Our Leaders + Experts
The Virginia Institute for Public Policy is an independent, nonpartisan, education and research organization committed to the goals of individual opportunity and economic growth. Through research, policy recommendations, and symposia, the Institute works ahead of the political process to lay the intellectual foundation for a society dedicated to individual liberty, dynamic entrepreneurial capitalism, private property, the rule of law, and constitutionally-limited government.
Lynn Taylor
President, CEO, & Co-FounderLynn Taylor is the president and co-founder of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, an independent, nonpartisan, education and research organization that develops and promotes public policy consistent with the Virginia tradition of individual liberty, dynamic entrepreneurial capitalism, private property, the rule of law, and constitutionally-limited government.
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Jonathan Haines
Executive Vice PresidentA veteran of numerous policy and political campaigns, his legislative and political experience spans the local, state, and federal levels of American government. Prior to formally joining the liberty movement in 2013, Jonathan spent time in the private sector, specializing in government affairs and corporate relations, and in the public sector as a legislative staffer.
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Caleb Taylor
Caleb Taylor
Director of PolicyCaleb Taylor is the Director of Policy for the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, where he began as a volunteer and part-time editor in 1997. In addition to directing the policy research, planning, and symposia curriculum for the Virginia Institute, Caleb also works with several organizations across the US.
Lindsey Zea
Lindsey Zea
Deputy Director of PolicyLindsey is passionate about advancing liberty in the public square and in every home. Whether she is researching, writing, or speaking to citizens on a variety of policy issues, she embraces efforts that help government truly serve the people. Lindsey believes good policies are the rich soil in which prosperity grows, allowing individuals the freedom to reach their highest potential and accept personal accountability.
James Broughel, Ph.D.
James Broughel, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow | Regulatory ReformJames Broughel is a senior fellow with the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. James is also a senior fellow at Competitive Enterprise Institute and an adjunct professor of law at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. He specializes in regulatory institutions, cost-benefit analysis, and the impact of regulations on economic growth.
James is the author of the book Regulation and Economic Growth: Applying Economic Theory to Public Policy.
J. David Gowdy, J.D.
J. David Gowdy, J.D.
Senior Fellow | Constitutional Studies…
Craig DiSesa
Craig DiSesa
Director of Education Strategy & InnovationCraig initially directed the Middle Resolution’s legislative initiatives where he worked to promote public policy focused on the expansion of free market economics in healthcare and education. Craig was instrumental in leading a coalition of healthcare policy experts to provide healthcare alternatives and prevent further expansion of government into the healthcare arena. Craig was also intimately involved in legislation to offer parents education options through tax credits and other initiatives to provide more choice for all students regardless of income levels.
Kris Allen
Kris Allen
Senior Research & Policy AnalystKris has worked as a management consultant to both private and public sector clients in the power generation, information technology, pharmaceutical, and post-secondary education markets. He has built and sold two successful businesses and has held executive-level positions in privately- and publicly-held corporations. Kris also served our country as a nuclear submarine officer in the United States Navy.
Clara Belle Wheeler, M.D
Clara Belle Wheeler, M.D
Senior Fellow | Election IntegrityDr. Clara Belle Wheeler is a senior fellow with the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. She is also a retired surgeon and former member of the Virginia State Board of Elections. Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Clare Belle is a graduate of Hollins College and the Medical College of Virginia. Following medical school, she completed her residency at Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery in Boston, Massachusetts and a fellowship at the Curtis National Hand Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. With more than four decades of medicine under her belt, Clara Belle primarily practiced medicine in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a brief few years in Boise, Idaho.
Matt Veach
Matt Veach
Senior Fellow | Workforce Development & Occupational LicensingMatt is currently a master of public policy student at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He concentrates on workforce development policy and child and family policy, focusing on how these policies affect poverty.
Coalition Engagement
Joshua Taylor
Joshua Taylor
Coalitions ManagerJoshua Taylor is an expert in customer relations, operations, and team management both in the service and financial industries. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute with a B.A. in Economics and Business and joined Election Integrity Network after a successful career in the mortgage industry. Josh also enjoys a successful songwriting career and has written songs for Grammy winning and nominated albums.
Audea Taylor
Audea Taylor
Coalitions AssistantAudea Taylor is a coalitions support specialist with the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. She joined the Virginia Institute in spring of 2022 after volunteering at several in-person events. While she holds a deep interest in economics and public policy, she intends to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biology. When she’s not busy studying, Audea fills her time with competitive volleyball, writing music, and volunteering.
Communications
Jonathan Arnott
Jonathan Arnott
Director of Strategic CommunicationsJonathan is a former British Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the North East of England from 2014-2019, most recently for the Brexit Party. He served on the Budget and Budgetary Control Committees, as well as being a substitute on the Constitutional Affairs Committee. He took part in the first ever televised Education Debate on the BBC during the 2015 General Election. In May 2019, Jonathan decided not to seek re-election.
