About Us

Dr. Mel Chiogioji, RADM, USN (Ret.) has more than 55 years of senior management experience in the engineering and research fields. As CEO and Chairman of the Board, Mel oversees and controls overall business affairs at MELE. He is responsible for the strategic planning, growth, and vision for the company.

Mel’s areas of expertise include nuclear and fossil-fueled power, energy efficiency, economics/financing, international energy programs, industrial waste utilization/minimization, and construction management, among other specialties. He has extensive experience in systems analysis and operations research. As a former Federal Senior Executive Service (SES) member for 19 years, Mel has deep and wide-ranging knowledge and experience in government projects and program management.

Mel served thirty-two years in the Navy and Naval Reserve as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer, including six years as a Rear Admiral. He was the first Naval Reserve Admiral to command an active Naval command -the Second Naval Construction Brigade, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. While in command, he was responsible for crisis response forces for Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East, as well as operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters.

Mel has extensive experience in teaching graduate level courses in R&D management, organizational development, change management, systems analysis, operations research, and energy management. He is a registered professional electrical engineer, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of American Engineers.

Al Chiogioji has 35 years of experience in finance and management. As MELE’s President, he is responsible for day-to-day management and operations of the company and oversees the entire workforce, including the development of the company’s goals, policies, and procedures. Al collaborates closely with MELE’s executive team to deliver strategic oversight, leadership, and support across all departments and functions. He also directs and oversees the company’s financial matters and decisions.

While at MELE, Al spearheaded the development of the company’s business plan and financial strategy, including the successful execution of short and long-range organizational goals that have led to smart growth and an ability to consistently meet ever-growing demand for high-quality services. During his tenure, MELE has become one of the fastest growing technology and consulting firms in the D.C.-Maryland area.

Al has also leveraged his extensive investor relations and capital funding experience, knowledge, and skills to build key strategic partnerships that help ensure the company’s financial health and potential for future growth. As liaison to financial institutions, Al manages all financial transactions pertaining to the corporation and client contracts.

With over 25 years of experience spanning the private and government sectors, Greg Hansen exemplifies strategic leadership as the Chief Operating Officer at MELE. In this pivotal role, Greg oversees the firm’s strategic direction, business development, and operations management, with a special focus on federal government contracting. His proficiency in aligning organizational objectives with comprehensive business strategies and operations is pivotal to MELE’s success.

Greg’s strategic expertise extends to robust performance management, where he drives operational improvements and implements effective business solutions that enhance productivity and profitability. His foresight in business operations has not only propelled MELE’s growth but has also refined the company’s project management and operational workflows.

Under Greg’s leadership, MELE has effectively managed significant programs both domestically and internationally. His direct involvement in high-profile projects for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation Office (DOE NNSA CTCP) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (DHS CWMD) underscores his capability in handling complex, cross-functional challenges.

A recognized expert in national security, Greg’s talents include advanced crisis management and negotiation, key in navigating the intricate dynamics of counterproliferation and counterterrorism. His technical acumen is evident in his contributions to the development of advanced security training programs and the design of integrated physical and cybersecurity systems.

Greg’s leadership style promotes a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, mentoring his team of vice presidents and fostering a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and operational excellence. He is also instrumental in pioneering technology initiatives, leading the design, development, and pilot phases of cutting-edge systems, including a proprietary detection system with a patent pending.

In addition to his professional expertise, Greg holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. His educational background complements his extensive experience, providing a strong foundation for his strategic and operational leadership at MELE.

Kimi Murakami has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney. As the company’s Chief Legal Officer, she advises MELE’s executive team and senior management on all legal matters, including corporate governance, labor and employment issues, government contracting, and commercial contracts. In addition to legal and compliance, as CLO, she also manages MELE’s human resources, contracts, communications, and proposal departments.

Prior to joining MELE, Kimi specialized in mergers and acquisitions for small businesses at a Washington, D.C. government contracts law firm. She has expertise advising on regulatory compliance matters, corporate restructuring, and the development of strategic solutions to remain compliant with Federal Acquisition Regulations and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s regulations relating to socio-economic set-aside programs.

She also served as general counsel to the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, a charitable organization whose mission is to memorialize Japanese American incarceration and veterans’ military service during WWII.

Kimi’s legal career began as a municipal bond lawyer at a global law firm and included one year of international law practice in Tokyo at the then-fourth largest law firm in Japan.

She holds a license to practice law in Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Kimi graduated from Duke University and earned her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. When not working, you can find her rooting for the Blue Devils or cheering on other sports teams with her family.

Janice Gordon has more than 25 years of accounting experience, including 15 years as a Controller. As MELE’s CFO, she is responsible for financial operations and reporting, making the decisions necessary to maintain the company’s financial stability and support growth. She monitors cash flow, GAAP and DCAA compliance, and the integrity of the ERP systems and procedures. Janice has spent her entire career in government contracting and she is well-versed in working in the federal space, successfully navigating the complexities of government regulations, compliance requirements, and audits. She collaborates with executive leadership to formulate and align financial strategies with overall business objectives, ensuring financial sustainability and driving MELE’s success.

