By FP1 Strategies
FP1’s success is driven by the talent of our team. In this first edition of “Meet Our Production Pros,” we’re highlighting the contributions of Courtney McLeod and Gretchen Kepley. Courtney and Gretchen both started as production coordinators at FP1 during the 2022 election cycle. This past December, in recognition of their hard work and contributions, we proudly promoted Courtney and Gretchen to the position of Manager, empowering them to have an even larger role in our creative process.
Courtney and Gretchen each spent around 60 days on the road in 2024, racking up frequent flyer miles and Marriott points and helping manage all aspects of our shoot process. In their jobs, they interact with candidates and campaign managers, assist in shooting b-roll, vet testimonials and direct-to-camera reads, all while herding full-size film crews and juggling 12-hour schedules with multiple locations. Courtney and Gretchen are a great tag team who work well together and keep our production trains running on time. In their young careers, they’ve already made significant contributions to some of the biggest Republican victories of the past few years.
“FP1 is committed to providing young Republican operatives with opportunities to advance their careers,” said Partner Annie Kelly Kuhle. “I couldn’t be prouder of Courtney and Gretchen, and I look forward to working with them for years to come, helping them develop professionally and winning big campaigns together.”
“Courtney McLeod and Gretchen Kepley are total rock stars,” said FP1 Managing Director Mariah Wood. “They’ve grown so much in a short period of time. They understand all aspects of managing an effective shoot. They’re smart, hardworking and detail-oriented. We love having them on our team.”
Please read this lightning round Q&A with Courtney McLeod and Gretchen Kepley:
What’s your alma mater?
Courtney: Florida State University
Gretchen: University of Virginia
What do you like best about working at FP1?
Courtney: Working alongside some of the most experienced and high-caliber people who are constantly raising the bar in political advertising makes working at FP1 exciting, as well as a constant challenge to be better.
Gretchen: I really enjoy being part of the creative process within the firm. We have a method to what we produce that works, based on the issues that matter most to voters. At the same time, we have the ability to create ads that break the traditional mold.
What was your favorite FP1 campaign in 2024?
Courtney: Congressman Zach Nunn was my favorite FP1 candidate to work with this cycle. Getting to work alongside his team to coordinate and produce three shoots that created 14 ads throughout the year was very rewarding.
Gretchen: I really enjoyed working on ads for Tim Sheehy’s senatorial campaign in 2024. Montana is not only a beautiful state to film in, but it was also incredibly rewarding to highlight Senator Sheehy’s military accomplishments and health care contributions.
What’s the best shoot you’ve been on?
Courtney: One of my favorite shoots this cycle was for Senator Tim Sheehy in Bozeman, MT to produce the “Way of Life” ad that highlighted his family’s love of camping and the importance of preserving Montana’s public lands.
Gretchen: The best shoot I’ve been on was at Busch Stadium with former St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith. We filmed an ad with Ozzie in support of Missouri’s Amendment 2 to legalize sports betting. The amendment passed, and getting to meet a Hall of Famer was pretty neat too.
What is your favorite restaurant in the D.C. area and why?
Courtney: Stracci’s! Their Roman-style artisanal pizza with handmade Stracciatella cheese makes it the best pizza in the DMV. I recommend getting the meatballs to start, a combination of pizzas to share and finish with the affogato!
Gretchen: La Bonne Vache in Georgetown is a great French restaurant that serves phenomenal sandwiches.
What’s the last book you read?
Courtney: A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith – a new favorite that chronicles 19th century Florida (my home state) and pioneer families who worked to cultivate the Florida wilderness.
Gretchen: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
What’s your favorite movie?
Courtney: Pride and Prejudice.
Gretchen: It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed.
Favorite thing to do on a Saturday?
Courtney: Try a new coffee shop in D.C., go for a long walk on the national mall with a friend and attempt making a new dish for dinner, most recently, we made homemade gnocchi!
Gretchen: Take an early-ish morning spin class.
If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who’d it be?
Courtney: Queen Elizabeth II. Mainly for the corgis.
Gretchen: There are countless books and documentaries about Princess Diana’s life, but I’d love to ask her thoughts on how the royal family has evolved since her passing, particularly in terms of their public perception.
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