Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their optimal level of personal, social, and economic success.
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- [email protected]
- 71 Lawson Rd. SE Leesburg, VA 20175
- (703) 779-2100
President
Ryan M. Miller, Esq. is a dedicated leader driven by a deep commitment to governance, strategic innovation, and community engagement. As President of the Board of Directors, he draws on over a decade of legal and business expertise to strategically align the Board’s efforts with ECHO’s long-term mission and goals.
A seasoned and pragmatic attorney, Ryan brings extensive in-house experience advising Boards, executives, and business leaders across corporate landscapes, both public and private. His expertise in risk management, organizational development, and ethical leadership has been pivotal in overcoming complex challenges and delivering impactful solutions. Ryan is recognized for his ability to foster a strong ethical culture, ensure compliance, and guide teams through strategic initiatives that propel organizational success. His collaborative leadership style inspires and empowers others to contribute to a shared vision of growth and positive community impact.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Christopher Newport University and a J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law.
Vice President
Alissa acted as a volunteer to help us facilitate and lead our strategy sessions for our ECHO Vision 2026 Plan. Her guidance and leadership during these sessions made it clear that Alissa is the exact type of business leader that we hope to have serving as one of our Board Members. Alissa is a Senior Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton and has been with the company for almost 20 years. Her experience in strategy development and operational improvement for multiple high-profile organizations within the Department of Defense make her a welcome addition to the ECHO team.
Treasurer
Mr. Lee is an Analyst at Invictus International Consulting, a market leader in full-spectrum cyber technology solutions. A graduate of The George Washington University with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Mr. Lee expertise includes processing engineering, continuous improvement, project management, and strategic planning. He was previously employed at Stryker as a Senior Operations Supervisor from 2015 – 2019 prior to joining Invictus. Mr. Lee calls Loudoun County, home with his wife Anh, and two sons, Elijah, and Owen
Secretary
TJ De Litta has 30 years of law enforcement experience beginning his career In Brevard County, Florida as a dispatcher and then serving as a patrol deputy. In 2000, he moved to Virginia and started as a patrol deputy at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Since then he has been promoted to the rank of Captain and is currently the Western Loudoun Station Commander. He worked his was through the ranks of the Civil Disturbance Unit to become the commander of the unit. In addition, he attended the last 5 presidential inaugurations assisting the US Marshall Service with security on the inauguration parade route. He served as a field training officer, as lead instructor for both Radar/Laser speed enforcement, and as a lead instructor for the “less than lethal munitions” discipline. In 2019, TJ graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement personnel at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, VA. TJ served as the liaison to Special Olympics for the Sheriffs Office for a decade, including fundraising for and organizing department participation in the Dulles Plane Pull and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. For over a decade, TJ has served as a Special Olympics coach for the Loudoun Division 14 bowling team and has escorted teams to the Virginia Special Olympics State games in Richmond, Winter Games in Virginia Beach, and a national competition in Reno, Nevada.
Immediate Past President
Dave MacDonald has more than 30 years of management experience at medical device and technology companies. Prior to joining K2M in 2004, Mr. MacDonald was Vice President of Gould Optronics, Inc., a subsidiary of Japan Energy Corporation, where he had total P&L responsibility. He was also the Director of Operations/Administration for various divisions at both Kirschner Medical Corporation and Biomet. Mr. MacDonald holds a BS degree from James Madison University and an MA in Management from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland. He is a member of the Health Sciences Advisory Board of The George Washington University. Mr. MacDonald also serves on the Economic Development Advisory Commission of Loudoun County, Virginia.
Secretary
Paula Harper has worked in higher education administration for more than 20 years, most recently as the Executive Director of Program Development and Management at George Washington University’s Virginia Science & Technology Campus located in Ashburn, Virginia. In this role, she served as a member of the senior management team for the campus working with the Dean, faculty and senior leadership in strategic planning and identifying on-going academic, research, and community engagement programs to serve the Northern Virginia region and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Ms. Harper was the founder and Co-Director of the GW Teachers in Industry Project, a unique industry-education partnership including more than a dozen regional business leaders and several school districts, that served middle school and high school core content teachers in Northern Virginia. She led numerous educational outreach, program development, and workforce development efforts with Loudoun County Public Schools and Northern Virginia Community College.
Prior to her role at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, Ms. Harper served as the Director of Medical Center Faculty Affairs where she was responsible for the administration, coordination, and oversight of academic, professional development, legal, and personnel issues for faculty in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health and Health Services.
