CEOs You Should Know - Washington DC

Dale Curtis brings a perspective shaped by more than 30 years of experience in Washington, D.C. communications, including senior positions in industry, government, and the news media. He has developed and led the execution of communications strategies for many mid-sized companies and associations, with deep experience in technology and telecommunications. He has written, edited, and/or published thousands of pieces in print, video, and online venues. Before founding his firm, Dale played communications leadership roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Executive Office of the President; in the National Journal Group publishing company; and two public affairs PR agencies (CLS Strategies and Dittus Communications). He holds a BA from Harvard College and an MA from George Washington University.

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Driven by a passion for serving the federal mission and inspiring the employees that make this great work possible, Frank Antezana’s energy is contagious, propelling his entrepreneurial endeavors since childhood.

With over 20 years of IT consulting experience and a background in launching startups across a variety of industries, Frank draws from colorful situations and real-world examples to illustrate the importance of seizing opportunities, building relationships, and creating environments that allow employees’ passions to thrive. His secret is always pursuing a people-first mentality.

Frank established iTech AG with his brother Walter, building a quickly growing technology firm thanks to a people-first approach and passion for developing citizen-centered solutions to government challenges. Frank can describe the steps he’s taken to inspire passion in his team members, including creating a joint vision and ritual that create a rewarding work environment. His culture-focused approach integrates empathy, transparency, and respect into every step.

Frank has a degree in business administration from Universidad Privada Boliviana and also earned a degree from Stanford’s Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Education Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

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Josh Lospinoso is the co-founder/CEO of Shift5. Josh is an entrepreneur with deep expertise in cybersecurity, data science, and system software engineering. Prior to Shift5, he co-founded RedOwl Analytics, an insider threat detection platform acquired by Raytheon/Forcepoint in 2017. Additionally, he served 10 years as a cyber officer leading teams to build dozens of elite hacking tools for the National Security Agency’s Tailored Access Operations, Army Cyber Command, and the Cyber National Mission Force.

Josh is also the author of C++ Crash Course (No Starch Press, 2019), dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles spanning multiple disciplines, and multiple patents. Josh earned a BS in Economics and Operations Research from the United States Military Academy and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Other than defending operational technology (OT) from cyberattack, Josh’s secret superpower is that he can read his own mind.

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Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), is a native of New Jersey. He earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and holds two master’s degrees, one in national resource strategy from National Defense University and another in military operational arts and sciences from Air University.

Kelly joined the Air Force in 1989, as a graduate of Notre Dame’s ROTC program. In his 33-year Air Force career, Kelly served in a number of key command and staff positions, including commander, 92nd Mission Support Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.; deputy director, manpower and personnel, Multi-National Security Transition Command, Iraq; director, manpower, personnel and administration, U.S. Southern Command, Fla.; commander, 31st Mission Support Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy; commander, 501st Combat Support Wing, RAF Alconbury, U.K.; director, manpower, personnel and services, Air Combat Command, JB Langley-Eustis, Va.; director, military force management policy for deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services at the Pentagon; and commander, Air Force Personnel Center, JB San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

At the time of his service retirement in 2022, Kelly had completed 3½ years serving as the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at the Pentagon.

Kelly took over as MOAA's president and CEO in January 2023.

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Huong Luu is the CEO of Luu Color Center, an authorized Benjamin Moore store that sells premium paint, stain, and painting supplies. With a focus on exceptional customer service and a commitment to giving back to the community, Luu Color Center has become a trusted partner for customers, contractors, and community organizations alike.

Huong grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she attended the Barrie School before attending and graduating from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. During her time in Chicago, Huong worked in the Public Relations and Communications industry before transitioning to Sales and Marketing. After relocating to New York City in 2016, Huong worked her way up to Assistant Director in the Sales and Marketing industry before returning to Silver Spring, Maryland, in late 2018 to work as a Quality Control Manager in the Construction industry.

Tragically and unexpectedly, her dad, Toan Luu, passed away from Covid-19 in January 2021. Toan was the sole owner and operator of Luu Color Center, and after his passing, Huong made the decision to take over her late dad’s company. With the help of her business partner, James Kleinman, Huong has successfully continued her dad's legacy of exceptional customer service and loyalty, while they rebuilt the business and maintained operations during the pandemic.

In addition to providing exceptional customer service and she has expanded Luu Color Center's services to include on-site color consultation and delivery services for both homeowners and contractors. Luu Color Center has established a reputation for providing an "old school" hospitality experience, offering coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water to all clients. To make Luu Color Center accessible to as many customers as possible, Huong has made sure that the store is open seven days a week, and her team is fluent in Spanish.

