About the Steamboat InstituteThe Steamboat Institute promotes America's first principles and inspires active involvement in the defense of liberty.The Steamboat Institute has succeeded beyond anything we could have imagined when we started in 2008. We have found that there is a tremendous desire by many Americans to be more…to do more…to make a difference in their communities, their states and our nation. Our annual Freedom Conferences, as well as our Campus Liberty Tour throughout the year, are tremendously popular and provide unique opportunities for people to have direct and personal contact with nationally recognized leaders in conservative thought and policy. This is an essential component of our fight for our freedom.The Steamboat InstituteTSI_3182d0e8-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea00The Steamboat Institute is an educational organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code–and we are here to educate. The Steamboat Institute TeamJennifer Schubert-AkinChairman and CEO ~ Jennifer Schubert-Akin is Chairman and CEO of The Steamboat Institute, an organization she co-founded in 2008. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and received her M.B.A. from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Jennifer was the CFO of a large health and human services firm in Austin and later founded a small business consulting firm in Steamboat Springs, working with a variety of non-profit organizations and small businesses. Beginning in 2014, Jennifer assumed a full-time role as Chairman and CEO of Steamboat Institute. Jennifer is a graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies and served on that organization’s Advisory Board for several years. In 2013, she and her husband, Rick Akin, received the “Leaders in Action” award from the Leadership Program of the Rockies in recognition of their work in founding and establishing The Steamboat Institute as a nationally recognized leader in advancing conservative thought and policy. Jennifer also serves on the following boards: Advisory Board of the Benson Center for Western Civilization, Thought & Policy at CU-Boulder The 10-member Selection Committee for the Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought & Policy at CU-Boulder Advisory Board for the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise & Markets at the University of Maryland Advisory Board of Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation Board of Directors of Rebekah’s Angels, a non-profit organization helping children with post-traumatic stress disorder, founded by Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory Jennifer previously served as a Community Representative on the Steamboat Pilot & Today editorial board, Steamboat Marathon Committee, and Tax Policy Advisory Board appointed by Steamboat Springs City Council. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys competing in triathlons and trail running with her 4-legged children, Boomer and Cruiser. She has completed 3 Leadville Trail 100-mile Races and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. In 2019, she completed her 25th consecutive Boston Marathon, earning membership in the Boston Marathon’s exclusive Quarter Century Club. Making each mile count, Jennifer has raised $142,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society along the way. Jennifer is the recipient of the 2020 Inspirational Award from the Sportswomen of Colorado.Marie T. OatesHead of Programs ~ Marie T. Oates is the Head of Programs for The Steamboat Institute. She holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and a M.S. in Journalism from Boston University. Previously, she served as the US Head of Communications, Institutional Development and Alumni at IESE Business School, a top ranked global business school. Prior to working for IESE, Marie owned Boston PR Group, Inc. Her firm assisted a variety of companies and foundations with strategic communications, PR, and development projects. Marie is an avid writer and has published in the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, the Washington Times, the National Review, and a number of other publications. She has also published several books and book chapters. Marie serves and has served on non-profit boards, including the Child Care Careers Institute, The Rosemoor Foundation, Fisherman Foundation, and Bayridge Residence and Cultural Center. She also served as the President of the New England Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and as a member of the AMWA national board of directors. She was also on the Council for Women at Boston College. In her spare time, Marie enjoys hiking, writing, mentoring, and volunteering. Her volunteering activity recently included producing podcasts targeted at helping young people attain personal growth through adversity, e.g. Corona: Use It, Don’t Lose It. This podcast has attracted thousands of listeners since its launch at the start of the pandemic. She has also volunteered at the Rosedale Achievement Center in the Bronx, NY, an inner-city center dedicated to helping less privileged girls and women. She founded a tutoring program with Harvard University students for Cambridge inner city high school girls (Dreamers) at North Cambridge Catholic High School. She also helped found a teen radio talk show, A Voice in the Crowd, in CT.Ericka AndersenSenior Digital Consultant ~ Ericka Andersen is a Senior Digital Consultant to the Steamboat Institute. She is currently the Digital Media Director at National Review and has a decade of experience in the digital and social media fields. Previously, she served as the Digital Media Manager at the Heritage Foundation and the Daily Signal. She worked for Indiana Governor Mike Pence when he was the House Republican Conference Chairman, as Director of Online Media Outreach. Ericka was also a Communications Director for Rep. Todd Rokita. She began her career as a political reporter with Human Events magazine. She also writes a fitness and lifestyle blog, the Sweet Life, and can be seen running, CrossFitting or doing fitness videos on a daily basis! She currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and son.Erica ArguelloSpecial Events Coordinator ~ Erica has over 10 years of experience in creative event planning and hospitality management. She began her career working in hospitality and tourism while living in San Diego and most recently worked for a Colorado-based experiential marketing and event planning company specializing in incentive trips and special events. She has worked with notable clients such as Jaguar, Land Rover and Yamaha managing international events as well as many domestic programs. Erica delivers exceptional service to each client and demonstrates an unyielding passion for inspiring event planning.Jordan BruneauCommunications Director ~ Jordan Bruneau is the communications director at the Steamboat Institute. He has worked at Berman and Company, an award-winning communications firm in Washington D.C., the Charles Koch Institute, and Standard Chartered bank. He graduated from the University of British Columbia and studied graduate economics at George Mason University.Amanda CordsenGraphic Designer ~ Amanda has a background in fine art and over 12 years of design and marketing experience ranging from agency work to directing in-house marketing and design departments. Her specialties are logo and brand work, print and front-end web design, and illustration. Prior to stepping out on her own, Amanda served as Art Director for University of Colorado Hospital, leading the effort to retool and modernize the brand and visual libraries while branding the consolidation from single hospital to University of Colorado Health System. At the hospital she also concepted and executed print, web, and décor themes for large-scale fundraising galas featuring performers like Bon Jovi and Dionne Warwick. Through previous experience, she has also worked with CU Denver, American Heart Association, RTD, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Pura Vida Fitness & Spa, National Flooring Equipment, Four Seasons Nevis, Fuller Sotheby’s, Ideate Software, and Denver Home Builder’s Association. Recognition for Amanda’s creative work includes Art Director’s Club of Denver (ADCD) awards for logo and print design, an ADCD Best in Category for poster design, an In-HOWse Design Award, a Gold Leaf Judge’s Choice award, several individual Gold, Silver, and Bronze Leaf Awards, a Gold Create Award, and a Gold Addy for vehicle wrap design and a Silver Addy for illustration. To feed her other passions, Amanda’s volunteer activity has included the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue, and Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. In her spare time she and her husband dabble in coffee roasting, spend time with their furry k9 and feline children, and travel the country side camping and biking. Amanda holds a bachelor’s of fine arts in design communication from Texas Tech University.Susan E. Mangels, Ph.DSenior Development Consultant ~ Susan Mangels, Ph.D., is senior vice president of consulting services for AC Fitzgerald, a fundraising and management consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia. Susan has extensive experience serving at the highest leadership levels in the think tank and academic worlds. She previously served as chief development officer at the Independent Institute, vice president for institutional advancement at Lindenwood University, president of Lexington College, dean of Oakcrest School (Vienna, Virginia) and assistant head of Montrose School (Medfield, Massachusetts). Susan holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Illinois. She has held numerous board roles, currently serving on the boards of Montrose School, Women of Vision – Chicago, and FOCUS, Catholic Charities, and the Women’s Leadership Cabinet of the United Way in St. Louis. She is a member of The Policy Circle and publicly speaks frequently on the topics of executive leadership, career development, and work-life balance. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.Kelly SeimOur Team Special Events Coordinator ~ Shortly after graduating from the University of Colorado in 2004, native Kelly returned to her alma mater to begin her career in event planning. Having earned a certificate of Applied Business along with her Psychology Degree, Kelly was a perfect fit for the role of senior program manager for the University of Colorado Foundation. She worked to facilitate productive relationships between donors, administrators, coaches and staff. In 2007, Kelly’s leadership skills became evident when she began her tenure as the Director of Special Events and External Groups for the Foundation. As Director, she coordinated more than 140 events every year ranging from golf tournaments to pre–game parties and donor travel. Kelly moved on to a Project Planner position with Encore Planning at MillerCoors where she put her multi–tasking abilities to good use. At MillerCoors, Kelly worked on all day–to–day aspects of event planning such as venue acquisition, managing budgets, and building strong vendor relationships. Kelly handles all aspects of a program from site inspections and contract negotiations to program management and budget reconciliation. Most recently, Kelly managed the street team marketing for the Microsoft New Store Openings across the US, assisted in the day-to-day operation of the Lacrosse World Championship and coordinated the opening and closing ceremonies.Teresa QuerciagrossaExecutive Assistant/Development Associate ~ Teresa Querciagrossa was born and raised in Southern California and now lives in Chicago, IL. She attended Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN) and studied philosophy, politics studies, and studio art. After graduating in 2014, Teresa worked with the University of Notre Dame’s and New York University School of Law’s development teams, and most recently worked on deal closings for Vitalize Venture Group. Teresa enjoys spending the long Chicago winters cooking and learning new languages such as German, Farsi, and Spanish.The Steamboat Institute Board of DirectorsJennifer Schubert-AkinChairmanRick AkinVice Chairman ~ Jennifer’s husband, Rick, is the Vice Chairman and a co-founder of