The Libertarian National Committee has announced the addition of three new part-time staff hires and contractors who will help the Libertarian Party with its operational, fundraising, and messaging needs.
Writing on the LNC’s public Business List in an August 9 thread, LNC Chair Angela McArdle said that the party has now outsourced a significant portion of its accounting and payroll operations, which she anticipates will alleviate the workload on existing staff members and enable them to concentrate on additional projects. More specifically, McArdle said the move will allow them to focus more on “fundraising, growth, and member/customer service.”
Iris Poole, who was named Operations Specialist, will provide part-time support in administrative tasks, customer services, event management, and merchandising. Before joining, Poole held the position of Operations Director at No_System, an independent streetwear online retailer and podcast. She also served as the elections coordinator and a development assistant with Young Americans for Liberty and interned with the Leadership Institute.
Alongside Poole, Austin Padgett will formally join the party as a Fundraising Contractor. Per the announcement, Padgett will assist in a temporary capacity with major donor outreach through the use of his own professional and personal networks. His responsibilities will also include “fine tuning” the party’s development procedures and reestablishing ties with current major donors. McArdle noted Padgett as having a decade of experience in business development, particularly in the AG tech and blockchain technology sectors.
[EDITORIAL NOTE 8/10/23] The LNC Secretary’s cumulative Potential Conflict of Interest statement confirms that the new Fundraising Contractor and the LNC Chair’s domestic partner are the same person.
The third addition to the team is Brian McWilliams, an executive specializing in media relations and branding. According to his professional biography, McWilliams is a “communications and public relations expert, comedian and writer.” He also co-founded the Lions of Liberty podcast network in 2011 alongside co-host John Odermatt, with both men crediting former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul for influencing their journey toward libertarianism.
Though not assuming a formal titled role, McWilliams joina as a part-time contractor, contributing his experience in brand strategy, messaging, media outreach, and crisis communications to the organization. According to the announcement, he has already begun working on a public relations strategy to specifically highlight party accomplishments and “emphasize solutions.”
In addition to the three new hires, McArdle noted that the party still seeks a new formal Operations Director. She also alluded to the potential recruitment of a fourth staff member in the future, who will focus on assisting with social media efforts.
Independent Political Report has now confirmed:
The LNC Secretary’s cumulative Potential Conflict of Interest statement reveals that the new Fundraising Contractor and the LNC Chair’s domestic partner are the same person.