About the DEC

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The Democratic Executive Committee
of Indian River County

The Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) of Indian River County gives a voice to Democratic values and advocates for working families and seniors. It is the official county arm of the Florida Democratic Party.  The DEC has oversight over all Democratic Party activities within the County. It carries out all directives and authorities granted to it by the Florida Democratic Party and by Florida Statutes within its county, it establishes priorities and activities of the party within the county and acts in accordance with its bylaws and the bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party.  

As part of this effort the DEC:

  1. Advances the visibility and viability of the Democratic Party and its candidates within the county; 
  2. Registers Democratic Voters on a Regular Basis;
  3. Increases the Number of Vote by Mail Requests for Base Voters;
  4. Insures that Democratic Party values, principles and initiatives are effectively advanced and promoted within the county; 
  5. Engages as much as possible in local county affairs of interest to County Democrats;
  6. Effectively supports the election of Democrats; and,
  7. Communicates with the public regarding elections, our candidates, as well as national, state and local Democratic Party positions and initiatives.

DEC Member Responsibilities Include:

The DEC is managed through its elected officials and members. Every four years, following the U.S. Presidential Election, the DEC elects officers. The members of the DEC are elected precinct captains.  They are  responsible for establishing the political priorities of Indian River County and getting out the vote by:

  1. Sponsoring Voter Registration Drives (Including Vote by Mail Requests)
  2. Fundraising for DEC Operations/Campaign Initiatives /Local Candidates
  3. Ensuring the turnout of the Democratic base in all elections held within the county
  4. Actively recruiting Precinct Captains 
  5. Actively recruiting Democratic candidates for office

Learn more about the DEC

Ready to get involved?

DEC Steering Committee

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Pat Tullo

Treasurer

Pat Tullo is our Treasurer.

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Deborah Shellenberger

Member

Deborah Shellenberger is a member of the Steering Committee.

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Brighid Macchia

Communications Director

Brighid Macchia is our Communications Director. She is also President of the Young Democrats of Indian River County.

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Jill McNeight

Secretary

Jill McNeight is our Secretary.

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Clay Wild

Member

Clay Wild is a member of the Steering Committee and is the President of the Democratic Club of Indian River.

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Ellen Melvin

Member

Ellen Melvin is a member of the Steering Committee.

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Bruce Hawkins

Member

Bruce Hawkins is a member of the Steering Committee. He is also Chair of the Candidate Committee.

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Richard Colton

State Committeeman

Richard Colton is one of our State Committee members. He is also the Chair of the Fundraising Committee.

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Lalita Janke

Vice Chair of Outreach

Lalita Janke is our Vice Chair of Outreach. She is also one of our State Committee members.

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William C. Evans

DEC Chair

Bill is our DEC Chair. He retired to Vero Beach in late 2018 with his wife, Gayle, after a long career in Information Technology starting with General Dynamics where he established and ran one of their four corporate data centers in Pomona CA. Upon the GD divestiture of the IT Division to Computer Sciences Corporation, Bill got into their IT Outsourcing Business  and then with IBM, running their global Outsourcing Transition-Transformation Business. He finished his career with Ericsson in New Jersey. Bill, an avid golfer, and Gayle have two children, Alexandria and Andrew.

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Angela Weber

State Committeewoman

Angela Weber is one of our State Committee members.

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Michael Walther

Vice Chair of Operations

Michael Walther is our Vice Chair of Operations. Michael is a life-long Democrat – mostly reared on Air Force Bases in California, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and New York. Michael got “sand in his shoes” in the 1960’s while at Patrick A.F.B. in Brevard County. In 1977, Michael earned a M.S. in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Since 1978, Michael has resided in Florida – including Vero Beach since 1982. Michael is a licensed Professional Engineer - focused on coastal planning and engineering.

DEC Committees

Communications

Communications

[email protected]

 

Manages the official website of the Democrats of Indian River County, as well as the official e-newsletter.  Assists in identifying and editing pertinent letter writing, editorials, and press releases on key issues and events for the party. Coordinates all social media.

Chair: TBD

Budget & Finance Committee

Budget & Finance

[email protected]

Established in DEC Bylaws to “oversee annual audits, ensure accuracy of monthly Treasurer budget reconciliation, prepare forecast reports to the DEC, and produce quarterly reports for the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections.”

Chair: Pat Tullo, DEC Treasurer

Diversity & Inclusion

Established in DEC Bylaws to serve as “the liaison to the FDP’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee …in developing diversity inclusion and outreach goals and programs for achieving full participation by such groups in the DEC and among its state committee members.”

Chair: TBD

Candidate Development

Candidate Development

[email protected]

 

The committee seeks and supports potential candidates for office in city, county, and state elections. We provide information and training to enable candidates to run for office successfully in Indian River County.

The committee meets with potential candidates periodically to consult on campaign progress. We do not endorse individual candidates but rather aim to provide a competitive field in elections.

Fundraising

Fundraising

[email protected]

 

Fundraising for continuing the operations of the Democrats of Indian River County. Costs associated with this work include: rent, electricity, supplies, website, phone, events, and other fundraising activities.

Chair: Rich Colton

Civic Council

Civic Council

[email protected]

 

Attends local government meetings of the Indian River County School Board; Indian River County Commissioners; Cities of Fellsmere, Sebastian, and Vero Beach; and special community gatherings like the City of Vero Beach Visioning Process. Speaks to leaders about Democratic issues of concern. Follows and conducts research on government regulations, resolutions, and statutes being considered locally.

Environmental

Environmental

Coordinates DEC environmental policies and efforts with DWC Environmental Committee.

Chairs: M. Walter, J. Berlin

Single District Committee

Single District 

Pursues single district voting in Indian River County.

Chair: TBD

Votebuilder.com (VAN) Training

Votebuilder.com Training

[email protected]

 

Maintains and updates the database used to follow the voters of Indian River County.  The database is the foundation for organizing and communicating with volunteers.

Office Management

Office Management

[email protected]

 

Helps staff the Democratic Headquarters at 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7 in Downtown Vero Beach. The HQ is now open year-round.  It is dedicated to supporting the party and its committees, as well as providing an organized presence in Indian River County.  Specific duties include providing information and answering inquiries, supporting official candidates, maintaining official databases, and working to grow Democratic membership in Indian River County.