Best Startup
At Best Startup US we track over 1,000,000 US startups and over 3 million people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based Director operating in the Government space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.us.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Shallom Moses
Associate Director of Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Shallom leads a group of Quantitative Risk Analysts in evaluating margin models that are used to calculate Initial Margin and size of guaranty fund by Derivatives Clearing Organizations (DCOs) and their Clearing Members. The group also conducts back testing and stress testing of actual positions to determine the adequacy of financial resources and compliance with CFTC rules. CFTC is in a unique position to assess risk across asset classes, jurisdictions, and both cleared and un-cleared exposures. He also advises the commission on rules relating to margin, credit risk, and client protection. He is a member of the CPCC-IOSCO Technical group that is developing standardized stress testing rules for Clearing Houses. Prior to entering public service, Shallom worked in the risk departments of energy firms such as Arizona Public Service, Colorado Springs Utilities, and Washington Gas Holdings. He also taught Finance and Risk Management courses at Arizona State University and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Currently, he is an adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Shallom hold s a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University and an MBA in Finance from Illinois State University. He also completed his thesis proposal towards a PhD in Finance at Arizona State University.
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About Commodity Futures Trading Commission: CFTC aims to protect market participants and the public from fraud related to market transactions.
Rachel Millard
Deputy Director of Public Affairs of Commodity Futures Trading Commission
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About Commodity Futures Trading Commission: CFTC aims to protect market participants and the public from fraud related to market transactions.
Marke Clinger
Strategic Account Director and Americas Sales Leader of Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Marke Clinger is Director of Strategic Accounts and America Sales Leader at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions.
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About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions provides mission critical engineering, IT services, and war fighter solutions.
Michael J. Lennon
Co-Founder, Executive Vice President & Director of The O’Gara Group
Michael J. Lennon, one of our founders, has been our Executive Vice President and a director since August 2003 and our Chief Operating Officer since January 2006. Mr. Lennon previously served as President of U.S. Aeroteam Inc., a component manufacturer for the aerospace and defense industries, from 2001 to June 2003; as Chief Operating Officer, Security Products and Services Group and a director of The Kroll-O’Gara Company, with responsibility for its worldwide armored vehicle operations and various security training and services businesses, from 1998 to 2000; and as President and Chief Operating Officer of The O’Gara Company’s O’Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Company subsidiary from 1996 to 1997. Prior to joining The O’Gara Company in 1994, Mr. Lennon held various management positions within manufacturing, engineering, and marketing at General Electric Company. During his 15 years at General Electric Mr. Lennon held positions at several GE businesses including GE Aircraft Engines, GE Aerospace, and GE Major Appliances.
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About The O’Gara Group: The O’Gara Group provides security, safety, and defense products and services to governments, militaries, corporations and individuals.
Beverly Rider
Executive Director of NEOM
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About NEOM: NEOM is a government administration firm that offers economic growth, progressive laws, a healthy foundation and innovative solution.
Scott Dworkin
Executive Director of Democratic Coalition Against Trump
Scott Dworkin is the Founder and President of Bulldog Finance Group and was a Senior Advisor on both the Draft Biden and Run Warren Run campaigns. He is also a veteran of both the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns. To date, Scott has worked in all 50 states.. Scott also serves on the Advisory Boards for the New Leaders Council and Democratic GAIN. He was named to the Campaigns & Elections Magazine’s 2011 class of Rising Stars. He received a BA in Political Science and a BA in Sociology at North Carolina State University.
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About Democratic Coalition Against Trump: Democratic Coalition Against Trump is the home of the anti-Trump movement.
John Gavin
Member of the Board of Directors of Varonis Systems
John Gavin has served as one of our directors since March 2010. From January 2007 to June 2008, Gavin served as Chief Financial Officer of BladeLogic, Inc., a provider of data center automation software, which was acquired by BMC Software, Inc. Prior to joining BladeLogic, Gavin served as the Chief Financial Officer for NaviSite, Inc., a provider of information technology hosting, outsourcing and professional services, from April 2004 through January 2007. Gavin has served on the board of directors of Cimpress N.V. (formerly known as Vistaprint, Inc.) since 2006, Qlik Technologies, Inc. since February 2010 and Varonis Systems, Inc. since 2013.
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About : Varonis Systems provides actionable data governance solutions for financial services, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and tech companies.
Snir Ben Shimol
Executive Director of Varonis Systems
Snir is the Head of Cyber Security at Varonis, leading the security research, forensics and incident response teams. Snir began his career in the IDF Technology and Intelligence unit and continued as a Security Researcher in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Since then, he has worked in the Advanced Security Center of EY as the Cyber Security Advisory leader, managing red-team operations and risk assessments. He has advised major international corporates and high-profile individuals to build their security resilience and protect their organization. Prior to his current role, he led Radware’s Cyber Security Research division, responsible for innovation and security solution capabilities.
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About Varonis Systems: Varonis Systems provides actionable data governance solutions for financial services, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and tech companies.
Robert Sobers
Director of Inbound Marketing of Varonis Systems
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About Varonis Systems: Varonis Systems provides actionable data governance solutions for financial services, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and tech companies.
Constance Tzioumis
Director of Partnerships, The Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships of U.S. Department of State
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About The Awesome Foundation, U.S. Department of State: The United States Department of State, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the leading foreign affairs agency of the United States.
Andrew Kripke
Director, Portfolio Manager – US Team of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
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About Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is an investment management agency investing funds on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Dawn Meyerriecks
Deputy Director, Science and Technology Directorate of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
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About Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): The Central Intelligence Agency provides national security intelligence services.
Evelyn Cortez-Davis
Assistant Director of Water Resources of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Evelyn Cortez-Davis, P.E., BCEE is the Assistant Director of Water Resources at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest municipal utility in the nation. She is a civil engineer with over 25 years of engineering experience in the water utility industry. She currently leads a team to plan the water supply for the 4 million people in the City of Los Angeles, including capturing more stormwater, conserving, and expanding the use of recycled water and groundwater. She serves on the Labor-Management Committee to expand engineering recruitment efforts to meet the organization’s gender equity, diversity, and inclusion goals. Ms. Cortez-Davis led the launch of the LADWP Society of Women Engineers Professional Affiliate Group in 2018 and serves as the group’s first Executive Advisor. She is a first-generation graduate of UCLA, a registered Civil Engineer in California, and is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer.
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About Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: William Funderburk, Jr. was appointed by the Los Angeles Mayor and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council as one of five board members.
Sharon Grove
Assistant General Manager – Customer Service Division, Director of Customer Experience of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
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About Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: William Funderburk, Jr. was appointed by the Los Angeles Mayor and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council as one of five board members.
