Leadership
Roger A. Campos
Chairman and Founder, MBRT
Roger Campos
Chairman and Founder, Minority Business RoundTable. Appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Mr. Campos served eight years from 2015 through January, 2023 as Assistant Secretary for Business Development Project C.O.R.E (Creating Opportunities for Renewal & Enterprise) and small business development. In early 2015, Mr. Campos was first appointed by the Governor on his Transition Team and served two years in the Cabinet as Maryland’s first Business Ombudsman responsible for investigating and resolving complaints, issues or problems between businesses, economic development organizations, communities and federal, state, and local agencies; and overseeing and administering Maryland’s first customer service standards…Changing Maryland for the Better. Mr. Campos is the Founder, Chairman and past President & CEO of the Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT), the first national organization for CEOs of the nation’s leading Hispanic American, African American, Asian American and Native American-owned businesses. Founded in the year 2002, MBRT has provided a national and international forum for the 6 million CEOs of large and small, minority, veteran, HUBZone and women-owned businesses to address public policy issues. Prior to serving as President & CEO of MBRT, Mr. Campos was Vice President of Government Relations for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where he served as chief executive managing Washington, D.C. operations. He has a distinguished public service career having served four years in the White House, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget setting up Presidential Commissions, Councils and reorganizations of federal programs; Special Assistant to the first Secretary of Energy; Served as Special Consultant to the Administrator, Small Business Administration where he drafted the standard operating procedures for the U.S. federal government’s 8(a) minority business program; and served in the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Andra Rush
Vice Chairman
CEO, Dakkota Integrated Systems
Andra Rush
Andra Rush is the founder and CEO of The Rush Group, one of the largest Native American and woman-owned enterprises in the United States. She is also a nationally-recognized changemaker, committed to improving the quality of life for future generations.
The cornerstone of The Rush Group is Dakkota Integrated Systems, which generates sustainable career opportunities in underrepresented communities across the United States and Canada. The company’s vision is to run the most trusted, inclusive, and purpose-driven manufacturing plants, helping transform the communities where they operate.
Dakkota has repeatedly won top honors as a supplier because of its innovation, quality, and diversity practices. Currently, the company provides complex assembly of automotive interior and exterior components as well as material sequencing services to manufacturers such as General Motors, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Ford.
Andra is known for applying creative and pragmatic thinking to improve the manufacturing sector in the United States in order to drive economic and workforce growth. President Barack Obama, during his 2014 State of the Union Address, acknowledged Andra by name for creating hundreds of manufacturing jobs in Detroit with the first plant opening in the city in decades. She served as a member of the U.S. Manufacturing Council, a private sector panel that regularly advises and proposes solutions to the U.S. Commerce Secretary.
In recognition to her instrumental involvement in rebuilding Detroit, she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame for innovative job creation and manufacturing ingenuity as well as the Michigan Businesswomen Hall of Fame and Michigan Minority Business Hall of Fame.
Currently, she serves on the board of directors of Terex Corporation, Women Presidents’ Organization, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Economic Club, Detroit Mayor Workforce Board, and the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
Active in philanthropic organizations, she also on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the United Way of Southeast Michigan. Her newest focus is finding clean, sustainable water solutions around the globe.
Jimmy Rhee
Executive Committee
Senior Partner,The Livingston Group – Asia
Jimmy Rhee
Jimmy’s public service includes extensive international trade/investment and economic development activities with direct nexus to job creation as Cabinet Secretary for Maryland Governor, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Virginia Governor. Jimmy organized and facilitated trade missions which included meetings with top Pacific Asian political and corporate leaders, recruited international conglomerates, fostered various small business growth programs, and implemented the “National Export Initiative and Entrepreneur Program” in conjunction with the White House.
Jimmy is a key advisor to the Governor on issues affecting Maryland’s 600,000+ small businesses. He has direct oversight of the state’s procurement programs, sets contracting goals, establishes best practices, and monitors their implementation across 70 state agencies including universities, public service commission and casinos.
