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Our Staff

Since its inception in 2002, Base Connect, Inc. has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s premier direct mail fundraising agencies. Known for expertly employing the tenacity of American spirit, Base Connect has become a hub for candidates and organizations that exemplify true American values.

Kimberly Bellissimo, President and CEO

Kimberly Bellissimo

Kimberly is among an elite group of consultants in Washington, DC. She founded Base Connect in 2002 on an unshakable commitment to helping conservative Republican candidates and patriotic organizations. She has a thorough knowledge of the direct mail business—from conception to back-end analysis—and a reputation for total dedication to her clients.

Kimberly spent 13 years with Eberle Direct Marketing Group as a Senior Account Executive—handling some of the agency’s largest and most successful accounts. With Bruce Eberle’s blessing and a handful of clients under her belt, she formed Base Connect.

Kimberly has had a life-long passion for the conservative movement and the principles espoused by President Ronald Reagan. As a natural leader and direct mail professional, she transfers this enthusiasm to her clients, enabling them to achieve their goals and achieve what once seemed impossible.

A graduate of The George Washington University with a degree in Political Communications, Kimberly or "KB" to her friends, lives in the nation’s capital with her husband Jeff and their three dogs: Wolfgang, Isabella and Dino.

Affiliations: Board of Governors, Council of National Policy; GWU Alumni Association; Free Speech Coalition; Direct Marketing Association of Washington; National Association of Professional Women; National Association of Republican Political Consultants; Board Member, Sunset Island Community Association; Communicant, Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church

Michael Centanni, Chief Operating Officer

Michael Centanni

Michael cut his teeth in the conservative movement at a young age, joining Young Americans for Freedom in high school and working on local campaigns in Union County New Jersey. As a chapter chairman, New Jersey State Executive Director, and National Director of Young Americans for Freedom, Michael began his study of direct mail fundraising early on. His experience ranges all across the fundraising spectrum. He understands the direct mail process from all sides, having been a non-profit board member, a vendor and now as an agency principal.

Michael is passionate about the conservative movement, serving Base Connect and its clients as chief strategist and advisor. He is currently a member of the Board of Governors of the Council for National Policy, a member of the President’s Club of both Young America’s Foundation and The Interscholastic Studies Institute.

Michael and his wife, Amy, live with their children Salvatore, Antoinette, Dominic, and Francesca in Washington, DC where they attend St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Allen Miller, Copywriter and Fundraising Strategist

Allen Miller

In August of 2003, after nearly a decade working with numerous Republican campaigns and conservative non-profit organizations, Allen Miller joined Team Base Connect. His extensive political background in the conservative movement and superior writing abilities make him an especially effective direct mail copywriter.

Whether writing for a candidate, a PAC or a non-profit organization, Allen has a special ability to look at the political landscape and find a unique angle for each client. His packages have helped many clients build a successful donor file and maximize their direct mail fundraising potential.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Political Science, Allen currently lives in Annandale, Virginia with his wife Pam, son Clayton, and their dog Pug Lee.

Brian Fitzgerald, Director of Production

Brian Fitzgerald

Brian’s thorough knowledge of the whole production process as well as a comprehensive understanding of the back-end analysis makes Brian an integral part of our team. Brian has been involved in direct mail production since 1996 and is well known in the production industry as "no-nonsense" — get it out right - fast — and at your best price! His attention to detail ensures the highest production results on every job, for every client. Brian and his wife Leonelle live in Washington DC.

Robert "Tex" Moss, Production Coordinator

Robert Tex Moss

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Robert "Tex" Moss, worked for the College Republican National Committee before joining Base Connect. He’s worked as the liaison between the National Office and the State Committees and has experience working with the Indiana Republican State House as Campaign Manager of several successful campaigns. He has organized fundraisers, direct mail programs as well as television and radio campaigns. Robert’s acute attention to detail, the ability to "keep the trains running on time," and his commitment to the conservative cause makes him an integral part of our team.

Jordan Gehrke, Director of Development

Jordan Gehrke

A Michigan native and one of the up-and-coming political stars of the future, Jordan got his start in conservative politics at a very young age. He worked on as many campaigns in his teens and early 20s as some seasoned consultants in Washington have worked on in their lifetimes! Jordan’s knack for "creative political strategy" coupled with his passion for the conservative cause has made him invaluable to Base Connect. With his wide array of talents, Jordan not only serves as Director of Development, recruiting some of our nation’s key Republican races along with patriotic and conservative-leaning advocacy organizations. He has also written some of the agency’s most successful direct mail packages. Jordan lives on Capitol Hill, keeping his finger on the pulse of "what’s going on" in our Nation’s Capitol.

We are proud to announce the following strategic partners

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  • Century Data Systems, Inc. (data processing and file maintenance)
  • Legacy List Marketing, Inc. (list brokerage and marketing)
  • Mackenzie & Company (FEC consulting and compliance)
  • Michael Boos, Attorney at Law (state registration compliance & legal counsel)
  • Photography by Adkins Exposures

 

Scott B. Mackenzie, Client Accounting / FEC Compliance

Scott B. Mackenzie

Scott Mackenzie got his professional start with the accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company (now, KPMG Peat Marwick). He joined the Reagan for President Campaign in Los Angeles in 1979 as Deputy Treasurer. He came to Washington, DC in July 1980 with the Reagan-Bush General Election Committee.

For more than two decades, Mackenzie has played a role in Campaign Compliance and Finance for Republican Presidential, Senatorial and Congressional campaigns and Political Action Committees; serving in the capacity of Treasurer and/or Finance Director for more than 20 organizations.

During the Reagan Administration, Mackenzie received a Presidential appointment to the Department of State. During his tenure, he represented the U.S. as the chief budget officer at the 1981 U.N. Food and Agriculture Conference in Rome, Italy. Later, he served as Director of the Olympic Coin Program, which ultimately raised $70 million for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Mackenzie served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Reagan Trust, chaired by Edwin Meese and was a consultant to the 1985 Inaugural Committee.

Scott Mackenzie is an Army veteran and was educated at the U.S. Military Academy and the University of Massachusetts, where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Accounting.

Base Connect and its’ clients are fortunate to have Scott as a consultant on their team. Scott’s expertise in accounting, along with FEC compliance and filing laws, makes him invaluable to Base Connects’ political clients in helping them keep in compliance with FEC laws.