BOARD OF ADVISORS

BENNETT ROSS

Partner at Wiley Rein LLP

Bennett Ross is a partner at the law firm of Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, DC, advising clients in the communications and technology sectors on regulatory matters before the Federal Communications Commission and legislative issues in Congress. Previously, Bennett spent over a decade in the legal department of BellSouth Telecommunications and was a partner at Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, Tennessee where he specialized in commercial, administrative, and antitrust litigation. With more than 30 years in the legal profession, much of which has been spent interfacing with federal and state governments, his qualified professional experience serves to be invaluable to the Mock Convention.

Bennett Ross served on the Board of Trustees of Washington & Lee University from 2009-2018 where he graduated as a student in 1983.

KELLY EVANS

CNBC Journalist and 2007 alumna

“Kelly Evans is the anchor of CNBC’s “The Exchange,” the newsroom-based program for today’s investor. She is also co-anchor of CNBC’s “Power Lunch.”

She joined the network in February 2012 as an on-air correspondent, reportingacross CNBC’s Business Day programming. Evans was most recently co-anchor of CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” and earlier, “Squawk on the Street” and “Worldwide Exchange” based in London.

Prior to CNBC, Evans was an economics reporter and “Heard on the Street” columnist forThe Wall Street Journal. She also hosted the daily “News Hub” program onthe WSJ website. Evans joined theJournalin 2007 after graduating from Washington & Lee University.”

EMORY COX

Financial Policy Advisor to Senator Tommy Tuberville

Emory Cox serves as financial policy advisor to U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). In his current role, he acts as the Senator’s lead advisor on all matters related to financial services, tax, budget, and appropriations. Prior to joining the Senator’s staff in January of 2021, Cox served as associate director of the White House National Economic Council under the leadership of Larry Kudlow, President Donald J. Trump’s chief economic policy advisor. While at the White House, Cox covered the financial policy portfolio and worked on issues related to banking and securities regulation, student loans, retirement security, and housing finance. He worked closely on President Trump’s successful 2019 effort to automatically forgive the student loan debt of veterans totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service and on the 2020 implementation of COVID-19 economic relief legislation. Before his time at the National Economic Council, Cox served as a staffer in the Office of Presidential Personnel, the White House component responsible for staffing executive branch agencies with political appointees. A proud native of Pell City, Alabama, he holds a B.A. from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Cox was Chairman of the College Republicans Club, and the Alabama State Chair during Mock Convention 2016.

TYLER BOWYER

Chief Operating Officer at Turning Point USA and RNC Committeeman

"Tyler Bowyer is a 7th Generation Arizonan and conservative activist.

In his youth, he joined College Republicans where he served as President of one of the largest chapters in the US. Following that, he was tapped by Governor Jan Brewer to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents.

Tyler has served as Precinct Committeeman, Congressional Advisory Chairman, Legislative District Chairman, County Chairman of the largest Republican-held County in America and helped organize and host the first “Trump Rally” in July of 2015.

Tyler joined Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA in 2015 later becoming Chief Operating Officer overseeing the nation’s largest and most impactful field program, organizingsome of the nation’s largest activist events and reaching hundreds of millions in digital initiatives.”

MARC SHORT

Co-Chair of Advancing American Freedoms Organization and 1992 alumnus

“Marc Short is a leading Republican strategist whose experience spans the private sector, statewide and national campaigns, Capitol Hill, and the Executive Branch. Most recently,Short served as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence, his second stint at the White House after serving as Director of Legislative Affairs. In addition to advising two presidential campaigns,Short previously led Young America's Foundation and Freedom Partners, a non-profit that promotes free market principles. Short is a frequent guest on cable news and Sunday shows.

Marc Short graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1992”

JAMIE TUCKER

Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Jamie Tucker partners closely with clients to develop innovative and comprehensive strategies to achieve their federal policy objectives. He manages all facets of issue campaigns including building and leading teams to undertake lobbying, third-party engagement and communications. In addition to substantive knowledge, he maintains a strong network on Capitol Hill and in the administration and closely monitors the ever-evolving political landscape in order to better advance clients’ engagement in the policy making process.

Prior to joining the firm in 1999, Jamie served as legislative counsel to Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) and also served as an aide to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich in 1996 and Sen. Paul D. Coverdell (R-GA) from 1993 to 1994.

Jamie also has significant political experience, having worked on four presidential campaigns as well as a number of Senate and congressional campaigns. Jamie served as the Political Chair for the 1992 Mock Convention during his time as a student at Washington and Lee University.

TED ELLIOTT

Chief Executive Officer at Copado

“Ted Elliott is the Chief Executive Officer of Copado. Before joining Copado in November 2018, he spent 18 years as the CEO of Jobscience, one of the first 5 ISV partners to Salesforce, until the company’s acquisition by Bullhorn. During his time with Jobscience, he experienced the challenges of releasing innovation on the Salesforce platform, and now strives to transform customers’ DevOps processes with Copado, the #1 DevOps platform for Salesforce.

Ted Elliott graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1994.”

K.C. CROSBIE

RNC Treasurer and W&L Parent

KC Crosbie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky in May of 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

After graduation, she went to work for a Fortune 50 company specializing in healthcare. She was employed by that company for 18 years. In 2013, KC established a Kentucky company focused on the distribution and sales of specialized medical and therapeutic products. KC recently established a consulting company that specializes in candidate recruitment and navigating Kentucky politics on policy issues.

KC was elected to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government City Council in 2006 and served three consecutive terms representing the 7th District. During her elections, Crosbie received endorsements from the City’s firefighters, police officers and government employees. As Lexington’s Council is non-partisan, KC earned a reputation for being a person capable of working with all sides of the political spectrum.

As a LFUCG Councilwoman, KC was recognized for her efforts towards greater fiscal responsibility—typically leading the fight against excessive fees and higher taxes. She also led efforts requiring City Hall to be more transparent in its operations and demanded accountability as problems were uncovered.

In 2011, KC sought the office of Kentucky State Treasurer and narrowly lost to the incumbent. Following that race, KC was recruited by the Republican Party of Kentucky to serve as its Finance Chair. During the RPK State Convention in 2012, KC was elected as the RNC National Committee Woman (KY) where she serves on the RNC’s Rules Committee, Election Integrity Committee, RNC Convention Site Selection Committee for 2024 and 2028 and works with other national leaders in formulating policy positions. In 2023, the RNC elected KC to serve as Treasurer.

KC was appointed to the Kentucky Crime Victim’s Compensation Board, Board of Claims and the Judicial Nominating Committee by Governor Ernie Fletcher. In her community life, KC has been active on various non-profit boards including the American Heart Association, Junior League and National UK Alumni Association.

She is married to Scott Crosbie and they have two daughters, Kirby and Cate, along with a son, Mac. KC and her family attend Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington where she has been active in the children’s ministry and serves on the "I am 3rd" recreational board.