Washington DC 2019 Tour Recap
JUNE 14-16, 2019, 2017 AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Interdisciplinary Research Building
2201 Georgia Avenue
Washington, DC 20059
Map & Directions
Honoring African Americans in Medicine
Supporting the theme of this year’s annual multi-city tour, Salute to African Americans in Medicine, HFAS recognizes the contributions of African Americans in Medicine and honored Washington DC area doctors.

Malika Fair, MD, MPH, FACEP


Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick


Joia Crear-Perry, MD

Honoring African-Americans in Technology
Supporting the theme of this year’s annual multi-city tour, Salute to African Americans in Technology, HFAS recognizes the contributions of African Americans in Technology and honored Washington DC area professionals.

Dr. Lawrence W. Anderson
Associate Chief Information Officer (Operations) for Federal IT Business Solutions for OPM
Dr. Anderson currently works at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as the Associate Chief Information Officer (Operations) for Federal IT Business Solutions for OPM, Dr. Anderson is responsible for providing business solutions that support the millions of Federal Government employees and their beneficiaries.
Dr. Anderson worked in a number of settings in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In 1992, he joined the Department of Health and Human Services were he served as a Program Analyst at the Program Analyst and a Computer Specialist for the Office of Research Integrity and the National Institute for Deafness and Communications Disorders respectively. In 1998, Dr. Anderson joined Ciber, Inc. as Lead for Web Applications system supporting multi-tiered web applications IT platforms. In 2002, Dr. Anderson joined the American Red Cross as Manager of Enterprise Infrastructure Engineering, where he managed a number of enterprise IT projects and operations functions including IT capacity planning, configuration management, server optimization, data analytics, database management, system and network monitoring, software development, troubleshooting, data replication, and disaster recovery. Dr. Anderson re-joined the federal government in August 2004 as the Director of Information Technology Services at the NASA Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG) where he focused on developing and implementing case management systems, audit management for the NASA OIG and the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
In January 2011 Dr. Anderson left NASA OIG to join the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services as the Chief Technology Officer. At DOJ, Dr. Anderson focused on IT strategic planning and assessment, program management and implementation, performance improvement, business process re-engineering, capital planning and investment; and system redesign for DOJ grants management systems. Dr. Anderson was instrumental in helping to introduce and implement agile software development methodologies at DOJ.
Dr. Anderson is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate and specializes in teach self-defense and escape techniques specifically for women and children. He is also a musician (electric bass) and musical director for two churches and two local bands playing music ranging from gospel, jazz, soul, blues, and reggae.
Dr. Anderson completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics (1991) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science in Management Information Systems Management (2001) from the University of Maryland Graduate School of Management and Technology, and a Doctorate of Management in Management and Organizational Leadership-Information Systems Management (2011) from the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA and a member of the United States Senior Executive Service.

Marilyn Crouther
Principal, Crouther Consulting, LLC
Marilyn Crouther has more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry leading large, complex IT projects. She previously served as senior vice president and general manager, U.S. Public Sector, at DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) where she was responsible for the overall profit & loss, growth and operational success, including the go-to-market strategy and execution, and the commercialization of relevant offerings into the sector. She was instrumental in strengthening the business through solid partnerships while ensuring the delivery of cost-effective, innovative solutions to help clients achieve their business, mission and policy outcomes. In 2017, Mrs. Crouther was appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Senate Committee on Rules to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Centers for Innovative Technology. She has participated in several national programs and initiatives to include the White House Roundtable discussion with President Obama on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the First Lady’s Military and Veterans initiatives. Mrs. Crouther serves as keynote speaker, panelist and moderator for various programs and organizations sharing key insights and perspectives in numerous interviews and publications.
Mrs. Crouther has been recognized by both regional and national organizations. In 2017 she was named one of 300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America by Black Enterprise and for four consecutive years the Executive Mosaic’s Washington 100 and FEDScoop’s “DCs Top 50 Women in Tech” (2014 - 2017). Mrs. Crouther was awarded the 2015 Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Tech Executive of the Year; 2015 MS State University Distinguished Professional; 2014 Federal Computer Week’s Fed 100 and 2014 IT Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) President’s Award. In 2010, she was recognized by US Black Engineer and Technology magazine as a leader in the IT industry and inducted into the Career Communications Group (CCG) Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2007 she received the CCG National Woman of Color Professional Achievement award and the NVTC Community Service Award. Mrs. Crouther served as Vice Chair on the board of directors for the NVTC and as a Board Member for the EDS Federal Credit Union and the Martin Luther King Multicultural Foundation.
Mrs. Crouther earned a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University, she is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Finance Certificate Program and the Thunderbird Executive Development Program. In addition to her vast industry and business expertise she is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the Texas Society of Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She has a passion for leadership development and community service. She is an American Heart Association Executive with Heart and supports various other philanthropic and veterans’ initiatives.

