Brad Close is President of NFIB, the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization. As NFIB’s chief executive officer, Brad focuses on advancing NFIB’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and through the organization’s unmatched 50-state network and grassroots operation.

David S. Addington is Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Addington provides legal advice and assistance to the NFIB President and staff on matters of corporate governance and operation as well as legal issues relating to legislative, policy, political, and regulatory affairs. In addition, he serves as NFIB Corporate Secretary, manages and monitors all NFIB litigation, and oversees and supports the efforts of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center.

Prior to joining NFIB, Addington was group vice president for research at The Heritage Foundation. He has held senior positions in the federal government, where he served as an assistant general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency and as special assistant and then deputy assistant to the president for legislative affairs at the White House during the Reagan administration. He went on to serve in the Department of Defense as special assistant to the secretary and deputy secretary of defense and then as general counsel during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Addington later served as counsel and then chief of staff to Vice President Richard B. Cheney. And prior to his work in the executive branch, he served for four congressional committees, as minority staff director, chief counsel, or counsel.

Addington has served in the private sector as well, as senior vice president and general counsel at the American Trucking Associations and as an attorney in private practice working at two of the nation’s leading law firms, Holland & Knight and Baker Donelson.

Addington received a bachelor of science degree in foreign service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a law degree from the Duke University School of Law. He is admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Addington is the recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the Department of the Army Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, the Department of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service, and the Intelligence Commendation Medal.

John Casella oversees NFIB’s membership development activities in both the field and telephone operations, with responsibility for acquiring and renewing members to support a $100 million revenue budget. Casella joined NFIB in 1990 as a field sales representative and also served as a division manager and region sales director before being promoted to Senior VP of Sales in 2010. In 1995, he was inducted into the NFIB Sales Hall of Fame.

Previously, Casella was a managing partner in his own small businesses, Advanced Auto Electronics/City Wide Auto Glass of Dartmouth, MA. He also served in the United States Air Force and on the boards of numerous local organizations, including Junior Achievement of Southeastern Massachusetts, the New Bedford, MA Area Chamber of Commerce, the New Bedford, MA Exchange Club, and Allendale Country Club in Dartmouth, MA.

Casella graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth. John resides in McLean, VA with his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Kasey & Lauren.

As Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, Chris Pitts oversees the administration of NFIB’s Washington, DC office and serves as assistant secretary to the board of directors and as a member of the executive team.

Pitts started her career with NFIB in 1982. She previously served in the U.S. Senate office of Sen. Alfonse D’Amato of New York and in the state and local department of the National Rifle Association. She lives with her family in Bowie, MD where she serves as a volunteer at a number of community events.

Jeff Smith is the Senior Vice President and CFO for NFIB. He oversees all financial activities for NFIB and affiliated companies. Additionally, he oversees the administrative support departments which include Information Technology, Human Resources, and Facilities Management.

Prior to joining NFIB in 1997, Jeff worked for Willis Corroon International Insurance agency in Corporate Finance. After starting his career at the Federal Reserve Bank Nashville Branch, Jeff became a partner in a family owned small business.

Jeff is a Native Nashvillian and graduated from Tennessee State University. He currently serves on the Board of Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee and is an advisor to several local Nashville nonprofit charities.

Adam Temple is Vice President, Advocacy for NFIB. In this role, Adam oversees the organization’s media relations, marketing, digital, and online communications.

Adam came to NFIB from JDA Frontline, a full service public affairs firm. He previously served on the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain and as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint. He started his career at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Adam is a native of South Carolina and a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He lives in Alexandria, Va. with his wife and children.

As vice president of human resources, Connor is responsible for all human resources policies, programs, and services for the organization. Areas of responsibility include employment, compensation, employee relations, health and welfare, safety, organization development and learning, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Since her leadership appointment at NFIB in 2002, she has been instrumental in integrating human resources initiatives into the strategic goals of the organization. Connor has over 25 years of experience in administration, management, and human resources. She holds a degree in business administration and a senior professional human resources designation.

She is an active member of the national and local chapters of the Society of Human Resource Management and currently serves on several senior HR roundtables in Middle Tennessee and Washington, D.C.