National Pachyderm Convention INTRODUCING OUR SPEAKERS- MORE to COME June 15-17, 2017 Oasis Hotel and Convention Center 2546 N
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National Pachyderm Convention INTRODUCING OUR SPEAKERS- MORE TO COME June 15-17, 2017 Oasis Hotel and Convention Center 2546 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO John Ashcroft- Former US Attorney General, Former MO Governor Calling him a "man of great integrity, a man of great judgment and a man who knows the law," President George W. Bush announced his decision to nominate John Ashcroft to serve as U.S. Attorney General on December 22, 2000. When Mr. Ashcroft left office four years later, violent crime was at a record low, gun crime was at an all-time low, a successful corporate crime crackdown had been launched, and more terrorist attacks on the U.S. had been prevented. One of the most high-profile and experienced Attorneys General in the nation's history, Mr. Ashcroft led the U.S. law enforcement community through the challenging and transformational period following the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001. His tenure was highlighted by forceful public advocacy of President Bush's strong anti-terrorism strategy. His quiet government influence was rated highest inside the Bush Administration by The National Raised in Springfield, Missouri, Mr. Ashcroft attended public schools until enrolling at Yale University, where he graduated with honors in 1964. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago in 1967. Prior to entering public service, Mr. Ashcroft taught business law at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. He authored a book honoring his father, Lessons from a Father to His Son, and co-authored multiple editions of two college law textbooks with his wife, Janet. His career of public service began in 1973 as Missouri Auditor. He was later elected to two terms as the state's Attorney General. His colleagues in the non-partisan National Association of Attorney's General elected him as their President. Mr. Ashcroft served as Governor of Missouri from 1985 through 1993 where he balanced eight consecutive budgets. Fortune magazine rated him one of the top ten education governors, while Financial World and City and State magazines credited him with making Missouri one of the best financially managed states. In 1991, the non-partisan National Governor's Association voted him Chairman. Mr. Ashcroft was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, and worked to reduce crime and safeguard the rights of crime victims. He co-sponsored a bill which designated 911 as the universal emergency number and was a leader in passing legislation directly responsible for allowing U.S. companies to utilize more aggressive encryption technology. During his entire career as senator, Mr. Ashcroft served on the Commerce Committee where he advocated for updated U.S. banking laws, the protection of consumer privacy, and increased personal responsibility on the part of consumers. As U.S. Attorney General, Ashcroft reorganized the Justice Department to focus on its number one priority: to prevent another terrorist attack. Leveraging every legal tool available to law enforcement, including the critical tools provided in the USA PATRIOT Act, the Justice Department initiated a tough antiterrorism campaign that has assisted in disrupting over 150 terrorist plots worldwide, dismantling terrorist cells in cities across America, and convicting 191 individuals in terrorism-related investigations to date. At the direction of President Bush, the Department established the Corporate Fraud Task Force to restore integrity to the marketplace by cracking down on companies and corporate executives who abused the trust of their employees and investors. Violent crime was driven to a 30-year low as the Department employed tough tools and tough penalties against criminals who victimized the innocent. The Department implemented President Bush's Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, increasing federal gun prosecutions by 76% and driving crimes with guns to a record low. Today, Mr. Ashcroft serves as the Chairman of The Ashcroft Group, LLC which provides confidential strategic consulting and crisis counseling to major international corporations. In 2005 Mr. Ashcroft was named a Distinguished Professor in the schools of Law and Government at Regent University. Fields of Expertise: Constitutional Law and Supreme Court Terrorism and Homeland Security Mike Parson- Lieutenant Governor of Missouri Michael L. Parson was elected Missouri’s 47th Lieutenant Governor on November 8, 2016. He was victorious in 110 of Missouri’s 114 counties, and received the most votes of any Lieutenant Governor in Missouri history. Lieutenant Governor Parson served the people of the 28th Senatorial District in the Missouri Senate from 2011-2017. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005-2011. Lieutenant Governor Parson also served as the Sheriff of Polk County from 1993-2005. He also served six years in the U.S. Army. While in the Missouri Senate, Lieutenant Governor Parson chaired the Small Business, Insurance & Industry Committee and during his first two years served as Majority Whip. While serving in the House of Representatives, he was chair of the House Rules Committee. He sponsored and co-sponsored several landmark pieces of legislation including Missouri’s Castle Doctrine, which strengthened 2nd Amendment rights, and the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment, a piece of legislation that changed the Missouri Constitution to guarantee all Missourians the right to farm and ranch. Lieutenant Governor Parson resides in Bolivar with his wife Teresa. Together they have two grown children and five grandchildren. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County, and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a small business owner and is a third generation farmer who currently owns and operates a cow and calf operation near Bolivar. Mike Mears – RNC Director of Strategic Partnerships In 2013, Mike Mears came to the Republican National Committee as the RNC’s first ever Director of Strategic Partnerships. Before that, Mike labored in the conservative movement both by running congressional campaign and working for national groups like, National Right to Work Committee, Concerned Women for America PAC, and just recently, the Family Research Council. Mike is passionate about building relationships with key organizations and individuals who want to keep the White House, Senate and House, in Republican hands in 2018 and beyond. Austin Stukins- Missouri GOP Executive Director Stukins served as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and under the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, is also a veteran of successful campaigns to elect Republicans at the local, state, and national levels. Prior to serving as the MO GOP Executive director, he served as policy advisor to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, after working on Landry’s campaign in 2015. In the 2016 cycle, Stukins was hired as an RNC State Director and helped to take Donald Trump from being down four points to winning by six points in the state of Georgia. Most notably, Stukins successfully led efforts on behalf of the Republican Party of Louisiana to unseat veteran Louisiana democrat, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, in 2014. “Missouri is a state that hungers for conservative leadership, as proven by recent gains in elected positions held by Republicans,” Stukins said. “It is my goal to help broaden the gains and expand upon the previous efforts that have turned Missouri red. It’s a new day in Missouri and, with Republican leadership and a unified front, I am convinced that we will not only defeat Claire McCaskill, but also foster the growth of a Republican Party in Missouri that will Keep Missouri Red for generations to come.” Dr. George Connor- Professor of Political Science George Connor is a Professor of Political Science and the Department Head at Missouri State University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Houston in 1989. He recently completed his 28th year at Missouri State University. He has published a wide variety of scholarship in books and journals ranging alphabetically from Biblical Theology Bulletin to Utopian Studies. In 2008, he was the co-editor of The Constitutionalism of American States published by the University of Missouri Press. Dr. Connor’s expertise in Missouri politics has resulted in numerous interviews with local, state, national, and international print and broadcast media. His current research involves using novels to teach political science. George and his wife, Mary, have been married for thirty-two years and have two daughters, Emily and Anne. Dr. Connor and Dr. Jeremy Walling have helped us update George Parker’s book How to Win the Impossible Election, 3rd Edition which will be released during the Convention. Gordon Kinne – RNC Committeeman from MO Born: August 23, 1952. Raised on the family farm in Hamilton, Missouri, still owned by the family. High School: Graduated from Hamilton High School in 1970. College: Attended college at Missouri Western State University from 1970 to 1973. Transferred and graduated from Missouri State University in 1975 (BS Degree) In 1975, entered into the insurance business as a career agent with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. Advanced to District Manager with Penn Mutual. In 1984, established Med-Pay, Inc., a Third Party Administrator firm involved in employee benefit administration. Served as President. In 1995, Med-Pay, Inc. merged with Humana. Served as CEO of Humana/Med-Pay, Inc. of Southwest Missouri. November 1998 bought Med-Pay, Inc., back from Humana. Currently serves as President/Owner. Active in local, state and national Republican