Experts

Mark Cowan

Mark Cowan draws on more than 35 years’ experience working on complex domestic and international public policy issues as counsel for a broad range of clients. He advises corporations, government entities, and foreign sovereigns on a wide array of business, regulatory, and trade issues.

His career is expansive and varied, having served among others, in the US Air Force, in the administrations of US Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, on the Trump Transition Team, and with the CIA.

Cowan, a lawyer, has headed three companies of his own, been a senior partner at Patton Boggs, LLP, an AM Law 100 firm, wherein he both created and directed the firm’s Business Development Department and effort for over 500 lawyers. Having founded The Jefferson Group in 1987, Mr. Cowan grew that public affairs firm to become the second largest in its class in just six years. Thereafter, he was Vice Chairman of Cassidy & Associates, Washington’s largest public affairs company, C.E.O. of the Columbus Group, C.E.O. of Newmyer Associates and a Senior Vice President at Hill and Knowlton, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, where he counseled numerous domestic and international clients.

Cowan currently serves on the boards of the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation as Vice President for Development, DC Scores, an inner-city soccer and literacy program based in Washington, DC, and the Lowcountry, South Carolina, chapter of the Red Cross.

Phil Bond

Phil Bond is one of America’s most honored technology policy experts. A former US Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology, his 25-plus year career in Washington has included numerous recognitions for his leadership roles in the Executive branch, on Capitol Hill, at major high technology companies, and most recently as the CEO of TechAmerica, the largest technology advocacy association in the US.

Bond has been accorded numerous accolades during his 25-plus years in Washington, DC, including being named to the Federal 100, the annual listing by Federal Computer Week of the most influential people in government technology; named one of the Top 50 Tech Leaders of 2003 by Scientific American magazine for his policy leadership around nanotechnology; and was elected Deputy Chair of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, a federation of more than 70 national technology associations around the world.

From 2001 to 2005, Bond was Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for Technology and, from 2002-2003, served concurrently as Chief of Staff to Commerce Secretary Donald Evans. In his dual role, Bond worked closely with Secretary Evans to increase market access for U.S. goods and services and further advance America’s technological leadership at home and around the world. He oversaw the operations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Office of Technology Policy, and the National Technical Information Service. During his tenure, the Technology Administration was the pre-eminent portal between the federal government and the U.S. technology industry.

Taniel “TK” Koushakjian

Taniel Koushakjian (TK) is the Senior Vice President of Potomac International Partners. As a seasoned government affairs & strategic public relations professional, TK has worked with numerous clients in the corporate, non-profit, and political campaign world. He has 15 years of experience successfully advocating before local, state, and the federal government on a wide array of appropriations, affordable housing, cybersecurity, taxes, technology, transportation, immigration, human rights, U.S. national security and foreign policy issues. He is the former Government Affairs Director for Offensive Security, one of the largest cybersecurity training companies in the world, and CEO of BreakThru Strategies.

TK was recently named a “Top 21 in 21” lobbyist by The Advocacy Association, and a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University, a M.A. in Political Management and a Graduate Certificate in Political Action Committees (PACs) from The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. He splits his time between Washington, DC and West Palm Beach, FL where he resides with his wife, son and daughter.

Michael Brown

The Honorable Michael Brown is a Senior Advisor to Potomac International Partners. Prior to joining Potomac, Mr. Brown was elected At-Large Councilman for the Washington, DC City Council, rising to the position of Council Vice Chairman.

Prior to and during his public service, Mr. Brown was the Managing Director of Government Affairs Practice of Edwards, Angell, Palmer and Dodge. He was previously the Managing Partner of Lacade and Fay, and a Member of The Patton Boggs Law Firm. Earlier in his career he was a Legislative Assistant to Rep. Peter Rodino (D-NJ).

Mr. Brown served as National Finance Chair Vice Chairman of the DNC from 2000-2004. He served as a surrogate speaker for the Obama-Biden Campaign, a role he has occupied since the Clinton-Gore, Gore-Liberman, Kerry-Edwards, Obama-Biden. Mr. Brown is also a frequent guest on Fox News, CNN, TVONE, MSNBC and other local and international interviewers.

Mr. Brown has twice been appointed as a member of United States Delegations to Africa. He currently serves as a Board Member of the Constituency of Africa and is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. He serves on numerous civic foundations and co-founded The Ronald H. Brown Foundation. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Clark University and Widener University (Delaware) School of Law.