James Orsulak
Senior Director of Descartes Labs
James Orsulak oversees sales, business development, and commercial partnerships at Planetary Resources, the asteroid mining company. He is responsible for selling the company’s primary product line which includes rocket propellant, water for life support functions, and construction materials sourced from asteroids for delivery to customers in the Earth-Moon system and beyond. Prior to joining Planetary Resources, he spent a decade developing industrial-scale fueling stations here on Earth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and an Agronomy and Precision Agriculture certification from Purdue University.
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About Descartes Labs: Optimizing sustainable sourcing, commodity price forecasting, & mineral exploration through the automated analysis of geospatial data
Remy Lyle
Director, Technical Enablement of Ping Identity
Director, Technical Enablement at Ping Identity.
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About Ping Identity: Ping Identity provides cloud-based identity management software for companies and government organizations.
Mike Andren
Director, Product Management of Ping Identity
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About Ping Identity: Ping Identity provides cloud-based identity management software for companies and government organizations.
Andrew Goodman
Director of Product Marketing of Ping Identity
Andrew Goodman Product Marketing Ping Identity Based in Denver, Colorado Andrew Goodman is a Product Marketing Manager at Ping Identity focused on helping clients modernize their legacy access management, MFA, and directory systems. Andrew has been working in enterprise technology for over seven years and recently received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Outside of work, Andrew loves to run, hike, ski, and camp in Colorado’s great outdoors with his family.
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About Ping Identity: Ping Identity provides cloud-based identity management software for companies and government organizations.
Eric Fazendin
Director, Technical Product Manager of Ping Identity
Eric Fazendin is a Director, Technical Product Manager at Ping Identity. With over 10 years of experience in the digital identity and federation space, Eric has extensive experience in both large scale federated identity deployments and business moving to the cloud. In his current role at Ping Identity, Eric is continuing to build and extend the industry’s most powerful federation server, PingFederate.
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About Ping Identity: Ping Identity provides cloud-based identity management software for companies and government organizations.
Susan Rice
22nd Director of the Domestic Policy Council of The White House
Susan Elizabeth Rice is an American public official who serves as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Joe Biden. Rice previously served as the 24th United States National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017. She was formerly a U.S. diplomat, Brookings Institution fellow, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She served on the staff of the National Security Council and as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during President Bill Clinton’s second term. She was confirmed as UN ambassador by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on January 22, 2009. Rice was mentioned as a possible replacement for retiring Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after President Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012, but on December 13, 2012, following ongoing controversy related to the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, she announced that she was withdrawing her name from consideration, saying that if she were nominated, “the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive, and costly.” Rice succeeded Tom Donilon as National Security Advisor on July 1, 2013.
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About The White House: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
Paul Weaver
Board of Director of WellCare Health Plans
Weaver has over 30 years of experience in providing accounting, audit and business advisory advice and services. He was with PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1972 to 2006, serving as the firm’s Vice Chairman from 1994 to 1999 and as Chairman of its Global Technology and Infocomm practice from 1999 to 2006. Weaver is currently a director of AMN Healthcare, Inc. and WellCare Health Plans, Inc. He also served as a director of Gateway, Inc. from 2006 to 2007 and as a director of Idearc Media from 2006 to 2009. Weaver has served as a director of Unisys since 2010 and is Chairman of the Board and chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. Weaver’s experience in leadership and governance roles within PricewaterhouseCoopers, his position as head of the firm’s global technology practice and his years of experience providing audit and advisory services to a number of the world’s largest multinational companies make him particularly suited to be Chairman of Unisys and chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. In addition, his service on other boards and committees, including as chairman of the audit committees of AMN Healthcare and WellCare Health Plans, and as a member of the compensation committee of WellCare, gives him valuable knowledge and perspective.
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About : WellCare provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, seniors, and those with complex medical needs.
Richard C. Breon
Board of Director of WellCare Health Plans
Richard C. Breon has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Health System, a non-profit integrated health care organization based in West Michigan, since 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Breon served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Health System Inc., a member of Ascension Health, and St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Indiana from 1995 to August 2000. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa from 1989 to 1995. He has been a director since 2013.
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About : WellCare provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, seniors, and those with complex medical needs.
Roel C. Campos
Board of Director of WellCare Health Plans
Roel C. Campos has served as a partner in the law firm of Locke Lord LLP since 2011. Mr. Campos is a former Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissioners and Chairman of the Monitoring Group. In 2010, President Obama appointed Mr. Campos to the Presidential Intelligence Advisory Board. Mr. Campos is a founding member of the New America Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic advancement of the American Latino community. He also serves as a director of Regional Management Corp. and is on the advisory board for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. He has been a director since 2013.
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About : WellCare provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, seniors, and those with complex medical needs.
Avril Haines
7th Director of National Intelligence of Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Avril Haines was sworn in as the Director of National Intelligence on January 21, 2021. She is the seventh Senate-confirmed DNI in our nation’s history and the first woman to lead the U.S. Intelligence Community. Director Haines has deep national security experience. During the Obama administration, she served as Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor from 2015-2017, during which time she led the National Security Council’s Deputies Committee. From 2013-2015, Haines was the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. She was the first woman to hold both of these positions. She initially joined the federal government as a civil servant and over the last two decades has worked in all three branches of government, in and outside of the intelligence community, and in academia as a research scholar at Columbia University and a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Haines most recently led the Transition’s National Security and Foreign Policy Team and served as a member of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. Haines received her bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
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About Office of the Director of National Intelligence: ODNI works to integrate foreign, military, and domestic intelligence in defense of the homeland and of U.S. interests abroad.
Rory Christian
Director, New York Clean Energy, Environmental Defense Fund of rabble
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About : An impact investing platform that connects people with projects that strengthen communities
Rob Wechsler
Founder & Managing Director of Blue Star Innovation Partners
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About Blue Star Innovation Partners: BSIP is an investment capital fund run by serial entrepreneurs who co-manage and invest alongside Jerry Jones and the Jones Family.
John Crews
Staff Director, Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance & Investment of United States Senate
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About United States Senate: U.S. Senate is a legislative chamber in the bicameral legislature of the United States of America.
Isabelle Mauro
Director, Head Digital Communications Industry of The World Economic Forum
Isabelle is responsible for leading the agenda of the Digital Communications industries within the Technology, Media and Digital Community of the Forum. As part of her role, Isabelle manages the portfolio for the telecoms community, as well as the delivery of the industry’s initiatives both in the digital economy and society space and in the broader ecosystem. Prior to this role, Isabelle was Head of International Affairs & Regional Engagement at the GSMA, where she was responsible for governments and institutional relations at global level. As part of her role, Isabelle managed the delivery of industry programmes and lead global and regional advocacy campaigns to help shape the mobile agenda, both in the private and public sector. Before joining the GSMA, Isabelle worked as a public affairs consultant in Brussels and specialised in the field of Telecommunications and Communications policies. As part of her position, she was responsible for preparing and running a mobile awareness campaign commissioned by a group of investors in mobile infrastructure in order to promote a new economic model to regulate competition.
