Kane Campaign Announces Campaign Team. Nashville-Based Team Has Record of Local Success.

Jeremy Kane

Press release - The Jeremy Kane for Mayor campaign today announced new additions to its campaign team with deep Nashville roots.

Seasoned political operative Siobhan Harley has joined the campaign as deputy campaign manager. Veteran communication strategist, Mike Kopp, will assist with communications and direct mail. Alan Seacrest, a nationally-recognized pollster and former executive director of the Tennessee Democratic Party, will serve as the campaign’s pollster. Brandon Tucker and Nate Lerner are now leading the campaign’s cutting-edge field operation.

Giovanni Hashimoto joins to work on a portfolio including digital, press, and campus outreach.

The new additions join campaign manager Darden Copeland of the Calvert Street Group, Linus Catignani who is leading the fund-raising efforts with the help of Finance Chair David Ingram, Treasurer Pam Martin, and former Councilmember Vivian Wilhoite. In addition, local creative agency, Mountain, is providing support on digital strategy, web development, and engagement, while local video production company, Make It Pop!, has produced web videos for the campaign.

“We’re well on our way to building a grassroots campaign that will reach everybody in every neighborhood,” said Jeremy Kane. “I’m proud to have the support of a talented and diverse team that understands campaigns are won with front-porch conversations and a commitment to the values that make Nashville great. They represent the best in their fields. I’m excited to work together to build a better Nashville for all of us.”

Siobhan Harley, Deputy Campaign Manager, manages public affairs campaigns at the Calvert Street Group. Previously, she ran the successful underdog campaign of Tampa’s current Mayor Bob Buckhorn and later served as Special Assistant to the Mayor where she led efforts to increase transparency, innovation, and citizen engagement. Her prior experience also includes Obama's 2008 presidential race as well as a handful of state and local campaigns.

Mike Kopp, veteran communication strategist brings more than 30 years of experience from creative, corporate, and political initiatives. Kopp served eight years as the communications director and press secretary for Al Gore. He has been involved in more than 250 corporate and political campaigns. He is currently a Partner in the All Good Factory, an artist management agency based in Nashville, and was instrumental in saving Studio A and Music Row.

Alan Seacrest, brings over 30 years experience as a leading national strategist and pollster. He has won statewide, congressional, and mayoral races across the country and in Tennessee, he helped elect former congressmen Lincoln Davis and Gordon as well as former Mayor Bill Purcell. He recently served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

Brandon Tucker, a graduate of Fisk University, has made his mark as a leading field operative on campaigns across the country. Tucker comes to the Kane campaign from the United Food and Commercial Workers International where he served as political coordinator. Previously, he served as political director to President Obama’s former Chief of Staff Bill Daley and as deputy field director to Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s election.

Nate Lerner, Field Director, has worked on five campaigns in less than three years, including the 2012 Obama campaign and a Pittsburgh Mayoral race where he helped build and run the largest ground game in the city's history leading to a resounding victory over the establishment backed and better funded candidate. More recently, he oversaw field and political operations in Southwest Arkansas for Mark Pryor's US Senate campaign. An avid fan, he looks forward to watching the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup this year.

Giovanni Hashimoto, Director of Digital Engagement, joined his first political campaign while in high school. His recent experience since includes stints as the communications associate at Ready for Hillary PAC and as the press fellow at the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. He also recently served on the national communications team for the College Democrats of America.

Previous Announced:

• Darden Copeland, Campaign Manager, has worked on presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and local races in Nashville and across the country. He organized the “Save My Fairgrounds” effort in 2011. 
• David Ingram, Finance Chair, is a Nashville native. He serves as Chairman of Ingram Entertainment, the largest distributor of DVDs and video games in the United States, and is the Founder and Chairman of DBI Beverage Inc., the second largest beer distributor in California. 
• Linus Catignani, Fundraising, is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and partner at LCM Strategies, a social media and online content management company that manages political and non-profit clients. He has led successful fundraising operations for a number of notable Republicans, including Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. 
• Vivian Wilhoite, Outreach, brings over 10 years experience as both an elected official and campaign strategist. She was first elected to Metro Council in 2003 and represented District 29 for eight years. In 2014, she served as a key strategist in District Attorney General Glenn Funk’s successful campaign. 
• Pam Martin, Treasurer, President of Cushion Employer Services and a longtime civic leader, served as co-chair of Mayor Karl Dean's 2007 campaign for mayor, as well as a member of his initial transition team. Martin was appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam to serve on the Tennessee Ethics Commission and has also chaired the Mayor's Minority Business Advisory Council the Metropolitan Tourism Commission. She currently serves on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Mountain, Creative, a Nashville-based team of culture makers, thinkers, problem solvers, and doers that specialize in storytelling through digital strategy, social content development, PR campaigns, strategic partnership alliances, and brand development. 
• Make it Pop, Digital Video Founded in 2012,is focused on creating unique, attention grabbing video, and animation content.

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