Christopher Coursen

Mr. Coursen founded The Status Group in 1986 to provide strategic planning, policy analysis, consultation, and representation to executives in private industry in the areas of Technology, Telecommunications, and Government Relations. The concept of confidential intelligence and strategic planning combined with active representation grew out of Mr. Coursen’s own extensive work in the private sector, on Capitol Hill, and in national politics.

Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Coursen was a partner with the prominent Washington law firm of O’Connor & Hannan, where he provided a full range of legal and Government Relations services to major corporations in many issue areas, including health care, tax, banking, and telecommunications.

After the 1980 elections, Mr. Coursen joined the United States Senate as Majority Communications Counsel for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As Majority Counsel, Mr. Coursen served as personal Advisor and Counsel on all Technology and Telecommunications matters to Senator Bob Packwood, the Chairman of the Committee, as well as to all Republican Committee Members. Mr. Coursen also served as Chief Counsel to Senator Barry Goldwater, the Chairman of the Communications Subcommittee.

Mr. Coursen is an active member of the Republican National Finance Committee, and served on the Leadership Committees for the Republican Senate-House Dinners from 1996-1999, for the Presidential Galas from 1997-1999, and as an official at the 1995 Republican Inaugural. He served as an Advisor on the Trump-Pence ’16, the Romney-Ryan ’12, the Bush-Cheney ’00 and ’04, the Dole-Kemp ’96, the Bush-Quayle ’88 and ’92, and the Reagan-Bush ’80 and ’84 Campaigns. Mr. Coursen was very active in the Bush-Quayle’88 Campaign, serving as Chairman of the Telecommunications Task Force and as a member of the Executive Committee of Commerce and Industry Leaders for Bush. In addition, he served on the Reagan-Bush ’84 Campaign as a Convention Official and as an Attorney Advisor, and on President-Elect Reagan’s 1980 Transition Team for Technology and Telecommunications.

Mr. Coursen received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Lee University in 1970, and his Juris Doctor degree from The National Law Center, George Washington University, in 1975. He is a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court and is admitted before all federal, military, and local courts in Washington. Mr. Coursen has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Telecommunications at the George Washington University National Law Center.

Mr. Coursen’s honors include appointments by President George H. W. Bush to the President’s Advisory Board for Cuba Broadcasting, where he served for over 13 years, under 3 Presidents, the last 7 years as Acting Chairman, and by President Reagan to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Mr. Coursen is the recipient of the Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom and the Republican Majority Medal. Mr. Coursen served on the Children’s Hospital

Foundation Board, and on the Advisory Board for the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Economic Reconstruction of Cuba. He currently serves as a Member of the Children’s National Health Center Emeritus Board. Mr. Coursen also serves as a Member of the Honorary Board for the Blue Sky Foundation, which uses tennis as a vehicle to thank our military for their service.

Mr. Coursen founded the Boys and Girls Club in Lexington, VA, in 1968, while in college. He volunteered as a Big Brother to three DC inner city boys while in law school. In addition, he is an active member of the One and (Red) campaigns to fight childhood AIDS in Africa. Mr. Coursen serves as an Advisor to the Veteran’s National Recovery Center, as a volunteer for The Wounded Warrior Project, and as a volunteer for the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Coursen also serves as an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. Coursen has served as a member of the Metropolitan Police Department Auxiliary, and as an active supporter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).

Mr. Coursen is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Men of Achievement, Community Leaders in America, and The Social List of Washington.

Guilherme Miranda Mello

Guilherme is a professional with extensive experience in foreign affairs with focus in international trade and marketing activities – he has been working for over 25 years throughout Brazil and he has been able to create several opportunities opening up commercial channels, import facilitation, logistics and such elements, distribution network, sales team, technical support as well as strategic partners and joint venture agreements.

With access to Institutions and private companies he has been servicing clients within a wide range of projects, supporting individuals and groups in consulting and market entry, also for trade missions to Brazil, from the USA, Australia and from The Netherlands, among other countries covering the following industry sectors: agriculture; energy; biotechnology; genetics; food and beverages; education; sports; health; medical; dental; construction; infra-structure; environmental & waste management and water resources, mining; IT; telecommunications; cosmetics; textile; household appliances; footwear; metal-mechanics; furniture; electronics; automotive; equipment and tooling; avionics; oil and gas; plastics; defense; among others.

