2026 Hoagland Speaker Bios

Jim Crounse is recognized as one of the top Democratic mail consultants in the country. He has produced winning and creative political direct mail for over 35 years across the country. 
 
In 2008, and again in 2012, Jim captained the team that did direct mail for President Barack Obama. Jim ’s mail was used nationwide and specifically helped the President win targeted states. After the 2008 election, Jim was called upon by the Obama transition team to head the confirmation team of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelieus, and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. 
 
Jim has also produced direct mail for President Bill Clinton and presidential candidates Al Gore, John Kerry, Bob Kerrey, and Joe Lieberman. 
 
Mr. Crounse has been the direct mail consultant for several U.S. Senators including Evan Bayh, Joe Donnelly, Max Baucus, Tim Johnson, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan, Ben Nelson, Chris Dodd, Blanche Lincoln, Kyrsten Sinema, Jack Reed, and for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. Jim’s partners at AMHC have also produced mail for winning Senate races in Washington, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Alaska, Arizona, West Virginia, and for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. 
 
Jim has worked on several Governor’s races in Maryland, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, and New Mexico, and his partners have worked in Nevada, Montana, Iowa, Missouri, Washington, New Hampshire, Florida, West Virginia, and Kentucky. 
 
He’s also worked extensively with candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and House Majority PAC to produce winning direct mail for congressional campaigns all over the country. 
 
Some of Jim’s congressional clients over the years include Steny Hoyer, Gabby Giffords, Rahm Emanuel, Steve Israel, David Trone, Andre Carson, Baron Hill, Brad Ellsworth, Jim Matheson, Ben McAdams, Scott Peters, Nita Lowey, Maurice Hinchey, Don Beyer, Peter Hoagland, Brad Ashford, Martin Frost, Vic Fazio, Tim Walz, and many others.   
 
Mr. Crounse has also been a key part of teams to elect Mayors, State Legislators, other local candidates, and winning ballot measures in several states. He also produces direct mail for Democrats endorsed by the National Association of Realtors. 
 
Jim is a frequent lecturer about the art of direct mail and has trained and mentored many other talented people who now work for other direct mail firms.   
 
Jim served two stints on the Hill as Chief of Staff to Congressman Peter Hoagland from Nebraska, and Senator Max Baucus from Montana. 
 
Mr. Crounse is Chair of the Board of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a venerable nonprofit that was started by James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The Committee’s mission is to protect and enhance Social Security and Medicare through legislation, and through supporting candidates dedicated to keeping these systems strong. 
 
Jim was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He has a political science degree from the University of Nebraska. In 2008, Jim was honored by the university with an award called “Alumni Master” - for outstanding achievement in his political career. 
 
Jim and his wife Patsy started a lecture series at the University in honor of Jim’s mentor, Congressman Peter Hoagland. The lecture series on integrity in politics has had several prominent speakers including Ted Sorensen, David Axelrod, Jim Messina, Jeff Zeleny, Senator Mark Kelly, Peter Hart, Harrison Hickman, and Amy Walter. They have also started scholarship funds in honor of family members that benefit political science and law students.   
 
Jim has a law degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. 
 
Jim’s parents, Paul and Bernice Crounse, were active in the local Democrat party, and his father ran for the state legislature. Jim’s grandfather Jacob F. Crounse served two terms in the Nebraska State Legislature.

After over a decade in commercial advertising and communications, Ryan returned to the political media in 2012. That year, he was named the 2013 “Campaign Manager of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants, and his productions won multiple Pollie awards for TV production. Ryan founded Bullhorn Communications in 2019, racking up wins and awards ever since. 

Combining commercial technique and political acumen, Ryan has built Bullhorn Communications into one of America's premier political advertising firms. Bullhorn combines compelling creative content with innovative campaign strategies for candidates, organizations, SuperPAC's and corporations in multiple states. Horn’s current and previous clients include candidates for Governor, mayor, congress and more. Corporate and institutional clients include Wal-Mart, Nebraska Furniture Mart (A Berkshire Hathaway company), The Credit Union National Association of America, Freedom Partners, The John Bolton SuperPAC, and Tachus Fiber. Bullhorn Communications is proud to be based outside the beltway, with our home office in Omaha, Nebraska and locations in Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., and Palm Springs, California. 

As a communications consultant, Ryan has served clients in the higher education, energy and retail sectors, including Wal-Mart and Nebraska Furniture Mart, America’s largest home furnishings store and a Berkshire Hathaway company. He has trained and counseled some of the Midwest’s most respected corporate leaders in dealing effectively with news media. 

Ryan was born and raised in Omaha, NE. He is a graduate of The George Washington University, where he earned degrees in Economics and Political Science.