining DFA, Jim worked on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, beginning in early 2002.  Jim has been responsible for a variety of campaign functions including fundraising, political organizing and supporting several additional DFA state organizations.  Jim’s background is in marketing research particularly, business development, marketing, and sales.  He has worked at both Yankelovich Partners Inc. and Greenfield Online Inc.
Jim, his wife and three children live in Fairfield, CT

Founder

Governor Howard Dean, Founder

Governor Howard Dean founded Democracy for America in 2004 to build on the grassroots momentum for reform that his bid for the presidency sparked. The movement propelled DFA into a successful national organization committed to the "50 State Strategy."

In early 2005, DFA ran a people-powered campaign to elect Governor Dean to chair the Democratic National Committee. Democrats nationwide badly wanted reform and found the answer in Governor Dean.  From 2005 – 2009, Governor Dean spearheaded the DNC’s 50 State Strategy to support the base of the Democratic Party, setting Democrats up to take back Congress in 2006 and win the White House in 2008.  Upon leaving the DNC in early 2009, Governor Dean has returned to DFA as a senior adviser for the healthcare campaign.

Executive Director

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director

Arshad joined Democracy for America in early 2005 to develop and direct the DFA Campaign Academy and became the Executive Director in October 2007. Before DFA, Arshad worked with MoveOn PAC during the 2004 elections. Previous to his electoral experience, Arshad based his professional political career in environmental issue advocacy and organizing. His non-electoral experience includes work on legislative issue campaigns, corporate accountability campaigns, and grassroots fundraising. Whenever possible, Arshad likes to take a leave from DFA and work on campaigns with staffers he’s trained. In 2006, Arshad worked as the GOTV Director for Jerry McNerney for Congress. Arshad was born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota and went to college at the University of Pennsylvania.

Outside of the office, Arshad likes to practice Bikram yoga and visit Burlington hot spots.

Political Department

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director

Charlie grew up in California. In 1995, he walked into a campaign office in Santa Monica and found out he could make a living out of trying to change the world. It was hard work and long hours, but incredibly rewarding. Charlie was immediately hooked. Since then, he’s worked on direct democracy campaigns in 21 states. He’s worked for a California Assemblymember, ran campaigns for SEIU and AFL-CIO in Oregon, and was the volunteer leader of Miami’s DFA group for 3 years before joining the team at headquarters in Burlington in 2006. Charlie loves his job and his door is always open.

Outside of the office, Charles spends his free time outside with his wife, walking their dog Quazar, or disc golfing with friends.

Please email the political department with any questions at political@democracyforamerica.com

Field Department

Adam Quinn, Field Director

Adam grew up in Montana in a politically active family where public service and policy dominated dinner table conversation.  After graduating from the University of Montana with a degree in political science, Adam worked on several statewide races, culminating in more net Democratic seat victories in one cycle than in the previous 16 years combined.  Adam has also served as Field Director for the Montana Democratic Party and Political Director for Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer's campaign.  Since moving to Vermont, Adam has organized and managed numerous statewide campaigns while running his own consulting firm, directing Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Political Action Committee and acting as Finance Director for the Vermont Democratic Party. 

Playing Ultimate Frisbee, his 80's road bike (Miami Vice color scheme), and watching Champions League Football (soccer) are a couple of his favorite things.

Michael Langenmayr, Field Organizer

Michael is from Ogdensburg, New York, a small town on the Canadian border. He came to Vermont in 2003, when he studied Journalism and Mass Communication at Saint Michael's College. Michael entered politics in 2006 as an intern on the Welch for Congress campaign and came to DFA in early 2007 as a communications intern. He spent his first year out of college training dogs and returned to DFA as a Field Fellow in summer 2008. He was hired as a Field Organizer when his fellowship ended in December 2008.

He spends time outside the office with his dogs. He's a longtime comic book fan and isn't afraid to embrace his inner geek. Michael works with Adam and Kate to help connect DFA's thousands of activists and leaders, so feel free to give him a call or shoot him an e-mail whenever you need help.

