Press Release

Victory Fund announces new board members

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its board has elected new directors to help guide the organization as it works to build on the most successful year in its history and grow the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elected officials across the United States. 

Mark Burstein, new board chair and the Executive Vice President of Princeton University, said the time is right to expand the Victory Fund's work.  "This past year the Victory Fund was instrumental in changing the face and voice of American politics.  Elections matter, and electing more qualified, committed LGBT candidates matters more than ever.  It's is an honor to lead this distinguished board at a time when electoral politics means real change for the LGBT community and all Americans."
Recently elected board officers also include Vice-Chair Susan E. Atkins of San Diego, Treasurer Christopher Ray of Columbia, SC, and Secretary Robert H. Gleason of San Diego.

Four new board members were also elected to three-year terms.  They are:  Steve Elmendorf of Washington, D.C.; Jamie Fox of New York, New York; Malcolm R Gage, Jr., of Irving, Texas; and Harvey Hurdle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Steve Elmendorf, president of D.C.-based government affairs consultancy Elmendorf Strategies, said, “I’m proud to join the board of such a uniquely effective organization.  Out elected officials gain the power to make real and lasting change across America, so it’s vital they have the support of the Victory Fund and the LGBT community.”  Elmendorf served as a senior advisor to House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt for 12 years. As chief of staff and the most senior Democratic aide in the House of Representatives, Elmendorf interacted daily with the White House, administration officials, members of Congress, senators and leading interest groups developing knowledge in economic, domestic, national security, and foreign policy.

"We’re not going to achieve full equality unless we get smart about electoral politics.  The Victory Fund is a smart and lean organization, and most LGBT Americans who want to step up and run for office need their support to win, so I’m happy to help this organization in any way I can,” said Jamie Fox, who is a partner in the New York-based consulting firm Fox & Shuffler.  Fox is the former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  He previously worked in Washington as the Executive Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Chief of Staff to former Senator Bob Torricelli of New Jersey.

Malcolm R. Gage, Jr., is new car sales manager for Park Place Motorcars, a premier luxury automotive organization.  He is active in both national and Texas LGBT organizations and politics.  “I’m proud to further my commitment to the Victory Fund’s mission of electing open, honest leaders by serving on its board,” Gage said. “This is a unique organization within the LGBT movement and I hope to help grow its already impressive record of accomplishments.”

Harvey Hurdle is chief operating officer of Sellers Dorsey, a national health care consulting firm specializing in creating transformative change in public healthcare programs. From 2001 to 2005 Hurdle was the chief operating officer of the Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“The Victory Fund’s impact is measurable and impressive,” Hurdle said. “Under my board tenure, I hope to help guide this organization to new heights, so that we can come even closer to a truly representative democracy by having LGBT citizens serve at all levels of government.”

Other board members include: Sue Burnside of Los Angeles, California; Hon. Edward F. Feighan, Columbus, Ohio; Paul W. Horning, Atlanta, Georgia (recent past chair); Frank Matheson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Kevin Tilden, San Diego, California; Lisa Turner, Norfolk, Virginia; and Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe, Washington, DC.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee and the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government.  In 2009 more than 400 openly LGBT elected officials are serving in the U.S., up from just 49 when the organization was founded in 1991.  For more information visit www.victoryfund.org.
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