Amanda Conlin
Amanda Conlin
Communications AssociatePrior to joining the Virginia Institute, she was a producer for a news radio program out west and also worked in the private sector as a communications specialist with start-up companies. Her experience has given her a deep appreciation for entrepreneurship and small businesses in general. The second oldest of four children, Amanda grew up in Payson, Utah and studied communications with an emphasis in public relations at Utah Valley University.
Katelyn Leinbach
Katelyn Leinbach
Creative Services AssistantKatelyn Leinbach is a graphic design and communications associate at the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, where she brings a passion for creativity and a dedication to impactful communication. A former graphic design student at Southern Virginia University (SVU), Katelyn blends her artistic talents with a strong commitment to advancing the mission of the Virginia Institute through compelling visual narratives. Her role emphasizes the importance of clear, persuasive design in amplifying the Institute’s work in promoting public policy and civic engagement.
Development & Events
Ashlyn Entriken
Ashlyn Entriken
Manager, Development & EventsAs the Grants Manager at the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Ashlyn supports the organization as its mission is accomplished each year. Her multifaceted role encompasses research, fundraising, grant writing, and fostering active donor engagement.
In addition to her pivotal development role, Ashlyn is the executive producer for the Institute’s impactful radio program, Freedom & Prosperity Radio. Additionally, her responsibilities extend to coordinating events for the Institute’s diverse coalitions, including the Tuesday Morning Group, Virginia Fair Elections, and the Conservative Leaders Group.
Jody Weierholt
Jody Weierholt
Development CoordinatorWith a diverse background spanning education, nonprofits, and advocacy, Jody is deeply committed to promoting transparency and accountability in elections. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts studies in History at Liberty University in Virginia, reflecting her ongoing commitment to scholarly pursuits.
Operations
Eily Taylor
Eily Taylor
Finance & Operations AssociateEily Taylor is an operations associate at the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. As such, she primarily serves as the bookkeeper for the Institute, assists with travel arrangements, and as a producer for the Institute’s Freedom & Prosperity Radio program.
She has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida and a minor in accounting from Liberty University. She spent nine years in the hotel industry but now enjoys a career that allows her to spend more time with her husband and their newborn daughter, Emerson.
Sheila Elliott
Sheila Elliott
Administrative Assistant…
William Haines
William Haines
Technology & Systems AdministratorWith a keen eye for detail and a passion for efficiency, William seamlessly manages the Institute’s websites and internal communication platforms, ensuring smooth and effective digital interactions. Additionally, William takes charge of audio and video editing for the Institute, and leverages his skills to enhance presentations and facilitate communication. Ever ready to support the Institute’s various coalition efforts, William stands as a dependable backup when called upon, showcasing his commitment to service and collaboration.
The Institute’s Directors
Board of Directors
Timothy E. Donner
Charles J. Cooper
Chairman, Cooper & Kirk, PLLCCharles J. Cooper is a founding member of the Washington, D.C., law firm of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC. Named by the National Law Journal as one of the ten best civil litigators in Washington.
Lynn Taylor
President, CEO, & Co-FounderLynn serves as president of Tertium Quids, an issue advocacy organization that, along with the Virginia Institute, co-hosts Virginia’s Tuesday Morning Group, a statewide coalition comprising more than 1,000 activists who represent more than 260 organizations. Lynn is also the executive producer of Freedom & Prosperity Radio, a syndicated talk radio program with a focus on politics and public policy.
Derwood S. Chase, Jr.
Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Chase Investment Counsel CorporationDerwood S. Chase, Jr., is founder and chairman emeritus of Chase Investment Counsel Corporation, which manages more than $500 million for a select group of clients throughout the United States.
Rebecca Norton Dunlap
Former Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage FoundationBecky Norton Dunlop is a vice president at The Heritage Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C. Before joining Heritage, she served as secretary of natural resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia in Governor George Allen’s cabinet.
Timothy E. Donner
Founder and Executive Director, Horizons Television, Inc.Timothy E. Donner is founder and executive director of Horizons Television, Inc., a television and video production company in Great Falls, Virginia, specializing in fund raising, documentary, promotional, and educational video. Mr. Donner has served on the boards of trustees of multiple organizations.
Douglas Mills
Board MemberDouglas C. Mills is vice president for development with the Club for Growth. Mr. Mills previously served as executive vice president of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
Richard Norman
President, The Richard Norman CompanyRichard Norman has been in the political fundraising industry for more than three decades, during which time he has been involved with six presidential campaigns and dozens of U.S. Senate, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns. He founded The Richard Norman Company in 1987 and Active Engagement in 2009.
John Taylor
Co-Founder of The Virginia Institute for Public Policy
John Taylor fought for the freedoms that most Virginians take for granted. He was the man who stood in the gap against the corporatist excess that is so prevalent from both sides of the aisle in postmodern American politics. He acted within a framework of principle in a time when the word principle was certainly not “trending.” He strictly prescribed to the Enlightenment beliefs of our founders when many disrespect them as “dead white guys,” knowing that without the works of people like Jefferson, Madison, Mason and Washington these same detractors would be under the thumb of a continual set of overseers. We will deeply miss his passionate defense of Constitutional principles, his knowledge of history, and his fierce opposition to those who would suppress liberty.
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