Richmond, Virginia (June 27, 2008) – Allison Coccia, who formerly served as Executive Director of the New York Republican State Committee, and as Political Director and Acting Finance Director of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, has been named Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV).
“After a thorough search that entailed interviewing several outstanding candidates, I concluded that Allison offers us a proven record at improving fundraising, communications, and building the grassroots,” said Jeffrey M. Frederick, RPV Chairman.
In his first month since being elected Chairman, Frederick has moved quickly to name Harrisonburg businessman and entrepreneur Walter Curt as the GOP’s Finance Chairman, and veteran national political and campaign attorney Cleta Mitchell as General Counsel. In addition, Frederick installed Virginia political veterans Tom Bunnell and Gerry Scimeca to key positions within the RPV operation.
Frederick has promised to put together "the strongest team of leaders and staff RPV has ever seen", and as part of that effort, he instructed his search committee to conduct a national search for the top candidates available for Executive Director. Candidates were identified, interviewed, and researched as part of the vetting process.
Coccia is the first woman to head the RPV staff in more than 25 years. Frederick said he was impressed with the strong endorsements Coccia received from party leaders throughout Pennsylvania and New York, and for her ability to get to every corner of the Empire State to listen to party leaders and help to build their local parties.
“I wanted an Executive Director who was not a top-down leader, but understood the importance of physically meeting with grassroots Republicans and contributors from Lee County to the Eastern Shore, and find out what tools they needed to win in their areas,” Frederick said.
“Allison worked tirelessly to revitalize the Republican Party in New York State at a local level, and her work contributed to our stunning victories in 2007,” according to New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. “New York's loss is Virginia's gain”, he added.
Scott Migli, former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania said: “the Virginia GOP has made a great choice in hiring Allison as Executive Director. Allison and I worked very closely in Pennsylvania during 2006, one of the most difficult years in decades for Republicans. As the Political Director, despite overwhelming odds, she was able to guide our Victory program to second in the nation. Together we worked closely with the state legislature to pass a Voter ID bill that was signed by a Democrat governor. Allison will prove to be a great asset in a state we must carry in November to elect Sen. John McCain the next President of the United States.”
Coccia also worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee where she served as campaign manager for numerous campaigns across the Pennsylvania.
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