The Steamboat Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Letters Degree with Highest Honors from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Order of the Coif and The Texas Law Review. Rick is the founder of The Akin Law Firm, LLC, with offices in Austin, Denver and Steamboat Springs. The firm represents clients from around the world in connection with their operations in the United States. The Akin Law Firm specializes in business transactions across the U.S. in a variety of industries, including financings, acquisitions, and real estate development, with transaction often in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Rick began his career at Austin’s largest law firm, Clark Thomas & Winters, where he was a shareholder and member of the management committee before moving to Steamboat Springs in 1995. Rick is currently the President of Madison Rising Shows for Heroes, an organization formed to provide entertainment and special events for active military, veterans, and first responders. Rick has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Marathon Kids, a non-profit corporation dedicated to exercise and healthy habits for school age children. He is a former member of Steamboat Pilot & Today Editorial Board and the Routt County Airport Board and is a graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies. In 2013, Jennifer and Rick received the “Leader in Action” award from the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Rick enjoys fishing, canoeing, hiking, and climbing 14ers.Kristine L. BenslerKris Bensler and her husband, Bill, have been loyal supporters and active participants in Steamboat Institute events since its inception in 2009. They have made a tradition of hosting the popular welcome reception for major sponsors and speakers for the annual Freedom Conference in Steamboat Springs each August. The Benslers have called Steamboat Springs home since 2005, after spending many years vacationing in the Yampa Valley. Kris served on the Yampa Valley Health Care Foundation Board for 11 years, chairing events and helping to raise millions of dollars to benefit Yampa Valley Medical Center. Prior to moving to Steamboat in 2005, Kris was involved in several philanthropic efforts in the Greeley (CO) community, including the American Cancer Society, United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Greeley Philharmonic and other non-profit organizations. She served for 13 years on the Board of the Northern Colorado Medical Center foundation, working on various campaigns and chairing events. Kris is a Colorado native, having grown up in Fort Morgan. She received her Associate Arts Degree at a private college in Arlington, Texas, then returned to Colorado where she was a district manager, overseeing 15 stores, for Fashion Bar Corporation. Kris and Bill (CEO of Flood and Peterson Insurance, Inc.) are the proud parents of Delaney, who will be graduating from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business in 2018. When they are not working on behalf of various philanthropic and conservative causes, they enjoy traveling, hiking, golfing, fly fishing, attending Strings in the Mountains concerts, Colorado Avalanche hockey games, Colorado Rockies baseball games, and DU games and events.Christopher CummingsChristopher Cummings is an industry expert and champion, was a founding member and chair of the Association of Directory Marketing as well as the first Chairman outside the publishing industry for the Yellow Pages Association. A strong advocate of growth and change, Chris led the effort to merge ADM and YPA to form the largest trade organization of print, digital, mobile, and social media. His thought leadership and acumen are invaluable in helping industry organizations understand and respond effectively to today’s challenges and opportunities.Roger DorfRoger Dorf is a retired Telecommunications and Computing Executive who is now a private investor. Roger graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been closely connected with the University ever since. He served on their Corporate Development Council, is a member and past president of the academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers, served on the Advancing Excellence Campaign Steering Committee, received an honorary doctorate in 2009, is a past president of the Board of Trustees, and in 2016 was recognized as an Alumni of Influence. He also graduated from Boston University’s College of Engineering with a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering where he received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 and has continued to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council. In his professional career he retired from Cisco Systems in 2009 as VP of their Broadband Business Unit. Prior to that he was CEO of Navini Networks which was acquired by Cisco. Prior to that he was general manager of Nortel Networks Broadband Access Business Unit which was previously Promatory Communications where he was CEO. He also served as CEO of Sync Research, VP of AT&T Network Systems Caribbean and Latin America, COO AT&T Paradyne, VP Customer Support for Cullinet Software and at IBM where he held senior management positions including Site General Manager Austin, Texas. He has served as an outside director of CTI Argentina, Educate The Children Foundation, and as chairman of the U.S. Section of The Brazil/U.S. Business Council. He also was a board member on The National Chamber Foundation of The U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he served on the executive and audit committees. He is a past president of the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley and continues to serve as an advisor. Roger and his wife Sandy split their time between Crested Butte, Colorado and Dallas, Texas. They are enjoying their retirement years in multiple activities with family and friends. They are a family of 16 including a 3-year-old great-granddaughter.William H. FriesellA retired executive, Bill was with Citibank/Citigroup for the last thirty years of his professional career. Most recently, he was Chairman and CEO of