IAEOZ Summit Speakers

Claudia Rankins is a Program Officer in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation, where she manages the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program and the HBCU Excellence in Research program. Prior to this post, Dr. Rankins served at Hampton University for 22 years in a number of capacities, including, endowed university professor, chair of the department of physics, assistant dean for research, and dean of the School of Science. Her formal education includes military training, certification as translator and interpreter for German, French and English, a B.S. in Mathematics from Christopher Newport University, an M.S. in Statistics from Old Dominion University, an M.S. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Physics both from Hampton University.

 Venus Welch-White serves as the National Rural Energy Program Coordinator in USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. In her current role she conducts stakeholder engagement, outreach, business strategy and development, policy support, and facilitates collaborations with internal and external partners in agriculture, energy, biofuels, business development, and financial institutions. 

 Angela Washington, Senior Business Development Specialist is an experienced executive, with first-hand operational experience and has over twenty years of Federal Government experience, serving six presidential administrations. She held various program and specialized positions in key government agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce. Angela joined the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in January 1999 in the Office of the National Director, during the Clinton Administration. Currently, she is a Senior Business Development Specialist in the MBDA Office of Business Development (OBD) providing management and technical assistance to businesses domestically and internationally, among other responsibilities.

Mr. Slager joined the Company in the summer of 2016 after moving his family from the Netherlands and selling his last venture to DSM a large public international energy and technology company located in Europe.  Mr. Slager is an expert in developing and commercializing new technologies. Main proven competence and experience: great technical knowledge and comprehension in combination with sharp entrepreneurial and business sense.

Mr. Haynie is CEO of Haynie Farms, LLC in Reedville, VA. Philip J. Haynie, III, more commonly known as P.J., graduated from Northumberland High School, Heathsville, Va., in June 1995. While in high school, Haynie served as vice president of his Future Farmers of America chapter and actively worked on his family farm in Reedville, Va. Haynie graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics in May 1999. While attending Virginia Tech, he served as president of the Virginia Tech MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences) chapter.

Robin Parton Pate serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Green Point Research where she is responsible for the overarching strategic marketing vision for the thriving vertically integrated biotechnology company. She aids in the development of new distribution channels and drives revenue-generating opportunities, including brand development and partnerships, to support the company’s new wellness product lines.

Neela White is a Project Director at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She currently directs the HBCU Making & Innovation Showcase and Innovation Forward: Invention and Startup Road Shows.  She also manages the day to day operations for the AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador Program, and supports the work on the Marion Milligan-Mason Awards and the AAAS-appointed Committee on Opportunities in Science.  She has served as an external evaluator for multiple projects including the NSF INCLUDES Early STEM Engagement for Minority Males (eSEM) project and the Verizon Innovative Learning Summer Program for Minority Males at Morgan State University. She has also served as a Program Associate for the AAAS District of Columbia program.

Dr. Kamel S. Saidi is a Mechanical Engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His current research includes the development of metrics, test methods and ground-truth systems for evaluating the performance of robot perception, safety, dexterity, mapping and autonomy for manufacturing as well as emergency response robots. He is also involved in research aimed at developing performance evaluation methods, metrics, and facilities for 3D Imaging Systems (through ASTM E57). Dr. Saidi conducted research in construction automation for 10 years prior to shifting his focus to manufacturing and emergency response robotics. Dr. Saidi holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin (UT), where he focused his research on information technology at the construction site and construction automation systems

Mary Burke Baker is a government affairs counselor in the Washington, D.C. office, where she leads the Tax Policy practice. Mary focuses on federal tax matters affecting businesses, including domestic and multinational corporations and all types of pass-through entities, and individuals. Her practice covers tax policy, tax reform, regulatory and other guidance, tax administration, and technical tax issues, with particular emphasis on corporate and pass-through issues, accounting methods, information reporting, Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) compliance, and emerging cryptocurrency issues. Since enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December 2017, Mary has particularly focused on the Opportunity Zone program and is a frequent speaker on the topic throughout the United States. 

Mr. Morgan is founder and managing partner of D. Morgan & Partners. Prior to launching the firm, Mr. Morgan served for almost ten years as Vice President Government Affairs for the American Express Company. In that role, he managed the government and public affairs portfolios for the American Express OPEN business and the Tax and Human Resources functions and also served as Treasurer for the American Express Company’s political action committee. 

Huda has extensive academic and applied background in the water field. She has professional experience internationally, including Mexico, the Middle East and Africa, and in various facets of the water industry, including municipal plant operations for wastewater treatment, desalination, and water process engineering. She joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT in 2012 to work on off-grid WASH solutions and is a published author in the fields of environmental public health, water treatment design, maintenance optimization and field applications. Huda consults in the field of commercial aquaculture and was named a AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador in 2017.

Ms. Carroll A. Thomas, Director of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) leads a nationwide network of centers and their affiliated partners focused on U.S. manufacturers helping them to strengthen their supply chain integration and access new technology thereby helping them to compete globally. MEP receives $146 million in public funds matched with an additional $160 million in private funds to provide technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers. MEP leverages federal support by teaming with industry as well as state and local organizations to allow smaller manufacturers access to tap into cutting edge technology. With over 440 manufacturing extension offices located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, MEP provides companies with services and connections to resources that enhance growth, improve productivity and expand production capacity.

The National Faith-Based Empowerment Coalition (NFBEC) is comprised of leading ministers committed to leveraging the OZ Program to transform their communities. Their effort is designed to spur investments for restoration, transform jobs into careers and create measurable and sustainable community and human capital development that is in alignment with the restoration of families and the renewal of values in our youth. The NFBEC has established a comprehensive framework for facilitating high impact investments. And, also serves as a bridge between the private investors and developers and the faith institutions and other local leaders on the front line of community development. 

Gary served six years in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as Presidential Support for G.W. Bush as well as foreign heads of state. He accumulated nearly ten years managing assets and programs for facilities in excess of $20mm. After honorably serving in the Air Force, Gary facilitated government contract acquisitions in real estate before his passions lead him to attend Georgetown’s Masters in Real Estate program.

The opportunity to start BG LionStar presented itself after grad school. Based on his experience seeing the disparity working in inner city schools and depressed neighborhoods in D.C., Gary founded the company with the conviction that ALL communities deserve access to innovative facilities that are smart, green and sustainable. Living in a modern age requires new business models with creative solutions; Gary sought to find a better way to add value to those communities.