Our State Leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our grassroots work in setting state priorities and leading statewide initiatives. Meet our Leaders and see what their states are working on.
Christian “CJ” Diegel
Arizona
A former counterproliferation and intelligence analyst for the USAF, CJ values fortitude and principle, and aspires to build a politically engaged community to fight for America’s future.
Nate Bell
Arkansas
Nate is an experienced former state legislator in Arkansas who believes in consistent, principled leadership. He hopes to address the structural problems in government that impose a burden on the people of Arkansas.
Michael Avila
California
Michael believes the foundations of our country are under attack, and that SUR’s message of unity is key to restoring the values of liberty, equality, and truth.
Justin Kurth
Colorado
Justin is a 911 Dispatcher, Marine Corps & Air National Guard veteran, and former presidential campaign staffer. He and his family share a passion for serving others in capacities that support the values of Liberty, Equality, and Truth.
Greg Prentiss
Connecticut
A management consultant specializing in business process analysis and systems auditing, Greg brings an entrepreneurial mindset to problem-solving. With prior history as a campaign volunteer, he joined the SUR team because he believes in its principles and vision for America and democracy.
Matt Sarelson
Florida
Matt is a Miami-based business litigator with experience representing elected officials, candidates and campaign committees as both a lawyer and consultant.
Cliff Holmes
Illinois
Cliff is an experienced attorney who is concerned that societal division disincentivizes public participation in government, which in turn damages civil society.
Jerid Miller
Indiana
Jerid Miller is a project management professional in the education sector who has volunteered with SUR to advocate for the foundational principles of our republic.
Hannah Kummer
Kansas
Hannah is a stay-at-home mom who wishes to see an America where all people are treated equally well and where those in government act ethically.
Heather Olsen
Maryland
Heather has an extensive academic and professional background in foreign affairs, specializing in democracy promotion in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, which gives her a unique and valuable perspective on the threats to democracy here in the United States.
Lynn Schmidt
Missouri
Lynn is a Registered Nurse, mother of two and an activist. Lynn is interested in strengthening our liberal democracy and institutions.
Joe Pinion
New York
Joe is a small business owner, political commentator, and active member of his community who is committed to to standing up for our core founding principles.
Nathan A. Click
North Carolina
Nathan A. Click is an Accredited Small Business Consultant and small business owner. He is a nine-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Economics, and the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University with a Master of Business Administration. He and his wife, Savanna, are the parents of four children.
Thomas Moran
Ohio
Thomas is a cybersecurity lawyer who identifies education as a critical tool in protecting our values and institutions from misinformation campaigns designed to fragment our society.
William Cinfici
Pennsylvania
William is a published historian, activist, and public servant, serving both as both an elected local policymaker and an appointee.
David Billings
Texas
David has a vast array of experience in the fields of business and public service, and wants to tailor the grassroots network to local issues.
Chip Dawson
Utah
Chip is the city treasurer for the city of South Jordan, Utah and a dedicated, experienced public servant. Chip wants to tackle the real issues Americans and Utahns are facing, and is dissatisfied with the polarization in politics over the past 10 years.
Mike Michener
Virginia
Mike is a trade association executive and a former administrator of the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service. He also served as a diplomat and has previous experience at the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security, USAID, and as a military intelligence specialist on active duty with the U.S. Army.
Selena Coppa
Washington
Selena is a veteran of the war in Iraq and an experienced political activist who is focused on promoting our values of freedom, justice, and unity.
Brian Giles
Wisconsin
As a politically active member of his community, Brian is passionate about protecting our democracy and keeping citizens informed.
Don’t see your state featured or want to join your state’s leadership team? Get in touch with us about getting involved in a leadership role in your state.
Being a part of a State Leadership Team is a crucial volunteer role in our grassroots program and an effective way for us to organize the movement to defend democracy in America. We are looking for people who are interested in becoming State Leaders and are willing to help us:
- Grow and organize SUR’s grassroots network at the state level
- Establish a state-level SUR leadership team to help you in your efforts
- Coordinate with SUR HQ on state-level priorities and actions
- Organize members to influence state and national elected officials through advocacy efforts including in-district lobby meetings, call-in campaigns, attending town halls, and more
- Host meetings with state and local SUR members
- Coordinate with SUR HQ and local chapters to organize regional events
- Manage state-level social media pages
