Austin, Texas
June 2-5, 2013
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Keynotes & Special Guests
Scott Gessler
Colorado Secretary of State
Scott Gessler is Colorado’s 37th Secretary of State. He was elected on November 2, 2010, and sworn into office on January 11, 2011. [read more]
A successful small businessman and election law attorney, Mr. Gessler serves as the chief executive of The Department of State. The Secretary of State’s office collects, secures, and makes accessible a wide variety of public records; it ensures the integrity of elections; and it enhances commerce. Previously, Mr. Gessler was a partner at Hackstaff Gessler LLC, where he focused on election law, constitutional law, public policy litigation, campaign finance, and commercial litigation. He has also served at the U.S. Department of Justice as a Trial Attorney, focusing on international criminal law and terrorism. He served as an Army Reservist as well.
Gessler received his undergraduate degree from Yale, law degree from University of Michigan, and MBA from Northwestern University. Prior to his election, Mr. Gessler served on bipartisan election boards and commissions, including the Election Reform Commission that made recommendations to the General Assembly following the 2008 elections. He has taught election law at the University of Colorado law school and has been widely recognized for his work in election law.
Mr. Gessler resides in Denver with his wife Kristi and their daughter Sofia.
Linda McCulloch
Montana Secretary of State
Throughout her career, Linda McCulloch has been an energetic and determined advocate for all Montanans. Elected Montana’s first woman Secretary of State in November 2008, Linda is committed to ensuring that Montana’s elections are fair and accurate and that Montana’s businesses have the tools they need to grow and expand in a changing economy. Linda firmly believes civic engagement fuels a functioning democracy, and she’s committed to increasing public participation in all levels of government. [read more]
A senior member of the State Board of Land Commissioners, Linda McCulloch has helped create rural jobs and generate nearly $754 million in revenue for Montana schools by overseeing the management of 5.2 million acres of school trust land. Her position on the five-member Board continues to secure sustainable natural resource conservation, responsible timber-harvesting and affordable use of state lands.
Linda’s professional career consists entirely of public service, having previously served as a teacher, school librarian, legislator, and statewide elected Superintendent of Public Instruction.
During her two terms as State Superintendent, Linda helped boost funding for Montana schools, implement Indian Education for All, start Full-Time Kindergarten across the state, award honorary high school diplomas for war-veterans, launch the READ Montana! program, and help advance rural education advocacy regarding the federal No Child Left Behind law.
Linda served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives, from 1995 to 2001. In 1999, she served as the Minority Caucus Leader and Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee. As a legislator, Linda served on the Judiciary, Highways & Transportation, Local Government, Education and House Rules Committees. Interim Committee assignments included Juvenile Justice & Mental Health, Indian Affairs, and Education & Local Government.
From 1995 to 2000, Linda was a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Montana and a recipient of the Mike and Maureen Mansfield Library Scholarship. As an active civic leader, Linda has served on numerous boards including the Board of Public Education, Board of Regents, Montana Library Commission, the MT Heritage Project, and the Advisory Council to the Montana Meth Project.
Linda holds M.A. and B.A. degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Supervision of Library Media Programs from the University of Montana. She started her educational career in 1978 as a paraprofessional in Eastern Montana before teaching in schools in Western Montana.
Linda McCulloch has been married to Bill McCulloch since 1978. She looks forward to continuing her four-year term as Montana’s Secretary of State.
Somaia “Sam” Zaki
Managing Director of Sales, First American Mortgage Services
Sam Zaki is the Managing Director of Sales for First American Title’s Mortgage Services Division (FAMS). Sam is a key contributor in planning and implementing the divisional growth strategies. In addition, she is responsible for managing executive relationships with key customers and prospects, and assists with sales-related recruiting. Sam serves as the division’s liaison with the Distributive Channels and their Regional Lender teams to further support the coordination of account assignment and development. [read more]
A senior member of the State Board of Land Commissioners, Linda McCulloch has helped create rural jobs and generate nearly $754 million in revenue for Montana schools by overseeing the management of 5.2 million acres of school trust land. Her position on the five-member Board continues to secure sustainable natural resource conservation, responsible timber-harvesting and affordable use of state lands.
