We are fortunate to have Linda Kollmann, the newly elected President of the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women, as our speaker to kick off 2022!
Linda has a long background in Tennessee politics, especially as a member of the TFRW. She has served as Vice President, Convention Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, as well as serving on numerous committees. Her service also includes positions at the national level with the National Federation of Republican women where she served on the Protocol & Distinguished Guests Committee, the Membership Committee, and as a NFRW Regent Member. She’s also a Past President of the Williamson County Republican Career Women’s Club, was awarded the Williamson County Republican Woman of the year in 2014, and chaired (many, many times) the Annual Red, White & Blue Event.
Outside of politics she is a member of the Franklin Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and Preceptor Alpha Rho Sorority. She is married to George Kollmann and they have one son, Jason.
We look forward to welcoming Linda to Clarksville and look forward to having her as our guest!
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, January 15!
We will be meeting at the Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters:
Montgomery County Republican Party 1817A Madison Street, Suite 1
(There is additional parking in back.)
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
After a busy year of politics, we have always made it a tradition to slow down, socialize, and celebrate the holiday with a party!
We will be having a potluck so bring your favorite brunch type food item!
Games! Quite possibly the return of the ever-popular Christmas trivia!
Gift Exchange – our theme this year is to support local by purchasing a $10 or less gift from a local business.
Fun and socializing!
Our next meeting party will be on Saturday, December 18!
We arae meeting at the Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters:
Montgomery County Republican Party 1817A Madison Street Suite 1
(There is additional parking in back.)
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with a very quick business meeting to start at 10:00. We will be celebrating the holidays with games, trivia, potluck and gift exchange!
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Our November meeting will be on Saturday, November 20, 2021. We meet at the Montgomery County GOP Headquarters at 1817 A., St. 1, Madison Street, Clarksville, TN.
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Our speaker this month will be State Rep. Steve Cepicky who is the Chair of the House Education Instruction Committee. If you are even remotely concerned/interested about the state of Education in Tennessee, you won’t want to miss this!
We will now be meeting at the Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters:
Montgomery County Republican Party 1817A Madison Street Suite 1
(There is additional parking in back.)
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Our Speaker will be Diane Canada
Diane Canada is a Professional Speaker, Author, and Talk Show Host. Her specialty is building conservative women of influence.
Having guided numerous women entrepreneurs and small business owners through difficult challenges via her own consulting firms, and with a broadcasting background from the Grand Ole Opry to building an internationally syndicated television show of her own, and having recently navigated the swampy political waters as a candidate for TN State House of Representatives, she has combined these 3 skill sets to launch her new Talk Show and enhance the influence of conservative women in American communities.
In the areas of public service, Diane has served in these roles: as the Nashville Political Advocate for the National Association of Women Business Owners; on the Mayor’s Minority Business Advisory Council in the city of Nashville; founding board member of the American Bible Project; voted Volunteer of the Year for her work teaching entrepreneurial skills in the Tennessee Prison For Women.
Her new book is titled “Lady Up + Don’t Quit”, which is her signature message.
Topic: Protecting Our Children – How We Can Stop the Leftist Indoctrination of Our Children
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 4:00 pm
GOP Headquarters, 1817A Madison Street, Suite 1, Clarksville, TN
Robin Steenman is a former B-1 pilot with 1000+ combat hours over Afghanistan and 100+ weapons on target in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). She left the Air Force in 2013 and received a mission upgrade to full-time Mom, which his still her primary mission. She is a native Texan, graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. She started the Williamson County chapter of Moms for Liberty in April 2021, and has led the group, now 1700 followers on social media and 500 on the roster, to take on Critical Race Theory and failed curriculum in Williamson County and the state of Tennessee. She is a mom of three, a cancer survivor, a patriot, a believer and a resident of Williamson County.
Space will be limited for this event, so please contact Cathy Kolb at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com to reserve your spot. Please include your name and the number of seats you will need.
