Staff

Robel Abraham serves as the Compliance Lead for Risk Management and Internal Controls at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, he spent over three years at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller, where he coordinated with Department of Defense agencies and field activities, as well as the Department of Treasury. A Certified Defense Financial Manager, Mr. Abraham holds a master’s degree in accounting.

Karen Bass-McFadden has spent five years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as the Compliance Activity Lead for Grants Management. Prior to joining OLDCC, she spent 13 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she served as Senior Grants Specialist. Ms. Bass-McFadden holds professional certifications in Grants Management and Contracting from the Defense Acquisition University, Management Concepts, and National Grants Management Association.

Mr. Doug Brown has been with OLDCC since 2015 and currently serves as the Deputy Director for Operations. In this capacity he directs core business line activities associated with organization administration, information technology, and procurement activities. Prior to serving as the Deputy Director for Operations, Mr. Brown served as the Deputy Director for Programs and OLDCC’s Army Military Liaison. Mr. Brown is a former U.S. Army engineer officer with more than two decades’ experience leading and guiding various organizations within DoD. He holds a master’s degree in Leadership from Washington University in St. Louis, a master’s degree from the University of South Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He holds a Certificate in Public Leadership and is a recipient of the Army Engineer Association DeFluery Award.

Tara A. Butler, Esq., serves as Principal for Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Engagement for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. She conducts outreach to Federal, state, and local elected officials and serves as the Department’s representative to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Previously, she worked on defense, energy, and infrastructure issues as Program Director for the National Governors Association. Ms. Butler is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, the University of Connecticut School of Law, and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executive Fellows and Public Policy Certificate program. She is also a Board liaison to the Association of Defense Communities.

Liz Chimienti has spent ten years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and serves as the Deputy Director for Community Adjustment and the Program Activity Lead for Realignment. Since 2015, she has coordinated the development of the Defense Spending by State report and other technical assistance products for OLDCC customers. Ms. Chimienti has worked with applicants in twelve states to develop programs of assistance for communities responding to base closure, or reductions in Defense personnel or procurement. She is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and holds a master’s degree in City Planning from MIT.

Hiwot Gebremariam is the Program Activity Lead for Roads at DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). Prior to joining OLDCC, Hiwot worked for over four years managing regional economic development planning and implementation programs at USDA Rural Development. Prior to that, she held various functions focusing on conducting research and implementing economic development initiatives at national and international levels. She holds an MSC in Economics from Addis Ababa University and an MSC in Environmental Science and Policy Analysis from Johns Hopkins University.

Mr. Daniel Glasson has been with OLDCC since 2006 and serves as the Deputy Director for Community Investment. In this role, he ensures effective and compliant delivery of OLDCC programs of assistance across its stakeholders. Previously, he served as OLDCC’s Program Director for Community Investment, a Project Manager, and as a Presidential Management Fellow. Mr. Glasson has served in numerous capacities in the public and private sector, spanning work positions in the United States, Europe, and Africa, offering more than 20 years of experience in public administration, applied economic development, and urban planning. He holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning and a Certificate in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Michigan; Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies from Case Western Reserve University; and spent time in Poland as a Fulbright Scholar. In 2018, Mr. Glasson was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Ms. Patricia Gray is the Program Activity Lead for Compatible Use at OLDCC. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Gray worked for the Department of the Air Force for 16 years with an additional two years of support in the private sector. Ms. Gray has a background in geography and environmental science and is a Registered Environmental Manager. She has experience working various installation support functions including environmental, planning, asset management, and energy programs.

Mary Beth Greiner joined OLDCC in November 2022 as a Project Manager. Prior to joining OLDCC, she served as a Community Planning Liaison Officer supporting encroachment management initiatives for Navy Region Southwest. Ms. Greiner holds a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from The Catholic University of America School of Architecture and Planning.

Colonel Sally Hannan is the Senior Army Advisor to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point, an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a M.A. in Strategic Studies through the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS. Col. Hannan has served in a variety of positions at various levels to include Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, Hawaii, Deputy Commanding Officer, 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Commander, US Army Garrison, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Hirsch joined OLDCC in 2021 as a Project Manager. Ms. Hirsch has over 10 years of federal service through positions with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Capital Planning Commission. She brings 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors in urban planning, environmental policy, and historic preservation. Ms. Hirsch holds a Bachelor of Arts in architectural history, a Master of City Planning, and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation.

