Robel Abraham serves as the lead for the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Program and the Manager’s Internal Control Program at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, he spent over three years at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller, where he coordinated with Department of Defense agencies and field activities, as well as the Department of Treasury. A Certified Defense Financial Manager, Mr. Abraham holds a master’s degree in Accounting.

Anastasia Aguas joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperationin 2020 as a Presidential Management Fellow. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Aguas earned an M.P.P. at Pepperdine School of Public Policy and a B.A. in both Political Science and History from California Baptist University. At Pepperdine, she presided as the Editor-in-Chief for the 2020 publication of the Pepperdine Policy Review Journal. Previously, Ms. Aguas interned for the Office of the Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Karen Bass-McFadden has spent four years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as the Grants Management Team Lead. Prior to joining OLDCC, she spent 13 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she served as Senior Grants Specialist. Ms. Bass-McFadden holds professional certifications in Grants Management and Contracting from the Defense Acquisition University, Management Concepts, and National Grants Management Association.

Doug Brown originally joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2015. He is currently the Deputy Director for Integration where he is responsible for ensuring all organizational functions are responsive to OLDCC’s mission. Prior to this position he filled the roles of Deputy Director for Programs and U.S. Army Military Liaison at OLDCC. Mr. Brown is a former Army Engineer Officer with more than two decades experience leading and guiding various organizations within the Department of Defense. His operational deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Mr. Brown holds a BA in Architecture and a MS in Leadership. He is also the recipient of the Army Engineer Association DeFluery Award and the Polish Army Bronze Medal.

Tara A. Butler, Esq. serves as Program Director for Intergovernmental Affairs for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. She conducts outreach to Federal, state, and local elected officials and serves as the Department’s representative to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Previously, she worked on defense, energy, and infrastructure issues as Program Director for the National Governors Association. Ms. Butler is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, the University of Connecticut School of Law, and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executive Fellows program. She is also a Board liaison to the Association of Defense Communities.

Liz Chimienti has spent nine years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and serves as the Deputy Program Director for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Since 2015, she has coordinated the development of the Defense Spending by State report and other technical assistance products for OLDCC customers. Ms. Chimienti has worked with applicants in twelve states to develop programs of assistance for communities responding to base closure, or reductions in Defense personnel or procurement. She is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and holds a master’s degree in City Planning from MIT.

Sig Csicsery has spent five years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and currently serves as Interim Program Director for Community Investment. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Csicsery served 27 years as an U.S. Air Force civilian engineer and project manager for facilities, real property, and environmental remediation with a focus on planning, programming and project execution. Mr. Csicsery graduated from California State University Sacramento, is registered as a Professional Mechanical Engineer and holds credentials as a Project Management Professional.

Troy Epstein joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2020 as a Presidential Management Fellow. Before joining OLDCC, Mr. Epstein earned a J.D. and an M.P.P. at University of Michigan’s Law School and Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida. At Michigan, he served as the Associate Editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law and was recognized by the Dean for his pro bono service. Previously, Mr. Epstein was an intern in the White House and at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hiwot Gebremariam is a Project Manager at DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). Prior to joining OLDCC, Hiwot worked for over four years managing regional economic development planning and implementation programs at USDA Rural Development. Prior to that, she held various functions focusing on conducting research and implementing economic development initiatives at national and international levels. She holds an MSC in Economics from Addis Ababa University and an MSC in Environmental Science and Policy Analysis from Johns Hopkins University.

Michael Gilroy serves as the Program Director for Industry Resilience at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Gilroy was the National Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Coordinator for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor, a position he held after completing a 21-year military career in the U.S. Army. He was instrumental in creating Labor’s Regional Innovation Grant program and served as the original author of multiple ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letters related to the RIG, Hurricane Katrina and BRAC recovery programs. Mr. Gilroy holds master's degrees in Public Administration and in National Security and Strategy.