Ms. Harper actively participates in regional economic development as an appointed representative to the Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC). Her roles include serving as a member of the EDAC Executive Committee, Chair of the Commission’s Committee on Education and Workforce and Co-Chair of its Housing Advisory Group under the Nighttime Economy Advisory Committee. She is honored to have also been a member of the LCPS School Business Partnership Executive Committee and a participant in Leadership Loudoun. Currently Ms. Harper is working on several GW grant programs that address such areas as business engagement in community health and cyber security workforce development.
Ms. Harper received a BA in Economics from the University of California, San Diego and resides in Loudoun County with her husband and two children.
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Marantha Edwards is a successful business development executive. She recently retired as the Town of Leesburg Economic Development Director after 18 years with the Town, She has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, investor relations and customer service including her own consulting practice; Marketing Extras, US Order, Presidential Airways and Delta Airlines. She is a creative, professional with a strong commitment to continual learning and relationship building. Edwards created and implemented strategic planning efforts for departments, town commissions, committees and partner organizations that resulted in significant improvements in programs and ultimate outcomes.
Edwards has lived in Loudoun County since 1969, graduated from Broad Run High School and James Madison University. She and her husband Leon reside in Leesburg and have two adult married children, Ethan Edwards in Vancouver Washington and Noel McLister of Leesburg Va.
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Sarah Price is the Director of Economic Development for The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District in Washington DC – leading efforts to reimagine and transform the Nation’s central business district for the future. She has a master’s in Economics and over 15 years of experience in Economic Development helping communities secure their future through strategic planning and implementing dynamic business solutions for residents and business owners.
Sarah managed practices for Price Waterhouse Coopers, Ernst & Young, CB Richard Ellis, the Home Depot and most recently with Loudoun County Economic Development, where she spent 5 years leading efforts to attract and grow the Health Tech sector – creating an initiative to harness the computing power and speed of Loudoun’s Data Center Alley (the largest on the planet). Sarah’s time in Loudoun helped her established solid business relationships in the County.
Sarah’s data driven approach and unique experience in developing communities make her an asset to the ECHO Board of Directors.
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Mr. Weidner is retired and has lived in northern Virginia for the past 29 years. Mr. Weidner worked for 44 years in the field of flight simulation. Including both Military and commercial applications but primarily with airlines and commercial flight training centers. His experience covers all aspects of flight simulation including maintaining, hardware and software engineering, management of large simulator support and engineering organizations, technical proposal development, sales, marketing, and product pricing.
He worked for USAir for over 15 years as the Director of their simulator operations and was the Vice President of Technical Services for SimuFlite Training International in Dallas, Texas which was the largest flight training center startup in aviation history. He was recruited by British Aerospace to implement and run their North American training center which brought him and his family to northern Virginia. He has served on the board since 2004 and is presently the Vice President.
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Mr. Evans is the Senior Manufacturing Supervisor at Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies offering innovative products and services in Orthopedics, Medical and Surgical devices, and Neurotechnology.
A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Electronics Technology, Mr. Evans expertise includes manufacturing/production and process engineering. He was previously employed at TTM Technologies as a Process Engineer from 2010 -2014 prior to joining Stryker/K2M in 2014.
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Mr. Haywood, a native of Gloucester, Virginia, is a seasoned, high-energy public sector business development executive currently serving as the Director of Public Sector Capture Management at TTEC, a publicly-traded customer experience technology and services company.
He is an expert in complex deal negotiations, relationship management, and large-scale contract initiatives within multi-faceted environments.
Before TTEC, Ryan held various sales and contract management roles after graduating from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Double Minor in History and Military Leadership and National Security Studies in 2010. He calls Leesburg, Virginia, home, with his wife, Mindi, and two dogs, Milli and Adeline.
Chair of Corporate & Community Engagement Committee
Cliff Weeks is an Associate Broker with Century 21 providing real estate services in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. Prior to his career in real estate, Cliff worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency in a variety of roles including multiple deployments and a rotation in the White House Situation Room. Cliff is also a veteran of the US Army and served with distinction in the 82d Airborne Division. He has a degree in International Studies with a Business Focus from Virginia Tech and a Master’s of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Notre Dame.
Manager of Public Information and Community Engagement
Michele Bowman serves as the Manager of Public Information and Community Engagement for the Leesburg Police Department, where she plays a crucial role in fostering communication between the police department and the community. With over two decades of experience in law enforcement public relations and community engagement, Michele has established herself as a trusted liaison, effectively managing media relations, public outreach, and crisis communication.
