Manager High School

AARON T. HARRIS

**** ********* ******

Jackson, Mississippi 39211

601-***-**** Residence

abqsat@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION:

The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee

Masters in Public Administration in Urban Planning and Development, 2001

The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi

Bachelor of Arts in History and Public Administration, 1996

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2009 Percy Bland for Mayor, Meridian MS

General Consultant

Worked with campaign organization and advisory committee. Assisted with technical targeting of

voters through the use compiled data containing first time and consistent voter history. Executed the

development, management and coordination of GOTV/Election Day budget and activities. Assisted

with the design and execution of field plans and campaign training for Field/GOTV staff. Political

outreach and troubleshooting to create a competitive, efficient and effective field and voter contact

program.

2008 Obama for America (MS)

State Director in Mississippi F&P

State Director is responsible for working with state and locally based organizations to develop and

execute a state plan that maximizes the resources and effectiveness of all partners and reduces

duplication of efforts in the areas of voter outreach, education and turnout. The State Director will

work with national staff, state partner groups and consultants to draft and implement a vote-goal

based plan to turn out voters in Mississippi.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work with partner organizations and local groups to design overall statewide voter registration

goals, voter education and mobilization plans

2. Provide Technical assistance in the creation and execution of partner organization plans. I.e. field

plans, media plans, voter contact, etc

3. Facilitate use of voter file information including: matching membership, voter history and other

updates

4. Organize and conduct regular meetings of partner organizations in various parts of the state

5. Facilitate the appropriate sharing of data and information between partners

6. Work directly with OFA national staff and national partners to ensure smooth communication with

state operations

7. Conduct outreach to other appropriate organizations to build coalition

8. Manage all in-state staff and volunteers

2007 - 2008 Hillary Clinton for President Campaign (IA, SC, AL, OH, MS, PA, IN)

Voter Outreach, Contact, Targeting and Strategic Consultant

In the area of consulting, primary responsibility is to assist the Committee, as requested and directed

by the Committee s Senior Advisor for Voter Outreach and African American Strategies, including,

but not limited to, the following areas or states listed above:

Serving as advisor on all matters relating to African American outreach efforts; Developing and

implementing political and field strategies relating to African American and Non-African American

outreach efforts; Assist with and manage election day and GOTV activities relating to the African

American and Non African American community, including filed trainings prior to election day;

Advise on African American GOTV structure and plans; Assist with procuring key endorsements

from the African American community; Working with campaign leadership to develop other

political strategies and coalitions, as needed; and Assisting with the Committee s political

department activities, as requested. Design field plan through technical targeting of voters through

the use of the Voter Action Network (VAN), development, management and coordination of

GOTV/Election Day budget and activities. Also aided in construction of voter universe to maximize

mail and phone bank programs.

B. In the area of get-out-the-vote and canvassing, responsibility shall be:

Performing and assisting with get-out-the-vote services in connection with the 2008 presidential

caucuses and presidential primaries, including door-to-door canvassing designed to achieve the

Committee s projections, goals and targets; Working with and under the supervision of the Manager

and other campaign officials to organize voter mobilization events; and Assisting with other get-out-

the-vote strategies in connection with the presidential caucuses and primaries.

2007 Campaign to Re-elect Mayor W.W. Herenton, Memphis TN

Assisted with technical targeting of voters through the use of the Voter Action Network (VAN),

development, management and coordination of voter targeting. Worked with strategic consultant to

design an overlay strategy to provide a workable direct mail universe to be used in conjunction with

the field outreach program being utilized. This universe brought a large number of first and second

time voters unlike any other election by contacting them with targeted messages through the direct

mail piece program.

2006 Ohio Ballot Initiative, Issue 3 Columbus OH

GOTV/Deputy Field Director

Worked on political assessments and analysis throughout Central and Southwest Ohio. Answered

citizen questions and concerns as to the pros and cons of Issue 3. Traveled extensively throughout

the community meeting with local business owners, labor union leaders, state and local elected

officials(current and former). Recruited workers to canvas neighborhoods in an effort to provide

information on Issue 3. Created a variety of visibility ventures in highly concentrated areas to

energize voters. Performed GOTV Duties in Montgomery County(Dayton OH). Helped Supervise

146 canvassers/poll workers, rides to the polls, payroll, and voter turnout assessment on election day.

