FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3/10/16
CONCORD, NH – Open Democracy, the nonprofit organization founded by legendary campaign finance reformer Doris “Granny D” Haddock in 2009, announced today that Executive Director Dan Weeks of Nashua is leaving to take the next step in his distinguished career of public service by running for public office. An announcement of his plans is expected soon.
Co-Chair Regina Bringolf announced that Brian Beihl of Antrim, currently Deputy Director, would serve as Interim Director until a new executive director is hired.
Weeks, who first began working with Granny D as a student at ConVal High School in Peterborough in 2000, has served as Open Democracy's Executive Director since 2014. Under his leadership, Open Democracy achieved national prominence with its NH Rebellion walks across New Hampshire and successfully challenged the presidential candidates to support campaign finance reform. Over 3,000 citizens participated in 30 NH Rebellion walks and logged nearly 40,000 miles collectively across New Hampshire, while hundreds of trained activists successfully "bird-dogged" every presidential candidate to advance the #FightBigMoney agenda. NH Rebellion's recent We the People Convention on Primary Weekend attracted national and international media attention and helped solidify big money politics as a defining issue in 2016.
Weeks, who first began working with Granny D as a student at ConVal High School in Peterborough in 2000, has served as Open Democracy's Executive Director since 2014. Under his leadership, Open Democracy achieved national prominence with its NH Rebellion walks across New Hampshire and successfully challenged the presidential candidates to support campaign finance reform. Over 3,000 citizens participated in 30 NH Rebellion walks and logged nearly 40,000 miles collectively across New Hampshire, while hundreds of trained activists successfully "bird-dogged" every presidential candidate to advance the #FightBigMoney agenda. NH Rebellion's recent We the People Convention on Primary Weekend attracted national and international media attention and helped solidify big money politics as a defining issue in 2016.
"For the last fifteen years, strengthening democracy has been the driving passion of my life," Weeks said. "I could not have asked for a more exciting and meaningful challenge than to work with our incredible team and activists to address what I believe to be the central political challenge of our time," Weeks said. "I am grateful to everyone who invested their time, talents, and resources in this struggle and I look forward to watching the organization and movement continue to grow in the future."
“Dan’s committed leadership, energy, and creativity has played a huge role in getting presidential candidates and lawmakers to finally address the serious threats to our country from their reliance on big-money donations - and to get them to talk about real solutions to end big-money corruption.” said Gordon Allen, Co-Chair of Open Democracy. "We are immeasurably grateful for all of Dan’s remarkable accomplishments in moving Open Democracy, our state, and the national movement forward. We know that Granny D would be proud of the progress we have achieved since he joined his talents to our efforts, and we wish him success and fulfillment in his new pursuits."
Regina Bringolf, co-chair, expressed confidence that Open Democracy is in good hands with Brian Beihl as Interim Director. “Brian knows our team well,” she said. “He is an experienced organizer, committed to the cause and will work with a board that is ready to support him.”
For more information about Open Democracy or NH Rebellion, call interim director Brian Beihl at 603-620-8300 or visit http://www.OpenDemocracyNH.org.
“Dan’s committed leadership, energy, and creativity has played a huge role in getting presidential candidates and lawmakers to finally address the serious threats to our country from their reliance on big-money donations - and to get them to talk about real solutions to end big-money corruption.” said Gordon Allen, Co-Chair of Open Democracy. "We are immeasurably grateful for all of Dan’s remarkable accomplishments in moving Open Democracy, our state, and the national movement forward. We know that Granny D would be proud of the progress we have achieved since he joined his talents to our efforts, and we wish him success and fulfillment in his new pursuits."
Regina Bringolf, co-chair, expressed confidence that Open Democracy is in good hands with Brian Beihl as Interim Director. “Brian knows our team well,” she said. “He is an experienced organizer, committed to the cause and will work with a board that is ready to support him.”
For more information about Open Democracy or NH Rebellion, call interim director Brian Beihl at 603-620-8300 or visit http://www.OpenDemocracyNH.org.
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