Diners Club International, Citi’s $35-billion global charge-card business. He was also responsible for the global Citicorp Travelers Check business, ultimately sold to American Express. Bill previously ran a division of Citi’s global Private Bank, subsequently becoming the Group’s CFO. He also spent 5 ½ years in London, first as CEO of Citibank Savings, then as Region Head for Diners Club Europe, Middle East and Africa. This followed 5 ½ years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, responsible for Citi’s various consumer businesses, including upscale retail branches of a finance company, and Credicard, Brazil’s largest credit card business. Prior to moving abroad, Bill assisted in the formation and launching of Citi’s global Consumer Financial Services Group, as its CFO. Before joining Citi, Bill was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Keystone Aeronautics (an FAA Part 135 commercial aviation company) for three years – a great experience in small business turnarounds. With a B.S. in Mathematics from Lafayette College and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon’s Graduate School of Business, Bill started his career at Ford Motor Company as a financial analyst. Interspersed with his professional career were two periods of active duty with the U.S. Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard, where he served 7 years as a single-seat fighter pilot. Bill’s community-service activities include having been President of the Board of Trustees at the Rye (NY) Presbyterian Church, where he was also an Elder; Chairman of the National Association of Endowed Presbyterian Churches; Director and Treasurer of the Rye Arts Center; Financial VP of the Rye Babe Ruth League; Director and Treasurer of the Indian River Tea Party (Vero Beach, FL); Chairman of the Environmental Learning Center (Vero Beach); and member of the Steamboat Institute’s National Advisory Board. He was also President of the Bent Pine Golf Club in Vero Beach. Bill enjoys golf, fishing, hunting, bridge, photography, and skiing. Bill married his lovely wife Susan in 1971. They now reside in Vero Beach, Florida, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. With the help of their two outstanding children, Liz and Quint, they now have three wonderful granddaughters and (latest addition!) one happy grandson.Charles S. McNeilCharles S. McNeil has broad experience in the coal, oil and gas, mining and power industries. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1971 and was honored with the Mines Distinguished Achievement Medal in 1998. At Mines, he is a member of the Foundation Board of Governors, the President’s Council, the Guggenheim Society, and appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Trustees. Since 1993 he has been Chief Executive Officer of NexGen Resources Corporation, a natural resources company he founded, which supplies all of the coal requirements for Xcel Energy’s Texas power plants, provides alternative fuel and clean coal technology commercialization, explores and develops oil and gas resources and provides mine development and operations. NexGen also manages a diverse portfolio of real estate assets it has developed for its own account. Under Mr. McNeil’s leadership, NexGen has been involved in over 15 company start-ups. Prior to forming his company, Mr. McNeil held Board, CEO, and senior executive positions with Kaiser Steel, Kaiser Oil & Gas, Kaiser Coal, Kaiser Power, Perma Resources and Consol Energy. His experience includes responsibility for planning and operations of major companies, overall profitability of energy and industrial operations, start-up of new oil and gas, mining, and power companies, acquisitions and divestitures, investments in diversified industries and both corporate and project financing. Mr. McNeil is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado and a member of the Society of Mining Engineers of AIME. He was nominated by the Secretary of Energy to the National Coal Council and is a former director of the National Coal Association and the Colorado Mining Association. He is also a member of the American Coal Council, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society, American Energy Society, the National Coal Transportation Association, the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, the Western Energy Alliance and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. He is also active in serving the Denver community as a member of the Board of Trustees and President of the Denver Area Boy Scouts, Mountain States Employers Council Board, Craig Hospital Foundation Board, Common Sense Policy Roundtable Board, Cherry Hills Farm Board, Arapahoe House for Substance Abuse Board, (honored as 2007 Pillars of the Community), Sewall Childhood Development Center, Kempe Foundation for Abused Children, Children’s Diabetes Foundation (honoree at 2011 Carousel Ball), the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the 2010 Villager of the Year, and the Denver and National Eagle Scout Association.Aurelia SkipwithMs. Aurelia Skipwith is a leader in the field of environment, natural resources, and wildlife. As a businesswoman, biologist, and lawyer, she is a strong advocate for the use of science in the development of natural resources and has been at the forefront of the intersection of science, law, and the environment. Skipwith’s experiences span multiple sectors – government, private sector in Fortune 500, and privately-held companies. Skipwith was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. She graduated from Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities in Muncie, Indiana, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Howard University, and a Master’s Degree in Molecular Genetics from Purdue University. After working in the private sector, she obtained her law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law and is licensed to practice in Kentucky and Washington, D.C. After graduate school, Skipwith began working at Monsanto Company’s (now Bayer Corporation) Regulatory Affairs using science to develop sustainable crops while ensuring environmental