Let’s Celebrate the Leadership of AYD!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

(Arlington County Democratic Committee)

Report from the Chairman

Peter Rousselot

The coming of a new year marks a fitting moment for all Arlington Democrats to celebrate the leadership that AYD brings to our party and to our community.

At our December meeting, ACDC honored a former leader of AYD, retiring Clerk of Court Dave Bell, for his numerous contributions to our Democratic party spanning three decades. Dave’s long and distinguished career in Arlington reminds us that many of today’s leaders of the Arlington Young Democrats also will lead ACDC, Arlington, Virginia, and the nation.

A former AYD President, Alfonso Lopez, already serves as the ACDC Deputy Chair and as the Director of the Virginia Liaison Office in Washington, DC. In this Cabinet-level position, Alfonso is in charge of all federal and Congressional Relations for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Another former AYD President, Gabe Snow, along with the incoming 2008 AYD President, Bree Raum, will lead the planning for our JJ Dinner in 2008. AYD’s outgoing President, Jim McBride, has served as an ACDC Precinct Operations Vice Chair and as campaign manager for Delegate Al Eisenberg.

Still another former AY D President, Mike Lieberman, serves as ACDC’s Finance Vice Chair, and was campaign manager for incoming County Board Chair, Walter Tejada. AYD Party Representative, Chris King, led Arlington’s 21/51 Committee in helping our State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple’s successful drive to retake a Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate.

AYD leader, Amanda Brino, served as a 2007 Joint Campaign Co-Chair---sweeping Arlington Democrats into control of all elected offices in Arlington. AYD’s Political Director in 2007, Kip Malinosky, is now serving as the campaign manager for the 2008 School Board Democratic endorsement campaign of fellow AYD, Terron Sims. AYD leader, John Grant, served as campaign manager for Mary Hynes’ County Board campaign, while another AYD leader, Jonathan Morgenstein, serves as ACDC’s Program Director.

As we move into 2008, AYD has chosen another great team of leaders who are destined to continue the leadership tradition of their predecessors: Bree Raum (President), Amanda Wolfe (Vice President), Michelle McCall (Secretary), Amy Lewis (Treasurer), and Christine Lamb (Finance Chair). I have to pause here to note, with admiration and respect, that every single AYD officer I have just named is a woman! The balance of the 2008 AYD leadership team named so far includes: Charlie Burnham (Political Director), Chris King (Party Representative), Sarah Godlewski (Outreach Director), and Miles Grant (Community Service).

As you know, the coming year will be highlighted by spirited statewide electoral contests for President and United States Senator. As was the case in 2006 when Arlington swept Jim Webb to a Virginia victory by providing him with a 33,000 vote margin in Arlington, we will be called on once again to provide the margin of victory for our Presidential and Senate candidates. The leadership, creativity, energy, and vision of AYD will set the pace for us to meet those challenges.

PETER ROUSSELOT