Seth Isenberg joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2021, where his Project Manager portfolio includes Industry Resilience and Transition. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Isenberg spent 12 years at the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he began as an import analyst and then joined SelectUSA, promoting and facilitating foreign direct investment into the United States. His work at SelectUSA was recognized with two Department of Commerce Gold Medal awards, two ITA awards, and an honor by the California Association for Local Economic Development. Mr. Isenberg holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA, Asian Studies, from University of Pennsylvania.

David L. Jones has spent 15 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as a Project Manager across several program lines including Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI), Compatible Use, Installation Resiliency, and Realignment projects. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Jones served for 29 years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Colonel where he also served as the Army Military Liaison for OLDCC. Mr. Jones holds a Master of Science in Systems Management.

Mr. David Kennedy has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation since 2012, and now serves as both the Assistant Deputy Director for Community Investment and the Program Activity Lead for Public Schools on Military Installations. His portfolio includes Public Schools on Military Installation (PSMI) program, Community Noise Mitigation, Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot program, Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Associated with Medical Facilities program, and the Pacific Readiness program. Previously, Mr. Kennedy served 27 years in the U.S. Army, including commanding a battalion in combat as part of the final surge brigade in Baghdad. He also served as an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy. Mr. Kennedy holds a Master of Science degree from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Science from Clarkson University in Civil Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Virginia.

Mr. Gary Kuwabara has been with OLDCC since 2005 and currently serves as Project Manager for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Previously, Mr. Kuwabara served as the Western Regional Office Director and the Pacific Readiness Program Activity Lead. Prior to joining OLDCC, he worked with the Air Force Base Conversion Agency.

Mr. Louis Littleton has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation since 2014 and serves as a Project Manager and as the Director for the Western Regional Office. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Littleton served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a logistics officer in a variety of command, leadership, and staff positions at the installation, major command, and international levels. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and completed several levels of joint and service professional military education during his Air Force career.

Jessie Moore joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in October 2021. Prior to joining OLDCC, Dr. Moore served as a project manager with the Citizen and Immigration Services. He has served in various roles for over 15 years with the federal government in support of grants, contracts, and small business development. Dr. Moore is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Dr. Moore holds a Master’s in Public Administration, Management and Leadership, Procurement and Acquisitions Management, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration.

Tomeka Murphy has spent over 16 years in Department of Defense Financial Management and now serves as the Compliance Activity Lead for Budget and Finance at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Murphy served for 11 years in the U.S. Navy, successfully completing a Financial Management Internship at the Pentagon. In addition, she served tours at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Education Activity. Ms. Murphy holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University and is a Certified Defense Financial Manager.

Margit Myers has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for 12 years and currently serves as Program Activity Lead for Installation Resilience. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Myers conducted graduate research in Bosnia and Romania and spent four years as a training and technical assistance provider at the Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance. Before that, she served details on the Strategic Issues Team at the Government Accountability Office and in the Community Affairs Office at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Ms. Myers holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and is an alumna of the 2008 Presidential Management Fellowship.

