Micah Yousefi and Ashlee Rich Stephenson Join Board of Directors, Evan Dixon and Andrew Shaeffer Hired, Colin Finnegan Promoted
WASHINGTON, February 25, 2021 — Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) today announced that the organization has welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors, added two new staffers to its growing team, and promoted Colin Finnegan to senior coalitions manager.
Micah Yousefi, Political and Policy Director for the organization Winning for Women, and Ashlee Rich Stephenson, the Vice President and National Political Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are CRES’s newest additions to the Board of Directors. Both have an impressive track record of developing and managing successful programs for organizations and candidates. Evan Dixon, former press secretary for then U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), has joined CRES as the communications director and Andrew Shaeffer, previously a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will serve as a government relations associate. CRES has also promoted Colin Finnegan to senior coalitions manager. In their respective roles, Yousefi, Stephenson, Dixon, Shaeffer and Finnegan will work to ensure that conservative, market-based, clean energy solutions are at the center of national climate policy conversations.
“The past year has been a period of tremendous growth for our organization, and I am thrilled to continue to expand the breadth and depth of our Board and our team,” said CRES Executive Director Heather Reams. “I look forward to calling upon the collective expertise of these five amazing professionals as CRES pushes for commonsense, clean energy policies.
“By hiring Evan and Andrew, CRES adds two unique perspectives from time spent on Capitol Hill and in the Department of Agriculture. Their backgrounds—combined with Colin’s invaluable reach to stakeholders—will strengthen CRES’ visibility on clean energy issues and enhance our ability to be an effective advocate for meaningful policy change,” Reams continued. “CRES is also fortunate to welcome two new Board members, who bring to our organization distinguished careers managing campaigns and cultivating conservative leadership. Both Micah and Ashlee will immediately enhance CRES’ political and strategic vision as we engage with Republican lawmakers on clean energy infrastructure, jobs and storage.”
“I’m excited to join an organization that is committed to engaging conservative voices to push for lasting clean energy solutions,” Dixon said. “I look forward to applying the skills I learned from my time on Capitol Hill and in the media to communicate how pragmatic policies can improve the climate while creating good-paying jobs and growing our economy.”
“I know firsthand that American farmers and landowners want a cleaner and safer environment,” Shaeffer said. “It’s an honor to join an organization pushing for climate solutions that will empower the agriculture community through realistic policies rather than government mandates.”
Micah Yousefi, CRES Board Member
Yousefi currently serves as the Political and Policy Director for Winning for Women. She is an experienced political operative, is passionate about policy that embraces conservative ideals, ensures freedom and liberty for all Americans, and invites women into vital leadership roles. Previously, Yousefi served as Women’s Engagement Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), building a program dedicated to engaging women candidates and voters.
Ashlee Rich Stephenson, CRES Board Member
Stephenson currently serves as the Vice President and National Political Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She leads the Chamber’s voter education program, which includes directing the endorsement process on behalf of pro-business candidates for federal office and guiding the Chamber’s independent expenditure effort. Stephenson is a nationally respected and highly experienced political strategist and pollster, with expertise working on high-level candidate campaigns, with independent expenditures, and on behalf of public affairs and corporate interests.
Evan Dixon, Communications Director
As communications director, Dixon will support CRES in devising and executing messaging and media strategy. During his time as press secretary and digital director for Sen. Alexander, who was the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee along with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Dixon helped develop a press strategy and organized messaging, videos, graphics, and digital campaigns for major legislative accomplishments—including the Great American Outdoors Act. Previously, Dixon worked as a booking producer for Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press and MTP Daily.
Andrew Shaeffer, Government Relations Associate
Shaeffer joins the CRES’ government relations team from the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the Department of Agriculture where he worked as a policy advisor. His portfolio included water and air quality, agricultural easements, soil health and other conservation priorities. Previously, Shaeffer supported the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Colin Finnegan, Senior Coalitions Manager
Finnegan has served as coalitions manager since joining CRES in 2019. He will continue to spearhead coalition and outreach efforts with CRES’ advocacy partners, helping clean energy and conservative organizations bridge the gap between Main Street and Capitol Hill.
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) engages Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. For more information, visit www.citizensfor.com.