About AYD

The Arlington Young Democrats were founded in 1936. Over the years, AYD has served as both a source of political activism for young people and a springboard to political involvement, including elected public office, later in life. Many of today’s Democratic leaders in Arlington County were once members and officers in AYD. In addition, AYD has served as the breeding ground for elected leaders in other jurisdictions, from neighboring Fairfax to as far away as Pasadena, California. Of course, many former AYD members have chosen not to seek elected office, but have become community leaders in many other ways, working for a variety of community-based organizations on both a professional and volunteer basis.

Elected officials and members of the Democratic Party leadership in Arlington County who are current or former Arlington Young Democrats:

• Dave Bell, Arlington County Clerk of the Court
• Sharon Davis, 1999 School Board candidate and former Arlington County Democratic Committee chair
• Al Eisenberg, Delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates for the 47th District
• Paul Ferguson, Arlington County Board immediate past chair and current County Board member
• Susan Prokop, longtime Democratic activist and chair of the Arlington Roosevelt Society
• Dan Steen, former Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair
• Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board member

An additional “fun fact” is that several former and current members of AYD are married to one another. Some AYDers form strong bonds with one another and we’re very happy that our Democratic “family” is becoming just that!

Officers

President – Gordon Simonett

Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Gordon moved to Michigan at the age of 8 and quickly learned what cold weather was all about.  Gordon graduated from American University in 2004, earning his BA in Government.  While at AU, Gordon was elected Treasurer of the AU College Democrats, and served as Speaker of the AU Student General Assembly.  Following graduation, Gordon worked as a Legislative Assistant to DC Shadow Senator Paul Strauss.  Gordon also was an active member of his local Young Democrat chapter in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he served as Treasurer; in 2006, he was awarded the chapter’s Young Democrat of the Year award.  Gordon has been a member of the Arlington Young Democrats since December 2007. @gordonsimonett

Vice President – Lauren Hall

A native eastern Long Islander, Lauren moved to Arlington in 2002 after graduating from Cornell University, where she studied environmental technology and economics and was VP of Events for her senior class. While working in environmental consulting and public affairs by day, she leveraged her extracurricular interest in event planning into organizing support for the Virginia Democratic Party and has been active with the Arlington Democrats since 2004’s Presidential Primary. Lauren has yet to Tweet, but stay tuned. @arlingtonpolitico

Secretary – Shannon Straw

Shannon currently serves as the Secretary for the Arlington Young Dem and an Outreach and Visability Vice-Chair for the Arlington Democrats. She has served on multiple campaigns, including: on the Religious Affairs team for Obama for America, as deputy campaign manager for Fred Johnson for Congress in Michigan, and, most recently, as Media Relations Coordinator for Mike Signer’s lieutenant governor campaign. Shannon is a graduate from Hope College in Holland, MI, with a degree in political science and history. @shannonstraw

Treasurer – Shani Harmon

Shani moved to Arlington after graduating from Yale University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in environmental policy. Shani became involved in AYD in 2008, helping with the Arlington Joint Campaign watch parties. A native of Colorado, Shani enjoys the outdoors, spending her free time hiking, rock climbing, and rafting.

Democratic Party Representative – Kim Klinger

Kim moved to Arlington in 2001. Kim is a graduate of Leadership Arlington, a member of the Alexandria-Arlington School Readiness Council, an Arlington Kiwanian, a volunteer EMT/Firefighter, the Assistant Director of Recruiting and Membership for Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department, and the Treasurer of her Homeowner’s Association. She has a degree in Health Services Administration and also holds certifications in Program Management, Personal/Athletic training, and Emergency Medical Services.  Kim utilizes her facilitation and organizational skills to drive various initiatives which promote health services, education, and political engagement in underserved areas.  Kim currently works professionally in the development and execution of healthcare standards, policy, and information exchanges.

Finance Chair – Brian Straw

Brian, Finance Director for the Arlington Young Democrats and Precinct Operations Vice-Chair for the Arlington County Democratic Committee, is an Arlington native. He graduated from Hope College in May 2008 and worked as a Field Organizer with Obama for America through November 2008. Since that time, he has been working as a polling analyst with the Benenson Strategy Group. Twitter: @BrianDStraw

Membership Chair – Keisha Swan

Political Director – Ben Lingeman

Outreach Director – Therese Griffin

Therese moved to the area in 2007 after getting her degree in Political Science at Providence College.  She became involved with the organization in early 2008 assisting with the Date Auction and then becoming the Deputy Membership Director and currently Outreach Director.  She was actively involved in the College Democrats, the SHEPERD alliance and the Aboriginal Reconciliation Movement.  Therese enjoys running races for the t-shirts and cooking for friends.  Her never used Twitter is @theresegriffin

Publicity Director – Shaun Edwards

As Publicity Director, Shaun disseminates information on the AYD and its activities to media organizations, as well as publicizes AYD events and fundraising efforts.  Shaun served as the AYD African American Caucus Chair in 2009.  She is originally from Roanoke, VA and is a 2008 graduate of Washington and Lee University with a B.A.C. in Political Science. @ShaunFEdwards

Community Service Director – Mary Kate Francis

Mary Kate is originally from New York, and has come to call Virginia home following her college years in Washington, D.C.  Mary Kate has been an active volunteer for many years, and participated in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service fraternity at American University from 2004-2007. Mary Kate works in advocacy communications for a renewable energy trade association in Washington, D.C.  In her spare time, Mary Kate enjoys running, reading, and baking.

Program Director – Vacant

Field/OFA Liaison – Kip Malinosky

Kip  is the Field Director for AYD & Precinct Operations Chair for ACDC. Originally he is from Springfield, IL, the homes of Obama and Lincoln, and has been in Arlington since 2004. When not campaigning or community organizing, he teaches 8th graders about Civics and Economics. @kipmalinosky

New Media Director – Jamie B. Lockhart

Jamie hails from Midlothian, VA and attended James Madison University where she obtained a B.A. in Political Science (2008). As New Media Director, Jamie maintains the AYD website, Facebook, and Twitter page (@ArlingtonYDs).  During the day, she serves as Director of E-Communications for Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO). Her hobbies include vegetarian cooking, running, all things health and nutrition, and twittering about Virginia politics. @jlock

Immediate Past President – Sarah Godlewski

Sarah has been a member of AYD since 2004 when she moved to Arlington from Fairfax, VA.  Since 2004, Sarah has served as the Director of Outreach and ACDC Vice Chair of Precinct Operations.  A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sarah moved to Virginia to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University.  While at George Mason, Sarah was elected Student Body President.  Sarah is a recent graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and serves on the Board of Directors for the Arlington Academy of Hope.  Sarah works as an organizational design consultant for a major consulting firm and is an adjunct instructor at George Mason University.  She is an avid Green Bay Packer fan who loves cheese curds and brats.