Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Executives of Maryland for 2023. Maryland's economy is one of the most diverse and dynamic in the United States, with a strong focus on technology, healthcare, and biotechnology. One of the key drivers of Maryland's economy is its highly educated workforce, with over 40% of the state's population holding a bachelor's degree or higher. In addition to a highly educated workforce, Maryland is also home to many large corporations, including Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, and McCormick & Company. This year’s awardees bring years of experience and expertise to their roles and are instrumental in making strategic decisions that shape the direction of their companies and the state's economy as a whole.
Among this year’s awardees is James O'Sullivan, President of Stanley Black & Decker, who is responsible for driving the company's overall growth and profitability, as well as overseeing its global operations and strategic initiatives. Awardee John Mengucci, President and CEO of CACI International, who guides the organization in developing innovative and differentiated technology offerings aimed at serving customers, delivering sustainable growth, and driving shareholder value.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Top 25 Executives of Maryland for 2023.
1. Joe Ochipinti
Chief Executive Officer - Mid Atlantic, UnitedHealthcare
Joseph Ochipinti is the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic Region and has been in this role since early 2019. He brings over 25 years of health care and financial services experience. As CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Mid Atlantic, he is responsible for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer & Individual business driving growth, quality, profitability, and overall performance for health benefit plans that serve just under three million UHC members in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and DC.
Prior to 2019, Ochipinti served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Gulf States Region, and before that, chief growth officer for three years in the Southeast Region. Joe was previously VP of sales of UnitedHealthcare’s Employer & Individual Gulf States Region from 2009 to 2013, and from 2003 to 2009 he led the company’s medical, pharmacy, and specialty product strategy in the Southeast Region and National Strategy for Consumer Directed Health products.
Joe is a graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia with an undergraduate degree in industrial public relations. He received his master’s degree from Webster University School of Business & Technology in St Louis and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business’s seven-month UnitedHealth Group Executive Development and General Management Program.
2. Luc Francillon
Chief Financial Officer, Mars
Luc Francillon is a seasoned financial executive with a wealth of experience in the consumer goods industry. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Mars, a leading global confectionery, pet food, and food company. Francillon joined Mars in 1990 and has since held various leadership positions in finance across the company's operations in Europe, the United States, and Asia. He has played a pivotal role in driving growth and profitability at Mars, leading major initiatives such as the company's expansion into new markets and the development of its e-commerce capabilities.
Prior to joining Mars, Francillon worked at Arthur Andersen, where he gained experience in auditing and consulting for clients in the consumer goods sector. He holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and is a member of the Swiss Certified Accountants Association. He is also a board member of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.
Throughout his career, Francillon has been recognized for his leadership, strategic thinking, and financial acumen. He continues to play a key role in shaping Mars' financial strategy and driving the company's growth and success.
3. Daniel Maloney
Chief Security Officer, Verizon
Daniel Maloney is a highly experienced security executive who currently serves as the Chief Security Officer of Verizon, a leading telecommunications and technology company. He joined Verizon in 2010 and has since held various leadership positions in security across the company's operations in the United States and internationally. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing Verizon's global security strategy, including the protection of the company's networks, systems, and data, as well as the security of its customers.
Prior to joining Verizon, Maloney held various security leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, including serving as the director of security for the National Basketball Association and the deputy assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division. Maloney holds an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Western New England University and a master's degree in national security studies from Georgetown University. He is also a graduate of the FBI's National Executive Institute and the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.
4. Michael Sheehan
President & CEO, Thales Defense & Security
Michael Sheehan joined Thales Defense & Security, Inc. in 2010 as President and CEO. A senior executive with more than 27 years of industry experience, Sheehan came to Thales from Cobham, where he was responsible for the operation and management of the company’s Avionics Strategic Business Unit. Prior to Cobham, Sheehan served in executive management roles for DRS Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems, where he spent 18 years in various senior management positions in engineering, program management, and business development. He has been involved in several tactical communications programs, including JTRS, Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, Future Combat Systems, and various Link 16 programs. He began his career as an RF design engineer for the RCA Corporation, designing ground communications equipment.
