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Matthew J. Brouillette (pronounced "Bree-Yet") is President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Matt is a prominent voice in statewide public policy debates through frequent appearances in print, television, and talk radio across the Commonwealth. He is a regular guest-host on WHP 580 AM in Harrisburg and KDKA 1020 AM in Pittsburgh. He also writes a bi-monthly column for the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal.
Prior to the Commonwealth Foundation, Matt served as the Director of Education Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Michigan. And before his career in public policy, Matt spent seven years teaching history and coaching football and baseball at the high school and middle school levels. Matt also taught history and economics at the university level.
Matt is a board member of the REACH Foundation, a Pennsylvania school choice advocacy organization, and the Joshua Group, a Harrisburg nonprofit ministry serving at-risk youth. He is on an advisory board for the Economics Department at Duquesne University. Previously, Matt served on an advisory council of the E. G. West Centre for Market Solutions in Education at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in England, on an advisory committee for the New York City-based Atlantic Legal Foundation, and as an advisory board member for the American Academy for Liberal Education in Washington, D.C., a national organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting liberal education through accreditation and research.
Matt received his bachelor of arts (B.A.) in both U.S. History and Education from Cornell College and earned a master of education (M.Ed.) from Azusa Pacific University and a master of arts (M.A.) in history from the University of San Diego. He is currently working on his doctorate (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. Matt is married and has four children.
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Charles F. Mi
tchell is Vice President and COO of the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Charles served for four years as the program director at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni in Washington, D.C., during which time the organization increased its budget by over 60 percent, doubled its staff, and launched a college-guide website, WhatWillTheyLearn.com, which over 200,000 people have used to find a school that actually ensures a solid grounding for its graduates. He also oversaw the organization's series of state higher education report cards and offered expert testimony in various state capitals. Previously, he was a program officer at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and an intern at the Heritage Foundation.
Charles is a graduate of the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation's Associate Program, the Mackinac Center's Leadership Conference, and the Claremont Institute's Publius Fellows Program. His writings have appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Allentown Morning Call and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, among others, and he has been interviewed on MSNBC, Fox News Channel, C-SPAN's Washington Journal, National Public Radio, and The News Hour with Jim Lehrer.
Charles received a B.A. summa cum laude in history and economics from Pennsylvania's own Bucknell University, where he led student campaigns on behalf of individual rights and personal responsibility, appeared on the cover of the New York Times Magazine, and (most importantly) met his wife, Charissa. Charles and Charissa both grew up in the Keystone State and live in Lemoyne with their daughter, Adeline.
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Nathan A. Benefield is Director of Policy Analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Nate has researched and written on public policy issues including taxation, government spending, education reform, transportation funding, health care policy, and economic development. Nate has frequently provided testimony to Pennsylvania House and Senate committees on issues such as the state budget, transportation funding, privatization, and education.
Nate graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois with a degree in political science and economics, and also earned a masters degree in public service management from DePaul.
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Jay Ostrich is Director of Public Affairs for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
As a result of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Jay enlisted in the United States Air Force and graduated boot camp at the age of 32. While deployed as a military public affairs specialist throughout the community, commonwealth, country and overseas most recently in Baghdad, Iraq, he has personalized the stories of soldiers and airmen fighting for our freedoms and our way of life.
Recognized as Feature Writer of the Year for the USAF in 2008 and three times by the National Guard Bureau in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Jay focused beyond the boots, bombs and bullets to help tell the story of those who could not or would not tell it for themselves.
Jay graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. cum laude in political science before attending Villanova School of Law, and also earned a military certification with honors as a journalist and public affairs officer at the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. He is currently a captain in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing, Middletown, Pa., where he is the chief of public affairs. Jay is married to his wife, Joelle, and has a daughter, Harper.
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Amy J. Grimm is Director of Operations for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Amy oversees the Foundation's contributor relations and finances, and she is the coordinator of Foundation events.
She attended Harrisburg Area Community College and received her associate degree in accounting while working in the college public relations office before joining the Foundation.
Amy lives in Williamstown with her husband Earl and their daughter Lizzie.
Pearre Dean is the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Legislative Liaison for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Pearre, a veteran of more than 14 years government relations experience, began as area committee on political education (COPE) director for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
Pearre's labor background began as a rank and file member of Local 1357 of the Retail Clerks Union, now United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, where he once worked as an organizer and business agent for the union.
A graduate of St. Joseph's Comey Institute for Industrial Relations, Pearre was also an elected councilman in Ambler Borough, Montgomery County before moving to Harrisburg where his political involvement continued as a committeeman and grievance chairman. He is currently judge of elections in Susquehanna Township.
Pearre is married to Rosalyn and has two sons Miles and Nicholas.
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Dawn Meling is Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Community Liaison for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Dawn has lived in Pennsylvania since childhood, calling Butler County home until venturing eastward to attend Bucknell University. Upon graduating magna cum laude with a degree in business management, she returned to Western Pennsylvania to work for U. S. Steel at their Pittsburgh headquarters. While working in management positions in the Treasury and Accounts Payable departments, Dawn also completed her Masters in Business Administration from Duquesne University.
Dawn loves her hometown of Pittsburgh and can often be found running through its beautiful parks, attending a show in the Cultural District, trying out new restaurants, or enjoying a baseball game at PNC Park.
