Most importantly, why are you running for Speaker of the House?
I frequently ask myself that same question! In my past two terms, it has become increasingly clear that our House needs a positive change in leadership. In fact, we need leadership, period. Our caucus is currently lacking much-needed planning and communication. We must have a leadership team that is visible and approachable, willing to discuss issues with their caucus members, and promotes a bottom-up rather than a top-down philosophical direction regarding legislation.
Additionally, I think some decision-making has been less than stellar, and appointments to some leadership positions have proven to be questionable. I also believe that conflicts of interest exist in some leadership positions, which has led to a focus on fund-raising and pushing legislation for the benefit of donors at the expense of the legislation that our caucus desires. We need to adjust our focus back to doing what is best for all our citizens, not for the benefit of a select few.
What will you do differently than the current Speaker and leadership?
Trust/Integrity – Foremost, trust and integrity must be restored. That is why our team has formed a PAC called “NHRepublicanIntegrity.com”, Chaired by team member Katelyn Kuttab. We want to increase the Republican majority, of course, but our first priority is to focus on electing Republicans with integrity. Trust must be reestablished, in my opinion, as actions by many who are currently in leadership have eroded trust completely. We must say what we believe, say what we mean, and follow through on those statements. Once trust is lost, it can never be recovered.
Communication and Information – Many within our caucus believe communication and discussions from current leadership are inadequate. Our team plans to be more informative with email blasts. We will also utilize frequent online Zoom sessions to allow for more discussion of important topics and legislation. We find that a single hour prior to a session is not sufficient, as more often than not, it turns into a few Chairs giving suggestions on bills. This leaves caucus members with little opportunity to adequately discuss the legislation. While we intend to continue with pre-session surveys, questions will not be drafted in the form of push-polls.
Senate and Governor Relations – Our leadership team will not threaten or intentionally antagonize our Republican Senators as was the case on occasion this past session. However, we will not simply accede to their every demand either. We will press for a good working relationship with both the Senate and Governor. As the 400 member-strong House of Representatives, we are the people’s most direct connection in Concord.
Act decisively – When difficult or uncomfortable situations arise, we will act swiftly and decisively. I realize conflict is uncomfortable for many, but as leaders, we must accept it and address the problems that arise.
Decorum in the Chamber – We will rectify what has been a less than “proper atmosphere” the last few years.
Work together to pass caucus priorities – Our leadership team will be fully prepared to take on the challenges that families have been facing for a few terms now. You have my sincere commitment that our leadership team will work through any challenges together with our caucus.
If elected Speaker, who would comprise the members of your leadership team, as well as your Chair/Vice Chairs? Do you anticipate major changes?
While I believe there will be a need for some Chair and VC changes, most of these are due to vacancies from this past year. As to leadership positions, a rework will be required; this is explained in greater detail in a subsequent paragraph. To date, our team has reached out to several individuals, but not all whom we believe would fill the above-mentioned positions. Many discussions have been postponed until after our public announcement.
Will your leadership team and Chairs/VCs consist of only one segment of our Republican Caucus?
Absolutely not. We have seen several negative instances this past term where a single mindset existed and was misaligned with the direction that our caucus preferred. We will appoint across the full political spectrum of our caucus.
In the past, some in various leadership positions have been given titles and positions based on tenure in the House or simply for holding past positions. Will you continue this past practice?
No. The old “we will do it this way because we have always done it this way” will no longer be applicable. In the case of leadership/Chair/VC positions, those will be filled and occupied by the most qualified, the most hard-working, and those who represent and adhere to Conservative Republican principles and the GOP Platform regardless of tenure.
Being an airline pilot, will your current job interfere with your duty as Speaker?
Speakership will be priority #1, period. I just completed my 8th year as a member of the House. Prior to this past session, I had missed only a single roll call vote in 7 years (I was introducing an amendment in the Senate) and had never missed a House session. This past April, I was unable to reschedule my annual flight training in Texas and missed my very first House Session day. Due to my seniority at the airline, I have been able to arrange my flight schedule to maximize my time for House duties. During the 2021-2023 term, in fact, I served on three committees (Labor, Finance and Special Committee on Redistricting) in addition to being Senior Advisor to the Majority Office. Moving forward, as your Speaker, I will fly only to maintain the currency needed to avoid additional training in Texas, or, when a light Speaker schedule allows.
