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'''Job Creators Network''' ("JCN") is a right-wing organization that evolved from the Job Creators Alliance organization created by [[Herman Cain]] and Home Depot co-founder [[Bernie Marcus]].<ref name="nation zornick">George Zornick, "[http://www.thenation.com/blog/170700/herman-cains-nationwide-worker-intimidation-tour# Herman Cain’s Nationwide Worker Intimidation Tour]," ''The Nation'', October 19, 2012. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref name="action fund">Job Creators Network Inc, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/454/848/2013-454848799-0a8301f7-9O.pdf 2013 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref name="foundation one">Job Creators Alliance, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/273/638/2012-273638207-095c1b53-9.pdf 2011 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref name="foundation two">Job Creators Network Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/273/638/2013-273638207-0a827efb-9.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref name="cain">Dan Calabrese, "[http://www.caintv.com/home-depots-bernie-marcus-its Home Depot’s Bernie Marcus: It’s the NLRB vs. job creators]," ''CainTV.com'', February 27, 2013. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> JCN is comprised of two non-profit organizations, a [[501(c)(3)]] foundation, Job Creators Network Foundation, and a [[501(c)(4)]] advocacy, Job Creators Network Inc.<ref name="action fund"/><ref name="foundation two"/> JCN describes itself as a "nonpartisan organization founded by entrepreneurs like Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus who believe that government policies are breaking the backs of business owners and killing job creation."<ref name="about">Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/about/ About Us]." Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref>
JCN describes its mission as "[involving] employees in the fight to defend free enterprise," "[informing] employees how government policies impact America’s jobs," and "[inspiring] employees to become more informed citizens."<ref name="about"/> The organization attempts to accomplish this mission by partnering with executive-level businesspeople, partnering with other organizations, listing its policy stances and priorities on its website, creating outreach programs and petitions, and creating and distributing an Employer to Employee (E2E) education program.<ref name="about"/>
==Background==
Job Creators Network was co-founded in 2010 by former presidential candidate [[Herman Cain]] and Home Depot co-founder [[Bernie Marcus]].<ref>George Zornick, "[http://www.thenation.com/blog/170700/herman-cains-nationwide-worker-intimidation-tour# Herman Cain’s Nationwide Worker Intimidation Tour]," ''The Nation'', October 19, 2012. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Job Creators Network Inc, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/454/848/2013-454848799-0a8301f7-9O.pdf 2013 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Job Creators Alliance, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/273/638/2012-273638207-095c1b53-9.pdf 2011 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Job Creators Network Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/273/638/2013-273638207-0a827efb-9.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Dan Calabrese, "[http://www.caintv.com/home-depots-bernie-marcus-its Home Depot’s Bernie Marcus: It’s the NLRB vs. job creators]," ''CainTV.com'', February 27, 2013. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Job Creators Alliance, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/273/638/2011-273638207-0801f773-9.pdf 2010 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> The organization was instrumental to [[Herman Cain | Herman Cain’s]] presidential bid, funding his Job Creators Truth Tour in 2012.<ref>George Zornick, "[http://www.thenation.com/blog/170700/herman-cains-nationwide-worker-intimidation-tour# Herman Cain’s Nationwide Worker Intimidation Tour]," ''The Nation'', Oct. 19, 2012. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> Even after Cain lost in the primary election, Job Creators Network, then called Job Creators Solutions but funded by the same 501(c)(4), remained active in the Presidential election.<ref name="forbes">Kelly Phillips Erb, "[http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2012/10/20/cain-uses-non-profit-to-stump-for-romney-says-stupid-people-are-ruining-america/ Cain Uses Non-Profit to Stump for Romney, Says ‘Stupid People Are Ruining America’]," ''Forbes'', Oct. 20, 2012. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> Forbes wrote that this activity "raised eyebrows" due to the IRS requirements that 501(c)(4) organizations only use political activity to promote the social welfare.<ref name="forbes"/> JCN claimed that their position was non-partisan and that "[i]t [was] not intended to discuss a particular president, congress member or corporate leader."<ref>"[https://www.happyvalley.com/state-college-pa-things-to-do/state-college-stories/1953-the-state-theatre-presents-herman-cain The State Theatre Presents Herman Cain]," ''HappyValley.com''. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015</ref> Despite this, Cain publicly stated during his Truth Tour that his mission was "to defeat Barack Obama."<ref name="forbes"/> JCN, as Job Creators Solutions, even created a "2012 Issues Guide" pamphlet that appears to heavily favor [[Mitt Romney]] over [[Barack Obama]].<ref>Job Creators Solutions, "[http://www.blowingrock.com/documents/JCS-Issues-Guide.pdf 2012 Issues Guide for Employees]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> After the 2012 Presidential election, Cain remained active with JCN for some time such as co-hosting a JCN-sponsored, Florida-based summit attended by business and political leaders.<ref>Robert Costa, "[http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/344243/cain-huddle-jeb-bush-robert-costa Cain to Huddle with Jeb Bush]," ''National Review Online'', March 28, 2013. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref>
