About Our Board
In 2011, the JMU Department of Political Science established the Alumni Board to facilitate and strengthen relationships among the Department's students, faculty, staff and alumni through programming for students and alumni, career networking, and fundraising for Department scholarships and endowments. The board consists of 17 departmental graduates selected from among the three undergraduate majors in political science (POSC), public policy & administration (PPA), and international affairs (INTA). These 17 alumni serve in three-year terms as voting members. Several faculty members and student representatives of the Department, as well as key partners from JMU or our alumni network, sit on the Board to provide additional perspectives.
Since its establishment, the Board has significantly evolved in its structure and emphasis on signature programming and fundraising campaigns. The Board established three core committees to achieve its goals and objectives: Student Outreach, Alumni Engagement, and Fundraising. The Board is led by an Executive Committee, which is comprised of officers and faculty members. Finally, the Nominations Committee forms annually to oversee the process for accepting new alumni members to the Board.
Our Board Leadership
President: Ronny Lau
Vice-President/President-Elect: Donna Harris-Aikens
Past President: Greg Bahou
Communications Director: Braden Lawes
Alumni Engagement Committee Chair: Zach LeMaster
Student Outreach Committee Chairs: Jacqlyn Schneider & Patrick Shea
Fundraising Committee Chair: Taylor Barrett
Executive Member-at-Large: Jasmine Rountree
Our Alumni Members
Greg Bahou
Past-President
PPA 2015
Greg Bahou is currently a Business Development Operations Manager at Strategic Technology Consulting (STC). Before his current position he was a Business Systems Analyst at SOSi., and previously a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton on the Government Relations Team. Greg is also an Assistant Chief Election Officer for a precinct in his county. He has been a volunteer firefighter for thirteen years and had previous internships at the White House, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Greg holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) with an emphasis in national security and terrorism and a graduate certificate in emergency management and homeland security from George Mason University.
Donna Harris-Aikens
Vice-President / President-Elect
PUAD 1990
Donna Harris-Aikens is a senior executive with the federal government, and has held government relations, policy, strategy, and legal positions with labor unions, education associations, and a boutique law firm. She graduated from JMU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration with a minor in Economics, and earned her law degree from Howard University School of Law. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the JMU Black Alumni Chapter, the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and the Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Program. She also served as a former Vice Chair of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, and former member of the Learning First Alliance Board.
Jasmine Rountree
Executive Member At-Large
MPA 2016, PPA 2014
Jasmine Rountree graduated from JMU with a B.S. in Public Policy and Administration in 2014 and Master’s degree in Public Administration in 2016. During her time at JMU, she was involved in several organizations to include Student Government Association and Judicial Affairs. Since graduating from JMU, Jasmine has held positions at the local, federal, and nonprofit level. Jasmine currently works for the Department of Justice.
Braden Lawes
Communications Director
POSC 2019
Braden Lawes graduated from JMU in 2019 with a BA in Political Science and a Minor in Music and is currently a Senior Government Affairs Analyst at Fisher & Phillips LLP, a labor and employment law firm. Most recently, Braden worked for a bipartisan government relations firm, where he helped secure federal funding for clients in the health, cybersecurity, and transportation spaces and also previously served as Account Executive on a K-Street based public relations firm. He holds a Master's degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University's School of Political Management and resides in Old Town Alexandria.
Taylor Barrett
Fundraising Chair
INTA 2018
Taylor Barrett currently works in Business Development for Anduril Industries, a defense technology firm. She supports Air Defense & Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) growth initiatives across multiple campaigns within the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and international markets. Prior to her role at Anduril, Taylor worked for Northrop Grumman's Space Systems sector. She graduated from JMU with a B.A. in International Affairs and minors in French and Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations.
Zach LeMaster
Alumni Engagement Chair
PPA 2012
Zach LeMaster is a Government Affairs Manager with Gentry Locke Consulting. In this capacity, he provides strategic advice to clients regarding the political and legislative realities of the Commonwealth. At James Madison University, Zach was a member of College Republicans and participated in the JMU Washington Semester. This "study abroad" program includes internships, panel discussions by people in various professions, classes, and cultural activities. Zach interned in the Office of Congressmen Darrell Issa in the Fall of 2010 . Before joining Gentry Locke, he served as Legislative Aide and Chief of Staff to Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. During his eight years with the Senator's office, he oversaw all office operations, including policy development, staff recruitment, and constituent services. Additionally, he led the Senator's Political Action Committees, raising over $4 million during this time. Zach earned his Public Policy and Administration undergraduate degree from James Madison University (B.S, 2012); he has been with Gentry Locke since November 2021.
Jacqlyn Schneider
Student Outreach Co-Chair
POSC 2003
Jacqlyn Schneider is a Partner at FGS Global, a strategic communications and government relations firm in Washington, D.C., where she co-leads the firm’s Global Food and Agriculture Practice. Prior to joining FGS, Jacqlyn spent more than 16 years working on Capitol Hill, most recently serving as Deputy Staff Director for the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee for Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. In her role leading the Committee, Jacqlyn oversaw the development and passage of key nutrition, food labeling and climate legislation, and spearheaded bills to reduce food insecurity, support local, regional and organic food systems, and improve support for underserved farmers. Jacqlyn graduated from JMU in 2003 with a major in Political Science and minors in Theater and Dance and Political Communications.
Patrick Shea
Student Outreach Co-Chair
INTA 2015
Patrick Shea is a policy advisor with the Department of State. He currently works on security cooperation policy but has served as a diplomat in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in a variety of roles. Patrick received his undergraduate degree in International Affairs from James Madison University where he played on the rugby team and worked as a peer advisor for the School of Political Science. He completed his master’s degree in Global Policy at Johns Hopkins SAIS in 2022.
