Butch McKay -Positive Living 16

POZ I AM Radio

Butch Mckay is currently Executive Director of Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services, Inc. (OASIS), a position he has held since 1996. He founded the Positive Living Conference Series in 1997. Butch has been involved in the AIDS arena for 24 years, starting his career as a volunteer with Birmingham AIDS Outreach and UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) AIDS Clinic and Research Center. He assisted BASIC in Panama City with initial trainings when they became an AIDS Service Organization in the late 80’s and later served as a case manager, case manager supervisor , and director of education for BASIC for a collective total of 5 years. He served on the planning committee for the White House Summit on HIV and Aging and attended the Presidential Reception for the National AIDS Strategy. He directs the Activate! U Advocacy Academy program that was awarded the ADAP Grassroots Advocacy Campaign of the Year Award by aaa+. Butch was awarded the Florida HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Excellence Award for Highest Achievement, and under his direction was awarded the one of the Sapphire Awards of Distinction for Community Health Excellence by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida. But the award he values the most was perhaps the most unique, attendees of one of the Positive Living Conferences all signed personal messages on his office door thanking him for opening doors to so many.