The Executive Board serves as the elected officers of the county Party. These individuals work tirelessly to make sure that the local GOP is governed effectively and that the efforts of our grassroots precinct committeemen are optimized to ensure sweeping Republican victories at all levels of elected office.
We are blessed to have a group of professionals with such a diverse set of skill specialties. Members of the Executive Board are elected by the precinct committeemen for two-year terms.
CHAIRMAN
Mickie Niland
Mickie describes herself as a fiscal & social conservative, small government Republican. She began her grassroots political work before she even knew the role of Precinct Committeeman existed, independently researching and distributing information to her neighbors and holding events to teach others how to get involved. While volunteering in the community she was introduced to the role of PC and jumped right in! She has worked as a campaign manager in 2011, Gilbert Parks & Rec. Board 2012-2018, Chairman of LD12 2011-2016, 2019-2021, AZGOP CD5 Member at Large in 2012, 2016 & 2018 and was a National Delegate in 2016 & 2020. In January of 2020 Mickie received the AZGOP Ronald Reagan Award for Excellence in Service.
In her new role as County Chairwoman Mickie’s focus will be on organizing the MCRC, synergizing the strengths of our PC’s and leaders to connect with the voters to get out our message. Mickie’s experience of leading one of the largest LD’s in Maricopa County over the past decade has prepared her to move into this new role. Mickie’s 1st passion in politics is PC recruitment and mentoring. She is known for her ability to recruit and mentor new PC’s. “I have found that new PC’s need three things to succeed; a mentor, PC Training and small job to feel part of our team. Helping PC’s learn the skills to make a difference is important to me. ”
Mickie and her husband Jeff of 43 years were married in California and moved quite frequently. They were transferred with Procter & Gamble to Arizona in 2001. They have 4 children and 13, soon to be 14 grandchildren. One of her joys during the 2020 pandemic was sharing her passion for politics with her family by teaching a “Constitution and Politics” class for her five oldest grandchildren and her mother by Zoom! When not “politicking”, Mickie enjoys popcorn, reading, gardening, long walks, board games, crafts and hanging out with her grandkids at their cabin. Her newest passion is watching our beautiful Arizona sunsets.
FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN
Nancy Ordowski
Nancy is a strong Constitutional Conservative. She believes in freedom, liberty, small government, minimal taxation, and she is stalwartly pro-life. She and her husband moved to Arizona in 1998. They are parents to a son & daughter and have 5 grandsons. Becoming involved in politics was a gradual process. Having been a voting Republican since she was 18, she became aware it was important to become involved for the sake of her grandsons and other young people she met.
She ran for Fountain Hills Town Council and lost. That experience gave her the opportunity to meet many Republican leaders who encouraged her to be a PC. When one door closes another opens and she believes God’s hand was guiding her. Having been a teacher and business owner, she knew the importance of education. She took on the development and implementation of training programs for PCs and Precinct Captains. Nancy has learned it is very important to create positive relationships between Chairman and PCs as well as a relationship between PCs and voters. Her goal is to bring these experiences to the Chairman and PCs of our Maricopa County Republican team. She has served as 1st Vice Chair for LD23 from 2014-2016, Chairman from 2017-2020. She now serves as 1st Vice Chair for both LD23 & MCRC. Nancy was a delegate for the 2016 & 2020 National Republican Conventions.
SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN
Michal Joyner
I am a native Arizona girl who loves our amazing State. I have been involved in politics and civic activities my entire adult life. In addition to my 2nd VP position on MCRC, I also serve on the executive board of Palo Verde Republican Women. Engaging others to become involved is a passion of mine, and it’s always fun to discover new ways to energize our voters. I currently serve on the Development Review Board for the City of Scottsdale, and I have served on the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission for a total of 8 years. I am married, and I have 5 children. All but one lives in Arizona, and all 3 of our grandchildren are residing in Arizona. My husband and I love hiking with our dogs and camping in our travel trailer. We are a Labrador family, and we have recently added a new puppy, Anna.
Prior to retiring in 2020, I was a mortgage banker in Scottsdale. I worked with amazing Realtors throughout the valley to provide successful financing for clients who were building a new dream home or buying their first home. I have made lots of friends and memories from my wonderful career. A favorite satisfaction for me was when I started financing homes for the children of parents that I had worked with early in their married life. That’s the true definition of a full circle career.