Other than your legislative duties, what past/current work experience do you believe qualifies you for the Speaker’s position?
- I have a wide diversity of experience in multiple fields. Of greatest significance, from 1997-2008, I served in multiple capacities with the Allied Pilots Association (APA). I was one of 16 APA Board members, which currently represents the 17,000 pilots of American Airlines, and simultaneously the Chairman of the Boston Pilot domicile (550 pilots). Recall that this was the time that the 911 attacks occurred . The first plane into the Twin Towers was American Airlines Flight 11, originating from Boston. Two of the pilots I represented perished in that act of terrorism.
For two years, I was a full-time negotiator on the airline’s technical contract roughly equivalent to NH’s annual budget in size and spanning over 500 pages in complexity. For the several following years, I served as Chairman of various APA committees. As Chairman of the Scope Committee (the principle committee dealing with the contract’s division of labor), I was regularly involved in difficult negotiations on the single most important and complicated sections of the contract. Additionally, having become well- schooled in this area, I mentored several other pilot groups in the USA and abroad (Finnair, Helsinki) on the very technical aspects of a contract’s Scope clauses. This expertise led me to become involved in many arbitration procedures as an expert/technical witness or as an executive board member. - For the past 39 years, I have flown for American Airlines, the last 34 as a captain. As an International Captain on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying worldwide, I am responsible for the safety of up to 300 passengers and 14 crewmembers, as well as the $300 million aircraft itself.
- Additionally, the life experience and historical perspectives one can attain by paying close attention to and watching the fiscal/social changes throughout the world have become extremely valuable. Applying that international perspective and expertise to today’s current events, one can see the parallels to what is now unfolding in the USA.
- In 2012 I took the Series 65 Law Exam which qualified me in the investment field. Since that time, I have worked as an independent financial advisor with a Seacoast area firm.
- Finally, I have extensive experience in real estate purchasing/renting/selling, building construction, and with two engineering departments/companies involved in the Seabrook nuclear plant construction.
What are some of your guiding philosophies?
First, the three “P”s, we must be the Party that adheres to principles, policies, and procedures. Too often, the focus has been on politics. Follow procedures, stick with Republican principles, and focus on policy rather than politics.
Next, the three “C”s I have run on every term: commitment, competency, and common sense. (I’ll now add consistency to make it four.) These are the attributes you should expect from your leadership team. This is what we shall put forth.
Lastly, subsidiarity. In the words of Senator James Buckley (William F. Buckley’s brother):
“When considering the merits of a particular bill, I would consciously apply the ancient rule of subsidiarity, which holds that political authority should be assigned to the lowest level that is capable of exercising it.” In other words, consistent application of the concept of local control.
**New 7-25-24**
Will you keep those who support your Speaker candidacy confidential if asked?
This is probably the most frequent question we have run into so far. We will absolutely keep all supporters confidential. We will also not be posting a public supporter/endorsement list for this exact reason. Some of our supporters have no problem being our vocal supporters, however, and are of course welcome to share and post about if they so choose.
Along these lines, many have expressed fear of retribution should their support be known. This in itself speaks volumes regarding some in current leadership, yet I can confirm that retribution has unfortunately been a factor for several Reps.
When will you announce leadership and Chair/VC appointments?
Announcements of chairs and vice chairs will be made after the election. This has been a frequent past practice,
and we believe we will do the same. As we move forward, discussions regarding Chair and Vice Chair positions
will focus on the candidate’s expertise in the subject matter, as well as leadership capability and communication
skills.
What are your plans regarding current House staff?
I have personally worked with most of the current Speaker and Majority Office staff, particularly when I was Senior Advisor. Every one of them I have found to be extremely competent and hardworking. I have no plans for any changes to the current staff.