MEET OUR SPEAKERS Tulsi Gabbard LTC, US Army Reserve, 4-term Congresswoman, 2020 Presidential Candidate Saturday AM Keynote ( less ) ( more ) 4-Term Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is a veteran with three deployments to war zones in the Middle East and Africa. She has served in uniform more than 21 years, is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve commanding the 440th Civil Affairs Battalion, and leads her non-profit organization “We Must Protect.”Tulsi first served in elected office in the Hawaii State House of Representatives when she was 21 years old. Due to the attacks on 9/11, she enlisted in the Army National Guard. In 2004, she gave up an easy re-election campaign and volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the 29th Brigade Combat Team where she served in a medical unit.After returning home in 2006, Tulsi worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide to the late Senator Danny Akaka, who was Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She then volunteered for a second Middle East deployment as a Platoon Leader.Having experienced firsthand the true cost of war, Tulsi ran for United States Congress at age 31, vowing to honor the lives and sacrifice of her brothers and sisters in uniform. She prevailed in a difficult election and went on to serve in Congress for eight years as a member of the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees.Foregoing a run for re-election to Congress in 2020, she ran for president in the Democratic Party. In October 2022, Tulsi announced she was leaving the Democratic Party. She puts country before party and approaches every issue, domestic and foreign, based on ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people. Tulsi Gabbard’s book, For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind, will be released in April 2024. Glenn Jacobs Mayor of Knox County, TN Saturday Keynote ( less ) ( more ) A staunch fiscal conservative and fierce advocate for limited government, during his first term, Jacobs delivered on his campaign promise of no tax hikes as well as pushed back against government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently in his second term, he is prioritizing workforce and economic development to make East Tennessee even more competitive in the rapidly evolving innovation-based global economy.Prior to becoming Mayor in 2018, Jacobs enjoyed a successful career in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)—most notably under the stage name “Kane”—culminating in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. Glenn has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets, and is the author of Mayor Kane.Glenn and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters and two grandchildren. Bryan Caplan George Mason University Friday Keynote ( less ) ( more ) Bryan Caplan is Professor of Economics at George Mason University and New York Times Bestselling author.He wrote The Myth of the Rational Voter, named "the best political book of the year" by the New York Times, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, The Case Against Education, Open Borders (co-authored with SMBC's Zach Weinersmith), Labor Econ Versus the World, How Evil Are Politicians?, and Don't Be a Feminist. His next book, Build, Baby, Build: The Science and Ethics of Housing, will be published by the Cato Institute in 2023.He is the editor and chief writer for Bet On It, the blog hosted by the Salem Center for Policy at the University of Texas. He has published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, TIME, Newsweek, Atlantic, American Economic Review, Economic Journal, Journal of Law and Economics, and Intelligence, blogged for EconLog from 2005-2022, and appeared on ABC, BBC, Fox News, MSNBC, and C-SPAN.An openly nerdy man who loves role-playing games and graphic novels, he lives in Oakton, Virginia, with his wife and four kids. Jack Hunter Based Politics ( less ) ( more ) Jack Hunter is a co-founder of Based Politics, the former Editor of Rare Politics. Jack has written regularly for The Daily Caller, The American Conservative and has appeared in Politico Magazine, The Daily Beast and The Spectator (UK) and Washington Examiner.Jack has been a guest on Bill Maher, Fox Business, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck and a guest host on The Mike Church Show on Sirius XM.Hunter is the co-author of The Tea Party Goes to Washington by Sen. Rand Paul and assisted former Sen. Jim DeMint with his book Now or Never: How to Save America from Economic Collapse. Jack was also New Media Director for Sen. Paul.Jack lives in Alexandria, Va.Follow him on X: @jackhunter74. Titus Gebel Free Cities Foundation ( less ) ( more ) Titus Gebel is an entrepreneur with a PhD in international law and an extensive worldwide network. Amongst others, he co-founded Frankfurt-listed Deutsche Rohstoff, where he served as CEO for 8 years, and the Canadian nuclear startup Dual Fluid Energy.Today, Dr. Gebel is founder and CEO of Tipolis, Singapore, a company which creates new models of urban living through innovation in governance. He published the book Free Private Cities: Making Governments