Mike O’Connell – Chief Executive Officer
Mike O’Connell brings extensive statewide, Congressional, and municipal campaign and program management experience to Rocky Mountain Voter Outreach (RMVO). While Mike has contributed to the success of countless campaigns, one effort that he is especially proud to have managed is the combined volunteer and paid signature collection effort for the historic recalls of the Jefferson County School Board. RMVO trained volunteers in systems and best practices developed through numerous petition campaigns, resulting in a signature validity rate over 90 percent, and program completion in one-third of the estimated time. Also noteworthy, Mike conducted a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) project in Pueblo, Colorado, with the AFL-CIO’s Workers’ Voice program to expand the reach of labor’s important voter contact program to Democratic base voters.
In the most recent election cycle, Mike managed the petition circulation process for two statewide ballot measures, the first cycle requiring signature collection in all 35 Colorado State Senate districts. Additionally, Mike is responsible for RMVO’s sister company, Donor Development Strategies, which conducts a nationwide fundraising canvass program for Public Broadcast affiliates.
Mike previously worked for the Colorado AFL-CIO, serving as the member program director in 2012. There he was responsible for all voter contact, member mobilization, release staff program, worksite program, campaign metrics, and accountability reporting. He is a targeting and data management expert, which, when combined with extensive experience running field campaigns, ensures that every project is uniquely tailored to its specific needs.