Building The Future Today
Who are we?
The American Conservation Coalition Action (ACC Action) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing the conservative environmental movement.
What’s our mission?
ACC Action mobilizes young, conservative environmentalists in favor of common-sense, limited-government energy and environmental policy.
Our Team
Danielle Butcher Franz serves as CEO of the American Conservation Coalition Action, where she has played an instrumental role in the organization’s vision and strategy. As a founding member of ACC, Danielle has dedicated her career to building bridges between traditional conservative values and environmental advocacy. Danielle’s passion and expertise have earned her fellowships with the Independent Women’s Forum and the Foundation for Economic Education. She is also a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Millennial Leadership Network and served…
Chris Barnard is President of the American Conservation Coalition Action (ACC Action). He also serves on the Youth Advisory Council for the Republican Party. Chris lives in Virginia with his wife, Hayley. He received a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Prior to this, Chris played professional soccer in the UK for a few years. As ACC Action’s President, Chris is the external face of the organization to donors, media, and political leaders. He has been published in the Wall Street…
Stephen Perkins is a conservative strategist and Chief Operating Officer of the American Conservation Coalition Action. He oversees ACC Action’s national operations and coordinates strategy among its grassroots, grasstops, communications, and administrative departments. Stephen’s career has centered on community, leadership, and mobilization. One of the organization’s original volunteers, he joined the organization full-time in 2021 as the Vice President of Grassroots Strategy, leading field operations and growing membership to more than 40,000 young Americans. Before joining the team, he was…
Andrew Mills
Andrew Mills leads government affairs and political work for American Conservation Coalition Action. He also serves as the President of Lone Tree Strategies, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm. With nearly two decades of grassroots, political, and legislative experience, he is a dynamic leader known for running successful advocacy campaigns at both the state and federal levels and working across the aisle on some of the most complex issues facing the country. Mills has held senior roles in industry, nonprofits, and…
Taylor Tougaw is the Director of Government Affairs for ACC Action. Having grown up in Colorado, he knows firsthand how important our public lands and waters are. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking, and has used these passions to enact important policies on Capitol Hill. After six years of public service in the House of Representatives, Taylor now advocates for intelligent land use and all-of-the-above energy proposals. Issue Areas: Energy, Lands, and Wildlife
Asa St. Lawrence is a passionate operative and serves as Political Director for American Conservation Coalition Action. As a proud Iowan, Asa’s work has seen him successfully conduct Iowa’s First in the Nation Caucus and play a role in winning meaningful elections. He’s excited to help bridge the gap between conservative values and conservation efforts across the country. You’ll always find him cheering on the Hawkeyes, being a self-proclaimed barista, and in constant pursuit of the perfect bowl of cereal. Additionally,…
Samuel Kessler is the Senior Government Affairs Manager with ACC. Prior to this role, Sam was the inaugural Republican Congressional Fellow from the Climate Solutions Foundation, housed with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, focusing on a variety of energy & environment areas during reconciliation. Previously, Sam founded the Commonwealth Policy Institute in Kentucky, a pilot think-tank which connected state university research insights to coalitions crafting bills in the state assembly, and linked policy solutions with Congress. Sam is a George Mitchell Scholar,…
Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Danielle Butcher Franz
Founder
Benji Backer
Chairperson of the Board of Nautilus Data Technologies
James L. Connaughton
Entrepreneur & President of Rocky Mountain Voice
Heidi Ganahl
Former Attorney General of Washington State
Rob McKenna
President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation
Collin O’Mara
President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions