The people behind the project

Free State Project Leadership

Meet the board, staff, and volunteer leaders helping people discover New Hampshire, connect with the community, and build a freer future.

Officers & Executive Leadership

Leadership supporting the organization’s governance, strategy, day-to-day work, and finances.

Eric Brakey

Eric Brakey

Executive Director

Strategy, outreach, and the path from learning to building.

Read Eric’s bio

Eric Brakey has served as Executive Director since December 2023. He leads the FSP’s strategy and outreach, helping people find their next step through Learn, Connect, Visit, Move, and Build.

A former three-term Maine state senator, Eric authored Maine’s Constitutional Carry law and helped advance welfare reform, Right to Try, and reforms to the state’s medical cannabis program. He began in liberty politics as Maine State Director for Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign and later worked with Young Americans for Liberty.

Pedro Serra

Pedro Serra

Chair of the Board

Entrepreneur and longtime liberty advocate.

Read Pedro’s bio

Pedro Serra serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Free State Project.

A Boston University business graduate, Pedro built businesses in hospitality and real estate before moving to New Hampshire to advance liberty. Inspired by Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign, he served as Washington State Director for the 2012 campaign. He also serves as Membership Director and a board member of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.

Jason Sorens

Jason Sorens

Founder & Board Secretary

The founder whose concentration strategy launched the FSP.

Read Jason’s bio

Jason Sorens wrote the article that sparked the Free State Project and served as its first president. His academic work spans political science, ethics, and economics.

He coauthored earlier editions of Freedom in the 50 States, published by the Cato Institute, and his research has contributed to the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas. He lives in the Merrimack Valley with his wife and daughters.

Stephen Villee

Stephen Villee

Treasurer

An early mover with experience in nonprofit finance.

Read Stephen’s bio

A software developer by profession, Steve was one of the earliest Free State Project participants, moving to New Hampshire in 2003. He previously served as treasurer for the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance. He was also the Libertarian candidate for Governor of New Hampshire in 2024.

Steve’s other interests include yoga, hiking, solar eclipses and algebraic number theory.

Board of Directors

The board guides the organization’s direction and oversees its mission. Its work is governed by the FSP Bylaws.

Pedro Serra

Pedro Serra

Chair of the Board

Entrepreneur and longtime liberty advocate.

Read Pedro’s bio

Pedro Serra serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Free State Project.

A Boston University business graduate, Pedro built businesses in hospitality and real estate before moving to New Hampshire to advance liberty. Inspired by Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign, he served as Washington State Director for the 2012 campaign. He also serves as Membership Director and a board member of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.

Jason Sorens

Jason Sorens

Founder & Board Secretary

The founder whose concentration strategy launched the FSP.

Read Jason’s bio

Jason Sorens wrote the article that sparked the Free State Project and served as its first president. His academic work spans political science, ethics, and economics.

He coauthored earlier editions of Freedom in the 50 States, published by the Cato Institute, and his research has contributed to the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas. He lives in the Merrimack Valley with his wife and daughters.

Calvin Beaulier

Calvin Beaulier

Board Director

Attorney, real estate broker, and New Hampshire state representative.

Read Calvin’s bio

Calvin Beaulier lives in Littleton with his family. He joined the FSP board to help preserve and grow New Hampshire’s culture of freedom and civic engagement.

He holds a B.A. in International Studies from American University and a J.D. from Louisiana State University, where he studied civil and common law. He met his wife in college and moved to her native New Hampshire in 2015.

Seamus Casey

Seamus Casey

Board Director

Creator of GenCourt mobile and advocate for civic participation.

Read Seamus’s bio

Seamus Casey is a software engineer who moved to New Hampshire for its thriving technology sector and stayed to help advance liberty. His work with Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty in 2012 deepened his interest in hands-on activism and developing tools that make activists more effective.

As a volunteer with the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, Seamus created GenCourtMobile, an application used by liberty activists and legislators. His work earned him the NHLA’s Activist of the Year award in 2016 and Liberty Vanguard award in 2020.

Seamus’s service has also included chairing the Strafford County Republican Committee, serving on the NHGOP Executive Board, volunteering with Get Involved PAC, and leading legislative efforts to defend kratom freedom in New Hampshire through the American Kratom Association’s Kratom Consumer Council.

Although he did not originally move for the Free State Project, discovering its mission inspired him to stay and work toward Liberty in Our Lifetime. He joined the FSP Board of Directors in October 2020.

