CEOs You Should Know - Washington DC

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 and chief executive officer of H&R Block, Inc., a provider of income tax return preparation and related services and products from May 2011 through July 2017. From November 2000 to March 2008, he served in various leadership roles at eBay, Inc., a global commerce, and payments provider, including four years as president of eBay Marketplaces North America and other senior management positions, including senior vice president and general manager of eBay International and senior vice president of global marketing. Prior to joining eBay, Inc., Cobb held marketing and executive positions at PepsiCo (and Tricon Global Restaurants when it was spun off in 1997) from 1987 to 2000. These positions included senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Tricon International, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut, and vice president, colas at Pepsi Cola.   Cobb also currently serves on the board of directors and is chair of the finance committee of Deluxe Corporation, a technology-enabled solution company supporting financial institutions and small businesses.    

Cobb holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

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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 independent moving, relocation and logistics companies in the U.S.During Bud’s tenure, the organization has been recognized for numerous accomplishments including an unprecedented, 11-time winner of the NDTA Quality Award for Defense sector services; ISO–9002 certification; seven-time INC. 500/5000 member; Blue Diamond Quality Award; the National Capital Business Ethics Award; and the only seven-time recipient of the AMSA Fleet Safety Initiative Award.Passionate about his responsibility to civic duty and community, Bud has been appointed and served on several commissions and boards including the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Greater Washington just to name a few.

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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.

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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.

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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 Optimal has helped more than five hundred clients with their technology needs, all while maintaining an aggressive commitment to unyielding integrity, mind-blowing customer service, and some good old-fashioned fun. He’s always up for a chat about business, technology, corporate culture, nutrition, both the Marvel and DC universes, and all things Mr. Spock, so feel free to drop him a note at [email protected] or www.linkedin.com/in/hlanda/.

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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 technology show and one of the most transparent - adhering to rigorous auditing standards and making attendance data publicly available.

A Georgetown Law graduate, Shapiro worked on Capitol Hill and served as an associate at the Squire Sanders law firm before joining CTA in 1982. This legal experience and a passion for advancing policies that empower entrepreneurs and unlock technology innovation has earned him annual recognition as one of The Hill’s top lobbyists; Washingtonian’s Tech Titans; and Washington Life magazine’s most influential people in Washington. In 2021, Shapiro was recognized with the prestigious Legion of Honor Award, conferred by French President Emmanuel Macron.Shapiro has embraced a people-first approach to the workplace, directing a staff of 150 employees and hundreds of industry volunteers. Under his leadership, CTA has won numerous awards for its healthy workplace, family friendly employment practices, and environmentally friendly exhibition practices.

A New York Times bestselling author, Shapiro has written “Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation” (HarperCollins, 2019), “Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses” (HarperCollins, 2013), “The Comeback: How Innovation will Restore the American Dream” (Beaufort, 2011) and “Pivot or Die: How Leaders Thrive When Everything Changes,” (HarperCollins, 2024). Through these books, numerous television appearances, and as a columnist whose more than 1200 opinion pieces have appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post, Shapiro directs policymakers and business leaders on the importance of innovation and technology in the U.S. economy. He has also testified before Congress over 20 times, advancing the technology industry’s perspective on cutting-edge issues including intellectual property, artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles.
Shapiro is active in policy, thought leadership, government, and community development alongside his position at CTA. He sits on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Northern Virginia Technology Council, CEO Update Roundtable, Council of Manufacturing Associations board, and Focused Ultrasound Foundation board.Shapiro holds a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center and a BA in economics and psychology from Binghamton University.

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 services to the United States Government’s Intelligence and Department of Defense communities.
Throughout his career, Mr. Wagner held management positions at Lockheed Martin and Raytheon and worked as a software engineer and project manager for the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Before joining ManTech in 2015, Mr. Wagner was the Chief Strategy Officer at TASC, Inc., where he led growth strategy and business development. Over his 16 years at TASC, he rose from program manager/systems engineer to Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. Mr. Wagner has been selected to the Washington 100 for six consecutive years. Washington Exec selected him as 2019 Intelligence Leader of the Year, and he is a 2021 Federal 100 awardee. He is a staunch advocate for veteran support efforts and has a passion for Early Childhood Education and STEM projects. Mr. Wagner is a member of the Human Better U Board of Directors. He is a commissioner and Vice Chair to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Additionally, he is a member of INSA, AFCEA, and the Wash Exec Leadership Program. Mr. Wagner earned a Master of Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

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