Brandon Macsata
ContributorBrandon Macsata serves as Managing Partner of The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. – a national political and public affairs consulting firm specializing in grassroots media campaigns and political fundraising. He is widely recognized for ability to connect national, state and local stakeholders interested in influencing public policy and the political process. Macsata has extensive experience working with political candidates, national and statewide trade associations, and other corporate entities.<br /> <br /> The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. provides professional consultation on political strategies, public policy, communications & marketing strategies and media relations. The firm also offers grassroots advocacy training to better exchange organizations in the legislative process. Starting in January 2005, The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. also started its fundraising activities for political candidates, political action committees, trade associations and non-profits. <br /> <br /> First diagnosed as HIV-positive in March 2002, Macsata has dedicated much of his professional and personal life advocating for persons living with HIV/AIDS. He currently serves as CEO of the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+), a national non-profit organization working to improve the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. From November 2003 to March 2006, he authored a weekly news column on national HIV-related stories for The Weekly News in Miami, Florida. He is also a former ADAP recipient.<br /> <br /> He also serves as Executive Director of the Association for Airline Passenger Rights (AAPR), and General Consultant to the US Business Leadership Network.<br /> <br /> Macsata formerly served as the Executive Director of the American Congress of Community Support & Employment Services (ACCSES), a national trade association representing the interests of community, non-profit agencies providing supports and services to persons with disabilities. During his tenure with ACCSES, he served on the NISH Board of Directors and co-chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Fiscal Policy Task Force. <br /> <br /> Prior to moving to Washington, DC in 2000, he opened a 100-bed assisted living care facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Serving as the facility’s assistant administrator, Macsata worked closely with families, community leaders and state agencies to advocate for seniors.<br /> <br /> In his current capacity as Managing Partner of The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc., Macsata has worked with the Disability Service Providers of American (DSPA), ACCSES-DSPA Alliance (now ‘ACCSES’), US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®), One Percent Coalition, CCDH (formerly Community Committee for the Developmentally Handicapped), Brevard Achievement Center, ARC Broward, UCP of East-Central Florida/WORC, MACtown, Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN), Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, RESPECT of Florida and United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD).<br /> <br /> Macsata’s passion for improving the lives of persons with disabilities started with his association with Carolina Canines for Service, Inc., a non-profit organization that trains and places service dogs at no cost to the recipient. In 1999-2000 he served as the President of their Board of Directors.<br /> <br /> Macsata has advised candidates for political office, and has also run for office himself at the local and national levels. In 1995, he was just 79 votes short of beating a 22-year incumbent and becoming the youngest person ever elected in the State of North Carolina. In 2000, he formed an exploratory committee to run for the U.S. House of Representatives before ultimately deciding against running for that office. He is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science.