Michigan Democratic Party Staff

We are proud to have a diverse, experienced staff. They are a dedicated, hardworking team who want to work with you to make the entire Democratic Party stronger. Please feel free to call any Michigan Democratic Party staff member if there is any way in which they might be of assistance to you. In alphabetical order, our staff members are:

Mila Al-Ayoubi is the Deputy Finance Director. She is responsible for membership maintenance and outreach, managing the Party's database, fundraising, and information requests. She previously was Operations Director for the MDP's 2004 Coordinated Campaign. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a BS in Political Science, and an MSA in Public Administration. Email: malayoubi@michigandems.com

Nancy Bosak is the Voter File Manager. Her responsibility is managing the Voter Activation Network (VAN) including outreach, and training. She previously was a Precinct Organizer in Livingston County during the MDP's 2004 Coordinated Campaign. Email: nbosak@michigandems.com

Don DeFoe is the Base Vote Coordinator. He is responsible for Base operations throughout the state. He has worked on many campaigns around the country with the most recent being Campaign Manager in a Northern Illinois Congressional race and as Communications Advisor with the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus. He has a degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Email: defoed@dnc.org

Derek Dobies is the Youth Organizer. He is responsible for providing assistance and organizational management to the youth Democratic group chapters in the state of Michigan. He has worked on many campaigns throughout Michigan and has served as Campaign Manager in an Oakland County race for State Representative. dobiesd@dnc.org 

Pam Faris is the Political Organizing Director. She oversees all political organizing activity and supervises the field/organizing staff. She has a degree in Business Administration-Human Resource Management and years of political experience electing Democrats from the municipal level to statewide office. Email:pfaris@michigandems.com

Louis Fejszes is a Finance Assistant. Email: lfejszes@michigandems.com

Paul Gieleghem is a Senior Field Organizer. Email: pgieleghem@michigandems.com

Jim Kadjan is the Manager of our two bingo halls. Formerly the Executive Director of the old 12th Congressional District for five years, he has also worked with the David Bonior and Carl Levin campaigns, as well as the Dave Serotkin recall election. He has been with the State Party since 1989.

Elizabeth Kerr is the Communications Director. She oversees all internal and external communications and serves as the spokesperson for the Party. Liz came to the MDP from the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus where she did communications and political work. Prior to her work in the Senate, Liz worked on campaigns and in a health policy research group.  She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds bachelor's degrees in Economics and Oboe Performance. Email: ekerr@michigandems.com

G.T. Long (231-582-7043) is a Senior Field Organizer responsible for the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. A former candidate for State Representative, he has worked on many campaigns doing grassroots organizing.

Sylvia Perkins serves as Executive Assistant to the Chair responsible for all activities in the Chair's office - scheduling, mail, phone, etc., as well as planning and supervising all State and National Convention activity and State Central meetings. She worked for the State House of Representatives for 22 years before joining the State Party staff in 1993. Email: sperkins@michigandems.com

Dominick Quinney is the Communications Assistant. He is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Family Community Services. Email: dquinney@michigandems.com

Joanne Warman is our Receptionist. She answers all incoming calls and mail, assembles the monthly fundraising calendar, and fills requests for membership materials. Prior to coming to work for the Party, she was a career employee with the Federal Government. Email: jwarman@michigandems.com

Jody Weissler is the Finance and Compliance Director. She is responsible for overseeing the operation of the finance department as well as bookkeeping, human resources, campaign finance compliance and campaign finance reporting for the Party. Jody is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and Applications. She has been with the MDP since 1999. Email: jweissler@michigandems.com