MEET THE TEAM
Dave Gilliard
Dave Gilliard’s experience includes 30 years in political campaign management and consulting for successful campaigns at all levels of government and politics. As chief political strategist for many members of Congress and the State Legislature, Gilliard has built an unsurpassed reputation for providing savvy and timely political advice.
After serving as a consultant in the California Legislature for several years, Gilliard joined the political consulting firm of Huckaby & Rodriguez in 1988, becoming a partner in 1990. In 1992, he formed Dave Gilliard & Associates, now Gilliard, Blanning & Associates (GBA). A leader in their industry, GBA Inc. serves clients across the nation from their offices in Sacramento, CA and Minneapolis, MN.
In April of 2003, Gilliard formed Rescue California, the group that led the successful recall election against Governor Gray Davis.
Gilliard has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC, FOX News, CNN and local newscasts throughout California. Gilliard is regularly quoted by the political news media in California.
Natalie Blanning Weber
Natalie Blanning Weber is an experienced public relations professional who leads GBA’s efforts in Minnesota and the Mid-West. Blanning joined the firm in 1995 after serving as Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Jim Rogan. She currently serves as the Managing Partner of the firm and oversees vendor-relations as they relate to quality, accuracy and reliability.
Natalie has well over 25 years of experience at all levels of government and politics, including major donor programs, fundraising events, community liaison and political campaign management. She has served as Executive Director of the Lincoln Club in Los Angeles and as Event Coordinator for the California Republican Party.
Andre Levesque
Andre Levesque’s two decades of experience in political campaign management at every level of government is rare and makes him an integral asset of Gilliard Blanning and Associates. Since his graduation from the University of California at Davis, Andre has worked with party building, fundraising, non-profit voter participation action networks and has successfully managed onsite political campaigns. Andre specializes in campaign data and digital media integration.
In his free time, Andre volunteers for local community non-profits promoting youth fitness and athletic development.
Andre lives in the city of Folsom with his wife Denise and their three boys.
Beth Johns
Beth Johns joined GBA in January of 2022 to lead our Newport Beach office. Beth is an experienced public affairs professional with a long history of successful work on local, state and national campaigns.
Prior to joining GBA, Beth Johns served as Manager of Community Events for the County of Orange; as a Partner in the GOP fundraising firm AIMPOINT Inc., and as Executive Director at the Lincoln Club of Orange County. She has also served as a Legislative Assistant at California State Assembly. She is an Orange County native and graduate of the University of the Pacific.
Tyler Plaza
Tyler Plaza joined the GBA team after working as a Field Representative for the California Republican Party in the 2016 campaign cycle. Tyler graduated from California State University Channel Islands in 2016 obtaining a B.A. in Communication with an emphasis in Business & Non-profit Communication.
Tyler manages GBA’s technology department, including in-house graphics, digital media, and internet campaign and communications efforts.
When not at work, you can find Tyler hiking or camping throughout California with his fiancé Kerida and their dog Klamath.
Rebecca Hebert
Rececca Hebert serves as Production Manager, responsible for vendor communication and project coordination. She also serves as our Spanish-language translator.
Rebecca joined the GBA team in 2017. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2014, earning a dual degree in French and Spanish. Before joining GBA she taught English to high schoolers in France.
Genét Slagle
Genét Slagle has more than 21 years of professional experience and specializes in media placement for political candidate and issue campaigns as well as placement for a handful of public and retail clients.
Genét also worked briefly as a production assistant and associate producer for Children’s Miracle Network/Always Kids in Salt Lake City, UT. Genét attended Brigham Young University (BYU) majoring in Broadcast Journalism, with a minor in Political Science. In her senior year, she traveled to Washington D.C. to intern in both the promotions and public affairs department at National Public Radio and as an Associate Television Producer at WHMM TV on the campus of Howard University.