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.

He has worked as in Emergency Medicine in both Virginia and Montana. He has
practiced Family Medicine for nearly 25 years, currently employed by Valley Health
System with offices in Luray and Washington, VA.

Brooke has been married to his wife, Ann , for 35 years. Together, they have 4
children and 4 grandchildren. While his first love is his family, he is passionate
about cattle and agriculture as well as health, wellness and preventive medicine. In
his spare time, he is an avid crossfitter.

Brooke is the 8th generation of his family to live in Washington, VA where carries on
the family’s purebred Angus cattle operation, Ginger Hill Angus. Through his passion
for cattle and farming, he became active in the United States Cattlemen’s
Association, now serving at the organization’s president.

Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Virginia Tech Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of
Science in Biology, 1982.
National Champion, beef cattle judging , member of the Livestock Judging Team at
Virginia Tech.
Graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1986.

Robert E. Lighthizer was sworn in as the 18th United States Trade Representative (USTR) on May 15, 2017.

An experienced trade negotiator and litigator, Ambassador Lighthizer brings a history of tough U.S. trade enforcement and a record of standing up for American workers, farmers, manufacturers, and businesses.

At the time he was chosen by President Trump to serve as USTR, Ambassador Lighthizer was a partner at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Skadden), where he practiced international trade law for over 30 years. His work there on behalf of American workers and businesses in the heavy manufacturing, agricultural, high-tech, and financial services industries opened markets to U.S. exports and defended U.S. industries from unfair trade practices. He was lead counsel for scores of trade enforcement cases and was a well-known advocate for the type of “America First” trade policies supported by President Trump.

Before joining Skadden, Ambassador Lighthizer served as Deputy USTR for President Ronald Reagan. During his tenure, Ambassador Lighthizer negotiated over two dozen bilateral international agreements, including agreements on steel, automobiles, and agricultural products. As Deputy USTR, he also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Prior to becoming Deputy USTR, Ambassador Lighthizer was Chief of Staff of the United States Senate Committee on Finance for Chairman Bob Dole. In this position, he was a key player in enacting the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which was the most significant tax reform in decades, as well as the other basic elements of the Reagan economic program.

Ambassador Lighthizer earned a Bachelor’s degree at Georgetown University and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. He is a native of Ashtabula, Ohio and has two children.