Compete for You, where he lays out a framework for establishing autonomous, privately operated jurisdictions.Dr. Gebel played an important role in the establishment of the most ambitious special zone to date, Próspera in Honduras. He also advised other countries in Special Economic Zones innovation and is the President of the Free Cities Foundation which works to enable and promote free cities around the world. Malcolm & Simone Collins Pronatalist Foundation/Collins Institute Pronatalism ( less ) ( more ) Malcolm Collins, with his wife, Simone, is best known for spearheading the pronatalist movement, having written five best selling books, and attempting to build an alternative to the public school system. They run the Pronatalist Foundation, the Collins Institute, and the podcast Based Camp. Laurie Ortolano Right-to-Know Plaintiff ( less ) ( more ) Laurie Ortolano is the 2023 First Amendment Award Honoree for her advocacy for government transparency. This award, from the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, honors New Hampshire individuals or groups that have advanced or exercised their First Amendment rights in some special or extraordinary way.Laurie will be talking about her Right-to-Know court cases and her successes against the City of Nashua. She will also participate in a panel discussion with other Right-to-Know and open government activists. Gregory V. Sullivan, Esq. New England First Amendment Coalition ( less ) ( more ) Attorney Gregory V. Sullivan is the President of the New England First Amendment Coalition and of Malloy & Sullivan, Lawyers Professional Corporation. He is admitted to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.Attorney Sullivan has served as counsel to media organizations including Union Leader Corporation, Seacoast Media Group, the Keene Sentinel, the Caledonian Record and WMUR-TV. He teaches First Amendment Media Law at Suffolk University Law School in Boston and at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications in Manchester. He has successfully argued numerous right-to-know cases before the New Hampshire Supreme Court and serves on that Court’s Committee on the Judiciary and the Media. William Fischel ( less ) ( more ) William Fischel is Professor Emeritus of Economics and the Robert C. 1925 and Hilda Hardy Professor of Legal Studies, Emeritus, at Dartmouth College. He retired from teaching in 2019 but his research interests continue in public economics, particularly local government structure and behavior.His most recent book is Zoning Rules! The Economics of Land Use Regulation, published by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. He has also written on the formation of counties, the evolution of public schools, the “homevoter hypothesis,” and regulatory takings.He lives in Hanover, NH, where he serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Jason Sorens American Institute for Economic Research Upzone NH: Ideas and Legislation ( less ) ( more ) Jason Sorens is Senior Research Faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Yale University in 2003 and a B.A. in economics and philosophy (with honors) from Washington and Lee University.He has researched and written more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and a biennially revised book for the Cato Institute, Freedom in the 50 States (with William Ruger). His research has focused on fiscal federalism, U.S. state politics, and movements for regional autonomy and independence around the world.He has taught at Yale, Dartmouth, Saint Anselm College, and the University at Buffalo and founded the Free State Project as a graduate student.He lives in Amherst, New Hampshire. Andrew Cline Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy ( less ) ( more ) Andrew is president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. Before that, he was an independent writer and communications consultant. His more than two-decade career in journalism includes 14 years as editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader, where he led the opinion pages and became a respected authority on state public policy. As an independent writer, he has been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic Monthly, The Boston Globe, The Weekly Standard, and National Review.Andrew serves as Chairman of the State Board of Education and on the boards of the Daniel Webster Council and the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill, a non-profit teaching farm in Bedford. Charles Gardner Upzone NH ( less ) ( more ) Charles is a research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and focuses on planning law and housing affordability. Formerly a practicing attorney, he has also done policy work on zoning and land use issues as a local elected official in Connecticut and as a member of the Connecticut Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) and the Commission on Connecticut’s Development and Future (CCDF). Mark Warden Porcupine Real Estate ( less ) ( more ) Mark is Associate Broker for Porcupine Real Estate, a boutique firm dedicated to helping pro-liberty folks move to New Hampshire and find investment and housing options that fit their