Sheehan earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University, and an MBA from Columbia University.
5. James O'Sullivan
President, Stanley Black & Decker
James O'Sullivan is a seasoned business executive who currently serves as the President of Stanley Black & Decker, a global leader in tools, security, and industrial products. He joined Stanley Black & Decker in 2003 and has since held various leadership positions across the company's operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. In his current role as President, he is responsible for driving the company's overall growth and profitability, as well as overseeing its global operations and strategic initiatives.
Prior to joining Stanley Black & Decker, O'Sullivan worked at General Electric, where he gained extensive experience in operations, finance, and strategic planning. He holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from University College Dublin in Ireland and a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.
7. Ted Fischer
Chief Data Scientist, Booz Allen Hamilton
Ted Fischer is the Chief Data Scientist of Booz Allen Hamilton, a leading global consulting firm. He joined Booz Allen Hamilton in 2007 and has since held various leadership positions in data science and analytics. In his current role, he is responsible for leading the firm's data science strategy, including the development of advanced analytics capabilities, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Before joining Booz Allen Hamilton, Fischer worked in the government and private sectors, where he gained extensive experience in data science, statistics, and machine learning. Throughout his career, Fischer has been recognized for his contributions to the field of data science. He has published numerous articles and has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events.
Fischer holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in operations research from George Mason University. He is also a Fellow of the American Statistical Association.
8. Chris Harry
Chief Learning Officer, TEKsystems
Chris Harry is the Chief Learning Officer at TEKsystems. He has been with the company since May 2004, and in his current role, he leads the creation of TEKsystems' formalized professional development function. He is known for his data-driven frameworks for assessing, measuring, and tracking the learning and development impact on business outcomes. He has also developed effective processes to assess talent and readiness of high potentials, designing programs supporting the development, succession, and retention of these employees through periods of explosive enterprise growth.
Prior to his current role, Harry served as the director of professional development, during which time he created award-winning sales, recruiting, operations, and leadership development programs and processes to ensure alignment with career paths and succession plans. He has an undergraduate degree in sports management and a master’s degree in organizational development from Towson University.
9. John Mengucci
President & CEO, CACI International
John Mengucci is President and Chief Executive Officer of CACI International Inc, a global provider of expertise and technology serving enterprise and mission defense, intelligence, and federal civilian government customers. Under his leadership, CACI continues to develop innovative and differentiated technology offerings aimed at serving customers, delivering sustainable growth, and driving shareholder value.
Prior to his appointment as President and CEO, Mengucci served as COO. He also previously served as president of US operations, with primary responsibility for the company’s domestic, federal, state, and local markets, as well as the company’s main business groups.
Before joining CACI, Mengucci was president of Lockheed Martin Corporation’s Information Systems and Global Solutions. He holds an undergraduate degree in computer science from Clarkson College of Technology and serves on its board of directors, and an MBA in organizational management from Syracuse University.
10. Stacey Jenkins
Chief Financial Officer, Aerotek
As Chief Financial Officer of Aerotek, Stacey Jenkins oversees the financial performance and helps set strategic direction for the company. A versatile leader, she has more than 20 years of diverse industry experience and has held both operational and corporate leadership roles. She started at Aerotek’s sister company in 1998 and has worked in various operational and financial leadership roles, including 10 years overseeing financial performance and strategy for Aerotek’s largest customers. In her most recent position as VP of strategic delivery, Stacey led Aerotek’s centralized delivery operations and developed new solutions to help customers meet complex human capital challenges.
As CFO, Stacey wants to advance the innovative and agile solutions Aerotek offers to clients and contractors, allowing both to achieve their goals and objectives. She is passionate about developing others. She serves on the executive board of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, an organization that prepares young people to obtain economic success, and has mentored numerous emerging leaders at Aerotek. The Staffing Industry Association has twice recognized Stacey on its Global Power 150 - Women in Staffing list.
