Co-op Campaign Academy Presenters

For the past 32 years, Richard Gose has worked as a political affairs and trade association professional. He has applied his experience of campaign politics, grassroots activation, a well-developed understanding of the legislative process, and his expertise with targeted communications to advance the political operations for three major trade associations – the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the American Insurance Association (AIA), and currently, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

In more recent years at CUNA, Richard has worked to enhance state and grassroots political efforts in the financial services sphere. Among other things, he’s cultivated several advocacy training programs on effective communication tactics and he continues to further the credit union movement using traditional strategies (such as direct mail communications) in addition to the latest approaches to online and social media outreach. Read his complete bio for more information on Richard’s background and unique skillset.

Trey Hawkins is a political professional with two decades of experience in campaign and political action committee (PAC) management, fundraising, political communication, grassroots, and issue advocacy. He currently serves as the Credit Union National Association (CUNA)’s Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Political Action, leading political and grassroots action on behalf of pro-credit union candidates and issue advocacy campaigns nationwide.

Since joining CUNA in 2005, Trey has built its political program into one of the nation’s leading trade association political operations, including a $5.3 million federal PAC that consistently ranks among the five largest trade association PACs nationally. Read his complete bio for more information on his background.

Leann Paradise is a Senior Associate for Grassroots with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. A seasoned advocacy professional and strategist, she is responsible for executing and advising on grassroots political activity in 13 states.

Leann previously spent ten years with the National Association of Manufacturers, where she built a national voter engagement program, and successfully brought together hundreds of employees and members of Congress through a legislative awards and plant visits program. She also served as a strategist and tactician for several high-profile national issue advocacy campaigns.

Prior to her association work, Leann was an assistant scheduler in the United States Senate and gained political campaign experience on a Senate reelection campaign. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Vanderbilt University, is a proud native of Northeast Ohio, and is auntie to a nephew and two nieces. She resides in Arlington, VA.