Thomas Russell, Ph.D.
Dr. Thomas Russell is Senior Policy Advisor to Lewis-Burke. As a Senior Policy Advisor, Dr. Russell will serve as an independent, non-lobbying consultant to Lewis-Burke clients with interests in secure and non-secure National Security research and policy. Dr. Russell had a diverse 30-year government science and technology career, focused on leading complex multidisciplinary research organizations and executing broad multidiscipline research programs to meet future warfighter needs. He is a proven leader in directing basic, applied research and advanced technology development across the Department of Defense, including management of Department of Defense research collaborations with academia, industry and the international community. Dr. Russell’s Tri-Service career experience (16 years with the Navy, 6 years with the Air Force, and 8 years with the Army) makes him uniquely qualified. Dr. Russell provides strategic insights and analyses of relevant programs, policies, and regulations across the national security enterprise and offers profound experiences from both DOD science and technology as well as the Service (i.e. Navy, Army, Air Force) acquisition communities.
Issue Expertise: Identifying, developing, and demonstrating technology options that inform and enable effective and affordable capabilities for the Warfighter.
Additional Experience: Dr. Russell served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology; Director, Army Research Lab, Director; Air Force Office of Scientific Research; Executive Director, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division; and Director, Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Directorate, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division.
Vital Statistics: Dr. Russell received a Ph.D.in chemistry, University of Delaware and a B.S. in chemistry, Muhlenberg College. Dr. Russell began his federal career as a research scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. and at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, White Oak Laboratory, White Oak, MD. He is the recipient of a Navy Superior Civilian Service Award; the Army Distinguished Service Award; and the SES Presidential Rank Award, Meritorious Executive Service. Dr. Russell was selected to the Senior Executive Service in 2006 and retired from federal service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology and Army Chief Scientist in March 2020. In his spare time, Dr. Russell is an avid Cincinnati Bengals and Reds fan.
Rapid Deployment of COVID-19 Resources and Support for Small and Medium-Sized Firms
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sparked large scale challenges for associations and societies who urgently needed to provide value to their members or risk losing financial stability.
As part of one membership-based organization’s strategy, Lewis-Burke rapidly developed and delivered a webinar early in the National Emergency to support the client’s ecosystem of more than 300 members and partners, primarily small businesses.
The webinar provided stakeholders with comprehensive information regarding federal guidance for grantees and contractors who do business with the federal government, as well as detailed information on small business loan programs, unemployment insurance, paid sick leave and other resources available to help mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The following week, an updated webinar was offered at the request of a federal agency organization that serves thousands of small- and medium-sized manufacturers across the country. Additional follow on webinars targeted specific subsets of the organization’s membership, including its top tier members and board of directors.
As a result of the webinars, small and large businesses and academic institutions were better prepared to access critical resources for weathering the outbreak and the client was seen as an essential partner of its members and the federal government.
Forging Meaningful Partnerships
Lewis-Burke has worked closely with a major research university on its partnership with other universities and a large corporation to build an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Zone.
The project combines university-led advanced manufacturing research, community college-led workforce training, and industry-led factories to spur economic development, commercialization, and manufacturing innovation in a depressed rural region.
Lewis-Burke provided strategic advice to the group on federal funding opportunities and alignment of the Zone with emerging priorities. Lewis-Burke also arranged for key members of the university’s congressional delegation to be briefed on the partnership and secured the attendance of a member of Congress at the Zone’s groundbreaking.
In addition, Lewis-Burke helped facilitate a meeting of key representatives of the partnership with over 30 agency and White House officials. This meeting provided valuable contacts across the government as the Zone sought federal support.
Seeking Opportunities and Capitalizing
Lewis-Burke was aware of the development of a provision in the 2018 tax bill to create Opportunity Zones, or census tracts with high unemployment rates, to qualify for investments from up to $6 trillion in untapped capital gains.
Realizing the potential for universities, Lewis-Burke forged new connections with the program officers at the Department of Treasury and outside organizations to inform the development of comprehensive strategies for clients on or near qualifying census tracts to engage with their governors for designation.
When the Treasury Department announced the designated Opportunity Zones later in the year, regions near several client campuses received certification. As a result of this proactive action, many of Lewis-Burke’s clients remain on the front-end of significant regional investment opportunities and priority consideration for federal funding opportunities across agencies.
Reed Skaggs, Ph.D.
