(RedRock Strategies) – RedRock Strategies, a nationally recognized political consulting and public affairs firm is proud to announce that Dana Walch will join the firm to serve as Chief Executive Officer.
A former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Republican Party and Political Director of the Ohio Republican Party, Walch is a well-respected, seasoned political professional with proven experience managing successful campaigns. More recently, Mr. Walch served as Director of Elections for the Ohio Secretary of State and then Deputy Director of the Franklin County (OH) Board of Elections.
“Dana brings a unique set of talent and experience to RedRock Strategies”, said company founder Ryan Erwin. “Dana isn’t just a talented political operative, he also is a respected elections expert. I am confident that he is the right person to take this company to the next level, help us provide even better service to our clients and continue the smart growth that has made RedRock Strategies one of the most successful political consulting and public affairs firms in the country.”
Walch will officially assume the position of Chief Executive Officer on April 13, 2015 and will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to enhance the organization’s vision, mission and growth. He will also oversee new business opportunities in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
RedRock Strategies is a nationally recognized political consulting and public affairs firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They proudly count some of the finest candidates, elected officials, companies and organizations in the country as clients.
“I am excited to be joining this outstanding team. RedRock Strategies is one of the most respected political consulting and public affairs firms in the country – with a proven track record of success few can match”, said Walch. “I can’t wait to get to work on the next chapter of success for this company and our clients.”
Dana Walch
Dana Walch currently serves as Deputy Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections. In this capacity, he supervises a staff of over 40 full-time and hundreds of seasonal employees with an annual budget of up to $11,000,000 to conduct elections in Ohio’s second largest county.
Prior to this, Walch served as President of SBR Strategy Group, a political and organizational consulting and research firm. In this capacity, he conducted public opinion polls and served as an advisor for numerous candidates, organizations, issue campaigns, and political parties. States in which Walch has done work include Ohio, Indiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas and New Mexico.
Walch spent over six years at the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Positions that he held there included Director of Legislative Affairs, where he served as the office’s primary liaison to the Ohio General Assembly and the United State’s Congress; Director of Election Reform, where he served as the head of Ohio’s efforts to reform voting equipment and the voter registration process as required by the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA); and as Director of Elections where he supervised the Elections Division staff, advised the Secretary of State on election-related matters, and set operating policy for Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections.
In 2003, Walch gained national recognition for leading Ohio’s $130 million program to purchase new voting equipment to replace its antiquated punch card voting system. Ohio’s program was regarded as one of the most comprehensive in the nation, using research and negotiation to save taxpayers millions of dollars. The Ohio program also gained national attention as it commissioned the most comprehensive study of election system security in the country.
Other positions that Walch has held include Campaign Manager of Ken Blackwell’s successful 1998 campaign for Ohio Secretary of State, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and Political Director of the Ohio Republican Party.
With his unique combination of political and election administration experience, Walch has consulted on numerous candidate and issue petition efforts, election challenges, and election related court cases. He has also been asked to speak on state and national election issues before many organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute, the National Association of State Election Directors, Electionline.org, and The Election Center. Walch also served as the Co-Chair of the Election Technology Committee of the 2004 National Task Force on Election Reform sponsored by The Election Center.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Walch holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Akron. He also holds a Certificate in Applied Politics from the Ray C. Bliss Institute at the University of Akron and is a Certified Election Registration Administrator through The Election Center and Auburn University.
Walch and his wife Amy are proud parents of three children.