JCN is comprised of two non-profit organizations, a [[501(c)(3)]] foundation, Job Creators Network Foundation, and a [[501(c)(4)]] advocacy, Job Creators Network Inc.<ref name="action fund"/><ref name="foundation two"/> In 2013, JCN President Alfredo Ortiz announced that Job Creators Alliance, the original name for JCN’s 501(c)(3) organization, would change its name to the current Job Creators Network Foundation.<ref>Job Creators Network Foundation, "[http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/10/01/MN89450?r=full&full=true Job Creators Alliance Becomes Job Creators Network Foundation]," ''PR Newswire'', Oct. 1, 2013. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> In this press release, Ortiz states that the name change reflects a "synergy" between the 501(c)(4) and the 501(c)(3) organizations of JCN and further stated that the Job Creators Network Foundation "continues with the [Job Creators] Alliance mission."<ref>Job Creators Network Foundation, "[http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/10/01/MN89450?r=full&full=true Job Creators Alliance Becomes Job Creators Network Foundation]," ''PR Newswire'', Oct. 1, 2013. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref>
Currently, JCN is focused on advocating specific policy stances while also promoting and distributing its "Employer to Employee Communications Program (E2E)."<ref>Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/ Main Page]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> JCN believes that "employees, particularly non-union employees, are an untapped reservoir of support for free enterprise."<ref>Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/membership/ Membership]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> This program seeks to give employers materials and training that they can use to "educate their employees about the impact of government policies on their jobs, pay, benefits and families."ref>Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/membership/ Membership]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref>
===Defendmainstreet.com===
Defend Main Street is a website and project operated by JCN as part of a national advertising campaign launched on January 21, 2015.<ref>Defend Main Street, "[https://defendmainstreet.com/ Main Page]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> Defend Main Street is a part of a national print and television advertising campaign, launched on January 21, 2015, by JCN. This campaign alleges that the franchise business model is under threat by new National Labor Relations Board rulings related to franchising. This advertising campaign includes television commercials running on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, and CNBC. Also included are print advertisements in both Roll Call and the Washington Edition of The Wall Street Journal. A six-week plan for the advertising campaign includes expansion beyond the Washington D.C. area with regional advertisements, according to ''Daily Caller''.<ref>Connor D. Wolf, "[http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/21/business-groups-launches-campaign-against-nlrb-franchise-ruling/ Business Group Launches Campaign Against NLRB Franchise Ruling]," ''Daily Caller'', Jan. 21, 2015. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref>
Defendmainstreet.com was registered on November 19, 2014.<ref>GoDaddy.com, "[https://who.godaddy.com/whoisstd.aspx?domain=defendmainstreet.com&prog_id=GoDaddy Defendmainstreet.com]," ''WHOIS Search''. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> The website includes the claim that "Unelected Bureaucrats Are Threatening America’s Franchise System," alleging that "The General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board - an unelected bureaucrat - has made a recommendation that would make franchisors responsible for the employment actions of all local business owners."<ref>Defend Main Street, "[https://defendmainstreet.com/ Main Page]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref> Defendmainstreet.com includes a petition by which interested parties can "Pledge to Defend Main Street" and "Let the NLRB Know: This is Unacceptable " by entering in their information, including their email addresses.<ref>Defend Main Street, "[https://defendmainstreet.com/ Main Page]." Accessed Jan. 27, 2015.</ref>
==Partnerships and Personnel==
Job Creators Network Foundation, the 501(c)(3) organization of JCN, states its mission is to "Bring together job creators from large and small companies to educate Americans on the vital role of free enterprise and entrepreneurship in creating jobs, spurring innovation and ensuring America’s economic success."<ref name="foundation two"/> The Job Creators Network Inc, the 501(c)(4) organization of JCN, states that it is "an educational non-profit that seeks to educate Americans on the vital role of free enterprise in creating jobs that will spur innovation and help ensure America’s future economic success."<ref name="action fund"/> They seek to accomplice these missions by partnering with executive-level business people and other organizations.
