Lead21
Encyclopedia
Lead21 is a conservative public policy
and advocacy organization focused on entrepreneurship and technology innovation. It was founded in the United States
by several Silicon Valley entrepreneurs in 2001. The organization principally caters to entrepreneurial business leaders, aiming to promote policies that support and encourage prosperity through entrepreneurship
and innovation
.
Most of the Lead21 senior staff, board of directors and membership reportedly have very close connections to the Republican Party
and many Republican administrations (especially Arnold Schwarzenegger
's administration in California, and the Bush Administration
). Lead21 reports having a multi-partisan donor and membership base, including Democratic
members, with no "political litmus test" for membership. Like many right-of-center think tanks, it has no partisanship requirement, but is rooted in traditional conservative
- and libertarian
-leaning values such as limited government, lower taxes, and pro-market policies.
Lead21 was conceived on August 18, 2001 by Auren Hoffman
and Price Roe, and shortly after founded with the additions of entrepreneurs Christopher Alden
, F. John Duncan, and Rob Reid
. According to the organization's official website, some of these early founders are now senior appointees in the Bush Administration. Lead21 executive director Daniel Trimble was the organization's first full-time employee, hired at the start of 2006, followed by a Program Manager and Press Secretary, Candace d'Holbach, in 2007.
region. New Century Leadership Council (NCLC), as it was called at the time, launched the new organization at the home of Silicon Valley veteran Ellen Hancock
, with former California
Governor Pete Wilson
as guest-of-honor. Additional early members and supporting leaders included E. Floyd Kvamme
(chairman of the U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST
), Thomas Stephenson
of Sequoia Capital
fame, Gregory Slayton (a notable Bush-Cheney 2004 fundraiser and currently the Ambassador to Bermuda
under George W. Bush
's administration), and Duf Sundheim (currently chairman of the California Republican Party
). According to news and press reports from the time, more than 150 people showed up for the opening event.
NCLC was said to have started as a venue for conservatives
and libertarians, whom the group claimed were politically quiet in the San Francisco Bay Area
—a region widely considered to be overtly liberal
. Lead21 bills itself as "multi-partisan" in its membership demographic (which reportedly includes Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, and Democrats), but mostly appears to support Republicans and Libertarians as their platform of limited government, lower taxes, and pro-business policies tend to be embraced by those political bases. Lead21 explicitly states that its focus is not about partisan
politics; that it is about supporting entrepreneurship
and innovation
. However, the organization does not appear to have supported any Democratic candidates or campaigns except San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
. Lead21 has hosted Mayor Newsom, and several board members of the organization as well as several of its top members have been appointed to San Francisco city commissions. It is widely noted that Newsom's election win against Matt Gonzalez
is often attributed to direct Republican turnout in his support.
In 2003, NCLC changed its name to Lead21.
Lead21 claims it grew to several hundred members in its first few years after its founding, with no budget or staff. In 2004, Lead21 hired Sally Dorfman as a paid, part-time staffer to coordinate its increasingly routine events and bookkeeping. It was not until February 2006 that it hired its first full-time director, Daniel Trimble, who with the Board and Program Manager, Candace d'Holbach, led the organization through its most explosive growth in terms of membership and revenue. Trimble resigned in April 2007.
with its members. A partial list of previous guests from Lead21's official website shows the organization has hosted:
In 2005, Lead21 hosted former Secretary of State George P. Shultz
at a lifetime achievement award ceremony in his honor. Their 2006 recipient of the same award was retired Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor
, presented on October 17, 2001 at a 300-person reception in her honor. Lead21 has also hosted dozens of senior technology executives in policy discussions and networking receptions, including former Hewlett Packard chairman and chief executive Carly Fiorina
.
In August 2006, Lead21 began advising and educating government officials on the entrepreneurial impact of the pending Senate Patent Reform Act of 2006. Lead21 technology, market and policy advisory boards have also been put together for RNC
Chairman Ken Mehlman
, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
, Congressman Adam Putnam
, Congressmen Devin Nunes
.
(former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of United States European Command
(USEUCOM) that the organization has no marketing budget, and that its growth has been fueled almost entirely by word of mouth from its membership. In August 2006, Lead21 declared it was on the verge of surpassing 1,000 members and alumni, and in Fall of 2006 announced it had reached that mark. Lead21 does not make its full membership roster available to the public, however, it does list most of its "Presidential Members" and donors on its website.