Jimmy has over 20 years of private sector entrepreneurial experience in enterprise creation, growth and change management with extensive record of directing turn-around situations ranging from manufacturing to software companies, in addition to identifying new strategic opportunities within the context of evolving macro factors (e.g., shifts in geopolitics, technology, policies, etc.) and connecting interdependent factors for economic strength.
Jimmy has consulted various Asian conglomerates and investment firms (Samsung, LG, Asia Pulp & Paper, etc.) concerning the topography of the U.S. market and government sector; and secured capital infusions for startups and middle market M&A deals in energy and bio-medical sectors.
Melvin Mora
Board Member
CEO, Melvin Mora Enterprises
Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora is on the board of directors and responsible for MBRT International Business focusing on Latin America, Caribbean and other world countries.
Melvin is recognized by Major League Baseball for his charitable work and is a renowned Venezuelan businessman with more than 20 years of experience in the mining sector, directly managing a mine he owns in Venezuela, which has allowed him to have important business relationships with the governments of the Caribbean and Latin America. He is an All Star, professional baseball player, and member of the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, the Venezuelan Navegantes del Magallanes Hall of Fame, and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League Hall of Fame. His Latino American Prospects League helps young people showcase their talent to develop as professional players. Their workshops and academies provide motivation, inspiration, teamwork, and leadership skills to overcome personal, social, and economic difficulties to advance their careers, whether in baseball or other pursuits. He is President of Player Development of the Caribbean Baseball Confederation and owner of non-profit foundations in Venezuela and the United States that bear his name, which has provided sports and social support. He owns a sports complex in the Dominican Republic and a shopping center in Orlando, Florida. Born in Venezuela and raised by a single mother who took care of 10 children, he is an athlete who has performed in different organized sports disciplines such as soccer, boxing, basketball and baseball, the latter being the one in which he has stood out the most. He became a professional MLB player at the age of 19 when he signed with the Houston Astros, which gave him the opportunity to live the American dream. He always remembers his roots and has given back to those less fortunate, whether they come from city streets or remote rural areas. He treasures the time he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Melvin is known throughout Latin America and the Caribbean as the Ambassador of Baseball.
Members of the Board
National Advisory Board
Tony Jimenez
CEO, Founder Microtech
Tony Jimenez
Tony Jimenez is living the “American Dream.” His personal story is as dynamic and inspiring as his achievements. Born in Virginia into a family of modest means, his incredible drive, work ethic, love of technology, and desire to contribute to society have led to his recognition as a top technology entrepreneur, one of the most influential Hispanics in the Nation, and a respected Veteran leader.
Since founding MicroTech at his kitchen table more than 17 years ago (2004) he’s grown MicroTech into a multi-million dollar company with more than 100 contracts supporting Federal, State, and Local Government agencies and Fortune 500 companies and more than $350 Billion in Government Contract Vehicles. Several national organizations have paid tribute to MicroTech including Inc Magazine, Digital Software Magazine, Deloitte, Washington Technology, SmartCEO, Washington Business Journal, Goldman Sachs, and National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). Tony’s been named “Entrepreneur of the Year,” “Small Business Person of the Year,” “Executive of the Year,” and “CEO of the Year” by numerous national organizations. He’s also been named as “Most Influential Hispanics in the Nation” by the Hispanic Business Magazine, “50 Most Influential Virginians” by Virginia Business, and “Veteran of the Year” by Veterepreneur Magazine, and in 2016 Tony was Honored with a Heritage Award alongside Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and reggaetón artist J. Balvin. Tony has received numerous letters of appreciation & commendation from Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Government Officials, and Community Leaders, as well as letters of gratitude from two sitting Presidents of the United States.
Tony has experience in Transformational Technology & Cloud Computing, is an Author, Philanthropist, and Inventor and holds several Patents for his Cloud Appliance and Cloud Solutions. Tony’s spent 24 years on Active Duty, is a Retired Army Officer and a highly decorated Service-Disabled Veteran who has served in theaters of combat operations, including tours in the Middle East, Central America, & Africa.
