CEOs You Should Know: Washington DC

Doug Riley is the President and CEO of Thos. Somerville Co., a leading plumbing and HVAC wholesale distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region. His career with the company spans nearly four decades, beginning in 1985 as a summer warehouse associate in Fairfax, Virginia, and rising steadily through the ranks—from inside and outside sales to branch and regional management—before assuming the role of CEO in 2015. Doug earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from George Mason University, where he also competed as a collegiate track athlete. He later completed his MBA at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at t...

Dr. Elizabeth Gray serves as Audubon’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization toward its vision of a future where birds thrive. A champion of science-based conservation and a renowned expert in global conservation and climate change, she joined Audubon in March 2021 as President and Chief Conservation Officer and was named CEO later that year—the first woman since Audubon’s founding in 1905 to hold the role. She leads more than 800 staff working across the Americas to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss. Since her arrival, she has led a landmark $826 million campaign, the groundbreaking release of the Mi...

Meet Katie Hooper, the spirited CEO of Notorious111, also known as The Optimist. In late 2023, Katie saw an opportunity to buyback Notorious111 (formerly HZDG) from BCW, a division of WPP. Her strategic refocusing of the agency's skill set, fueled by her relentless optimism, has positioned Notorious111 to better meet the needs of chief marketing officers and brand leaders with creative solutions that go beyond traditional advertising. 

Katie is driven by a desire to make her work meaningful and impactful; these are not just her values but those she shares with and instills in the team at Notorious111. S...

Dr. Elizabeth Gray serves as Audubon’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization toward its vision of a future where birds thrive. A champion of science-based conservation and a renowned expert in global conservation and climate change, she joined Audubon in March 2021 as President and Chief Conservation Officer and was named CEO later that year—the first woman since Audubon’s founding in 1905 to hold the role. She leads more than 800 staff working across the Americas to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss. Since her arrival, she has led a landmark $826 million campaign, the groundbreaking release of the Mi...

Chad A. Kim is an accomplished CEO and technology executive known for driving transformative growth and operational excellence across the national security and advanced technology sectors. Over two decades, he has earned a reputation for rapidly identifying strategic opportunities and decisively executing high-impact initiatives, leveraging targeted mergers and acquisitions to accelerate capability development, scale innovative solutions, and deliver measurable results.

Currently serving as the founding CEO of Bcore, a private equity-backed company delivering cutting-edge solutions to the U.S. intelligence and defense communities, Chad successfully spearheaded the rapid integration of four distinct legacy companies—Bridge Core, Ge...

Michael McDermott, founder and former CEO of Kona Grill, is a seasoned restaurant industry leader with a track record of creating and growing successful concepts. His portfolio includes the development of Tavern23, Rojo Mexican Grill, and Sushi on Shea. With extensive experience and a passion for innovation, Michael is now leading Chi-Chi’s into its next chapter.

Carla Briceno is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bixal, a mission-driven organization working at the intersection of human-centered design, technology, and data to help federal agencies deliver more accessible, effective and efficient public services. She leads an unparalleled team of strategists, designers, technologists, and communicators dedicated to solving complex challenges, removing barriers to access, and creating solutions that truly serve the people they’re intended to reach. Carla holds a master’s degree in International Policy Studies and Advanced Spanish from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, a certificate in Business Programming from the Chubb Institute, and a bach...

Clement Pappas is the CEO and a Co-Founder of Stateside Brands, the maker of Surfside Iced Tea + Vodka / Lemonade + Vodka, Stateside Vodka Sodas and Stateside Vodka. In 2015, Stateside Vodka launched as a premium, American craft vodka brand and distillery in the heart of Philadelphia, PA. Under Clement’s leadership, Stateside Vodka was ranked the top-selling Pennsylvania Distilled Spirit in 2018. The company then launched its first ready-to-drink canned cocktail brand in 2021, Stateside Vodka Sodas, and experienced immediate success in the Philadelphia metro area. Following this success, Clement and co-founders Zach Pappas, Matt Quigley and Bryan Quigley identified an opportunity to create a...