needs.Mark is also involved in politics, having served four terms as a NH State Representative and in director positions on the boards of Get Involved PAC and New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.Mark was an early mover with Free State Project (one of the first 500 pioneers) and currently serves on the FSP Board of Directors. As an early adopter and user of cryptocurrency, Mark was the first state legislative candidate to accept crypto contributions in 2012 and the first broker in New Hampshire to complete the sale of a residential property for bitcoin 2017. Brittany Ping Ledgeview Commercial Partners ( less ) ( more ) Brittany is the Director of Property Management at Ledgeview Commercial Partners, a brokerage with 70 buildings under management accounting for over 250 long term rental units in the Greater Manchester-Concord area. Responsible for day to day management, Brittany brings clients information on market trends, capital improvement opportunities, and operational incidents that are reflected on monthly statements.An early mover from 2012, Brittany is also a wife, mother, and active with non-profit organizations that align with her liberty values. Jim Forsythe Citizens for Sound Money Ryan Terrell Vice Chairman of the NHGOP ( less ) ( more ) In 2011, Ryan moved to New Hampshire from New Orleans, LA to attend College Unbound, a newly formed experiential learning program at Southern New Hampshire University. In 2016, he earned an Integrated Studies BA. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the NH Republican Party and serves on the NH State Board of Education.Ryan has also served on the e-board of Daniel Webster Council and the NH American Heart Association. He is a Leadership New Hampshire Associate, a graduate of Leadership Greater Manchester, founder of TRYBE Hair Care, a NH-based brand of salon professional curly and textured hair products. Kate Baker Demers Children's Scholarship Fund NH Live Free and Learn ( less ) ( more ) Kate Baker Demers, Executive Director of Children's Scholarship Fund NH (CSF), is a leader in the Granite State's education freedom movement. Toward that aim, she has worked tirelessly for more than two decades on behalf of NH children, driving the implementation and growth of two charter schools, NH's Education Tax Credit scholarship program and Education Freedom Account program.Kate is a member of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities NH, Board Member of the Rotary Club of Concord, and is an Appointee of Governor Sununu to the NH Council for Thriving Children. She previously served as the Chair of the Polaris Charter School Board of Trustees.Kate was honored to be recognized by the New Hampshire Union Leader and the NH Business and Industry Association as a “40 Under Forty, the state's brightest young achievers,” and through her work with Children's Scholarship Fund, thousands of NH children now have the education that is the right fit for them to thrive. Sharon Osborne Latitude Learning Resources Innovative Education Options ( less ) ( more ) Sharon is the co-director of Latitude Learning Resources, a non-profit homeschooling center in Derry, NH, that offers customized, child focused programming for children ages 6–18. The inspiration for Latitude came because her own kids needed more opportunities for learning in their areas of interest that also supported their individual learning styles. Latitude now offers over 70 classes each week during two yearly semesters, a summer program, social events, parent meet-ups, and support groups.Prior to Latitude, Sharon studied economics at Hillsdale College, worked in marketing, served on several non-profit boards, and homeschooled her own children. She lives near Manchester with her husband, Jason, and their three children. In her free time, Sharon enjoys gardening, reading, and skiing. Stacey Hammerlind, RN, M.Ed. Guide, Micah Studios Innovative Education Options ( less ) ( more ) Educated as a nurse and later earning an M.Ed. in education, Stacey has a history in and a passion for substance misuse prevention, community building, and empowering individuals. Stacey has worked in many service areas most recently as a family advocate in a public school setting.After working in a public school setting for seven years, she realized the absolute need for more school choices and, with another woman who left the public school system, opened Micah Studios in Newport, NH. Micah's students' attendance at this learning center is completely funded by Educational Freedom Accounts.Stacey is proud to serve on various non-profit boards in Sullivan County and has been a 4H leader for the past five years. She is the mother of 4 adult children and grandmother to two young grandsons. Ryan Holmes Kaipod Learning ( less ) ( more ) Ryan Holmes is KaiPod Learning's Chief Academic Officer. At KaiPod, homeschooling students are supported on whatever academic tasks they are working on by a Learning Coach who also also supports KaiPoders in making art, reading books, completing science projects, and playing board games together. Kaipod has locations in Nashua, Manchester, and Dover and are free of charge for New Hampshire residents.Before