Senior Leadership Team

Initially elected to lead OCRP in 2023, Vance Patrick was re-elected without opposition to a second term at the end of 2024 after a historic election cycle that saw an unprecedented level of infrastructure and support offered to candidates. Since 2023, OCRP has offered candidates $26 million in savings.

As the leader of the largest Republican Party within the state, Vance works to build robust partnerships not only within Oakland County, but throughout the state to ensure a strong Michigan Republican Party.

A builder by trade, Vance runs a construction company with the help of his son, Spencer. Vance has long been passionate about giving back to the community, as evidenced by him spearheading the multi-year effort to renovate and reopen the Belle Isle Aquarium, which required major fundraising and project management capabilities. In addition to being a precinct delegate and active in local community projects, Vance also ran for the 14th Congressional District seat in 2020 to prevent the seat from going uncontested.

Terri Nallamothu was born and raised in Michigan. She has lived in Independence Township for nearly 25 years with her husband Shivajee and their three children. She holds a BA from St. Mary’s College and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from CMU.

Terri has been a Precinct Delegate for over eight years, volunteered on countless campaigns, and hosted many fundraisers for both charities and politicians at all levels of government.

As the Oakland County Republican Party’s Vice Chair, Terri plays a critical role in planning our conventions and events.

Denise Elias was brought on as OCRP’s Executive Director in January of 2024. As Executive Director, OCRP’s only paid position, she leads the day-to-day operations of the party by managing an extensive volunteer operation, taking the lead on coordinating with our precinct delegates, and ensuring the party operates efficiently.

Elias has more than 20 years of experience working in the technology sector, specializing in strategy, operations, mergers and acquisitions, and various financial roles. She previously worked as an independent consultant and before that she served as VP, Corporate Integration, CA Technologies.

A Michigan native with almost two decades of political experience, Brian Szmytke has held senior roles within state and national party committees and on statewide and federal campaigns in battleground states across the country, including serving as a special advisor to the Michigan Republican Party and President Trump’s campaign in 2024. Szmytke’s experience across various roles has led to him being called on to assist with executing major events that require coordination with a wide range of capabilities, including working closely with federal, state, and local partners, such as the United States Secret Service.

In addition to his full-time work advising clients on voter targeting, communications, and event operations, Szmytke donates his skills to the Oakland County Republican Party by helping build our political plan, which saw an unprecedented increase in material candidate support and spearheading our communications strategy - equipping the local party to achieve over 6.6 million impressions through earned media in 2024.