Such a wide range of activities and segments allowed companies to generate sales and to have on-the- ground presence in the Brazilian marketplace – providing clients the reliance of international support.

With a degree in Business Administration from the university named UNA-Centro Universitário in Brazil, and extension studies at Ohio State University, USA, he is fluent in English and Portuguese and high level of understanding in Spanish and French as well, he has developed very good understanding in a number of industry sectors with on-the-ground expertise in Brazil and other international markets, as he has become very familiar with those segments in USA, The Netherlands, Australia and with the enormous opportunities in whole territory in Brazil – enhancing business relationships, culture and technical innovations that are being introduced to those markets.

Guilherme is always establishing connections and bringing to the international community substantial high-level meetings with decision makers and politicians which have built the experience and his background, creating possibilities as he has already executed assistance and trade promotion for over 500 Australian and American companies in the Brazilian market, by establishing partnerships, assisting import/export procedures, investments structuring, joint-ventures, marketing and sales activities, not to forget the trade shows participations.

He has great success in creating demonstration projects and feasibility analysis test-fields project-base which included both technical and legal aspects in Brazil in close cooperation with International Governmental Agencies to creating and promoting new opportunities for operations in Brazil and establishing presence for the foreign companies

Vania Zulatto

Founder and director of TVZ International, Vania Zulatto brings over 25 years of experience in international business, working with American companies and U.S. government agencies in international trade, export promotion, market entry strategies, marketing, and foreign direct investment in the United States, assisting foreign companies in entering the Brazilian market and Brazilian businesses in establishing overseas subsidiaries. Aside from overseeing the commercial and market intelligence departments, Ms. Zulatto is also responsible for TVZ’s financial and administrative functions, including budge, personnel, and administration.

Ms. Zulatto has gained extensive experience in business development and diplomatic relations throughout her career. Ms. Zulatto also navigates trade missions to Brazil and matches businesses with partners. Ms. Zulatto has been participating in multiple trade conferences and webinars as a speaker about opportunities in the Brazilian market.

During this 25 years of experience, Ms. Zulatto gained vast experience and developed a strong network in a wide spectrum of industrial segments strengths which include: Advanced Manufacturing; Aerospace and Aviation; Agriculture and Food Processing; Automotive; Bioscience and Bioproducts; Chemical and Oil & Gas; Defense; Energy and Renewable Energy; Environmental Technologies; Healthcare; IT; Instruments, Controls, and Electronics; Safety and Security, Water and Wastewater; among others.

Since she has extensive experience assisting Economic Development Agencies, Diplomatic Organizations, and Private Companies with their Brazilian market inquiries, she is confident in helping executives and companies interested in exploring the Brazilian market.

Ms. Zulatto was previously associated with the USFCS in São Paulo, Brazil, as a Co-Manager of the Trade Events Unit. Her activities included the organization, coordination, and management of the U.S. Pavilions at all trade fair events on a countrywide basis, assisting the Trade Fairs Unit Director in event recruiting, negotiation of trade fair space, and price with prospective exhibitors. Prior to that Ms. Zulatto worked for nine years in the private sector.

Ms. Zulatto received her Bachelor´s Degree in Social Sciences from The Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil in 1993 and also graduated in Visual Communication at Escola Pan Americana de Artes in São Paulo. Ms. Zulatto speaks fluent Portuguese and English and has a working understanding of Spanish and Italian.

Chris Mustain

Chris Mustain is an expert in the policies and partnerships that support successful innovation ecosystems. As an Advisor to Potomac International he brings a deep knowledge of innovation-based economic development.

As a Vice President at the Council on Competitiveness, Mustain convened senior leaders from industry, government, academia, labor unions and the U.S. national laboratories to take action on economic competitiveness issues. He managed the Council’s Advanced Computing Roundtable that advocates U.S. leadership in supercomputing and strategies to leverage advanced computing for U.S. competitiveness. He served as an advisor to the National Science Foundation and the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.

