About Us: Team

Team

Kathy Cashel

Kathy Cashel has worked on vpap.org since 2001. She is a full-stack developer, working mostly with nonprofits. Kathy grew up in the DC area and is a graduate of the University of Rochester. She's also a musician long active in the DC punk scene. She and her husband, Greg, live in Mount Rainier, MD.

Mark Carter, II

Director of Development

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Mark Carter II joined VPAP as Director of Development in 2023. He studied Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Toledo in Ohio and has several years of government and fundraising experience. Mark is native of Detroit and is a loyal Michigan Wolverines fan. He and his wife Alex have two poodle mixes Maxwell and Murphy.

Jason Kostyk

Data Engineer

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Jason Kostyk joined VPAP in July 2016 as a Data Engineer. Academically, he graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in International Studies and extensive coursework in biological/physical sciences. His professional background is rooted in Information Technology, specifically on SQL development, database administration, and data engineering.

Max Lee

Visual Developer

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Max Lee joined VPAP in December 2020 as a visual/web developer. He has previously worked as a reporter at the Northern Virginia Daily in Strasburg and received a master's degree in journalism from Stanford University.

Ali Mislowsky

VaNews Coordinator

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Ali Mislowsky joined VPAP as the VaNews Coordinator in December 2016. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and lives in Richmond's Westover Hills.

Chris Piper

Executive Director

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Chris Piper joined VPAP as Executive Director in 2023. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and served as Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Elections from 2018 to 2022. An avid long distance runner, Chris has completed 12 marathons and a half-Ironman. He and his wife have two children and two rescue pit bull pups named Harvey and Crash.

David Poole

Consultant to the Executive Director

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David Poole founded VPAP in 1997 and retired after 26 years of service in July 2023. He is a Florida native and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. He worked as a newspaper reporter from 1983 to 1997. His last assignment was state capital correspondent for The Roanoke Times and Virginian-Pilot. He is an avid cyclist and commuted to work three miles by bicycle, prior to his retirement. He and his wife, Clare, have a son, Tucker.

Rachel Shannon

Office Manager

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Rachel Shannon joined VPAP as the Office Manager in September 2021. She had previously been an intern for VPAP in 2014. Rachel graduated from University of Virginia, and currently lives in Richmond with her dog, Dot!

Michael Stanley

Content Coordinator

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Michael Stanley joined VPAP in September 2018 as a Data Analyst. He graduated from William & Mary with a degree in economics and philosophy, and has previous experience in economic research. He lives with his wife Kharis in Richmond.

Greg Sweeney

Data Analyst

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Greg Sweeney joined VPAP in October 2022 as a Data Analyst. He had previously interned for VPAP in 2016. He currently lives in Glen Allen with his two cats, Salt and Pepper.