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About The World Economic Forum, WOMEN IN TECH – Global Movement: The World Economic Forum is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation.
Leedjia Svec
Director of Military Programs of NASA Ames Research Center
Lieutenant Commander Leedjia Svec directs military programs at NASA Ames where she serves as a liaison officer to create and facilitate innovative partnerships and sharing of technical knowledge and resources. She was previously stationed at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) as a senior scientist where she led policy, basic, and applied research in subject areas such as cultural heritage preservation, culture, diversity and inclusion, anti-hazing, bias, and more. Prior duty stations include the Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio where she developed mathematical models for predicting color vision performance and implemented a program of science education for girls in the community. At the Center for Information Dominance she introduced a course of academic improvement skills for over 6,000 sailors. She has also served as adjunct faculty at University of West Florida, University of Texas San Antonio and Saint Mary’s University. LCDR Svec studied psychology and engineering technology at University of the Pacific, studied abroad at the University of Melbourne Australia, obtained her MA/PhD in vision science from the University of Nevada, Reno, second MA in International Relations at Saint Mary’s University with distinction where she engaged in hands on conflict transformation internationally, and is certified in Human Systems Integration from the Naval Post Graduate school. Achievements include; 2017 NASA Equal Opportunity Medal, 2017 Silicon Valley Women of Influence award, international young investigator award from the Aerospace Medical Association, national engaged leader award, officer of the quarter, selection for who’s who among college students, Lockheed Martin internship award, and over 100 publications/presentations. She is an avid STEM and diversity advocate; currently serving as a lead cultural mentor and delegate with TechWomen, has mentored over 40 students, served as a scholarship selection panelist for the American Association of University Women, was a student fellow of Norwich University Institute of Culture and Language, is a member of Theta Nu Xi, Multicultural Sorority Inc., and is the author of Stylish STEM, a STEM and diversity advocacy blog.
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About NASA Ames Research Center: Ames Research Center, one of 10 NASA field Centers, is located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.
Leedjia Svec
Director of Military Programs of NASA Ames Research Center
Lieutenant Commander Leedjia Svec directs military programs at NASA Ames where she serves as a liaison officer to create and facilitate innovative partnerships and sharing of technical knowledge and resources. She was previously stationed at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) as a senior scientist where she led policy, basic, and applied research in subject areas such as cultural heritage preservation, culture, diversity and inclusion, anti-hazing, bias, and more. Prior duty stations include the Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio where she developed mathematical models for predicting color vision performance and implemented a program of science education for girls in the community. At the Center for Information Dominance she introduced a course of academic improvement skills for over 6,000 sailors. She has also served as adjunct faculty at University of West Florida, University of Texas San Antonio and Saint Mary’s University. LCDR Svec studied psychology and engineering technology at University of the Pacific, studied abroad at the University of Melbourne Australia, obtained her MA/PhD in vision science from the University of Nevada, Reno, second MA in International Relations at Saint Mary’s University with distinction where she engaged in hands on conflict transformation internationally, and is certified in Human Systems Integration from the Naval Post Graduate school. Achievements include; 2017 NASA Equal Opportunity Medal, 2017 Silicon Valley Women of Influence award, international young investigator award from the Aerospace Medical Association, national engaged leader award, officer of the quarter, selection for who’s who among college students, Lockheed Martin internship award, and over 100 publications/presentations. She is an avid STEM and diversity advocate; currently serving as a lead cultural mentor and delegate with TechWomen, has mentored over 40 students, served as a scholarship selection panelist for the American Association of University Women, was a student fellow of Norwich University Institute of Culture and Language, is a member of Theta Nu Xi, Multicultural Sorority Inc., and is the author of Stylish STEM, a STEM and diversity advocacy blog.
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About NASA Ames Research Center: Ames Research Center, one of 10 NASA field Centers, is located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.
Stephen Nardone
Senior Director, Security & Network Solutions Center of PC Connection
Stephen Nardone is an industry-leading security expert with more than 35 years of experience in program development and management, risk governance and oversight, architecture, service development and delivery, and assessment and testing. As Director of PC Connection, Inc.’s Security and Mobility Practices, Nardone leads the Company’s efforts to develop solutions and services that help customers reduce exposure to security threats. Prior to joining PC Connection, Inc., Nardone worked at the National Security Agency (NSA) for 15 years and held various leadership positions in the private sector. He is a member of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and InfraGard. Nardone holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
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About PC Connection: PC Connection is a direct marketer of a range of information technology (IT) solutions.
Gretchen Kalonji
Assistant Director of General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO
Dr Gretchen Kalonji is Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO. Dr Kalonji has served in various leadership roles in the University of California system, including as Director of International Strategy Development at the UC Office of the President, where her responsibility was to lead in the design and implementation of the first coordinated and comprehensive international strategy for the ten-campus UC system, and as Director of Systemwide Research Development. Dr Kalonji came to the UC from the University of Washington, where she served as Kyocera Professor of Materials Science from 1990 to 2005. Prior to 1990 she was Assistant and then Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. Her work, both in materials science and in research and educational innovation, has been recognized with multiple honors and awards. She holds or has held visiting faculty appointments at the Max Planck Institute (Stuttgart), the University of Paris, Tohoku University, Sichuan University, Tsinghua University and the newly established Peking University Graduate School in Shenzhen. Dr Kalonji was educated at MIT, receiving her Ph.D. in 1982.
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About UNESCO: UNESCO encourages international peace and universal respect for human rights by promoting collaboration among nations.
Douglas Maughan
Division Director of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Douglas Maughan is the division director of the Cyber Security Division in the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) within the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As an expert on how evolving threats and advanced technologies are changing our security landscape and operations, Dr. Maughan has been responsible for helping bring to market more than 40 commercial and open-source information security products at DHS. He also is the senior executive responsible for the DHS Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), which was created to help DHS mobilize emerging tech solutions for homeland security operations. SVIP is expanding DHS’s reach to find new technologies that strengthen national security with the goal of reshaping how government, tech startups, and industry collaborate to deliver solutions. Prior to his appointment at DHS, Dr. Maughan was a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Prior to his appointment at DARPA, Dr. Maughan worked for the National Security Agency (NSA) as a senior computer scientist and in this role led several research teams performing network security research. Dr. Maughan received bachelor’s degrees in computer science and applied statistics from Utah State University, a master’s degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate in computer science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
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About Homeland Security News Wire, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Melissa Ho
Managing Director, Silicon Valley Office, Science & Technology Directorate of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Melissa Ho is the Managing Director for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Silicon Valley operations. She is responsible for engaging entrepreneurs and innovators to help them better understand DHS’s mission and widen the pipeline of technologies addressing our most difficult homeland security challenges. Ms. Ho has been at S&T since September 2004 serving in several positions, including as the S&T Cyber Security Division Business Operations Manager, S&T Borders & Maritime Security Division Business and Finance Manager, Program Manager for several cargo security projects, and Program Support Contractor. Prior to joining S&T, Ms. Ho served as a project engineer in the Research, Development & Evaluation Branch of the DHS Customs & Border Protection’s Applied Technology Division. Ms. Ho holds a B.S. in Cognitive Science, specializing in Neuroscience, from the University of California at San Diego and a M.S. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.