Mr. O’Brien directs the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and supports a talented team of professionals to assist states and local communities to respond to Department of Defense activity and support its missions. He is responsible for the creation and performance of many programs enabling states and communities to partner with the Department and its installation and industrial bases, including: $1.9 billion program to improve condition and capacity problems at public schools on military installations; nearly $200 million in investments in support of the Department’s Pacific Defense Initiative on the Territory of Guam; $80 million Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program to deliver innovativeness and modernization for the defense industrial base at the speed of relevancy; $200 million Defense Community Infrastructure Program to support state and local enhancements to improve local military value, installation resiliency, and military family quality of life; and $75 million community noise mitigation program. His team presently manages a portfolio of over 200 projects accounting for close to $2 billion in obligations. Prior to joining Department of Defense, Mr. O’Brien was a Presidential Management Intern with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where he spent time on Capitol Hill, working on community and economic development-related issues. Before his Federal service, he was an Assistant Business Developer for the City of Duluth, MN, where he assisted with the reuse of a closed air base, supported the conversion of a former steel plant, and co-drafted the State's first enterprise zone bill. He also served as a citizen representative to the Duluth Joint Airport Zoning Board. He has Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Affairs and Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he graduated "cum laude" and as a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. He received a Masters of Science degree in Public Management and Policy Analysis from the School of Urban and Public Affairs at Carnegie-Mellon University, where he graduated "with distinction," student-taught organizational management, and was elected to Pi Alpha Alpha. Mr. O'Brien is certified as an "Economic Development Finance Professional" by the National Development Council and graduated from the Federal Executive Institute’s “Leadership for a Democratic Society” as well as Harvard Law School’s “Program on Negotiation.” He is the recipient of the following honors and recognitions: 2017 “Federal Leadership in Economic Development Programs” award from the International Economic Development Council; Ancient Order of Chamorri from the Governor of Guam; and Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Ms. Mary Catherine “MC” Ott has been with OLDCC since 2022 and serves as Associate Principal for Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Engagement. In this role, she conducts outreach to Federal, state, and local elected officials and serves as the Department's representative to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Ott served as a Legislative Director at the National Governors Association (NGA), focusing on a broad range of issues including defense, homeland security, cybersecurity, public safety and veterans affairs. She also oversaw the Presidentially appointed Council of Governors activities for NGA. She previously served as a senior legislative analyst at National Guard Bureau's Office of Legislative Liaison, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager for Air National Guard and Cyber Security at the National Guard Association of the United States and was a Legislative Aide in the U.S. Senate. Ms. Ott holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Providence College. From 2021-2022, she sat on the Board of Advisors for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Tim Robert began his service with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in January 2018 and currently serves as the Program Activity Lead for Growth. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Robert spent 10 years as a civilian Program Manager at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific where he spearheaded training and operational planning in support of the Marine Corps’ strategic posture in the Pacific. He previously served for 20 years in uniform as a Marine infantry and force reconnaissance officer. Mr. Robert has also owned and operated three small businesses and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from LSU.

Karen Safer has spent five years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and now serves as a Project Manager. Ms. Safer has a wealth of experience in Housing Development Finance including work with a housing authority, a state housing finance agency, Community Development Lending with Bank of America, and work as a developer in the Washington Metropolitan Area for seven years. Her other federal government experience includes work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture (Rural Development). Ms. Safer holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies, and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Ursula Simone Scott-Williams has spent more than 20 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and currently serves as a Budget Technician. Prior to joining OLDCC, she worked for Arlington County, Virginia as an Administrative Assistant. Scott-Williams holds certifications in grants management from Management Concepts.

Colonel Yvonne Spencer is the Senior Air Force Advisor to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation which helps states and communities support the National Security Strategy by achieving economic resiliency and agility amidst shifting Department of Defense priorities. In her role, she engages with state and community leaders, the Military Services and other Federal agencies to develop strategies for economic growth; support nearby civilian use adjustments; and ensure the balance of growth in order to enhance the readiness, resiliency and sustainability of installations in support of the military mission. Colonel Spencer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Engineering and Environmental Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. She has served in a variety of positions at the installation, major command and headquarters levels and has commanded six times for organizations ranging from 300 to 1,200 personnel. Her deployments include contingency support of Operation DESERT STORM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Mr. Scott Spencer has been with OLDCC since 2018 and serves both as the Assistant Deputy Director for Community Adjustment and the Program Activity Lead for Community Noise Mitigation. His portfolio includes Compatible Use, Installation Resilience, Diversification, Industry Transition, Growth and Realignment. Prior to joining OLDCC, Mr. Spencer spent 13 years with the Air Force working as a Community Planner at the installation, major command, and headquarters levels. He also served as the Air Force Service Action Officer for the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. Previously, he spent 10 years in the private sector managing comprehensive planning projects for the Department of Defense worldwide. Mr. Spencer holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Geography/Urban Planning from Frostburg State University and is an alumnus of the Partnership and Community Collaboration Academy Managing by Network. In 2008, Mr. Spencer was awarded the Air Force Civilian Achievement Medal.

