Board of Advisors

Russell Crockett Jr.

is a senior executive with more than 20 years of experience in the chemical industry. Mr. Crockett is the senior vice president of commercial for Texas Petrochemicals (TPC), a leading chemical producer in Houston. He heads the commercial group in charge of sales, supply, raw materials and profitability. He started in the chemical industry at DuPont, has a B.S. in chemical engineering from the Carnegie Mellon University, and is now on Carnegie Mellon’s board.

Professor Megan LaBelle, Catholic University School of Law.

Among her many accomplishments, Professor Megan LaBelle served as law clerk for Judge Stephen S. Trott of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and for Judge Margaret M. Morrow of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She also worked as a commercial litigator in private practice at the Los Angeles firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson.

Dr. Rouget F. (Ric) Henschel

is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and vice chair of the firm’s Chemical & Pharmaceutical Practice. He is also a member of the firm’s Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical, Intellectual Property Litigation and International Practices and the Life Sciences Industry Team.  He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1999), City University of New York (Ph.D., organic chemistry, 1990), the City College of New York (B.S., chemistry, 1981), and was a law clerk for Judge Randall R. Rader of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Dr. Donald M. Coleman

is Professor Emeritus of Systems and Computer Science at Howard University. He has served previously at Howard as the interim Vice President for Research and Compliance, as a senior associate provost and during the academic year 2000-01 he was Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Coleman has been affiliated with Howard for more than 36 years as a faculty member, administrator, and researcher.  In the late 90’s during his tenure in the Office of the Provost he led the development of information technology initiatives related to faculty database systems, distance learning, and online degree and certificate programs. Prior to his appointment as associate provost, Dr. Coleman served as professor and chair of the Systems and Computer Sciences Department in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences.

Dr. Coleman has publications in software engineering, computer science, systems engineering and engineering education. In 1971, he earned the doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan. He received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Michigan in 1965 and 1960 respectively.

David Retta

is the founder and President of The Heran Consulting Group, a firm that has been focused in providing strategic consulting services to the federal government as well as the private sector for over 5 years.  He has over 20 years of experience supporting numerous business & IT executives of global and mid-size companies, in the public and private sectors, achieve their strategic and financial objectives. He has excellent Strategic Management, IT and Operations Management skills. His unique skills include blending analytical frameworks, advanced technology and optimization techniques. He has served as a subject matter expert on numerous engagements in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, helping solve complex strategic and operational business problems.

Having started and managed multiple software companies and consulting practices, David is an expert in formulating a solution from concept to implementation. His extensive background across numerous industries also includes; strategic alliance management, business process re-engineering, organizational change management, sales and marketing, decision support services and supply chain risk management. Current and past clients served include: the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Defense (DoD), Apple Computers, Lucent Technologies, AT&T, Dell Computers, Hitachi, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

Former positions held include:

1. West Monroe Partners, LLC

Vice President, Washington, DC Practice

1. Hitachi Consulting – Bethesda, MD

Director, Management & IT Practice

1. Arthur Andersen  – Vienna, VA

Director, Global Supply Chain and Advanced Technology Consulting Practice

1. i2 Technologies– Chicago, IL

Director, Advanced Decision Support Systems

1. IRI Logistics – Chicago, IL

Manager, Professional Services

1. Manugistics – Rockville, MD

Sr. Consultant, Professional Services

David holds a BSc, Systems Analysis and Engineering, George Washington University and MBA studies at the University of Chicago’s, Graduate School of Business.