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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Robert Karas
CDET Associate Director of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Rob Karas came to the DHS in 2010 to create the Red Team for the Federal Government. At DHS, he directs the National Cybersecurity Assessments and Technical Services (NCATS) program that conducts vulnerability scanning and penetration testing for the Federal, State, Local, Tribal and Territorial governments as well as Private Sector/Critical Infrastructure stakeholders. Prior to DHS, Mr. Karas worked in the private sector for 12 years developing security operations and penetration testing teams and 5 years at DISA, where he helped originate the Automated Systems Security Incident Support Team and Vulnerability Analysis and Assistance Program programs. He has a B.S. in Information Management from JMU and maintains a variety of leadership, information assurance and technical certifications.
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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Jeanette Manfra
Assistant Director for Cybersecurity of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Jeanette Manfra serves as the Assistant Director for Cybersecurity for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Ms. Manfra leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission of protecting and strengthening the nation’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Previously, Ms. Manfra served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C) for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) before the agency became CISA on November 16, 2018. Prior to this position, Ms. Manfra served as Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Director for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for NPPD. Ms. Manfra also served as Senior Counselor for Cybersecurity to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity on the National Security Council staff at the White House. At DHS, she held multiple positions in the Cybersecurity Division, including advisor for the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Communications, during which time she led the Department’s efforts in establishing the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. Before joining DHS, Jeanette served in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist and a Military Intelligence Officer.
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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Anil John
Technical Director and Silicon Valley Innovation Program of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
ANIL JOHN is the Program Manager for Identity Management and Data Privacy Research, in the Cyber Security Division at the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. The Identity Management and Data Privacy Programs help government program managers with the public and private sector research and development expertise and resources needed to enhance the security and trustworthiness of their programs. In cases where such technologies do not exist or under development, the programs make the necessary investments in applied research, advanced development and technology transition to ensure their availability to the Homeland Security Enterprise. Prior to joining CSD, he was the Technical Lead for the Federal Identity, Credential and Access Management (FICAM) Program at the General Service Administration’s Office of Government-wide Policy, working on identity, credential and access management initiatives that impact the security and privacy of Citizen-to-Government, Business-to-Government and Government-to-Government digital interactions. With a career spanning the private sector as well as academia, John brings design and development expertise from architecture and implementation, internet scale deployment, and operational expertise at the network, host and application levels. John graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a master’s in electric power engineering.
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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Benjamin Scribner
Program Director for National Cybersecurity Professionalization & Workforce Development of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Benjamin Scribner is responsible for coordinating and developing national cybersecurity professional development, policy, standards and assessment requirements to broaden, cultivate and maintain an unrivaled, globally competitive cybersecurity workforce for the nation. He leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).
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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government that focuses on homeland security.
Greg Nist
Director of MarkLogic
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About MarkLogic: MarkLogic Data Hub is a highly differentiated data platform that eliminates friction at every step of the data integration process.
Justin Makeig
Director, Product Management of MarkLogic
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About MarkLogic: MarkLogic Data Hub is a highly differentiated data platform that eliminates friction at every step of the data integration process.
Joseph Fleming
Managing Director of Straife
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About Straife: Straife provides expert-led, technology-driven, risk management solutions to corporate and government clients.
James Punteney
Director of Emerging Projects of U.S. Digital Service
James is the Director of Emerging Projects for the Department of Homeland Security Digital Service. Since May 2017, he has led efforts to improve international travel, as well as modernize tools & techniques used to build software within the government. Most recently, he helped lead the relaunch of Customs & Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler Program, a program that enables its 6 million+ members to travel hassle-free in and out of the United States. With almost two decades of experience, James came to government from Manzama where he served as VP of Product & Engineering. Prior to that, he held senior executive positions at Genius Rocket, Transcendigital and various mid-late stage startups. James holds a Master’s degree from University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business, and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems Management from Washington State University.
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About U.S. Digital Service: USDS is a technology startup at The White House working to deliver better services to the American people.
Paul Folino
Member of the Board of Directors of CoreLogic
Folino is currently the Chairman of the Board of Emulex Corporation, an information technology products manufacturer, a position he has held since 2002 and has been as a Director since 1993. He was Executive Chairman of the Board of Emulex Corporation from 2006 to 2011 and its Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 2006. Folino has been a Director of CoreLogic, Inc., a provider of consumer, financial and property information, analytics and services to business and government since 2011, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors or as a Trustee of a number of non-profit organizations.
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About : CoreLogic provides financial and property information, analytics and services for businesses and the government.
Paul Morrison
Board of Directors of CoreLogic
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About : CoreLogic provides financial and property information, analytics and services for businesses and the government.
Isabela Bagueros
Executive Director of Tor Project
Executive Director at The Tor Project.
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About Tor Project: Tor is a network of virtual tunnels that allows people and groups to improve their privacy and security on the Internet.
William Brown
Sr. Director, Product Security and Data Privacy of HID Global
Will Brown, CISSP, is a Senior Engineering Manager within the Tyco Security Products business at Johnson Controls. Will is a subject matter expert in the cyber security of physical security systems and leads Tyco efforts around the Tyco Cyber Protection Program. Will is a frequent speaker and presenter at confernces including at the 2016 ISC West.
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About HID Global, Tyco Security Products: HID Global develops access control and secure identity solutions such as smart cards, readers, printers, RFID tags, and software.
Justin Kuzemka
Director of strategic relationships of Knight Point Systems
As a founding member of Knight Point Systems, Justin Kuzemka currently serves as Strategic Relationship Director and has lead the Business Development strategy since 2005 fostering enduring relationships with both customers and partners. Mr. Kuzemka is the champion of KPS’ culture and values, and works to instill them across the company’s portfolio of projects. Prior to KPS, Mr. Kuzemka served in various roles providing hardware and software solutions to both commercial and federal customers. Mr. Kuzemka also served in senior sales management positions at IE-Engine, Cisco, GeoTel, and Parametric Technology Corporation. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he was also a 3-year starter on Clarion’s nationally ranked Division-1 wrestling team.
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About Knight Point Systems: Knight Point Systems provides IT services and solutions to federal and commercial clients.
Susan Mohen
Nurse Director of Maximus
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About Maximus: Maximus is an operator of government health and human services programs that help serve citizens with compassion and efficacy.