We will now be meeting at the Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters:
Montgomery County Republican Party
1817A Madison Street
Suite 1
(There is additional parking in back.)
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Our Speaker for June – James Amundsen
Americans For Prosperity
James Amundsen
James Amundsen is the Deputy State Director for the Tennessee chapter of Americans For Prosperity (AFP), one of the most influential conservative advocacy groups in the country. A long-time conservative political activist himself, James began volunteering with the organization in 2013 before officially joining the team in 2016. He manages the chapter’s staff and is responsible for its statewide grassroots operations. He is a registered lobbyist for state government affairs and leads AFP-Tennessee’s health care policy initiatives.
James’ path to Tennessee was not simple or easy, though. He was born in Germany as a Yugoslavian citizen before his family immigrated to the United States in 1978. His mother’s decision to escape communist Yugoslavia and seek a better life would later inform James’ politics and inspire his love of liberty and service to the country. James graduated from high school in North Carolina and received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to study electrical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. James later served six years on active duty in the United States Air Force and was deployed three times for combat air operations during Operations Southern Watch, Desert Strike, and Allied Force. For his service, James was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, three Air Force Achievement Medals, and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
Following active duty, James moved to Nashville to accept an engineering position with AGFA Health Care, a European information technology company that specializes in medical imaging solutions. Although his involvement in politics began soon after he left the military, James spent over 16 years in the health care industry before pursuing a full-time career in public policy. During that time, James served in a variety of civic, charitable, and political organizations, often in a leadership position, where he focused primarily on local and state issues. He even sought public office on two occasions, albeit unsuccessfully. Thankfully, he had much greater success managing other candidates and their campaigns, which eventually led to a short tenure in state government.
After Governor Lee’s inauguration in 2019, James was appointed to the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) as its Chief of Staff. James was tasked with streamlining many of TDVS’s existing projects and processes while creating a 4-year strategic plan to improve the state’s overall veteran outreach and advocacy programs during the governor’s first term. This included integrating support for the VA Mission Act—a major reform to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health services—long advocated by AFP and its partner organization, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA). James also ushered the final acceptance of the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Bradley County and hosted its much overdue ground-breaking ceremony. James left TDVS to return to his previous role with AFP in late 2019, but his passion for veterans’ affairs continues through his on-going role as a consultant to CVA and as a past commander for the American Legion.
James currently resides in Franklin, TN, with his wife, Molly, and their two sons, Kristoffer and Behr.
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, April 17 at our new location!!!!!!!!!
Syvella Robinson has offered us the chance to use her retail space. The address is:
SHE Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison St Ste 104
Clarksville, TN 37043
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Remember, a new location!!!
She Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison Street
Suite 104
Clarksville, TN
(Across from Gas & Water and in the same shopping center as Shipley Donuts.)
Our Speaker for April
Congressman Mark Green
When you have a speaker who has been a supporter of Red River Republican Women almost since our inception nearly a dozen years ago, you really wonder, “do we have to have a biography?”
Congressman Green (“Mark” to most of us) has been a stalwart representative for our area, first as a member of the Tennessee State Legislature, and now as our U.S. Congressman. To say that we are fortunate to have him is an understatement. Most of us are proud to say, “That’s MY Congressman!” when we spy him on the news or see some of his wonderful (and educational) posts on FaceBook.
Mark grew up in Mississippi, attended West Point, and began his career as a military physician. He arrived in Tennessee where he served as a Night Stalker flight surgeon, and served in both Afghanistan and Iraq during the War on Terror. His book “A Night with Saddam” details his six hour interrogation of the notorious dictator. After his military career, Mark founded an emergency room staffing company, did medical mission trips, and founded medical clinics that serve underserved populations in Clarksville and Memphis.
A true believer in The Constitution, smaller government and individual rights, Mark has long fought for his constituents here in Tennessee. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis. And that’s just a start…
Married to Cammie, and the father of two, Mark is an old friend and true patriot, and we’re so happy to have him back for his yearly update on Congressional shenanigans.
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, March 20 at our new location!!!!!!!!!
