August 7, 2016
The Libertarian Party of Minnesota is pleased to announce that Valerie Lockhart has joined our leadership team as the new LPMN Executive Director.
She fills the role previously held by Kevin Bradley, who stepped down due to other commitments. Mr Bradley stated, “As Executive Director, I have worked with some amazingly dedicated people. It has been an honor being part of the team.” Elaborating further he added, “I no longer have the time needed to serve to the extent that I would like and which the position deserves. I will continue to be an advocate for liberty, and I will remain available as a resource for the next Executive Director as time allows.”
Commenting on Mr Bradley’s departure, LPMN Chair Chris Dock stated, “We were disappointed to learn that Kevin needed to step down as Executive Director, but we understand that the growth of his consulting company as well as increased family commitments required his full-time attention. We are grateful for everything that Kevin contributed during his tenure as Executive Director, we wish him all of the best as his consulting company continues to grow, and we look forward to continuing to have him involved with the LPMN as an activist and volunteer.”
The position of Executive Director, created three years ago, has been key to the LPMN’s recent growth. While often serving as a public spokesperson for the party, the director also performs important behind-the-scenes organizational work. The director assures that a full-time person is available to connect with members, respond to inquiries, and conduct other needed tasks that cannot always be performed by the party’s officers, leaders, and activists who serve on an unpaid volunteer basis.
With the 2016 election push well underway, it was critical for the vacancy to be filled quickly.
Fortunately, Ms Lockhart was known to the leadership due to her previous work with the party. LPMN Chair Chris Dock explains, “When Chris Holbrook ran for Governor in 2014 and I was his running mate, Valerie Lockhart interviewed us for local media outlets and assisted us with campaign videos and promotion. We were thrilled when Val said she was interested in stepping in to be our Executive Director, and after thoroughly reviewing her background and interviewing her it was obvious that she was an excellent fit.”
Introducing herself to Libertarian members and supporters, Ms Lockhart states, “In my many years of communications and administration of both for-profit and non-profit organizations, I have repeatedly witnessed the power of people banding together to help each other. It has reinforced my beliefs that people are inherently good, and don’t need the external force of government for them to make good decisions for their lives and communities.
“I am a huge proponent of individual rights and freedoms, and believe it is our duty to fight for and preserve them. These ideals brought me to the Libertarian platform many years ago, and it is my distinct honor to now have the opportunity to help the Libertarian Party of Minnesota grow and prosper into the future.”
Ms Lockhart is passionate about utilizing technology to promote accessibility, social justice, and entrepreneurship. In addition to her extensive experience with non-profits and the marketing, fundraising, and member-relationship efforts crucial to those organizations, she co-owns Ninja Media International, an interactive media company based in Minneapolis. She is also the head of Minnesota Women in Technology and serves as the Women Techmaker lead for the Google Developers Group in the Twin Cities.
She officially started on July 25 and is already spearheading the petition drive to obtain ballot access for the Libertarian presidential ticket of Gary Johnson/Bill Weld. Other current projects include creating a structure to organize volunteer efforts for the LPMN’s outreach booth at the upcoming Minnesota State Fair, and working with volunteers to coordinate campaign-related efforts leading up to the November 8 general election.
We welcome Valerie Lockhart to our leadership team as the new LPMN Executive Director!
Concerned about the expansion of government control and the erosion of individual liberty? Please consider joining and becoming active with the Libertarian Party of Minnesota. Libertarians support liberty on all issues, all the time! Libertarianism is a philosophical and political movement to promote personal freedom, strong civil liberties, a genuinely free marketplace, and peace.
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