Our Party
LEADERSHIP | COMMITTEES | DISTRICT ORGANIZERS | VOLUNTEERS
The Brevard County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) is dedicated to expanding the Democratic electorate and electing Democratic candidates in Brevard County, Florida. We bring our community together to stand up for Democratic ideals of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. As the county arm of the Florida Democratic Party, we oversee all Democratic Party activities in Brevard County.
The Brevard County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) is an elected body comprised of members, called Precinct Organizers (officially “Precinct Committee(wo)men”), who act as neighborhood organizers to register voters and increase voter turnout and engagement in their voting precincts. There are 215 voting precincts in Brevard County. Each Precinct is allocated at least two Precinct Organizers – one man and one woman. Precincts with over 1000 Democratic voters have additional pairs for every 1000 registered Democrats. Use the links below to quickly skip to other areas of our party.
Leadership team
Our Chair and prior Candidate & Campaign Committee Chair is a lifelong Democrat and Melbourne resident since 1996. She has extensive corporate leadership experience and is a successful entrepreneur. Pam is committed to voter education, a free press and open dialogue with both allies and opponents.
Matthew “Matt” Nylen wears three hats: Vice Chair, D4 District Organizer, and Precinct 412 Committeeman. A Florida resident since 1964 and a Brevard County resident since 1985, Matt retired as a Business Operations Director from Lockheed Martin. He is currently a guitarist and vocalist with several local bands.
Our Secretary is also a Precinct 221 Committeeman and board member of The Brevard County Democratic Black Caucus. Jerard, a Navy veteran, also volunteers with the National LBGTQ Task Force and is a former board member of Gentlemen of Valor and Distinction, the largest international group of professional Black men.
Claudette is a retired program manager for the US Air Force civil service where she was responsible for overseeing budgets for worldwide contracts relating to nuclear treaty monitoring. She is a retired Navy JAG Captain, former assistant prosecutor and public defender in Florida, and is currently on the D4 Organizing Team.
Jen is an Army veteran and current Program Manager, supporting NASA as a contractor since 2005. She currently serves BrevardDems as the Technology Chair and as a member of the Steering Committee. She is grateful to be able to serve Brevard County as State Committeewoman and looks forward to ensuring we are represented at the state level.
Born and raised in S. Florida, Phil moved to Brevard in 1997. Having recently run for office at the State and municipal levels, Phil understands the coordination needed from the State party, our local party, clubs and caucuses. Phil is a medical device instructor and freelances as a photographer.
Committees
The Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) includes many standing committees. Any Democrat who resides in Brevard County is eligible to serve in an advisory capacity on these committees, and all DEC members may serve on any committee.
Learn more by clicking the name of any committee in the directory below. If you are interested in participating, please contact the leader listed:
The Candidate and Campaign Committee identifies, recruits, trains, and provides support for candidates for federal, state, county, and local/municipal office.
Candidate & Campaign Chair: Rachele Jolley | candidates@brevarddems.org
The Communications Committee is responsible for editing, publishing, and expanding the audience for BrevardDems communications.
Communications Chair: Risë Walter |
|rise.walter@brevarddems.org
The Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce ensures that the BrevardDems organization truly represents, includes, and serves disenfranchised and oppressed communities, including people of color, immigrants, the disabled, and the poor. Register voters and increase voter turnout in these communities.
Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce Chair : Dr. Ray Shackelford | famufam@aol.com
The Finance Committee ensures compliance with BrevardDems financial reporting requirements.
Finance Chair: Claudette Wells | claudette.wells@brevarddems.org | 321-693-5850
The Fundraising Committee raises funds to support the work of BrevardDems, including by cultivating monthly supporters and major donors, and by hosting fundraising events.
Fundraising Chair: Erina Colombo | erina.colombo@brevarddems.org
The Membership Committee greets members and guests at monthly meetings, tracks attendance, and ensures accuracy of our membership directory.
Membership Chair: Kristin McBenton| membership@brevarddems.org
The Office Administration Committee organizes and manages the local BrevardDems office, calendar, and online files.
Office Administration Committee Chair:
Janis Gregory| Brevarddemsoffice@gmail.com | 321.600.4855
The Rules Committee maintains, updates and enforces the rules of the BrevardDems.
Rules Chair: Janis Gregory | janis.gregory@brevarddems.org | 321.704.0200
The Technology Committee implements and maintains an integrated, user-friendly technology infrastructure to support voter, voluntee, donor, and other BrevardDems data and information.
Technology Chair: Jen Sizemore | jen.sizemore@brevarddems.org | 321.986.7382
The Young Democrats Committee ensures the BrevardDems truly represents, includes, and serves young people. The Committee helps recruit interns, register voters, and increase voter turnout among voters (and future voters) ages 14-40.
Young Democrats Chair: Quinn Diaz | quinn.diaz@brevarddems.org
The Voter Protection Committee organizes poll watchers and poll greeters to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot during elections; that no voter suppression, intimidation, or irregularities occur; and that Florida law is followed.
Voter Protection Chair: Robyn Mitchell | Robyn.Mitchell@brevarddems.org
The Voter Registration Committee works to register Democrats to vote.
Voter Registration Chair: Michelle Green | michelle.green32952@gmail.com
District Organizers
District Organizers recruit, train, and lead a team of community organizers and Democratic volunteers in their districts known as Precinct Committee(wo)men. Reach out to your District Organizer to get involved today! Districts follow those laid out by the Brevard Board of County Commissioners. Your district number is the first digit of your precinct number. (For example, if you reside in precinct 415, you are in District 4.) To find your precinct number, check your voter registration card, or click here.
If you are interested in becoming a District Organizer, please contact Pamela Castellana.
Volunteers
Help us get out the vote, canvass for candidates, register people to vote and so much more!
We have more than forty ways to volunteer. Maybe you like to work from home; or to get out and meet people. Maybe you have just an hour to give, or maybe you’re eager to do much more. Just fill out the form and we will match you to the work that needs to be done!
And no, you don’t have to be a member of the Brevard DEC to volunteer!