David Payne
The president and founder of Codavate. He’s an award-winning digital comms leader and an industry-recognized public affairs pro.
David’s digital career began when he taught himself to code in between college history classes. Over nearly two decades at the forefront of digital communication, he has supported 20 percent of the companies on the Fortune 100 list. Over the past three years, his campaigns and projects won more than a dozen awards from PR News, AAPC, PR Week, AMCP and other organizations. In 2016, David was named one of The American Association of Political Consultants’ 40 Under 40, recognizing leaders and innovators in the political community who are making a mark.
Before launching Codavate, David created and led the digital practice at VOX Global—an Omnicom agency in Washington, D.C.—where he was a partner and executive committee member.
David holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Concordia College in History and International Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Political Management from The George Washington University. As an active mentor of other digital practitioners, David teaches at The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management and sits on the organization’s Board of Advisors.
His expertise on digital and social outreach as well as politics and policy is sought after by organizations and conferences including The Washington Center, Public Affairs Council, and Ad Week DC. David is also a frequent analyst on Fox News, Sirius XM’s POTUS channel 124, as well as other broadcast and print media.