Meet Our Team
Brad Williamson, CEO
Brad is a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College in 2001 and completed Executive Education at the University of Virginia’s Darden School and at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School.
A retired Rear Admiral, Brad was a career U.S. Navy surface warfare officer whose assignments included command of:
-USS Thunderbolt (PC 12)
-USS Porter (DDG 78)
-Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Two.
As a Flag Officer, Brad served as Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, and as Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 where he led the largest group of NATO ships ever into the Black Sea at a time of heightened tensions. During this period, he also led NATO’s at-sea maritime counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations. Brad's final tour was as the 32nd Commandant, Joint Forces Staff College.
After retirement from the Navy, Brad served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Systems, Planning, and Analysis (SPA) a defense consulting company in Alexandria, VA; as the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Strategy Officer at ITA International, a defense integrated services provider in Newport News, Virginia; as the Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE), a consortium of Maritime Industry stakeholders working to improve workforce, supply base, innovation, and facilities across Hampton Roads; and also led the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program, a partnership of industry, government, and academic institutes working to expand the region’s influence in the modernization of the shipbuilding industry.
In addition to serving as CEO of MVSEA, Brad currently serves on the board of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, is a Board Member for the Center for American Studies at Christopher Newport University and is on the Board of the Tidewater Area Service Contractors (TASC).
A retired Rear Admiral, Brad was a career U.S. Navy surface warfare officer whose assignments included command of:
-USS Thunderbolt (PC 12)
-USS Porter (DDG 78)
-Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Two.
As a Flag Officer, Brad served as Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, and as Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 where he led the largest group of NATO ships ever into the Black Sea at a time of heightened tensions. During this period, he also led NATO’s at-sea maritime counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations. Brad's final tour was as the 32nd Commandant, Joint Forces Staff College.
After retirement from the Navy, Brad served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Systems, Planning, and Analysis (SPA) a defense consulting company in Alexandria, VA; as the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Strategy Officer at ITA International, a defense integrated services provider in Newport News, Virginia; as the Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE), a consortium of Maritime Industry stakeholders working to improve workforce, supply base, innovation, and facilities across Hampton Roads; and also led the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program, a partnership of industry, government, and academic institutes working to expand the region’s influence in the modernization of the shipbuilding industry.
In addition to serving as CEO of MVSEA, Brad currently serves on the board of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, is a Board Member for the Center for American Studies at Christopher Newport University and is on the Board of the Tidewater Area Service Contractors (TASC).
Megan Oswald, EVP
Megan brings twenty years of energy and problem solving to projects with clients in the manufacturing, energy, defense contracting, and small business industries. She uses a coaching approach to asking questions and stays open to the needs of her clients to help align actions with strategy, supporting leaders in their mission and executing their vision.
She began as a nuclear engineer in the Navy, which provided her a sound technical foundation. After her enlistment, she completed her BS in Applied Science Technology and her MS in Operational Management. She draws on this background to provide a holistic approach to her clients’ challenges and roadblocks.
In 2014, she founded and operated a digital boutique storefront, doubling revenue for four consecutive years.
While at Newport News Shipbuilding, Megan provided critical interface between the shipbuilding divisions within General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries as they jointly designed and began construction of the newest class of ballistic missile nuclear submarine.
As the Executive Vice President at MVSEA, Megan is focused on client satisfaction and expansion, internal and external business development efforts, organizational structure and standardization, and employee growth. She enjoys using her operational and leadership experience to collaborate and connect with leaders at every level, coming alongside them to enhance their processes.
As a military veteran and a military spouse, Megan continues to support her military community as an advisor for Business Reviews and Advisors for Veteran Entrepreneurs (BRAVE). Megan also volunteers with the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), an international organization focused on developing continuous improvement knowledge and organizational maturity.
Megan received her Bachelor of Science from Thomas Edison State University and obtained her Master of Science in Operational Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is certified through Prosci as a Change Management Practitioner. Fun fact – Megan earned her Private Pilot’s license in 2008 and continues to relish the thrill of flying.
She began as a nuclear engineer in the Navy, which provided her a sound technical foundation. After her enlistment, she completed her BS in Applied Science Technology and her MS in Operational Management. She draws on this background to provide a holistic approach to her clients’ challenges and roadblocks.
In 2014, she founded and operated a digital boutique storefront, doubling revenue for four consecutive years.
While at Newport News Shipbuilding, Megan provided critical interface between the shipbuilding divisions within General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries as they jointly designed and began construction of the newest class of ballistic missile nuclear submarine.
As the Executive Vice President at MVSEA, Megan is focused on client satisfaction and expansion, internal and external business development efforts, organizational structure and standardization, and employee growth. She enjoys using her operational and leadership experience to collaborate and connect with leaders at every level, coming alongside them to enhance their processes.
