About Juan C. Pleitez
Juan is the son of Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants, He grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina where he learned his love for the outdoors and music.
Juan’s passion for charity work and politics began simultaneously. In 2015, Juan was elected president of Hibriten High School’s Key Club Chapter. Key Club, the High School Branch of Kiwanis International, is the oldest and largest service organization for High school students. Through this role, Juan focused on club membership development and fundraising for local charities. In the spring of 2016, Juan was elected as Lieutenant Governor for Division 03 of the Carolinas District of Key Club International, representing 6 counties and over 10 schools on the district board. As Lieutenant Governor, Juan traveled the State speaking to high school groups about the importance of servant leadership and of giving back to the community and represented North Carolina at the annual Key Club international convention as a delegate in Atlanta-2016 and San Antonio-2017.
In the political arena, Juan began volunteering at his local county GOP at the encouragement of a family friend, Ted Alexander in 2015. This involvement led him to be part of a select number of students chosen to attend the North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly. It was here that Juan found his passion for state level policy. In 2017, Juan served on the leadership board of YLA as Co-Chair of the Science and Technology Committee. Additionally, Juan served a term as intern in the Hickory district office of Congressman Patrick McHenry where he focused on record keeping and constituent services.
In the fall of 2009, tragedy struck Juan’s family when his mother was unexpectedly diagnosed with Leukemia. In an effort to honor his mothers memory and support survivors and their families alike, Juan is proud of his involvement with the American Cancer Society at the local level, where he had the honor of being the Emcee for the 2017 Caldwell County Relay for Life and the 2017 and 2018 Relay for Life of the Catawba Valley, the region's largest relay for life event.
In the fall of 2017, Juan began studying at William Peace University in Raleigh with an intended major in Political Science. In the spring of 2018, Juan began an internship in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest. This was the first internship Juan held at the State Government Level. That spring, through his local representative, Juan met North Carolina’s House Majority Whip, Representative Hardister, who offered Juan an internship at the State House starting in May of 2018.
The 2018 election was the first election that Juan could vote in. Wanting to earn more hands-on experience in campaigns and elections. Juan joined the NCGOP’s Republican Leadership Initiative, a first of its kind grassroots canvassing initiative which focused on key state legislative races in suburban Wake County. Other members of the Republican Leadership Initiative included members of the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans and the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans (NCFCR). Through the RLI, Juan had the opportunity to work closely with these groups earning him a spot as Capital Area Regional Director for the College Republicans and Statewide Recruitment Director for the Young Republicans in early and mid 2019.
As regional director, Juan oversaw the development and management of chapters in the greater Capital area which included some of the largest chapters in the State Federation such as the NC State College Republicans and the College Republicans at UNC-Chapel Hill. That year, the NCFCR focused on laying the groundwork for the General election of 2020 and provided aid in special elections such as the 9th congressional district which elected then State Senator Dan Bishop. As Recruitment director, Juan focused on aiding young republican chapters in membership growth and helping the state board in planning and recruiting participants for statewide events such as deployments and days of action.
At the urging of chapter leaders and friends, in December of 2019, Juan announced his intention to stand for election of State Chairman of the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. Juan ran a unity ticket that was elected in March of 2020 just two weeks before the nationwide shut down due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented Juan and the newly elected North Carolina College Republican Board with a unique challenge, navigating the uncertainties and social gathering restrictions. With the development of the NCFCR 2020 Strategic Plan, the board morphed conventional campaign and get-out-the-vote techniques with emerging technologies such as mass texting, targeted mailers, and modified canvassing protocols. The strategic plan also included the NCFCR Victory Tour, a series of days of action spread across the state with heavy emphasis on competitive congressional and state legislative seats which saw record participation from local federation chapters. The Strategic Plan resulted in over 350,000 voter contacts despite strict restrictions on campus extracurricular and club activities.
Juan was honored to represent the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans as well as all conservative youth coalitions in North Carolina by being selected as an At-Large Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Charlotte.
In the spring of 2021, as Juan’s tenure as NCFCR chair came to a close, Juan was invited to form part of the relaunching of the North Carolina chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, an auxiliary of the North Carolina Republican Party focused on hispanic engagement. As vice-chair of the NC-RNHA, Juan focused on the administrative functions of the organization including setting up organizational by-laws and training & advising state and local officers on club functions and development. Juan was asked to deliver a speech on behalf of the NC-RNHA to the floor of the 2021 NCGOP’s State Convention in Greenville, North Carolina. During the speech, Juan talked about the importance of community, hard work, and family and the pivotal role the Hispanic community plays in North Carolina.
In the summer of 2021, Juan was invited to form part of NCFYR Chairwoman Catherine Whitford’s re-election bid as the slate’s nominee for Political Director. Juan was tapped to give the nominating speech for the Chair who was unanimously re-elected. As Political director, Juan forms part of the YR Campaign committee which oversees the grassroots wing of the Young Republicans and oversees overall chapter health and development.
In December of 2021, Juan graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science from William Peace University. Becoming the first person in his family to attain both a High School and College Degree.
Days after graduating, Juan was hired as the new political director for the Mark Walker for US Senate Campaign. Where he oversaw the development of the campaign’s volunteer network, political strategy, press relations, and messaging. Juan began traveling the State with Congressman Walker and the rest of the campaign team on a large tour bus affectionately named “Betsy” due the large American flag painted towards the back, a nod to Betsy Ross’s stars and stripes.
After the conclusion of the May primary, Juan returned to Representative Hardister’s office as research assistant and policy advisor. During the 2021-2022 session, Rep. Hardister was appointed as chairman of the Education, Appropriation and Education - Universities committees. In addition to constituent services and political/legislative strategy. Juan focuses on university policy and education funding.
As the 2022 midterms heated up, Juan joined political consultant Charles Hellwing and his firm to help local and state legislative races in competitive districts through the development of messaging, mailers, and get-out-the-vote efforts.
In November of 2022, Juan launched his campaign for North Carolina Young Republican State Chair, NCFYR Trusted. Team Trusted is made up of activists, policy specialists, and elected officials seeking to write the next chapter of NCFYR. Serving as the launchpad for current and future movers in the conservative movement. In April of 2023, Juan suspended his campaign for YR Chair to focus on other personal projects.
In the Fall of 2023, Juan was nominated to participate in the North Carolina Leadership Forum. NCLF provides an opportunity for civic, business and political leaders from across North Carolina to discuss issues central to the future of our state. The Forum provides a venue for North Carolina leaders to discuss the nature of the challenges, to understand different points of view about how to address them, and to advance mutually acceptable solutions that improve the lives of North Carolinians. Juan participated in the Forum's cohort on elections.
Juan currently lives in Raleigh. When not on the road, Juan enjoys playing the piano, visiting with friends, and playing fetch with his roommate's golden retriever, Kennedy.