Michele is known for her proactive approach to community engagement, organizing events and programs that build trust and transparency between law enforcement and the community.
Michele holds a master’s in communication and media studies from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Maryland. She is also one of only 150 individuals in the United States to have completed the FEMA Master Public Information Officer Program and carry the designation of Master Public Information Officer.
Mr. Evans is the Senior Manufacturing Supervisor at Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies offering innovative products and services in Orthopedics, Medical and Surgical devices, and Neurotechnology.
A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Electronics Technology, Mr. Evans expertise includes manufacturing/production and process engineering. He was previously employed at TTM Technologies as a Process Engineer from 2010 -2014 prior to joining Stryker/K2M in 2014.
Mr. Evans is the Senior Manufacturing Supervisor at Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies offering innovative products and services in Orthopedics, Medical and Surgical devices, and Neurotechnology.
A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Electronics Technology, Mr. Evans expertise includes manufacturing/production and process engineering. He was previously employed at TTM Technologies as a Process Engineer from 2010 -2014 prior to joining Stryker/K2M in 2014.
TJ De Litta has 30 years of law enforcement experience beginning his career In Brevard County, Florida as a dispatcher and then serving as a patrol deputy. In 2000, he moved to Virginia and started as a patrol deputy at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Since then he has been promoted to the rank of Captain and is currently the Western Loudoun Station Commander. He worked his was through the ranks of the Civil Disturbance Unit to become the commander of the unit. In addition, he attended the last 5 presidential inaugurations assisting the US Marshall Service with security on the inauguration parade route. He served as a field training officer, as lead instructor for both Radar/Laser speed enforcement, and as a lead instructor for the “less than lethal munitions” discipline. In 2019, TJ graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement personnel at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, VA. TJ served as the liaison to Special Olympics for the Sheriffs Office for a decade, including fundraising for and organizing department participation in the Dulles Plane Pull and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. For over a decade, TJ has served as a Special Olympics coach for the Loudoun Division 14 bowling team and has escorted teams to the Virginia Special Olympics State games in Richmond, Winter Games in Virginia Beach, and a national competition in Reno, Nevada.
TJ De Litta has 30 years of law enforcement experience beginning his career In Brevard County, Florida as a dispatcher and then serving as a patrol deputy. In 2000, he moved to Virginia and started as a patrol deputy at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Since then he has been promoted to the rank of Captain and is currently the Western Loudoun Station Commander. He worked his was through the ranks of the Civil Disturbance Unit to become the commander of the unit. In addition, he attended the last 5 presidential inaugurations assisting the US Marshall Service with security on the inauguration parade route. He served as a field training officer, as lead instructor for both Radar/Laser speed enforcement, and as a lead instructor for the “less than lethal munitions” discipline. In 2019, TJ graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement personnel at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, VA. TJ served as the liaison to Special Olympics for the Sheriffs Office for a decade, including fundraising for and organizing department participation in the Dulles Plane Pull and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. For over a decade, TJ has served as a Special Olympics coach for the Loudoun Division 14 bowling team and has escorted teams to the Virginia Special Olympics State games in Richmond, Winter Games in Virginia Beach, and a national competition in Reno, Nevada.
Mr. Haywood, a native of Gloucester, Virginia, is a seasoned, high-energy public sector business development executive currently serving as the Director of Public Sector Capture Management at TTEC, a publicly-traded customer experience technology and services company.
He is an expert in complex deal negotiations, relationship management, and large-scale contract initiatives within multi-faceted environments.
Before TTEC, Ryan held various sales and contract management roles after graduating from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Double Minor in History and Military Leadership and National Security Studies in 2010. He calls Leesburg, Virginia, home, with his wife, Mindi, and two dogs, Milli and Adeline.
Mr. Haywood, a native of Gloucester, Virginia, is a seasoned, high-energy public sector business development executive currently serving as the Director of Public Sector Capture Management at TTEC, a publicly-traded customer experience technology and services company.
He is an expert in complex deal negotiations, relationship management, and large-scale contract initiatives within multi-faceted environments.
Before TTEC, Ryan held various sales and contract management roles after graduating from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Double Minor in History and Military Leadership and National Security Studies in 2010. He calls Leesburg, Virginia, home, with his wife, Mindi, and two dogs, Milli and Adeline.
Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their optimal level of personal, social, and economic success.