Heritage Action Staff
The Heritage Action team is passionate and dedicated to restoring conservative principles to America. The team is located in Washington, DC and across the country to ensure we can be the voice for reason and sound policy for the American people.
Jessica Anderson serves as the Executive Director of Heritage Action. In this role, Anderson is responsible for the strategic vision and operations of Heritage Action while working alongside The Heritage Foundation leadership to ensure both organizations are working toward common goals.
Prior to serving as Executive Director, Jessica Anderson served as Vice President to the organization, where she was responsible for the strategic operation and day-to-day activities of the government relations, policy, digital marketing, and grassroots teams.
Before returning to Heritage Action in 2018, Anderson served as Associate Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration. Anderson has over 10 years of political experience which includes her first tour at Heritage Action as Grassroots Director. Anderson landed on the 2017, 30 Under 30 Forbes List for Law and Policy and is a recipient of other top 30 Under 30 awards from Newsmax and Red Alert and is a 2020 Buckley Award winner for conservative leadership. Jessica Anderson has been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Real Clear Policy, The Hill, and The American Spectator. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida and is a graduate of the Koch Associate Program. Anderson is a founding Board Member of N2 America.
Garrett Bess is the Vice President of Government Relations and Communications. He is responsible for managing the government relations, grassroots, and digital team. He has served for nearly a decade on the Hill as a senior staff member to two Members of Congress. He is a native of Tampa Bay, Florida.
Ian Aringer was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and additionally grew up in Wisconsin, Georgia, and California. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics at Brigham Young University. Before joining Heritage Action for America, he was the Director of Operations for Capshare, Inc., a financial software startup based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is an Appalachian Trail 2,000-miler.
Melody Himel Clarke was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Melody is a life-long entrepreneur having founded and operated businesses in the hospitality, realty, and communications industries. She was the first woman to run for the 100th Legislative District in Virginia and has worked on numerous state and federal campaigns. She is an avid equestrian and also hosts a conservative talk-radio show.
Nathan Duell is a native Arizonan and a graduate of Arizona State University with bachelor’s degrees in economics and supply chain management. While at ASU, he was a conservative voice in student government and College Republicans, and Nathan also completed the Koch Internship Program in DC where he interned with Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Before joining Heritage Action, he worked in banking as an analyst and remained involved in politics as a precinct committeeman.
Walker Gallman was born and raised in Dalton, GA. He attended Valdosta State University where he received his BBA in marketing. After graduating, he went on to receive his insurance license before deciding to pursue a career in public policy. Before joining Heritage Action, he worked on Congressman Rick Allen’s (GA-12) legislative team as a Legislative Correspondent. During his tenure with Congressman Allen, he gained a wealth of legislative experience while focusing on a policy portfolio consisting of issues related to veterans, criminal justice reform, religious liberties, Second Amendment rights, science & technology, government oversight, and pro-life policies.
Karen Jaroch is a University of South Florida graduate and licensed professional engineer from Tampa, FL. After working several years in manufacturing, Karen changed professions and followed her passion into politics. In 2009 she co-founded a vibrant, active tea party and then co-led a successful campaign that defeated a local sales tax increase for light rail despite overwhelming odds. Her efforts led to her board appointment to the local transit agency HART. During the 2012 election cycle she served as a field coordinator in the Tampa area building grassroots relations with conservative organizations while managing a top-producing volunteer phonebank and canvassing center.
Stephanie Kreuz has been involved in public policy and political campaigns since 2005. Prior to joining the Heritage Action team she worked in the legal field, and wrote for WatchdogWire, a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. She also previously interned for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan in education policy. Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College in 2012, with a major in Politics and a minor in Latin.
Abigail was born and raised in North Caldwell, New Jersey. She recently graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Media Arts and Design and a concentration in Interactive Design. Before joining the team, Abigail had design internships at different marketing and advertising companies ranging in size and industry. As the Graphic Designer for Heritage Action for America, she is able to utilize both her love for conservative politics and design skills.
Paige was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but has since relocated to Hilton Head, South Carolina. She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Public Relations and Political Science. Prior to joining the Action team as a Marketing Assistant, Paige was an intern in the Digital Media department for the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation.
James Quarles was born and raised in upstate South Carolina. He earned a degree in Political Science from Clemson University, where as a member of College Republicans, he worked with conservatives on campus and volunteered on several campaigns around the state. Before joining Heritage Action, he interned in the Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation, with a focus on regulation and free market issues. James now serves as the Southeastern Regional Coordinator.
Gabrielle is the Executive Assistant and Program Coordinator for Heritage Action for America. She was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio and graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina with a degree in Political Science and minor in Business Administration. Prior to joining the team, Gabrielle was an intern for the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation.
Brian is Strategic Partnerships Coordinator at Heritage Action for America. He was born and raised in Mandeville, Louisiana and graduated from Spring Hill College with a degree in International Studies and minors in Political Science and Theology. Prior to joining the team, Brian worked on municipal and gubernatorial campaigns in Alabama and was an intern in The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program.
Janae Stracke is the Grassroots Director for Heritage Action for America. In this role, she oversees the grassroots team and the Sentinel Program. Prior to working for Heritage Action, Stracke worked for Concerned Women for America where she served as both National Field Director and Communications Coordinator. Stracke grew up on a farm in Western Iowa and attended Liberty University where she received a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and a double minor in public relations and psychology.
Ryan Walker is the Director of Government Relations. Before joining Heritage Action, Ryan served for nearly a decade on the Hill as a staff member to two Members of Congress; most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Mark Walker. He is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina.
Interested in politics since she was eligible to vote, Rebekah Warwick has spent time working with Colorado Legislators at the Capitol in Denver. She has been involved with various grassroots campaigns, advocating conservative principles and encouraging citizens to engage in politics and public policy. She is a graduate of Colorado Christian University with a double-major in Political Science and History.
Noah Weinrich is press secretary for Heritage Action for America. Noah was born and raised in Athens, Georgia, then he earned a bachelor’s degree in Politics from Hillsdale College, where he served as vice president of his class. Before joining Heritage Action, he worked as a staff writer at Pinkston Group, a D.C.-area public relations firm. He also worked as an editorial intern at In Pursuit Of, as a freelance writer, and as a campaign intern for Rep. Jody Hice. He currently resides in Washington, D.C.