Capitol Energy Florida Experience

Jerry Paul, President and Managing Member

Mr. Paul, a nuclear engineer and attorney, formerly served as the elected representative of Florida’s 71st district in the Florida House of Representatives where he served as Deputy Majority Whip, chaired the House Subcommittee on Environment Regulation and chaired the House Subcommittee on Environmental Appropriations. Additionally, he served on the committees of Energy, Appropriations, Business Regulation, Natural Resources and Public Security. His primary areas of policy focus have been energy, environment, national security and homeland security. He is well-recognized both in Florida and Washington as a leading voice on energy policy and government’s role in energy transformation. Mr. Paul also serves as the Distinguished Energy Fellow on faculty at the University of Tennessee, Howard Baker Center for Public Policy.

Erin VanSickle
Erin VanSickle is a communications professional with extensive communications and public relations experience. Most recently, Erin managed media relations and communications strategy for the Republican Party of Florida, garnering national media coverage for the Florida GOP’s high-profile campaigns and events throughout the 2008 election cycle. Prior to serving as communications director, Erin served as press secretary and deputy communications director for the RPOF throughout the 2006 election cycle, acting as chief spokesperson for the Chairman and the RPOF.

Erin’s innovative communications strategies helped the state party to effectively disseminate its message to grassroots supporters and a variety of media outlets. As communications director, Erin worked to bring the RPOF to the forefront of political communications, including utilizing new media and capitalizing on social media opportunities.

Prior to joining the Republican Party of Florida, Erin served as press secretary for Florida’s Senate Majority Office. She also has experience in private-sector public relations, building grassroots coalitions and educating the public on legislative issues.

Erin is a native of Tallahassee and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs with minors in Political Science and Latin American Studies from Florida State University. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Tallahassee Class 21 and volunteers for Youth Leadership Tallahassee. Erin is also a member of the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, where she has served as a panelist with national and state reporters to educate members on how to effectively pitch story ideas to the media.