2016 Conservative Leadership Conference has ended

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2016 Conservative Leadership Conference

10:30am EST

Policy & Process: Why the House Freedom Caucus Matters and How You Can Help

Speakers

Melody Himel Clarke

Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator, Heritage Action for America

Melody Himel Clarke was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Melody is a life-long entrepreneur having founded and operated businesses in the hospitality, realty, and communications industries. Among her endeavors she has founded and owned a boutique realty agency and settlement agency... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 10:30am - 11:15am EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

10:30am EST

The Case for Border Security - the Humanitarian Argument: What's Really Going on at the Southern Border

Speakers

Brandon Darby

Managing Editor, Breitbart Texas

Brandon Michael Darby is an activist who rose to international recognition for his role in co-founding and directing the Common Ground Relief organization in New Orleans’ 9th Ward in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Though once a prominent radical who worked with former Black... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 10:30am - 11:15am EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

10:30am EST

The Way Back: How the Left Stole Our Issues and How We Can Take Them Back.

Speakers

Frank Buckley

Foundation Professor, George Mason University School of Law

Frank Buckley is a Foundation Professor at George Mason University School of Law, where he has taught since 1989. Before then, he was a visiting Olin Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. He has also taught at McGill Law School in Montreal, the Sorbonne (Paris II),and Sciences... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 10:30am - 11:15am EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

11:30am EST

Economic Consequenses of President Obama's Environmental Agenda

Speakers

Jillian Kay Melchior

Political Editor, Heat Street

Jillian Kay Melchior, political editor for Heat Street, is a fellow for the Steamboat Institute and the Independent Women's Forum. She reports on government waste, fraud and abuse, energy and the environment, organized labor and other domestic issues. She has also reported from China... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:15pm EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

11:30am EST

Liberty is No War on Women: Women, Politics, & the 2016 Election

Speakers

Sabrina Schaeffer

Executive Director, Independent Women's Forum

Sabrina L. Schaeffer is the executive director of the Independent Women’s Forum. She was the the managing partner of Evolving Strategies, served as the speechwriter for Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, the Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs at the Republican Jewish... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:15pm EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

11:30am EST

The Death of Liberalism!

Speakers

R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.

Founder and Editor in Chief, American Spectator

R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:15pm EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

3:00pm EST

Five Ways You Can Help Improve Higher Education

Speakers

Jenna A. Robinson

President, John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy

Jenna Ashley Robinson joined the Pope Center in January 2007 as campus outreach coordinator and later became the center's director of outreach. She was previously the E.A. Morris Fellowship assistant at the John Locke Foundation, where she had worked since 2001. Robinson graduated... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

3:00pm EST

Religious Freedom: In Clear and Present Danger

Speakers

Dr. Mark Harris

Senior Pastor, First Baptist Charlotte

Mark Harris is known for his vision, optimism, organizational, and fundraising skills. His personal and professional discipline, networking abilities, and passion for people set him apart. He has lived his life in service to others. He has extensive leadership experience in management... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

3:00pm EST

Whom Should We Bar from Buying Guns?

Speakers

Richard Dietz

Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals

Judge Dietz grew up in a small town family of railroad and telephone workers. He was the first in his family to attend college. Judge Dietz graduated first in his class from Wake Forest University School of Law, which he attended on a full academic scholarship. After law school... Read More →

Jeff Tarte

Senator - District 41, North Carolina General Assembly

Jeff Tarte is a State Senator representing Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and parts of Charlotte.He is the former three term Mayor of Cornelius. As a side note, it was Jeff’s idea to seek a new design of the interstate exchange in January 2008 and under his... Read More →

F. Paul Valone

Executive Director, GrassRoots North Carolina

As a handgun competitor for nearly thirty years, Paul Valone is an NRA firearms instructor who has been certified by the state of North Carolina to conduct concealed handgun training, and has received advanced defensive training at Thunder Ranch, Smith & Wesson Academy, Front Sight... Read More →