, and is registered as a political organization under section 527 of U.S. tax and election laws. Lead21 is reportedly not a fundraising organization that raises money for candidates, committees or campaigns, and as such has never registered as a federal or state political action committee
.
As of September 2006, Lead21 reports it is in the process of re-filing, for legal status as a combination 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) educational research and issue advocacy organization.
According to Lead21's official website, it has received financial support from the following "major donors" among its "Chairman's Circle." It is not known publicly how much these individuals have contributed:
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
and advocacy organization focused on entrepreneurship and technology innovation. It was founded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by several Silicon Valley entrepreneurs in 2001. The organization principally caters to entrepreneurial business leaders, aiming to promote policies that support and encourage prosperity through entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
and innovation
Innovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
.
Most of the Lead21 senior staff, board of directors and membership reportedly have very close connections to the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and many Republican administrations (especially Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
's administration in California, and the Bush Administration
George W. Bush administration
The presidency of George W. Bush began on January 20, 2001, when he was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States of America. The oldest son of former president George H. W. Bush, George W...
). Lead21 reports having a multi-partisan donor and membership base, including Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
members, with no "political litmus test" for membership. Like many right-of-center think tanks, it has no partisanship requirement, but is rooted in traditional conservative
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
- and libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
-leaning values such as limited government, lower taxes, and pro-market policies.
Lead21 was conceived on August 18, 2001 by Auren Hoffman
Auren Hoffman
Auren Raphael Hoffman is an American entrepreneur, CEO of Rapleaf, editor of Summation.net, angel investor, and member of Council on Foreign Relations.-Business:Hoffman sold his first tech company, while still in his 20's...
and Price Roe, and shortly after founded with the additions of entrepreneurs Christopher Alden
Chris Alden
Christopher J. Alden is an American entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Red Herring, a magazine focused on the business of technology, and Rojo.com, an early web-based RSS reader.-Career:...
, F. John Duncan, and Rob Reid
Rob Reid
Rob Reid is a Victoria, British Columbia athlete, community activist and entrepreneur.Rob Reid won the Jerry Anderson Marathon in Kalispel Montana in 1979, and Calgary Marathon in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984....
. According to the organization's official website, some of these early founders are now senior appointees in the Bush Administration. Lead21 executive director Daniel Trimble was the organization's first full-time employee, hired at the start of 2006, followed by a Program Manager and Press Secretary, Candace d'Holbach, in 2007.
History
Lead21 was founded by a group of entrepreneurs, investors and senior executives from San Francisco and the surrounding Silicon ValleySilicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
region. New Century Leadership Council (NCLC), as it was called at the time, launched the new organization at the home of Silicon Valley veteran Ellen Hancock
Ellen Hancock
Ellen Hancock is a technology manager from the United States who has worked for IBM and Apple, among others.Hancock was born in the Bronx, New York City and raised in Westchester...
, with former California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Governor Pete Wilson
Pete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
as guest-of-honor. Additional early members and supporting leaders included E. Floyd Kvamme
E. Floyd Kvamme
Earl Floyd Kvamme is an American engineer, venture capitalist, and government advisor.-Early life:The son of Norwegian immigrant parents, Kvamme grew up in Northern California graduating from Jefferson High School of Daly City in 1955...
(chairman of the U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST
PCAST
The United States President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology is a council, chartered in each administration with a broad mandate to advise the President on science and technology. The current PCAST was established by on September 30, 2001, by President George W...
), Thomas Stephenson
Thomas Stephenson
Tom or Thomas Stephenson may refer to:* Tom Stephenson , British walkers' rights activist* Thomas Alan Stephenson , British marine biologist* Thomas Frederick Stephenson , World War I flying ace with the Royal Air Force...
of Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital is a Californian venture capital firm located on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. The Wall Street Journal has called Sequoia Capital "one of the highest-caliber venture firms", and noted that it is "one of Silicon Valley's most influential venture-capital firms"...
fame, Gregory Slayton (a notable Bush-Cheney 2004 fundraiser and currently the Ambassador to Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
under George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's administration), and Duf Sundheim (currently chairman of the California Republican Party
California Republican Party
The California Republican Party is the California affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party chairman is Tom Del Beccaro and is based in Burbank, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. The RPC also has a headquarters in Sacramento....
