Chris Russell
Since launching his original business, CHRIS RUSSELL CONSULTING, in 2009, Chris has a proven track record of winning tough campaigns and shaping communications strategies for his clients.
Chris was the top advisor to New Jersey Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli in 2021 and has served as a strategic advisor to Members of Congress, Republican organizations, state legislators, and elected officials on the county and local level. Beyond partisan politics, Chris also advises corporations and issue advocacy groups on issues ranging from iGaming, commercial development, education, and healthcare.
As an award-winning direct mail consultant, Chris and his firm have won over 40 Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and Reed Awards from Campaigns & Elections Magazine for his creative work. Many moons ago, he also took home the coveted “Rising Star” Award from Campaigns & Elections Magazine in 2008 as one of the Top 25 political professionals under the age of 35.
A 1995 graduate of Temple University, Chris currently serves as a Member of the Political Science Alumni Advisory Board and as a Member of the Owl Club Board of Directors at his alma mater. Chris has consistently been named one of New Jersey’s top Republican consultants by the New Jersey Globe, as well as regularly appearing as a guest analyst on programs like NJTV’s On the Record, NJ Spotlight/PBS Chatbox, and News 12 New Jersey’s Power & Politics.
An avid runner and aspiring hiker, Chris lives with his wife, Michelle, and daughters Emma and Alyssa, their dog Reeses and bunny Bean. Together, they founded the Caitlin Elizabeth Russell Foundation in 2006 in honor of their firstborn daughter, who passed away from complications of premature birth at the age of 4 months. Since its inception, Caitlin’s Foundation has raised more than a half-million dollars to help premature babies and their families in New Jersey.
Amanda Woloshen Glass
Amanda Woloshen Glass is a government affairs specialist and senior political strategist with an expertise in the areas of public affairs, government relations, communications, messaging, and campaign management. Her proven record of success in campaign management and successfully building issue-oriented and diverse grassroots coalitions stems from her ability to keep an eye on the big picture while using surgical precision to focus on the elements needed to win. Amanda’s extensive experience on Capitol Hill has fostered her strong working relationships with government and elected officials that bridges both sides of the aisle – within New Jersey and beyond.
Amanda’s passion for politics began volunteering on a Presidential campaign as a teenager and she is proud to have successfully managed her first congressional campaign by the age of 23. She went on to serve as a senior aide to U.S. Congressman Mike Ferguson and managed his campaigns until his retirement in 2008.
Notably she served as the campaign manager for New Jersey Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance’s campaign for Congress in 2008, winning not only a seven-way primary with 40% of the vote, but defeating the challenger in the general election, after being outspent 4 to 1 in what was one of the most competitive races in the country. Nationally, Lance was one of only three non-incumbent Republicans to be elected in a district won by President Obama. Following the victory, Amanda went on to serve as Congressman Lance’s State Director.
In addition, Amanda has managed and consulted on local, county, and state legislative elections.
Most recently, she managed a successful U.S Senate Primary Campaign amid New Jersey’s first all vote-by-mail election.
She is proud to be a mentor and guest speaker for the Ready to Run program with the Center for Woman in Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Recognized as “Top 40 Under 40” by leading New Jersey political and government news website, Amanda is also a frequent guest political commentator on NJTV.
She and her husband David reside in New Jersey where they were both born and raised.
Julia Carfagno
Julia Carfagno is the Operations Manager at Checkmate Strategies. She joined the firm after graduating in May 2022 with honors from Suffolk University, located in Downtown Boston, with a Bachelors of Science degree in Journalism (Print/Web) and a minor in Political Science.
While at Suffolk, Julia was elected to be the Vice President of the Suffolk University Republican Club during her senior year. During her junior and senior year, she was also selected as a Trustee Ambassador for Suffolk, where she represented the University at Admitted Students and University Showcase Weekends, gave prospective students tours of the campus, and assisted the admissions office in any way necessary.
Julia served as an intern for Massachusetts State Representative Michael J. Soter (R-8th Worcester) during her time in Boston. From her internship, she learned about how to best and effectively serve constituents in the district, and regularly attended hearings with the Representative.
Notably, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she interned with Princeton Public Affairs Group for a full-year, where she gained her passion for government affairs work. Before she attended Suffolk, and during as well, she interned with the Hunterdon County Clerk’s Office, and the Honorable Mary Melfi, where she was introduced to the inner workings of county government.
For two years while at Suffolk, Julia played on the University’s NCAA DIII softball team. She grew up playing club and travel softball, as well as travel basketball.
She was raised and still resides in Flemington, New Jersey with her parents Beth and Tom, as well as her twin sister Katie and little sister Sara.