Friends of NRA Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, who works directly with NRA Field Representatives throughout the country, brings NRAblog readers a profile of a different Field Representative every week – or as often as the Field Representatives’ schedules allow.
This week, meet Area 36 Field Representative Lissa Davis
Nicole McMahon: What geographic area do you cover?
Lissa Davis: Seven counties of Southern California, from Ventura County at the Pacific Ocean all the way to the state's eastern and southern borders, plus Southern Nevada. That's about 128,000 NRA members.
NM: When was the start of your career as a NRA field rep?
LD: It was Memorial Day 2005 when JP Nelson, the Western Region Director, called to let me know he wanted me for the job! I was both thrilled and floored at the same time, because, not being a “traditional candidate,” I never thought in a million years I would be offered the position.
Lissa helps sets up a game at the High Desert Friends of NRA banquet in Victorville, Calif.
LD: I’d been in fundraising for a very long time, and saw a position advertised for the NRA in the fundraising section of the Los Angeles Times. I said to myself, “Now that’s something I’ve never seen before!” The more I researched the NRA, firearm statistics, the Friends of NRA program, and my own attitudes (I owned a .38 for self protection, but that was the extent of my awareness of gun rights at the time), the more determined I became to be a part of this important fight.
NM: What is the most unique part about the area you represent?
LD: It’s probably one of the most diverse territories in the nation, mostly urban, but a few very strong rural communities, and one of the nation’s most varied in terms of geography (we have mountains, desert, and ocean), income, ethnicity, and Second Amendment supporters. The challenge with major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas is there are so many entertainment and philanthropic choices that we're competing with dozens of other activities, so we really need to sell our cause in order to increase our support.
NM: What would you say is your average traveled miles per year?
LD: When I started, I went through two windshields and tires, over about 50,000 miles a year. I hope I’ve gotten more efficient at my job and am now averaging about 30,000 miles.
NM: What is the best part of your job?
LD: There are so many good parts – but working with very dedicated volunteers who give 200% of their time, energy, and focus when it’s crunch time has to be one of my greatest rewards. And although I try to thank my committee members as much as I can, when a volunteer thanks me for my efforts, that just brings tears to my eyes.
From left to right: Ronnie & Marianne Smith of East County (San Diego) Friends of NRA, Wayne LaPierre, and Lissa & Mike Davis at the 2009 NRA Annual Meeting, Celebration of American Values Banquet, Phoenix, Ariz.
NM: Do you have a particularly memorable story about a banquet from your area?
LD: How can I pick just one? They all have their strengths and personalities. I’ll mention just a few funny memories:
- The “pop the balloon” game where the winning ticket floated into the rafters with an escaped balloon
- The outdoor cashier table by the beach that made all of our credit card receipts soggy
- The venue that put too much glue on its new laminate floor, and everyone’s shoes stuck as they walked [on it]
NM: Is there anything else about your experience you’d like to share?
LD: I know that what we do – raise local funds and distribute the proceeds as grants for shooting sports programs, especially for youth – is a long-term investment in strengthening support for the Second Amendment. I hope our volunteers feel the same way, knowing we’re all doing our parts to build a strong future.
Attend a 2009 Friends of NRA event in California or Nevada, or find a Friends event in your area!
