Mark D. Magana, Executive Director

MARK D. MAGAÑA is the founder and principal of Hispanic Strategy Group, a one stop government relations, public affairs and communications consulting firm focused on serving and building strategic relationships with Congress, the Administration, and national Hispanic leaders. Mr. Magaña has amassed well over fifteen years of high-level governmental, legislative and policy experience in the nation's capital. He currently represents, and has represented, some of the most prominent companies and Hispanic organizations in the country through the Hispanic Strategy Group and through the parent consulting firm, Magaña Associates.

Prior to opening up a private practice, Mr. Magaña served in the White House as the Special Assistant to President Clinton for Legislative Affairs. He was President Clinton's primary legislative lobbyist to multiple House Committees and provided strategic and political advice to the President on Administration policy and message. Mr. Magaña coordinated the lobbying and legislative efforts of associated Departments and Agencies.

Additionally, Mr. Magaña worked for Congressional leadership. As the Senior Policy Advisor to the Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mr. Magaña assisted the leadership with floor strategy, policy development, and assisting the Democratic Members of Congress. Mr. Magaña worked with the Vice-Chair to achieve consensus within the caucus on legislative policy and priorities and to ensure that Members had the tools to communicate and implement them effectively. Among other things, he directed the Caucus' efforts to insure a fair and accurate Census 2000 count.

As Federal Legislative Representative for a major municipality, Mr. Magaña represented the City of Los Angeles in legislative and administrative matters before the Federal government and Congress. As such, he was responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing legislative strategies in conjunction with the Los Angeles Congressional delegation, City Council, Mayor, municipal departments, and other organizations.

In 1996, Mr. Magaña was appointed by President Clinton to represent the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before Congress. As a Political appointee, Mr. Magaña was responsible for advancing the legislative agenda of the President and the Secretary. He briefed and advised House and Senate Members and Committee staff regarding HHS legislation, regulations, policy and strategy. Mr. Magaña was critical in the legislative fight over the future of Medicaid, Medicare and Child Welfare.

From 1992 to 1996 Mr. Magaña served as the Legislative Assistant to Representative Jim McDermott. He developed and implemented legislation and political strategies while working on the Congressman’s Ways and Means Committee and the Congressman's health care reform bill. Mr. Magaña's portfolio included: Health Care, Welfare, Education, Housing, Community Development, Immigration, Labor, Latin America, Hispanic Caucus, and Urban Caucus.

Mr. Magaña came to Washington, DC in 1990 to work for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed officials (NALEO) where he conducted research on education, immigration, naturalization, voting, and health and authored research papers on issues of naturalization and the Latino vote. He represented NALEO on numerous advocacy coalitions on issues of concern to Hispanics.