Robert Schostak, Chairman
Robert “Bobby” I. Schostak was elected as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party in January 2011.
Schostak’s key initiative as chairman is to broaden and strengthen the Michigan Republican Party. Under Schostak’s direction the Michigan Republican Party is aggressively working with local parties to improve communication, build lists, recruit volunteers, and provide training to improve grassroots operations. Since being elected chairman, Bobby Schostak has created a dynamic grassroots organization committed to electing and re-electing Republican leaders across Michigan.
In 2011, the Michigan Republican Party led by Schostak, gained national prominence by hosting the Republican Mackinac Leadership Conference and, in coordination with CNBC, the “Your Money, Your Vote” The Republican Presidential Debate. These national events provided a spotlight on the tremendous grassroots support Republicans receive in Michigan.
Previously, Schostak served as finance chairman for the Michigan Republican Party through the 2010 election cycle. As finance chairman, Schostak raised record funds that resulted in the most successful election for Republicans in 50 years.
Schostak is a longtime conservative activist including roles on campaign fundraising teams for: Senator Spencer Abraham, Dick DeVos for Governor, and McCain for President. Schostak currently serves on the finance committee for the Republican Governors Association.
Co-chairman and chief executive officer of a family-owned business, Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc., Schostak has been active in the commercial real estate business since 1976. Schostak’s extensive background in Michigan business has provided him with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by Michigan job providers, workers and families today and fuels his drive to help revive Michigan economically and politically.
Bobby and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 35 years. They have three grown children and two granddaughters.
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Sharon Wise, Co-Chair
Helping Republican candidates win for more than 25 years, Sharon Wise is a strong voice for local party activists. Currently the Director of Community Relations for Congressman Dave Camp (MI-04) she also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Charter School Institute and is member of the Traverse Area Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to having served as the Co Chairman for the state party with Chairman Ron Weiser, Sharon served as Michigan’s Republican National Committeewoman for two terms. Traveling throughout the state, she worked with regional party leaders to build our Party at the local level.
Wise worked as campaign manager for a state representative, a local county (Shiawassee) Party chairman, congressional district chairman and campaign chairman for Congressman Camp. Whenever there was a job to do, Sharon did it.
Her devotion to public service extends beyond GOP political campaigns and organizations. Sharon was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education in 1994. She has continued her commitment to reforming and improving Michigan’s education serving as VP of the National Charter School Institute.
A graduate of Utah State University College of Business, Sharon lives in Traverse City and is the proud mother of two children and one grandchild.
Holly Hughes, National Committeewoman
Holly Hughes is National Committeewoman for Michigan. She has been involved in grassroots politics since 1989. She has worked on numerous campaigns from envelope stuffer to campaign manager. Holly has served in many posts in the county, district, state and national Republican Party including Precinct Delegate, Treasurer, Muskegon County Vice Chair, County Chair and District Chair and campaign county chair for George W. Bush, Spencer Abraham and Terri Lynn Land to name a few.
Holly was one of the whips for the election of RNC Chairman Michael Steele in Jan. 2009. Committeewoman Hughes has the honor of being on Chairman Steele’s Kitchen Cabinet and was appointed by Chairman Steele to his Transition Team, the RNC Executive Committee and most recently appointed Chairman of the Site Selection Committee which will select the city for the 2012 National Convention.
In addition to working towards electing Republican candidates, she knows what it is like to be a candidate herself. Holly served 12 years as White River Township Trustee and is a former Montague Area School Board Member. She was also appointed to the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Financial Assurance Policy Board (MUSTFA) by Governor John Engler.
Being involved in the community and making Michigan a better place to live is very important to Holly. She has served and continues to serve on a number of boards including the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, White Lake Community Fund, Hackley Hospital Cornerstone Foundation, West Shore Symphony Orchestra; White Lake Recyclers and Lebanon Lutheran Church.
Holly is a small business owner working in property management and her husband Rick is CEO of Master Tag in Montague. Holly has worked at Master Tag, which manufactures horticultural tags and worked with her family business Bolema Lumber. Holly received her degree in business from MSU in 1981. Rick and Holly have two beautiful daughters, Morgan and Taylor. All have helped in parades and stuff envelopes.
