2020-21 Cornell Republicans Executive Board
President
Weston is a senior from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and studies Philosophy and Government. On campus, he is the President of the Logos Undergraduate Philosophy Journal, and serves on the board of the Freedom Caucus of the Cornell Political Union. He is also a brother of the Kappa Alpha Pi pre-law fraternity, and was a founding board member of the Cornell ACLU. His personal interests include dramatic writing and reading twentieth century poetry.
Executive Vice President
Matthew Samilow
Class of 2022
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
mas748@cornell.edu
Class of 2022
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
mas748@cornell.edu
Matthew is a junior from Weston, Florida, majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations. He previously served as the organization’s philanthropy chairman. On campus, he sits on the executive boards of Cornellians for Israel and the Center for Jewish Living, is the Chief Whip of the Freedom Caucus in the Cornell Political Union, and is the founding president of the Cornell chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society. This past summer, he interned for the Tikvah Fund in New York City. In his free time, Matthew enjoys drinking coffee, playing tennis, and researching obscure elections.
Vice President of External Operations
Elise is a junior from the south side of Chicago, Illinois. She is studying Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering. In addition to the College Republicans, she is involved in the Cornell Catholic Community as both a participant in services and a retreat leader, is an active member of Combat Robotics @ Cornell, and in Cornell's Society of Women Engineers chapter as a member of the campus outreach committee. She is currently working as an intern for General Motors. When on campus, Elise can often be found taking short naps in cozy spots on the engineering quad, and can be easily recognized by her undying dedication to and support of the Chicago Bears.
Vice President of Internal Operations
Avery Bower is a sophomore from Syracuse, NY. He’s currently majoring in Government but also is interested in exploring his passions in History, Film, and American Studies. In addition to Cornell Republicans, Avery is a proud member of both Cornell Political Union’s Freedom Caucus and Cornell International Affairs Society and a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity. In the past, he has interned for Congressman John Katko and the American Spectator, and also worked at Green Lakes State Park. In his free time, Avery enjoys hiking, beekeeping, and talking incessantly about the latest film he’s seen.
Treasurer
Austin Cochran
Class of 2021
Major: Information Science, Business (Minor), Law & Society (Minor)
asc334@cornell.edu
Class of 2021
Major: Information Science, Business (Minor), Law & Society (Minor)
asc334@cornell.edu
Austin is a senior from Midland, Michigan, and a transfer student from the University of Oklahoma. He is majoring in Information Science and minoring in Law & Society and Business. On campus, he is also involved with the Jesus-loving community of Cru, and plays for Cornell Santos FC. During his free time he can be found sailing on Lake Cayuga or playing card or table games somewhere on campus.
Secretary
Brendan is a senior from Massapequa, New York, majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations. He has previously served as the organization's Social Chair and Vice President of External Operations. He is currently the Floor Leader of the Cornell Political Union's Freedom Caucus as well as a Cornell Tradition fellow. In the past, he has worked for Congressman Peter King, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. In his free time, Brendan enjoys reading, playing video games, and watching Netflix.