Mustain founded Innovation Advocates in 2009, an independent government relations firm offering advice and analysis on science and technology policy. From 2000-2009, Mustain was an IBM executive, serving as the corporation’s U.S. policy lead for innovation, privacy and other business technology issues. While at IBM, he served on the core team that produced the Innovate America report and was instrumental in working with Congress and the Executive Branch to enact the America COMPETES Act.

In the 1990s, Mustain managed the European-American Business Council and served as a legislative analyst in the White House Office of Management and Budget. He is well versed in trade, tax, investment and other economic issues. He’s been featured on National Public Radio’s Marketplace and written for Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries, CEOs and Members of Congress.

Mustain earned a Master’s degree with honors from Georgetown University in International Business-Government Relations. He was a fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research and selected for the prestigious European Union Visitors Program. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg University in Ohio, completing majors in Political Science, Economics and German.

Major General John F. Wharton (US Army Ret)

John Wharton is senior adviser to Potomac International Partners. He is a Managing Partner, at One Defense, an organization originating out of the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Defense, focused on national security and technology acceleration in support of national security and homeland defense. He most recently served as Commanding General of the United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. There he led 13,800 scientists, engineers, and support personnel at more than 100 global locations controlling 75% of the Army’s R&D budget. Subordinate organizations included: The Army Research Laboratory, the Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center and the five Research and Development Centers: Armament (Picatinny Arsenal, NJ); Aviation and Missile (Redstone Arsenal, AL); Communication and Electronic (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD); Soldier Support (Natick, MA); and Tank and Automotive (Warren, MI). Before RDECOM, he served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Sustainment Command and Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. Prior to that he was the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Materiel Command and the Commanding General, AMC-Southwest Asia/U.S. Army Central G-4/CFLCC C-4. John has also commanded units in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, and the Sinai. He has a degree from the United States Military Academy and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He has also served as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, DC and Senior Advisor to the National Security Technology Acceleration Program (MD5) providing our Nation’s leaders with expertise regarding science and technology, innovation, and engineering affecting national security.

Eva Teig Hardy

Eva Teig Hardy is a Senior Advisor to Potomac International Partners. Prior to joining Potomac’s team, Hardy has established her own consulting firm Strategic Communications and Public Policy and serves on the Corporate Board of the Armada Hoffler Company. Hardy has also served in various roles in the Virginia state government and has remained active in Virginia democratic politics. Finally, she has remained active for three decades in Democratic politics, personally raising close to a million dollars for state and federal candidates. She supported Vice President Biden in the primary.

In 1972, Hardy began 8 years with the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, as an urban planner and the Director of Management and Legislative Services. In that position, she became the top policy assistant to Mayor Richard J Davis, later the Virginia Lieutenant Governor with Democratic Governor (and future US Senator) Charles S. Robb in 1982.  She was then appointed as the Commissioner of the VA Department of Labor and Industry in 1983. In 1986, Hardy was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services. In 1990, she joined Virginia Power as a Vice President for Government Affairs and then went to the parent company, Dominion Energy in 1997 as a Senior VP for all the states where Dominion Energy did business.

In October 1994, she was selected by President Bill Clinton to travel with him and a small group of Arab Americans and Jewish Americans to Israel and Jordan for the Peace treaty signing between the two countries. President Clinton also appointed her to serve on the Southern States Energy Board.

Hardy previously served for a year as the interim state director for US Senator Mark Warner following his first election and volunteers as Co-Chair of his Statewide Advisory Committee. She has also assisted Sen. Tim Kaine since his time as Mayor of Richmond and Governor of Virginia where she served in his transition team. She was appointed by Governor McAuliffe to serve on his Virginia Higher Education Board Advisory Committee, and she was recently appointed by Governor Ralph Northam as a Commissioner of the Virginia Port Authority.

She graduated from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland in 1965. She received a Master’s Degree in Government and Public Administration from the American University in Washington, DC in 1969. She has won numerous awards over the last thirty years, including the First Oliver Hill Citizen of the Year Award given to her by Mr. Hill; an honorary doctorate of Humanities from Norfolk State University in Virginia; and the Virginia Commonwealth University Wayne Medal for her work in improving and advocating for mental health for children.

Ambassador Ned L. Siegel (Ret.)

Ambassador Ned L. Siegel, (Ret.) is an International Business Advisor for the Caribbean & the Middle East to Potomac International Partners. He is also the president of The Siegel Group, a multi-disciplined international business management advisory firm he founded in 1997 in Boca Raton, Florida, specializing in real estate, energy, utilities, infrastructure, financial services, oil & gas and cyber & secure technology.

