Ripon Society

The Ripon Society was formed in 1964 by "a loosely knit association of young business, academic and professional women and men" "to revive the Grand Old Party's commitment to inclusion and reform." The Society takes "its name from Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the Republican Party." 

The Ripon Society describes itself as "a Republican public policy advocacy organization representing all Americans through moderate, progressive policy formation that uphold traditional common sense Republican principles of: (as stated)


 * Limited but effective government;
 * A free enterprise based economy;
 * A strong, well-maintained, national defense;
 * A more equitable tax system
 * Social tolerance;
 * Conservation of natural resources.

Ripon Honorary Advisory Board
Members of the Advisory Board as of July 12, 2006, are:
 * Richard Kessler, President

Senators

 * Chuck Hagel (NE), Ripon Senate Chair
 * Richard Burr (NC)
 * Lincoln Chafee (RI)
 * Norm Coleman (MN)
 * Susan M. Collins (ME)
 * Judd Gregg (NH)
 * Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
 * Pat Roberts (KS)
 * Gordon Smith (OR)
 * Olympia J. Snowe (ME)
 * Arlen Specter (PA)
 * Ted Stevens (AK)

Representatives

 * Nancy Johnson (CT), Ripon House Chair
 * Judy Biggert (IL)
 * Roy Blunt (MO)
 * Sherwood Boehlert (NY)
 * Henry Bonilla (TX)
 * Ken Calvert (CA)
 * Dave Camp (MI)
 * Eric Cantor (VA)
 * Michael Castle (DE)
 * Howard Coble (NC)
 * Ander Crenshaw (FL)
 * Thomas M. Davis (VA)
 * Vernon Ehlers (MI)
 * Jo Ann Emerson (MO)
 * Phil English (PA)
 * Mike Ferguson (NJ)
 * Mark Foley (FL)
 * Vito Fossella (NY)
 * Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ)
 * Paul E. Gillmor (OH)
 * Kay Granger (TX)
 * Melissa A. Hart (PA)
 * Robin Hayes (NC)
 * David Hobson (OH)
 * Sue W. Kelly (NY)
 * Jim Kolbe (AZ)
 * Ray H. LaHood (IL)
 * Steven LaTourette (OH)
 * Jim Leach (IA)
 * Jerry Lewis (CA)
 * Jim McCrery (LA)
 * Michael G. Oxley (OH)
 * Thomas E. Petri (WI)
 * Deborah Pryce (OH)
 * Adam Putnam (FL)
 * Jim Ramstad (MN)
 * Ralph Regula (OH)
 * Joe Schwarz (MI)
 * E. Clay Shaw Jr. (FL)
 * Christopher Shays (CT)
 * John E. Sweeney (NY)
 * William M. Thomas (CA)
 * Fred Upton (MI)
 * James T. Walsh (NY)
 * Edward Whitfield (KY)

Staff
See staff profiles.
 * George McNeill, Chief Administrative Officer
 * J. Robin Kessler, Corporate Finance Director
 * DeAnna Lyons, Office Administrator
 * Molly J. Milliken, Project Coordinator
 * Austen C. Bannan, Special Assistant
 * Lee Terrett, Director of Human Resources
 * Stephanie Crosslin, Project Assistant

Board
According to 2006 IRS filings:


 * Cathie Abernathy
 * James Boland
 * Brenda Day
 * Richard Kessler
 * Rita Norton
 * Joann Piccolo
 * George McNeil
 * Mary Sophos
 * Peter Begans
 * Don Carlson
 * Juanita Duggan
 * Walt Freed
 * Bill Frenzel
 * Linda Jenckes
 * Dave Karvelas
 * Kerry Knott
 * Art Lifson
 * Susan Meade
 * Tom Medaglia
 * Bill Meub

Contact Information
The Ripon Society 1300 L Street NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 216-1008 Email: info AT riponsociety.org Website: http://www.riponsociety.org

Related Sourcewatch

 * Lee W. Huebner