Kate Lesniak, Field Organizer

Kate is from Buffalo, New York, a city she describes as filled with good neighbors, and one that builds strong character. She is a former Catamont and attended the University of Vermont, where she concentrated on Sociology and Political Science. Before she arrived at DFA, she spent summers coaching soccer, orienting new students at the University of Buffalo, and painting houses. After graduating, Kate organized with the Vermont Democratic Party and Vermont Freedom to Marry. Her favorite political experience was her first, working with the Rutland County Dems, where she turned her volunteers into her best friends and learned about organizing.

She knows that Paul Simon is a musical genius, and that Ratatat is the perfect backdrop for a productive work day. In the winter you can find her snowboarding, and in the summer, swimming with her dog.
She loves identifying personal strengths in others, connecting people, and empowering groups to create meaningful change. She's here to help, and wants you to give her a call or shoot her an email.

Please email the field department with any questions at field@democracyforamerica.com

Training Department

Matt Blizek, Training Director

Matt Blizek became involved in activism through student and community organizing at the University of Iowa where he was elected Vice President of the Student Body.  Since 2003 he has done Field Organizing and Fundraising for the DNC, MoveOn.org, Jon Tester, Annette Taddeo and more.  Matt joined Democracy for America in 2007 and has since trained thousands of candidates and activists in the art & science of electoral politics.

Whenever he has free time, Matt likes to see live music or enjoy the outdoors.

Bryan Hageny, Deputy Training Director

Bryan grew up in the fiercely contested swing state of Wisconsin, and is proud of its progressive tradition. While attending the University of Wisconsin he worked for Howard Dean, John Kerry, and Tammy Baldwin. Following graduation, he served in a number of political and activist roles. To this end Bryan worked as an Assistant Director of a large canvassing office in Boston, next as an Organizer of Power Shift 2007 (first ever student global warming conference held at the University of Maryland), and then as a Community Organizer in Pennsylvania. In 2008 Bryan was hired as DFA's Deputy Training Director. Most recently Bryan worked as a Field Organizer on Darcy Burner's 2008 bid for Congress.

Bryan can often always be seen wearing hot shoes and various platypus hats.

Please email the training department with any questions at training@democracyforamerica.com

Finance Department

Mia Moore, Finance Director

Mia has a diverse background in organizing and fundraising, dating all the way back to her college years at the University of Wisconsin. She began her professional organizing career working with students at the University of California-Berkeley, where she worked on the successful campaign calling on the state of California to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2017.  Mia has also directed telephone outreach offices to raise money and connect such non-profit groups as MASSPIRG and Environment North Carolina with their membership. Before her current work with DFA, Mia directed the major gifts program for Toxics Action Center, increasing the gross income from this program by nearly 100% in two years. 

When she's not working, you can find Mia biking, cross-country skiing, tending to her small vegetable garden, or cooking up a storm with her husband, James. 

Ale Lorenzo, Finance Assistant/ Scheduler

Ale grew up in Los Angeles, CA and attended Miami-Dade Community College. However, she didn't finish her degree at Miami-Dade because she was busy with another career, singing. Her former band, Expose has a platinum record. After leaving Expose, she began doing political organizing on different campaings across the nation. She has worked for several different groups on many different issues. Her favorite politcal experience was working on passing minimum wage in California in the 90's, an issue, which at that time, hadn't been raised in about a decade.

When she isn't at DFA, she enjoyes hiking, reading, and more recently, disc golf.

Please email the finance department with any questions at finance@democracyforamerica.com

Communications Department

Mary Rickles, Communications Director

As communications director, Mary spends her days writing about DFA and getting others to do the same. She has a unique background in both traditional and new media, having worked as a reporter and with agencies, non-profits, and corporate companies on projects ranging from brand development to community outreach. She also does communications and media for Netroots Nation. Mary grew up in Birmingham, AL—where she got first taste of politics by volunteering for Don Siegelman's gubernatorial campaign—and now splits time between San Francisco and Burlington, VT.

When she's not geeking out over politics, she enjoys singing and seeing live music.

Please email the communications department with any questions at media@democracyforamerica.com

Tim Watson, Technology Director

Tim grew up in Durham, Connecticut, but moved to Vermont about ten years ago.

Please email the support staff with any questions at info@democracyforamerica.com