Who We Are
Advocom Group is an advocacy and strategic communications consulting firm. We help companies, associations and nonprofits achieve government affairs, public relations, and business development goals. As one of Advocom Group’s original founders, I take personal responsibility for the success of each of our clients.
We operate on a lean and virtual business model. This enables us to provide hands-on, personalized service, while avoiding costly overhead and staffing. When you hire us, you work with experienced professionals, not junior staff. We have a long track record of achieving measurable results for organizations of all types and sizes, from emerging startups to global companies, major trade associations and nonprofits.
I am proud of our achievements for our clients. Looking ahead, I remain energized by each new opportunity and challenge.
A.J. Donelson
Principal & Founder
A.J. takes a hands-on, leadership role in providing Advocom Group’s consulting services to clients. His personal commitment to each client’s success is a core feature of Advocom Group.
Drawing on his background as an attorney, business leader and government relations consultant, A.J. is recognized as a trusted advisor to private sector clients faced with opportunities and challenges which lie at the intersection of business and government. His client assignments have taken him from Washington, D.C. to state capitals across the country, as well as projects in Asia and Europe.
Over the course of his career, A.J. headed up the federal government relations office of a Fortune 500 company, he led the growth and sale of two public affairs consulting firms to publicly traded global marketing communications companies, and he is an investor in several technology startup companies.
In addition to consulting, A.J. is a Mentor-in-Residence for Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, where he advises professors, researchers, and principal investigators on strategies to move technology from lab to marketplace. He serves as a reviewer of applications for grants from university translation funds and he sits on the advisory board of Johns Hopkins’ Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute.
A.J. is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, which preserves and interprets the home and farm of the 7th President of the United States.
He is a volunteer with Red Cross disaster relief efforts, most recently helping hurricane and tornado victims in Florida and Mississippi, as well as serving in emergency management roles in the Red Cross’ National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region.
He received his law degree from the University of Florida and his undergraduate degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University.
Consultants
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Scot Drake
For more than 23 years, Scot Drake has counseled hundreds of business owners, senior executives and government officials – providing insight and guidance for countless unique, challenging and complex communications issues. From making key introductions and forming mutually-beneficial partnerships to creating superior communications strategies, Scot brings an experienced, objective perspective to his client relationships.
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Steve Gray
Steve specializes in strategic marketing communications, creative strategy and brand management. Steve is often hired to assist in complex brand and communications strategies for large corporations or organizations for issues-based concerns. Creatively approaching complex challenges is where Steve excels, from rebranding a national corporation to launching a new communications campaign.
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Bill McNamara
Bill McNamara is the founder and President of EcoEnergy LLC, a renewable energy consulting and project development firm in Old Lyme, Ct. EcoEnergy focuses on utility and large commercial clients with the ability to use federal and state incentives for solar and energy storage projects. Mr. McNamara serves as the Chief Investment Officer for Bia Fund, formed to make investments in low and moderate income communities.