Eric D. Hargan is the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the health and well-being of the American people, and as the largest department in the federal government has an annual budget in excess of $1.3 trillion and over 80,000 employees across 26 divisions. As Deputy Secretary, he is the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and management of the department in addition to leading policy and strategy development.

Mr. Hargan was sworn into office as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on October 6, 2017. He immediately served as Acting Secretary of HHS from October 2017 to January 2018.

From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Hargan served at HHS in a variety of capacities, including holding the position of Acting Deputy Secretary. During his tenure at HHS, Mr. Hargan also served as the Department’s Regulatory Policy Officer, where he oversaw the development and approval of all HHS, CMS, and FDA regulations and significant guidances.

He received his B.A. cum laude from Harvard University, and his J.D. from Columbia University Law School, where he was Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review. In between his tours of duty at HHS Mr. Hargan taught at Loyola Law School in Chicago, focusing on administrative law and healthcare regulations.

Mr. Hargan was born and raised in Mounds, Illinois, a small town of approximately 800 located in the southern county of Pulaski. He currently lives in Virginia with his wife and their two sons.

Matt Schlapp is the Chairman of the American Conservative Union, the nation’s original grassroots conservative organization. During his five-year tenure as chairman, ACU has almost tripled in size, expanded CPAC to reach 25 million live viewers and 1 billion Twitter impressions at the most recent CPAC. ACU also hosts dozens of additional events, including Battleground CPACs in the US and international CPACs abroad.
 
Schlapp worked as a Regional Political Director for George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign in Austin, Texas, including the duration of the Florida recount, and served as the White House Political Director during the president’s re-election.
 
Schlapp’s congressional experience began during the historic Republican wave of 1994 in which he served U.S. Representative from Kansas Todd Tiahrt (ACUF Lifetime 98%) eventually as Chief of Staff.
 
Schlapp is co-chair of Catholics for Trump, a regular commentator in media and has been a contributor to The Hill.
 
Schlapp is a member of the Order of the Knights of Malta and serves on the Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America. He is a graduate of University of Notre Dame, where he started a conservative student magazine, and earned an M.P.A. at Wichita State University.
 
Matt and his wife Mercedes have five young daughters and are parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House and 2012 presidential candidate. He is a Fox News contributor and author of thirty-six books, including fifteen New York Times bestsellers. Through Gingrich Productions, he has also produced and hosted documentary films. Recent films include The First American and Nine Days that Changed the World.