As a military veteran and a military spouse, Megan continues to support her military community as an advisor for Business Reviews and Advisors for Veteran Entrepreneurs (BRAVE). Megan also volunteers with the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), an international organization focused on developing continuous improvement knowledge and organizational maturity.
Megan received her Bachelor of Science from Thomas Edison State University and obtained her Master of Science in Operational Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is certified through Prosci as a Change Management Practitioner. Fun fact – Megan earned her Private Pilot’s license in 2008 and continues to relish the thrill of flying.
Rob Katz, Senior Consultant
A retired Rear Admiral, Rob brings 32 years of experience leading diverse teams at sea and ashore. He is a 1989 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Science in Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1995 and a Master of Arts degree in Military History from the Army Command and General Staff College in 2000. He is a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow.
As a career Surface Warfare Officer, he commanded three times; USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and as a Flag Officer, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. During command of Vella Gulf in 2014 he deployed to Sixth Fleet to execute Fleet Ballistic Missile Defense Operations and Black Sea Operations in response to the Crimea crisis. During command as a Flag Officer in 2021, he embarked USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) for the 50th Baltic Operations NATO exercise and then USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) for Large-Scale Exercise 2021.
He served four Pentagon tours as a Budget Officer for both the Navy and the Joint Staff. Assignments within the Pentagon included Surface Warfare Division in OPNAV (N76), Strategy and Policy Division in OPNAV (N51), and Program Budget Analysis Division (PBAD) on the Joint Staff (J8). His last Pentagon tour concluded March 2018 after leading four branches of the military through three budget cycles. His team was responsible to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s endorsement of the $617 billion dollar budget in support of our National Defense Strategy.
He was selected for the rank of Rear Admiral where he then became the Joint Maritime Operations Director (N3) Atlantic Fleet through a 24/7 operation center at United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. Additionally, he led the effort to operationalize twelve directorates of the Fleet Forces Staff across five lines of effort to build 50 cross-functional teams in order optimize the goals and mission of the staff.
Since retiring in 2021, Rob became a consultant, specializing in executive leadership, conducting financial analyses of executive level budgets, and providing a strategic understanding of resourcing.
As a career Surface Warfare Officer, he commanded three times; USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and as a Flag Officer, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. During command of Vella Gulf in 2014 he deployed to Sixth Fleet to execute Fleet Ballistic Missile Defense Operations and Black Sea Operations in response to the Crimea crisis. During command as a Flag Officer in 2021, he embarked USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) for the 50th Baltic Operations NATO exercise and then USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) for Large-Scale Exercise 2021.
He served four Pentagon tours as a Budget Officer for both the Navy and the Joint Staff. Assignments within the Pentagon included Surface Warfare Division in OPNAV (N76), Strategy and Policy Division in OPNAV (N51), and Program Budget Analysis Division (PBAD) on the Joint Staff (J8). His last Pentagon tour concluded March 2018 after leading four branches of the military through three budget cycles. His team was responsible to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s endorsement of the $617 billion dollar budget in support of our National Defense Strategy.
He was selected for the rank of Rear Admiral where he then became the Joint Maritime Operations Director (N3) Atlantic Fleet through a 24/7 operation center at United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. Additionally, he led the effort to operationalize twelve directorates of the Fleet Forces Staff across five lines of effort to build 50 cross-functional teams in order optimize the goals and mission of the staff.
Since retiring in 2021, Rob became a consultant, specializing in executive leadership, conducting financial analyses of executive level budgets, and providing a strategic understanding of resourcing.
Parker Massignan, Financial & Administrative Assistant
Parker is an MBA Finance Candidate at the College of William and Mary. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina Honors College in Economics and International Business. She presented her Honors Thesis at the Association of Applied Sport Psychology in October 2022. Active in student life, she managed a $300,000 budget for Gamma Phi Beta sorority and strategized for a student organization called Women LEAD.
Parker has prior experience through internships in investment management, market research, sales, and digital marketing, building critical finance and IT skills. She passed Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam (May 2022), generated recommendations for $500M investment positions, and was dual insurance licensed (SC, lapsed).
As a Financial and Administrative Assistant at MVSEA, Parker handles scheduling, paperwork, and payroll to ensure smooth client interfacing and operations. She appreciates the ability to use analytic and organizational skills to structure processes enabling MVSEA to better serve local business leaders.
Parker has prior experience through internships in investment management, market research, sales, and digital marketing, building critical finance and IT skills. She passed Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam (May 2022), generated recommendations for $500M investment positions, and was dual insurance licensed (SC, lapsed).
As a Financial and Administrative Assistant at MVSEA, Parker handles scheduling, paperwork, and payroll to ensure smooth client interfacing and operations. She appreciates the ability to use analytic and organizational skills to structure processes enabling MVSEA to better serve local business leaders.