From a teenage gym employee to a powerhouse entrepreneur, Eric Casaburi has spent decades shaping the fitness and wellness industry. At just 23, he launched his first business, setting the stage for his breakout success as founder and CEO of Retro Fitness—a fitness franchise that redefined the high value, low-cost gym space becoming a major player in the market and expanding to over 150 locations nationwide. Never one to settle, Casaburi set his sights on the next frontier: longevity. As the founder of Serotonin Centers, the fast-growing anti-aging med spa franchise, he’s leading a movement in health optimization, merging leading scie...

Bill Cobb is an accomplished leader with expertise in consumer-focused, technology and online-focused businesses. He became chief executive officer of Frontdoor in June 2022 in addition to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors and is passionate about accelerating the company’s digital transformation, advancing the customer experience, and strengthening core business processes.    

He was initially appointed to the Frontdoor board of directors in October 2018. Cobb served on the board of directors of Frontdoor’s former parent company, ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., from April 2018 until Frontdoor separated from ServiceMaster in October 2018.   

Previously Cobb served as president...

Bud Morrissette would be the first to tell you that moving is simply in his blood. He grew up in the moving business — literally and figuratively — under the guidance of his father, Arthur Morrissette Jr. and his grandfather, Arthur Sr., the founder of Interstate.Bud formally joined the enterprise in 1995. As he was mentored through the business, Bud served in virtually every capacity, including sales, finance, safety, HR and operations. Bud was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2017 of the Interstate Family of Companies, and under his leadership, Interstate has expanded its services and grown to become one of the largest inde...

Jay Timmons is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers and one of the longest-serving trade association leaders in America. Under his leadership, the NAM has doubled in size and helped manufacturers achieve sweeping wins on tax reform, infrastructure, regulatory certainty—and in reshaping the perception of manufacturing and manufacturing careers. Jay is a respected voice across the political spectrum, trusted by CEOs and policymakers alike to anticipate challenges and deliver results. He also chairs the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate for building the modern manufacturing workforce.

Jay Timmons is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers and one of the longest-serving trade association leaders in America. Under his leadership, the NAM has doubled in size and helped manufacturers achieve sweeping wins on tax reform, infrastructure, regulatory certainty—and in reshaping the perception of manufacturing and manufacturing careers. Jay is a respected voice across the political spectrum, trusted by CEOs and policymakers alike to anticipate challenges and deliver results. He also chairs the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate for building the modern manufacturing workforce.

Eric Dell is President and CEO of the American Bakers Association (ABA). He leads the trade group’s mission of promoting and growing the commercial baking industry in partnership with its 375+ Members. Eric joined ABA from the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) as the organization’s Executive Vice President. During his ten-year tenure at NAMA, Eric built a best-in-class advocacy program, forged new industry partnerships, revitalized the industry trade show, and invigorated high-performing teams.

Heinan Landa is Founder & CEO of Optimal Networks, Inc. and author of The Modern Law Firm: How to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Technological Change. After earning his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University, Heinan went on to receive his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. As fate would have it, it was an assignment for one of his classes at Wharton that prompted him to develop the idea—and even construct a business plan—for his future technology services firm. Since 1991 Opti...

Gary Shapiro is an acclaimed author, speaker, and CEO & Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® which represents over 1200 consumer technology companies and owns and produces CES® — The Global Stage for Innovation.

Over a more than 30-year tenure as head of CTA, Shapiro expanded the association’s influence and impact alongside the growth of the technology industry. He has also transformed CES, expanding its reach globally to attract exhibitors from more than 50 countries, regions, and territories and attendees from some 150. Drawing big global brands and innovative new startups alike, CES is both the world’s most powerful technolo...

