Slade O'Brien
Boca Raton,FL
Summary
Experienced advocacy leader with a proven record of building successful grassroots campaigns. Known for wining on difficult and controversial issues. Excellent executive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and team development skills that drive effective public affairs results. Seasoned advocacy leader with deep experience in campaign strategy, grassroots mobilization, and coalition building. Proven success building & leading teams, engaging stakeholders, and advancing organizational priorities through strategic action.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President
Americans For Prosperity
Arlington , VA
11.2013 - 10.2024
- Founded and developed The Grassroots Leadership Academy (a multi-level certification program) to educate and train staff & activists, and to empower community leaders to advance our public policy goals enhance grassroots mobilization.
- Led 40 person remote team.
- Coached field staff and activists on outreach planning and volunteer engagement to drive effective campaign strategies.
- Reviewed and set campaign priorities and adjusted action plans with fellow senior leadership.
- Delivered public presentations to advocate for Americans for Prosperity positions, increasing public awareness and support.
Regional Dirctor
Americans for Prosperity
Arlington, Virginia
05.2013 - 11.2013
- Directed grassroots advocacy campaigns and managed State Directors for 17 Americans for Prosperity chapters.
- Led field operations aligned with Americans for Prosperity priorities in my region.
State Director
Americans for Prosperity
Arlington, Virginia
04.2011 - 05.2013
- Completely rebuilt failed state chapter, passed significant legislation and opened 17 field offices around the state.
- Directed state advocacy strategy aligned with Americans for Prosperity policy priorities.
- Created and Developed the "Five for Florida" campaign. A campaign that successfully forced the Republican Florida Legislature to the right and to lead on advancing conservative issues.
- Created and Developed the campaign to successfully eliminate a State Department: Enterprise Florida
- Led grassroots outreach across local communities and volunteer networks.
- Built relationships with legislators and key community leaders.
- Coordinated legislative meetings and policy briefings for advocacy campaigns.
- Managed staff, field organizers, and state chapter operations.
President
Florida Strategies Group
Boca Raton, Florida
02.2002 - 03.2011
- Specialized in public policy advocacy, winning public support and getting difficult projects approved with city and county governments.
- Created and directed winning campaign planning, messaging, and advocacy initiatives
- Led Florida Strategies Group strategic planning and executive direction
State Director
Citizens for Sound Economy
Washington DC, DC
03.1998 - 02.2002
- Built the state chapter from scratch into a 45,000 member grassroots powerhouse with CSE clubs in 12 markets.
- Directed state advocacy efforts to advance Citizens for Sound Economy policy priorities, enhancing legislative engagement.
- Built strategic coalitions with business leaders, donors, and community allies to strengthen advocacy initiatives.
- Supported state legislative outreach on taxes, spending, and regulatory reform.
- Coordinated grassroots outreach campaigns to mobilize Citizens for Sound Economy members, increasing community involvement.
- Led the grassroots campaigns to pass;
- 1) The first State-wide School Choice legislation,
- 2) The most comprehensive tort reform legislation in the county,
- 3) To eliminate the intangibles tax.
President
The Slade Group
Boca Raton, Florida
12.1994 - 02.1998
- Advised clients on public affairs, policy, and communications strategy
- Directed campaign planning, messaging, and advocacy initiatives
- Directed Florida Strategies Group strategic planning and executive initiatives.
- Led client relationship management across Florida Strategies Group consulting engagements.
- Oversaw business development and partnership outreach for Florida Strategies Group.
Special Assistant to the Chiarman
Republican party of Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
03.1993 - 12.1994
- Designed and developed the Major Donor Program that increased donor levels from $5000 Victory Committee to $100,000 Leadership Director Program.
- Coordinated chairman calendar, meetings, and confidential correspondence for state party leadership.
- Managed communications with donors, county chairs, and political stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX05-1985
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX05-1985
Skills
- Campaign strategy and grassroots organizing
- Strategic planning and coalition building
- Grassroots mobilization
- Stakeholder engagement and team building
- Organizational leadership
- Executive problem solving
Timeline
Vice President
Americans For Prosperity
11.2013 - 10.2024
Regional Dirctor
Americans for Prosperity
05.2013 - 11.2013
State Director
Americans for Prosperity
04.2011 - 05.2013
President
Florida Strategies Group
02.2002 - 03.2011
State Director
Citizens for Sound Economy
03.1998 - 02.2002
President
The Slade Group
12.1994 - 02.1998
Special Assistant to the Chiarman
Republican party of Florida
03.1993 - 12.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Business
Southern Methodist University
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts
Southern Methodist University