WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Homeland Security and Defense Business Council (HSDBC), the private sector’s leading voice in homeland security, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors. Vern Butler, homeland security, defense, and intel account managing partner at Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC; Clare Hines, president and chief executive officer of the net.America Corporation; and John Selman, vice president of national security programs at LMI, were each elected to three-year terms.
“We are honored to welcome Vern, Clare, and John to our Board of Directors,” said Marc Pearl, president and CEO of HSDBC. “As longtime and exemplary leaders in the homeland security community, they will bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique combination of skills and experience to the work of the Council. Amid an ever-changing landscape and evolving marketplace, we are confident the entire Council membership will benefit from their strategic and visionary outlook on the market and future of the Homeland Security Enterprise.”
The Council’s Board of Directors also elected John Saad, a partner and national security sector leader at Guidehouse, as Chairman for the second year in a row, and Brandon LaBonte, president and chief executive officer of ArdentMC, as Vice Chairman. Comprised of senior leaders from HSDBC member companies, the Board oversees the overarching vision and direction of the organization and its programs.
“I have been fortunate to have worked closely with HSDBC over the past five years and have developed a true appreciation of the Council’s commitment to the Homeland Security Enterprise,” said Butler. “Through their 'Access, Insight, Influence' mantra, the Council’s commitment to the execution and advancement of the homeland security mission has been exemplary. I am very humbled to have been selected for a board position on the Council and look forward to carrying on the impactful work of the organization for years to come.”
“I am delighted to be joining the Board of HSDBC and look forward to contributing a diverse perspective to the Council’s thought leadership in support of the homeland security mission,” said Hines. “Having been a member since 2014, I value the opportunity the Council provides for industry and government to collaborate on complex issues affecting the Homeland Security Enterprise.”
“HSDBC furnishes exceptional opportunities for public-private sector dialogue and collaboration that strengthen the Homeland Security Enterprise,” said Selman. “I am honored to serve on the HSDBC Board and look forward to working with my fellow directors and HSDBC staff to grow the organization and advance its mission.”
About Vern Butler
Mr. Butler has over 30 years of client service experience focusing on the Federal marketplace. At Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC, he is the senior partner responsible for the overall Public Sector Growth Pillar and Client Program portfolio, which includes setting the Public Sector Go-To-Market strategy as well as performance management oversight of all client facing accounts. He also serves as the Key Relationship Partner for the firm’s Homeland Security, Defense and Intelligence Community accounts. In this capacity, he is responsible for setting individual account strategies, overseeing quality of client service delivery, and managing all P&L duties. Mr. Butler is an executive sponsor for Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC’s Veterans Community of Practice, Hiring Our Heroes, and American Corporate Partners Programs. He also serves as a mentor for Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC’s Senior Manager Academy and Advancement of Women Programs. Additionally, he is the firm’s Facility Security Office executive sponsor as well as Insider Threat Program Senior Management Official. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
About Clare Hines
Clare Razaq-Hines is the Founder and President of the net.America Corporation, a management consulting firm focused on Information Systems, Grants Management and Contact Center services. net.America has a 20-year history supporting civilian and defense agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Headquarters, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Defense Information Systems Agency. Ms. Hines has more than 25 years of enterprise level Information Systems and Grants Management delivery. She holds a bachelor of science in international marketing and a master of science in technology management. Ms. Hines has received numerous awards and commendations for her leadership skills and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.
About John Selman
John leads profit-loss management and business growth for LMI’s national security market, overseeing capture strategy, proposal development and execution, and project delivery to customers within the Intelligence Community and departments of Homeland Security and State. He previously served as vice president of LMI’s resource management division, with responsibility for more than 350 employees. Prior to LMI, he was a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton. John’s extensive management consulting experience includes an earlier stint at LMI as a program manager and research fellow and at the Department of Energy as a civil servant. A recognized collaborator, innovator, people developer, and experienced public speaker, John possesses a strong professional network and record of achievement. He holds a master of science from Johns Hopkins University, a master of public affairs from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Connecticut.
About the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council
The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council is a not-for-profit, non-partisan corporate membership organization comprised of the leading large, mid-tier, and small companies that support the Homeland Security Enterprise with technology, product, and service solutions. Our mission is to bring government and industry leaders together to build and strengthen relationships, increase knowledge sharing, and improve the way we conduct business together. Towards that end, our programs and initiatives focus on building better engagement models between the public and private sectors and facilitating collaborative dialogues on the best ways to address our nation’s critical homeland security issues. Learn more at https://www.homelandcouncil.org.
