About Us
America Rising Squared (AR2) is a 501(c)(4) organization focused on advancing conservative principles through cutting-edge research, rapid response communications, a nationwide tracking network, and digital platforms.
AR2 is dedicated to promoting the principles of freedom, limited government, free enterprise, and a strong national security, and pushing back against big government liberal policies and the special interests that support them.
AR2 is a unique platform for engaging in the public policy debate – combining issue, investigative, and field research, rapid response communications, a “war room” for comprehensive media monitoring, a nationwide video tracking network, as well as digital platforms and social media operations.
To contact us, please email info@arsquared.org.
Cassie Smedile is Executive Director of America Rising Squared. Cassie brings more than thirteen years of communications experience to America Rising. She joins the team after serving concurrent roles as the Deputy Communications Director and National Press Secretary at the Republican National Committee. Prior to working at the RNC, she spent ten years on Capitol Hill in communications capacities in both the Senate and House, including Communications Director roles for Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-07) in addition to other offices.
Joe Gierut
Communications Director
Joe Gierut is the Communications Director at America Rising Squared. Gierut previously served as the Communications Director for Rep. John Faso (R-NY). Prior to that, he was the Press Secretary for Senator Todd Young and was a part of the communications team on Sen. Young’s successful 2016 campaign for U.S. Senate.
Whitney Robertson
National Press Secretary
Whitney Robertson is a National Press Secretary at America Rising Squared. Whitney joins America Rising after working as an Assistant Press Secretary on the Trump campaign. Prior to the campaign, she worked on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary for Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04).
Kristen Bennett
House Press Secretary
Kristen Bennett is the House Press Secretary at America Rising PAC. Kristen joins America Rising after working as the Press Secretary for former Congressman Lou Barletta’s campaign for governor in Pennsylvania. Prior to the campaign, she worked as Kirk Cox’s campaign for governor in Virginia and a Deputy Press Secretary on the Republican National Committee’s Regional Team.
Bennett is a native of Richmond, Virginia and received her B.A. in Political Science from Christopher Newport University.