Kathleen T. Jabs, Senior Consultant
A retired Navy Captain, Kathleen is the former Acting Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs for the Commonwealth of Virginia where she worked to coordinate state and federal resources to support Virginia’s veteran community and liaison with federal defense facilities.
Kathleen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science in English with minors in Russian and Engineering. She completed six years of active duty, then transferred to the Navy Reserve where she commanded three units before retiring in 2017. Her military career spans a variety of active duty and reserve positions, with service in Japan, Hawaii, Panama, the Pentagon, and military installations along the East Coast.
Kathleen has more than 30 years of government, military and academic leadership and communications experience including assignments with NATO's Allied Command Transformation, US Fleet Forces Command, the Joint Staff, and National Defense University. She is a graduate of the Hampton Roads CIVIC Leadership Institute Executive Program, the Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Executive Institute, and the Naval Post-Graduate School (NPS) Executive Leader Residence Course.
As a senior civilian for the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff at the DOD Suffolk Complex, Kathleen coordinated all aspects of security and physical property management to ensure partnerships with localities, lease oversight, cyber resilience, and emergency response agreements. She also developed and managed strategic communications for the 1550-employee satellite headquarters, overseeing all senior military and political leader engagement.
While serving as Director of Communications for US Joint Forces Command, Kathleen counseled and advised senior communications and media engagements as spokesperson for a four-star Combatant Commander. She also oversaw and directed all internal and external communication to include engagement with other branches of the federal government, international organizations, and political leadership for first-ever disestablishment of a combatant command.
In addition to her defense career, Kathleen earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from George Mason University and has published a novel, several award-winning stories, and many articles in literary and national publications. Named a fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, she serves on the board of the Peninsula Naval Academy Alumni Association and is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist with the Historic Rivers chapter.
Kathleen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science in English with minors in Russian and Engineering. She completed six years of active duty, then transferred to the Navy Reserve where she commanded three units before retiring in 2017. Her military career spans a variety of active duty and reserve positions, with service in Japan, Hawaii, Panama, the Pentagon, and military installations along the East Coast.
Kathleen has more than 30 years of government, military and academic leadership and communications experience including assignments with NATO's Allied Command Transformation, US Fleet Forces Command, the Joint Staff, and National Defense University. She is a graduate of the Hampton Roads CIVIC Leadership Institute Executive Program, the Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Executive Institute, and the Naval Post-Graduate School (NPS) Executive Leader Residence Course.
As a senior civilian for the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff at the DOD Suffolk Complex, Kathleen coordinated all aspects of security and physical property management to ensure partnerships with localities, lease oversight, cyber resilience, and emergency response agreements. She also developed and managed strategic communications for the 1550-employee satellite headquarters, overseeing all senior military and political leader engagement.
While serving as Director of Communications for US Joint Forces Command, Kathleen counseled and advised senior communications and media engagements as spokesperson for a four-star Combatant Commander. She also oversaw and directed all internal and external communication to include engagement with other branches of the federal government, international organizations, and political leadership for first-ever disestablishment of a combatant command.
In addition to her defense career, Kathleen earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from George Mason University and has published a novel, several award-winning stories, and many articles in literary and national publications. Named a fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, she serves on the board of the Peninsula Naval Academy Alumni Association and is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist with the Historic Rivers chapter.
Taffi Simone, Senior Consultant
Taffi is a hands-on innovative and transformational leader who promotes energetic and positive work relationships built on dedication and trust for all customers and clients. Prior to becoming a consultant, Taffi spent more than 25 years in the Healthcare Industry where she provided creative solutions, coaching, project management, and leadership development expertise. She is also skilled in talent assessment, needs assessment, content creation, and implementation of high quality interactive educational resources. She is renowned for high-potential program leadership development that directly impacts organizational succession planning and has demonstrated excellent Project Management skills using Certified Lean Six Sigma techniques.
Taffi brings 8 years’ experience in Workforce Development and HR, 10 years’ experience as a College Professor and Faculty Instructor in Higher Education, with a superb foundation in instructional design and curriculum development expertise.
Taffi has multiple certifications within her field. She is a Certified Behavioral Analyst through Predictive Index, completing more than 3,000 assessments, and coaching and team building sessions that evaluated new teams and focused on building effective relationships across diverse sized organizations. She is also a Certified Franklin Covey Facilitator with dynamic communication and delivery in synchronous and asynchronous methodologies to include “hybrid” Zoom and Teams platforms management and training. Additional credentials include certification in Articulate 360, a platform for Instructional Design and course creation, and certified through the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in designing Leadership Development Programs. Finally, Taffi possesses an LMS Administration certification with an expertise in multiple web development platform specialization.