Bart Garber
CEO, New Traditions Alaska
Bart Garber
As a Native businessman and Indian law attorney, I focused
on Alaska Native and Indian community development.
My goal has been to help tribal organizations, businesses, and indigenous entrepreneurs make the most of their resources and capabilities.
This can be done by developing local resources, by identifying new ventures and partners to help a community grow, and by leveraging special tribal rights and authority to expand services, revenue, employment, and management opportunities.
Throughout his career Bart helped Alaska and reservationbased businesses succeed returning substantial benefits to their communities, tribal members, shareholders and employees.
Healthcare is one of the leading industries in the country and tribal healthcare offers a rich environment for tribes to improve their level of service and returns on investment.
Bart is a licensed attorney, holds an MBA and has over 30 years of experience building Alaska Native and tribal businesses.
Richard J. Otero
CEO, Otero, LLC
Richard J. Otero
Richard James Otero, Sr., or Dick as he is most often referred to, is
currently the founder and President of Otero, LLC. Otero, LLC is a
venture devoted to assisting small businesses to become
participants in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) procurement
assistance and business development program.
Over the last 25 years, my company and I have personally assisted
hundreds of applicants for the 8(a) Business Development,
HUBZone and Woman-owned small business to be successfully
certified. Ancillary services have consisted of 8(a) Business Planning
and Annual Update Report, Mentor-Protégé and associated Joint
Venture Agreement preparation.
Prior to EZCertify, Dick started from scratch, $500 in cash, operated
for nineteen years, and successfully sold off, in March of 1998, his
ownership in RJO Enterprises, Inc. one the country’s most successful
8(a) certified, high-tech, information technology and electronics
concerns, with annual 8(a) sales in excess of $60 million and a staff
of 700 motivated professionals.
Dick was recognized twice as the national entrepreneur of the year,
once by the Small Business Administration and once by the Minority
Business Development Agency of the Federal government. His
company was recognized for five consecutive years as one of the
fastest growing companies in the nation, by Inc. Magazine
He is the author and principal lecturer for the Management Course
for 8(a) and Small Business Presidents, which he regularly presented
in the greater Washington-Baltimore area to small, minority and
woman-owned businesses.
Dick is married to Bess Otero, has six children from two
marriages, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He
resides in Odenton, Maryland.
He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era as
a Captain, having been cited by his ROTC wing as a Distinguished
Military Graduate.
Miguel R. Palmeiro
Law & Office of Miguel Palmeiro
Miguel R. Palmeiro
Miguel Palmeiro established his law office 11 years ago and manages a team of lawyers with offices in Arlington, Virginia, Sterling, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland. The firm specializes in the entire immigration legal process. Prior to that, he served 3 years as an Associate Attorney for the law offices of Victor Palmeiro specializing in tax law, bankruptcy, criminal and civil litigation, personal injury, and immigration law.
He was appointed by the Governor of Maryland serving 8 years on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs in partnership with state government to promote social, cultural, and business interests making recommendations on matters affecting the general health, safety, and welfare of the Hispanic population in Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Carey School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County specializing in Biological Sciences and Language and Linguistics. He speaks several languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. He was recognized in college as a Meyerhoff Scholar and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Jason Wang
President Overseas Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Exchange.
Jason Wang
The Overseas Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Exchange is a platform for international businesses to promote commerce, trade and investment to build economic growth in Puerto Rico. Business leaders from around the world are invited to set up businesses and take advantage of low taxes, expanding tourism, great weather, close proximity to the United States (2 hour flight to Miami – 4 hours to New York), no federal taxes for U.S. residents, and many more business and personal related advantages.
Jason has an extensive background in international trade and investment. He set up the first American Products Exchange & Exhibition Center in Guangzhou, China to showcase American products and services.
He served in the Taiwan military Academy and was assigned as a liaison to the government of Puerto Rico. He has a PhD from Southern Virginia University.
Francisco Borvice
Executive Director, Housing Development and Neighborhood Preservation
Francisco Borvice
Francisco Borvice is the Executive Director of the Housing Development and Neighborhood Preservation, Corporation; an organization in existence for over 45 years. They specialize in housing and economic development; architectural preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings, affordable housing, and all facets of redevelopment, construction and land use. With offices in California and Maryland, they have forged partnerships and ongoing working relations with private banks, local and State government entities, HUD and other federal agencies.
In excess of $300 Million in development financing, property, and construction management, their stewardship has turned blighted sites into thriving neighborhoods.
Francisco received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and his Juris Doctor degree at California Western School of Law and is a licensed attorney registered with the California State Bar. He is also a licensed California real estate broker. He has authored papers for international housing organizations such as the International Association for Housing Science, (Spain, Portugal, Italy) attended various real estate conferences such as REHABEND headquartered in Santander, Spain and is a member of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) with headquarters in Paris, France.
Mohinder Singh Taneja
Chairman of Sterling Universal Group, Inc
Mohinder Singh Taneja
Mohinder Singh Taneja is the founder and currently serves as the Chairman of Sterling Universal Group, Inc. a medical technology company and its subsidiary assistive robotics company, Vedi Robotics. With a career in Public Service on Long Island, New York, Mr. Taneja has dedicated much of his efforts to the promotion of business and community outreach, through his involvement in local government while engaging with leaders across state, national and international governments and organizations. Affectionately referred to as the Ambassador of Diversity, he is a Senior Vice President of the American Punjabi Society Inc., which he co-founded to foster open discussions across all cultures. Additionally, he co-founded the Indian American Chamber of Commerce on Long Island to foster international and local trade cooperation. Mr. Taneja serves as a U.S. representative of the MSME Development Forum, an organization from India focused on the promotion and development of businesses across all sectors within India and the facilitation of cross-border cooperation for the general improvement of international economic opportunities.
Rebecca Contreras
President & CEO of AvantGarde
Rebecca Contreras
Rebecca Contreras is a successful business entrepreneur, currently she is the CEO & owner of AvantGarde LLC, a small business certified government contractor firm. She is also a Best-Selling Author and former White House Official as a former Commissioned Officer and leader in White House Personnel (PPO), under President George W. Bush. Rebecca’s journey has helped her realize the American Dream. Her full story is depicted in her recent bestselling Memoir Lost Girl “from the hood, to the White House, to Millionaire Entrepreneur” . Prior to beginning her work in the private sector, she spent twelve years in government. Rebecca served on the Bush Transition team as a Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel in the White House where she led the appointments process for over 1,200 positions for the Boards & Commissions Portfolio and was a surrogate for Hispanic Affairs for the President. Then Bush appointed her to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of US Treasury, as head of HR. The President also appointed her serve a three year term to the Board of WestPoint. Rebecca also served President Trump’s first term and SBA on the National Women’s Business Council. Prior to moving to DC in 2001, she served as a career civil servant in Texas State Government leading personnel and HR for the Governor’s Office and the State Treasury Department.
Today she lead her AvantGarde (AG) WOSB, AG is an HR, Operations, IT and strategy firm now 130+ strong, serving 20 different agencies in government. She is a successful graduate of SBA’s 8a program. Rebecca recently won several prestigious awards including, 2023 Austin Businesswoman of the Year Award, 2023 SBA Texas District Legacy Award the 2023 Small Business Person of the Year for her TX District. She also is the recipient of two global awards for Women In Business -STEVIE Awards, Best Female Entrepreneur – Women in Business & Woman of the Year , She was also named Texas Remarkable Woman – Central Texas by KXAN Austin.