Melanie Stover joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) as a Project Manager in November 2021, and she now serves as the Program Activity Lead for Diversification. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Stover served as the Director of Strategic Business Engagement at Northern Virginia Community College, where she was responsible for the College’s employer engagement and partnership strategy. Her leadership included management of key workforce and economic development programs, labor market research, and career services. Ms. Stover previously served in roles at the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Ms. Stover holds a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.

Jason “Jay” Sweat has spent 14 years at the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, currently serving as a Project Manager. Prior to joining OLDCC, he worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and as a city-county planner in Ohio and Florida. Mr. Sweat earned a dual Master of Science in Public Administration and Urban Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Akron.

William J. Van Houten joined the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2019 and serves as a Senior Project Manager. Before joining OLDCC, Mr. Van Houten spent 19 years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a project manager/policy analyst advancing military mission issues in a number of areas including international environmental engagement and compliance. Previously, he served as a warranted contracting officer and branch head at various Naval Systems Commands. He entered the Federal government as a Presidential Management Intern and holds the following degrees: M.S from Industrial College of the Armed Forces; M.P.P. from Harvard University; J.D. from William and Mary.

Susan Veazey is a Project Manager in the Western Regional Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Prior to her role with OLDCC, she spent a decade in federal service with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and approximately nine years implementing federal grants at the local level for California jurisdictions. Ms. Veazey has a Master of Arts in Urban Planning from UCLA, a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UC Davis and over 25 years of professional experience in the public and private sectors.

Ms. Michelle Volkema has been with OLDCC since 2021 and serves as the Assistant Deputy Director for Compliance and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Activity Lead. In these roles, she oversees grants management, budget, risk management and internal controls, and environmental compliance. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Volkema supported the Air Force Secretariat (SAF/IEE) from 2019-2021 overseeing conservation programs and policy (natural and cultural resources, and tribal relations). Before that, she served six years as the DoD Deputy Federal Preservation Officer managing the DoD Cultural Resources Program and Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Program. She began working in public service for the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office as an Environmental Review Specialist for six years. Ms. Volkema holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Science in Bioregional Planning and Community Design with an emphasis in Historic Preservation from the University of Idaho. She completed studies for a master’s degree in Historic Preservation at the University of Georgia and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Idaho.

Carolyn Wallace has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for 17 years and is currently the Management Analyst for the Western Regional Office. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Wallace spent 13 years in various civilian positions at the former McClellan Air Force Base. She worked for the County of Sacramento, California Base Transition Office in assisting the U.S. Air Force with transferring the former McClellan Air Force Base to McClellan Park, LLC.

Mr. Wilson has been with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation since 2006 and serves as the Deputy Director for Compliance. In this capacity, Mr. Wilson ensures compliance with the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act, 2 CFR Part 200, and the Anti-Deficiency Act, as well as supervises the integration of internal control and financial systems to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and compliance with regulations and applicable laws, to include the reliability of financial reporting and management systems. Mr. Wilson has served as the Deputy Program Manager for Compliance and Integration, a Project Manager, and a Presidential Management Fellow. Previously, Mr. Wilson’s worked as a Competition Manager with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, where he was responsible for grant oversight and management with the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. He is an Operation Iraqi Freedom military veteran with over 20 years of honorable service in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. Mr. Wilson holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from North Carolina State University and is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

Adam Wright joined OLDCC in March 2021 and is currently the Program Activity Lead for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP). Prior to joining OLDCC, he served as a Community Planning Liaison Officer with the Navy, an Environmental Manager with the Air National Guard, a Project Manager in DoD’s Chesapeake Bay Program, and a regulator with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Wright also has experience in the private sector working for environmental consulting and contracting companies where he prepared cost estimates and bid packages and served as a project manager. Mr. Wright holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts.

Julie Zollner joined The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in 2019 and serves as the Office Manager. Prior to joining OLDCC, Ms. Zollner worked for the U.S. Department of Army for 16 years as a Management Analyst in various programs from the garrison level to the Headquarters Department of Army, with her last position as the Manpower and Agreements Branch Chief at the Resource Management Office for the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Benning. She earned her MBA with a concentration in contracts and procurement management and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington.