Democracy Live LEADERSHIP Team

Bryan Finney, MBA

Founder, President

A native of Seattle, WA, Bryan Finney entered the voting technology world during the Bush/Gore election in 2000. Bryan received his MBA in Technology Marketing and has nearly two decades of experience in the elections and voting technology space. Bryan was nominated and selected as a founding member of the Homeland Security-sponsored Elections Sector Executive Committee. He also Chairs the Elections Sector Emergency Response Group. Bryan has been a speaker at the United Nations, presented to Congress and is a national leader in secure and accessible voting technologies. Starting off as a young staffer in Washington DC and then leading one of the fastest growing Internet companies during the 1990′s, Bryan saw the problems that occurred during the 2000 Gore V Bush election as an opportunity to modernize voting in the U.S. After a decade working in the voting technology space, Bryan merged his political, business and technology background to start Democracy Live in 2007. Through a series of strategic partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon and in collaboration with the University of Washington Center for Technologies and Disabilities, Democracy Live has grown into one of the largest providers of cloud and tablet-based voting technologies in the U.S. Bryan likes to say, “Why not fix the big problems, like improving how 200 million people vote in the U.S.”

Joe Brotherton, JD, CPA

Chairman

Chairman of the Board, Joe Brotherton is a Seattle-based Attorney and CPA. Mr. Brotherton is also a successful entrepreneur across multiple fronts and was named one of Seattle’s “Most Influential” business leaders. Joe is one of the leading investors and thought leaders in the Northwest bringing decades of experience in the technology, legal and investor community. Mr. Brotherton has served on many corporate and philanthropic Boards. Joe is the past President of the University of Washington Law School Foundation, past President of the Attorney-CPA Foundation, past Trustee of Cornish College of the Arts, and past Trustee of the University of Washington School of Business Foster School Foundation. He and his wife, Maureen have five children and helped found the non-profit Teens In Public Service. Joe and Maureen also perform service work in Ethiopia and Uganda. In his spare time, Joe is a longtime volunteer at the prison in Monroe, spending one night a week there with “The Lifers.” Joe describes it as “the best four hours of his week.” Joe started his career as a computer programmer and systems designer and thus has long-standing technological and business experience. As Joe has stated, “Democracy Live will bring efficiency, accuracy, accountability and accessibility to the voting process for every voter in America and every serviceman or woman serving overseas. I am very proud to assist in that effort.”

Joe is a graduate of the University of Washington Business and Law schools where he has taught most of the last 25 years. In addition, he has taught at Seattle University, Cornish College (Ethics and Law for the Practicing Artist) and, combining his interests in education and prison reform, at the University Behind Bars at the penitentiary in Monroe.

Island Pinnick

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer, Island Pinnick, was born and raised in Bend, Oregon. He is a University of Washington graduate and recipient of the UW Mary Gates Award for Excellence. Island graduated at the top of his class with a BS in Mechanical Engineering focusing on Nanotechnology. Island’s passion for technology began at an early age; writing code at the age of 12 and developing a client base before entering high school. With over 10 years of experience in the elections industry, Island led the development for the most deployed cloud-based technology in the U.S. Island developed the first fully accessible, online audio balloting system and the first multimedia, video balloting tool ever deployed in the U.S. Island has developed the system currently deployed in over 400 counties, 96 countries and every continent in the U.S. (Yes, even Antarctica!)

Island has great enthusiasm and a desire to create new technologies while continuing to innovate and create solutions for jurisdictions across the US. “I thoroughly enjoy the constantly changing, ever evolving world of technology and it is my goal to continue to integrate new technology into our elections process.”

Felicia Erlich

Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Corporate Counsel

As of February 2020, Felicia Erlich Altman adds Chief Operating Officer to her title of Corporate Counsel of Democracy Live. Felicia is responsible for managing the company’s day to day business matters and works closely with Bryan Finney in managing the company’s sales team and strategic corporate initiatives. In her added role Felicia oversees the company’s overall business operations strategy and is involved in designing, planning, and implementing business plans and procedures. Felicia also maintains and manages all relationships with partners and vendors relating to OmniBallot.