Rebecca lives in Austin with her husband of over 34 years, their children, and grandchildren and commutes back and forth to the DC area. In addition to her business success, Rebecca co-founded the nonprofit LaunchPad and established the Girls of Legacy mentoring and scholarship program, which provides leadership coaching and scholarships to inner-city girls from Title 1 schools in Austin. She and her husband have dedicated their lives to serving underprivileged inner-city students.
Karen Barbour
President & CEO of the Barbour Group
Karen Barbour
Karen Barbour is the President and Founder of The Barbour Group, LLC (TBG), a nationally licensed surety brokerage firm she established in 2002. TBG is a certified DBE, WBE, WOSB, and WBENC firm with offices in Maryland and Tennessee, focused on construction bonding and industry advocacy.
Karen began her surety career in 1987 and has long championed small and minority contractors. Her advocacy led to a Federal Acquisition Regulation change in 1997 and major legislative wins, including Maryland’s Subcontractors Equal Access to Bonding Act (2013) and the Change Order Fairness Act (2016). She also helped reform lien and prompt payment laws in MD and VA.
In 2009, she was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year (MD) for lobbying efforts that expanded SBA bonding support. She has testified before Congress as a subject matter expert and served on various government advisory boards, including the U.S. SBA National SBDC Advisory Board and the Governor’s Commission for Small Business (MD).
Karen is Co-Founder of the Alliance for Hispanic Commercial Contractors and Party for a Cure, which raises funds for children with neuromuscular diseases. She also leads an exclusive, national surety bond program with Hensel Phelps Construction Co., which has bonded over $160 million in subcontracts with zero losses.
From 2013 to 2024, she served on the board of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and received their Distinguished Women’s Award in 2013. She currently serves as Vice Chair for AMAC’s Government Affairs Committee and is a board member of Women Construction Owners & Executives.
Betty Manetta
CEO, Argent Associates
Betty Manetta
Beatriz Manetta emigrated from Argentina to Elizabeth, New Jersey, when she was a young girl. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Accounting from Rutgers University and holds a Master’s Degree in International Studies from Seton Hall University.
She worked in corporate America for twenty years. The knowledge, skills, training and assignments in human resources, sales, technical support, quality management and her focus on both national and international assignments were great tools for an entrepreneur. In addition, key personal networks and relationships had been woven and were a critical element in helping to create Argent Associates Inc. and Asociar LLC.
Argent Associates was launched in 1998 and Asociar in 2012 both under the helm of Ms. Manetta as President CEO. Both Argent Associates and Asociar have built a reputation by having and maintaining an impeccable reputation and work ethic, and working towards exceeding customer expectations. This is a critical element in being able to grow and sustain a business.
With main headquarters in Plano, TX and Union, NJ and offices in various states, Argent is a tech-centric company focused on sustainable community solutions, software development, supply chain management and smarter technologies including wireless, digital kiosks and EV Charging as a service.
Manetta’s success is interdependent to the success of the communities. Social responsibility is taken seriously to ensure that education and economic prosperity are still part of the American Dream.
Manetta has been awarded numerous awards from local, state, federal, corporate and nonprofit organizations for her leadership and commitment to community. She also sits on numerous boards which support efforts she is passionate about.
Carolina Seldes
CEO, ITNova
Carolina Seldes
Carolina is the Chief Executive Officer of ITnova, LLC. She founded ITnova in 2011 in response to innovative software technology needs in the US. She has over 20 years of experience working with the government sector, including education, aerospace, defense, and transportation agencies.
Carolina is an Electronic Engineer, and she has a master’s in finances. In addition, Carolina is certified PMP, CompTIA Cloud Essentials, ITIL v3, CompTIA Sec+, and currently works on the CISSP certification.
Carolina loves spending time with her family, and she is a newly cycling addict.
Jeffrey Klacik
CEO, Klacik & Associates
Jeffrey Klacik
Jeffrey Klacik is a native of Pennsylvania and attended Towson University. Jeff graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree, Jeff served as Managing Partner with Artur Anderson before joining his father’s business Klacik and Associates, Certified Public Accountants in 1994.
