RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Makes Key Convention Announcements

By Michael Short

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus today announced new staff hires to manage the preparation and execution of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. Bill Harris will serve as the Convention’s Chief Executive Officer, while Mike Miller will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Anne Stewart as Director of Delegate Services:

“I am pleased to announce these additions to our team in Tampa and look forward to working with them as we plan and execute the 2012 Convention,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “The planning and preparation for the Convention is already off to a great start under the stewardship of Chairman Alec Poitevint, and Co-Chairmen Mary Buestrin and Jan Larimer. Bill, Mike and Anne possess a wealth of experience and leadership that will put us one step closer to making Barack Obama a one-term president.”

“I am extremely proud to be part of this outstanding team announced by Chairman Priebus,” added Committee on Arrangements Chairman Alec Poitevint. “Recruiting leadership of this caliber will allow us to put on the kind of world-class convention our nominee and our Party can be proud of.”

Note: The Committee on Arrangements is responsible for planning and managing the 2012 Republican National Convention.  The committee is composed of an Executive Committee, as well as at least one National Committee Member from each state and territory, which are appointed by the RNC Chairman.

Bill Harris, Chief Executive Officer

Bill Harris has served in leadership roles in the previous two Republican National Conventions beginning as the Chief Executive Officer in 2004.  In this capacity he planned, organized, and conducted one of the most successful conventions in the history of the Republican Party. In 2008, Harris served as the Convention Director for the McCain-Palin Campaign where he coordinated all convention-related activities for the campaign, including Program, Political, Logistics, and Communications. Harris has assisted every Republican presidential campaign since 1972 and as Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee he was instrumental in winning the Republican majority in the United States Senate in 1994. Harris also served as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 1977- 1984.

Mike Miller, Chief Operating Officer

Mike Miller has held key positions in the past ten Republican National Conventions.  He was overall director of operations for the Conventions of 2008, 2004 and 1992 and was director of media operations for seven others.  He has served as a consultant to several site selection committees. Between Conventions, Miller manages his own consultancy, MVM Public Affairs, in the fields of public relations, media relations and major special events. Miller also served as editor of the President’s Commission report on the Pan Am 103 terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Anne Stewart, Director of Delegate Services

Anne Stewart is an RNC veteran with nearly a decade of experience in Republican campaign politics.  In 2008, Stewart served as Deputy Director of Delegate Services for the 2008 Republican National Convention, directing a three-person team responsible for hotel assignments for 30,000 convention guests and 15,000 national and international media members. Previously, Stewart was a Special Assistant in the White House Social Office where she planned and supervised four state dinners, dozens of foreign dignitary visits, 40 White House holiday parties, two Kennedy Center Honor receptions, and all private Bush family events. Stewart also served on President George W. Bush’s Presidential Inaugural Committee following the 2004 election and was also the Northeast Deputy Events Director for the Republican National Committee during the 2004 cycle.