Rick Wagner is the Chief Executive Officer for Agile Defense, an innovative IT services and solutions provider. As CEO, Mr. Wagner leads Agile Defense through strategic transformation with intentional investments in mission-guided innovation and deliberate M&A to drive Agile to the forefront of the technology consulting market. Mr. Wagner formerly led Microsoft Federal, a $5B P&L supporting federal agencies of all sizes and scopes as they delivered mission-critical work and embraced technology to achieve objectives and serve citizens. Prior to joining Microsoft, Mr. Wagner was President of ManTech Mission, Cyber & Intelligence Solutions (MCIS) Group, dedicated to advancing technological...

Jennifer Lawson is President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit that works to inspire and educate people to improve and beautify their community environment. Previously, Jenny served as Chief Civic Innovation Officer at Points of Light where she led programs to help companies achieve their social change goals through the actions of their employees. She was also the executive sponsor of Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism, Points of Light’s partnership with Morehouse College, and served as an advisor to the National Trust for Civic Infrastructure. Jenny came to Points of Light from the Pe...

Mahisha Dellinger, star of “Mind Your Business with Mahisha,” a business show on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, pioneered the natural hair care market when she launched CURLS in 2002, a leading organic hair care company that took the natural hair movement by storm.  Her journey to the top didn’t come without its own set of challenges.  Riding the wave of her success seemed effortless from the outside looking in. 

The taxing demands of entrepreneurship coupled with the stressors of trying to balance it all, while having it all resulted in her search for a way to “power through.” “Like millions of...

Anthony Featherstone joined WSM in early 2021 with over fifteen years of workforce development experience. During his tenure at WSM, Anthony has prioritized system building, community engagement, business engagement, talent pipelines, youth career education, and measurable equity & impact.

Prior to WSM, Anthony served as the Director of Workforce Operations at KRA Corporation in Columbia, MD – a national provider of employment and training for workforce development boards and human service agencies. In addition to his nine years with KRA, he held leadership roles with the South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce and a DC-based nonprofit specializing in community-based se...

Dennis Kelly, Tyto’s Chief Executive Officer, brings over 30 years of executive experience in the defense and intelligence industry and a proven record of advancing growth, business development, and operational excellence.

A visionary and strategic leader, U.S. Navy veteran, and a prominent and respected active contributor to the government contracting industry and community, Dennis has held offices such as chief executive officer and president and served in chief operating officer roles in several businesses where he developed strategic plans that successfully led enterprises towards enhanced profitability and unprecedented growth.

Throughout his career, Dennis has served as...

Cari A. Guthrie is a seasoned leader in the field of mental health and nonprofit management, currently serving as the President and CEO of Cornerstone Montgomery. With a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland, Cari has dedicated over 30 years of her career to the organization, beginning as a residential counselor and advancing to her current position as CEO. In her role, Cari oversees the overall operations and administration of Cornerstone Montgomery, focusing on partnerships, growth, education, and advocacy to further the organization’s mission of providing essential mental health services.

Cari’s journey with Corn...

Cari A. Guthrie is a seasoned leader in the field of mental health and nonprofit management, currently serving as the President and CEO of Cornerstone Montgomery. With a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland, Cari has dedicated over 30 years of her career to the organization, beginning as a residential counselor and advancing to her current position as CEO. In her role, Cari oversees the overall operations and administration of Cornerstone Montgomery, focusing on partnerships, growth, education, and advocacy to further the organization’s mission of providing essential mental health services.

Cari’s journey with Corn...

Dennis Kelly, Tyto’s Chief Executive Officer, brings over 30 years of executive experience in the defense and intelligence industry and a proven record of advancing growth, business development, and operational excellence.

A visionary and strategic leader, U.S. Navy veteran, and a prominent and respected active contributor to the government contracting industry and community, Dennis has held offices such as chief executive officer and president and served in chief operating officer roles in several businesses where he developed strategic plans that successfully led enterprises towards enhanced profitability and unprecedented growth.

Throughout hi...

As CEO of HeiTech Services, Inc., Ms. Heidi Gerding is focused on setting the perception and tone of the company while skillfully laying the groundwork to foster the continued economic well‐being of the company. She works to ensure that employees understand the company’s vision, direction and goals.