Mark Dufau
Director Of Business Development of AeroVironment
Mark Dufau is currently the Director of Sales for AeroVironment. He has been part of three generations of California farmers in Ventura County and is now focusing his efforts on integrating drones into precision agriculture. Prior to joining AeroVironment, Mark spent eight years as a commodities and spice trader before starting two companies in the spice and wine industry over the past fourteen years. Mark graduated with an B.S. In Agricultural and Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis and has spent his entire career in the agricultural industry.
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About AeroVironment: AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports a portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems supplied to organizations.
Corrinne Altman Moore
Director of Integrated Care of Mass.Gov
Corrinne Altman Moore (Corri) is the Director of Policy at MassHealth. She is responsible for developing MassHealth policy initiatives, managing federal partnerships and authorities with CMS, overseeing federal policy implementation projects, and addressing member policy concerns. Prior to this role, Corri focused on fiscal aspects of health care policy, including as the Director of Federal Finance for MassHealth from 2007 – 2011, and as a Fiscal Policy Analyst in the Commonwealth’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Corri has a Bachelor of Science in the Coordinated Program for Dietetics from Syracuse University (SU), and a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at SU.
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About Mass.Gov: Mass.Gov is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.
Sarah Bourne
Director of IT Accessibility of Mass.Gov
Sarah E. Bourne is the Director of IT Accessibility for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she works on accessibility policy, standards, and guidance for development and procurement for internal and public systems. These efforts started with creating accessibility guidelines in 1998 as the Commonwealth’s first webmaster. She is a co-founder and organizer of the annual Boston Accessibility Conference.
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About Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mass.Gov: Mass.Gov is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.
Dante Ibarra
World Radiocommunication Conference Director of FCC
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About FCC: Federal Communications Commission is an independent United States agency that regulates interstate and international communications.
Alan Spoon
Member of the Board of Directors of The Council on Foreign Relations
Alan Spoon is a General Partner at Polaris and has been part of their team since 1996 as an early advisor and initial investor. Alan focuses on investments in information technology, with emphasis on revenue-stage companies, digital media, and e-commerce. Alan brings more than 20 years of operating, strategy, and investment experience to Polaris. He came to the firm from The Washington Post Company, where he worked for 18 years. During his career with The Post Company, he served as President, board member, Chief Financial Officer, President of Newsweek, head of newspaper marketing, and head of corporate business development. The Post Company has significant activities in newspapers, educational markets (Kaplan), television, cable, and magazines. At The Post Company, Alan also was responsible for early stage technology investments in cellular (Cellular One and digital PCS), distance learning and educational software, and information and e-commerce services (including Washingtonpost.com, Exchange.com, Junglee, BrassRing, Cars.com, and WebTV). Prior to The Washington Post, Alan was an officer at The Boston Consulting Group, an international management consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy. Alan represents Polaris as a director of Art.com, Ice.com/Diamond.com, LegalZoom, LRN, Phreesia, Silicon Optix, Inc., The HealthCentral Network, and AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (Weatherbug). Alan was a long-serving director of TechTarget, Inc. (TTGT, NASDAQ). He led Polaris’ investment in Matrics, Inc. (RFID) which was sold to Symbol Technologies. Alan also served as director at Cushcraft Corporation (wireless antennae), which was sold to Laird Technologies. Current outside Board seats include Danaher Corporation (DHR) and IAC/InterActive Corp (IACI). In his not-for-profit activities, Alan is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Corporation, and The Council on Foreign Relations. Alan’s prior business board service included ARPU, Getty Images, Human Genome Sciences, Inc., International Data Group (IDG), and American Management Systems, Inc. Prior not-for-profit board service included WETA (Washington, DC public television and radio) and the Norwood School (Bethesda, MD), where Alan served as chairman. Alan earned his B.S. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.S. at M.I.T.’s Sloan School of Management, and a J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School.
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About : Council on Foreign Relations operates as a non-partisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
Adam Segal
Senior Fellow, Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program of The Council on Foreign Relations
Adam Segal is the Ira A. Lipman chair in emerging technologies and national security and director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). An expert on security issues, technology development, and Chinese domestic and foreign policy, Segal was the project director for the CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force report Defending an Open, Global, Secure, and Resilient Internet. His book The Hacked World Order: How Nations Fight, Trade, Maneuver, and Manipulate in the Digital Age (PublicAffairs, 2016) describes the increasingly contentious geopolitics of cyberspace. His work has appeared in the Financial Times, The Economist, Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal, and Foreign Affairs, among others. He currently writes for the blog, “Net Politics.”
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About The Council on Foreign Relations: Council on Foreign Relations operates as a non-partisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
Scott Snyder
Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director, Program on U.S.-Korea Policy of The Council on Foreign Relations
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About The Council on Foreign Relations: Council on Foreign Relations operates as a non-partisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
Greg Singleton
Director, Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Greg Singleton is the director of Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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About U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services protects the health and well-being of all Americans.
R. Thomas Warf
Director, Manufacturing, Facilities & Engineering, Biomedical Adv. Research & Development Authority of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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About U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services protects the health and well-being of all Americans.
Ileana Arias
Principal Deputy Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ileana Arias, PhD, serves as Principal Deputy Director for CDC and ATSDR. In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to the director on all scientific and programmatic activities of CDC/ATSDR. Dr. Arias is responsible for advising the director in the executive responsibilities of shaping policies and plans for CDC/ATSDR, including overseeing the organizational improvement activities. Dr. Arias became the Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) in July 2005, where she has worked to prevent injuries and violence and reduce their consequences. Previously, she served as acting director of the Center since June 2004, and was the chief of the Etiology and Surveillance Branch in NCIPC’s Division of Violence Prevention. She began her career as a research associate at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and then joined the University of Georgia in Athens as an assistant professor. Prior to joining CDC in 2000, Dr. Arias was the director of clinical training and professor of clinical psychology at the University of Georgia. She is a well–respected clinical psychologist with research expertise in intimate partner and family violence. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in professional journals and has given presentations across the United States and in several foreign countries. Dr. Arias is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma; the Review of Aggression and Violent Behavior; and Violence and Victims; and serves as a reviewer for 11 professional journals. She currently serves as a member on the Advisory Boards of the Psychiatric and Forensic Doctor of Nursing Program of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Nursing, the National Safety Council, the Center for Risk Communication Research of the University of Maryland, and the European Center for Injury Prevention. Dr. Arias also currently serves as a member of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services. Dr. Arias holds a BA, from Barnard College, and a MA and PhD, both in psychology, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook
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About Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develops protection and safety methods to protect America from health and safety threats.
Casey Simmons
Associate Director, Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) of Qatar Investment Authority
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About Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar Investment Authority strengthen the country’s economy by diversifying into new asset classes.