As a business committed to giving back to the community, Luu Color Center has donated paint to local non-profit organizations and continues to seek opportunities to contribute to the community in as many ways as possible. Luu Color Center has become a trusted partner for customers, contractors, and community organizations alike, known for its high-quality products, exceptional service, and commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

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Olivia Coffey has been creating mentorship programs and pouring into the lives of children and families for over 30 years as a Professional School Counselor. A product of Prince George’s County Public Schools, she obtained a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from Howard University and a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development (M.A. Ed & HD) from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

She started her career as an Elementary School Counselor in the District of Columbia. There she coordinated the annual Developing our Girls and Boys for Tomorrow conferences, developed peer mediation and mentorship programs, and parenting workshops, and implemented dynamic Career Day programs for her students.

She remained in DCPS for almost a decade before becoming a Professional School Counselor in Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). She has been a counselor in CCPS for 22 years. In this county, she is well known for her passion for empowering youth by implementing gender-based mentoring programs, a Boys to Men and Girl Power Club, and an awesome Career Awareness Program.

Mrs. Coffey is also the Founder of Youth EmpowerMe Foundation, Inc (501 (c) (3) and Creator of the EmpowerHer EmpowerMe Mother Daughter Summit (EHEM) which is a premier one-day conference for mothers (and mother-figures) and their daughters' ages 8 – 18. These mother-and-daughter summits were offered during Women’s History Month virtually during the pandemic and are scheduled hybrid at The Hotel at Maryland University on March 25, 2023.

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Steve Beck is the President & Executive Director of the Military Bowl Foundation, which is responsible for the operation of the Military Bowl college football bowl game, Patriot Point, and the DC Touchdown Club. Beck has been in charge of the Military Bowl Foundation since its inaugural year in 2008. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game, which is held each December. In addition to running the Military Bowl college football game each December, the Foundation also operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a 290-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families, and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He has been the primary fundraiser and developer of Patriot Point and is responsible for operations and relationships with programming partners such as the USO and the Yellow Ribbon Fund. He and his wife Christy have four grown children and live in Kensington, Md.

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Jason Menzo was appointed CEO for the Foundation Fighting Blindness on July 1, 2022. Prior to this appointment, he spent the previous four years serving as the Foundation’s COO and President, leading the organizations fundraising, finance, operations, marketing and community engagement efforts. The Foundation is the world’s leading organization searching for treatments and cures of blinding retinal degenerative diseases. The Foundation has raised over $891 million since its inception and is currently funding more than 90 research projects globally.

Jason also serves on the management team for the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund), the venture arm of the Foundation. The RD Fund has nearly $100 million under management and has made investments in 10 portfolio companies to date, all aimed at fueling startup companies in the retinal degeneration space.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jason was a co-founder and Business Unit Head of Sun Ophthalmics. In this role, he built and led the commercial team, launching the business into the well-known entity it is today.

Prior to his role with Sun Ophthalmics, he was a co-founder of the US business for Nicox SA, where he led the commercial launches of several ophthalmic brands and helped the business successfully exit by acquisition (Valeant Pharmaceuticals, 2014). He has previously held positions of increasing responsibility with Bausch + Lomb, Inspire Pharmaceuticals, and Bayer Healthcare.

Jason also serves on the Board of Directors for Retina International, the leading global umbrella organization for patient-led charities and foundations. He has also served as a member for the Global Council of Advisors and Advocates for Sightlife, a global non-profit seeking to end corneal blindness.

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Jason Johnson is a globally recognized subject matter expert in the International K-9 Community. As the Founder and CEO of Project K-9 Hero, Jason has dedicated his career to making sure retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs receive the medical care, rehabilitation, or rehoming that they deserve once their service to our country is complete. He is a former Field Canine Coordinator for the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program with the Department of Homeland Security, Lead Instructor and Course Developer at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives National Canine Training Center, Kennel Master and K-9 Handler for the U.S. Department of State in Iraq and Afghanistan, Police Narcotics K-9 Handler and Trainer, and a U.S. Army Military Police Officer. Jason holds a Master’s Degree in Security Management, is a published author, and an executive producer of television and film.

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Mike serves as President and CEO for The Shaw Group.

Prior to his role with Shaw, Mike served in several executive-level roles throughout the energy industry, including President of Bernhard Energy, President and CEO of Synergy Renewables, CEO of TXU/Luminant Development, and SVP, Business Development and Marketing at Saulsbury Industries. Mike also served as EVP at the former Shaw organization.

Mike serves as an independent board member at Aries Clean Energy and Cypress Creek Renewables.

Mike has enjoyed a long career leading and developing entrepreneurial growth companies and has an unrivaled energy and passion for the industry.

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