joining KaiPod Ryan was a math teacher and principal at a public charter school in Boston. He was inspired to learn more about homeschooling by his neighbors, who were homeschooling their daughter, and has never looked back. Nate Fellman Harkness House ( less ) ( more ) The Harkness House grew out of Nate’s experiences working as a teacher and administrator in middle schools in New Hampshire over the last 20 years. After the disruptions of COVID upended everything, Nate found that he couldn’t just get “back to normal” in the traditional educational system. The pandemic had shown that business as usual was not working. Instead, he threw out the rulebook for what a school could be and began thinking about how to design a middle school from scratch. Through that process, the foundational ideas of The Harkness House–small classes, student autonomy, and a learner-centered approach–were born.In addition to working in schools, Nate is a lifelong learner who knows that education–from pre-school to PhD–truly matters. He believes that middle school should be a transformative point on that journey, and it’s too often treated as a time to endure rather than to thrive. Nate is currently working on his dissertation at the University of New Hampshire. His research focuses on labor relations, collective bargaining, school law, and education policy. Nate also holds an Education Specialist degree from UNH, a Master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University, and a Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. Michael O'Connell Watchdog Capital ( less ) ( more ) Michael is CEO of Watchdog Capital, an SEC-regulated FINRA member brokerage firm focused on the intersection of bitcoin and securities. He has over 30 years of experience in the securities industry, he has been active in the bitcoin space for 7 years and has a unique view into how blockchain technology will revolutionize investing, capital raising, and personal freedom. Sean Themea Young Americans for Liberty ( less ) ( more ) Sean Themea serves as Chief Operating Officer for Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), where he oversees daily operations for over 40 employees committed to building a youth army, electing pro-liberty candidates and passing transformative liberty legislation.Before moving to Texas, Sean Themea was born and raised in Chester, NH and graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 2012. A former progressive, now a Ron Paul libertarian, Sean's pro-liberty opinions and commentary have been featured in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and The Daily Wire, and he has appeared on Fox Business, Newsmax, The Young Turks, and Vice News. Sean is a 2024 Fellow with the Club for Growth Foundation, and has testified before the House Freedom Caucus in opposition to campus vaccine mandates on behalf of college students across America.Outside of the grassroots sphere, Sean is active in the Austin, Texas theater community, producing, directing and performing in regional shows, and has sung the national anthem at both New York Knicks and New York Rangers games. Mark Hilton Alpine Gold, LLC ( less ) ( more ) Mark is the President & CEO of Alpine Gold LLC, a financial services company focused on providing robust money solutions for its clients. Mr. Hilton earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from UC Berkeley.Before joining Alpine Gold, he was the Vice President of Live Production Products for Grass Valley, a leading media technology firm based in Montreal, Canada. He has also worked in product & solution management, marketing management, and aerospace engineering for several companies, including Hewlett-Packard & Lockheed. Melissa Creem NH Liberty Alliance ( less ) ( more ) Chair of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, it's Melissa’s belief that liberty lives in New Hampshire due in large part to the hard work, dedication, and maximum effort of many liberty minded, vigilant individuals willing to make the sacrifice of time and energy to keep New Hampshire as free as possible. She hopes you'll join our efforts.In addition to being an NRA instructor, Melissa is a founding member of the Women's Defense League. She moved to New Hampshire with her husband prior to the Free State Project. Keith Ammon NH State Representative ( less ) ( more ) Keith is a New Hampshire State Representative from New Boston, serving as the Vice Chair of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. Keith is serving his fourth term in office and has previously served on the Municipal and County Government and the Science, Technology, and Energy committees. He has also held the positions of Assistant Majority Whip and Clerk of the House Commerce Committee.Rep. Ammon served on Governor Sununu’s Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets Commission and was Chair of the Commission To Investigate The Implementation Of Next Generation Nuclear Reactor Technology. In addition to politics, Ammon is a software developer focused on data analytics and blockchain technology. He is also a recreational pilot and advocates for New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” tradition. Sarah