Fortunately Syvella Robinson has offered us the chance to use her retail space. The address is:
SHE Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison St Ste 104
Clarksville, TN 37043
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar and donuts.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Our Speaker for March
Barbara Trautman
President, Tennessee Federation of Republican Women
Barbara Trautman, President, Tennessee Federation of Republican Women
Barbara Trautman has volunteered for Republican candidates for over 30 years.
Since serving as founding President of Republican Women of Purpose in 2005, Barbara has held many positions within the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women. Beginning with various committees on six different TFRW Conventions, she was elected for two terms as Area Vice President, served as the TFRW Campaign Chair, as the TFRWFirst Vice President, and waselected President of the Tennessee Federation ofRepublican Women at the TFRW Biennial Convention in October, 2017 and re-elected at the TFRW Biennial Convention in October 2019.
Barbara served on the NFRW Campaign Committee from 2014-2015 and was appointed the NFRW Campaign Committee Chair from 2016-2017, where she was able to travel around the country with NFRW President Carrie Almond, “Rosie” the bus, and the campaign team to help Get Out the Vote for the very successful 2016 election.
Today, Barbara holds a position on the NFRW Board of Directors as State President of the Tennessee Federation.
Barbara has received many awards from the Republican Party of Shelby County at its annual Lincoln Day events, including the Republicanism Award in 2016 and the Grassroots Campaign Award several times.
She has been married to Dr. Bob Trautman for 50 years. They have two sons, Lucas and Ben. Lucas and his wife Kristin have two daughters, Myra and Leia.
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, February 20 at a new location!!!!!!!!! The Wonderland Cafe is turning their meeting room into a retail space so we needed to find a new location.
Fortunately Syvella Robinson has offered us the chance to use her retail space. (You may remember her from our Conservative Business Special Newsletter done in December.) The address is:
SHE Gifts of Life LLC, 2197 Madison St Ste 104m Clarksville, TN 37043
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Remember, a new location!!!
She Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison Street
Suite 104
Clarksville, TN
(Across from Gas & Water and in the same shopping center as Shipley Donuts.)
Speaker for February!
Dean Wegner of
Authentically American!
We are incredibly excited to have Dean Wegner, founder and owner of Authentically American as our speaker for February! Mr. Wegner is a Veteran, and an unabashedly proud Christian and American, who has founded a Nashville-based clothing company that is “Authentically American”. He’s spoken to large national audiences, been on major media outlets (Fox and Friends, for example) and is going to be joining us for what promises to be a fantastic event.
Authentically American is a Veteran owned, American made, premium apparel brand that is competitively priced. They are building an iconic American brand that is truly American made and helping create American jobs. They have a Consumer Brand and Client side of their business. They have had recent national media coverage in Forbes Magazine, Fox News, and Yahoo Finance. You can also watch a short 1-minute VIDEO to learn more about the essence of their brand. Now more than ever, Americans are actively seeking American made products.
If that doesn’t get you fired up, try this short video on our speaker, Dean Wegner:
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, January 16 at a new location!!!!!!!!! The Wonderland Cafe is turning their meeting room into a retail space so we needed to find a new location.
Fortunately Syvella Robinson has offered us the chance to use her retail space. (You may remember her from our Conservative Business Special Newsletter done in December.) She is also going to be our speaker this month. The address is:
SHE Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison St Ste 104
Clarksville, TN 37043
We will start as usual at 9:45 am, with the business meeting to start at 10:00. Breakfast will not be served but there will be a coffee bar.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Cathy Kolb by noon on Thursday prior to the meeting so we know how many chairs we need. You can reach her at (931) 801-6954 or email at cathykolb@reagan.com (Text is best, just be sure to tell her who you are in case she doesn’t recognize the number)
Remember, a new location!!!
She Gifts of Life LLC
2197 Madison Street
Suite 104
Clarksville, TN
(Across from Gas & Water and in the same shopping center as Shipley Donuts.)
Red River Republican Women 