Later, he became the managing director and president of the Company, which he holds to date. The firm is a recognized by the SBA as a certified HUBZone company with offices in Pennsylvania and Maryland specializing in financial audits, compliance audits, grant close-out audits, tax planning, and financial compliance systems testing.
The professional team are certified by the AICPA in Advanced Single Audits. The firm has a track record of providing financial and single audit experience in all government sectors, including subcontracting on the State of Maryland’s annual CAFR and Single Audits for more than a decade.
Clients include major public institutions such as counties, municipalities, school districts, boroughs, and public authorities, as well as numerous private sector for profit and not-for-profit entities.
David J. Byrd
Former National Director, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) CEO, Bryd’s Eye, LLC
David J. Byrd
In March 2023, David J. Byrd was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer services. David J. Byrd is the CEO/Founder of Byrd’s Eye, LLC, a consulting firm that offers government relations and political consulting, as well as life skills and executive coaching services. He is a Certified Professional Coach.
Until January of this year, he served as Senior Principal at Korn Ferry Professional Search where he leveraged his 19 years of leadership and economic development experience to help clients achieve their strategic goals and optimize their performance.
In March 2023, David J. Byrd was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer services. As a Certified Professional Life Skills Coach, Mr. Byrd worked with young men in juvenile detention and homeless families and individuals in Washington, DC’s largest shelter. He also served as Senior Principal at Korn Ferry Professional Search where he leveraged his 19 years of leadership and economic development experience to help clients achieve their strategic goals and optimize their performance.
Prior to that, he served as the 18th National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, which is located within the U.S. Department of Commerce. His previous federal service included stints as at: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the U.S. Department of Education; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); and the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress.
Mr. Byrd has had an exemplary career as a public servant. He has been a federal, state, and local government executive and has served on transition teams at the federal, state, and county levels. Prior to his federal service at HUD, Mr. Byrd led Byrd’s Eye, LLC, a consulting firm that offered government relations, political consulting, executive and life skills coaching services to a wide variety of economic development clients.
Mr. Byrd served as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Prince George’s County, MD, from April 2006 to January 2011, and led the oversight and implementation of several major economic development projects totaling over $2.6 billion in value, including the $1 billion National Harbor project, the $700 million Woodmore Town Center featuring Wegman’s grocery store, and the $700 million Brandywine Crossing retail project. Mr. Byrd’s responsibilities included governmental operations and public infrastructure, environmental services, economic development, and internal support services.
Prior to his county government service, he served as Chief of Staff to the Maryland Lt. Governor. As Chief of Staff, Mr. Byrd directed the daily operations of the Lt. Governor’s office and championed the Lt. Governor’s political, policy, and personnel agenda.
In 2002, Mr. Byrd was Associate Commissioner for External Affairs at the U.S. Social Security Administration. With a small staff, he developed strategic relationships with national advocacy organizations and created the framework for the roll out of the President’s Initiative on Social Security Reform.
Mr. Byrd spent seven years in New Jersey State Government, from 1994-2001, focusing primarily on economic development issues. As Director of the Office of Small Business, Mr. Byrd and his staff worked with state procurement officers to surpass the $1 billion mark in small business contracting, a first in New Jersey history. Additionally, he led trade missions to South Africa, Namibia, and Ethiopia securing over $400 million in contract awards for New Jersey businesses.
Public service is a Byrd family tradition. A great-uncle was a butler at the White House during the Wilson and Harding Administrations. Another uncle was the third African American police chief in U.S. history and the first west of the Rocky Mountains. An aunt was the first African- American elected to the Wyoming Legislature, and a distant cousin was the first woman elected Mayor of Washington, DC. His nephew serves as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington. His father once served as an aide to the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. And his wife is a retired US Air Force Major and a lifelong Girl Scout.