===Job Creators Network CEO’s===
JCN maintains a page on their website displaying all of the executive-level businesspeople that currently partner with the organization.<ref name="exec">Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/ceo/ Our CEOs]." Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> This page lists the contact information of JCN’s media associate with an invitation to "Call or email today to interview a JCN CEO about issues that impact job creation."<ref name="exec"/> The executives listed as partners with JCN, as of January 30, 2015, are:<ref name="exec"/>
*[[John Allison]], retired CEO for BB7T Corp., current CEO of the [[Cato Institute]]
*Maximo Alvarez, President of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc.
*Brad Anderson, former CEO and Vice Chairman for Best Buy
*Jim Anthony, Founder and CEO of Anthony and Company
*Scott Barron, CEO of School Growth LLC
*Stephen Bienko, Founder and President of 42 Holdings
*[[Fred Eshelman]], Founder and Executive Chairman of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.
*Blair Fensterstock, Managing Partner of Fensterstock & Partners, LLP
*Dawn Fotopulos, Founder of BestSmallBizHelp.com
*Heidi Ganahl, CEO of Camp Bow Wow
*Carlos Gazitua, President of Sergio’s Family Restaurants
*William "Lee" Hanley, Partner at Lexington Management
*Doug Haugh, President of Mansfield Oil
*David Hernandez, CEO of Liberty Power
*Michael Holthouse, CEO of Prepared 4 Life
*Christian Infante, Vice-President at SFM Services
*Richard L. Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Jackson Healthcare
*Leslie Kaminoff, Founder and CEO of AKAM Living Services, Inc.
*Ralph Ketner, Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder of Food Lion, Inc.
*Sydney W. "Syd" Kitson, Chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners
*Laura Kozelouzek, CEO of Quest Workspaces
*Ronald Lazof, former President and CEO for Behr Processing, Inc.
*Michael A. Leven, President and COO of Las Vegas Sands, Corp.
*Javier Loya, Chairman and CEO of OTC Global Holdings LP
*Robert Luddy, President and Founder of CaptiveAire Systems
*Chris MacFarland, CEO of Masergy Communications
*[[Bernie Marcus]], Co-Founder of The Home Depot
*Bernie Navarro, President of Benworth Capital Partners
*Andrew Puzder, CEO and CKE of Restaurant Holdings, Inc.
*Gary Rabine, CEO and Founder of Rabine Group
*Adam Robinson, Co-Founder and Chief Hireologiest of Hireology
*[[Kathleen Shanahan]], CEO and Chairman of Uretek Holdings, Inc.
*John Slavic, President and Founder of the Slavic Group
*Omar Soliman, CEO of College Hunks Hauling Junk
*Tom Stemberg, Founder and former CEO of Staples
*Warren Stephens, Chairman, President and CEO of Stephens, Inc.
