2023 Speakers

Professor John W. Kindt

John W. Kindt, MBA, J.D., LL.M., SJD, is a gambling expert and a Professor of Business and Legal Policy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mallory Staples

Mallory joins the State Freedom Caucus Network as a former teacher and small business owner. She has a background in Christian ministry and a homeschool mom. She brings invaluable convictions and real-world perspectives to fighting for the values of freedom, hard work, personal responsibility, and faith in God.

Sheriff James Hale Jr.

Sheriff James A. Hale Jr. is a lifelong resident of Oconee County. James is a U.S. Army veteran and has been a deputy sheriff since 1999 and a volunteer firefighter/ EMT with the Oconee County Fire/Rescue since 1996. For the past 20 years he has served as a deputy sheriff for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

Erik Thompson

Erik Thompson is a CFP, Certified Financial Planner, with a broad knowledge of financial planning, investments, retirement planning, and estate management. He is the head of Cornerstone Wealth Management Team in Madison, GA.

Mike Griffin

Mike had served as a Southern Baptist pastor for over 35 years. In 2019, Mike completed serving 22 years as the founder and senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Ga.

​In January 2014, Mike accepted a position with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as their Public Affairs Representative.

In April 2010, Mike was chosen as one of Georgia’s top 50 “most influential” Republicans at the state Capitol.

Dr. Dr. Kirk Elliott

Dr.Dr. Kirk Elliott is a wealth management advisor based in Colorado and helps educate citizens on good investments, financial trends, global currency and banking, and gold and silver assets.