Champaign County Young Republicans Change in Leadership

Wednesday June 7, 2006, the Champaign County Young Republicans (CCYRs) will hold our annual elections for leadership positions.  A slate of officers has been nominated, and all Young Republicans in Champaign County are invited to attend. The event will be held at Papa Del's in Campustown at 6pm.

In April, former CCYR Chairman and Founder Jason Barickman was elected Chairman of the Champaign County Republicans Central Committee.  The tremendous amount of hard work and dedication that Jason put into the organization laid the foundation for continuing growth and opportunity for CCYRs.  The prospective leadership team will be thrilled to carry on his vision for the party.  The following are the candidates nominated for the executive board:

Katie Malone, current Outreach Coordinator for CCYRs, has been nominated as Chairman.  Katie is a Champaign native who has been active in Republican politics for as long as she can remember. She was involved in TARs (Teenage Republicans) at Centennial High School, which she graduated from in 1997.  She attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where she served in various leadership roles in the Augustana College Republicans.  Katie graduated from Augustana in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration. Her post college career took her to Chicago, then Pittsburgh, then Baltimore, where she became active in the Maryland State YRs and the Baltimore City YRs.  Upon returning to Champaign in the fall of 2004, Katie immediately became involved in CCYRs, and was an integral part of the strategic planning process.  This led to her appointment to Outreach Coordinator, and to her increasingly active role on the executive committee.  Locally, Katie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Champaign County, as the Assistant Chair of the Diversity Committee for the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, and on the Board of Christian Education at St. Peter's UCC.  Katie is thrilled to have been nominated as chairman, and is eager to pick up where Jason left off.

Kristin Williamson, former Parkland College Republicans President, will seek the position of Vice-Chairman.  Kristin is a graduate of Parkland College, where she served as a Student Senator (05-06), as the Founding President of Parkland College Rotaract (sponsored by Champaign Rotary Club), and as Chapter President of Students for Social Security.  Kristin is currently working as the Campaign Coordinator for Rex Bradfield for State Representative, and attends the University of Illinois.  The current executive board has observed Kristin's talent for leadership over the past year, and we are so pleased that she has agreed to run for Vice-Chairman.

Eric Bussell, local business owner, will run for the position of treasurer.  Eric is a precinct committeeman for Cunningham 14, and the owner of Cold Stone Creamery (the official ice cream of CCYRs!), Campustown.  Eric is a member of Champaign Rotary Club, a Relay for Life Volunteer, and a Junior Achievement Volunteer.  Eric is also an accounting graduate of Purdue University, and we are looking forward to putting his considerable business experience to use in the role of treasurer.

We encourage all YRs (and other interested parties) to attend the elections tomorrow evening, not only to elect your new officers, but also to hear our plans for the coming year.  We have an important election coming up, and CCYRs intend to be a major part of it. The prospective leadership team is passionate about growing the party and continuing the efforts originated by Jason Barickman.