Scott Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire ( less ) ( more ) Sarah Scott is the Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire where she manages policy efforts, develops electoral strategy, and oversees grassroots activity in the state in order to advance liberty in NH.Born and raised in southern NH, Sarah was homeschooled and developed a keen interest in education policy as a result. This led to a lifelong passion to expand liberty across the board and make NH the freest place on earth. David Boyer Maine State Representative ( less ) ( more ) Elected to the Maine House in 2022, Representative Boyer has emerged as a unifying force, bridging the gap between libertarians and progressives. His collaborative efforts have led to the successful enactment of liberty-focused legislation.David has worked for over a decade in politics, starting in Maine and Missouri for Ron Paul's 2012 Presidential Campaign. Additional campaigns include Sen. Eric Brakey's Senate and Congressional runs, Yes on 1: Reject Big Pharma, and No Cap Portland.Serving as the Marijuana Policy Project's Maine Director, David led the charge for cannabis legalization in Maine and managed the successful ballot initiative in 2016. Erica Layon NH State Representative ( less ) ( more ) Erica Layon is an MIT economist who started her career trading options for Susquehanna International Group in San Francisco before becoming an equity analyst covering medical device companies for 12 years.In early 2017, she left Wall Street to be a stay at home mom and chicken tender. Erica was active in testifying in Concord about homeschooling, emergency powers, and 2A rights for years and in 2020 decided to run for office to help ensure New Hampshire had a sane reaction to Covid.Rep. Layon serves as Vice Chairman of the Health Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and on the committee that oversees Administrative Rules. Joan Van De Griek Fetch Your Wealth ( less ) ( more ) Joan is a seasoned Certified Public Accountant with over two decades of experience. In her role as a CPA, Joan successfully navigated the financial hurdles that arose when her husband, Greg, was injured on the job. Despite initially thinking they had sufficient plans in place, the family faced substantial out-of-pocket medical bills and financial stress due to inadequate compensation. Joan transformed her part-time accounting firm into a full-time business specializing in serving the unique financial needs of individuals, bridging the income gap for those facing uncertainty about their future, whether healthy or disabled.Joan introduces the TLC method and a simple asset protection strategy, ensuring peace of mind and privacy for individuals and their businesses. Her firm offers comprehensive services, including tax assistance, life insurance strategies for tax-free retirement income, and education on civil liability to safeguard personal assets. With Joan's guidance, families can navigate financial challenges and build a secure foundation for the future. Carla Gericke President Emeritus, Free State Project ( less ) ( more ) Carla Gericke is an author, activist, and attorney who, together with thousands of libertarian pioneers, is building a consent-based society in the Free State of New Hampshire.Carla is the author of The Ecstatic Pessimist: Stories of Hope (Mostly) and blogs regularly at her site, The Art of Independence. She hosts The Carla Gericke Show and co-hosts Manch Talk, two weekly cable access news shows, and a new podcast FSP PorcChat on Mondays, and is a frequent guest on libertarian podcasts. She has appeared on WMUR, CNN, and Fox News, been featured in GQ and Playboy, been quoted in The Economist, and has discussed libertarianism on the BBC.Carla serves on several educational nonprofit boards, including the Free State Project, Right-to-Know NH, and the Foundation for New Hampshire Independence. She has organized the Porcupine Freedom Festival four times, including hosting PorcFest during 2020. Carla has run as the Republican/Libertarian candidate for NH Senate three times against an entrenched Establishment incumbent, garnering 45% of the vote in 2020. In 2014, Carla won a landmark 1st Amendment, First Circuit court case affirming the right to film police encounters. She was named one of NH Magazine’s “Remarkable Women” the same year.Carla lives with her husband of 27 years and their rescued dog in a 1950s atomic ranch in West Manchester. Her life motto is: Live free and thrive! Mari Fontaine We Heart West ( less ) ( more ) Mari Fontaine relocated from California to New Hampshire in 2017. She champions community building as her favorite form of activism. Mari has been lead organizer of Liberty Ladies Nights, the Quill Chili Cook-Off, and the Libertarians vs Republicans Charity Hockey Game. She also serves as president of We Heart West, a non-profit focused on improving West Manchester through neighborhood cleanups, educational events, community gardens, and community days such as the annual West Manchester Day celebration and their Halloween Trunk or Treat.Professionally, Mari applies her 15 years of construction management experience to assist in her husband’s