THE WINNING TEAM

JOHN JAMESON

President & Founder

John Jameson founded Winning Connections in 1996 after a diverse early career that included selling waterless cookware in 44 states, managing U.S. Senate campaigns, serving as a congressional chief of staff, and working at the American Mobile Satellite Corporation. 

Today, Winning Connections is regarded as the nation’s leading telephone voter and constituent contact firm. Under John’s leadership, it has earned more industry awards than any competitor and delivered high-impact results for clients such as the American Cancer Society, Everytown, Airbnb, and Intel. 

John has held leadership roles at HALO Trust, International Bridges to Justice, EcoPeace, the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, and Christ Episcopal Church. He currently serves on the Harvard Business School Alumni Board.  

His commentary has appeared in The New Republic, The Washington Monthly, The Hill, Playboy, The National Interest, and Campaigns & Elections. In April 2025, HBS Alumni Magazine published a profile of John and Winning Connections, “Patch Work,” highlighting his volunteer work in Ukraine and the firm’s role in securing the $60 billion Ukraine aid bil in 2024l.  

Originally from Eupora, Mississippi, he now lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. He graduated with a B.A. from Millsaps College, a J.D. from Duke Law School, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.  

MARK SCHAUER

Vice President

Mark Schauer joins Winning Connections with a wealth of public service and campaign experience. A former congressman and Michigan's Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2014, Mark has spent his career working to advance progressive values at every level of government.

He was a city commissioner, state representative, and state senator—ultimately serving as Democratic Leader in the Michigan Senate—prior to his election to Congress. Throughout his career, Mark has made a name for himself for winning tough races in swing districts, often relying on Winning Connections' programs to carry propel him across the finish line. He joined the firm in 2018 to help others do the same for others.

Mark is an alumnus of Albion College (B.A.), Western Michigan University (M.P.A.), and Michigan State University (M.A. in Political Science). He serves on the Planned Parenthood of Michigan board, the Committee to Protect Health Care, and STARBASE Michigan. Mark resides in Portage and Marquette, Michigan, with his wife, Christine, and their dog Rocky.

STUART JAMESON

Vice President, Campaigns

As Vice President of Campaigns, Stuart Jameson directs the creation and execution of winning client campaigns nationwide. His work has elected public officials like Governor Dan Malloy, Senator Jon Tester, and Congressman Raúl Grijalva and won hundreds of state and local campaigns in over 40 states.

A Mississippi native from Eupora, Stuart graduated with his B.A. from the University of Mississippi and his M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. He brings a strategic, results-oriented approach to every campaign.

GLORIA A. TOTTEN

Chief Operations Officer

A nationally respected political strategist, Gloria Totten brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to her role as Chief Operating Officer. She brings a sharp eye for systems, strategy, and long-term growth to Winning Connections' operations.

Gloria founded the Public Leadership Institute, which works with progressive elected officials to promote proactive public policy. She is the past President of Progressive Majority, Political Director at NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Executive Director at Maryland NARAL. She has also led Minnesota campaigns to enact anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and to stop sexual assault.

Gloria's passion for justice, fairness, and strategic expertise fuels everything she undertakes.

BRIAN STEBLAY

Vice President, Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Brian leads our calling and texting programs, optimizing our proprietary data systems to ensure quality and efficiency. Brian has over 15 years of political and nonprofit experience, which he uses to develop Winning Connections' phone programs, making them best-in-class.

Before joining our team, Brian was a legislative aide for then-Congressman Gary Peters, worked on multiple congressional races, and co-founded No One Left Behind, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial aid and employment opportunities to former Afghan and Iraqi interpreters who resettle in the United States.

JOE HAYES

Principal

Joe Hayes brings a strategic mindset and sharp analytical skills to his client partnerships. As Principal, he works with organizations and campaigns to develop data-driven phone and texting programs that yield results.

Joe's experience includes working as an Account Manager at Moore Campaigns, a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Assistant to the Director of the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. His attention to detail and commitment to client success set him apart.

TONY COPPOLA

Principal

Tony Coppola is a seasoned political consultant who specializes in creating electoral and advocacy campaigns that win. With more than 15 years of experience managing field programs and leading campaigns and ballot initiatives at every level, Tony brings creativity, discipline, and a wealth of campaign know-how to his role as Principal.

He also leads much of the firm's marketing, keeping our efforts innovative and result-driven.

COLIN DEWITT

Senior Program Manager

Collin DeWitt supports research, coordination, and execution for Winning Connections' ballot measure, super PAC, and voter contact campaigns. Collin joined the company from two congressional campaigns in Pennsylvania and as a field organizer on Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign. He also has policy experience from his time at Encentiv Energy.