Staff Bios

Maria Weeg, Executive Director

I started my political career in Idaho as a page in the House Minority office in 1988 and continued moving up in the ranks, becoming the Coordinated Campaign Field Director for the Idaho Democratic Party in 2002 and ultimately the Executive Director of the Party in 2004. With a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbus State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Idaho State University under my belt, I am expecting to complete my Ph.D. in Political Science from Idaho State University in May of 2008. A native Westerner, I have focused my political career on the progress of Western states. Here in Arizona, I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Emily DeRose, Communications Director

My first political experience was as a page for the West Virginia
state legislature in the mid-1990s, but I have spent most of my professional career in the media. I graduated from Northwestern
University with degrees in political science and journalism. I came to Arizona in 2002 as a reporter for The Arizona Republic after stints at The Orange County Register, The Birmingham (Ala.) News and Bloomberg News in Paris. In 2006, I joined Policy Development Group/Critical Public Relations, a public affairs firm in Phoenix. I became communications director for the ADP in August 2007 and oversee the Party’s communications strategy.

Mallory Hutchison, Legislative Caucus Director

I began my political career as a summer intern in Washington D.C. working at the U.S. Senate. I went on to receive my bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University in 2005. Then, I joined the Arizona Democratic Party during the 2006 election cycle, working for legislative caucus team. In my current role as Legislative Campaign Manager for the ADP, I am focusing my efforts on recruiting top-notch legislative candidates for the 2008 election cycle, building a plan to protect our current Democratic legislative incumbents, as well as developing an oppositional research strategy in order to win back the Legislature in 2008!

Chris Brill, Elections Director

I grew up in a small town in southern New Mexico and eventually went on to college at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. During the pursuit of my degree, I found my calling, and interned at the Democratic Party of New Mexico as well as in Washington D.C in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. I graduated in 2006 and shortly thereafter moved out to Arizona and became the Statewide Volunteer Coordinator for the Arizona Democratic Party. After the election, Chris decided to stay in AZ and became the ADP’s Voter File Administrator in January.

Jeff Stapleton, Communications Assistant

I have previously worked for America Coming Together AZ/NV, the Virginia Coordinated Campaign, and the Pederson for U.S. Senate Campaign. I work under the Communications Director.

A.J. Miller, African-American Outreach Director

In 2002, I started working at the Arizona Democratic Party. I was involved in several campaigns going back to the early 80’s. At the Arizona Democratic Party, I have been involved in assisting African-Americans who have political ambitions. I am also involved in forty organizations around the State. I deal with voter registration, community education, and candidate recruitment.

Arista La Russo, Tribal Outreach Field Organizing Director

I am member of the Navajo Nation and was raised in the Sand Springs and Leupp area. My clans are the Mexican People clan born for the Deer Springs clan. Currently, I am the Tribal Outreach Field Organizing Director for the Arizona Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee. Being involved in the political process has become a cause for me and I would like to see further participation from the tribal constituents/individuals. I received my Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and an Associates of Arts degree in Marketing from Phoenix College. My other profession is being a designer of contemporary Native American fashions. She currently operates a studio/showroom in Phoenix, Arizona at 7th St. / Oak. She recently participated in a half-marathon and is currently training to for a marathon.

Devin Rankin, Finance Director

I am a native Arizonan (born and raised in Casa Grande) and have been working in Arizona Democratic politics since 2002. I began my political career working as the Campus Coordinator in the field operation. From there I joined the finance team in 2003 as the Deputy Finance Director and stayed on in that capacity until late 2004 when I stepped into my current role as Finance Director. My job is to work with our finance team to raise the necessary resources to make the entire State Party operation run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I work closely with our elected officials to host wonderful events throughout the year that help us raise a majority of our yearly budget. It is my responsibility to oversee the multiple programs that constitute our day to day operations such as the Arizona Democratic Council, our direct mail program and online fundraising challenges. It is a challenging job that has allowed me to interact on a regular basis with so many wonderful Arizona Democrats!

Sara Ahmad, ADC Coordinator

As the newest face to the AZ Democratic Party, my name is Sara Ahmad and I am a recent graduate from Northern Arizona University. My political roots stem from serving as treasurer in my high school’s Young Democrats club, a lonely and brave position on the mostly conservative high school campus. I decided to attend NAU and during my first semester in college at NAU, I was honored for my work and funds raised for Afghan children by President Bush along with 7 other individuals during a press conference in October of 2002. That day in Washington, DC, I realized my liberal spirit never left and made it a goal to become more involved in politics and community work. After graduation in 2005, I became involved in the nonprofit sector and served an internship as the Resource Development Coordinator at a local resettled refugee organization. I had decided to focus on the fundraising and resource development aspect of nonprofit work, not only for the experience, but also because I realized the crucial role fundraising plays in any nonprofit organization. At the close of my internship, I contacted the AZ Democratic Party, seeking an unforgettable experience with the upcoming ’08 elections. I now serve as our Finance Assistant and hope my valuable skills gained at my internship through fundraising and donor relations will be a great addition to this exceptional staff.

