Decades of Experience
BlackwatchLeadership
Blackwatch
Leadership
The Blackwatch ownership team (pictured right) brings together decades of a diverse backgrounds and industries, providing the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver innovative and disruptive solutions to meet or exceed customer objectives. For our employees, they enjoy a supportive, people-focused culture with leadership committed to employee advancement, professional development, and satisfaction from challenging and rewarding assignments.
Read more about each of our Ownership and Leadership Team members below.
RonTrowbridge
Chief Executive Officer
RONTROWBRIDGE
Chief Executive Officer
Ron was named Chairman of the Board of Blackwatch in 2018. He brings to the company seasoned operations and business development experience in the Defense and Civilian sectors of the federal IT and engineering services marketplace. His background includes extensive executive experience with large companies, such as Sperry Corp. and United Technologies, as well as several smaller enterprises.
Ron led the development of RS Information Systems Inc. (RSIS), taking it from a small $10M company with 85 employees to a company with 2,000 professionals serving a diverse government client base nationwide. RSIS was one of the fastest growing companies in the country, making it onto the Washington Technology “Fast 50” list for an unprecedented eight years in a row.
After the sale of RSIS, Ron was then an owner and partnership consultant for Energy Enterprise Solutions LLC (EES), a populated joint-venture company specializing in high technology solutions for the U.S. Department of Energy, Defense, and Homeland Security. EES achieved revenues exceeding $1.76B over the seven-year life of this joint venture agreement.
Ron holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and is a graduate of the Yale University Executive Management program. He is a Life Member of the U.S. Navy League and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA).
CliffordWebster
President
CLIFFORDWEBSTER
President
Clifford possesses over 25 years of successful IT entrepreneur, executive, and advisor experience. His personal mission as the Blackwatch President is to provide superior service to the government, supporting the mission by bringing structure, transparency, and integrity to the process. Cliff is creating an environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Prior to Blackwatch, Clifford spent seven years as a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) registered merger and acquisition advisor. Prior to that Clifford founded Webster Data/Agile Defense in 1998. Over the next 12 years, he grew the business into an award-winning company with double-digit annualized growth. Awards include Entrepreneur magazine’s Hot 500, Washington Technology magazine’s Fast 50, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Fantastic 50 and Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s Celebration of Northern Virginia Business Success. He sold Webster Data Communications in 2010. The platform company became Agile Defense which continued exponential growth to become a 1,000-person enterprise. Clifford has also held cyber and engineering positions with leading IT companies.
Cliff holds a Bachelor’s in communications from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgetown University. Clifford maintains his technical certifications as a CISSP, CEH, Cisco Instructor and enjoys continued participation in the Alliance of M&A Advisors.
LeeTanner
Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth
Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth
Lee Tanner has over 30 years of professional information technology sales, business development, strategic capture, engagement delivery, and alliance management experience across Civilian, Defense and Intelligence sectors, as well as within the Defense Industrial Base.
Lee’s career has spanned technology and management solutions in cyber-security, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, DEVSECOPS, cloud migration, enterprise architecture and big data analytics.
He has served in leadership roles for such notable companies as General Electric, Sun Microsystems, Mythics, IBM, and Presidio Government Solutions. In those roles he was instrumental in securing multiple high value single-award contracts up to $500 million dollars, and several billion-dollar multi-award IDIQ programs.
Lee is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Politics focused on Law and Public Policy.
DavidWolf
Senior Vice President of Operations
Senior Vice President of Operations
David has more than 25 years of technical, management, business development, and capture experience, leading both small and large organizations to deliver complex IT solutions, including managing teams supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director’s Top 10 priorities.
He has developed and implemented strategies to oversee portfolios valued at more than $50M in annual revenue and employed more than 350 professionals focused on the delivery of industry-leading solutions. David has received more than 50 client and company awards for outstanding and dedicated service, including a Federal Meritorious Service Medal and a Federal Executive Director Commendation.
Prior to Blackwatch, David was a Senior Vice President at Steampunk where he was responsible for business development, capture, and operations within the Homeland, Commerce, and Justice portfolios. Prior to Steampunk, he was Vice President and General Manager with ASRC Federal’s Information Systems and Technology group, where he was responsible for building and maturing their National Security and Federal Civilian businesses. Prior to ASRC, David was Vice President of Federal Civilian Programs at Data Networks Corporation where he was responsible for delivery, contractual performance, customer satisfaction, and new business growth for the Federal Civilian portfolio that helped culminate in the acquisition by ASRC Federal.
David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing from Drexel University and is a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He is also a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
RobRaasch
Senior Vice President of Corporate Development
ROBRAASCH
Senior Vice President of Corporate Development
Rob has more than 25 years of leadership experience as a business development, government relations, and strategic management consultant for federal contractors. He has served as the CEO/owner of three companies, including a start-up specializing in IT services, management consulting, and public relations; an electronic health records business; and a consulting firm specializing in political management, government relations, and economic development.
