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Meet our Advisory Team!
Our advisory board for the Arizona Young Republicans Federation serves as a diverse and experienced group of individuals who offer strategic guidance, mentorship, and expertise to the organization. Committed to fostering the growth and development of young conservative leaders, this board plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Arizona Republican Party by providing valuable insights, support, and direction to the next generation of Republican activists and leaders. Their collective wisdom and guidance help ensure that the Arizona Young Republicans remain a strong and influential force in advancing conservative principles and values in the state.
Austin Smith
Strategic Director
Turning Point Action
Former Chairman, 2020-2023
Arizona Young Republicans Federation
Austin Smith a 5th generation Arizonan whose family pioneered to the Grand Canyon State in 1902. He served as Chairman of the Arizona Young Republicans from 2020-2023. Austin was a member-at-large for Congressional District 9 for the Republican Party of Arizona from 2023-2025. Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022, Smith is the Youngest Republican in state history to serve in the state legislature where he was Secretary of the Arizona Freedom Caucus and the chief of sponsor of HCR2033 that prohibited jungle primaries and ranked choice voting in Arizona. The effort successfully helped stop another ballot referral that would have brought jungle primaries to Arizona. As Strategic Director at Turning Point Action, Austin oversees the Scorecard and policy shop for conservative positions on policy nationwide.
He and his wife Amy live in Buckeye, Arizona where they own Ace in the Hole Strategy LLC. specializing in guided quail hunts and cattle. In their free time, you can find the Smith’s at the lake, hunting, fishing, golfing or enjoying the outdoors.
Tyler Bowyer
Chief Operations Officer
Turning Point Action
Tyler Bowyer is a 7th-generation Arizonan and conservative activist. He got his start in politics after returning from missionary service to Russia, igniting a strong desire to combat Marxist-Leninist philosophy from entering the American political mainstream. Tyler immediately joined College Republicans where he served as President of one of the largest chapters in the US. Following that, he was tapped by Governor Jan Brewer to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents.
Tyler has served as Precinct Committeeman, Congressional Advisory Chairman, Legislative District Chairman, County Chairman of the largest Republican-held County in America and helped organize and host the first “Trump Rally” in July of 2015.
Tyler joined Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA in 2015 later becoming Chief Operating Officer overseeing the nation’s largest and most impactful field program, organizing some of the nation’s largest activist events and reaching hundreds of millions in digital initiatives. In 2019, he took on the role of COO of Turning Point Action the 501(c)(4) organization.
Nancy Cottle
Board Member
Arizona Coalition of School Board Members
Former 1st Vice Chair
Arizona Federation of Republican Women
Nancy Cottle has been involved for over a decade in the Republican Party of Arizona. In 2018, she was elected as 2nd Vice Chair on the Maricopa County Republican Committee, with responsibility as interface with the clubs in the county. In 2020, she was delegate for the 2020 Republican Convention and an elector for the Republican Party of Arizona. She looks forward to continuing to work in the district and state in support of American First candidates and principles.
In 2023, she was re-elected to a second term as Member-At-Large, representing Congressional District 5, and has served as chairwoman for several committees and other special projects over the past 5 years.
She recently completed a second term as the 1st Vice-President of the Arizona Federation of Republican Woman (AzFRW), with responsibilities for planning and execution of statewide programs. Prior, she served on the AzFRW board as Region Director, representing Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa and Tempe Clubs. She held leadership positions in her home club in Mesa and is currently serving as 1st VP of Programs.
Nancy now serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members, a 501C3, founded as an alternative to traditional school board associations. The mission focuses on helping students reach their highest potential through quality school board governance.
She holds an M.A. in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in Education from Kent State University. She is a retired executive from The Boeing Company and a former small business owner. Ms. Cottle has been active in her community for over a decade in many volunteer and political capacities.
She is passionate about serving on our advisory board to mentor, coach, and guide our next generation of leaders. Nancy and her husband reside in the East Valley and enjoy time spent at their lake house in Tonto Basin.
Matt Gress
LD 4 Representative
Arizona House of Representatives
Matt Gress is a former public school teacher, school board member and an active member of the local community. He is passionate about public service and solving problems. As our state representative, Matt will work with both sides – Republicans and Democrats – to find solutions to issues such as reducing the cost of living, increasing teacher pay, reducing crime and addressing Arizona’s water crisis.
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From 2017 to 2021, Matt served as a Governing Board Member in the Madison Elementary School District. While on the board, Matt fought to keep schools open during COVID-19, supported increased school choice and advocated for parents and taxpayers to have a seat at the table in curriculum, hiring decisions and budgeting, including expensive procurement contracts.
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Matt is a proud Rotarian and past president of the Phoenix-Arcadia Rotary Club, a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Fellow, a former board member of the Madison Education Foundation, and previously served as a commissioner on the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Jake Hoffman
LD 15 Senator
Arizona State Senate
Jake is currently serving the people of Arizona as an elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives, including as the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Government and Elections and member of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Previously, Jake has served his community and state on the Higley School Board, the Queen Creek Town Council, as chairman of the largest local Republican Party in Arizona, delegate to the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions, including as a member of the Credentials Committee for the RNC in 2020, as a member of the Fifth Congressional District’s Education Advisory Council.
Professionally, Jake is the President and CEO of multiple public policy, technology, marketing and communications strategy-focused small businesses. His nationally recognized work has given him the opportunity to advise elected officials, including members of Congress, the Senate, and a U.S. President, among countless corporate leaders, non-profits and policy-oriented organizations.
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