Don Thibeau
Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Open Identity Exchange (OIX)
Don Thibeau is the Executive Director of The OpenID Foundation. Thibeau is also Chairman of the Board of the Open Identity Exchange (OIX), a non-profit, technology-agnostic, multi-tenant platform for certification listing services and trust frameworks for identity authentication in global internet and telecommunications applications. OIX was the first US government-authorized certification authority and was founded by companies including Google, PayPal, AT&T, Symantec, Verizon and Equifax. His expertise includes the data, identity and social layers of identity authentication and authorization. He has held senior management positions with Kodak, LexisNexis, Qsent and TransUnion. Thibeau, a former Presidential appointee, has testified before Congress and speaks and writes white papers on data privacy, identity standards and technologies and related regulatory issues. He blogs on these issues at openid.net.
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About : The Open Identity Exchange (OIX) builds trust in online identity.
Krishnan Allampallam
Global Marketing Director of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc.
Krishnan Allampallam serves as the Global Marketing Director at Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.
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About Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc.: Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. develops, manufactures, licenses and markets proprietary rapid diagnostic.
Daniel Burka
Director of Design of Vital Strategies
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About Project N95, Resolve to Save Lives, silverorange, Vital Strategies: We are a global public health organization that designs solutions to pressing health problems.
Mark Vorsatz
Managing Director and CEO of Andersen Tax
Mark Vorsatz is Managing Director and CEO of Andersen Tax. He Co-Founded the firm under the name WTAS in 2002 and spearheaded the firm’s name change, effective September 2, 2014. Mark works exclusively with individuals in the design and implementation of customized income tax and estate planning solutions. His client base is limited to founders and/or substantial shareholders of public companies, owners of closely held businesses, and high net worth family groups. He focuses on preserving wealth for multi-generational families. Mark has over 35 years of experience in tax practice. Before joining Andersen Tax, he was a Partner at Arthur Andersen from 1987 to 2002. Mark served on the firmwide Family Wealth Planning Team from 1982 to 2002 and led the firm’s Private Client Service Group in San Francisco. He also served as Managing Partner and Tax Division Head of Arthur Andersen’s San Jose office from 1990 to 1994.
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About Andersen Tax: Andersen Tax provides a range of tax, valuation, financial advisory, and related consulting services to individual and commercial clients.
Andrew Kyriacou
Managing Director of Andersen Tax
Andrew has won a number of awards throughout his financial career. He was named one of the top 100 Financial Planners in the United States by Robb Report Worth Magazine, and has been a 4-time award winner from Five Star Professional. Andrew Kyriacou has spent his career growing wealth for high net worth individuals. Although high net worth individuals are usually already savvy and successful, Andrew helps his clients identify their blind spots when it comes to managing money. By focusing on financial objectives, Andrew gets to the core of each client’s values and goals rather than the dollar and cents. Andrew helps his clients navigate the ins and outs of the estate, trust, investment & tax issues, and his financial counselling has continually increased their wealth. Clients choose to work with Andrew because he is the consummate expert within his field. He knew from very early in his career that he needed to continue his quest for knowledge. As economies and political situations change, so does the financial outlook of his clients. He is continually learning and sharing his knowledge for the benefit of his clients’ financial gain. — Prior to becoming Managing Director at Andersen Tax, Andrew was Tax Partner at Ernst & Young and managed the New England Area Financial Planning Group. Andrew Kyriacou is a frequent speaker and lecturer on tax and financial planning topics, including numerous appearances on radio and TV programs. He also sits on the Board of Directors at his children’s school in Shrewsbury, MA.
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About Andersen Tax: Andersen Tax provides a range of tax, valuation, financial advisory, and related consulting services to individual and commercial clients.
Richard Jahn
Managing Director of Andersen Tax
Richard Jahn is in Andersen Tax’s Private Equity and Hedge Fund Tax Practice. He has over 25 years of diverse tax experience, including extensive knowledge of alternative investments, partnership taxation and multistate taxation. Richard focuses on assisting investment partnerships with tax planning and compliance, fund accounting, fund administration, and structuring. Richard’s skills also include consulting with general partners and managers regarding their individual taxation, estate planning, audit defense as well as federal and state tax compliance for management companies. Before joining Andersen Tax, Richard was a Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Tax Services for a fund administrator. He worked with some of the world’s largest institutional and non-institutional private equity and hedge funds, domestic and offshore partnerships encompassing a variety of investment strategies, including buyout, real estate, fund of funds, mezzanine, and venture capital. Richard was responsible for the tax services provided to the administrator’s clients, which included responsibility for preparing and issuing more than 15,000 Schedules K-1 to limited partners annually. Before that, Richard was a Tax Partner at Arthur Andersen. Richard has been a speaker at private equity forums and has published several articles on tax issues affecting private equity funds and best practices for investment partnerships.
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About Andersen Tax, NGEN Partners: Andersen Tax provides a range of tax, valuation, financial advisory, and related consulting services to individual and commercial clients.
Mike Onkst
Director of Training & Process Improvement of Beyond Lucid Technologies, Inc.
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About Beyond Lucid Technologies, Inc.: Beyond Lucid Technologies connects Fire & EMS agencies with the care continuum in-real-time, and tracks data over time — including COVID-19
Robert Favuzza
Director of Beyond Lucid Technologies, Inc.
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About : Beyond Lucid Technologies connects Fire & EMS agencies with the care continuum in-real-time, and tracks data over time — including COVID-19
Mike Baker
Managing Director of Mosaic451
Michael Baker is a Principal and Founder at Mosaic451.
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About Mosaic451: Mosaic451 provides Network and Security Operations Center (NOC/SOC) design, implementation, and operation services for enterprises.
Ralph Kohl
Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
Ralph Kohl has been appointed to the position of Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs, for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), announced AANA Executive Director/CEO Wanda Wilson, PhD, CRNA. Kohl succeeds 16-year veteran Frank Purcell, BA, who departs the AANA to take over the head post at another leading healthcare professional organization. Kohl will direct a staff of six in carrying out the AANA’s Federal Government Affairs legislative, regulatory and reimbursement advocacy efforts. The AANA boasts the nation’s largest nursing political action committee (PAC), and one of the strongest healthcare PACs in the country. “Ralph is a person of great skill and integrity who is a respected and effective advocate on Capitol Hill for CRNAs,” said Wilson. “He is also a gifted and experienced advocacy strategist who knows how to apply member grassroots action, direct lobbying and coalitions, and utilize his extensive contacts to turn AANA ideas and evidence into significant accomplishments for the nurse anesthesia profession.” Over four years with the AANA, Kohl has served as the associate director of Federal Government Affairs, distinguishing himself as a key contributor to the AANA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. During the past three years his focus has been on helping to advance military veterans’ access to quality healthcare through full practice authority for CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses working in Veterans Administration (VA) facilities. An experienced and sought-after public speaker, Kohl’s previous work included senior roles with healthcare professional associations at the federal and state levels, and as a staff member for the New York State Legislature in Albany, N.Y. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Kohl earned his bachelor’s degree at Dowling College on Long Island. He and his family live in the city of Alexandria, Va.