I am a staunch Conservative, and my favorite saying is that “Hope is not a Strategy—hard work is.” I truly believe that our liberty and freedoms are being attacked, and we must work tirelessly to protect them. I serve as Captain in the Pinnacle Peak precinct, and it’s truly wonderful to witness the energy of my precinct committeemen. We organize Meet and Greets and share the strategy that “Freedom is fragile” and protecting against those who want to replace our Freedom with control is a primary goal.
I am very excited about working with all the Chairmen and serving as an advocate to MCRC to the various clubs in Maricopa County. I am here to serve!
is a strong believer in limited government and has been active in politics for over 10 years having ran for public office, served as a state and precinct committeeman in LD12, helped various local and state campaigns and operates a political podcast. He has strong connections with various areas of Maricopa County which were gained from serving as a Police Officer with the City of Phoenix, he served in the Air Force Reserves at Luke Air Force Base and currently owns several small businesses based out of Mesa that provide services all over the county. In addition, he has served in leadership roles with various boards and commissions such as the Town of Gilbert’s Human Relations Commission and has earned several community involvement based awards one of which is from the University of Arizona Alumni Association for his work in helping Veterans within our community.
TREASURER
David Ludwig
David is now serving his second stint as the MCRC Treasurer. He previously served three MCRC Chairmen in that capacity from 2011 to 2017.
Proud to be a Republican, David has been a Precinct Committeeman for many years, serving in a variety of capacities; LD Credentials & Tally Chairman, LD Treasurer, LD Sergeant at Arms, State Committeeman, door hanger, walk list walker, phone bank dialer and Alternate Delegate to the National Convention in 2016. He is the recipient of the 2017 AZGOP Outstanding Party Worker award and the 2016 MCRC Reagan Award.
David currently serves the community as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Washington Elementary School District’s three self insured trusts, having done so since 1997, most of which, as he is now, as the Chairman of the Employee Benefit Trust (health insurance). David has served as the Chairman of the Maricopa County Chapter of the Exodus Movement, is a proud member of the NRA, JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership) and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
A native Arizonan, David accompanied his family around the country, living in various cities, including Oceanside California and Hampton Virginia, before they all re-settled in Phoenix in 1980. A graduate of the University of Arizona, David has been in the actuarial and retirement plan administration industry since his first internship in 1985. David has been a small business owner since 1990 when he started his own Pension Consulting firm, Fiduciary Advisors, Ltd.
David and his wife Jinny of 32 years have three grown children and three young grandchildren. The Ludwigs live in central Phoenix where they were born, went to school, raised their family and maintain their businesses. A family once very involved in the Arizona youth soccer community, David coached many years and served as the President of the CISCO Soccer Club for over 10 years.
SECRETARY
Daniel Grimm
Dan, an Electrical Engineer with 30+ years of experience in the Valley’s Semiconductor manufacturing arena is a proud graduate of Penn State University, whereupon graduation, he moved to Arizona. He raised his family in Mesa, Arizona (2 sons and a daughter) and currently resides in Tempe, Optimist Precinct of LD18.
Dan co-founded the grassroots organization VoCaL (Valley Conservative League) in 2004 with a small band of deplorables, presaging the rise of the Tea Party in Arizona! Dissatisfied with results achieved on the outside, Dan became a Precinct Committeeman to try to incite change from within the Republican Party.
Dan served on the Executive Board of LD19 (LD25) from 2007 – 2010 and as an MCRC Member-at-Large from 2008 – 2011.
Dan planned and organized the Statutory and Mandatory Meetings from 2012 – 2015. (just look for the guy with the BIG Green Hat!)