outdoor design build business. She has also recently started her own business, Atlas Lead Inspections, where she provides lead-based paint inspections in New Hampshire.Beyond her professional endeavors, Mari is an avid homeschool parent, teaching unique subjects like Food History and How to Be a Ninja at her son’s local homeschool co-op. In her leisure time, Mari enjoys exploring the outdoors, kayaking on the Piscataquog River in summer, and ice skating on Dorrs Pond in winter. Eric Brakey Maine State Senator; Executive Director, Free State Project ( less ) ( more ) Eric is the Executive Director of the Free State Project. Eric started in politics as an activist and eventual Maine State Director for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign. After taking the Maine Republican Party by storm and winning the state for Dr. Paul at the Maine GOP Convention, Brakey went on to win a seat in the Maine State Senate, becoming the youngest state senator in America at the age of 26.Across his three terms of office, Senator Brakey led successful efforts to pass Constitutional Carry, Right to Try, welfare reform, market reforms to Maine's medical cannabis program, and a variety of other policy initiatives. Senator Brakey ran as the Maine Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and Secretary of State in 2021.Eric Brakey is currently completing his final term of office in the Maine Senate, after which he has declared his intent to move to New Hampshire. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière Chairman, New Hampshire Independence PAC ( less ) ( more ) Matt is the Chairman of the New Hampshire Independence Political Action Committee, a state-registered political committee dedicated to supporting legislators and promoting legislation leading to a sovereign New Hampshire.Matt is a former Air Force Officer and earned a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Derek Proulx Defend the Guard ( less ) ( more ) Derek is a NH native, an avid outdoorsman, a three times finisher of the challenging NH 48 4000 Footer List, nature photographer, beer brewer, and a veteran Sergeant of the NH Army National Guard, where he served 6 years in Bravo Battery 3-197th Field Artillery as a HIMARS crew chief.Currently, Derek is the Grassroots Engagement Director for Americans For Prosperity—NH, a national liberty grassroots political organization. Outside of AFP, Derek volunteered for several NH liberty organizations including the Free State Project, NHLA and is the State Director of the NH chapter of BringOurTroopsHome which focuses on Defend The Guard Legislation. Stephen Villee Club 75 Alliance ( less ) ( more ) The Founder of the Club75 Alliance, Stephen is a software engineer who enjoys hiking, yoga, and traveling to see solar eclipses. He previously served as treasurer of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance and currently serves as treasurer of the Free State Project. He produced a YouTube video called “Proclivity for Taxing Income” about secession as a way to be free of federal income tax.Stephen moved to New Hampshire from New York City in 2003. Stephen Nass Free State Food Network ( less ) ( more ) A dynamic force at the intersection of freedom and the food industry, Stephen has dedicated his career to championing liberty in the culinary world. As a proud owner of the Independence Inn, which contains the renowned Heartwood Restaurant and is a haven for freedom enthusiasts, Stephen has created a destination that not only tantalizes taste buds but also nourishes the spirit of liberty.Beyond the kitchen, Stephen is one of the visionary founders and chair of the board at the Shell, a thriving community center for libertarians, fostering a space where ideas flourish and individuals unite in the pursuit of freedom. In his role as the Founder and Executive Director of the Free State Food Network, Stephen has orchestrated a movement that goes beyond the plate, shaping the landscape of New Hampshire's food industry with a commitment to liberty.Stephen is currently transforming a homestead in the Moose Mountains region into a symbol of self-sufficiency and freedom with his family. Dominic DeMaria Porcupine Real Estate ( less ) ( more ) After several years in food service, Dominic made the leap to being a REALTOR so that he can have the flexibility to continue his activism and involvement with the community. Dominic loves country life and helping people find homes in smaller, rural towns where they have nothing but peace and quiet. He also enjoys working with people who want to buy land and build tiny homes.The Free State Project values and principles resonated with him and his wife, so they visited New Hampshire, went to a Free State Project potluck, and decided then and there that the community was what they were looking for.Dominic moved to New Hampshire during the pandemic in 2020. Travis Corcoran NH State Legislator ( less ) ( more ) Travis Corcoran is a software engineer, an entrepreneur, a New Hampshire state legislator, a ten year veteran of the Free State Project (mover number 1,300), and an author.His first novel, The Powers of the Earth, won the Prometheus Award for libertarian science