Rob formerly directed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce legislative and regulatory strategy on information technology, government contracting, government reform, healthcare, and labor issues. He was also a Managing Director for Keane Federal Systems (now NIT Data), where he helped grow their Public Sector business unit from $10 million to over $200 million annually and become recognized as a Top 100 IT government contractor. He was selected by members of Congress to be the Industry Chair for the Congressional Results Caucus.
Rob has a BS degree in Economics from Oklahoma State University, as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and a Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. He has received several professional awards including the Top 40 under 40 and serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Oklahoma.
JeffreyOffutt
Vice President of Contracts
JeffreyOffutt
Vice President of Contracts
Jeffrey is an extremely knowledgeable contracts professional with 20 years of direct contracts and claims management experience, comprising of 10 years working with advanced and complex U.S. government contracts (FAR/DFARSs) and 10 years working on international contracts.
Jeffrey has extensive skills leading and managing domestic and international contracts (both prime and subcontracts) as well as leading contract management teams on large-scale projects. He is experienced in claims management strategies with a proven record of cost savings. Jeffrey has significant experience in the tender and proposal preparation processes and the follow-on negotiations including contracting strategy, performance, risk mitigation, pricing, scope, and schedule requirements.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing from Azusa Pacific University and a Masters of Science in Acquisition (procurement) and Contracts Management from Florida Institute of Technology.
KevinTucker
Vice President of Proposal Development
Vice President of Proposal Development
Kevin has more than 25 years of experience in the federal IT contracting industry and is an expert in corporate communications practices. Kevin manages all stages of the proposal development process from solicitation release through proposal submission. He organizes and maintains a Blackwatch knowledge base and assists with business development and capture activities. He has held similar positions with multiple federal IT contracting firms since 2002.
Kevin has directly supported federal agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He is a skilled editor who has written for NASA’s HQ Bulletin, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Safety Journal and The Dallas Morning News.
Kevin holds a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications from George Washington University.
JayDanielski
Vice President of Technology
JayDanielski
Vice President of Technology
Jay is a seasoned IT professional with 30 years of experience providing highly technical strategic, consulting, engineering, and operations services to Federal customers. This experience includes more than 20 years of demonstrable success planning, socializing, architecting, and implementing strategic technology roadmaps for clients; and fostering improved service provision and technical capabilities through innovation, modernization, automation, and exceptional delivery and customer service.
He specializes in IT planning and implementation to improve operational support capabilities, improve security posture, adhere to Federal Government guidance and requirements, and realize long-term cost savings / ROI through technology innovation and infusion. Prior to joining Blackwatch, Jay held technical and management positions at Steampunk, Tygart Technology, Preferred Systems Solutions, Serco North America, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oracle.
Jay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the College of William and Mary and an ITIL Foundation Professional Certification.
ElizabethLadner
Director of Business Operations
Director of Business Operations
Elizabeth possesses more than 20 years of business operations and human resources experience. Elizabeth provides command and control for all human resources, staffing, recruiting, employee development, benefits management, and supports the development and modification of corporate policies, procedures, and financial controls.
Elizabeth is a proven, innovative operations manager with a collaborative approach to solving human resource challenges in the Federal, state government, retail, and hospitality industries. Prior to joining Blackwatch, Elizabeth served as a Human Resources Specialist with the State of Florida Courts System, Membership Director with the Central Florida YMCA, and various sales and operations leadership roles across the retail and hospitality industry. Additionally, she was an operations manager at Tygart Technology.
Elizabeth holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration Human Resource Management from Valencia College and currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership. She possesses multiple Business Administration and Human Resources certifications.
ZhengLo
Director of Engineering Services
Director of Engineering Services
Zheng has more than 20 years engineering, cleanroom, semiconductor, procurement, and project management experience. She leads a highly skilled team of semiconductor equipment engineers, technicians, and procurement personnel focused on operational excellence and exceeding customer expectations.
Prior to joining Blackwatch International, Zheng was a project manager at General Dynamics Mission Systems where she successful executed projects totaling more than $113 million, including a semiconductor equipment sustainment and foundry expansion contract. She has also held various engineering, manufacturing, and operations support positions at Siemens and Agilent Technologies.
Zheng holds an associate degree in Computer Information Science from Empire College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
VanadyMitchell
Director of Finance
Director of Finance
Vanady has more than 17 years of experience providing full-cycle accounting services for government contractors, ensuring meticulous adherence to GAAP, DCAA and FAR regulations. A highly motivated and results-oriented government accounting professional, her expertise spans project accounting, financial reporting and contract management. She is adept at navigating complex financial processes and collaborating effectively with diverse teams and has a proven track record of delivering accurate and timely financial data.
Vanady supported a wide variety of organizations before joining Blackwatch, including global firms such as GDIT and Jones Lang LaSalle. She was a key member of Aprio, one of the fastest growing accounting firms in the country, where she actively championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. As a co-chair of their DEIB council and regional liaison for Onyx, the African-American employee resource group, she fostered a culture of understanding, belonging and respect, creating a more welcoming environment for all.
Vanady holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Strayer University.