). According to news and press reports from the time, more than 150 people showed up for the opening event.
NCLC was said to have started as a venue for conservatives
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
and libertarians, whom the group claimed were politically quiet in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
—a region widely considered to be overtly liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
. Lead21 bills itself as "multi-partisan" in its membership demographic (which reportedly includes Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, and Democrats), but mostly appears to support Republicans and Libertarians as their platform of limited government, lower taxes, and pro-business policies tend to be embraced by those political bases. Lead21 explicitly states that its focus is not about partisan
Political Parties
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
politics; that it is about supporting entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
and innovation
Innovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
. However, the organization does not appear to have supported any Democratic candidates or campaigns except San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
. Lead21 has hosted Mayor Newsom, and several board members of the organization as well as several of its top members have been appointed to San Francisco city commissions. It is widely noted that Newsom's election win against Matt Gonzalez
Matt Gonzalez
Matthew Edward Gonzalez is an American politician, lawyer, and activist prominent in San Francisco politics. He currently serves as chief attorney in the San Francisco Public Defender's office....
is often attributed to direct Republican turnout in his support.
In 2003, NCLC changed its name to Lead21.
Lead21 claims it grew to several hundred members in its first few years after its founding, with no budget or staff. In 2004, Lead21 hired Sally Dorfman as a paid, part-time staffer to coordinate its increasingly routine events and bookkeeping. It was not until February 2006 that it hired its first full-time director, Daniel Trimble, who with the Board and Program Manager, Candace d'Holbach, led the organization through its most explosive growth in terms of membership and revenue. Trimble resigned in April 2007.
Influence and policy programs
Lead21 routinely hosts a number of senior elected and appointed government officials at receptions and parties in San Francisco and Silicon ValleySilicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
with its members. A partial list of previous guests from Lead21's official website shows the organization has hosted:
- George P. ShultzGeorge P. ShultzGeorge Pratt Shultz is an American economist, statesman, and businessman. He served as the United States Secretary of Labor from 1969 to 1970, as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1972 to 1974, and as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989...
, Former Secretary of State, Treasury and Labor - Sandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...
, Retired Justice of the United States Supreme Court - Carlos GutierrezCarlos GutierrezCarlos Miguel Gutierrez is an American former CEO and former U.S. Cabinet Member who is currently a Vice Chairman of Citigroup's Institutional Clients Group. He has previously served as the 35th U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 2005 to 2009...
, Secretary of Commerce - Michael PowellMichael Powell (politician)Michael Kevin Powell is an American Republican politician and lobbyist. He is the incoming president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association . He was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President Bill Clinton on 3 November 1997. President George W. Bush designated...
, Chairman, Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) - Steven J. LawSteven J. LawSteven J. Law is President and CEO of American Crossroads, and President of its sister organization CrossroadsGPS. He previously held the position of Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He served as Deputy Secretary of Labor in the administration of U.S....
, Deputy Secretary of Labor - Sandy BaruahSandy BaruahSandy K. Baruah is an American politician from the state of Oregon and is currently the president and chief executive officer of the .-Biography:...
, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development - Stewart VerderyStewart VerderyCharles Stewart Verdery Jr. is an American lobbyist and political professional. He served as the first Assistant Secretary of Policy and Planning at the Department of Homeland Security from 2003-2005...
, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Secretary - Keith GottfriedKeith GottfriedKeith E. Gottfried is an American lawyer, most notably nominated by President George W. Bush on July 29, 2005, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2005, to serve as General Counsel for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development .- Background :Keith...
, General Counsel, HUDUnited States Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentThe United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government... - Vince Hitch, CIO, Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
- Norm Lorentz, CTO, White House Office of Management & Budget
- Governor George AllenGeorge Allen (U.S. politician)George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
(R-VA) - Governor Thomas KeanThomas KeanThomas Howard Kean is an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 48th Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990. Kean is best known globally, however, for his 2002 appointment as Chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, widely known as the...