*Fran Tarkenton, Founder and CEO of OneMoreCustomer.com
*Scott Verner, President and CEO of Nipro Diagnostics
===Organization Partners===
The organizations that partner with JCN, as of January 30, 2015, are:<ref name="about"/>
*[[American Chemistry Council]]
*[[Americans for Prosperity]]
*Asian American Chamber of Commerce
*Asian American Home Owners Association
*Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc-Florida *First Coast Chapter
*Same-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
*[[Associated General Contractors of America]]
*Assocation Services Group
*[[Ayn Rand Institute]]
*[[BIPAC]]
*B&CMA
*Cigar Association Virginia
*COBB Chamber
*Colorado Women’s Alliance
*Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Limitless
*Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
*Economic Development Council-South Miami-Dade
*Florida Chamber of Commerce
*Florida Federation of Young Republicans
*Florida International University
*Florida Medical Assocation, Inc.
*Florida Society of Association Executives, Inc.
*[[Foundation for Economic Education]]
*[[Generation Opportunity]]
*Georgia Argibusiness Council
*Georgia Chamber
*Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
*Georgia Motor Trucking
*Georgia Poultry Federation
*Georgia Restaurant Association
*Georgia Society of Association Executives
*Gold Star Referral Clubs
*Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
*Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
*HipHop Basketball Foundation
*Hispanic Business Initiative Fund
*Hunter Ridge Community Association
*International Franchise Association
*The [[Jesse Helms]] Center Foundation
*Latin Builders Association, Inc.
*Latin Builders Association Academy
*Latino-Jewish Alliance for a Secure America
*Link Construction Group
*[[Minority Business Round Table]]
*National Association of Women Business Owners
*[[National Federation of Independent Business]]
*[[National Restaurant Association]]
*North Carolina Chamber
*Network for Educational Opportunity
*New America
*New Hampshire Center for Innovative Schools
*NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation
*North Carolina HIspanic Chamber of Commerce
*North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
*Northeast Florida Builders Association
*Northwood University
*Patients for Fair Compensation
*Greater Raleigh Chamber
*Retail Merchants Association
*Roswell Inc.
*[[The Latino Coalition]]
*[[The Libre Initiative]]
*The Millennial Solution
*Turning Point USA
*Uretek
*Small Business Committee
*Virginia Manufactured and Modular Housing Association
*Virginia Chamber
*VetJobs
*The Village Athletic Associaiton
*Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
*Zambrano Foundation, Inc.
===Staff===
JCN lists its current staff as:<ref name="about"/>
*'''Alfredo Ortiz''', President and CEO
*'''Phil Willard''', CFO
*'''Elaine Lutz''', Chief Marketing Officer
*'''Ted Peterson''', Media Associate
*'''Kierstin Koppel''', National Coalitions Director and Director of Young Entrepreneurs. Koppel was previously President for GALT Consulting LLC, and previously worked at SunPAC, [[The Libre Initiative]], Capital City Partnership, and Americans United for Life.<ref>"[https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=126164563&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=bTdF&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1422653374383%2Ctas%3AKierstin%20Koppe%2Cidx%3A1-1-1 Kierstin Koppel]", ''LinkedIn''. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref>
*'''Sarah Lenti''', National Womans Coalition Director, Colorado State Director. Lenti is a policy consultant and political advisor to Republican party leaders, including both elected officials and candidates.<ref name="about"/>
==Core Financials==
JCN files taxes under the name Job Creators Network Foundation for its 501(c)(3) organization,<ref name="foundation two"/> and as Job Creators Network Inc for its 501(c)(4) organization.<ref name="action fund"/>
'''Job Creators Network Foundation'''
'''2010<ref>Job Creators Alliance, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/273/638/2011-273638207-0801f773-9.pdf 2010 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> For the period Oct. 1, 2010-Sep. 30, 2011(filed as Job Creators Alliance):'''
*Total Revenue: $1,051,132
*Total Expenses: $1,014,226
*Net Assets: $371,713
'''2011<ref name="foundation one"/> For the period Oct. 1, 2011-Sep. 30, 2012(filed as Job Creators Alliance):'''