11. William Butz
CEO, Maxim Healthcare Services
Bill Butz is the Chief Executive Officer for Maxim Healthcare Services. In his role as CEO, Bill is responsible for the overall direction of the organization and the development of high-level strategies that align with the company’s purpose, mission, and guiding principles. Bill brings to Maxim years of leadership experience in the healthcare and staffing services industries.
Prior to joining Maxim, Bill served as president of Erickson Living and was responsible for the company's operations and continuum of care for primary physician practices, skilled nursing, and home health services. Before joining Erickson, he worked with Allegis Group for 15 years in several financial leadership roles, most recently serving as CFO of Aerotek, Allegis Group's largest operating company.
Bill has served as a member of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education and also as a charter member of the Corporate Advisory Board at his alma mater, McDaniel College. He is now one of the board of directors for McDaniel College. Bill is a CPA and received his undergraduate degree in economics and business administration from McDaniel College.
12. Mark Hagyard
Chief Financial Officer, Allegis Global Solutions
Mark Hagyard is the Chief Financial Officer of Allegis Global Solutions. He first joined the company in 2017. Allegis Global Solutions (AGS) is a leading provider of workforce solutions. It knows what it takes to design, build and execute strategies that align workforce capabilities with the agility required to stay ahead of what’s next. Blending decades of experience, continuous innovation, and cutting-edge market and business intelligence, it leads companies through a transformative journey to rethink the way work gets done.
Previously, Hagyard was an executive director of financial operations at Aerotek and before that a director of finance at Constellation Energy. Earlier in his career, he worked with Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a regional controller. Hagyard earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
13. Trent Ross
Chief Research Officer, Ipsos
Trent Ross began his professional career 21 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Research Officer of Ipsos. Ipsos is one of the largest market research companies operating in 90 markets with more than 18,000 professionals. In his role, Ross is responsible for global training and innovation as well as consulting with clients on a global and local basis.
Ross joined Ipsoso in 2002 and previously served as a senior vice president. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a master’s degree in political science and government and from Truman State University with an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
14. Ricardo Lorenzo
Chief Technology Officer, Parsons
Rico is the Chief Technology Officer at Parsons and is responsible for the development and implementation of the innovation and technology strategy across the enterprise. He accomplishes this through internal R&D to all forms of external technology leveraging including commercial technology partnerships, contract R&D, and university partnerships. The portfolio includes technologies ranging from digital modernization to integrated systems, and from cyber to artificial intelligence/machine learning, data analytics, advanced sensors, electronic warfare, smart mobility, environment remediation, and space technologies. He is also responsible for the offices of the Chief Information Officer, Chief Security Information Office, S-WORX, and the Parsons Fellows.
15. Jean-Luc Palayer
Chief Operating Officer, Orano TN
Jean-Luc Palayer is the Chief Operating Officer of Orano TN. Orano TN, based in Maryland with manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, is a global provider of dry storage, transportation, and field services for used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, with its NUHOMS® used nuclear fuel dry storage system securely operating at more than 30 US sites. Palayer has 26 years of experience. He began his career in 1997.
Before joining Orano TN, Palayer was a managing director at AREVA Solar India. He graduated from Georgetown University with an MBA and from École des Mines de Saint-Étienne with a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
16. Colin Browne
Chief Operating Officer, Under Armour
Colin Browne is the Chief Operating Officer of Under Armour and has been serving in his role since February 2020. Headquartered in Baltimore, Under Armour is a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Browne previously served as chief supply chain officer and president of global sourcing from September 2016 to June 2017.
Prior to joining Under Armour, Browne served as VP and managing director for VF Corporation, leading its sourcing and product supply organization in Asia and Africa, and as VP of Footwear Sourcing. Prior thereto, Browne served as EVP of footwear and accessories for Li and Fung Group LTD and CEO of Asia for Pentland Brands PLC. Browne has over 25 years of experience leading sourcing efforts for large brands.
