Elizabeth Emery Rincon

State Director

Born in Houston Texas and alumna of the Memphis College of Art in Memphis, Tennessee, Liz Rincon says that politics has always been a part of her life, beginning when she was a young child.  Liz talks about her experience:  "I have been very fortunate to have participated in many programs through high school, such as Washington Close-Up. This exposure to how our government works was great, however, it wasn't until after college that I had a passion for organizing."

"My first exposure to organizing was in Florida’s Panhandle working for PFAW (People for the American Way) on voter registration and election protection. This is the place where I learned how America was treating the extreme poor and rural. I knew then I would do this line of work forever. However, I needed good training. I am a graduate of the Strategic Consulting Group out of Chicago. There I worked on the New American’s Vote ’04 Campaign. I worked on the South Side of Chicago, Organizing Immigrants to stand up and be counted in that election cycle and to continue the fight to come out of the shadows and be a part of our great country and not to be pushed around with racist legislation and hold their leaders accountable. Chicago not only showed that I had a passion for immigrant issues; it was my first time working with high school students. I could not have done my job, without them."

"After years of working around the country I came back to my hometown of Memphis, TN to work for many candidates, including Congressman Steve Cohen. We established an internship program at the University of Memphis, for students to get involved in the political process. It is because of the hard work and dedication of these young people, that I discovered that I wanted to keep them working and build them into leaders in politics, all aspects of politics. Keeping young people involved is so important for the betterment of our country. All of my interns have gone on to work for SEIU, Congressman, management on campaigns and issue work. The internship program is now a permanent program at the University of Memphis and is larger than ever." 

Liz says she is "honored to be a part of an organization that recognizes that youth involvement is not only a great step to build future leaders, but that it is necessary."
Email Liz at liz@theleague.com

Dylan Lampe

Director of Development

Dylan Lampe graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Journalism and Political Science. Immediately after graduation he began working for a 2008 presidential campaign in Iowa. "For a few short months prior to the caucuses, Iowa gets a great deal of attention. It's a very exciting time to be an Iowan and it really is our only claim to any sort of political fame. Well, that and Herbert Hoover."

Dylan did a wide range of internships while in college, from the Iowa State Capitol to the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. His internship in 2004 for the Iowa Democratic Party is when he found his passion for organizing.  It was after that election that Dylan knew he would be focused on making sure that young voters were heard. "As young people, we could have such a powerful impact in elections and society. By not voting, we are silencing our powerful voices."  Dylan is excited to learn all about Pennsylvania and to get to know all of the great people he knows he'll find here! 
Contact Dylan at dylan@theleague.com

Carly Dobbins - Bucklad

Director of Operations & Communication

Carly graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2004 with a BA in Communication and in Political Science. She first became involved with the League as an intern in the fall of 2006, after she had just moved to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia and was looking for a way to get acquainted with her new home base.  She helped create the first video voter guide for the PA League in the spring of 2007.  From there she slowly got deeper and deeper into the League until she wound up as full-time staff.  Before working here, she worked for a PA state representative outside of Philadelphia, was the assistant director at an arts management firm, and ran her campus radio station, and in-between worked at a vintage clothing store and too many restaurants to count. 
Email Carly at carly@theleague.com

Roxanne Banks - Williams

Director of Education & Training

Roxanne Banks-Williams graduated from Peabody High School in 1999 and from the University of Pittsburgh in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in General Management of business, focusing on Human Resources and Marketing. In the summer of 2003, she earned a Community Problem Solving Fellowship and participated in the 2004 PRICE Summer Internship program. In the years following graduation from Pitt, she earned certifications as an automotive emissions inspector, and then later a personal training certification.

But through all of this, she knew her primary career focus was to be on community activism and social engagement. In May 2006, she joined the League as the Constituency Outreach Coordinator/Events Coordinator. But her real passion comes from organizing and educating young voters which she does as the Director of Education for the League, a position which she began in January 2007. In this role she leads the League's efforts into High Schools and to other youth programs to educate kids about the importance of participation in the political process.
Contact Roxanne at roxanne@theleague.com

Terry Griffin

Western PA Field Coordinator

Terry graduated with High Honors in political science from the University of Florida and is planning on studying civil rights and American constitution in law school. During his time in Gainesville, Florida, he organized an event called Winter Soldier: Iraq @ UF, which brought an audience of hundreds before a panel of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their stories. Terry also co-organized an umbrella organization of UF student groups known as the UF Progressive Caucus, and has been involved in several civic action groups on campus and in the Gainesville community. After experiencing political campaigning during the 2006 Midterm Election Cycle, he realized that young people can be a great power block. Terry is eager to devote himself to the cause of bringing Americans of all stripes into the fold of active citizenship. 
Email Terry at terry@theleague.com

Mac Booker

Western PA Field Coordinator

Mac Booker had political literature in his hand as soon as he was able to grip it, working the polls with his Democratic-committeepeople parents in Pittsburgh's seventh ward. Since then he has had some schooling, thanks to Peabody High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He also has spent time working for various candidates for sundry offices, from Pittsburgh City Council on up. He has been a journalist and a researcher, driven a beer truck, and along the way gotten a good bit taller and marginally less cute than the five-year-old who exhorted his neighbors to pull the lever.  What hasn't changed is his conviction that you need to get out to the polls and make your voice heard. You may see him at your front door one of these days, looking to explain exactly why.

Sam Hawkins

Staff Assistant

Sam came to us from a program with the Bloomfield/Garfield Corporation in 2008.  After proving himself to be the dependable, intelligent, hard-worker that he is, we decided we had to hire him on!  If you're ever in the office around lunchtime, nothing would make Sam happier than if you went in with him on some Dominos and split a pizza and some hot wings.
Contact Sam at samhawkins@theleague.com

Our Amazing 2008 Interns!

FALL:

Minrose Straussman (Schenley/Reisenstein High School) - research & development
Krystal Mitchell (Pitt) - research & development
George Zavadak (Duq) - field

SUMMER:

Meghan Russell (Penn State, PA) - research
Jennifer Smith (Oral Roberts, OK) - development
Alison Emery (Clark University, MA) - development
Sanket Karuri (White Station High School, TN)) - field

SPRING:

Sam Hawkins (Bloomfield/Garfield Corporation) - data management/outreach
Julie Mink (Chatham graduate) - video/design
Gabby Moscowitz (CMU) - video/design
Ryan Burger (Pitt) - development
Sarah Amador (CMU) - development
Justin Witmer (Pitt) - development
Travis Jones (Pitt) - field
Paul Masters (Pitt) - field
Michelle Sipe (Pitt) - field