health. She progressed from a lab technician to the Corporate Affairs Department where she managed international development projects in Africa and a multi-million-dollar Ph.D. scholarship program to advance breeding developments in rice and wheat. Skipwith left Monsanto to obtain her law degree. After law school, she served as Assistant Corporate Counsel for Alltech, Inc.’s Crop Science Division, which was focused on soil and crop health. In 2017, Skipwith was appointed as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Interior. In 2019, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan vote as the 22nd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was responsible for the federal management of fish, wildlife, plants, and their natural habitats. She managed over 8,500 employees and 850 million acres of land and water. During her tenure, she revolutionized the agency’s operations: 1) increasing access to public lands 2) providing more opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation 3) engaging new audiences, particularly from urban settings 4)digitizing systems to improve speed and efficiency for the public and employees. Her objective is to improve the quality and quantity of opportunities for individuals and communities, through science and law. In her free time, she is outdoors fishing, hunting, or running, She is an avid runner and holds a sub-3 hour marathon time.Dr. Matthew SpaldingVice President of Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government for Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C. Matthew Spalding is Vice President of Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government for Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C. He oversees the operations of the Kirby Center and the academic and educational programs of Hillsdale in the nation’s capital. He is the best-selling author of We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future, which details America’s core principles, shows how they have come under assault by modern progressive-liberalism, and lays out a strategy to recover them. Spalding is also executive editor of The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, a line-by-line analysis of each clause of the U.S. Constitution. His other books include A Sacred Union of Citizens: Washington’s Farewell Address and the American Character; Patriot Sage: George Washington and the American Political Tradition; and The Founders’ Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders & Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding. Prior to joining Hillsdale, Dr. Spalding was vice president of American Studies at The Heritage Foundation and founding director of its B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics. He is a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy, and serves on the board of the Steamboat Institute. He received his B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in government from the Claremont Graduate School. In addition to teaching at Hillsdale, he has taught at George Mason University, the Catholic University of America, and Claremont McKenna College. He and his wife Elizabeth, a Hillsdale alumna, reside with their two children in Arlington, Virginia.Grace-Marie TurnerGrace-Marie Turner is president of the Galen Institute, a public policy research organization that she founded in 1995 to promote an informed debate over free-market ideas for health reform. She has been instrumental in developing and promoting ideas for reform to transfer power over health care decisions to doctors and patients. She speaks and writes extensively about incentives to promote a more competitive, patient-centered marketplace in the health sector. * She testifies regularly before Congress and advises senior government officials, governors, and state legislators on health policy. * She was named by House Speaker John Boehner in 2013 to serve as a member of the Long Term Care Commission. * Previously, Grace-Marie served for a three-year term on the National Advisory Board for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and she served as a member of the Medicaid Commission, making recommendations to modernize and improve Medicaid. ^ She has been published in hundreds of major newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today, and has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and on hundreds of radio and television programs. She is a co-author of Why ObamaCare Is Wrong for America, published by HarperCollins in 2011, and editor of Empowering Health Care Consumers through Tax Reform. Grace-Marie speaks extensively in the U.S. and abroad, including at the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and the Gregorian University at the Vatican. Grace-Marie is founder and facilitator of the Health Policy Consensus Group which serves as a forum for analysts from market-oriented think tanks around the country to analyze and develop policy recommendations. She received the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award for Promotion of Consumer Driven Health Care from Consumer Health World. In the mid-1990s, Grace-Marie served as executive director of the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform. For 12 years, she was president of Arnett & Co., a health policy analysis and communications firm. Her early career was in politics and journalism where she received numerous awards for her writings on politics and economics.Bridgett WagnerBridgett Wagner is a well-known leader in the conservative movement. She is the vice president for external relations at The Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative think tank in Washington D.C. Her previous positions at Heritage include: director of development, director of business relations, and director of events. Ms. Wagner also serves as a trustee for the University of Dallas and the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, as well as director of the State Policy Network and the Foundation for Government Accountability. She is a member of the advisory boards of Docs4Patient Care Foundation, Talent Market, and the National Civic