As a military veteran Taffi supports her military community as a member of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (VPCC) Military Advisory Council (MAC). Other volunteer efforts include volunteering with the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists (VSRT) as Marketing Chair, Webmaster, and Conference Co-Chair. She also actively volunteers for local non-profit organizations such as the USO, Serve the City, Achievable Dream Academy, and various educational institutions throughout Hampton Roads.
Taffi has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Science with an emphasis in Adult Education. She has also owned and managed several personal businesses throughout her career.
Her personal interests include hanging out at home in her log cabin, kayaking, skydiving, motorcycle riding, snowboarding, and spending time with her two adult daughters.
Taffi brings 8 years’ experience in Workforce Development and HR, 10 years’ experience as a College Professor and Faculty Instructor in Higher Education, with a superb foundation in instructional design and curriculum development expertise.
Taffi has multiple certifications within her field. She is a Certified Behavioral Analyst through Predictive Index, completing more than 3,000 assessments, and coaching and team building sessions that evaluated new teams and focused on building effective relationships across diverse sized organizations. She is also a Certified Franklin Covey Facilitator with dynamic communication and delivery in synchronous and asynchronous methodologies to include “hybrid” Zoom and Teams platforms management and training. Additional credentials include certification in Articulate 360, a platform for Instructional Design and course creation, and certified through the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in designing Leadership Development Programs. Finally, Taffi possesses an LMS Administration certification with an expertise in multiple web development platform specialization.
As a military veteran Taffi supports her military community as a member of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (VPCC) Military Advisory Council (MAC). Other volunteer efforts include volunteering with the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists (VSRT) as Marketing Chair, Webmaster, and Conference Co-Chair. She also actively volunteers for local non-profit organizations such as the USO, Serve the City, Achievable Dream Academy, and various educational institutions throughout Hampton Roads.
Taffi has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Science with an emphasis in Adult Education. She has also owned and managed several personal businesses throughout her career.
Her personal interests include hanging out at home in her log cabin, kayaking, skydiving, motorcycle riding, snowboarding, and spending time with her two adult daughters.
Will Alessi, Consultant Intern
A motivated and energetic student, Will is ambitious to enter the professional world post-graduation.
Will is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University who is originally from Culpeper, Virginia. Will spent his high school years balancing multiple jobs, honors, and business-oriented clubs, as well as lacrosse for a period. He graduated from Culpeper County High School in 2019 and quickly moved on to his life in university.
At CNU, Will plans to graduate in 2023 with a philosophy major, computer science minor, and possibly another minor in film studies. During his first year at CNU, he spent his time involved in a few organizations, one of which was the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) club. In this club, he worked and gained hands on experience building aerial drones from a hardware/mechanical perspective. In addition to the unique knowledge of drones he acquired, he also gained his first real experience working with a team in a technical setting.
Through the numerous programming/computer science classes he’s taken he has obtained the knowledge necessary to launch himself into the world of indie game development. He has been working on a few projects for the greater portion of his time in college and plans to publish the finished results to an online video game platform. Game development has increased Will’s confidence in his abilities to work and manage various projects independently.
The philosophy side of Will’s education meshes with his knowledge in computer science to create a strong set of analytic and problem-solving skills. He prides himself in his abilities to think quickly to resolve issues as they arrive. In addition to thinking quickly, he enjoys analyzing various difficult-to-understand books or movies. Will attributes his methodical mindset as his key to success throughout college.
When he has the time, Will enjoys reading philosophical books as well as working on, driving, or modifying his car. He also plans on racing his own car in an amateur motorsport organization.
Will is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University who is originally from Culpeper, Virginia. Will spent his high school years balancing multiple jobs, honors, and business-oriented clubs, as well as lacrosse for a period. He graduated from Culpeper County High School in 2019 and quickly moved on to his life in university.
At CNU, Will plans to graduate in 2023 with a philosophy major, computer science minor, and possibly another minor in film studies. During his first year at CNU, he spent his time involved in a few organizations, one of which was the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) club. In this club, he worked and gained hands on experience building aerial drones from a hardware/mechanical perspective. In addition to the unique knowledge of drones he acquired, he also gained his first real experience working with a team in a technical setting.
Through the numerous programming/computer science classes he’s taken he has obtained the knowledge necessary to launch himself into the world of indie game development. He has been working on a few projects for the greater portion of his time in college and plans to publish the finished results to an online video game platform. Game development has increased Will’s confidence in his abilities to work and manage various projects independently.
The philosophy side of Will’s education meshes with his knowledge in computer science to create a strong set of analytic and problem-solving skills. He prides himself in his abilities to think quickly to resolve issues as they arrive. In addition to thinking quickly, he enjoys analyzing various difficult-to-understand books or movies. Will attributes his methodical mindset as his key to success throughout college.
When he has the time, Will enjoys reading philosophical books as well as working on, driving, or modifying his car. He also plans on racing his own car in an amateur motorsport organization.