USBLN, Business Leadership Network

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Learn more about the USBLN Staff

Learn more about the USBLN Student Advisory Council

New! Study Shows Consumers Support Business that Hire People with Disabilities.

"You (BLNs) are leading the way, and that is exactly what we need to build a vibrant, productive, and inclusive workforce for the 21st century."

Elaine S. Chao, Secretary
US Department of Labor

"Employees with disabilities add diversity to the workforce, which, in turn, drives innovation. The USBLN recognizes and promotes this fact using their employer to employer approach. By helping businesses recognize the value and competence of people with disabilities, the USBLN opens the door to a world of new career opportunities and enhances businesses profitability."

Neil Romano ODEP
Asst. Secretary
U.S. Department of Labor

"Once an overlooked talent pool, people with disabilities are contributing to the American economy in ways never imagined . . ."

Thomas J. Donohue
President & CEO
US Chamber of Commerce

Our Staff

JOHN D. KEMP
Principal, Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.
Executive Director & General Counsel, US Business Leadership Network
Email: John.Kemp@ppsv.com
Phone: (202)-466-6550

John D. Kemp, 2007 recipient of the New Freedom Initiative award and 2006 recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award (regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service) is widely respected for his many achievements, both in the corporate and non-profit worlds. As a person with personal disability experience who uses four prostheses, John inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and persistence. Mr. Kemp graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and from Washburn University School of Law in 1974. Mr. Kemp was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May, 2003. With more than 45 years of direct experience in the disability movement, is a principal at the Washington, D.C. Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C. He presently serves as CEO of ACCSES, Executive Director of the One Percent Coalition and Executive Director & General Counsel of the US Business Leadership Network.

Brandon Macsata BRANDON M. MACSATA
Managing Partner, The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc.
General Consultant, US Business Leadership Network
Email: Brandon@Macsata.org
Phone: (305) 519-4256

Brandon Macsata serves as Managing Partner of The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. – a national governmental and public affairs consulting firm specializing in grassroots campaigns and political fundraising. He is widely recognized for ability to connect national, state and local stakeholders interested in influencing public policy. Macsata has extensive experience working with political candidates, national and statewide trade associations, and other corporate entities. First diagnosed as HIV-positive in March 2002, Macsata has dedicated much of his professional and personal life over the several years advocating for persons living with AIDS. He formerly served as the Executive Director/CEO for the American Congress of Community Support & Employment Services (ACCSES). Macsata has advised candidates for political office, and has also run for office himself at the local and national levels. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

LAURIE BLAIR
Director of Disability Services, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville P.C.
Administrator, US Business Leadership Network
Email: Laurie.blair@ppsv.com
Phone: (202) 466-6550

Laurie Blair works with John Kemp in the disability practice at the Powers, Pyles Sutter & Verville, P.C. Laurie provides a range of support services including financial management, contract negotiation, speech writing and a range of other responsibilities that evolve along with the practice. With more than 15 years of nonprofit management experience, Laurie specializes in improving organizational systems. During her tenure with Easter Seals of the Greater Washington/Baltimore Region, Laurie provided organizational development and management across the organization, collecting more than $100,000 in old accounts receivable, managed a $500,000 renovation and oversaw the management of three childcare centers. Working to stream line organizational systems, she managed the fundraising office for the School of Business at Portland State University, doubling the number of visits made by the Dean and Development Officer within one year. Traveling to South Africa, Laurie organized regional staff training retreats as well as worked on the compliance of government contracts for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. In addition, Laurie is an artist and community organizer with the DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency, Sol y Sol, the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project and Empower DC.

D. BEN TESDAHL
Counsel, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville P.C.
Asst. General Counsel, US Business Leadership Network
Email: Ben.tesdahl@ppsv.com
Phone: (202) 466-6550

Ben Tesdahl specializes in the law of tax-exempt organizations. He represents all types of nonprofit entities, including health care providers, charitable and educational organizations, religious organizations, veterans groups, trade and professional associations, and lobbying and political organizations. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of tax, contract law and corporate law issues applicable to exempt organizations. Mr. Tesdahl serves as general counsel to some of the country's leading tax-exempt organizations, including: The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; Officers' Christian Fellowship; The Education Commission of the States, and ANCOR and the ANCOR Foundation. He also serves as corporate counsel to St. John's Community Services and its subsidiaries. In addition, Mr. Tesdahl provides tax, corporate and contract law advice to some prominent for-profit entities. Specifically, he serves as general counsel to Trailways Transportation System, Inc. and to Envision EMI, Inc.

AMANDA KORNEGAY
Partner, The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc.
Fundraising Consultant, US Business Leadership Network
Email: Amanda@Kornegay.org
Phone: (202) 246-6594

Amanda Kornegay is the newest Partner of The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. – a national governmental and public affairs consulting firm specializing in grassroots campaigns and political fundraising. From April 2003 to January 2005, Kornegay served as the Finance Director for Senator Richard Burr’s U.S. Senate campaign. While serving as the fundraising arm of the campaign it was her job to generate the financial resources required to run a successful U.S. Senate campaign. Senator Burr’s race was victorious, in part, to the $13 million dollar war chest that Kornegay raised for the campaign. Prior to the Burr campaign she served as the PAC Manager of TARPAC for the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, D.C. for 4½ years. During her time with the Broadcaster’s Kornegay set a record high for the most “hard” PAC dollars ever raised for TARPAC. Kornegay received Capitol Hill experience straight out of college as a staffer in Senator Lauch Faircloth’s (R-NC) office. She is an active alumni and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a BA in Political Science.