Daniel Glasson serves as the Deputy Director for Programs and ensures effective and compliant delivery of OLDCC programs of assistance across its stakeholders. With OLDCC since 2006, he previously served as the Program Director for Community Investment, a Project Manager, and a Presidential Management Fellow. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors in public administration, economic development, and urban planning in the U.S., Europe and Africa. Dan holds a Master of Urban Planning and a Certificate in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies from Case Western Reserve University and is a Fulbright Scholar Alumnus.

Ms. Patricia Gray is a Project Manager at OLDCC. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Gray worked for the Department of the Air Force for 16 years with an additional two years of support in the private sector. Ms. Gray has a background in geography and environmental science and is a Registered Environmental Manager. She has experience working various installation support functions including environmental, planning, asset management, and energy programs.

Colonel Patrick Hogeboom joined OLDCC in July 2019 and serves as a Military Liaison. Colonel Hogeboom has over 25 years of service in the U.S. Army. Prior to joining OLDCC, Colonel Hogeboom served as the Deputy Commander of the South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has also served as Deputy Commander of the USACE Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Commander of the 1-361st Engineer Battalion, and as a Tunnel Detection Project Officer. Colonel Hogeboom holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Colonel Hogeboom is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a Society of American Military Engineers Fellow.

James Holland has been with OLDCC for five years, and now serves as the Deputy Director for Compliance. Mr. Holland joined OLDCC after serving 10 years, both as a civilian and active duty military member, on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment and Energy). He retired from active duty in 2007 after more than 27-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring in the grade of colonel. Mr. Holland holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Memphis State University and Master’s Degrees in Engineering Management and Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Walda Jacobs has spent 12 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as a Grants Management Specialist. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Jacobs worked at the National Science Foundation as a Legal Administrative Specialist for the General Counsel's office and in the National Science Board's office as the Acting Administrative Officer. She has a master's certificate in Federal Financial Management and in Project Management.

David L. Jones has spent 14 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as Project Manager across several program lines including Public Schools on Military Installations for Community Investment, Military Installation Sustainability , and Base Closure and Realignment projects. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Jones served for 29 years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of colonel where he also served as the Army Military Liaison for OLDCC. Mr. Jones holds a Master of Science in Systems Management.

David Kennedy has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for seven years, and now serves as the Program Director for Military Installation Sustainability. Previously, Mr. Kennedy served for 27 years in the U.S. Army, including commanding a battalion in combat as part of the final surge brigade in Baghdad. He also served as an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy. Mr. Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.

Gary Kuwabara has spent 14 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, and currently serves as the Western Regional Office Director. He is a licensed architect. Mr. Kuwabara holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a master’s in Management. Mr. Kuwabara also has a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. His awards include the Ancient Order of the Chamorri from the Territory of Guam, Guam Governor’s Award, Department of the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award, SAF/MI Certificate of Commendation, SAF/MII Notable Achievement Award, Commander-in Chief's Installation Excellence Award (Individual Award), 25th Air Division Civilian of the Year 1987 and 1989.

Louis Littleton has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for five years, and currently is a Project Manager for the Western Regional Office. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Littleton served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force in a variety of acquisition, planning, and sustainment positions as a Logistics Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Air Force Academy and completed several levels of joint and service professional military education during his Air Force career.

Tomeka Murphy has spent over 15 years in Department of Defense Financial Management and now serves as the Budget Officer at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Murphy served for 11 years in the U.S. Navy, successfully completing a Financial Management Internship at the Pentagon. In addition, she served tours at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Education Activity. Ms. Murphy holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University and is a Certified Defense Financial Manager.

Margit Myers has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for 11 years and currently serves as a Project Manager. Her portfolio includes projects in Military Installation Sustainability and Industry Resilience. Prior to joining OLDC, Ms. Myers conducted graduate research in Bosnia and Romania and spent four years as a training and technical assistance provider at the Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance. Before that, she served details on the Strategic Issues Team at the Government Accountability Office and in the Community Affairs Office at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Ms. Myers holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and is an alumna of the 2008 Presidential Management Fellowship.