fiction. His second novel, Causes of Separation, won the same award the following year. His two volume homesteading book Escape the City has sold over 10,000 copies. Josh Yokela State Representative Upzone NH ( less ) ( more ) Representative Josh Yokela has been representing the towns of Fremont, Brentwood, and Daville at the NH State House since 2018. He has served on the Town of Fremont’s Zoning Board since 2017. Yokela is currently on the Municipal and County Government Committee, and the Special Committee on Housing. Carolann McVeigh Fenton ( less ) ( more ) Carolann's career spans across numerous ventures, notably as the Co-Founder and COO of Chainstone Labs and Watchdog Capital, a FINRA member broker-dealer involved in merging traditional finance with Bitcoin. She has held significant roles in Atlantic Financial, Inc., and Bank of America, where she served as COO and Portfolio Manager, respectively.In the cryptocurrency realm, she is recognized as the Co-Host and Managing Director of the Satoshi Roundtable, an exclusive gathering of cryptocurrency leaders. Additionally, she plays a key role in organizing the Free State Blockchain Event in New Hampshire, which merges libertarian principles with blockchain innovation and attracts a wide audience annually. Carolann is also actively involved in philanthropy, serving on the board of the Free State Project and her church, while also contributing to U.S. political campaigns, including those of Presidential candidates. Constance Spencer Independence Realty Group ( less ) ( more ) Constance is the team lead for Independence Realty Group, a real estate team composed completely of Free State project movers. Her team is part of Coldwell Banker Realty, combining personalized service with a major brokerage support. Prior to becoming a real estate agent, she was an accountant for real estate investors.She is an early mover for the Free State Project moving from Alaska in 2014 with her four children. In Alaska she was learning self-reliance by turning her small acreage home into a homestead through permaculture and raising chickens, ducks, turkeys, and pigs. She was also active in the home birth community and has always allowed her children education freedom which has included homeschooling, trade schools, and charter schools.Constance has also been a real estate investor since her early twenties when she rented her single family home in Ohio and moved to Alaska. Her and her partner currently have 13 rental units. Her passion is for helping others navigate home ownership and real estate investing. She’s just as comfortable talking about peaceful parenting as she is discussing holding real estate in retirement accounts and sees both as paths to liberty. Aaron Day Brownstone Fellow ( less ) ( more ) An accomplished entrepreneur, investor, author, and political activist with nearly 30 years of experience across sectors including e-commerce, healthcare, blockchain, AI, and clean tech. As a fellow at the Brownstone Institute and Chairman/CEO of the Daylight Freedom Foundation, Aaron passionately advances freedom and individual liberty. His political activism was sparked in 2008 due to regulatory impacts on his healthcare business, leading him to roles in political and non-profit advocacy for liberty. Aaron authored “The Final Countdown” highlighting the risks of CBDCs, and campaigned for the 2024 Republican Presidential nomination to oppose CBDCs, influencing high-profile discussions on the subject. Jason Gerhard NH State Representative ( less ) ( more ) Jason Gerhard is a New Hampshire State Representative serving the people of Northfield and Franklin. This year he is running for sheriff of Merrimack County due to his belief that the greatest threat to the people of New Hampshire is the tyrannical and incompetent federal government. Joël Valenzuela Dash ( less ) ( more ) Joël works in business development and marketing for Dash. A cryptocurrency user and advocate since 2013, he has been living entirely on crypto since 2015. He is a mover for the Free State Project and creates content for Digital Cash Network. Patrick Holland Missouri Freedom Initiative ( less ) ( more ) Patrick has been a significant figure in Missouri politics for over two decades. His journey began in 1999, actively contributing to the pro-life movement with organizations like Missouri Right to Live and Voice for Life. In 2019, recognizing the threats to the Second Amendment, Patrick played a pivotal role in advocating for Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act, passed in 2021—a landmark in state legislation.Following this success, he established the Missouri Freedom Initiative, focusing on silver and gold legal tender laws and assisting other states with similar legislation. With over 2,500 members, his organization actively engages in legislative training and advocacy, aiming to uphold constitutional rights for Missouri’s six million residents. Nolan Pelletier ( less ) ( more ) Nolan isn't just the owner of OHM Electric; he is genuinely committed to attracting tradesmen to New Hampshire. As a second-generation electrician, he brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table. OHM Electric, founded