Washington, DC – ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History introduced its new communications team today, moving forward in its effort to talk with the American people and our elected leaders about the importance of ending extreme poverty and combating HIV/AIDS.

“Extreme poverty and global diseases are the largest and the least talked about crises of our time. No more. ONE is going to raise the nation’s awareness to these crises, and band millions of people together to fight extreme poverty,” ONE President & CEO Susan McCue said. “This new communications team will help to take ONE’s message to people from coast to coast, and help to achieve a great victory for our world.”

Joining as ONE’s new communications director is Tom Gavin. Most recently, Gavin worked as communications director for the Senate Appropriations Committee and its chairman, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

Gavin replaces Meighan Stone, who has transitioned from ONE’s Communications Director in Washington, D.C., to the position of Director of Special Projects, based in New York City, focusing on special events.

Kimberly Cadena is ONE’s new press secretary. Most recently, Cadena worked as press secretary for Congressman Dave Reichert (WA08), spearheading strategic communications and constituent outreach.

Sarah Crouthers worked most recently as Special Assistant to Jack Oliver, Republican Strategist. She also spent time on Capitol Hill, focusing on issues ranging from agriculture to labor for Representative Jo Ann Emerson, R-Missouri.

Chandler Smith comes to ONE from the Pinkston Group, where she focused on issue advocacy and communications strategy.

Stephen Wilson worked as Deputy Press Secretary for Representative Thomas Reynolds of New York, spearheading Reynolds’ new media efforts.

“Fighting extreme poverty is our generation’s challenge and it will be our greatest victory,” McCue explained. “With millions of ONE members around the country, we are speaking as ONE, building a force in every state that can make a difference in the lives of people around the world.”

The major focus at ONE right now is ONE Vote ’08, an initiative co-chaired by Senators Bill Frist and Tom Daschle to educate and inform presidential candidates and voters on issues of extreme poverty. ONE Vote ’08 will inform both candidates and voters about America’s role in the world and what the next president can do to save lives and secure our future.

WHO WE ARE:

Tom Gavin

A native of Indiana, Tom has worked for nearly 12 years on Capitol Hill focused on strategic communications and planning. For the past nine years, he has served on the staff of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd and the Senate Committee on Appropriations, taking the job of communications director in 2000. He has a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield and an undergraduate degree from Northern  Illinois University.

Kimberly Cadena

Kimberly Cadena has never backed away from a challenge. Her experiences have taken her through several political campaigns and then to Capitol Hill, where she worked most recently for Representative Dave Reichert, R-Wash. She also served on the staffs of Senator Wayne Allard and Representative Bob Beauprez, both R-Colo. A native of Texas, Cadena graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in sociology and political science. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Sarah Crouthers

Prior to joining the ONE Campaign, Sarah Crouthers served as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Jack Oliver, at Bryan Cave Strategies. Before joining Bryan Cave Strategies, she worked in the office of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson as Legislative Correspondent. At Bryan Cave Strategies, Crouthers researched and wrote proposals, and provided administrative support to Jack Oliver. While on the Hill, Crouthers interpreted agriculture, judiciary, labor, environment, and tax issues for Representative Emerson’s constituents. Crouthers has a degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

S. Chandler Smith

A native of Tennessee and a graduate of Vanderbilt University with degrees in political science and communications, Chandler worked at the Pinkston Group in Washington,  D.C., as an account executive, focusing on issue advocacy and corporate accounts. She also has worked in the Public Information Office of the United States Supreme Court.

Stephen T. Wilson

Stephen comes to ONE from the office of Representative Thomas Reynolds of New York’s 26^th Congressional District.  Stephen has focused on new media as Reynolds’ Deputy Press Secretary, while expanding communications and outreach efforts, as well. Stephen had previously worked as Reynolds’ Special Projects Director. He graduated from Syracuse  University with degrees in political philosophy and magazine journalism.

Meighan Stone

Since joining ONE in 2005, Meighan Stone has led the campaign’s communications outreach and PSA campaigns. Before coming to ONE, Meighan was Deputy National Press Secretary for Clark for President and Minnesota Communications Director for America Coming Together. She also served as a fellow in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel, media consultant for the World Economic Forum, Special Assistant to the President of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and worked on HIV/AIDS projects in the Harlem office of President Clinton. She has a Master’s degree in International Social Welfare Policy from Columbia  University.