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists): AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Jihan Quraishi
Assistant Director of Research and Quality of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists): AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Anna Polyak
Senior Director of State Government Affairs and Legal of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
Anna Polyak is the Senior Director of State Government Affairs and Legal at AANA
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists): AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Bruce Schoneboom
Senior Director, Education and Professional Development of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
Bruce Schoneboom is the Corps Specific Branch Proponency Officer at US Army
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists), US Army: AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Jana Conover
Assistant Director of State Government Affairs and Legal of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
Jana Conover is the Assistant Director, State Government Affairs at American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists): AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Barbara Anderson
Assistant Director, Accreditation and Practice Affairs of AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
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About AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists): AANA was founded in 1931 and is located in Park Ridge. AANA is the professional organization for more than 4
Randi Davis
Director for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment of UNDP
Randi is the Director of the United Nations Development Program, Gender Equality Team. She is passionate about equality, freedom, justice, and rights. She was part of the founding team that designed and launched the United Nations Democracy Fund, and she spearheaded UNDP’s global practice on parliamentary development. She was also responsible for bringing gender equality and women’s empowerment into UNDP’s electoral support.
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About UNDP: UNDP is an active United Nations program that focuses on poverty eradication, crisis prevention, and social development.
Tahara Dawkins
Director, Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office of U.S. Department of Commerce
Tahara Dawkins is the Director of NOAA’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office. For over 10 years, Tahara has been intimately involved in space policy and the policy, security, and market issues related to commercial remote sensing. Ms. Dawkins first joined NOAA in 2001 where she was a Senior Licensing Officer in the Commercial Remote Sensing Licensing Regulatory Affairs Office. From 2008-2011, Tahara worked for NGA where she focused on the security and counterintelligence implications of the Government’s use of commercial satellite imagery. Tahara re-joined NOAA in her current role as Director of the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office in 2011.
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About U.S. Department of Commerce: U.S. Department of Commerce promotes advance economic growth, jobs, and opportunities for the American people.
Allan Friedman
Director of Cybersecurity of U.S. Department of Commerce
Allan Friedman is Director of Cybersecurity at National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the US Department of Commerce. He coordinates NTIA’s multistakeholder processes on cybersecurity, focusing on addressing vulnerabilities in IoT and across the software world. Prior to joining the Federal Government, Friedman spent over 15 years as a noted cybersecurity and technology Policy Researcher at Harvard’s Computer Science Department, the Brookings Institution and George Washington University’s Engineering School. He is the Co-Author of the popular text Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know and has a degree in computer science from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University.
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About Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce: U.S. Department of Commerce promotes advance economic growth, jobs, and opportunities for the American people.
Peter Sexton
Director, Global Financial Services Team of U.S. Department of Commerce
Peter Sexton is the Director of the Global Financial Services Team and Senior International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce in New York City. Peter leads a team comprising of 150 financial services specialists to develop international opportunities and increase market access and exports for U.S. financial services companies. He recently served as Global Finance Team Lead for Venture Capital, Real Estate Investments, and Mobile Payment Sectors and a Deputy Team Leader for Publishing on the Global Media & Entertainment Team. Before joining the U.S. Department of Commerce, he was Regional Manager for the Americas & Middle East at the Office of International Investment and Trade for the State of Maryland. Peter advised the State on international economic strategy and managed Maryland’s trade offices in Brazil, Mexico, and UAE to support Maryland exporters and attract companies and investment from these regions. Prior to this appointment, Peter worked for OCO Global; a specialist advisory firm providing consultancy to Governments and Economic Development Organizations worldwide. Peter began his career as an International Trade Development Executive for Enterprise Ireland in New York City consulting with companies exporting across the software, services, and emerging technology sectors. Peter graduated with an M.Sc. in Marketing Practice from the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business in Dublin, Ireland and a joint honors B.A. in Business Studies and Political Science from the University of Dublin, Trinity College.
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About U.S. Department of Commerce: U.S. Department of Commerce promotes advance economic growth, jobs, and opportunities for the American people.
Nova Wehman-Brown
Director, UX Research and Strategy of Accela
Nova Wehman-Brownserves as senior manager of UX research and strategy at Accela.
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About Accela: Accela provides market-leading solutions that help governments to modernize and build thriving communities.
Marquis Davis
Enterprise Director of Urban Array
Marquis Davis is social entrepreneur and founder of urban array. Driven to support and rebuild under-resourced communities and create sustainable triple bottom line social enterprises. I’m a technologist focused on nurturing a more democratic and equal society. Blockchain and Distributed Networks are the future!
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About Urban Array: We deploy BLOCKCHAIN to foster a collaborate ecosystem that empowers people to make impact in their communities and create lasting change.
Brooks Rainwater
Senior Executive and Director, Center for City Solutions of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC, National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Heidi Goldberg
Director, Economic Opportunity & Financial Empowerment of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Janice Janice Pauline
Director, Center for Conferences, Education & Training of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Clarence Anthony
Executive Director of National League of Cities – NLC
Clarence Anthony served as the Mayor of South Bay, FL for 24 years. He is known as a creative and thoughtful leader in his community. He is considered an expert in citizen engagement and techniques that build a “sense of community” within cities. Mr. Anthony has been on the forefront of politics in the United States and internationally for the past 20 years.
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Claire Reiss
Program Director NLC-RISC of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Christiana McFarland
Senior Manager & Research Director of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Michael Wallace
Program Director Federal Advocacy Housing & Community Development of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Mary Gordon
Program Director of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Yucel Ors
Federal Advocacy Program Director, Public Safety of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
James Brooks
Director City Solutions and Applied Research of National League of Cities – NLC
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About National League of Cities – NLC: The National League of Cities is a national membership association dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.