*Total Revenue: $2,710,958
*Total Expenses: $2,220,833
*Net Assets: $861,838
'''2012<ref name="foundation two"/> For the period Oct. 1, 2012-Sep. 30, 2013(filed as Job Creators Network Foundation):'''
*Total Revenue: $1,623,700
*Total Expenses: $2,357,178
*Net Assets: $128,360
'''Job Creators Network Inc'''
'''2012<ref>Job Creators Network Inc, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/454/848/2012-454848799-0a8c4534-9O.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref>:'''
*Total Revenue: $2,344,375
*Total Expenses: $2,470,467
*Net Assets: -$126,092
'''2013<ref name="action fund"/>:'''
*Total Revenue: $1,982,590
*Total Expenses: $1,883,224
*Net Assets: -$26,726
===Notable Donors===
Donations given to Job Creators Alliance:
'''2011:'''
*Retail Industry Leaders Association: $1,000,000<ref>Retail Industry Leaders Association, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/042/395/2011-042395151-08c142ee-9O.pdf 2011 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*John Dawson Foundation: $50,000<ref>John Dawson Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/861/011/2011-861011524-08e88439-F.pdf 2011 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[Marcus Foundation]]: $500,000<ref>Marcus Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/581/815/2011-581815651-08ba86c1-F.pdf 2011 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[John William Pope Foundation]]: $100,000<ref name="conserv job">Conservativetransparency.org, "[http://transparency.bridgeproject.com/basic-search/?q=job+creators+alliance&sf%5B%5D=candidate&sf%5B%5D=donor&sf%5B%5D=recipient&sf%5B%5D=transaction&sf%5B%5D=finances Job Creators Alliance Contributions]." Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[DonorsTrust]]: $125,000<ref name="conserv job"/>
*[[Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation]]: $25,000<ref name="conserv job"/>
'''2012:'''
*Retail Industry Leaders Association: $425,000<ref>Retail Industry Leaders Association, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/042/395/2012-042395151-09dae074-9O.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[Marcus Foundation]]: $200,000<ref>Marcus Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/581/815/2012-581815651-09c2a8c8-F.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[John William Pope Foundation]]: $8,000<ref>John William Pope Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/581/691/2013-581691765-09c7d9b0-FA.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*Luddy Charitable Foundation: $10,000<ref>Luddy Charitable Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/113/660/2012-113660572-0949c0b1-F.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*Lazof Family Foundation Inc: $5,000<ref>Lazof Family Foundation Inc, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/272/122/2012-272122130-09aeaa10-F.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[Anschutz Foundation]]: $100,000<ref>Anschutz Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/742/316/2013-742316617-0a8abca4-F.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*[[William E. Simon Foundation]]: $1,000<ref>William E Simon Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/136/217/2012-136217788-09b483c4-F.pdf 2012 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
'''2013:'''
*Luddy Charitable Foundation: $23,000<ref>Luddy Charitable Foundation, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/113/660/2013-113660572-0a4a8a75-F.pdf 2013 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
*Lazof Family Foundation Inc: $5,000<ref>Lazof Family Foundation Inc, "[http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/272/122/2013-272122130-0ac5b775-F.pdf 2013 IRS form 990]," organizational tax filing. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.</ref>
==Contact Information==
Job Creators Network
3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 690
Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: 1-800-562-9718
Email: info@jobcreatorsnetwork.com<ref>Job Creators Network, "[https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/contact/ Contact]". Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref>
Job Creators Network Foundation
15455 N. Dallas Parkway
Addison, TX 75001
Phone: 1-800-562-9718<ref name="foundation two"/>
Job Creators Network Inc.
15455 N. Dallas Parkway
Addison, TX 75001
Phone: 1-800-562-9718<ref name="action fund"/>
===References===
<references/>