17. Alan Butler
CEO, Erickson Senior Living
Alan Butler leads Erickson Senior Living in its development and management of 21 campus-style communities in 11 states, which are home to more than 28,000 residents and employ nearly 15,000 dedicated staff members.
Before becoming CEO of Erickson Senior Living, Alan spent 14 years as treasurer of Allegis Group, Inc., one of the largest talent management companies in the world. In addition to his role as treasurer, he managed corporate real estate, purchasing, travel, and credit, and advised on all mergers and acquisitions. Alan also served as president of Redwood Capital Investments, a private investment company focused on investing in privately held companies, real estate, health care, energy distributors, distressed debt, and other medium to large-sized companies.
Alan's diverse leadership career includes holding various credit and lending positions at Bank of America and its predecessor banks from 1986 to 1996. In addition, he has served on numerous boards, including the Baltimore Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Currently, Alan is the board chair of the University of Maryland Medical System. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MBA from Loyola University, Maryland.
18. Diane Levin
Chief Information Officer, McCormick
Diane Levin, McCormick’s Chief Information Officer, leads McCormick’s global IT organization and collaborates across the company to deliver competitive advantage and innovation by leveraging enabling technologies. She ensures that McCormick’s technology solutions are scaled for growth, compliance, and efficiency. In her role, she sponsors transformational initiatives that create value-driven outcomes throughout McCormick’s business functions and commercial business segments for Consumer and Flavor Solutions. She is a member of the McCormick Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.
Prior to joining McCormick in 2019, Diane worked at Johnson & Johnson, where she served in several leadership roles including as VP of IT global customer development and CIO of consumer EMEA. She has over twenty-five years of broad functional business experience in consumer goods, medical devices, and technology industries.
Diane holds an undergraduate degree in economics from The George Washington University. She also served on the advisory board from 2015-2019 for the Leading Executives Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Network in Europe advocating for gender diversity and inclusion in the consumer goods industry. She currently serves on the board of directors of LifeBridge Health.
19. Christopher Valentino
Chief Strategy Officer, Peraton
As Chief Strategy Officer of Peraton, Christopher Valentino is responsible for leading strategic value creation by operationalizing their strategy and partnering with c-suite personnel and functional vice presidents, sector presidents, general managers, capture managers, and account managers for execution. Chris works to align Peraton’s sector investments with Peraton’s strategic plan and ensure that Peraton infrastructure is aligned with growth. He is also the point person for shaping the future of Peraton.
Chris has over 20 years of domestic and global cyber expertise. He has a long history of leading multiple business growth and strategic campaigns across space, intelligence, cyber, and defense missions. Prior to joining Peraton, he spent 24 years with Northrop Grumman and its predecessor companies. Most recently, Chris was VP of information warfare and cyber survivability and previously served as VP of global cyber solutions. Earlier, as the director of strategy for Northrop Grumman’s former Cyber & Intelligence Mission Solutions division, he led strategic planning, market analyses, and growth efforts through innovative approaches.
Chris earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in information systems from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He was a Northrop Grumman technical fellow emeritus, a distinction bestowed on the company’s top scientific, technical, and systems engineering talent. Valentino also serves on the UMBC College of Engineering and Information Technology external advisory board.
20. Rich Valway
President & CEO, Culinary Services Group
Rich Valway is the President and CEO of Culinary Services Group. He has an Executive Leadership Certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and more than 30 years of career experience in contract food management across a broad spectrum of markets including hospitals and healthcare, senior living services, higher education, K-12 schools, and business dining. Rich has over 25 years of experience as a Certified Dietary Manager and has served in numerous leadership roles throughout his food service career before launching Culinary Services Group in 2008.
Rich has propelled exponential company growth for Culinary Services Group, from a small business to a multi-state entity with over 600 team members. He successfully launched a separate food service company Top Nosh in 2018 which provides solutions for a growing business dining market. He serves as a board member of the Food Service Wellness Institute and has an active role in the Vistage CEO Peer Group. Under his guidance, Culinary Services Group is poised to become a leader in the food service industry by providing innovative solutions for healthcare and business dining.