Tommy Keefe
POSC/PPA 2012
Tommy Keefe is a political consultant who focuses on campaign management and fundraising. He has worked on campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels. He is a 2016 graduate of the Sorensen Institute's Political Leaders Program (PLP), and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from George Washington University.
Judge Owen Wilson
POSC 1987
Judge Owen Wilson received a B.S. in Political Science in 1987 from James Madison University and a J.D. from the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1991. He served as a Law Clerk at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals from 1991 to 1993. Upon leaving the Board, he joined the Office of the General Counsel for the Navy and reported to the Military Sealift Command as an Assistant Counsel (1993 – 1998) and later appointed Associate Counsel (1998 – 2006) for the Special Missions and Prepositioning programs. He transferred to the Naval Sea Systems Command where he provided advice on major weapons systems procurements (electronic warfare and naval gun programs) and the Deactivated Ship Donation program. He received the Navy’s Procurement Excellence Award in 2005 and the Navy’s Superior Service Award in 2006. On September 17, 2007, he was appointed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. On August 6, 2017, he was promoted to Vice Chairman.
Colleen Terry
POSC 2019
Colleen is the Director of Advocacy for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), where she combines her passion for policy with her desire to bring together spirits lovers by leading the distilled spirits industry’s grassroots platform, Spirits United. She also works to advance the interests, influence and reputation of DISCUS in the federal and state government by serving as the voice of craft distillers in congressional engagement and implementing policies and strategies to guide advocates for the distilled spirits industry up the advocacy ladder of engagement. Colleen graduated from JMU in 2019 earning a B.A. degree in Political Science with a minor in Business and Spanish.
Bennett Resnik
POSC 2011
Leenah Hegazy
POSC 2021, EUPS 2022
Caitlyn Schira-Barton
INTA 2019
Bennett Resnik is a senior vice president in the critical infrastructure practice at Venn Strategies. In this role, he leads private sector client engagements on legislative advocacy, competitive funding, and regulatory matters with Congress and the Departments of Transportation and Energy, among other federal agencies. Formerly counsel for a federal advisory group handling transportation, infrastructure, and economic development issues, Bennett has also held roles in the Office of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and at the U.S. Department of Energy. At James Madison University, Bennett was a member of the Student Government Association and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, participated in the JMU Washing Semester Program and London Study Abroad Program where he interned with UK Parliament. Bennett received his J.D. from Vermont Law School, where he focused on energy and environmental law, and a B.A from James Madison University. He is an active member of the DC Bar.
Leenah is the Grassroots Manager at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), where she oversees grassroots initiatives and coordinates outreach efforts to enhance political engagement. In her previous role as the Leadership Programs Manager at the National Association of Counties (NACo), she developed leadership training programs and workshops.
Additionally, Leenah contributed to the transatlantic partnership project, TRACK-STAR EU, and gained experience as a researcher during her internship at the Department of Homeland Security. She is a "Double Duke," holding both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Political Science from James Madison University. Leenah completed her MA through the JMU EUPS program in Florence, Italy.
Caitlyn Schira-Barton is a Management Analyst in the U.S. Department of State, where she manages and leverages operational resources to achieve strategic priorities within the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. In her over ten years of experience, Caitlyn has operated in corporate, federal, and non-profit spaces. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of State, she worked in the Embassy of Canada’s International Trade & Development Department, mobilized a team to address the needs of low-income and HIV-affected communities with Heartland Alliance, and more recently developed and oversaw the implementation of innovative corporate solutions as a Project Manager with Carahsoft. Caitlyn earned her Master’s in Human Security and Post-Conflict Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations from the University of Denver in 2023, and graduated from JMU with her B.A.’s in International Affairs & Global Justice in 2019.
Ryan Philbrick
INTA 2012
Ryan Philbrick supports Disney's Global Information Security team as the Chief of Staff and is the Chief of Staff and Marketing Officer for Capture 411, a government business development firm. Previously, Philbrick served as Deputy Chief of Staff for International Operations at the federal government's cyber agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). While supporting CISA, they helped stand up the agency's stakeholder engagement efforts, helped establish the Federal Government's first cyber diplomatic service, led the international cybersecurity public awareness campaign, and coordinated with partners at all governmental levels during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While at JMU, they were a rower, an ISAT Senator in the Student Government Association, and a radio DJ at WXJM (among many other pursuits). They graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in International Affairs and a B.S. in Psychology.
Christopher Perez
Chris is the Head of International Programs at Ginkgo Biosecurity, the biosecurity business unit of Ginkgo Bioworks where he leads the company’s development and deployment of international biosecurity solutions. Prior to his current role, Chris was the regional General Manager for Ginkgo Biosecurity’s mid-Atlantic region where he oversaw the company’s biosecurity programs in North Carolina and Maryland, including Baltimore City Public Schools. Prior to Ginkgo, Chris worked in a variety of roles serving the US federal government in the tech, defense and intelligence industries as both a federal public servant and private sector business leader. Chris holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business and his undergraduate degree in International Affairs from James Madison University.
Ronny Lau
President
POSC 2013
Ronny Lau is a Manager of Government Relations for the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest labor union and professional organization. Representing over three million members in the public education community, he is the lead strategist on a number of federal legislative issues, including higher education, student debt, school infrastructure, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. Since graduating from JMU in 2013, Ronny has held positions on Capitol Hill, political campaigns, and with other national advocacy organizations.
Other Members & Partners
Faculty Representatives
Dr. Melinda Adams
Dr. Jennifer Taylor
Student Representatives
Emma Llewellyn
Naomi Minwalla
Omer Mutlu
Partners