From October 2007 until January 2009, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Prior to his Ambassadorship, in 2006 he served with Ambassador John R. Bolton at the United Nations in New York, as the Senior Advisor to the U.S. Mission and as the United States Representative to the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.  From 2003-2007, he served on the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC

Amb. Siegel received a BA, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and a JD from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. In December 2014, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Jorge L. Arrizurieta

Jorge L. Arrizurieta is an International Business Advisor for the Western Hemisphere to Potomac International Partners. Mr. Arrizurieta is President of Arrizurieta and Associates a full service business development and government relations consulting firm specializing in Florida, Latin America, and the Carribbean. Prior to this he served as Chair of the International Policy Group at Akerman, Senterfitt Law Firm.

He is past president of Florida Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA), a public private partnership led by Governor Jeb Bush whose main mission was to bring the Permanent Secretariat of the FTAA to Miami, Florida. There he was the driving force in the drafting of a policy recommendation that Governor Bush sent to President Bush and his administration that lead to the formation of the Interamerican Ethanol Commission and the important collaboration taking place between the United States Government and the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. Arrizurieta was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States Alternate Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank in early 2002. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Arrizurieta worked for South Florida entrepreneur H Wayne Huizenga in various capacities for over 10 years. Initially as the Director of Community Relations at the Florida Marlins and then as Vice President of Public Affairs at Huizenga Holdings Inc. Prior to this he served US Senator Connie Mack in his first 5 years in the US Senate as his Director of State Projects.

Through his extensive career in the public and private sectors, Arrizurieta has volunteered his time to many charitable and civic organizations such as the Orange Bowl Committee, the Make A Wish Foundation, and the Beacon Council, among others. Currently, Mr. Arrizurieta serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and was a Trustee of the Miami-Dade County Public Health Trust, which supervises the County’s public health system. He completed his years of service at the Trust as Vice-Chairman of the Board.

He has published various articles along his career in the area of free trade, integration and the importance of biofuels and the possibility of a future hemispheric energy security policy and continues his commitment to the Interamerican Ethanol Commission where he served as a key advisor and Founding Director.

Mr. Arrizurieta served as an appointee of Governor Jeb Bush to the State of Florida’s Board of Governors which oversees Florida’s 11 public universities and colleges and was appointed to the Florida International University Board of Trustees in June 2007. He has served in a number of different leadership roles since. Most recently he was elected by his peers as Vice Chairman of the Board, serves as Chair of the Athletics Committee and Vice Chair of the External Relations Committee as well as the Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees. Most recently Mr. Arrizurieta served as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Policy Advisory Workgroup of Gov. Jeb Bush’s Campaign for President as well as Chairman of the campaign for South Florida.

Arrizurieta, his wife Mari and their three children Alexia, Alec and Sebastian reside in Coral Gables and are all native Miamians.

Peter Mirijanian

Peter Mirijanian is a Senior Advisor to Potomac International Partners. He has provided years of public affairs expertise to dozens of corporate, trade association and individual clients.

Utilizing decade-long relationships with the national press corps, he initiated and managed the media coverage and editorials that have appeared in national outlets, including The Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, along with the broadcast networks.  He has also devised and executed media tours, editorial board meetings and talk radio campaigns for clients in markets across the country. Peter is also a crisis communications commentator in national publications, NBC’s Today Show, The FOX NEWS Channel, MSNBC, including “Hardball with Chris Matthews”, and CNBC’s Power Lunch and Closing Bell.

Previously, he worked for three years in corporate advocacy as a Senior Counselor at Powell Tate, and led non-profit media campaigns while at Fenton Communications. He served on the national advance staffs of the Dukakis/Bentsen ‘88 campaign, Clinton/Gore ‘92 and ‘96 campaigns as well as the Gore/Lieberman 2000 campaign, and has traveled internationally in that capacity for President Clinton and Vice President Gore.

Mirijanian has served as a spokesperson for the Women’s College Coalition and was a political advisor, along with Stephen Hess of the Brookings Institution, to Anna Deveare Smith’s production of “House Arrest” at Washington’s Arena Stage.

Mirijanian graduated magna cum laude from Drew University and earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy [M.P.P.] from Georgetown University.