Saul Anuzis - National Committeeman
Saul attended the University of Michigan, Dearborn, where he studied economics. There, he helped found a College Republican chapter and served as Student Government President. In 1980, Saul was elected as one of the youngest delegates to the Republican National Convention. Soon thereafter, he was elected Third Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and also served two terms as a Congressional District Chairman, precinct delegate and candidate for public office.
Throughout the 1980’s Saul worked in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate for Senator Dick Posthumus of Grand Rapids. In 1988, Saul found himself drawn to Jack Kemp’s free market/empowerment philosophy and played a key role in the Michigan effort for Kemp’s Presidential run.
In 1990, Saul took a break from politics to focus on his family and join the ranks of small business owners. Anuzis serves as Chairman of Quick Connect USA, but is currently on a leave of absence and maintains no day-today responsibilities due to his role with the Republican Party.
In 2005 and again in 2007, Saul was unanimously elected Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. In 2007, he was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Republican National Committee, and, he served on the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention. In May 2010, Saul was unanimously elected by the State Committee to serve as National Committeeman.
Saul is a regular contributor to many other right-of-center blogs, and was recognized by many as one of the most tech-savvy GOP chairmen in the country, leading the way in the use of technology as a tool in political party communications.
Eileen McNeil, Outreach Vice-Chair
Eileen has been a conservative, grassroots activist for 20 years. She’s been involved with the Kent County Republican Party and a member of the Republican State Committee and ran as a candidate for public office. She understands politics. A public relations profession, Eileen understands the importance of communicating a message and plans to work closely with the Party and other GOP leadership to ensure activists are equipped and prepared to spread our message to people all across the state.
Linda Lee Tarver, Ethnic Vice-Chair
Linda Lee Tarver is married to Clint and has two adult children, Jennifer and Terrance. Linda Lee is a senior project manager with the state of Michigan and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology. She is pursuing a doctorate in management and organizational leadership. Linda Lee has been involved in local and state party politics for many years. She serves as Ethnic Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, former Chairwoman of the Ingham County Republican Party, member of the 8th Congressional District Executive committee, and advisory board member of The Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan. Linda Lee is involved with the Mid-Michigan Republican Women’s Club and is the vice chair and founding member of the Alliance of Black Republicans. In 2008 she served as a National Delegate to the Republican National Convention and in 2009, Linda Lee was appointed by the state Senate Majority Leader to serve on the Lansing Promise Zone Authority Board. Aside from her political involvement, Linda Lee serves her community as a board member for the Old Newsboy Association and is a member and teacher at Mt. Zion All Nations Bible Church.
Steven Kuivenhoven, Grassroots Vice-Chair
An active member in the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots, Steven understands the importance of and need for a strong grassroots network. His goals include increasing participation at the local level, and working to build a strong coalition between the GOP, Tea Party Patriots and 9/12 groups.
Sarah Ledford, Youth Vice-Chair
A University of Michigan graduate with an engineering degree, Sarah understands how to motivate young and college-aged Republicans despite surroundings. While at U of M, Sarah, became involved in many campaigns and helped to form a coalition of conservative groups on campus to work together to make a difference. After her graduation, Sarah was involved with coalition development and get-out-the-vote activities for Mike Cox for Governor. She also was involved in political and grassroots operations for the Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State campaign.
Victor Diaz, Coalitions Vice-Chair
Victor is a long-time Party member and grassroots activist. He’s previously served as the Hispanic Vice-Chair and received the Republican National Committee’s President’s Circle Award. He’s trained hundreds of activists and helped secure thousands of yard sign locations across the state for Republican candidates. In addition to his efforts to support Republican candidates, Victor is a proud supporter of our military, having served as an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He also actively participates in many of our coalition groups. As Coalitions Vice-Chair, Victor will work strengthen and train our grassroots activists and precinct delegates to help ensure Republican victories now and in 2012.
Jon Nunn, Administrative Vice Chair
As a former executive director of the Kent County Republican Committee Jon Nunn brings administrative, management, public affairs and fundraising experience working with chief executives, senior level managers, national, state and local elected officials, media and volunteers. Jon has developed exceptional organizational, communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills including the ability to quickly establish credibility and work effectively with a diversity of people. His experience includes budget development and administration, personnel supervision, fund raising, convention and meeting planning.