NRA ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES

Fairfax, VA - Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is pleased to announce the following personnel changes effective immediately.

Chuck Cunningham has been promoted to a newly created position of political director of the NRA-ILA.  Cunningham will also oversee state and local government affairs in this capacity.  He has served as director of federal affairs and as deputy director of state and local affairs.  Cunningham was also political director for the Christian Coalition from 1994-1999.

James Jay Baker has accepted the appointment as director of federal affairs.  Baker rejoins the NRA after a successful stint in the private sector that included senior management positions at Crossroads Strategies, Ogilvy Government Relations and Federalist Group.  He has served the NRA previously as executive director for NRA-ILA, director of federal affairs and legislative counsel.

Jason Ouimet has been promoted to deputy director of federal affairs.  Ouimet has been a federal liaison for the NRA since 2005. He previously served as legislative assistant for Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and a senior analyst for the National Republican Senatorial Committee's research operation. He also served as a policy analyst for the Republican National Committee's research operation.

"I would like to offer my congratulations to Chuck, Jim, and Jason.  They are seasoned and skilled legislative and political professionals who will well serve the interests of the NRA and its four million members, in addition to the tens of millions of hunters and gun owners across the country," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. "We look forward to continuing the fight for the Second Amendment with these gun rights advocates."

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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group.  Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime.  The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.