Dan McGuire

Dan McGuire

Board Director

Five terms of service in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Read Dan’s bio

Dan McGuire serves on the Free State Project Board of Directors. He moved to New Hampshire in 2005 and has served five terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

A retired computer engineer and angel investor, Dan earned his doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. He taught computer engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, before becoming a software development manager in Silicon Valley.

Dan lives in Epsom with his wife, Carol. His community service includes the Epsom Planning Board and the boards of Granite State Taxpayers and the Josiah Bartlett Center. An avid bridge player, he has won five New Hampshire state championships.

Mark Warden

Mark Warden

Board Director

Early mover, entrepreneur, and founder of Porcupine Real Estate.

Read Mark’s bio

Mark Warden is an early mover, activist, and entrepreneur.

Mark founded Porcupine Real Estate, a boutique real estate brokerage serving FSP movers and liberty clients.

Mark has been elected five times to the New Hampshire House of Representatives and has served on a town planning board as well as nonprofit boards of directors.

Staff & Volunteer Leaders

This team supports outreach, welcoming, communications, technology, video production, and merchandise design.

Brian Becker

Brian Becker

Director of Information Technology

Leads the volunteer team supporting FSP websites and databases.

Read Brian’s bio

Brian Becker leads the volunteer FSP Tech Team in building and maintaining the organization’s websites, databases, and other technology.

An experienced technology professional, Brian moved from New York after visiting FSP events. His community contributions include operating the Wearehouse in Weare.

Jane Bennett

Jane Bennett

Outreach Director

Introduces people to the movement and helps them find their place in New Hampshire.

Read Jane’s bio

Jane Bennett serves as Outreach Director for the Free State Project, helping introduce more people to the movement and keeping them connected as they explore the opportunities New Hampshire has to offer.

Jane has a broad background in marketing, branding, communications, and public relations across multiple markets. Her experience includes growing organizations, strengthening their public presence, building relationships, and connecting them with new audiences.

Jane came to New Hampshire for the freedom but stayed for the community and the seasons. She enjoys sharing what makes the Free State special and helping others find their place within its vibrant and active liberty community.

Stephen Daves

Deputy Director of Information Technology

Architects, develops, and deploys resilient IT solutions to solve business problems.

Franklin Einspruch

Franklin Einspruch

Strategist for Merchandise Design

Brings visual art and independent publishing experience to FSP merchandise.

Read Franklin’s bio

Franklin Einspruch serves as Strategist for Merchandise Design for the Free State Project, bringing his background in visual art and independent publishing to FSP merchandise.

An artist and writer based in New Hampshire, Franklin works in painting, drawing, printmaking, and digital media. A Fulbright scholar, he has exhibited internationally, and his art criticism has appeared in publications including The New Criterion and Art in America.

Franklin runs Dissident Muse, an independent publishing and exhibition project. His creative work also includes comics poetry, and his writing explores freedom of expression and the relationship between art and individual liberty.

Chris Lopez

Chris Lopez

Welcome Director

Helps visitors and prospective movers make real connections.

Read Chris’s bio

Chris Lopez moved to New Hampshire in 2004 and joined the FSP team in 2012 as an administrative assistant. As Welcome Director, she answers questions and helps people interested in visiting or moving connect with the community.

Chris enjoys music, art, and time with her two cats.

Mahgdalen Rose

Mahgdalen Rose

FSPN Executive Producer and Media Coordinator

Oversees FSPN production and coordinates media opportunities for FSP spokespeople.

Read Mahgdalen’s bio

Mahgdalen Rose is a communications professional with experience in podcasting for libertarian and conservative audiences. She moved to New Hampshire from Tennessee with her family.

As FSPN Executive Producer, Mahgdalen oversees production of the Free State Project Network. As Media Coordinator, she coordinates media opportunities for FSP spokespeople.

Reinita Susman

Reinita Susman

Video Strategist

Produces the Porcupine Report and FSP promotional video content.

Read Reinita’s bio

Reinita Susman produces the weekly Porcupine Report podcast and video content for FSP outreach. She has many years of experience in television and documentary production.

A New England native, she moved to New Hampshire from California, where she was active in the Libertarian Party. Her work has also included developing a documentary series about the Free State Project.

Find your next step

Have questions about visiting, moving, or getting involved? Start with our welcome team at welcome@fsp.org.