About Ignite Consulting

Elliott McFadden

has been involved in Texas politics for over 15 years, working on over 50 campaigns. Starting as a field campaign volunteer for State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos in 1992, Elliott worked in local Austin campaigns and was eventually hired as the Travis County Democratic Party’s Field Coordinator. He was then promoted to Executive Director where he successfully lead a revitalization of the Party including record fundraising.

In 2003, he left as Executive Director to form Ignite Consulting with Marcus Sanford. Elliott managed the successful Travis County Hospital District Campaign before concentrating his efforts on developing Ignite’s winning direct mail and telephone products.

Elliott lives in Austin with his wife Amy and their two children, Miles & Clara. Elliott & Amy will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2008. When he is not campaigning, he enjoys cooking, photography, and training for and racing in triathlons.

Marcus Sanford

has been a designer for political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and corporate clients since 1998. After a career in the high-tech industry, Marcus started his own design firm in Oklahoma City and worked as Webmaster for an Internet startup in Tucson, Arizona. Marcus continued to work in the corporate sector until moving to Austin in 2001.

In 2002, Marcus became the Communications Director for the Travis County Democratic Party, and then moved on to work for the non-profit organization Liveable City in 2003, before forming Ignite Consulting with Elliott later that year. Since 2003, Marcus has used his unique experience and insight to design winning communications for campaigns across Central Texas.

Marcus lives in Austin with Nicole, his wife of seven years. He enjoys hiking, bicycling, travel, and photography.