Priya Abraham is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
She has a master of arts in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and graduated magna cum laude in 2002 with a degree in journalism from Texas Christian University. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, she was WORLD Magazine's Washington, D.C.-based international affairs journalist for five years, during which time she covered everything from the National Spelling Bee to interviewing the president of South Sudan. She was then communications director for the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, advocating for freedom of conscience.
A native of Zambia, Africa, Priya has lived, worked and traveled across the United States (though still admits to a strong fondness for soccer). She is deeply passionate about America's founding principles and about crafting sound public policy to better people's lives.
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Elizabeth Stelle is a Policy Analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Elizabeth is a graduate of Grove City College where she earned a bachelor's degree in history. Elizabeth's experiences include a semester abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and various internships with the National Jewish Museum and Hayes Presidential Center. When she has free time Elizabeth enjoys dancing, traveling to historic landmarks, and exploring the mid-state.
Elizabeth has researched and written on topics of government reform, energy policy, and government transparency.
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Katrina Currie is a Policy Analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Katrina is a graduate of Messiah College with a B.S. in environmental science and a minor in adventure education.
Using her undergraduate experience, Katrina's research and writing focuses on energy and environmental policy. In her free time, Katrina enjoys camping, backpacking, kayaking, and pretty much any outdoor activity.
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Abhi Samuel is an Operations Manager for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Abhi came to United States from India in 2005 and graduated from Grove City College. While at Grove City he embraced free-market economics and hopes to one day take those ideas back to his home country. In his free time he enjoys blogging and traveling to destinations across the United States and around the world.
While at the Commonwealth Foundation he has worked on economic development issues and criminal justice reform.
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Bethany Wilston is an Operations Manager for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Prior to coming to CF, she served as a director for Mary Kay, Inc. for 13 years and has excelled in administrative positions since 1987. As a standout in the sales industry, she earned seven cars and was able to enroll her children in private Christian school from the time they were in middle school until graduation.
An avid baker who enjoys traveling with her husband, Dave, of 25 years, Bethany lives in Etters with her son Luke and two daughters, Lyndsey and Lyzette.
Richard C. Dreyfuss is a senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Rick, an actuary and business consultant, worked for The Hershey Company (formerly Hershey Foods Corporation) for 21 years, and held numerous positions there, including director of compensation and benefits, prior to his retirement in 2002. Rick also chaired the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council from 2001-02.
Rick is a pension and health care expert who has written and testified before Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly on strategies to effectively manage long-term employee benefit costs.
Rick is a graduate of Connecticut College, with a B.A. in mathematics and economics, and he earned a master's degree in actuarial science from Northeastern University.
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Paul Chesser is a senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Paul is executive director for American Tradition Institute. Previously he was special correspondent for the Heartland Institute and director of Climate Strategies Watch, which assessed the development of global warming policies in the states. He served as associate editor for the John Locke Foundation's Carolina Journal from 2001 to 2007, after a year as editor for two weekly community newspapers in Greensboro and Raleigh.
His articles have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including The Washington Post, Washington Times, New York Post, Washington Examiner, and San Francisco Examiner. His work has also appeared in National Review Online, The Weekly Standard Online, American Spectator, and WORLD magazine. He is a regular contributor and blogger for American Spectator Online.
Chesser has also appeared on NBC's "The Today Show," and as a talk radio guest on stations across the country.
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The Honorable Robert W. O'Donnell is a senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation's Center for Educational Excellence.
Bob is a Philadelphia-based attorney and a former Democratic Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. As a member of the House for 19 years, Bob rose through the ranks of leadership, serving as caucus chairman, majority whip, majority leader, and Speaker of the House. While in public service, he developed a reputation as a thoughtful, dynamic, and intellectually honest member of the House. He has been a consistent advocate for equality of opportunity including supporting school choice throughout his tenure in the legislature.
Bob has served as a member of Public Employees Retirement Study Commission, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the Mayor's Tax Budget and Advisory Committee (Philadelphia), the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the General State Authority, the Mayor's Economic Recovery Task Force (Philadelphia), the Milrite Council, and the Philadelphia Port Corporation Board of Directors.
Bob is a graduate of Temple University and its law school, and attended The Hague Academy of International Law. Honorary degrees have been awarded to Bob by Arcadia College and Philadelphia University. He has received many public awards including citations from the Pennsylvania League of Cities Service and Common Cause. He resides in Chestnut Hill with his wife, Dr. Donna Gentile O'Donnell.
The Honorable Jeff Coleman is a senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Jeff is the principal of Churchill Strategies, a Harrisburg-based communications firm known for innovative and highly successful policy and communications campaigns, and a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in 2000 at the age of 25, defeating a longtime incumbent. He served there for four years, developing a reputation as one of Harrisburg's leading advocates for free-market policies. Previously, he was a member of Apollo Borough Council.
The son of Presbyterian missionary parents, Jeff spent many of his formative years in places like Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. But it was observing the 1986 "People Power Revolution in Manila, the overthrow of the Philippines' 20 year dictator, that Jeff credits with awakening a lifelong passion for public service.
Jeff is a graduate of Liberty University. He lives in Hershey with his wife, Rebecca, and their two children.
