Congressman Jim Bridenstine

Representing the 1st District of Oklahoma
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District Staff

Gabe Sherman

District Director

Gabe Sherman’s professional background includes sales, marketing and leadership roles at some of the First District of Oklahoma’s finest small businesses and non-profit institutions including Beautiful Brands, a local advertising firm, and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium.

His political career began when he was asked to serve as chairman of an exploratory committee for a political unknown, Jim Bridenstine, in August of 2011. He is now the District Director for Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s office where he is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and management of the district staff and outreach programs.

He is a graduate of East Central University in Ada, OK where he played college baseball for 3 years and received his Bachelors Degree. Gabe is married to his wife Amanda and together they have 2 daughters, Atalie (7) and Gabi (5). He also leads the Young Marrieds’ and Families Ministry at Harvest Baptist Church in Verdigris.

 

Dr. Erik Zoellner

Deputy District Director
 
Erik Zoellner’s background includes over 25 years of higher education experience, ranging from housing, university patrol officer, LRC coordinator, college instructor, and vice president of student services.  His unique background includes being named “Police Officer of the Year” for his exemplary service in the line of duty at Oklahoma City University.  
 
Zoellner has received numerous commendations and awards for his educational and recruitment contributions to the 45th Infantry Brigade and other components of the U.S. armed forces.  His support of military personnel was also shown while Dean of Student Services at Tulsa Community College with his role as an Employee Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) liaison.  
 
Zoellner’s role with Congressman Bridenstine’s office is Deputy District Director for the office. Zoellner assists constituents with veterans issues, education issues, law enforcement liaison, and oversees the internship program.  
 
Dr. Zoellner is a graduate of Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, OK) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a Master of Science degree in College Teaching, and earned his Doctorate in Administration with an emphasis in adult education through Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK).
 

 

Brian O'Hara

Constituent Services & Field Representative

Brian O'Hara is the Son of a Navy Commander and a Public School teacher. Brian was born at the Chelsea Naval hospital near Boston and, as a Navy brat, spent time in Charleston SC, Providence RI,  and Newport RI before settling in Virginia Beach were he attended high school at Kempsville High. Brian was SGA Parliamentarian and Vice President with a class of 1200 students.

Brian attended Montreat College in Montreat NC receiving his AS before moving on to Belhaven College in Jackson Mississippi where he received his BA in History.
Brian has spent the greater portion of his business life in management. His first management job came at the age of 18 when he managed Kempsville Meadows Swim Club. From there Brian managed several finance companies. He also owned two Subway restaurants while acting as Director of Operations for a chain of fifteen Subway restaurants. 
 
Brian moved to Jenks in 2005 with a job transfer. He immediately fell in love with Jenks and the Tulsa area. When a layoff in occurred in 2009 Brian had offers to leave Jenks for Virginia and Mississippi, he decided to remain in the Tulsa area. He then became a Senior Vice President with Omni Financial in 2009 before resigning to work with Congressman Jim Bridenstine as his constituent services representative on January 3 2013. 
 
In April 2011 Brian is a former Jenks City Councilman from Ward 4; where he sat on the Jenks Public Works Authority, the budget committee, and the Oklahoma Aquarium Authority. Brian has served his community in several capacities over the past 30 years. He has been a volunteer for the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mission Mississippi, Prison Fellowship Ministries angel tree ministries, board of directors of Madison County Cultural Center, PTA legislative coordinator and PTA President, Bixby Out Reach Center, Elder of his church, Deacon of his church, among other opportunities .
 
Brian's family has been touched by cancer and because of this he and his family have an annual golf tournament in Virginia which  over the past 5 years has raised over $100,000 for cancer research. He also sits on Turn Tulsa Pink, a local grassroots charity which raises money for 8-10 charities that work in the cancer field. Brian also co-chairs Putting Fore Pink. Last years inaugural golf event raised enough money for four local students to receive $2500.00 a piece in college scholarships. 
 

 

Sandra Minardi

Constituent Services Caseworker

Sandra (Sandy) Minardi’s business career spans 3 decades of experience in sales, marketing and advertising, including 17 years owning and operating a full-service marketing and advertising firm.  As a small business owner, Minardi compassionately understands the challenges of running a business and the importance of asking the right questions and resourcefully seeking solutions for business and personal challenges.