Christopher Abbott

Christopher Abbott is a Senior Advisor to Potomac International Partners. Previously, Christopher served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy in the Trump Administration. In that role, he drafted the first internal memo to President Trump in January, 2020 warning that the U.S. was unprepared to respond to COVID-19, and highlighting the potential economic and human consequences the outbreak could have. He also led many of the Trump Administration’s efforts to secure the medical supplies necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and restore the U.S. medical industrial base. Christopher also drafted President Trump’s executive order to protect domestic supply chains for medical countermeasures, and served as the primary White House official involved in the effort to revamp the Strategic National Stockpile following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his efforts on the COVID-19 response, Christopher was also involved in several other high-level policy debates, including on trade, tariffs, China, and national security issues.

After leaving the White House, Christopher served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing in the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. In this role, he managed a team of 45 civil-servants and committed significant agency resources to monitoring potential disruptions to medical supply chains. He also oversaw the Industry Trade Advisory Center (ITAC) on Health Services and Products, and partnered with HHS, DOD, and staff at the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to review applications for billions of dollars of subsidized DFC loans that were made available to US corporations as part of the CARES Act.

Mary Arnold

Christopher Bryan Rivers

Alfonso Fernández

Lourdes Negrón

Lourdes Negrón is a senior advisor to Potomac International Partners and has a rich history in government and business affairs.  In 1998, she served as Caseworker at the Office of the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington. Two years later she was appointed Special Assistant and Public Relations Director at the Office of the Former Governors of Puerto Rico under the Puerto Rico Office of Management and Budget.

For the past two decades she has managed the media and government relations for multiple clients in the healthcare, retail, food and beverage, banking and real estate sectors in addition to providing advice to public figures, ensuring accurate public perception and embracement of the institutional mission. She understands and knows the government structure and the key players to get things done.

She also served for eight years as Executive Director of the Foundation of a former Governor of Puerto Rico, where she was responsible for fundraising and outreach efforts from the government, corporations, foundations and individual donors.

Ms. Negrón, a permitting and regulatory expert has a strong background in political fundraising, coalition building and project management. She has collaborated in a variety of government functions for the U.S. Senate and congressional candidates, as well as the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, the Puerto Rico Mayors Association, the Center of Diabetes Control of Puerto Rico, among other organizations.

Lourdes has a proven track record of being able to navigate the city agencies and has built success on a direct approach to problem solving. She is a licensed Public Relations Professional, a licensed real estate agent and is a registered Specialist certified by the Department of the Treasury in Puerto Rico to perform returns, declarations and refund claims.

David Kim

David Kim serves as a senior advisor for Asia for Potomac International Partners and has been a long-time advisor for Cowan Strategies, with nearly 25 years of experience in business development, government affairs, market research and communications work in both the United States, South Korea and throughout Asia.

Mr. Kim began his career with the Pacific Consultant Corporation in Seoul, Korea, notably engaging and directing a robust public relations, public affairs and new business development wing and as a result, made connections with individuals and businesses from around the world. Soon after, Mr. Kim became the Managing Director of the Dong Nam Research Institute, and the Korean Representative for Washington based CCI as an advisor for the company’s International Quasi-Government and Multinational Corporations wing.

After serving in the Korean Army, Mr. Kim graduated from Dan Kook University in Seoul with a degree in International Trade. Mr. Kim also holds a degree in economics from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Currently, Mr. Kim resides in Seoul.

Andre Araujo

Andre Araujo, a native of São Paulo, joins Potomac to assist our clients with business and opportunities in Brazil. Mr. Araujo has a Law Degree from Mackenzie University in São Paulo, and an extensive resume with both governmental and private sector organizations throughout Brazil.

Mr. Araujo has been CFO of the Brazilian National Association of Electric and Electronic Industries for 14 years, President of the State of São Paulo Metropolitan Planning Authority, CFO of PRODAM – the City of São Paulo Company for Information Technology. Additionally, Mr. Araujo has spent the last four years representing international shareholders as a member of the board of CEMIG, a NYSE listed corporation and the second largest energy enterprise in Brazil with national interests in electric power and gas.