Mr. O’Brien is Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. O’Brien was with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where he served in a number of different capacities, working on a variety of community & economic development issues. Before that, he was an Assistant Business Developer for the City of Duluth, MN. He has bachelor’s degrees in Urban Affairs and Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he graduated cum laude and as a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Management and Policy Analysis. Mr. O'Brien is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council.

Tim Robert began his service as a Project Manager with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in January 2018. His portfolio includes projects in each of OLDCC’s active programs. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Robert spent 10 years as a civilian Program Manager at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific where he spearheaded training and operational planning in support of the Marine Corps’ strategic posture in the Pacific. He previously served for 20 years in uniform as a Marine infantry and force reconnaissance officer. Mr. Robert has also owned and operated three small businesses and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from LSU.

Karen Safer has spent four years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as a Project Manager for Compatible Use. Ms. Safer has worked in the area of Housing Development Finance most of her career. She has worked for a housing authority and a state housing finance agency. She then worked for Bank of America in Community Development Lending and then as a developer in the Washington Metropolitan Area for seven years. In 2008, she went to work for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, then the Department of Agriculture (Rural Development). Ms. Safer has a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies, and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Scott Spencer joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2018 and is currently Deputy Director, Military Installation Sustainability. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Spencer spent 13 years with the Air Force working as a Community Planner at the Installation, Major Command, and Headquarters levels. He also served as the Air Force Service Action Officer for the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. Previously, he spent 10 years in the private sector working on various comprehensive planning projects for the Department of Defense worldwide. Mr. Spencer holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Geography (Urban Planning Concentration).

Ursula Simone Stephens has spent 20 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and currently serves as a Budget Technician. Prior to joining OLDCC, she worked for Arlington County, Virginia as an Administrative Assistant. Stephens holds certifications in grants management from Management Concepts.

Matthew Stevens joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2019 and serves as a Project Manager. Before joining OLDCC, Mr. Stevens managed the Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development. Previously, he completed a detail as a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State in the Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships. Mr. Stevens holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Spanish and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Jason “Jay” Sweat has spent 14 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, currently serving as a Project Manager. Prior to joining OLDCC, he worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and as a city-county planner in Ohio and Florida. Mr. Sweat earned a dual Master of Science in Public Administration and Urban Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Akron.

Catherine Tiffner has spent 32 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as the Senior Grants Management Specialist. In addition to grants management, she also heads the Grants Payments team. For the last 21 years, Ms. Tiffner has managed a large grant portfolio to include the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

William J. Van Houten joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2019 & serves as Senior Project Manager and Associate Director, Military Installation Sustainability. Before joining OLDCC, Mr. Van Houten spent 19 years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a project manager/policy analyst advancing military mission issues in a number of areas including international environmental engagement and compliance. Previously, he served as a warranted contracting officer & branch head at various Naval Systems Commands. He entered the Federal government as a Presidential Management Intern & holds the following degrees: M.S from Industrial College of the Armed Forces; M.P.P. from Harvard University; J.D. from William and Mary;

Carolyn Wallace has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for 16 years and currently is the Management Analyst for the Western Regional Office. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Wallace spent 13 years in various civilian positions at the former McClellan Air Force Base. She worked for the County of Sacramento, California Base Transition Office in assisting the U.S. Air Force with transferring the former McClellan Air Force Base to McClellan Park, LLC.

Julie Zollner joined The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2019 and serves as the Office Manager. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Zollner worked for the U.S. Department of Army for 16 years as a Management Analyst in various programs from the garrison level to the Headquarters Department of Army, with her last position as the Manpower and Agreements Branch Chief at the Resource Management Office for the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Benning. She earned her MBA with a concentration in contracts and procurement management and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington.