Leadership

As the former elected Maricopa County Recorder, Stephen faced significant fallout from the 2020 presidential election, and he knows the effects of election denialism, misinformation campaigns, and political harassment. Stephen distinguished himself by consistently and clearly explaining Arizona’s election processes and by serving as one of the nation’s loudest Republican voices for the truth about the 2020 election.

Stephen has received many awards for his public service, including “Defender of Democracy” (Time Magazine, 2024), “Leader of The Year” (Arizona Capitol Times, 2023), and “Arizonan of the Year” (The Arizona Republic, 2021).

Prior to his election, Stephen worked at the international law firms Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson LLP (formerly Lewis Roca LLP).

Stephen received his B.A. from Tulane University and his M.A. and J.D. from The University of Chicago. He is a Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center, and he is a Civil Society Fellow with the Aspen Institute.

Sam has spent his career at the intersection of public policy, media, and democratic accountability, helping institutions communicate clearly under pressure. At Republic Affairs, he leads strategic and crisis communications for organizations defending democratic values against disinformation and political attacks. He designs rapid-response systems, narrative frameworks, and media strategies that help service recipients stay on offense, even in hostile political environments.

He previously led communications at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, helping the agency advance an ambitious policy agenda amid intense partisan opposition, while cultivating public support for its mission. Before that, he advised two chairmen of the Senate Banking Committee on media strategy, and directed communications for a nonprofit challenging executive overreach in court.

Sam has helped prepare policymakers, advocates, and executives for oversight hearings, investigative interviews, and other moments of maximum visibility. His work is shaped by a commitment to clarity, accountability, and the role of communications in maintaining institutional trust.

Rich is an accomplished financial executive with extensive experience spanning over a decade in public accounting and both nonprofit and for-profit companies. Rich is hyper focused on bridging strategy and finance to maximize efficiencies, foster financial health, and support organizational missions.

With 5 years of foundational experience in public accounting, Rich developed a strong understanding of financial auditing, compliance, and regulatory requirements. This period was marked by meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity, and focus on providing excellent client service.

Transitioning to industry, Rich spent the next 6+ years honing his skills in financial management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency at both nonprofit and for-profit companies. This industry experience provided valuable insights into financial forecasting, budgeting, and the implementation of robust financial controls.