During her time as Corporate Counsel Felicia has been the project manager for more than 100 election implementations. As Corporate Counsel Felicia was instrumental in establishing Democracy Live’s Business and Legal department as well as, its Human Resources department. She continues to advise the company on legal issues involving contracts, government regulations, trademarks & copyrights and employment law.

Felicia is an active member of the Homeland Security- sponsored Election Sector and the Elections Sector Emergency Response Group. As a law student Felicia, focused on entertainment, intellectual property and business law. Felicia interned in the business and legal departments of BET Networks and Funny or Die, Inc. Prior to joining Democracy Live, Felicia was an Associate Attorney with the boutique law firm Rosen Lewis located in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the California, New York, New Jersey and Washington state Bars.

In her spare time, Felicia enjoys cooking, running, hiking, swimming and spending time with family and friends. She is the founder of the food blog thedairyfreekitchen on WordPress and recently added to her accomplishments the completion of her first mini-triathlon.

Jim Condos

Joint Director of Government Relations: Former Secretary of State (VT)

Jim Condos, of Montpelier VT, served as Vermont’s 38th Secretary of State and Chief Election Officer from 2011-2023. Jim’s experience includes 35+ years working for a Fortune 100 company, and a regulated utility while also serving 35+ years in elected office as a City Councilor, State Senator and Secretary of State. Jim is credited with moving the Vermont Secretary of State’s office into the digital age – transforming the office from a paper-driven process to a digital environment that were more efficient, accurate and secure.

During his tenure, Vermont moved from a 36th state ranking in 2012 for the MIT Elections Performance Index to a #1 ranking in 2016 and 2020. In 2017, with heightened cybersecurity concerns, Jim provided leadership in working with the Department of Homeland Security as the Elections Infrastructure –Information Sharing & Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) was formed and began working with states. In 2018-2019, he served as President of the National Association of Secretaries of State. And, Jim was the national co-chair of the Council of State Governments Overseas Voting Initiative – working to insure that Overseas and Military voters were able to vote safely, securely, and independently.

Jim believes every eligible American should have the opportunity to cast a ballot independently and securely regardless of physical geography or impairment.

Seth Kulakow

Chief Security Officer

Seth is the former CISO at the State of Colorado, Denver International Airport and Cybersecurity Director of Promontory Financial Group where he supported global clients for risk, crisis, business continuity, and IT management solutions. Seth is a nationally recognized cybersecurity expert, championing global transformative information technology, security, and risk programs. Seth has over 20 years of in-depth business and managerial experience interlaced with deep technical understanding across healthcare, government, transportation, finance, technology, and insurance industries for organization of all sizes and geographic locations.

Seth is a graduate of Colorado State University with a bachelor and master’s degree in science. Seth holds a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification. He was bestowed an honorary Ph.D. in Science in Technology from the University of Advancing Technology. With Security Clearance, Seth was recognized by the US Secret Service for Cyber Security Program Excellence. Seth is a former guest member of the Aspen Institute’s Cyber Security Group, former DHS advisor, and speaker at numerous prominent cybersecurity, risk, and IT industry conferences.

General Robert (Abe) Abrams

Military Voting Advisor: Retired United States Army four-star General

General Robert (Abe) Abrams, is a retired United States Army four-star General who last served as the commander of all United States Forces in Korea. General Abrams served as the commander of the United Nations and U.S. Combined Forces. Responsible for defending Iraq’s first democratically held election, General Abrams understands the importance of secure, accurate and trusted elections. General Abrams previously served as the 22nd commanding General of United States Army Forces Command, the largest command in the US Army with more than 750,000 soldiers under his leadership. The General’s warfighting units included the 3rd Armored Division, 1st Cavalry Division (three tours); 3rd Infantry Division and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. General Abrams served as a strategic war planner for the Chairman and Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Abrams also served as the Senior Military Assistant to the 24th Secretary of Defense.