David John Byrd was born in East Orange, NJ, and grew up in Jackson
Township, NJ. He completed his bachelor’s degree in English at Ohio Wesleyan University and completed his master’s degree in corporate public relations at Rowan University (formerly known as Glassboro State College).
He is a former member of Toastmasters International and the Public Relations Society of America. He and his wife, Jacquie, live in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Cathy Peng
President of Global Preventive Medicine & Grand Health center
Cathy Peng
Ms. Cathy Peng is a multifaceted leader committed to revolutionizing healthcare and promoting Preventive Medicine and education on a global scale. As the President of Global Preventive Medicine, Inc. and the Grand Health Center, Ms. Peng leads both organizations with a pioneering vision and a philosophy of patient-centric care and innovative medical practices.
Global Preventive Medicine, Inc. (GPM) and the Grand Health Center (GHC) were established as a method of integrating Western and Eastern medical philosophies to drive groundbreaking research.
Since 2015, Ms. Peng and GPM have collaborated on healthcare programs between health centers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Asia, as well as local and state governments, and her efforts have fostered international cooperation and exchange between the U.S., Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, and Puerto Rico. and the introduction of enriching healthcare practice and benefiting communities on both continents. Ms. Peng is on the vanguard of bridging traditional and modern approaches to healthcare, fostering innovation that transforms patient outcomes worldwide.
With a steadfast commitment to humanitarian aid, Ms. Peng played a pivotal role int the World Health Organization’s Hurricane disaster relief missions from 2012 to 2017, providing essential medical support and aiding in community rebuilding efforts. From 2017 to the present, Ms. Peng and GPM have invested and built the necessary infrastructure to launch the Grand Health Center and realize her vision.
Ms. Peng continues to inspire positive change and forge connections that transcend geographical boundaries in the pursuit of a healthier, more resilient world for all.
Laney Lee
President Treasure island Inc.
Laney Lee
Ms. Laney Lee has over 30 years’ experience in International Business and Trade between the United States and Asia. She is the President of China General Chamber of Commerce-USA Chapter and is the President of Treasure Island Inc., an international trade and investment company.
Laney’s expertise is opening doors to new trade opportunities and providing a way in which both Asian entrepreneurs and American businesses can expand and grow their business in new markets. She has conducted media/advertising/marketing/promotional campaigns in China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan to recruit major manufacturers who are interested in expanding their business market directly into the U.S. markets.
She has served as the Director of the Asia Office for The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in charge of trade promotion and investment attraction. She acted as a special advisor to the Governor of Puerto Rico and the CBI Foundation in the Caribbean. Laney has also served as the Asia Representative for the Government of the District of Columbia helping companies build beneficial business relationships to successfully enter the international marketplace.
Ms. Lee is an extraordinary inspiration to women business owners and the Asian community in the United States and Asia. She inspires and assists small and minority businesses in both countries by providing her leadership, and expertise in opening doors to new markets and providing a way in which both Asian entrepreneurs and American businesses can stabilize their business and even grow in these hard economic times.
Ms. Laney Lee is an American citizen. She is fluent in Chinese, Taiwanese, and English. She earned a Master degree from the New York University and lives part of the year in Puerto Rico.
Thiru Vignarajah
Legal Counsel (pro bono)
Thiru Vignarajah
Thiru attended Yale University and Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Law Review. He clerked for Justice Stephen G. Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court. Thiru has served as a federal and Baltimore City prosecutor before being named Deputy Attorney General of Maryland. He subsequently joined DLA Piper, where he was a litigation partner for five years, before being named CEO of one of the nation’s largest CDFIs (community development financial institutions). He served as Managing Partner at Sanford, Heisler & Sharp before establishing his own law firm which handles a range of civil rights and public interest litigation. Through his pro bono work, Thiru has scored a number of notable victories for minority contractors, neglected groups and individuals who had run out of options. Thiru serves pro bono as MBRT Legal Counsel.