2006 Ed Stanton for Congress, District 9, Memphis TN

Campaign Manager

Created a community based message to target traditional and non-traditional voters. Constructed

outreach programs to engage seniors, clergy, youth, and both private and public sector voters. Built a

diversified and aggressive field and visibility plan. Worked extensively with civic organizations,

clergy, collegiate organizations, educators, and representatives from a cross section of the

community. Organized canvassing, community tours, Q and A events, and volunteer recruitment

programs to increase energy of campaign. Aided in fundraising, managed payroll, supervised voter

contact training, palm piece design, and direct mail targeting.

2006 Molly Beth Malcolm for Texarkana College Board Place 1, Texarkana TX

Campaign Manager

Designed campaign strategy and approved campaign materials to energize the community and

motivate voter turnout. Assisted in message creation and voter targeting. Built coalitions with local

leaders, student organizations, clergy and business leaders. Organized visibility events, radio ads,

and field voter contact in targeted/non-targeted precincts. Maintained all payroll expenditures and

operated election day field operations.

2005 Victory 2005/US Senator Jon Corzine for Governor, Asbury Park, NJ

Regional Base Vote Director (Monmouth County)

Established Base Vote Office in underserved community. Designed and executed county base vote

plan by working with traditional and non-traditional community groups, civic organizations,

members of the religious community, high school students and faculty, and members of NJEA

Teachers union. Maintained multiple roles in and out of office, i.e. payroll manager, events

coordinator, canvass director, voter outreach coordinator and trainer. Served as a median between the

campaign and community to promote voter involvement in order to build community engagement in

the election process.

2004 Democratic Governors Association/Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Wilmington, DE

Base Vote Director

Developed and implemented a plan to get the base vote community engaged and motivated to vote in

the gubernatorial election. Established relations with elected officials, the religious community, and

grassroots organizations to promote the democratic ticket in the base vote community. Liaison

between the campaign and community groups to address issues of importance to the base vote

community in order to move the agenda of the campaign.

2004 AFSCME, Charleston, SC

Lead Field Director

Assisted in the development and execution of the regional field plan for the low country region.

Recruited and hired field staff to implement field program. Supervised the canvassers, coalition

directors, and local coordinators. Managed the campaigns Pre-Election Day and Election Day voter

contact program. Created a tracking system the voter contact program, payroll, and community

events. Organized daily voter contact tasks for coordinators and canvassers.

2002- Governor Ronnie Musgrove, Jackson, MS

2003 Regional Director District 2

Developed and implemented the canvass program for district. Hired and trained campaign staff for

District 2. Allocated and disbursed monies to field coordinators and community organization

participating in the voter contact program for the region. Recruited high school and college students

as canvassers for the voter contact program. Planned community events, and recruited volunteers for

rallies and other public events in the 2nd District. Organized voter education and registration

activities within district.

2002 Let's Go Vote 2002. Jackson, Mississippi

State Coordinator

Organized forums, rallies, and educational programs throughout the state to get voters engaged and

motivated to vote. Collaborated with grassroots organizations, churches, voter leagues and high

schools on community empowerment.

2000- University of Memphis, Office of Academic Status and Retention, Memphis, TN

2001 Retention Counselor

Provided academic counseling to students, while apprising them of university contracts and grading

scales. Created and maintained a database for student retention and academic performance.

2000 Al Gore for President. Memphis, Tennessee

Outreach Coordinator

Responsible for recruiting volunteers for the Get-Out-The-Vote activities. Developed a coalition

comprised of religious organizations, college and high school students, professional groups and

associations to recruit volunteers for the campaign. Created and managed a volunteer database which

contained volunteer contact information and availability.

INSERVICE WORKSHOPS:

Harris, A. (2001, February). Show Up and Show Out . A workshop and forum designed for voter awareness.

Meridian, MS

Harris, A. (2002, November). Understanding the Voting Process . A workshop designed for adult students

enrolled in the Even Start Program. Burke County Even Start Program, Waynesboro, GA.

Harris, A. (2003, October). The ABC s of Voting . A voter education workshop designed for student in various

Mississippi high schools (2nd and 3rd Districts). Greenwood, MS.

Harris, A. (2004, February). The Politics of Voting . A round-table discussion held for undergraduate and graduate

students enrolled at the University of New Orleans. New Orleans, LA.

CURRENT ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation (MAMP)-1992

National Society of Black Engineers-1992-1993

The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)-2001- Present

UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY, AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

Committee on the Status of Women for the University of Mississippi-1994-1995

University of Mississippi Student Judicial Council Member-1995-1997

University of Mississippi Administrative Judicial Committee-1996

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