Advisory Board
Tony Christ
Tony Christ holds a master's degree in economics from George Mason University. He is also an author, chess club president, Olympic trials finalist for wrestling, and the founder of LibertyPartyUSA.com.
Juan Figueroa
Dr. Figueroa joined the National Science Foundation in July 2002 as a Program Manager in the Small Business Innovation Research Program after spending over twenty years in R&D management positions in the electronics and communications industries. His last position before joining NSF was Product Development Consultant for Material Sensing and Instrumentation, Inc. (MSI), an SBIR participant company. Prior to MSI Dr. Figueroa was Director of Strategic Development and Project Management for the Home Communications Division of Ericsson, a multinational telecommunications and consumer electronics company. His first appointment after graduate school was with Bell Laboratories as a Member of the Technical Staff in Murray Hill, New Jersey and Allentown, Pennsylvania working in the development of microprocessor, CMOS and networking technologies. After 13 years with Bell Labs Dr. Figueroa led the operations of a high-speed networking equipment design startup company. Dr. Figueroa received his Ph.D. in Physics from the State University of New York at Binghamton. A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Figueroa received his B.S in Physics from the University of Puerto Rico.
Gabe Galvan
Gabriel Galvan is a principal in the Center for Enterprise Modernization (CEM) at MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit entity of six thousand employees, which operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). In his role he engages with federal government agencies and leaders at all levels by advising and contributing to the support of activities and projects that furthers the public's interest, bringing twenty years of experience in information technology and management consulting. Prior to joining MITRE in 2007, Gabe has enjoyed a wide set of experiences in working to service both the public sector and private industry. His roles have encompassed both field and corporate functions in the United States and abroad, including work with IBM, BMC Software, HP and Fannie Mae in a variety of roles. Gabe earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from George Mason University and has additional graduate studies in International Transactions from the George Mason School of Public Policy. A native of Washington, D.C., Gabe resides in Leesburg, Virginia with his wife, Kathy, and their three children. Through previous assignments he and his family have lived in Mexico City, Houston and Los Angeles. He enjoys volunteering his time to the Hispanic College Fund, Boy Scouts of America and various community organizations.
Guillermo Garcia
Mr. Garcia is a Financial Advisor with Citi Smith Barney. He joined the Washington, D.C. office in 2002. Prior to joining Citigroup Smith Barney, Mr. Garcia was a Regional Site Access Manager at e-xpedient in New York City and Washington, D.C. and a Real Estate Manager at Teligent in Alexandria, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and International Business at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Guillermo serves on Catholic University's Board of Governors and is a Vice President on the Executive Committee. Mr. Garcia serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Advisors for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and serves on the Community Advisory Board to the Junior League of Northern Virginia. He is also a member of the class of 2008 for Leadership Greater Washington. He is active in the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Maryland and DC Technology Councils, and is a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Guillermo specializes in comprehensive financial planning and international services and is bilingual in English and Spanish. He and his wife Alison reside in Arlington, VA with their two sons, Guillermo Alberto and Tomás Alejandro.
Harry Jagoda
Mr. Jagoda has more than 40 years of experience in the commercial construction industry before starting his second career in banking and finance. He was instrumental in the establishment and development of several banks including Riggs National Bank (now PNC Bank) and currently is a founding member of John Marshall Bank.
J. Sean Morris
J. Sean Morris is an expert in contracts management and administration, financial and cost modeling with experience in technology startups, corporate development, international trade and investment. Before founding Stealth Imaging LLC, where he presently serves as Managing Executive Member, Mr. Morris managed a portfolio of businesses, contracts and real estate holdings and served in advisory capacities to the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Nations, U.S. government agencies and private companies. His advisory work includes privatization, outsourcing and restructuring, acquisition and business development initiatives throughout the world. For almost 15 years, Mr. Morris lived and worked as a business manager and advisor in Europe and Asia.
Robert Osinoff
Robert Osinoff started a thirty year career in commercial real estate working with his family's landlord business in New York City. It took him to California, where he started the leasing office of Jones Lang Wootton, and twenty years ago brought him to Washington, DC as a partner in Barrueta and Associates. He holds a post graduate degree from the Real Institute of New York University and an undergraduate degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. Currently, Mr. Osinoff works at Transwestern Commercial Real Estate Services, serving landlords and tenants, along with specialty work with leasing to the federal government. His charitable work includes heading up the building and grounds committee at Washington Hebrew Congregation. The most important part of his life is his two children and marriage to Nancy, which made it all possible.