Dr. Reed Skaggs, Lewis-Burke’s dynamic Chief Strategy and Business Operations Officer, combines a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry with decades of federal defense expertise to deliver strategic brilliance to clients. With a stellar track record of serving the national security S&T enterprise (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Army Research and Technology, Army Research Laboratory, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)) Reed is a force in shaping national policies and securing unique funding opportunities.
As the go-to expert in defense and national security R&D, he spearheads initiatives to elevate clients’ federal presence and capitalize on emerging opportunities. With a passion for emerging technologies like quantum information sciences and infectious diseases, Reed is not just a leader but a visionary in navigating the evolving federal landscape of national security.
Vital Statistics: Reed grew up in southern VA, attending Hampden-Sydney College followed by his pursuit of an advanced degree in physical chemistry at George Washington University. Off-duty, you’ll find him on the golf course or cheering on his beloved Ravens and Nationals with his wife Jennifer and two daughters.
Miriam Quintal
Miriam Quintal boasts fourteen years of advocacy and client success at Lewis-Burke, managing the federal relations portfolios for large academic institutions, scientific societies, and facility management organizations. As Managing Principal, she oversees the firm’s client engagement and issue practices to ensure success and advancement across the firm. Miriam fiercely protects client priorities, leveraging her unique combination of scientific training with political insight.
Miriam is a prominent leader in National Science Foundation advocacy, co-chairing the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) and working closely with the higher education and research advocacy community to guide policy for and champion the Foundation. Her wealth of knowledge and federal research enterprise acumen provides value to all components of client interests: supporting executives and university leadership, shepherding research initiatives, and shaping policy across a range of issues. Major advocacy efforts have included successfully guiding large-scale science projects through the appropriations process, restoring funding for key programs proposed to be eliminated in the President’s budget request, establishing new agency funding for research infrastructure, and creating opportunities for clients to showcase research and leadership in Administration initiative areas.
Issue Expertise: Basic research (National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy Office of Science), STEM education, computing and computational science, math and physical sciences, engineering, and space and astronomy.
Additional Experience: Miriam has twice served as NSF lead for the Association of American Universities (AAU) Innovation Task Force. Before joining Lewis-Burke, Miriam gained policy experience as a Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow with the Board on Science Education at the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. At the Academies, she contributed to several projects, including a review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s education programs and a study of gaming and simulations for science education.
Vital Statistics: Miriam developed her passion for politics while growing up in the DC region, before venturing north to get an undergraduate degree in chemistry with highest honors from Smith College and a Masters Degree in Organic Chemistry from Harvard University. She has been a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and a Fulbright Fellow. Miriam loves raising her son in DC alongside her wife. She is deeply engaged in her community, serving as a Founding Trustee and coordinator for Minyan Segulah, a local independent prayer community.
Leland Cogliani, J.D.
Leland Cogliani has over 20 years of experience advancing science and technology priorities for research institutions. Leland works closely with congressional authorizing and appropriations committees and federal research agencies on behalf of academic institutions, scientific societies, facility management organizations, and energy startups to create new research initiatives and programs, advance science, and energy infrastructure projects, and increase federal research funding.
As the firm’s Energy Practice lead and Co-Chair of the Energy Sciences Coalition, Leland is a leading voice in the higher education and research advocacy community to advance basic and applied energy research and development programs, especially at the Department of Energy (DOE). Leland also uses his substantive subject matter expertise in nuclear security and nonproliferation science and technology issues to grow the participation of institutions of higher education in addressing national security challenges. Leland is currently a board member of the Arms Control Association and is a frequent speaker at science and technology forums.
Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Leland was the lead Senate Appropriations Committee staff member, with budget and oversight responsibility for $17 billion in federal programs, including the DOE Office of Science, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE intelligence programs, and DOE national laboratories.
Issue Expertise: Appropriations and congressional budget process, basic and applied energy research (DOE Office of Science; ARPA-E; renewable, energy efficiency, fossil, carbon management, nuclear, and grid-related research); emerging technology areas, including artificial intelligence, quantum science and technology, microelectronics, advanced computing, and biotechnology; energy infrastructure investments; DOE national laboratories; nuclear security and nonproliferation (National Nuclear Security Administration)
Additional Experience: Prior to the Senate, Leland was a Senior Analyst in the Natural Resources and Environment Division at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) with oversight responsibilities over U.S. nuclear weapons and nuclear nonproliferation programs. He authored more than a dozen reports to Congress on science and national security issues, including life extension programs of nuclear warheads, the U.S. fusion program, and the International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear safeguards activities.