Dena Jones
Director, Project Management, Integrated Technology Solutions (ITS), at Fannie Mae
Dena Jones is a Director, Project Management, Integrated Technology Solutions (ITS), within the Chief Operating Office of Fannie Mae. Dena is responsible for leading cross-functional program management activities and driving strategic alignment in support of the company's business objectives. The portfolio of initiatives that she supports span some of Fannie Mae’s highest priorities including integrating with the Common Securitization Platform being developed by Common Securitization Solutions.
In addition to serving as the program management lead for large-scale transformational efforts, Dena leads business office and organizational management functions across the entire ITS organization. Dena has built, developed and transformed teams, while executing strategic priorities and driving organizational efficiency.
Previously, Dena was Director, Program Management in Capital Markets where she supported efforts to implement a new securities trading and settlement platform. Prior to joining Fannie Mae in 2003, she held leadership positions at CitiMortgage, First Nationwide Mortgage, Norwest, Prudential and Coopers & Lybrand.
Dena is an active member of HITEC and ITSMF and is an advocate and champion for organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in technology. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons. She holds a B.S. in Finance from George Mason University.

Les McCollum II
Managing Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer
Mr. McCollum serves in a Senior Executive Leadership capacity, in the role as a Managing Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer. He is responsible for establishing and maintaining Enterprise Security, its vision, strategy and program; to ensure all information assets and technologies are adequately protected. He leads his teams in identifying, developing, implementing and maintaining efficient processes across the organization to reduce security technology risk. In addition, he’s responsible for the Security Innovation, Security Operations, Identify and Access Management, Disaster Recover, and Business Continuity function.
Mr. McCollum joined ICMA-RC in October 2011 and has more than 24 years of combined technology and information security experience across a diverse background of private and public sector organizations. It includes driving strategic direction and operational leadership of enterprise IT infrastructure, comprised of security operations, help desk support, datacenter operations, and network voice/data services.
Mr. McCollum also serves on the board of directors for Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) and various industry advisory committees to include SPARK Data Security Oversight Board, IANS Security Client Advisory Board, and NTT Security Client Advisory Board. He also earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from North Carolina Central University. Mr. McCollum also holds the following certifications and license: C|CISO, SANS GIAC/GSLC, and FINRA Series 99.

Nicholas Sparrow
Technology Operations Manager at Deloitte
Nick Sparrow is a senior-level information technology professional with over eighteen years of experience in IT strategy, management, systems design, implementation, and support. He successfully combines his technical knowledge with his business acumen. Nick has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the organizations he serves.
Mr. Sparrow recently joined Deloitte as a Technology Operations Manager. Prior to his employment with Deloitte, he led the Executive Leadership Council’s IT operations as their Director of Information Technology. As Director, he was responsible for all aspects of technology including strategy, infrastructure, project management, IT security, execution, and support.
In 2001 Mr. Sparrow started his career working for the University of Maryland College Park’s Department of Resident Life. During his tenure, he was elevated several times and was selected to lead their help desk support operation.
Mr. Sparrow earned his MBA and Masters in Technology Management from the University of Maryland University College. He also holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland College Park
Mr. Sparrow is a member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum.
Mr. Sparrow resides in northern Virginia with his wife Yu, where they are devoted parents to their adventurous son Kai.