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Lisa B. Nelson
Lisa B. Nelson has hosted 9 episodes.
Lisa B. Nelson is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Legislative Exchange Council.
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Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher has hosted 51 episodes.
Matthew Fisher is the Multimedia Story Producer for the American Legislative Exchange Council and the regular host of the Across the States podcast.
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Catherine Mortensen
Catherine Mortensen has hosted 4 episodes.
As Director of Public Affairs, Catherine Mortensen works with reporters from across the country to promote the great work ALEC is doing to protect limited government, free markets, and federalism. She also produces and hosts ALEC TV where she interviews state and local lawmakers about issues such as criminal justice reform, public lands management, and state and fiscal tax policy.
Catherine is an award-winning journalist who began her career as a local television and radio news reporter and anchor in New Mexico. She later moved into print news reporting in Southern Colorado before serving as an elected official on the Canon City City Council in Colorado. Catherine transitioned to political advocacy communications when she worked on Capitol Hill as the Communications Director for Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05). She has worked in conservative political communication for more than a decade in Washington, D.C.
Catherine has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Boston University. She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
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Brooklyn Roberts
Brooklyn Roberts has hosted 9 episodes.
Brooklyn is a native Alabamian with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama. She has a wide array of experience with conservative grassroots organizations and political campaigns.
After becoming enamored with political philosophy as an undergrad, Brooklyn interned in Washington DC as a law student, and after graduation, pursued a career in public policy. She took over as Senior Director for a conservative grassroots organization in Alabama where she built the organization’s online and social media presence, grew their grassroots network and was often found in Montgomery advocating for conservative principles with members of the State Legislature.
When her friend Attorney General Luther Strange was up for re-election, she was excited to be tapped as his campaign manager. Following the re-election victory for Attorney General Strange, an opportunity arose in Washington DC and Brooklyn left Alabama politics to work on health care issues on the grassroots level. Having several family members in the health care industry sparked an interest in health care policy, which she continued to hone at ILS. A long-time fan of ALEC from her law school days, Brooklyn was honored to join the team as Director of the Health and Human Services Task Force.
Outside of work, Brooklyn can often be found watching Alabama football (Roll Tide!), reading or curled up with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lucy.
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Gretchen Baldau
Gretchen Baldau has hosted 1 episode.
Gretchen Baldau serves as the Director of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development (CIED) Task Force.
As Task Force Director of ALEC’s largest task force, she covers issues as different as gig worker rights, zoning reform, and reforming the regulatory state. At ALEC, Gretchen previous served as the Manager of the CIED Task Force and as the Executive Assistant to ALEC’s CEO, Lisa B. Nelson. An alumnus of the Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program, Gretchen’s initial professional years were spent in the hospitality industry. She worked at luxury resorts in Las Vegas and Auckland, New Zealand, where she catered to VIP guests including US presidential candidates, Hollywood celebrities, and New Zealand All Blacks athletes.
She graduated from the University of Dallas, where she earned an English degree and Phi Beta Kappa nomination, and when not trying to memorize DC’s abundance of acronyms, Gretchen enjoys reading, skiing, and cheering on the Las Vegas Golden Knights and New England Patriots.
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Andrew Handel
Andrew Handel has hosted 2 episodes.
Andrew serves as the Director of the Education and Workforce Development Task Force. Before joining ALEC, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for an issue affairs and advocacy firm based out of St. Louis, Missouri and Washington, D.C. Prior to this, he worked for the State of Missouri as a Budget and Legislative Analyst.
Andrew earned a M.S. in Applied Financial Economics from St. Louis University. He also graduated from St. Louis University with a B.S.B.A. concentrating in economics and finance, and possesses a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Missouri’s Novak Leadership Institute. He is a graduate of Leadership Missouri’s Class of 2018.
Outside of work, he can be found watching the New England Patriots, Washington Capitals, or relaxing with family and friends.
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Karla Jones
Karla Jones has hosted 11 episodes.
Karla Jones is the Senior Director of the ALEC Task Force on International Relations as well as the Task Force on Federalism – two very different policy areas that work well together because they are fueled by ideas that attract members interested in looking beyond strictly state-based policy.
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Lars Dalseide
Lars Dalseide has hosted 27 episodes.
Lars Dalseide is a seasoned communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience in both the political and commercial arena. He has an impressive track record of successful campaigns for promising start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and various political and policy initiatives, and recently served as a spokesperson for one of the largest advocacy groups in the country.
Lars holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Social & Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Northern Virginia, Lars also has a history as a social media consultant for small businesses and interest groups on best practices and outreach campaigns. Active on local hiking trails and hockey rinks, he’s been known to escape to the American Southwest.
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Lee Schalk
Lee Schalk has hosted 3 episodes.
Lee Schalk is Vice President of Policy at ALEC. He also helps lead the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force and Center for State Fiscal Reform, where he works with lawmakers and members of the private sector to pursue fiscal policy solutions. He comes to ALEC from a DC public affairs firm, where he crafted issue advocacy campaigns on behalf of non-profit and private sector clients.
Lee previously served as an ALEC member during his time as state affairs manager at National Taxpayers Union. He also worked for former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich at the Center for Health Transformation, promoting market-based health care reform.
Lee is a graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He lives in Springfield, Virginia with his wife and children.
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Nino Marchese
Nino Marchese has hosted 0 episodes.
Nino Marchese serves as the Director of the Judiciary Task Force at ALEC, where he works closely with state legislators to aid in the development of impactful criminal and civil justice model policy. Arranging various sorts of educational briefings, he provides insight and advisory opinions on the most pressing judiciary matters throughout the states, all while working to de-silo state legislatures from one another.
Nino began his career in policy work in the office of U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie serving as the director of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, where he structured priority issue-briefings and advised on second-amendment related legislation. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, born and raised in Tampa, FL. He earned a B.S. in Political Science as well as a Certificate in Intelligence and National Security.
Nino is a part-time law student currently earning his J.D. at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. He currently resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife, Isabelle, and an elite frisbee enthusiast Australian Shepherd, Indi. -
Alan Jernigan
Alan Jernigan has hosted 1 episode.
Alan Jernigan serves as the manager for the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force at ALEC.
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Retired Hosts
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Dan Reynolds
Dan Reynolds has hosted 65 episodes.
Dan was the Director of Public Affairs at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the largest voluntary organization of state legislators in the country. He directed the creative development of content such as speeches, op-eds, videos, podcasts, advertisements and research publications.