FGA Staff

Tarren Bragdon

President and Chief Executive Officer

I greatly value the ability to provide for my wife and children and want more Americans to experience the freedom that work brings. I founded FGA to pursue good policy solutions that will free millions from government dependency and open the doors for them to chase their own American Dream.

Jonathan Bechtle

COO and General Counsel

I was eager to help build a new kind of think tank—one that focuses on getting results by utilizing an innovative organizational structure and pursuing unique talent development—and it’s been a successful journey. FGA has secured a lot of real results that have made people’s lives better, and we’ve done so through a new business model that’s become a pioneer in the industry.

Jonathan Ingram

Vice President of Policy and Research

FGA’s mission is truly powerful. I am honored to use my policy expertise to help millions of people achieve the American Dream through work.

Katie Rodgers

Vice President of Outreach and Government Affairs

FGA is committed to achieving meaningful results—policy reforms that make a difference in people's lives. How many other organizations can actually say their work has lifted millions of Americans out of government dependency? It's inspiring and motivating.

Nick Stehle

Vice President of Communications

I have experienced the transformational power of work, and there’s an immense dignity and pride that comes from that independence. I want more individuals to experience that same freedom.

Kelly Fischer

Executive Operations Manager

I’m so grateful to work for an organization like FGA. I believe in all that FGA stands for and the work we are doing to change the country for the better.

Sarah Coffey

Senior Editor

FGA is made up of a committed, driven team of world-class professionals. I’m excited to be a part of such a powerhouse team!

Mikayla DeMasi

Managing Editor

I want everyone to have the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and their families. FGA is one of the rare organizations that has found the balance of advocating for commonsense policies while also remembering the dignity of the people who inspired them.

Victoria Eardley

Marketing Director

FGA’s multi-state and national approach to welfare, health care, and work policy is uniquely focused on helping millions to experience the life-changing power of work.

Jared Giovinazzo

Graphic Designer

I’m excited for the opportunity to play a part in providing more freedom to Americans by helping them be less dependent on government and empowering them to work.

Sarah Hubal

Internal Systems Director

I am passionate about helping and empowering people to reach their potential—with their career or personal goals. Through policy work and reforms, FGA helps millions of people reach their highest aspirations.

Jen Libby

Senior Designer

FGA is a family of amazing individuals who are all working toward one goal: Making America the best it can be by providing opportunities for people to work and become proud, contributing members of society. I love that through FGA, I can be part of the solution.

Josh Mesker

Digital Content and Advertising Strategist

FGA is one of the leading public policy organizations for a reason. Here, “change” is more than a buzzword—it is an integral part of our mission. Through innovative reforms that unleash the power of individual freedom, the dignity of work, and the value of transparent, accountable government, FGA is actively preserving the American Dream for entrepreneurs and families. I couldn’t be more thankful to wake up every day knowing that I am helping others pursue life, liberty, and happiness to the fullest.

Tyler Morehead

Senior Producer

I want to use my filmmaking and storytelling talents to help change people’s lives. By the grace of God, FGA came along and I’m able to share stories from across the country and help be part of something bigger than myself.

Jessica Rizzuto

Digital Marketing Director

FGA is incredibly poised to make a substantial difference to improve our country on the core issues of health care and welfare. I am so excited to work with a non-profit that is truly interested in making a difference.

Kristi Stahr

Communications Special Projects Manager

I learned early on that any problem can be turned into an opportunity. We simply do not have to be defined by our circumstances or past struggles. With solution-oriented policy organizations like FGA, we can move the ball forward to empower one another to achieve the American Dream.

Travis Taylor

Senior Market Research Analyst

Too often the voice of the voters is relegated to Election Day and not heard in the policy process. Where the voters’ voice is absent, the void is filled by special interests. FGA values the voice of citizens and wants to ensure elected officials hear that voice loud and clear in between elections.

Stefani E. Buhajla

Visiting Communications Fellow

I was raised by a single dad who taught me to believe that you really can achieve your dreams if you focus and work hard. Nothing in life is free and anything worth having is worth working hard for. It is a privilege to work with a team that shares these values and advocates for them daily.

Judy Cook

Development Director

I love working for an organization that is committed to winning in all the right ways, and I’m proud to be an employee at such an effective and fun organization.

Olivia Klosterman

Development Grants Manager

I believe in FGA’s mission, because work provides you with a sense of dignity and purpose. It allows you to constantly challenge yourself and see the direct effects of those efforts, creating a positive feedback loop.