In addition to his duties with Potomac, Mr. Araujo is the Director of Adne Consulting Group, a 25 years old firm who has among its clients major American corporations in Brazil and large Brazilian energy and construction groups. Adne was an active consultant in the recent large Brazilian privatization program, assisting international investors in buying Brazilian assets and organizing new partnerships for managing acquired companies.

Mario Pejrone

Mario Pejrone is the Principal at Cardinal Consulting and a Partner at EXECO Consulting. Italian firms specialized in strategic consulting services in Business Development & Marketing, Organization and HR areas. With an emphasis on supporting European and American Corporations’ growing processes in the Global Market and on facilitating the Internationalization of their businesses.

Mario Pejrone brings more than 15 years of international business experience working in leadership roles. Quality focused Senior Executive with deep understanding of European & African Markets and Customer Expectations, instilling a customer-centric approach essential to success of global organizations.

His expertise ranges from developing marketing and business development strategies to providing support to corporate leaders in entering new markets, establishing strategic partnerships, investing in new companies and pursuing the effectiveness of business processes & organization.

From 2008 to 2018 Mario Pejrone served in Executive roles for an Italian Multinational Company. Initially oriented to execute the business development strategy to approach new markets; then focused to develop the Aerospace & Defense business in Europe; finally challenged to startup the North American Operations, as well as to drive the acquisition and integration of an American Defense Service Provider.

Before, Mario Pejrone has held different positions in the private sector.

He served as Sales & Marketing Director and as General Manager.

He managed, as Temporary Manager, Start Up Projects in Italy and in Africa.

He developed and executed the global strategies to advance the international business agenda of companies in the industrial sector, in the logistics sector and in the renewable energy sector.

General Jose Fernando Iasbech

General Jose Fernando Iasbech, a senior advisor to Potomac International Partners (Potomac) for Brazil, joins Potomac to assist clients identify, pursue and service business opportunities in Brazil and the United States.

General Iasbech served in the Brazilian Army for almost 40 years and retired as Army Brigadier General in December 2015. During his time as an active Officer, he participated in international programs in numerous countries, including UN Military Observer at UNPROFOR (Bosnia, 1992-1993), the Combined Logistics Advanced Course at United States Army Logistics Management College (Fort Lee/VA, 1994), the General Staff Course at the Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (Germany, 2001-2003) and the Royal College of Defense Studies course (London, 2010-2011).  He also led the Brazilian Army strategic project known as Proteger, which is responsible for protecting critical infrastructures and providing support to society in situations of natural or provoked crises. Prior to retirement, his last assignments were as Commander of the 9th Military Region, 4th Army Deputy Chief of Staff (Logistics and Mobilization) and Head of Special Advisory of the Brazilian Army for Major Events (support for Rio2016 Olympic Games).

General Iasbech is also a senior advisor to the board of directors of Canada-based Sigma Lithium Resources and a consultant of Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM).

Tadeu Carneiro

Tadeu Carneiro, a senior advisor to Potomac International Partners (Potomac) for Brazil, joins Potomac to assist clients identify, pursue and service business opportunities in Brazil and the United States.

Mr. Carneiro is Chief Executive Officer of Boston Electrometallurgical Corporation, an invited lecturer in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a part-time lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA.

Before retiring as Chief Executive Officer of Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) in December 2016, Mr. Carneiro spent 30 years with the company in progressively senior leadership positions.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in the United Kingdom.  He is a Director on the Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines Board and also a board member with Canada-based Sigma Lithium Resources and of SBSHSL Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Yoko Yoshii

Yoko Yoshii joined Potomac International Partners as a senior advisor for Japan after he left Advertising Giant, Dentsu, in November 2018.

As a highly capable and results orientated business manager with over 25-years of account service and 10-years of company management, Yoko has lead high-performance teams by implementing successful strategic brand and media campaigns, especially in FMCG and healthcare industry.

As an experienced President & CEO, he managed Dentsu Direct Solutions and Wunderman Dentsu, a joint venture between Dentsu and WPP.

Yoko’s noteworthy success includes the relaunch of Coca-Cola in Japan, and new product development that covered  research, product concept development, branding, package development, communication planning, CR development and execution as well as media and PR.