Kendra Davenport is a passionate collaborator and places tremendous emphasis on transparency and trust as she works to support Easterseals’ national network of Affiliates, elevate the brand, and raise transformative funding and awareness of Easterseals’ mission—to raise transformative funding and awareness of Easterseals’ services and advocacy which empower people with disabilities, older adults, and veterans to live independent, full lives.

Jorge Roberts is the CEO of Avports (formerly Pan Am World Services), America’s most experienced airport operator and manager. Avports is owned by West Street Infrastructure Partners III, an infrastructure fund managed by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs.

Kyu Jung is the co-founder and President of Procon Consulting, a nationwide construction management and technology solutions firm based in McLean, VA. Kyu has built a reputation as an industry thought leader, leveraging his passion for construction technology and innovation to transform the A/E/C industry.

Ilan Sobel has been the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences since July 2020. Ilan has brought the company’s first product, VINIA, to North America, building a direct-to-consumer machine that is now generating significant revenues. VINIA’s go-to-market success has established a template for the company’s near-term product pipeline of nutraceutical plant cell banks.

Susan Lacz, a recognized leader, and sought-after speaker in the catering and special events industry, is Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Ridgewells Catering in Bethesda, Maryland.

Under John Scott’s leadership, Scott-Long Construction has become a trusted partner in the Metro DC area, creating win-win outcomes for clients, partners, and team members. Known for its expertise in healthcare, senior living, faith-based projects, and complex builds, Scott-Long also excels in adaptive reuse—transforming existing spaces to meet modern needs while preserving character.

Beth was hired as a consultant for USTA Mid-Atlantic Section USTA MAS in August 2014 to strategically guide the organization through a number of complex operational transformations. Beths understanding of strategy, workforce planning, and business needs resulted in rapid and successful growth for USTA Mid-Atlantic Section and in January 2017 she joined the USTA MAS team as chief operating officer.

Bonnie Carroll established the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) in 1994, creating a vital support network for those mourning the loss of a military loved one. Motivated by the tragic death of her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, in a 1992 Army plane crash, along with seven other soldiers, Bonnie transformed her personal loss into a purposeful mission. Today, TAPS stands as the leading national organization dedicated to offering compassionate care to those grieving the death of a hero who served their country selflessly.

Kelly Groff has led Visit Montgomery for over 25 years. She has spent her entire professional career in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Visit Montgomery, Groff served as a Business Development Manager at the Baltimore County Office of Economic Development; Business Development Officer with the Baltimore City Office of Promotion and Tourism; and held several directors of sales positions with hotels in Baltimore.

Brian Flood is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of DecisionPoint Corporation. An accomplished andrecognized leader, Brian offers a unique blend of business development, building organizational capability, global team building and delivering go-to-market IT solutions with consistent strong ROI and profit delivery. He has consistently driven double- and triple-digit growth by aligning technology initiatives with business goals.

A proven change catalyst, Brian turns operations around and implements systems for sustained profitability, growth and expansion. He has expert knowledge of government, technology and business trends including national/corporate security, enterprise architecture, outsourcing, application development and implementation and eBusiness. His accomplishments...

Pallav Thakkar is the founder of iVision Consulting, a trustworthy, quality-driven IT consulting company that started in 2007. With over 25 years of experience, Pallav started the company with the idea of using technology to solve business challenges for our clients. He has assembled a team of like-minded, quality-focused professionals dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, agile, and outcome-driven technology solutions.

Ken Konkol joined the VMSI Team in 2011 as the Vice President overseeing operations and delivery, and has since been promoted to CEO. As CEO, Ken is responsible for setting and overseeing VMSI’s strategic direction, establishing corporate policies and procedures, managing the overall business and financial performance of the company, and to ensure our mission, “To be the BEST DECISION our Clients make”, is unequivocally achieved.

Angela Franco is President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC).
Prior to joining MCCC, Franco was President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to
2024. Her commitment to support and advocate for Chamber members demonstrates passion and
vision to grow the organization.