Capitol Day is only a few weeks away! Here are the speakers you can expect to hear on February 13th.
Assemblyman James Gallagher has represented California’s Third Assembly District since 2014. Before joining the Assembly, he served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years. James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at UC Berkeley before completing an Assembly Fellowship in Sacramento and a law degree at UC Davis, where he graduated at the top of his class. He advocates for small businesses and farmers in his law practice and is a partner in his family’s farming operation. James is married to his high school sweetheart, Janna; the two live in Sutter County where they are raising their five young children.
Brian D. Ray, Ph.D. is one of the founders of the non-profit research organization NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute), as well as the president. He holds his Ph.D. in science education from Oregon State University, his M.S. in zoology from Ohio University, and his B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Ray has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher in both public and private schools, an undergraduate college professor, and a university professor at the graduate level. He is a leading international expert with regard to homeschool research. Dr. Ray executes and publishes research, speaks to the public, testifies before legislators, and serves as an expert witness in courts.
Nathan Pierce began working at Family Protection Ministries (FPM) in 2002 to protect private homeschooling in California. He was homeschooled himself from kindergarten through high school and received a B.A. in Political Studies from The Master’s College. Currently he serves as the FPM California Director, Legislative Liaison, and conference speaker to homeschool leaders, parents and teens. He works behind the scenes at the State Capitol, meeting with legislators to advocate on behalf of homeschoolers. He and his wife Betsy were married in 2004 and have seven children. They are involved in their church, and homeschool their own children.
Weston Potter is a homeschool graduate from California. He attended Liberty University in Virginia, where he received a B.A. in politics and policy. While in Virginia, he interned for Congressmen Ben Cline (6th district). In California, he interned for both Assemblyman Kevin Kiley and Congressman Tom McClintock. He currently works for Family Protection Ministries as a legislative assistant, monitoring bills introduced by the California legislature.
See more and apply for Virtual Capitol Day here!