Arts Society. She is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society and the Philadelphia Society. Wagner, originally from Richardson, Texas, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Dallas. She and her husband, Steve, live in Washington, D.C.Cheri Carsten (emeritus)Gary Hofmeister (emeritus) Most people know Gary Hofmeister from Hofmeister Personal Jewelers which he founded 36 years ago and remains the C.E.O. Prior to entering the jewelry industry, he was a professional singer/actor, salesman and health administrator. Though he says he never had one conservative professor all the way through his undergraduate studies nor his graduate work at Purdue, he has been an active conservative most of his life and was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in 1998 for the 10th congressional district. Gary’s political beliefs also led him to teach Applied Economics for Junior Achievement in several high schools for 10 years. Taking it to another level in 1992, he began going to the former Soviet Union to share Democratic Capitalism and his experiences as an entrepreneur after the Berlin Wall fell. He made 18 such trips developing his own curricula and running seminars from one to three days in various cities. Most trips lasted about three weeks. Gary also hosted a political talk show in 1990-91 called TALK OF THE CITY and another for WFYI from 2004-06 called BROADWAY MEMORIES: MUSIC AND THE STARS, drawing on his experiences as a Broadway singer. He is married to JoAnne and together they share 20 grandchildren.Chenza Lazof(emeritus) Chenza is Vice President and a member of the board of Prism Advisors of Texas, Inc, and Secretary of Prism Advisors, Inc, management advisory and consulting organizations focusing on emerging growth businesses ($10MM to $500MM in sales) and is an active investor. She was previously Assistant Treasurer of a national printing company. Chenza has served as a member of the Women’s Advisory Counsel of the Women’s Initiative, and of the National Finance Committee of The George W. Bush Presidential Center. She presently serves as a board member of the Lazof Family Foundation, and the Freedom Conference Committee of the Steamboat Institute. A native Californian, Chenza attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California State University, Fullerton, and the University of California, Irvine. Since retirement Chenza has focused on political activism, community involvement, family and charitable works. She is passionate about conservative principles and strongly believes that ideological divisiveness is the result of ignorance which can be mitigated by education and civil discourse. She enjoys cooking, photography, boating, kayaking, and anything nature. She is married to Ron, has two children, five grandchildren, and lives in Dallas, Texas and Steamboat Springs, Colorado.Ron Lazof(emeritus) Ron is a Managing Director and Member of Prism Advisers, L.L.C. and Prism Advisors of Texas L.L.C. management advisory and consulting organizations focusing on emerging growth businesses ($10MM to $500MM in sales), founder of www.IdeasforAmericans.com, a forum for the expression of current American issues and solutions, and an active investor. He was previously President and C.E.O. of Behr Process Corporation, manufacturer of “Behr” paints and coatings. During his five year tenure at Behr he provided the leadership to grow sales from $250 million to $1 billion, while increasing profitability (dollars and percentage) in each year, and transformed the company from a privately held family business to a publicly held, multi-plant manufacturer and distributor of paints and coatings. Prior to that he was for twenty-five years, the senior shareholder and founder of Lazof and Coss, attorneys, of Newport Beach, California with a practice limited to corporate, taxation and merger and acquisition representation. During the course of his legal practice he participated in over 300 acquisitions ranging in size from $5MM to in excess of $2B. He graduated from California State University at Northridge with a B.S., in accounting cum laude, and from UCLA with a J.D., magna cum laude. He has also held licenses in California as a Certified Public Accountant, Real Estate Broker, and Life Agent. Ron has served as a director of the Y.M.C.A., Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Laguna Art Museum, the U.C.I. Foundation, the U.C.L.A. Law Alumni Association, as well as several other boards of for profit and not for profit organizations, including the Lazof Family Foundation, Job Creators Alliance and Founding Circle and Member of the National Finance Committee of The George W. Bush Center. Ron frequently writes, speaks and comments on economic, financial and political affairs. He is married to Chenza, has two children, five grandchildren, and lives in Dallas, Texas and Steamboat Springs, Colorado.Anne Lowe(emeritus)Jean Pierre Sagouspe(emeritus) Jean Pierre Sagouspe is the third generation of a French Basque immigrant family. Originally, the family was in the sheep business but gradually moved into farming, primarily growing almonds and pistachios in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Jean is married with 2 children and four grandchildren. All family members are involved in today’s family farming business. Jean started his own farming business after high school, got married and finished college with an AA degree in Ag business, all the while making a living in the farming business. Jean enjoys big game hunting and flyfishing with his friends and family at the fabulous Ghost Ranch located near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Today, Jean and his family have a vertically integrated almond farm in California that includes growing, hulling and shelling, marketing and processing almonds for sale and delivery to consumers around the world. The Sagouspe family also has successful ranching and real estate ventures in the Steamboat Springs-Yampa Valley area of Northwest Colorado. Jean has been and continues to be at the leading edge of developing economical water treatment facilities and hardware for the desalinization of