Vital Statistics: Leland earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Boston College and his Master of Arts in International Affairs at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. He received a Juris Doctor from Catholic University Columbus School of Law. Leland is a proud father of two daughters and enjoys traveling with his family around the country and the world seeking new adventures. Leland is a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo and continues to train twice a week. Born in Rome, Italy, Leland is a native Italian speaker.
Naomi Webber, Ph.D.
Dr. Naomi Webber provides expertise in both fundamental and applied research, with a focus on engineering, physical sciences, and computer sciences, as well as international research collaboration. Naomi has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry and extensive experience in research administration, strategic planning, science policy, and international relations, which enables her to support client activities in a broad range of areas.
Naomi has over 22 years of science policy and research administration experience including nine years at research funding agencies in the UK. During her time at the UK funding agencies, Naomi gained a broad range of experience including roles in grant proposal management, university relationship engagement, international affairs, and served as Chief of Staff. Naomi then moved to the British Embassy in the U.S. to build international research collaborations between UK and U.S. research funding agencies. In that role, Naomi developed insight into a broad range of U.S. federal research agencies. For over a decade, Naomi has provided a unique brand of nuanced, strategic advice to Lewis-Burke clients.
Issue Expertise: engineering, physical sciences, computer sciences with a strong focus on basic research and the National Science Foundation, as well as international activities across federal agencies.
Additional Experience: Before joining Lewis-Burke, Naomi represented Research Councils UK (now UK Research and Innovation) at their U.S. office at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. In that role, Naomi shared intelligence between the UK and U.S. on science and innovation policy, facilitated international visits for both British and American policy makers, and help develop new collaboration programs and activities between the UK Research Councils and U.S. funding agencies.
Vital Statistics: Naomi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Physics from the University of East Anglia in the UK (with a year of her studies spent at the University of Texas in Austin). Naomi also holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of East Anglia. Being British, Naomi enjoys a nice cup of tea, especially if it’s accompanied by a biscuit!
Bridget Krieger
Bridget Krieger is a trusted advocate on Capitol Hill and a champion for federal research agencies, most notably the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Having worked for two decades representing the interests of research and higher education entities, Bridget designs and implements federal and congressional strategies that attain short-term wins while solidifying the foundation for long-term success.
Bridget covers a diverse range of issues and leads Lewis-Burke's growing agricultural portfolio. Whether navigating the highly political Farm Bill and agriculture appropriations processes, Bridget ensures dynamic strategies with multiple paths for success, avoiding a single point of failure. Examples of past and current efforts include protecting vital life science programming, growing support for natural disaster mitigation, raising the profile of chronically underfunded disciplines, and securing funding for large-scale projects through the federal budgeting and congressional appropriations processes.
Issue Areas: agriculture, appropriations, farm bill, basic life sciences, natural disasters.
Additional Experience: Bridget gained government relations experience in the private and public arenas through appointments with former Congressman Dennis Moore of Kansas, Labour Party Headquarters in London, and Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.
Vital Statistics: Born and raised in Kansas City, Bridget is a proud alum of Tulane University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. When not discussing the importance of agricultural research and Cooperative Extension, Bridget can be found watching her KC teams at home with her husband and two kids.
Amber Cassady
Amber leads Lewis-Burke's national security practice and spearheads both client-specific and firm-wide efforts in defense appropriations, defense authorization, and engagement with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Military Services. Amber is especially involved in the national security R&D ecosystem related to manufacturing, microelectronics, and emerging technologies. She also leads the firm’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) portfolio, most recently keeping a pulse on “CHIPS”-specific opportunities and funding from the landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Amber is an active member of the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR), which advocates for basic and applied research funding on behalf of many Lewis-Burke research universities and organizations.
Issue Areas: Defense, national security, manufacturing, microelectronics, emerging technology, defense health, standards and technology.
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Amber worked as a Research Assistant at the Bertelsmann Foundation, a transatlantic think tank where she covered European Union-U.S. policies in artificial intelligence, technology, manufacturing, and the future of work. Amber also worked as an Education Outreach Assistant at the Center for European Studies, at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. She interned with the Department of State in politics and economics section at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.
Vital Statistics: Amber earned a B.A. in Global Studies and Contemporary European Studies from the University of North Carolina (Go Heels!). She earned a M.A. in Political Science at both UNC and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, during which she was awarded two Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) scholarships by the U.S. Department of Education, and she now serves on UNC’s Transatlantic Masters Board. Amber revels in being one of the firm’s resident foodies and can be spotted most evenings at D.C. restaurants with her husband and friends.