Minardi’s role in Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s district office is primarily as a Constituent Services Caseworker.  Among her responsibilities are assisting constituents with issues dealing with Immigration/Passports, EEOC, IRS, Medicare, US Postal Delivery, Energy, Homeland Security/FEMA, Census, Agriculture and Labor.  In addition to constituent assistance, Minardi is responsible for Women’s Outreach in the district.

When asked how she hopes to serve the citizens of District 1, Minardi said “I am passionate about helping people connect with others to solve issues.  I look forward to helping the citizens of District 1 find solutions to life’s challenges.”

Minardi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Advertising from the University of Oklahoma.  She has served on numerous boards and committees, especially in Women’s Ministry and as an advocate for the Homeless.  As a breast cancer survivor, Minardi serves as Survivor Chairperson for Komen for the Cure, Tulsa.  She is married and has 4 children and 2 grandchildren.

 

 

Joe Newhouse

Constituent Services & Field Representative

Before fulfilling a lifelong goal to serve in the US Navy, Broken Arrow native Joe Newhouse studied abroad at a German high school and later graduated from Georgetown University with a major in International Economics. 2 years later he earned his wings of gold as a Navy jet pilot and wore a ring of gold after marrying Laura, his college sweetheart.

Assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, then LT Newhouse flew multiple missions during the Iraq War providing aerial coverage to Marine convoys over Fallujah and Baghdad, ultimately earning the Air Medal, just like his grandfather who had flown combat as a B-24 pilot during WWII. Joe’s most memorable mission was returning to the carrier to be greeted by email news that his baby daughter Rose had taken her first steps.

After a decorated combat tour, he was invited to teach air-to-air tactics at Navy flight school in Pensacola, FL, where he was later named Instructor Pilot of the Year and promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Upon completion of his service obligation, Joe and Laura returned to the Tulsa area to raise their 4 children and become active members at their church, RiverOaks Presbyterian. Their children attend Regent Preparatory Academy and Classical Conversations homeschooling.
 
Joe graduated #1 in his masters program at Chapman University (Los Angeles, CA) and has earned certification as a PMP® (Project Management Professional); he is also a licensed real estate broker.  Military achievement includes 1 Air Medal, 1 Navy Commendation Medal, 4 Navy Achievement Medals, Expert Pistol, and DOD fluency testing in 2 foreign languages. He continues to serve in the Navy Reserve at European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, and is active in his community, having served as an officer of the board that successfully shut down the attempted Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow. He is proud to serve Rep. Jim Bridenstine as his Field Representative for Veterans Affairs.
 
 
Dr. Kathy LaFortune

Constituent Services Caseworker
 

Dr. Kathy LaFortune is a licensed attorney and psychologist.  She graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering and her previous employment experiences include McDonnell Douglas and Bell Laboratories.  She graduated from the University of Tulsa with a J.D. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  She has also worked for the State of Oklahoma in various capacities including Rader Treatment Center in Sand Springs as a Carl Albert Fellow, as a psychological technician with persons with intellectual disabilities, Eastern State Hospital in Vinita as a staff forensic psychologist, and the Indigent Defense System in Sapulpa as Chief of Forensic Services.  

Dr. LaFortune has published articles in Journal of Psychiatry and Law, Behavioral Science and the Law, and the ABA Family Law Quarterly on disabilities, competency, and child custody.  She is an associate research professor at the University of Tulsa Psychology department, adjunct professor at TU College of Law, New York Law School Mental Disability Law Program, and an associate professor at Oklahoma State University Forensic Sciences Program.  She has also served on various community boards and agencies in the Tulsa community.  Kathy is married to former Mayor Bill LaFortune and they have three children.  When asked about what she hopes to accomplish for First District constituents Dr. LaFortune said, "I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to help the First District citizens resolve various issues they may have with government agencies and providing information for other available community resources."

Dr. LaFortune was awarded the Premier Oklahoma Volunteer award from the Volunteers of America.  She received the Fern Holland Corageous Lawyer award from the TU College of Law and the Distinguished Professional Services Citation from the Oklahoma Psychological Association in 2011.