brackish water for agricultural uses on farm. He is also a pioneer for on-farm solar generation to power all of the on-farm electricity needed to develop a self-contained, vertically integrated family farming operation. Jean is a leader in promoting equitable and universal application of environmental laws. Under his leadership, the Center for Environmental Science, Accuracy & Reliability (CESAR) was formed. CESAR is a conservation group for the 21st century, with a focus on gathering the BEST SCIENCE to effectively protect the environment and the economy. CESAR works to ensure the fair, equitable and universal application of environmental laws, with the belief that no one – not even the government – should be exempt from the rules and regulations created by these laws.Freedom lives ..._3182d1ce-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea00To promote America’s first principles and inspire active involvement in the defense of liberty._3182d282-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea00FreedomHere at the Steamboat Institute, we are Defenders of Freedom and Advocates of Liberty... When we started The Steamboat Institute in 2008, it was out of genuine concern for the future of our country. We take seriously the concept that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.LibertyBraveryWe are admirers of the bravery and rugged individualism that has made this country great.IndividualismWe are admirers of the greatness and wisdom that resides in every individual. We understand that this is a great nation because of its people, not because of its government. Like Thomas Jefferson, we would rather be, “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.”PrinciplesWe stand for the following five founding principles:Limited Government1) Limited governmentFiscal Responsibility2) Limited taxes and fiscal responsibilityCapitalism3) Free market capitalismNational Defense4) Strong national defenseRights5) Individual rights and responsibilitiesResponsibilitiesTools, Information & InspirationProvide tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the Founding Principles of the nation dear._3182d322-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea00UpdatesProvide newsworthy updates_3182d3cc-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea001EventsHost events_3182d46c-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea002VideosProvide video recaps_3182d516-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea003ScholarshipsOffer scholarships_3182d5b6-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea004FellowshipsOffer fellowships for public policy and American exceptionalism_3182d660-bb76-11eb-ad99-e1261583ea005Tony Blankley FellowsThe Steamboat Institute established the Tony Blankley Fellowship for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism to honor the memory of our dear friend, Tony Blankley, and to build on his legacy. Tony Blankley was a master journalist and communicator and acted as the Moderator for our first three Freedom Conferences (2009, 2010 and 2011). His insights and good humor were indispensable. Tony and his wife, Lynda Davis, were among the first to recognize the virtue of putting the citizen activists and potential citizen activists, who attend our programs, in direct and personal contact with nationally-recognized leaders in the conservative community. Most importantly, they understood how this is an essential component of the fight for our freedom. Tony and Lynda gave us their unwavering support from the beginning of the Steamboat Institute, and their support gave us the credibility that has been a linchpin of our success. Accordingly, we seek to honor the memory of our dear friend, Tony Blankley. Tony’s grasp of public policy, the proper role of government, and the concept of American Exceptionalism is beyond dispute. It is our intention to build on Tony’s substantial legacy by nurturing and supporting the careers of outstanding young journalists and emerging conservative thought leaders who share the principles and values espoused by the late Tony Blankley and The Steamboat Institute. The fellowship recipient will receive a $10,000 stipend, travel expenses, speaking engagements, public relations/social media support, and extensive networking opportunities.Patrice OnwukaPatrice Onwuka is a political commentator and director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at the Independent Women’s Forum. Patrice is the 2020-2021 Tony Blankley Fellow with the Steamboat Institute. She is also a senior fellow with the Alliance for Charitable Excellence, a project of The Philanthropy Roundtable. Patrice has worked in policy, advocacy, and communications roles for more than a decade on issues related to the economy, employment, technology, and the criminal justice system. Previously, she worked for Generation Opportunity, The Philanthropy Roundtable and The Fund for American Studies. She was a Charles Koch Associate from 2008-2009. Prior to moving to Washington, Patrice served as a speechwriter for a United Nations spokesman. Patrice is a frequent guest on Fox News, Fox Business News, and PBS programs. She hosts a column called the New Agenda for Black Women on Newsmax.com and is a contributor to the Washington Examiner and The Hill. Her opinions have also appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, CNBC, Bloomberg, the New York Post, the Christian Science Monitor, and other prominent outlets. Born in the Caribbean, Patrice immigrated with her family to Boston where she grew up and completed her education. Patrice holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Tufts University and a master’s degree in international relations from Boston College. Patrice resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.Saagar EnjetiSaagar Enjeti is a Washington Correspondent and Host of ‘Rising’ at The Hill TV. He was just named 2019-20 Tony Blankley Fellow by Steamboat Institute. Saagar is also a Media Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC where he co-hosts The Realignment podcast. Saagar previously served as White House Correspondent for The Daily Caller and Foreign Affairs Correspondent for The DC News Foundation. Saagar received his Masters degree in US National Security Policy from Georgetown University and his bachelors in Economics from The George Washington University. Saagar has studied extensively across the globe spanning 3 continents and has visited over 40 countries.Amber AtheyAmber Athey is the Washington Editor at Spectator USA and the host of the “Unfit to Print” podcast. She was named 2019-20 Tony Blankley Fellow by Steamboat Institute. Prior to joining the Spectator USA team, Amber was White House Correspondent at the Daily Caller and covered bias and abuse in the university system for Campus Reform. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2016 with a B.A. in Government and Economics. Amber is an Orioles fan, country music lover, and proud cat mom to Bentley.Philip WegmannPhilip Wegmann is White House Correspondent for Real Clear Politics. He previously wrote for The Washington Examiner and has done investigative reporting on congressional corruption and institutional malfeasance. Philip was awarded the 2018-19 Tony Blankley Fellowship for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism by Steamboat Institute. In addition, Wegmann has worked as a radio producer and congressional correspondent. He can be seen regularly on CNN, Fox, and Fox Business and his voice has been heard on the BBC, NPR, and numerous other radio outlets. Wegmann was a fellow of the America’s Future Foundation writing program, a Publius fellow of the Claremont Institute, and an Eagle Scout. Before journalism, Wegmann grew up in little Woodburn, Indiana then graduated from even smaller Hillsdale College with degrees in History and Politics. When the weather is nice, and sometimes even when it isn’t, he can be found weaving in-and-out of traffic on his beloved Honda, a beautiful 1981 CB750 motorcycle.Kelsey BolarKelsey Bolar is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Independent Women’s Forum. Previously she served as a Senior News Producer at The Daily Signal, the multimedia news organization at The Heritage Foundation. She is the 2017-2018 Tony Blankley Fellow with the Steamboat Institute. In addition to writing news stories and in-depth investigative features, she produces short documentary videos that focus on putting a human face to conservative policy issues. In addition to her work at IWF, Bolar is a contributor to The Federalist and the Wednesday editor of BRIGHT, a morning newsletter for women, by women. She graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., with a self- designed double major in international affairs and film and media in politics. Prior to joining The Daily Signal, she was an editor and video producer for Fox News in New York City. Bolar, who grew up in Wilton, Conn., currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Luke. She balances her passion for politics with an affinity for yoga, and recently became a certified yoga instructor.Hadley Heath ManningHadley Heath Manning is the director of policy at the Independent Women’s Forum. Selected in 2016, she was named as Tony Blankley Fellow with the Steamboat Institute. She frequently comments on health care, entitlements and economic policy, and manages IWF’s health policy projects and publications. Manning appears frequently in radio and TV outlets across the country, including Fox Business’ Stossel Show and Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto. Her work has been featured in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, POLITICO, RollCall, Real Clear Policy, National Review Online and Huffington Post. In 2016, Manning was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Law and Policy. In 2015, the Republican National Committee honored her as a Rising Star, and in 2014, she was named to the Red Alert Politics 30 Under 30 list. She has also completed the National Review Institute’s Washington Fellowship, class of 2012-2013. Manning graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina in 2010 as a Morehead-Cain Scholar with a double major in economics and journalism. She lives in Denver with her husband and two children.Tom RoganTom Rogan is a member of the Commentary Desk of the Washington Examiner. He has written for The Weekly Standard, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Spectator, USA Today, The Week, The Washington Times, The Daily Caller, The Commentator, and The Christian Science Monitor. He is a frequent contributor on CNN, Fox News, and Real Time with Bill Maher, and was a regular panelist on The McLaughlin Group. Rogan is a graduate of King’s College London, The School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and The College of Law, London. Tom is the inaugural Fellow for the “Tony Blankley Fellowship for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism” awarded annually by the Steamboat Institute.Jillian Kay MelchiorJillian Kay Melchior is an editorial page writer for The Wall Street Journal. She is the former political editor at Heat Street and was previously a fellow with both The Steamboat Institute and Independent Women’s Forum. She has does investigative reporting on domestic issues, including government waste, fraud and abuse, energy and environment issues, and organized labor. She has lived in China, reporting on Christianity and persecution, and has also done foreign correspondence in Iraq, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. She has worked as an investigative reporter for National Review and the Franklin Center, an editorial writer for The Daily, an online editor for Commentary, a Robert Novak fellow, and a Bartley Fellow at the Wall Street Journal Asia. Her writings have been published in National Review, The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, The Weekly Standard, Commentary, TechCrunch, The Detroit News and other publications. She is a graduate of Hillsdale College and a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming.Tony Blankley Fellowship for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism2008-12-312021-05-23https://www.steamboatinstitute.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net