Joe Stanton
Senior Staff Vice President and Chief Lobbyist
In his role as Senior Staff Vice President of Legislative and Political Relations, Joe oversees the operations of all federal and state legislative and political-based outreach for the association and is responsible for promoting policies that keep housing a national priority. Before rejoining NAHB in 2004, he held numerous government affairs positions, including serving as Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at the Beer Institute, principal partner in the consulting firm Legislative Strategies Group, where he advocated on tax, trade, and health issues, and as a Senior Congressional Representative at NAHB in the late 1980s. In addition, he has several years of legislative experience working on Capitol Hill, including his tenure as a Legislative Manager in the office of the Doorkeeper of the U.S. House of Representatives. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Catholic University of America.

Stephen Gallagher
Staff Vice President
Recently named Staff Vice President, Stephen Gallagher oversees the operations of all state and local government affairs and political operations. Prior to joining NAHB, Steve was Assistant Vice President for State and Local Affairs at the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).  Additionally, Steve served as a senior government affairs consultant for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, DC.  Before AIA, Steve served as Manager of Government Relations for Owens Corning, where he focused on state government relations. He also worked for former U.S. Senator Robert Kasten, Jr. for 10 years both in Wisconsin and in Washington, D.C. as a senior staff member. Steve holds a BA in Communications with interdisciplinary minors in Political Science and German from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

Sam Leyvas
Assistant Staff Vice President
As NAHB’s Assistant Staff Vice President of State & Local Political Operations, Sam directs the development and implementation of state and local government & political affairs programs and services for NAHB members and affiliates. In his previous role as regional field director for NAHB, Sam conducted government relations assessments for state and local associations and worked directly with affiliates in strengthening their overall advocacy efforts. Prior to joining NAHB, Sam was a lobbyist in Arizona’s public university system, representing clients from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and The University of Arizona. Sam is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute and holds a BS in Political Science and Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University.  He holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.

Ashley Feaster
Senior Political Field Director
As one of NAHB’s senior political field directors, Ashley coordinates the development and implementation of political and grassroots campaign programs at the local, state, and national levels. She has political experience in grassroots organization, ballot initiatives, survey research, campaign management, voter identification and targeting, voter contact, Get-Out-The-Vote programs, and fundraising. Ashley's political campaign experience includes grassroots organization, Get-Out-The-Vote activities, and volunteer coordination for the Clinton/Gore 1996 Presidential Campaign, U.S. Congresswoman Karen Thurman, and the Alachua County, FL 1996 Coordinated Campaign. Ashley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and earned a Masters degree in political management from The George Washington University.

Carlos Gutiérrez
Director of Industry Relations
As the National Association of Home Builder’s Director of Industry Relations operating within NAHB’s Government Affairs Division, Carlos focuses on establishing and maintaining the organization’s external affairs/political outreach efforts by serving as the lead representative to groups like the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the Democratic and Republican Governors Associations, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments, the State Legislative Leaders Foundation,  and many others.  Prior to joining NAHB, Mr. Gutierrez was on the governmental affairs staff for both the Texas Association of Builders and the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin.  He also served as a neighborhood housing consultant for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs during the construction of the SBC Center in San Antonio.

Carlos earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University in Electronic Media and Communications.  Later he went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Gerry Keegan
Director of State & Local Government Affairs
Gerry Keegan is NAHB’s Director of State & Local Government Affairs. Before joining NAHB, Gerry was state legislative affairs manager for a medical specialty society, where he managed and directed its state legislative, regulatory, and grassroots advocacy program. Additionally, he previously served as regulatory counsel at Stateside Associates, the leading national state government relations consulting firm.  Gerry received his law degree from Syracuse University and completed his undergraduate degree at Gettysburg College.

Alex Strong
Manager, State and Local Government Affairs
As NAHB’s Manager of State & Local Government Affairs, Alex manages the development and implementation of state and local government affairs programs for NAHB’s state & local affiliates.  Prior to joining NAHB, Alex worked as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Republican Governors Public Policy Committee.   He also served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Republican Governors Association.  Alex graduated with a BA in Economics from Virginia Tech.  

Pilar O’Brien
Staff Assistant
Pilar O’Brien recently joined NAHB as Staff Assistant for the State and Local Political Operations Area. Formerly a marketing analyst for TIG Global, LLC, Pilar jumped careers to come to NAHB, where she assists with the day-to-day operations of the state and local staff. Before TIG Global, she worked in the Communications Department at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as in the Marketing Department for DC United Men’s Soccer. In 2004, Pilar graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University, where she also completed certificates in Professional Writing, English, and Spanish.