Dr. Tristan Shockley
MD
Tristan Shockley
Dr. Tristan Shockley, MD, is a sought-after board-certified pain medicine doctor with a passion for helping men and women eradicate pain and restore their quality of life. He specializes in nonsurgical interventional pain medicine, prolotherapy, weight management, and physiatric treatments. His main office is at the CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center office Dundalk, though he frequently meets with patients at their other Maryland locations in Olney, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Lanham, Pikesville, and Gaithersburg.
Equipped with the most advanced and innovative technologies, Dr. Shockley pinpoints the source of pain, makes a precise diagnosis, and treats the underlying issue with fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided procedures. With an overarching goal to help men and women restore optimal function, Dr. Shockley dedicates much of his energy to patient education, preparing those he treats for regenerative physical therapy.
After graduating magna cum laude with his bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., Dr. Shockley entered Howard University College of Medicine, where he completed his medical degree. Following an internship in Arizona, he received specialty training at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.
Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Shockley is committed to providing safe, effective, and comprehensive care to every patient he sees at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center.
Past Chairman & Leadership
Albert C. Zapanta
CEO, U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Albert C. Zapanta
Albert C. Zapanta is the former Chairman of the Minority Business RoundTable who is currently serving as CEO of the Dallas-based U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and City Councilman for Irving, TX. Zapanta is a Major General who was a highly decorated Green Beret. His military record includes the award of the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars for Valor, the Purple Heart and thirty other awards during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Zapanta has a distinguished federal career who served as a White House Fellow and as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior for Management and Administration. After that he was a Vice President of ARCO. He was also Founder, Chairman and CEO of PAZ Energy, LLC, which partnered with Chesapeake Energy to consult and advise Dallas Fort Worth International Airport authorities on the potential viability of extracting natural gas from below the airport grounds. He previously sat on the Board of Directors of Tysons Foods. Mr. Zapanta is a trustee at the University of Dallas, Dallas, TX.
Janice Bryant Howroyd
CEO, Act-1 Group
Janice B. Howroyd
Janice Howroyd is Founder and CEO of ActOne Group, the largest privately held, minority-woman-owned personnel company founded in the U.S. She is the first African-American woman to build and own a multi-billion-dollar company doing business in 33 countries, with over 17,000 clients and more than 2,800 employees. The largest woman-minority owned workforce management company founded in the US, ActOne Group professionals bring expertise in delivering corporate HR initiatives to local and global markets.
Mrs. Howroyd was selected by former President Barack Obama to serve as a member of the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCU’s. She Is an Ambassador of the Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy Initiatives. She was recently appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Council. Ms. Howroyd gives generously through funding and advocacy for STEM education, particularly for women and minorities.
Mrs. Howroyd leads her teams to build business success based on the ability to connect great companies with great talent. Her passion for education, mentorship, and self-empowerment initiatives have earned her many professional and philanthropic recognitions, and she is a sought-after speaker and media subject matter expert in her fields. She has released two books, “Acting Up” (2019) and “The Art of Work” (2009), sharing her advice to conquer the business world.
She is former Chairman of the Minority Business RoundTable, a national 501c3 nonprofit organization to analyze and help formulate effective public policies that impact minority businesses.
Robert L. Hatcher
Chairman MBRT
CEO, Chicago Truck Center
Houston Williams
CEO, PNS Communications
Houston Williams
Mr. Houston Williams founded PNS in 1987 and served as chairman and chief executive officer.
Mr. Williams has over four decades of technology, management and executive expertise in the telecommunications and information technology industry. Prior to PNS, Mr. Williams served as district manager at Pacific Bell directing transmission equipment and facilities design, construction and maintenance. He also held senior management positions at Honeywell Communications. As an industry expert, he has advised high technology companies, served on industry panels and lectured at technology conferences. Mr. Williams earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in business administration from San Jose State University. He also completed extensive coursework at Peninsula Law School.
Mr. Williams served on the board of directors of The US Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of The Minority Business Round Table.