Sinead Hunt
Director of Invotra Ltd
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About : Enterprise Intranet and Portal solutions for organisations worldwide
Kaveh Mirani
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Kaveh Mirani is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in textile and hospitality industries. Kaveh holds a Ph.D in economics from the University of Chicago, an M.A from University of London, Birkbeck College and a B.Sc in physics from Tehran University. He worked as a senior analyst for the Development and Investment Bank of Iran and served as a second lieutenant in the Iranian military prior to the revolution. Dr. Mirani has taught undergraduate economics at the University of Chicago and at the School of Business at the Miami University of Ohio. He worked as a research fellow at the Center for the Study of the Economy and State at the Booth School of Business and has done extensive research on the economics of revolutions, economic models of interest group politics and has written on women and revolution in Iran. Dr. Mirani co-founded Iran Committee for Democratic Action and Human Rights in 1980 and has served at the board of directors of Winnetka Chamber of Commerce. He is currently president of Winneka Foods Inc. and owns a well known French restaurant in Winnetka, IL.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Ali Shaibani
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Ali Reza Shabani was born in Iran, and moved with his family to the United States in 1979. After elementary school in Iran, he finished his education in the United States and earned a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Finance.After school, Reza started A&R Development Corp, a construction project company that focused on municipal heavy construction, primarily building roads and highways. He also started A&R Capital Associates, which primarily invested in the design and development of commercial properties. His companies have completed projects in New York, Naples FL, Phoenix, AZ, and Las Vegas. In addition, Reza started Bluebridge mining, which operates in Bonneville, Kentucky.Reza maintains offices in New York and Naples. He is excited to be serving on NIAC’s board.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Forough Parvizian
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Dr. Forough Parvizian-Yazdani is a dentist in Northern Virginia. She earned a B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in International Affairs from George Washington University. After graduation, she worked as a research assistant at Walter Reed Army Hospital for a year before proceeding to Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery where she earned a DDS degree. She also pursued a Masters in Public Health at Columbia University School of Public Health. Dr. Yazdani acquired her residency training in General Dentistry at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. She held the position of Clinical and Research Instructor at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery for two years. She conducted research and published papers on the effect of menopause on periodontal disease and the presence of oral pathogens in children and women diagnosed with AIDS. Dr. Yazdani received the Great Falls Community Service Award for education on preventive oral health. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Northern VA Dental Society, and Washington Iranian Dental Society, and serves as the Dental Care Provider for ChildHelp Northern VA Chapter. She is a strong believer in preventive oral health and its positive effect on the overall health of an individual. She is a very active member of the Metro Washington, DC Iranian-American community, often hosting events at her home. She coaches two soccer teams, leads her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and is active on the PTA. She served on the Smithsonian’s Nowruz Organizing Committee for 2008 and 2009. She recently joined the board of MedicalVibe Foundation, whose primary goal is to provide humanitarian, medical missions in the United States and internationally.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Jamal Abdi
Policy Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Jamal Abdi joined the National Iranian American Council as Policy Director in November 2009, directing NIAC’s efforts to monitor policies and legislation, and to educate and advocate on behalf of the Iranian-American community. Abdi joined NIAC’s team following his work in the US Congress as Policy Advisor to Representative Brian Baird (D-WA). As one of a small number of Iranian Americans working on the Hill, he served as a Congressional advisor, liaison, and expert on foreign affairs, immigration, and defense. Prior to coming to DC, Abdi worked in his home state of Washington as a field organizer for national Congressional elections, coordinating and establishing grassroots campaign efforts in Seattle and Bellevue. He received his B.A. from the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Political Science with a focus on International Relations.Jamal has written for The New York Times, CNN, Foreign Policy, The Hill, The Progressive and Public Service Europe, and blogs at The Huffington Post and at www.niacinsight.com. He is a frequent guest contributor in print, radio, and television, including appearances on Al Jazeera, RT America, NPR, BBC Radio, and VOA.
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About National Iranian American Council (NIAC): The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Reza Karimi
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Dr. Karimi has over thirty years of extensive analytical chemistry laboratory and teaching experience that includes 25 years of management experience in research and development, environmental, radiological, pharmaceutical, and agricultural analytical laboratories. Dr. Karimi has served as senior technical consultant for the development of new methods for organic and inorganic analyses, He has overseen the development and implementation of streamlined laboratory organizational structures and procedures designed to increase the efficiency of the laboratory. His research and development activities resulted in several journal publications, paper presentation and talks at national and international conferences. He directed and managed several multidisciplinary projects for DoD, DoE, other governmental agencies, and commercial clients. He also has designed several mobile laboratories for special projects. In his current position at Battelle, Dr. Karimi manages more than 375 chemists, scientists, engineers, and technicians at Tooele Chemical Facility in Utah and Anniston Chemical facility in Alabama with an annual revenue of more than $53M.Dr. Karimi is a member of the Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), a federally appointed board to advise the EPA on issues related to environmental laboratories. Past board member of IATEL organization, member of American Chemical Society, and past member of American Society of Military Engineers (San Antonio chapter), member of The NELAC Institute (TNI).Recipient of the highest safety award from Utah Safety council for “Individual Achievement in Safety” in 2012.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Paymaun Lotfi
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Dr. Paymaun Lotfi is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery, trauma/fracture care, joint replacement, sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. A native of Northern Virginia, he completed his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania majoring in both Biology and Economics. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Subsequently, Dr. Lotfi completed his five-year training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago. He was an orthopedic surgery chief resident at Cook County Hospital and Christ Hospital Medical centers, both busy level I trauma facilities. He obtained his sub-specialty fellowship training, in Spinal Surgery, at Northwestern University Hospital Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Lotfi has authored numerous papers on orthopedic surgery, as well as spinal surgery. He has also participated in instructional seminars demonstrating advanced surgical techniques. He is the recipient of numerous scientific awards in fields of basic science and biology as well as clinical orthopedics.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Payman Jarrahy
Board of Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Dr. Payman Jarrahy is an ObGyn specializing in high risk pregnancy and pelvic laparoscopic surgery.Payman immigrated to the United States at the age of four with his parents when his father accepted a medical internship at the French Hospital in New York City. The family settled in New York and Payman attended school in New York City. Payman completed his undergraduate studies at New York University where he studied Chemistry with a minor in Philosophy. Prior to enrolling in medical school, Payman completed one year of chemical research at Rohm & Haas in Pennsylvania. He subsequently completed Advanced Science studies at Universite de Lille, France, before enrolling in New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, where he received his medical degree. Payman completed his ObGyn residency at New York Medical College as well. He has been practicing for fifteen years as a board-certified ObGyn with a private practice based in Queens, New York. Payman is affiliated with New York Hospital in Queens where his responsibilities include the training and supervision of Cornell University ObGyn residents and medical students. He currently resides in Long Island with his wife Heather and four children ranging in age from 11 years to 10 months.
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About : The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Reza Marashi
Research Director of National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
Reza Marashi joined NIAC in 2010 as the organization’s first Research Director. He came to NIAC after four years in the Office of Iranian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to his tenure at the State Department, he was an analyst at the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) covering China-Middle East issues, and a Tehran-based private strategic consultant on Iranian political and economic risk. Marashi is frequently consulted by Western governments on Iran-related matters. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The Atlantic, among other publications. He has been a guest contributor to CNN, NPR, the BBC, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, and the Financial Times, among other broadcast outlets.
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About National Iranian American Council (NIAC): The National Iranian American Council is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community.
Rebecca Gevalt
Managing Director, Government of Dcode
Rebecca Gevalt is the managing director of government programs at Dcode.
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About Dcode: Dcode is a privately-owned company connecting the tech industry and government to drive commercial innovation in the federal market.
Nate Ashton
Managing Director, Technology of Dcode
Nate Ashton is the managing director of technology programs at Dcode.
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About Dcode: Dcode is a privately-owned company connecting the tech industry and government to drive commercial innovation in the federal market.