Steve Shannon
Delegate Stephen C. Shannon was elected to his first two-year term in the Virginia House of Delegates in November, 2003. Prior to his election, Steve served as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Fairfax County. Steve joined the Fairfax law firm of Odin, Feldman & Pittleman in March 2004. Steve and his wife Abby co-founded the Metropolitan Washington AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Plan in 2001. The AMBER Plan issues immediate alerts to the general public using radio, television, and highway signs when a child is abducted. To date, the AMBER Plan tool has successfully recovered more than 195 children nation-wide. In recognition of their achievement for co-founding the Metropolitan Washington AMBER Plan, Steve and Abby Shannon received Fairfax County's highest public service award in 2003. Steve was also honored by the Fairfax County Police Department in 2004 and by the Fairfax Coalition of Police in 2005 for his work with the law enforcement community. Steve has also served as Vice Chairman of the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission (2002 to 2003) and as a Director of the Fairfax County Alcohol Safety Action Program Policy Board (2003). He is an active member of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Vienna Host Lions Club. Steve holds a law degree from the University of Virginia, a master's degree from Georgetown University, and an undergraduate degree from Fairfield University. Steve and his wonderful wife Abby Shannon live in Dunn Loring and are proud parents of their son, Aidan and their daughter, Clare Elizabeth.
Deborah Shapiro
Deborah Shapiro has been selling to the Federal Government for hi-tech companies for the last 20 years. Her experience at companies such as Cisco Systems, Inc. and Harris Corporation has allowed her to develop competencies for creating and executing large-scale sales strategies. The account development is done at all levels of the organization with a focus on building relationships with the community of System Integrators who sell in the Federal marketplace. Since 2002, Ms. Shapiro has trained and worked as a full time residential Realtor. She has worked as a member of a top performing team in the McLean, Virginia area. Having sold across the industry from the luxury marketplace to condo sales, Ms. Shapiro has worked successfully with first time home buyers, investors and estate sales. Ms. Shapiro serves on the board of the Sharon McGowan Breast Health Fund, which provides much needed breast healthcare to underserved and underinsured woman in Arlington, Virginia. She has lived and worked in the Washington Metropolitan area since 1978. Ms. Shapiro, her four children and husband George, a real estate attorney, continue to thrive and look for ways to make our community a better place to live.
Juan Valdez
Mr. Valdez was born in Mexico and raised in Washington, DC. He attended the DC public school system and later earned his Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University. His experience in the healthcare industry was gained during his 10 years in administration at George Washington Hospital. In 1997 he obtained his Life, Health and Annuities Broker licenses and is appointed with all major health insurance carriers in the Mid-Atlantic market. He also holds his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certification from the Wharton School of Business.
Rocio Velez, Esq.
Ms. Velez is Corporate Counsel and Vice President for Business Development for Latin America and the Caribbean. Ms. Velez's experience includes over thirteen years of sales, marketing, and project development positions, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ms. Velez is developing Solena's renewable energy projects with pharmaceutical industries, municipalities and local utility companies. Ms. Velez spearheaded Solena's development and financing of the first Renewable Research and Development Center in Puerto Rico. The Center will be built in collaboration with the Ana G. Mendez University System. Ms. Velez holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Ms. Velez is the Chair of the board of directors at the Latino Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
Steven F. Wertime, Ph.D., CFP
Steven F. Wertime, CFP has been a Certified Financial Planner™ since 1983 and an investment advisor since 1990, when he began his investment advisory firm (now Wertime Financial Services, Inc.). His clients include business and nonprofit executives, business owners, professionals, and retirees. Steven holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in English Language and Literature and began his career intending to be a college teacher. Having found himself among the Ph.D. glut of the time, he worked in real estate sales and then undertook the training to become a CFP® in the early 1980s. He served in several positions over the years with the Northern VA chapter of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners before it merged to become the Financial Planning Association. Interests include hiking, reading, teaching, and volunteering as a Master Gardener with Green Spring Garden Park in Fairfax, VA.
Elizabeth Wilder
Ms. Wilder is the President and CEO of Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc. Under the direction of Ms. Wilder, Anthony Wilder Design/Build Inc. has emerged as one of the most sought after and renowned residential design/build firms in the Washington, D.C. area. Anthony Wilder Design Build, Inc. is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, where Ms. Wilder served two terms as a member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Wilder is a graduate of North Texas State University and has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
