JESSICA PATTERSON

Jessica Millan Patterson is a wife, mother, and political professional, CEO of California Trailblazers Jessica recruits and trains candidates throughout California to run for California state legislature. Jessica has served the California Republican Party, Republican National Committee, Statewide and National Candidates for over a decade. She is well-known for her get-things done no nonsense style; committed to her cause and clients she maintains strong friendships with political allies and rivals alike. Blessed with many talents, Jessica is highly regarded for her experience and expertise running ground games and organizing floor operations

JEFF RANDLE, CHAIR

Jeff Randle, President and CEO, leads the firm he founded in 2001. The Sacramento Business Journal has ranked Randle Communications the top locally-owned public relations firm in the greater Sacramento region for the last three years.

Randle has more than two decades of political, media, and communications expertise and is considered one of the state’s leading strategists by lawmakers, business leaders and the media. Randle perfected his skills with experience as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Pete Wilson and as a key member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s political team. Randle served as a senior advisor to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and her 2010 California gubernatorial campaign. He has worked closely with her since 2007 and continues to work with her today.

In 2010, Randle was named by Capitol Weekly as one of the top 50 most influential people in California and by Campaigns and Elections magazine as one of the top 100 political influencers in the state.

For the firm, Randle oversees the strategy and communications activities for all clients. He has crafted statewide public relations and public affairs campaigns for prominent organizations including University of Phoenix, Golden State Water Company, the California Association of REALTORS®, the California Building Industry Association and the Chief Probation Officers of California.

Randle was a key member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s political team from 2002-2006. In 2002, he helped Schwarzenegger pass Proposition 49, the After School Safety & Education Program Act. In 2003, he served as political director during the Governor’s 2003 recall election campaign and in 2004 and 2005, directed all statewide grassroots political efforts on behalf of Schwarzenegger’s initiative campaigns. In 2006, he served as a senior advisor to the Governor’s re-election campaign.

From 1998-2001, Randle was Executive Vice President of Stoorza Communications, California’s largest independent public relations firm, where he also served as General Manager of the Sacramento Office. From 1991-1998, Randle served as a Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Pete Wilson. Randle was responsible for statewide communications and coalition building efforts on behalf of the Governor’s agenda. He also directed the Governor’s eight statewide field offices that were responsible for outreach on behalf of the Governor’s policy and political initiatives.

Randle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1986. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Kellie, and their three children Annie, Jake and Jillie Kate. Randle enjoys spending time with his family as well as rooting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and all UCLA Bruins sports teams.

HOWARD HAKES

Hakes has been active in many state and national political campaigns. In 2005, Hakes became a founding member of New Majority Los Angeles, one of the largest Republican political organizations in California. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for New Majority California and holds the position of Federal Political Action Committee chairman and finance chairman for the Los Angeles chapter. In 2012, Hakes served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention and remains a delegate to the California Republican Party.

In addition to Hakes’ support for Republican causes, he enjoys an esteemed professional career. Hakes serves as the chief operating officer for Hitchcock Automotive Resources, one of southern California’s largest automotive dealer groups, which owns and operates four dealerships throughout the region.

MARIO RODRIGUEZ

As one of the most well respected Latino Republicans in the country, Rodriguez’s experience, enthusiasm and tireless work ethic reflect the California Trailblazers culture. After serving as Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party from 2003 to 2005, President George W. Bush appointed Rodriguez to serve on the National Hispanic Steering Committee. He is a veteran of statewide and local political campaigns and has served as a member on the transition team for Governor Schwarzenegger and as the California Latino State Chairman for Meg Whitman’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Rodriguez serves as a member of the New Majority, and he is a founding member of the Hispanic 100 and serves as the organization’s Chairman. In addition, Rodriguez has a proven record, having successfully helped elect Assemblywoman Melendez, Assemblyman Chavez and Assemblyman Linder in 2012.

“We are going to lead by example, recruiting and supporting Latino Republicans to run, win and lead,” said Rodriguez. “This is a long-term commitment to our party and the people of California. I am excited about this opportunity to engage Latinos constructively and to demonstrate why the Republican Party is most closely aligned with our values,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will work closely with Legislative Leaders Huff and Conway, California Trailblazers’ CEO Jessica Patterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors Jeff Randle and the Trailblazers’ Board of Directors. The robust training and support will lead to more Latino Republican candidates who are well positioned to compete and win legislative races.

LYDIA L. BEEBE

Lydia Beebe currently serves as the corporate secretary and chief governance officer of Chevron Corporation, a position she has held since being elected as Chevron’s first female corporate officer in 1995. Beebe has a rich background in public service, having been appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission in 1991, where she was chairperson from 1995 through the end of her term in 1999. Beebe was recently honored by California as a Civil Rights Hero for her work as chairperson to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission. In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Beebe to the Board of Directors of Presidio Trust, where she served until 2008. Along with serving on the governing boards for the National Judicial College, Kansas University Endowment Association, Kansas University Law Alumni, the National Association of Corporate Directors of Northern California and the San Francisco Symphony, she also enjoys being an advisory board member of the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance and the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance.

GEORGE ANDREWS

George has served as an aide to California policymakers and candidates at the federal and state level over the past 15 years. Most recently, he was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) from 2014-17 before being tapped to lead the 2018 election efforts for the Assembly Republicans.

He specializes in developing and executing policy initiatives with a focus on public relations, community outreach and constituent services.

He has served as an Executive Committee member for the NAACP-Antelope Valley and delegate to the Citizens Advisory Committee for California State Prison – Los Angeles.

George is a graduate of University of California, Davis where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.

DAVID READE

David Reade is a veteran of over 30 years in California politics and currently serves as Chief of Staff to California State Senator Jim Nielsen.

A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, David Reade began his career as a volunteer on the Reagan-Bush re-election campaign in 1984.  He worked in the office of Republican Governor George Deukmejian, and later as a Legislative Aide for the Assembly Republican Leader.

He served six years as Chief of Staff to the late Republican Assemblyman Bernie Richter (1992-1998) and also for Assemblyman (now Congressman) Doug LaMalfa from 2002-2008.  Reade has been a consultant and strategist to more than a hundred successful candidate and issue campaigns at the national, state and local levels.

A lifelong Republican, David Reade was elected Chairman of the Butte County Republican Party from 1994 to 1998.

In 2002, Reade served as Campaign Director for the McClintock for Controller campaign.  In 2003, Reade served as Deputy Political Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign for governor during the successful recall election. David Reade served as California Political Director for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign.

In 2009-10, Reade served as senior advisor and strategist to Doug LaMalfa’s successful election campaign for California State Senate and for his 2012 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives.  He also served as Finance Director and principal campaign strategist for Assemblyman Jim Nielsen’s successful 2008 and 2010 campaigns, and for his 2013 Special Election to the State Senate. Reade also directed Nielsen’s successful reelection in 2014.

Reade was elected in 2012 to serve as Chairman of the Sacramento Valley Lincoln Club, a Republican donor organization that provides financial support for Republican candidates for federal, state and local office.

In 2014, Reade served as senior strategist for James Gallagher’s successful campaign for State Assembly, District 3.

David Reade has been recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants with eight of its prestigious Pollie Awards, most recently receiving Gold and Silver Awards for Radio Advertising.

David and his wife Suzanne reside in West Sacramento and have two children, Reagan (20) and Matthew (19).