John Merrill

Government Relations Consultant: Former Secretary of State (AL)

On November 4, 2014, John was elected as Alabama’s Secretary of State with 65% of the vote and carried 53 of Alabama’s 67 counties. He was inaugurated as Alabama’s 53rd Secretary of State on January 19, 2015. As Secretary of State, John was a member of the National Association of Secretaries of State. He served as the Co-Chair of the NASS Voter Participation Committee and served as the NASS Representative to the Steering Committee of the National Voter Registration Day. John also served as a member of the United States Election Assistance Commission Standards Board.

Lance Gough

Government Relations Consultant: Former Chicago Elections Director

Lance Gough is a former Executive Director with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Throughout his 32 year tenure as Executive Director, Gough was responsible for managing voter registration and election administration for over 1.5 million voters. He managed change during an era of unprecedented changes in election administration. Examples included: the transition from punch cards to optical scanners and touch screens; the introduction of electronic poll books; expanded registration with online and election-day programs; and the launch of in-person early voting, no-excuse Vote By Mail and Secured Drop Boxes. According to Gough, these transformations had a significant and lasting impact on his role as Director. In addition to modernizing administrative processes, Gough has sought to prioritize engagement with voters and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities and language barriers.

Lori Scott

Government Relations Consultant: Former Florida Supervisor of Elections

Before retiring from public service, Lori served 14 years as the elected Supervisor of Elections in Brevard, County, Florida – the 10th largest county in the third largest state in the nation. Prior to running for office in 2008, Lori spent 16 years in service to the citizens of Florida as a Legislative Aide in the Florida Legislature.

Michael Winn

Government Relations Consultant: Former Harris County, TX Elections Director

Michael has 30+ years of public service, including administering elections in 3 of the largest Texas Counties (i.e., Harris, Bexar, and Travis). Harris County is the 3rd largest elections jurisdiction in the U.S. As a former president of the international IACREOT/IAGO organization of local government officials, Michael has also served in many community and professional leadership positions, including the United States Elections Administration Commission, where he served as Chair of the Board of Advisors.

Pam Daniels

Executive Management; International eGovernment Consultant

Pam is a national and international eGovernment expert specializing in public sector reforms as well as modernizing government and political processes. She brings 30 years experience in the legal profession and 12 years as an elected countywide official for Snohomish County, WA. As an elected official Pam managed a large countywide eGovernment system. Pam’s extensive experience includes involvement in local, state and national government and politics. Before joining Democracy Live, Pam has provided expert consulting services via USAID contracts. Pam has been an advocate for improved government systems and public access to information through increased transparency, accountability and process efficiencies. She is passionate about election system efficiencies and voter access to information to improve citizen involvement. “As a former county elected official for 3 terms, I was extremely frustrated at the number of houses I passed in neighborhoods where they were not registered voters when doorbelling. I continue to be concerned about the lack of younger voters and the lack of information readily available to voters about candidates. Working with Democracy Live, I am able to be a part of a superior technology system that is addressing these issues and more!”

Paul Caranci

Government Relations Consultant

Paul F. Caranci served as Rhode Island’s Deputy Secretary of State from 2007 to 2015 where his responsibilities included oversight of that office’s role in Rhode Island elections. Paul also served as a local elected official from his hometown of North Providence from 1994 to 2010. It was in his role as a North Providence Town Council member that he distinguished himself by exposing a deep-rooted political corruption scheme. His efforts working undercover with the FBI resulted in eleven indictments and ten convictions earning him the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award for Political Courage, the highest honor awarded by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).

Paul has a degree in political science from Providence College and has completed many Master’s-level courses from Roger Williams University. He is an award-winning author of thirteen books including one on how to run for local elective office.

Michael Hamilton, MS

Chief Security Consultant

Michael Hamilton is the Founder and CISO of CI Security. In an information security career spanning 30 years, Michael has served as a Cybersecurity Policy Advisor for Washington State, Vice-Chair of the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Coordinating Council (SLTTGCC), Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Seattle, and Managing Consultant for VeriSign Global Security Consulting. In a previous life, he developed algorithms for hyperspectral remote sensing as an Ocean Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.