2009 Keynote Speaker - Brandon G. Major

Brandon G. Major has over 25 years of grocery retail cross-functional experience in Information Technology (IT), Retail Operations, Labor Management, Diversity, Training and Development, Organizational Development and Learning & Development.

 In his previous position at Food Lion, LLC as Talent Management Manager in Learning & Development, Brandon lead a team of specialists that was responsible for the Talent Management Cycle process and associates by identifying, assessing and evaluating organizational leaders, managers and teams through areas of personal, professional and organizational growth: measuring the targeted outcomes and impact. He was responsible for the company's pipeline developmental programs, which included the Corporate College Internships, Retail Management Training Program for recent college graduates and the Retail Development Program, which prepared high potential store managers and mid-level managers in the organization for succession planning.  Brandon has a strong passion for work in Diversity and Inclusion in the greater Charlotte Community and surrounding cities. 

In 2006, a group of concerned Lesbian, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens and Allies in the Rowan-Salisbury created the Rowan-Salisbury PFLAG chapter.  While serving as an Executive Committee member and Vice President, the chapter has grown to over 100 members, advocated for Gay Student Unions in the local high schools and established the scholarship foundation and awarded its first two scholarships in 2008. The organization was the first in North Carolina PFLAG Chapters to award scholarships exclusively to LGBTQ students and/or their straight allies. 

In addition to his work with PFLAG, Brandon currently serves as Board Chair for the Time Out Youth Organization in Charlotte. Time Out Youth is nearly 20 years  old and is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13-23 by providing support, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development and social interaction. It provides a safe environment for LGBTQ youth and their allies by fostering interaction, learning and affirmation; building a youth’s self-concept to its fullest potential through uniquely targeted programming; offers diverse opportunities for group activities that are open to all and closed to none; and finally promotes awareness, understanding, acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ youth.  
Brandon holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Florida.

In addition to work, Brandon serves on the Board of Advisors at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys mentoring young adults to unleash their potential.  He loves discovering the unknown through reading and international traveling. Brandon and his two cats, Jasmine and Jayden reside in Concord, NC.