The Future of America is at the Lincoln Dinner
The theme of the 143rd Anniversary Lincoln Dinner is “The new golden era for America and the Republican Party.” The presentation of the “Future of America Awards” to three exemplary Young Republicans whose awesome energy, enthusiasm, and talent, will be the highlight of the dinner ceremonies, and will inspire everyone attending with great hope and promise for the future of America. Michael Conigliaro, the Managing Director of the Italian American Federation of Brooklyn and Queens, and mentor to one of the honorees, will present the prestigious awards, from America’s oldest Republican Club, to Nicole L. Weingartner, Chief of Staff of the New York State Young Republicans, Ryan J. Girdusky, President of the Middle Village Republican Club, and Michael Jannis, Legal Assistant at the law offices of Parola & Gross, LLP.
Read their complete biographies below or in the Lincoln Dinner Journals which will be distributed on Sunday, March 18th, the day of the gala event.
Nicole Weingartner
Nicole L. Weingartner is a graduate of Monmouth University (2009), where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Criminal Justice & Music Industry) and Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology (2015) where she received a Bachelor of Science in Airport Management & Air Traffic Control.
Mrs. Weingartner is experienced in the government sector, previously working as a Web Communications Specialist for New York State Senator Kemp Hannon, as well as a Regional Coordinator of Intergovernmental Relations for New York State Assembly Minority Leader, Brian Kolb. Currently, she is the Associate Director, State Government Affairs at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP.
Nicole has been a leader within many political and civic organizations outside of the workplace, currently serving as the Chief of Staff of the New York State Young Republicans, Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the New York Young Republican Club, Inc., Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Committee, the School of Politics Committee as well as on the Board of Governors of the Women’s National Republican Club, Chairman of the New York State Federation of Republican Women’s Legislative Committee as well as a member of Viscardi Advisory Council.
Over the years, Nicole has been awarded the Young Republican National Federation’s Woman of the Year Award, the New York State Young Republican of the Year Award, the New York State Federation of Republican Women’s Woman of the Year Award, and recognized on City & State’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars (Albany) list.
Nicole lives in Astoria, Queens with her husband, Executive Director of the New York Republican State Committee, Jason S. Weingartner, their Dachshund (Lady) and two turtles (Timothy & Crimea). They are expecting a baby boy this July.
Ryan Girdusky
Ryan Girdusky is a native New Yorker who’s worked as a writer, pundit, and on numerous campaigns across the country including Bob Turner for Congress, Liberty for All Super PAC, and most recently Bob Holden for City Council. He is the chief strategist for two political consulting firms, the Logan Circle Group and The Yorkville Group.
His articles have been featured in The American Conservative Magazine, American Spectator, Breitbart, Daily Caller, Human Events, FoxNews.com, National Interest, Red Alert Politics, The Federalist, Washington Times, Townhall.com, and The Washington Examiner. He’s been a guest on multiple television and radio shows including BBC, BBC America, Cavuto, Hannity, Making Money with Charles Payne, Fox and Friends, New Day, The Beat with Ari Melber, The Liz Wheeler Show, Tomi Lahren Show, Lars Lars Larson, The Wilkow Majority, The David Webb Show, and Armstrong & Getty to name a few.
Michael Jannis
My name is Michael Jannis and I am currently 20 years old, I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I currently attend Nassau Community College where I am studying for my Liberal Arts Associates Degree. For my Bachelors, I plan on transferring to Adelphi University to study economics. My ultimate dream is to one day become an elected official and serve my constituents to the best of my ability, and maybe, one day become President.
My work in politics all began when I was 14 years old where I received an intern position at Congressman Peter T. Kings office and worked for him for about 3 years. Before entering I had very little knowledge of the political world, by the time I was in the 7th grade I knew I would like to work in politics and become a politician one day but I never knew where I would end up. Then in 2014 I received the news that a really good friend of my father was running for New York State Senate and was looking for help on his campaign and that man’s name is Michael Conigliaro. Through working on Michaels campaign, I learned the ins and outs of politics, community affairs, and social media expertise. Michael had also become a mentor and father like figure to me, teaching me basically everything I know about community relations, politics, and loyalty. Seeing my dedication and hard work, Michael had made me his Deputy Campaign Manager on both of his Senate Races knowing that I was fully capable of any work thrown at me.
Later, when Michael Conigliaro then became the Executive Director for the Queens County GOP he brought me on as his social media adviser letting me take the reigns of the county social media platforms where with the rest of our team, Ryan, Fred, Gabe, Joan, and Angela all built up the counties social media platforms to a level where they had never been before.
I also served a short time as the Director of Communications for an education special interest group called New Yorkers United for Kids who fight for a clean Common Core repeal in the state of New York. Currently, I work as a Legal Assistant at the law offices of Parola & Gross, LLP. a matrimonial and estate planning law firm in Wantagh, New York.
When I’m not working or going to school some of my favorite things to do are being with my amazing family and friends, reading a good book, going to the gun range, going camping, playing Xbox, and so much more. I would not have made it where I am now without my family and friends, they all have been so overwhelmingly supportive of my endeavors and always push me to go further and reach higher goals, I am so grateful for them.