21. Keith Heilveil
President, Advantage Industries
Keith Heilveil is the President of Advantage Industries and a Maryland native. He is a veteran in the IT space with more than 30 years of experience as a business owner in multiple industries. This experience provides Keith with the breadth of knowledge required to advise business owners on how to operate and protect their businesses
Keith founded Advantage Industries in 1999 focusing primarily on supporting the IT needs of small business owners. Over the years, Keith has worked with State and Federal Government agencies, and hundreds of organizations in numerous industries, ranging from small start-ups to a top 10 accounting firm. Advantage is now a full-service Managed IT Security & Services firm with over 35 employees and 150 customers. Advantage’s focus is to protect its customers from today's advanced IT security threats, improve their operational efficiency, and provide their senior leadership with the technical insights they need to strategically run their business.
22. Tom Kooser
Chief Technology Officer, Total Wine & More
Tom Kooser is the Chief Technology Officer of Total Wine & More. He first joined the company in 2017. Total Wine & More is the country‘s largest independent retailer of fine wine. Founded in 1991 when brothers David and Robert Trone opened its first wine store in Delaware. Since then it has grown to 249 stores across 27 states and continues to open on average 15 stores each year. Its typical store carries more than 8,000 world-class wines from every wine-producing region in the world. In addition, Total Wine & More carries more than 2,500 beers, from America‘s most popular beers to hard-to-find microbrews and imports, and more than 3,000 different spirits from every price range and category.
Previously, Kooser was an SVP and CIO at Destination Maternity Corp and before that, a CTO Americas at LVMH. Earlier in his career, he worked with Express-Med as a director of IT. Kooser earned an undergraduate degree in electronic engineering from DeVry Institute.
23. John O'Keefe
CEO, Clark Construction Group
John O’Keefe is the CEO of Clark Construction Group. In his role, John sets the strategic direction of their heavy civil portfolio and self-perform operations and provides executive oversight of Clark affiliates, including Guy F. Atkinson Construction, Shirley Contracting Company, C3M Power Systems, Clark Water, Clark Civil, Clark Concrete, and Clark Foundations.
John previously served as Clark’s chief operating officer, working with regional executives to optimize project performance and achieve financial, schedule, safety, and quality goals. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with an undergraduate degree in architectural engineering.
24. Derek Ellis
Chief Operating Officer, Westat
Derek Ellis is the Chief Operating Officer of Westat. Westat offers innovative professional services to help clients improve outcomes in health, education, social policy, and transportation. They are dedicated to improving lives through research. In his role, Ellis oversees Westat’s support services departments.
Ellis has over 20 years of combined experience in senior corporate management, government contracting, professional services, and employee ownership. His expertise is in business and financial operations, financial consulting services, and federal contracting. He earned an MBA in finance and accounting from George Mason University and an undergraduate degree in finance and accounting from Radford University.
25. Jonathan Boldt
Chief Financial Officer, Inovalon
Jonathan Boldt serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Inovalon where he is responsible for the management, planning, implementation, and execution of all financial activities, forecasting, reporting, audit, treasury, tax, and related compliance obligations of the Company. Before serving in this role, Boldt served as VP of finance, responsible for corporate financial planning and analysis of the company, and as interim CFO. Since joining the company in 2012, Boldt has served in numerous expanding financial positions playing integral roles in the company’s initial public offering in 2015, mergers and acquisitions, and 2021 take-private transactions.
Prior to joining Inovalon, Boldt served in a number of escalating roles at Deloitte & Touche, LLP, ultimately holding the position of attestation manager for public and private, domestic and international clients in information technology, government contracting, professional services, and manufacturing industries at various growth stages and scale ranging from $200 million to $20 billion in annual revenue.
Boldt graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University in Maryland with an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA with an information technologies concentration. He serves on the Loyola University of Maryland Sellinger School of Business Joint Advisory Board. Boldt is an active certified public accountant in the State of Maryland, a status which he has held since 2008.