Vermont Democratic Party

Julia Barnes, Executive Director 

jbarnes@vtdemocrats.org

Julia Barnes is a New England native who received her degree in Political Science and Women's Studies from The George Washington University in 2005. She is passionately committed to progressive grassroots organizing and grew up volunteering for a variety of candidates and causes. Before coming to politics professionally, Julia worked with Wider Opportunities for Women, a non-profit focused on economic stability and financial independence for low-income women. After moving to New Hampshire during the 2007-2008 presidential primary, she served as the Regional Field Coordinator in Hillsborough County for then-Senator Joe Biden. After the primary, Julia worked for Governor John Lynch in the Department of Constituent Services before she became the Deputy Field Director for his successful 2008 re-election campaign. In 2009, she joined Organizing for America - New Hampshire as the State Field Director where she oversaw the in-state organizing efforts for President Barack Obama. During her time with OFA- NH, she also served as the 2010 New Hampshire Coordinated Campaign Field Director and organized for the President's re-election efforts throughout 2011. In her free time, she can be found hiking with her rescue dog, Molly, and exploring the back roads of Vermont.

John Faas, Data Director

jfaas@vtdemocrats.org

John comes to Vermont with nearly 5 years of professional experience working in politics. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Political Science in 2007 from Miami University, John moved back to his home state of Iowa to work as a Field Organizer for Richardson for President. Soon after John moved to the Southwest to work as a Regional Field Director on Tom Udall’s 2008 successful run for the Senate. After a brief time back in Iowa John moved to California to work as a Consultant for Burnside and Associates where he was part of the closest State Senate primary victory in California history which was won by 22 votes with nearly 50,000 cast. Following this John returned to New Mexico where he worked for the Vote New Mexico Coordinated Campaign as Field Director in 2010 and most recently as Campaign Manager for Al Park for Public Regulation Commissioner. After living in the desert for nearly three years John is thrilled to be surrounded by Vermont’s beautiful green mountain and tranquil lakes.

Ryan Emerson, Party Outreach and Communications Director

remerson@vtdemocrats.org

Ryan Emerson is a native of Newbury, Vermont who received his B.A. in Political Science from Johnson State College in 2008. In 2010, he served as Deputy Field Director on the Shumlin for Governor Campaign during the Democratic Primary and as a Regional Field Director for the Vermont Democratic Party in the general election. After a year and a half as a union Organizer at ATF United Professions Vermont, he served as Campaign Manager for TJ Donovan for Attorney General in the Democratic Primary and as Campaign Manager for the Beth Pearce for State Treasurer Campaign in the general election. He is currently a candidate for an M.A. in Sustainable Development with a focus in Policy Advocacy and Analysis from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Nick Charyk, Political Director

ncharyk@vtdemocrats.org

Nick Charyk grew up Thetford, Vermont where he graduated from Thetford Academy in 2004. After receiving a B.A from Harvard University by Extension in 2010, Nick returned to Vermont to work as a Field Organizer for the Matt Dunne for Governor Campaign in the Democratic Primary.  Following the primary, he served as the Campaign Manager for Donny Osman for State Senate in the 2010 general election.  In January 2011, Nick was hired as the Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic House Campaign.  He retained the position through the 2012 election cycle, when the Democratic House majority expanded its ranks to 96 members.