Catalyst Partners

Our Team

Akmal Ali, Principal

As a principal at Catalyst Partners, Akmal Ali supports domestic and international clients in working with the federal government and business development, with an emphasis on technology growth. With more than four years of SAFETY Act experience, Ali most recently fulfilled the duties and responsibilities of a deputy director at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of SAFETY Act Implementation, and offers extensive knowledge of public-private partnerships, private sector preparedness and resiliency and risk management. More »

Randy Beardsworth, Principal

Randy Beardsworth brings over 30 years of strategic and operational experience, with expertise in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, border and transportation security, law enforcement, and immigration policy. In his current capacity as a Principal at Catalyst Partners, he helps clients with strategic planning and business development. More »

François P. Bégin

François Bégin brings 28 years of extensive experience in both domestic and international markets. Mr. Bégin has spent his entire professional career accessing and optimizing public and private sector opportunities, both as a consultant and as a senior executive. As a Partner of Catalyst Partners, (formerly known as Olive, Edwards, & Cooper), Mr. Bégin continues to identify opportunities, build critical relationships, and provide access and guidance to a variety of small and large businesses to help them broaden their footprint. More »

Gerry Brown

Gerry Brown joined Catalyst Partners in 2008 to support the firm’s growing homeland and national security consulting practice. Gerry is responsible for overseeing the firm’s business development efforts in the Southwest region of the country. In particular, she is helping businesses that are seeking assistance with navigating the rigorous SAFETY Act application process by collaborating with Catalyst Partners principal Dr. Dave McWhorter. More »

Richard Cooper, Principal

Richard “Rich” Cooper is a Partner with Catalyst Partners, LLC, (formerly known as Olive, Edwards & Cooper, LLC) a government and public affairs practice in Washington, D.C., that focuses on homeland and national security matters. In this role, Cooper offers client advice and strategic planning support on matters relating to emergency preparedness and business continuity leadership, public-private partnerships, homeland security policies and programs as well as science and technology development and deployment. More »

Jeffrey J. Faszcza, Principal

Jeffrey J. “Jeff” Faszcza brings more than 32 years experience in managing multidisciplinary projects that encompass broad strategic issues and require precise technical execution to his position as a Principal at Catalyst Partners. Jeff has direct management experience in government relations, business development, program management, manufacturing and finance, having applied and honed his skills in both the domestic and international space, defense, aeronautics and homeland security markets. More »

Steven Krause, Principal

Steven Krause holds 35 years experience in business development and government relations, creating new ventures and capturing new business in aerospace, defense and security markets around the world. Formerly with The Boeing Company, Krause has worked across numerous defense and business development projects, including international growth strategy, border security, and military and civilian aviation contracts. More »

Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy is a Homeland and National Security practitioner experienced in transportation security and operations solutions, resilience and other aspects of critical infrastructure protection. With over 33 years experience flying commercial and U.S. Air Force aircraft including C-130s and a range of commercial airliners. He was selected as one of Delta Airlines first captains of the new Boeing 777. During this time he also served as an expert advisor on aviation and operations security to the U.S. government and the airline industry. As a senior official in the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) he founded the National Center for Aviation Security and directed the industry’s first Office of Intelligence & Emerging Threats. In this role he worked to enhance information sharing among ALPA’s 65,000 members, U.S. government agencies, and the intelligence community. More »

Dr. David McWhorter, Principal

Dr. David McWhorter spent over seven years at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Most recently he served as the deputy project leader for IDA on the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAFETY Act (the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002). In this position he led the technical evaluations of anti-terrorism products and services across a broad spectrum of countermeasures for chemical, biological, explosive, nuclear, cyber and human threats, including services. He was also instrumental in the implementation of the SAFETY Act including orchestrating the creation of the evaluation process, the drafting of the application kits, and the coordination of several government procurements, and the identification of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). More »

David M. Olive, Principal

David M. Olive has more than 30 years’ experience in business, politics, law and public affairs. As former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR3) and a former staffer for US Senator Jim Allen (D-AL) Mr. Olive understands that very few things get done in Washington without approaching them in a bi-partisan manner. More »

Abraham Smith

Abraham Smith comes to Catalyst with a wealth of international leadership experience. His experience leading companies abroad has enabled him to develop personal and business relationships in the Middle East, the Indian Sub-Continent, Russia and Central Asia. He has led multicultural teams in difficult environments and understands the importance of creating strong local relationships to ensure business success. At Catalyst, Abraham assists clients in developing and executing their strategy for international growth, as well as providing clients expert advice on communications technology issues. More »

L. Vance Taylor, Principal

L. Vance Taylor has worked to advance the mission of homeland security on Capitol Hill and in the private sector. One of only a handful of people in the nation with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security, Mr. Taylor combines his specialized education with real-world experience and advanced professional training to leverage successful outcomes for his clients and their stakeholders. More »

W. Rish Wood

A recent addition to the firm as Southeast Business Development Manager , Rish brings over 35 years of management, marketing, advertising , telecommunications , broadcasting and public relations experience to Catalyst. More »