Dan received the MCRC Reagan Volunteer Award, as well as the Lincoln Lifetime Achievement award. In 2015, Dan received the AZ GOP Goldwater Volunteer of the Year Award. Dan served on the Executive Board of the East Valley Tea Party from 2013 – 2016. Dan strives to emulate Ronald Reagan’s maxim, “There’s no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Kevin Beamon
A Precinct Committeeman (PC) since
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Joanie Colson
In the…
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Brian Ference
Brian Ference is a native-born Arizonan and a life-long Republican. He is a pro-life Christian and a Constitutional Conservative. He believes strongly in election integrity, smaller government, less taxes, securing our border, and stopping illegal immigration. He opposes anything socialist or communist, will fight for our freedoms, and strongly supports everything in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Brian has an M.B.A. and is an experienced Technical Project Manager and Web Design expert who has put his skills to use creating the LD15 and LD30 sites as well as the SUSD Board Recall and CCUSD Board recall sites. Brian has been very active from the beginning in exposing school board member corruption which has now made national news. This includes creating and organizing telegram and other communication groups, fundraising, and personally putting up “Vote No” signs on the fiscally irresponsible CCUSD $11 Million bond. The CCUSD Bond was defeated successfully. The President of SUSD (who along with numerous other offenses also created a dossier of parents including private data) was replaced as President and is currently facing an investigation, legal action, and calls to resign.
Brian’s goal as MAL will be to help the LDs rebuild their communications and web/social sites after their boards are dissolved and reformed as part of redistricting. This will allow the LDs to focus on winning the 2022 election. Among many other things, here are some technical tasks Brian can advise you on and help you with:
· Creation and setup of a new LD web site
· Improve email open rates with setup and anti-spam verification of an email server (send up to 1,000 emails per month FREE)
· Creating new social media groups other than facebook and twitter (which censors conservatives) such as: Telegram, Gab.com, GETTR, Truth Social (coming soon)
· Fundraising with online donations via methods other than paypal which has shut down and frozen LD accounts in the very recent past such as: Credit Card, Zelle, Cash App, Crypto Currency, Gab Pay (coming soon)
CONTACT BRIAN and read more at BrianFerence.com
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Liz Harris, MBA
A Constitutional Conservative,
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Joe Neglia
Joe Neglia is a Constitutional Conservative and is dedicated to upholding and defending the principles upon which our republic and our party were founded. An active Republican Precinct Committeeman and State Committeeman since 2012, he serves in a variety of roles in the party, and is a Life Member of the NRA and the Arizona Citizen’s Defense League. His political activity began in 1980 when he stuffed envelopes for the Ronald Reagan presidential campaign. He is also a professional registered parliamentarian and is president of the Arizona Alpha Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians.
Joe teaches Engineering Technology at Mesa Community College and is a registered Professional Engineer. His experience includes consulting for the National Science foundation, Intel Corporation, Sperry Space Systems, and Honeywell Satellite Systems. Joe holds two U.S. Patents for his work on the Strategic Defense Initiative, a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Arizona State University. A resident of Maricopa County since 1986, Joe lives in Tempe with his beautiful wife of 27 years and two lovely daughters.
Executive Director
Patrick O’Malley
Patrick O’Malley is a retired electrical engineer with 40 years experience primarily in hardware and software design. His second career is as a citrus grower in the mornings and analyzing election and voter registration data in the evenings.
He became actively involved in Republican politics after the Tea Party revolution of 2010 sent a lot of new members to Congress but resulted in little change in Washington. He became a PC, a State Committeeman, was actively involved in several campaigns, served as Treasurer for LD12 and some campaigns, served as LD12 Vice Chair for PC training, and received the Outstanding Party Worker award in 2015.
Legal Counsel
Ken Sampson
Ken moved to the East Valley in 2011, and is honored to call Arizona his home. Ken is the proud father to 7 children, and married to his soulmate and #1 fan. Ken is a 23 year veteran and was deployed to Afghanistan as an attack helicopter pilot in 2004. Ken graduated magna cum laude from Utah Valley University in 2008, and earned his juris doctorate in 2014.
Ken has been an active Precinct Committeeman in LD 12 for several years, as well as running for the Highland Justice of the Peace in the 2016 and 2020 elections. As a constitutional conservative, Ken is active in local politics and has written opinion pieces for online publications.
Ken’s diverse legal career has allowed him to work in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (JAG), Arizona Trial Defense Service, assisted victims of domestic violence, and worked with the Arizona State Republican Party Elections Office leading up to the General Election as well as providing guidance and oversight in the events thereafter. Ken is a member of the American Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association, East Valley Bar Association, and the Republican National Lawyers Association. Ken is also a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
EXECUTIVE BOARD | DISTRICT CHAIRMEN | CLUBS