Dan Remmenga

Donor Relations Manager

FGA has the right mission: freeing millions to pursue their dreams. And they have the right people, both staffing and funding the policy changes we’re all working toward. We don’t just talk, we do—and our results speak for themselves.

Nicholas Adolphsen

State Government Affairs Director

I share FGA’s vision to help American families achieve the American Dream.

Andrew Bracy

Outreach Operations Director

FGA strives to help people find the best in themselves through work and makes it easier for those who truly need help to receive it quickly, strengthening families and the proverbial fabric of America.

Kate Caddock

Federal Affairs Manager

People are at the heart of FGA. It’s invigorating to be a part of a team that is so dedicated to changing lives for the better and has the results to prove it.

Joe Horvath

State Government Affairs Director

When some organizations succeed, you see an impact on a state budget. When FGA succeeds, you see an impact on people.

Roy Lenardson

State Government Affairs Director

At FGA I feel like a preacher—preaching the gospel of work! FGA, more than any other organization understands the dignity of work and its connection to the American dream.

Zoë O'Herin Miller

Government Affairs Director

FGA is an incredibly unique place to work. Every team member deeply cares about helping others achieve the American Dream, and our goals each day reflect this value.

Gregg Pfister

Senior Director of State Affairs

FGA has the right people, policy, and culture to succeed in freeing millions from government dependency.

Amanda Prater

State Government Affairs Manager

It is a privilege to work on issues I am passionate about alongside other like-minded individuals who want to make our country better.

Bryan Sunderland

State Government Affairs Director

FGA promotes policies that help foster meaning and purpose through work and the freedom for every individual to pursue his or her own version of the American dream.

Robin Walker

Senior Director of Federal Affairs

FGA is comprised of experienced, talented, and humble yet driven people who care deeply about this country. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team that is always up for the challenge.

Sam Adolphsen

Policy Director

America is the greatest country in the world because of the free spirit and strong work ethic of our people--not because of our government.

Joel Allumbaugh

Visiting Fellow

FGA offers me the chance to make quality health care more accessible and affordable. Sound public policy drives our efforts and when implemented, FGA’s solutions have powerful impacts for families trying to make ends meet.

Jonathan Bain

Senior Research Fellow

America’s rise from a fantasy to global prominence was founded on a bedrock of core principles and values. FGA is seeking to maintain those principles and values, and help millions carve out their own slice of the American dream in the process. We’re all charged with an important task, but it’s an honor to call that charge my job.

Brian Blase

Visiting Fellow

FGA is the most effective organization at getting free enterprise and conservative policy wins in the states.

Eric Bledsoe

Senior Fellow

FGA is at the cutting edge of solutions that ensure all Americans have the opportunities to better their lives. Its mission is to empower individuals and families by removing barriers, making the American Dream a reality for millions of Americans.

Trevor Carlsen

Senior Research Fellow

FGA is committed to championing the value of work.

Scott Centorino

Senior Fellow

FGA is at the forefront of the most important fight of my generation: keeping Americans free. It’s a dream come true to work with FGA to prioritize meaningful, productive work.

Hayden Dublois

Data and Analytics Director

FGA’s mission of empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential by helping to transition those trapped in the cycle of dependency is tremendously inspiring and important.

Alli Fick

Research Director

I believe in FGA’s mission and their work to better Americans’ lives by focusing on issues that really matter. FGA has a proven track record of removing barriers to work and releasing people from government dependency.

Haley Holik

Senior Fellow

Economic liberty is fundamental to the American Dream—people cannot prosper when government is in the way. FGA is dedicated to helping people through reforms that restore the path to self-sufficiency and free individuals from government dependency.

Tyler Lamensky

Research Project Manager

I am motivated to be part of the FGA team because of meaningful relationships with many staff, a deep connection of professional and personal principles, and FGA’s business efficacy and winning culture.

Chase Martin

Visiting Fellow

FGA is at the forefront of the fight to empower Americans and remove barriers to work.

Madeline Malisa

Senior Fellow

The results speak for themselves. FGA achieves powerful policy reforms that protect the American Dream and ensure that the voices of all Americans are heard in our democratic system.

Audrey Perry Martin

Visiting Fellow

I am excited to be a part of a results-oriented organization like FGA. It is energizing to be working on issues to improve the everyday lives of Americans in a commonsense way.

Stewart Whitson

Legal Director

At FGA our team is dedicated to developing and promoting policy that helps free people from the endless cycle of government dependency.

Brian Sikma

Senior Fellow

FGA understands what it takes to develop and implement good public policy. It has a unique approach that translates great ideas into concrete, actionable policy reforms that empower millions of Americans to pursue their dreams.