E. Gregory Wallace

Law Professor, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law

Professor Wallace teaches constitutional law with a concentration in free speech, church and state, and constitutional interpretation. He received the LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees from the University of Virginia School of Law. His doctoral dissertation was entitled “Higher Call: Foundations... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

4:00pm EST

Dark Money vs. Private Philanthropy - How to Keep Your Donations Private and the Left out of Your Business

Speakers

Lawson Bader

President & CEO, Donors Trust

Lawson Bader joined DonorsTrust as president and CEO in November 2015. Previously, he served three years as president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a research and outreach organization dedicated to reducing government barriers to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic... Read More →

Starlee Coleman

Senior Policy Advisor, State Policy Network

Starlee Coleman has 18 years of experience turning public policy ideas into laws. Through strategic public affairs and PR campaigns, grassroots engagement, and coalition development, Starlee has contributed to the passage of dozens of bills in state legislatures, Congress, and at... Read More →

C. Theodore Hicks II

Certified Financial Planner, Private Wealth Advisor, Hicks & Associates

Ted Hicks is the franchise owner of a private wealth advisory practice that is affiliated with Ameriprise Financial. He has over 18 years of experience and has owned his practice since 1998, with two offices, one in Cary, NC and the other in Southern Pines NC. Ted just finished a... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 4:00pm - 4:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

4:00pm EST

The 1976 NC GOP Presidential Primary & Lessons Learned for Today’s Conservatives

Speakers

Hon. George S. Dunlop

Chairman and Founding Partner, Cobis Systems Corporation

The Honorable George S. Dunlop is Chairman and founding partner of Cobis Systems Corporation, a financial services enterprise that provides core banking and mobile payments software systems and infrastructure to large banks, small and micro financial institutions and mobile transaction... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 4:00pm - 4:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

4:00pm EST

Toward A More Perfect Union: Reasons to Hope that Our Grand Experiment is Stronger than Ever

'The American Idea is that the condition of one's birth should not determine the outcome of one's life. Today, many are concerned about the political situation of the United States - from Congress to the White House. There is reason to hope that our grand experiment in self governance is actually stronger than ever. The thirst for authentic transpartisan leadership, which will help us build a more perfect union, is evidenced by the interest in political leaders who are willing to venture into territory that politicians typically avoid.'

Speakers

Jimmy Kemp

President, Jack Kemp Foundation

James Kemp is President of the Jack Kemp Foundation. He created the Foundation and its program, which are based on the American idea that the condition of your birth doesn’t determine the outcome of your life. Mr. Kemp also co-founded and is the Managing Partner of Kemp Partners... Read More →

Friday March 4, 2016 4:00pm - 4:45pm EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

9:45am EST

Charter Schools: An Insider’s Perspective on What You Need to Know

Speakers

C. Philip Byers

President, Challenge Foundation Properties

In 2014, C. Philip Byers was named president of Challenge Foundation Properties, a sister organization to TeamCFA that helps connect the network’s charter schools with the building resources they need for long-term success. In continuing his work with TeamCFA, he serves as the Southeast... Read More →

Dr. Robert Luebke

Senior Policy Analyst, Civitas Institute

Dr. Luebke’s primary area of interest is education policy and reform. Luebke’s professional experience has been varied. He has worked as a Legislative Assistant with the Wisconsin State Legislature, a Policy and Planning Analyst with the Wisconsin Department of Administration... Read More →

Paul Norcross

Chairman of the Board, 7 Degrees of Change Foundation

Saturday March 5, 2016 9:45am - 10:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

9:45am EST

Free the Grid: energy Policy In North Carolina

Speakers

Donald Bryson

North Carolina State Director, Americans For Prosperity

Donald Bryson is the North Carolina State Director for Americans for Prosperity Foundation. Bryson started with AFP Foundation in 2011 as a field coordinator, in charge of grassroots activities in the Raleigh-Durham area. In 2014, he was promoted to state director. Before joining... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 9:45am - 10:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

9:45am EST

The Cartel Chronicles: The Importance of Right Media and Citizen Journalists Being Present in Danger Zones

Speakers

Brandon Darby

Managing Editor, Breitbart Texas

Brandon Michael Darby is an activist who rose to international recognition for his role in co-founding and directing the Common Ground Relief organization in New Orleans’ 9th Ward in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Though once a prominent radical who worked with former Black... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 9:45am - 10:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

10:45am EST

A Leftist National Curriculum? It's Already Here.

