About Us

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Christopher Merola is the President of Red Momentum Strategies.  He is the son of Italian immigrants, whose parents' lives were saved by 

the US Army during WW II.  He grew up in Western Pennsylvania in a blue-collar, working class family.  His father was a steelworker and his mother a 

small business owning seamstress.

At the age of 17, after graduating high school, 

Chris joined the US Army in order to earn tuition for college and give something back to the organization 

that made his life possible. 

Upon returning to Western Pennsylvania after his enlistment ended, Chris joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he became a Sergeant (E-5) and a team leader at the age of 22.

Chris put himself through college attending part-time for ten years, while working and serving in the Army National Guard.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Arts degree in  Community Counseling (Psychology) from 

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

He has worked on 31 political campaigns at the 

state and federal levels, including his own run 

for the Virginia State House of Delegates.  A former Capitol Hill staffer, Chris conducted press 

operations and communications for a Republican Member of Congress on Capitol Hill.  

While working for the Congressman, he wrote op-eds, talking points and House Floor speeches.  He also conducted new media outreach for the Congressman.

Following his time on Capitol Hill, he involved himself in business development and political consulting 

for several communications companies.  

While working in that capacity, Chris designed 

the internet strategy for political campaigns, 

along with the writing of various campaign advertisements and email outreach to raise 

money and “get-out-the-vote” for various clients.

During this time he also served as a guest 

columnist for Townhall.com. 

Tressa Harper Merola is the Senior Consultant of 

Red Momentum Strategies.  She is a native of Western Pennsylvania as well.  A Scots-Irish lass whose family has a long history in Western Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio where she earned her Bachelor of Arts 

degree in Communications-Public relations. 

Tressa spent nine years working on Capitol Hill.  

During her time on Capitol Hill she managed the Congressional office, balanced a budget of almost 

$2 million, conducted interviews of staff members and interns, and arranged all travel and scheduling for a Republican Member of Congress.

Following her time on Capitol Hill, Tressa worked 

for a trade association in Northern Virginia. 

Tressa has worked on more than a few 

political campaigns over the years, including 

her husband's run for the state house in Virginia where she handled logistics for the campaign.  In 

that capacity, she managed the activities of campaign volunteers, operated as the editor-at-large for all campaign materials, and conducted field operations.

Tressa is also the proud and loving caretaker of the Red Momentum mascot, Calvin the Basset Hound, who is named after President Calvin Coolidge.