General Douglas M. Fraser

Commander, U.S. Southern Command

• A retired U.S. Air Force General who was responsible for Department of Defense security cooperation in 45 nations and territories
• The first U.S. Air Force officer to become U.S. Southern Command’s combatant commander
• A command pilot with more than 3,100 flying hours, primarily in the F-15A/B/C/D, F-15E, the F-16 and the C-37

Bill Press

Senior Political Contributor, CNN; Syndicated Political Talk Show Host, Columnist and Best-Selling Author

• Bill Press is host of the The Bill Press Show, a nationally-syndicated radio show
• Mr. Press attends the White House briefings as a part of the White House Press Corps, writes a weekly column for The Hill newspaper, and a nationally-syndicated column distributed weekly by Tribune Media Services
• Mr. Press has enjoyed a high-profile career in government, politics and broadcasting

Gerald “Gerry” Cassidy

Co-Founder, Former CEO, Cassidy & Associates

Mr. Cassidy has gained widespread recognition for creating Washington’s top integrated government relations, public relations, and public affairs firms. In fact, New York Times described him as a “master builder” and said that “Cassidy & Associates was a model for other firms.”

Regardie’s magazine named Cassidy one of the power elite of Washington and Forbes magazine, in its March 2000 issue, listed him No. 52 in its national list of “The Power 100.” In 2007 he was the subject of a 27 part series in the Washington Post.

Prior to the establishment of Cassidy & Associates in 1975, Mr. Cassidy served as an Attorney in the South Florida Migrant Legal Services Program, as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Democratic National Committee’s Party Reform Commission, and as General Counsel of the U.S. Senate’s Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. He has been a featured speaker on legislative issues, government, and politics at numerous universities, industry and trade association conferences.

Mr. Cassidy has served on numerous Boards and as Trustee of Tougaloo College; the Children’s Inn at NIH; School of Nutrition at Tufts University; Washington Theological Union; Boston University; and Villanova University, where he served as Chairman of their Capital Campaign from 2004 to 2008.

In 1999 Mr. Cassidy sold Cassidy & Associates and Powell Tate Public Affairs to the Interpublic Group. He retired from Cassidy & Associates in 2014. Today he resides in McLean, Virginia and Key West, Florida and is active in a number of private enterprises.

Mr. Cassidy is a graduate of Villanova University (B.S. 1963) and the Cornell Law School (J.D. 1967). In 1995 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Social Science from Villanova University. In 2005 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Fontbonne University. He is a member of the Metropolitan Club and the Economic Club of Washington.

Greg Lebedev

Greg Lebedev currently holds a portfolio that spans business, government, and philanthropy. He is Chairman of the publicly-funded Center for International Private Enterprise, one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. He is a Senior Advisor to the President and CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the largest business federation in the world, and is a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. And, Lebedev is a Senior Advisor to the Robertson Foundation for Government, a private family fund that supports talented men and women wishing to pursue governmental careers in national security and international affairs. He also sits on the Editorial Advisory Board of Diplomatic Courier, a global affairs media network, and the Advisory Board of Ethisphere, a corporate governance consulting firm. Lebedev regularly advises on business strategy and international affairs, and in 2008 he was President George W. Bush’s nominee to be US Representative to the United Nations for Management and Reform (with the rank of Ambassador).

Before these assignments, Lebedev served as President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), where he represented the domestic and international interests of the $1.7 trillion global chemical and plastics industry. Prior to the ACC, he was the United States Chamber of Commerce’s COO and Executive Vice President for International Policy and National Security Affairs for nearly five years. He was Managing Director of the Chamber’s public policy think tank, the National Chamber Foundation, and President of the Center for Corporate Citizenship, a governance and philanthropic resource of the business community.

Earlier, Lebedev was a Senior Partner of The Hay Group, then one of the largest international management consulting firms. He then joined the American Trucking Associations where he was Senior Vice President and CFO and acting-CEO. Following the first Gulf War, as an independent consultant, he directed projects associated with the reconstruction of Kuwait; and was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to be Inspector General of the Department of Defense. President Gerald Ford appointed him to the State Department post of Assistant Inspector General of Foreign Assistance/Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. Before that, he served in the Bureau for Security and Consular Affairs and was one of Henry Kissinger’s youngest Deputy Assistant Secretaries. Prior to his State Department tour, he was Deputy Special Assistant to the President of the United States at The White House.

Lebedev earned a Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law of the University of South Dakota and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the same university. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia; and he and his wife and daughter reside in Arlington, Virginia.