Speakers

Stanley Kurtz

Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Stanley Kurtz is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. On a wide range of issues, from K-12 and higher education reform, to the challenges of democratization abroad, to urban-suburban policies, to the shaping of the American left’s agenda, Mr. Kurtz is a key contributor... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 10:45am - 11:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

10:45am EST

How Bernie-Style Socialism Eats the Young

Speakers

Tom Rogan

Blogger, Columnist, Commentator

Tom Rogan is a columnist for National Review and Opportunity Lives. He is a panelist on The McLaughlin Group and a senior fellow at the Steamboat Institute. Follow him on Twitter @TomRtweets.

Saturday March 5, 2016 10:45am - 11:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

10:45am EST

Where Has Your Family Doctor Gone? How Government Intervention Is Changing Medicine.

Speakers

Katherine Restrepo

Health and Human Services Policy Analyst, John Locke Foundation

Katherine Restrepo is the health and human services policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation, a free-market think tank located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her work involves a variety of mediums, including radio, statewide news channels, newsletters, policy reports, and keynote... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 10:45am - 11:30am EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session

11:45am EST

Carolina Combat - Fighting for Liberty in the Courts

Speakers

Elliot Engstrom

Lead Counsel, Civitas Institute Center for Law and Freedom

Elliot Engstrom is Lead Counsel for the Civitas Institute Center for Law and Freedom (CLF). There, he litigates in courts across North Carolina against abuses of government power. Cases range from public records lawsuits to administrative agency actions to constitutional litigation... Read More →

Jon Riches

Director of National Litigation, Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation

Jon Riches is the Director of National Litigation for the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation and General Counsel for the Institute. He litigates in federal and state trial and appellate courts in the areas of economic liberty, taxpayer rights... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 11:45am - 12:30pm EST
Embassy Suites - Smith

Breakout Session

11:45am EST

Choosing the Next Conservative Hero

Speakers

Garland S. Tucker III

Chairman of the Board and Senior Advisor; Author, Conservative Heroes, Triangle Capital Corporation

Mr. Tucker co-founded Triangle Capital Corporation’s predecessor companies, Triangle Capital Partners, LLC and Triangle Mezzanine Fund LLLP in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Prior to co-founding Triangle, Mr. Tucker and an outside investor group sold First Travelcorp, a corporate travel... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 11:45am - 12:30pm EST
Embassy Suites - Cameron

Breakout Session

11:45am EST

Reversing the Leadership Crisis in our Armed Forces

Our military is the best in the world at addressing the threats facing our nation today, but it faces an existential threat due to failures in leadership. These failures are systemic, starting with leaders in the armed forces themselves, spreading through the bureaucracies of the Executive branch, and continuing all the way to the Commander-in-Chief. These leadership failures are exacerbated both by a legislature unwilling to exert its responsibilities and by a disengaged populace increasingly isolated from the men and women who serve and protect them. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Testerman, USAF (Ret), will outline this leadership crisis, its consequences, and solutions.

Speakers

Lt. Col. Patrick Testerman, USAF

Speaker, Writer, & Advocate for Veterans and Military

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Testerman, USAF (Ret) earned his commission as a distinguished military graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. While awaiting active duty orders, he worked as a research analyst supporting multiple kinetic energy programs of the Strategic... Read More →

Saturday March 5, 2016 11:45am - 12:30pm EST
Embassy Suites - Reynolds

Breakout Session