(R-NJ) - Governor George PatakiGeorge PatakiGeorge Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
(R-NY) - Governor Jane Swift (R-MA)
- Governor and former EPA Chief Christine Todd WhitmanChristine Todd WhitmanChristine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
(R-NJ) - Governor Pete WilsonPete WilsonPeter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
(R-CA) - Senator John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
(R-CA) - Senator John ThuneJohn ThuneJohn Randolph Thune is the junior U.S. Senator from South Dakota and a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as a U.S. Representative for .-Early Life, Education:...
(R-SD) - Former House Majority Leader David DreierDavid DreierDavid Timothy Dreier is the U.S. Representative for , serving in Congress since 1981. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and business career:...
(R-CA) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomGavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
(D-CA) - Sara TaylorSara TaylorSara Marie Taylor is a public relations consultant who was the Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs and Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush from February 2005 to May 30, 2007. A Republican campaign strategist, field operator, pollster, she was one of George W. Bush's...
, White House Director of Political Affairs - Tevi TroyTevi TroyTevi David Troy is the former Deputy Secretary of United States Department of Health and Human Services in the administration of George W. Bush.-Personal history:...
, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Domestic Policy - Paul ShannonPaul ShannonPaul V. Shannon was a veteran Pittsburgh radio announcer in the days before commercial television...
, White House Director of Detainee Policy - Dan SenorDan SenorDaniel Samuel Senor, known as Dan Senor , is a founding partner of Rosemont Capital LLC, and Rosemont Solebury Capital Management. He is also a Fox News contributor and a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal among other publications...
, former press secretary to the Iraqi Coalition Authority - CA Secretary of State Bruce McPhersonBruce McPhersonBruce A. McPherson is a California politician who was the 30th California Secretary of State, sworn in March 30, 2005. He was nominated to replace former Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, who resigned on March 4. McPherson, a Republican from Santa Cruz County, served his term as Secretary until...
- CA Representative and Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant governorA lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
candidate Tom McClintockTom McClintockThomas Miller McClintock II is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Assemblyman and state Senator... - San Francisco Mayor Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomGavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
- Ken MehlmanKen MehlmanKenneth Brian Mehlman is an American businessman, attorney, and political figure who served as the campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, President Bush appointed Mehlman to the U.S...
, RNCRepublican National CommitteeThe Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
chairman and former Bush-Cheney campaign manager - Milton FriedmanMilton FriedmanMilton Friedman was an American economist, statistician, academic, and author who taught at the University of Chicago for more than three decades...
, Nobel laureate in economics and Senior Fellow, Hoover InstitutionHoover InstitutionThe Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford.... - Peter RobinsonPeter Robinson (speechwriter)Peter Mark Robinson is an American author, research fellow, television host and former speechwriter for then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and President Ronald Reagan. He is currently the host of Uncommon Knowledge, an interview show by Stanford's Hoover Institution. He is also a research fellow...
, Hoover InstitutionHoover InstitutionThe Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford....
Research fellow and former chief speechwriter to Presidents Reagan and Bush - Heritage FoundationHeritage FoundationThe Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
president Edwin FeulnerEdwin FeulnerEdwin John Feulner Jr. is President of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, a position he has held since 1977.... - Cato InstituteCato InstituteThe Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
executive vice president David BoazDavid BoazDavid Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute, an American libertarian think tank. He played a key role in the Institute's development and the American libertarian movement....
In 2005, Lead21 hosted former Secretary of State George P. Shultz
George P. Shultz
George Pratt Shultz is an American economist, statesman, and businessman. He served as the United States Secretary of Labor from 1969 to 1970, as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1972 to 1974, and as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989...
at a lifetime achievement award ceremony in his honor. Their 2006 recipient of the same award was retired Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...
, presented on October 17, 2001 at a 300-person reception in her honor. Lead21 has also hosted dozens of senior technology executives in policy discussions and networking receptions, including former Hewlett Packard chairman and chief executive Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina is an American business executive and a former Republican candidate for the United States Senate representing California. Fiorina served as chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard from 1999 to 2005 and previously was an executive at AT&T and its equipment and technology spinoff,...
.
In August 2006, Lead21 began advising and educating government officials on the entrepreneurial impact of the pending Senate Patent Reform Act of 2006. Lead21 technology, market and policy advisory boards have also been put together for RNC
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
Chairman Ken Mehlman
Ken Mehlman
Kenneth Brian Mehlman is an American businessman, attorney, and political figure who served as the campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, President Bush appointed Mehlman to the U.S...
, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
Cathy McMorris
Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district, based in Spokane, includes most of the eastern third of the state. She is a member of the Republican Party.She is currently one of two female U.S...
, Congressman Adam Putnam
Adam Putnam
Adam H. Putnam is the current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2001 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, Congressmen Devin Nunes
Devin Nunes
Devin Nunes is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district, located in the San Joaquin Valley, includes all of Tulare County, as well as much of eastern Fresno County. He is also the author of the book Restoring the Republic, published by...
.
Growth
In July 2006, director Daniel Trimble stated at a Lead21 reception with General Charles G. BoydCharles G. Boyd
Charles Graham Boyd is a retired four-star general of the United States Air Force. Boyd is a highly decorated combat pilot who served in Vietnam; and is the only Vietnam War prisoner of war to reach the four-star rank . His final Air Force assignment was as deputy commander in chief, U.S....
(former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
(USEUCOM) that the organization has no marketing budget, and that its growth has been fueled almost entirely by word of mouth from its membership. In August 2006, Lead21 declared it was on the verge of surpassing 1,000 members and alumni, and in Fall of 2006 announced it had reached that mark. Lead21 does not make its full membership roster available to the public, however, it does list most of its "Presidential Members" and donors on its website.
Legal status
Lead21 is a not-for-profit membership association filed in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and is registered as a political organization under section 527 of U.S. tax and election laws. Lead21 is reportedly not a fundraising organization that raises money for candidates, committees or campaigns, and as such has never registered as a federal or state political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
.
As of September 2006, Lead21 reports it is in the process of re-filing, for legal status as a combination 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) educational research and issue advocacy organization.
Funding
Lead21 has received most of its funding from its own membership, and reportedly has become largely self-sustaining based on annual membership contributions.According to Lead21's official website, it has received financial support from the following "major donors" among its "Chairman's Circle." It is not known publicly how much these individuals have contributed:
- William H. Draper, IIIWilliam Henry Draper IIIWilliam Henry Draper III is a prominent American venture capitalist.-Early life and career:Draper was born in White Plains, New York, the son of Katherine and banker and diplomat William Henry Draper, Jr. He attended Yale University with George H. W. Bush, graduated in 1950, the year after George...
(Managing Partner, Draper Richards, LP) - Aydin Senkut (President, Felicis Ventures)
- Thomas StephensonThomas StephensonTom or Thomas Stephenson may refer to:* Tom Stephenson , British walkers' rights activist* Thomas Alan Stephenson , British marine biologist* Thomas Frederick Stephenson , World War I flying ace with the Royal Air Force...
(Partner, Sequoia CapitalSequoia CapitalSequoia Capital is a Californian venture capital firm located on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. The Wall Street Journal has called Sequoia Capital "one of the highest-caliber venture firms", and noted that it is "one of Silicon Valley's most influential venture-capital firms"...
) - Tom Spengler (President & CEO, Granicus, Inc.)
Key Officials
From the Lead21 website, the following individuals can be identified as the key people behind the organization's operations and policies.- Sonia Arrison, Chairman of the Board of Governors
- Auren HoffmanAuren HoffmanAuren Raphael Hoffman is an American entrepreneur, CEO of Rapleaf, editor of Summation.net, angel investor, and member of Council on Foreign Relations.-Business:Hoffman sold his first tech company, while still in his 20's...
, Former Chairman of the Board; Lead21 Co-Founder - Michael K. Kim, Former Chairman of the Board of Governors
- Anurag Chandra, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors
Media References
- Piercing a Silicon Valley stereotype, CNET News.com, 17 February 2004
- It's Their Party...Young Republicans in New York, New York Magazine, 12 January 2004
- Bush to Visit Silicon Valley, CBS MarketWatch, 01 May 2003 (quoted on old Lead21 website, found at archive.org
- Shelby Steele Speaks on Race in America to New Century Leadership Circle, Hoover Institution Newsletter, April 2003
- The Tech Industry's Political Maturation, National Journal's Technology Daily, 21 October 22 (quoted on old Lead21 website, found at archive.org