in 2015, is a testament to his dedication to the trade and to building a thriving business in the Granite State. He highlights the importance of skilled labor in shaping NH's future. Through his experiences, he offers practical advice and encouragement for tradesmen considering a move to the Granite State. Marian L. Ward Producter, NH Liberty Forum '24 ( less ) ( more ) Marian’s background is a mixture of politics and academics. She spent nearly a decade working on political campaigns, including Ron Paul’s ’08 and ’12 campaigns and almost two decades in nonprofit work. She holds a BA and an MA in communication and has taught communication courses at the college level for several years. Currently, Marian works for an online business management firm consulting for small nonprofits and businesses and assists in development for a larger nonprofit in New Hampshire. She fell in love with New Hampshire at Liberty Forum 2010 and is thrilled to serve as producer for Liberty Forum 2024.Marian grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast in a little town called Santa Fe, about halfway between Houston and Galveston, but after several years in the DC area and Arkansas near family, currently lives in Concord, NH.She wants you to know she loves her shelter mutt, Red Molly, coffee, camping in the Eager Beaver II, Pittsburgh Steeler football, and her plethora of nieces and nephews. Kumar Bukkapatnam Standard Management ( less ) ( more ) Kumar Bukkapatnam is the principal at Standard Management, an asset tokenization firm that enables institutions to digitize traditional assets to increase liquidity, as well as enabling a truly independent on-chain settlement mechanism. Kumar's background is in applied key cryptography and quantitative trading, supplemented by his early involvement in Bitcoin (and broader cryptocurrency) circles. Tammy Simmons Garthwaite ( less ) ( more ) Having escaped the evil empire state of New York years before the Free State Project was even an idea and for many of the same reasons many Freestaters move to NH, Tammy has been a small-l-libertarian conservative activist for decades.Tammy represented West Manchester constituents as their State Representative for two terms, was Director of Operations for Rand Paul for President, helped elect the first Republican Alderman ever in Manchester’s Ward 10, and worked on endless campaigns - from school board and alderman to mayor, governor, US Senate and president. Tammy also coordinated the collections of thousands of petition signatures that ultimately led to Manchester’s tax and spending caps. She is a member of the NH Federation of Republican Women, a longtime NHGOP state committee member, served for many years as chair of the Manchester GOP, and is a founder and board member of the Friends of Piscataquog River Park.Outside of politics, Tammy enjoys camping, kayaking, traveling and home improvement projects. While they search for their next home on the water here in NH, she resides in West Manchester with her husband Dan, Jenny the rescue dog, and Bailey the cat. Marco Capaldi 5 Day Tiny ( less ) ( more ) Marco is a financial representative with over 20 years experience in the financial services and insurance industries and his advanced knowledge of how true wealth works is an incredible asset to his clients, whom he coaches daily in many areas. Marco represents 5 Day Tiny, personalized tiny homes blending innovation with lasting comfort.A native of the North Providence, RI area, Marco is an avid boater and fisherman, enjoys the Narragansett Bay as well as spending time at his second home in the White Mountains of NH. He is a father of two girls and married to a public servant in the town of Warren, RI. Chris Pacia Jack Garber Independence Realty Group ( less ) ( more ) Jack specializes in helping his clients find their way Home. Becoming a Realtor® was a natural progression for Jack. As a former CPA and Attorney with international experience, Jack is an expert in real estate transactions and negotiations. Jack is a team member of Independence Realty Group, the innovator of the Independence Inn, sponsor of the Liberty Bus tours. host of the SHELL’s monthly New Movers Potluck, and host of FSP Calling Parties. Daniel Diaz Citizens for Sound Money ( less ) ( more ) A fervent advocate for civil liberties and financial freedom, Daniel Diaz is a first-generation Cuban American. He has dedicated his career to empowering individuals through financial education and political activism. With a background as a stockbroker and financial advisor, he has always been committed to helping others navigate the complexities of finance.Initially skeptical about Bitcoin, Daniel’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to delve into the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Once he recognized their potential to revolutionize not only finance but also individual and political freedom, he embraced these emerging technologies. Today, Daniel applies his extensive knowledge and passion to advocate for sound money principles, championing the cause of financial freedom in the digital age. Ben Woosley READY TO JOIN US? 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