About

Anthony (Tony) Zagotta is a seasoned political operative with over three decades fighting globally on the front lines for free markets and fiscally conservative values. Starting in the late 1980s, Zagotta was twice overwhelmingly elected as Chairman of the College Republican National Committee to lead the largest political youth organization in the United States.

In the 1990s, he was elected as Chairman of the International Young Democrat Union (the youth organization of the center-right International Democrat Union), for which Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher served as Honorary Chairwoman. His extensive experience in political campaigns includes organizing for the Iowa 1988 Caucuses for Jack Kemp for President, managing a GOP Congressional Campaign in 1994 and serving as the Honorary Youth Chairman for President Bush’s 1992 re-election campaign. From 1995-1999, he served as President of the non-profit Americans for a Balanced Budget, which fought on the front lines to reign in government spending.  For the past twenty years, Zagotta has been managing national issue advocacy campaigns and activating influential local opinion leaders, elected officials, academics, businesses, third parties, issue experts, industry leaders and political activists for multi-state field campaigns.

He currently serves as the President and CEO of a public affairs firm with a 50-state field network, a senior strategic advisor to a full-service public affairs firm and most recently founded and is the President of the Center for American Principles.  Zagotta is a graduate of Illinois State University.

Patrick Kilbride is a public policy expert specializing in economics, geopolitics, and innovation. He previously served as Senior Vice President of the Global Innovation Policy Center at the US Chamber of Commerce. In his leadership role, Mr. Kilbride was committed to reframing the narrative surrounding technological leadership, research and development, and the innovation ecosystem. Previously, he served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the George W. Bush administration. Patrick has extensive private sector and government experience in international government affairs, trade, and public policy.

Mary Ann Carter has more than 20 years of experience managing people, communications, policy and public affairs.  She is a skilled leader proficient in analytical and opinion writing, driving messaging while maintaining order and high morale.

Through her company, MAC Research, Carter has provided consulting services to more than 100 candidates for political office, as well as developed and implemented communication plans for numerous successful corporate and statewide issue campaigns.  She personally has participated as staff in numerous campaigns, as well as having twice worked in the U.S. Senate. As Chief Policy Advisor to Florida Governor Rick Scott, she managed a 150+ staff overseeing the Office of Policy and Budget for the nation’s third largest state.

At the federal level, Carter was confirmed as the 12th chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts on August 1, 2019, receiving unanimous consent from the United States Senate.