Justin Unga, Deputy Political Director

My career in activism began at Arizona State University where I received my BFA. I sat on the board of the University’s LGBT coalition, and on the programming board of several other diversity organizations. Between 2004 and 2006 I worked as an investment banker and financial planner in Miami, FL. After missing my hometown, I came back to Phoenix at the end of ’06 and continue to be involved in the community. Currently, I am a committee co-chair for the Phoenix One Voice Community Center. As the Operations Director, I work with and oversee party logistics, volunteer staffing, and account management.

Vanessa Barrera, Deputy Finance Director

I am originally from Ohio where I graduated from the University of Toledo. While at UT, I volunteered for many local campaigns and was involved in campus life by serving on several boards at the University. After graduation, I moved to Washington, DC where I ultimately began my career in politics. I started as a Staff Assistant and moved up to Legislative Correspondent/Jr. Legislative Assistant in the Office of Congressman Joe Baca, 43rd Congressional District of California. After a year and a half in the Congressman’s office, I left the Hill for a position with Berger Strategies and Hirschberg Strategies, Inc., a political fundraising/consulting firm. At the firm, I actively managed a portfolio that included presidential candidates, congressional candidates and non-profit fundraising accounts. In 2004, I transitioned to campaign work as a Field Organizer in the Ohio Victory 2004 – John Kerry for President campaign. After a heart-wrenching loss in Ohio, I returned to Washington, DC and accepted a position with the National Association of Home Builders’ political action committee (BUILD-PAC). While at NAHB, I was part of a team that raised an unprecedented $4.2 million. I moved to Arizona in the summer of 2007 to serve as the Deputy Finance Director of Donor Relations here at the Arizona Democratic Party.

Ayensa Millan, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator

My interest in the political arena began when I was a sophomore in college. In 2005, I interned for the Arizona State Legislature Democratic Caucus as a Research Analyst. After such an intensive and rewarding experience, I discovered a passion for change and justice through public service. In 2006, I obtained dual bachelor degrees in Political Science and Psychology from Arizona State University. Upon graduation I decided to work on Congressman Ed Pastor’s 2006 campaign and soon after joined Americorps. I am currently working on obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration while serving as the ADP’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator. I am excited to be here as I am anticipating many positive changes for the party and our nation in this coming year.

Amanda Jaksich, Operations Assistant

I am a native Arizonan, born in Phoenix. I recently graduated from Arizona State University in May 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science. I am a novice in the field and eager to learn from all the great veteran minds in the office.

Aaron Fanwick, Field Organizer

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and came out to Arizona to attend ASU. I graduated with a Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science. After working on Governor Janet Napolitano’s re-election campaign in 2006 I worked as a Program Administrator in the Governor’s office, supporting Arizona’s AmeriCorps programs. I decided I couldn’t miss out on all the excitement building around the Democratic Party and then joined the Arizona Democratic Party as the Field Organizer.

Jeff Goodman, New Media Communications Manager

I got my first taste of politics as a volunteer for the Clinton/Gore ’96 Arizona campaign, and have been chomping at the bit ever since to help turn our great state blue. Two previous careers – as an actor and an advertising executive – give me the background to help the Arizona Democratic Party establish new and creative ways to reach voters. I work in the communications department, focusing on new media (find us on MySpace and Facebook ) to create open, honest, and genuine conversations with Arizona Democrats and other interested voters.

Adralyn Wendel, Faith Outreach Organizer

I was raised in Austin, Texas before moving to North Carolina for college. Attending Wake Forest University on a track and field scholarship, I earned a degree in communication. My work in the underprivileged communities of Winston-Salem, NC led me to apply for the AmeriCorps program, Teach for America. After acceptance into the program, I was assigned to the Roosevelt School District of South Phoenix and have been teaching first grade there for the past three years. Throughout my life, I have been drawn to social policy change, but never more so than during my time in Teach for America. Consistently, I see a failure by people of all faiths to recognize that their beliefs are largely in line with the core principles of the Democratic Party. It is my hope that our efforts will help people to realize that their values are recognized, respected, and embodied by our Party.

Voter File Assistant, Franny Sharpe

My interest in politics was born shortly after the 2000 election, and lead me to form a Young Democrats chapter at my high school. My involvement with the YDs lasted throughout college, and it opened a lot of doors for me. I was lucky enough to spend time interning for Terry Goddard and the Coconino County Democratic Party. After I graduated from NAU I went to Nevada to work on a Presidential campaign. I’m excited to be back in Arizona and help turn it blue in 2008.