Janice has also been instrumental in the build out of MELE’s accounting, finance, and HR management software infrastructure, which has enhanced automation, efficiency, and communication across the expanding company. She has also played a key role in developing financial and accounting best practices and SOPs that have directly contributed to MELE’s consistent growth and financial health during her two-decade tenure with the company.

Janice holds a BS degree in Business Administration and MS degree in Financial and Accounting Management from the University of Maryland. Janice and her husband, Rob, both Terps, Caps and Commander fans, enjoy live sporting events, road racing, and RV camping with their two children, Maddie & Rylan, and dog, Romeo.

Carrie Phelps has been a valuable member of the MELE team for nearly 20 years. She brings a long history of delivering successful projects within the federal contracting space to her role as vice president. Carrie has developed into an experienced, trusted subject matter expert in a host of disciplines, including program/project management, project controls, project finance management, budget development and execution, auditing, financial analysis, cost accounting, and financial reporting.

In her role as vice president, Carrie leverages her strong leadership skills, deep federal institutional knowledge, and exceptional program management abilities to deliver strong, efficient performance to MELE’s federal agency customers and contract partners. She currently manages a large contract portfolio that includes technical support services for the Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation. Her portfolio also includes technical and analytical support services for the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control.

Carrie lives in Maryland. She earned her BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband Denny and daughter Camden.

Ron Colbert has over 30 years of Information Technology (IT) experience, including network architecture, configuration, and testing. He leads MELE’s IT strategy development and execution and manages the company’s IT staff. Ron is also the company’s Chief Security Officer.

Before joining MELE, Ron was the Chief Information Officer for a prominent Washington DC-area, state-of-the-art high school where he led tech budgeting, planning, and execution efforts. Earlier in his career, Ron also served as a director for a full-service IT consulting firm. He has deep experience as a network manager, project manager, team leader, project trainer and administrator. While working in these roles, Ron was responsible for configuring corporate network connectivity, managing Windows programs, and performing preventative corrective maintenance of computer systems. He also has experience in managing corporate projects that include basic projects to planning technology infrastructure for renovations and new buildings.

When not at work, Ron enjoys basketball and teaching in various areas such as the Red Cross and CPR/AED.

Justin Hixson has been with the MELE team since 2010. He brings more than two decades of finance, accounting, project management, and project controls experience to his role of vice president.

Justin has worked in multiple fields during his MELE accounting career, including billing, payroll, journal entries, and pricing analysis. He began his career at MELE as a Staff Accountant and after a decade in that position he transitioned into a Project Controls Analyst role. Prior to his promotion to vice president, Justin served admirably as a deputy project manager on several important MELE contracts.

As vice president, Justin manages and provides oversight on several key MELE partnerships, including NNSA’s NA-90 (infrastructure) and Environment, Safety, and Health (NA-ESH) contracts. He also manages several contracts related to MELE’s local law enforcement response force.

Justin is a diehard Commanders fan. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing at his in-law’s house on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Deanna Cammarata has been a valuable member of MELE team for more than 20 years. She began her career at MELE in 2000, left for a stint at the Maryland accounting firm Aronson LLC and as an independent contractor, and returned in 2008. She brings more than two decades of executive level management expertise to the program manager role.

Deanna is responsible for handling project management, contract management, budget preparation, and project execution on multi-million-dollar projects. With a comprehensive knowledge of federal procurement regulations, she effectively administers and manages task orders, facilitates subcontractor work, and dynamically manages projects operating in complex and often rapidly evolving environments. She is also a consummate collaborator and an adept and agile leader.

Deanna provides outstanding program management support to numerous MELE contract partnerships, including, but not limited to, the NNSA Offices of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation (CTCP) and Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN).

Deanna holds a criminal justice degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. In her free time, Deanna enjoys supporting her children in their various sports, traveling with her family and being outdoors as much as possible.

Susan Bowers joined MELE after more than 15 years as a federal government auditor, accountant, and program manager. Before joining MELE she served as the Director, Office of Safeguards and Security, for the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Security [NA-70] where she was responsible for providing executive leadership and strategic direction, incorporating security-related guidance across the NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE), and supporting security-related NNSA strategic planning efforts. Susan has held various positions within multiple NNSA Programs and the Department of Defense, which span her areas of expertise including government budgeting, accounting/financial management, auditing, and program/contract management.

Susan leads and provides oversight for a host of MELE contracts, including, but not limited to, projects for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense—Nuclear Matters; the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Advisory and Assistance Services; the NA-70 Administrative Support; the NNSA Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation, Office of Nuclear Threat Science [NA-82]; the NNSA Office of Defense Programs, Office of Experimental Science [NA-113]; the NNSA Office of Management and Budget/Office of Communications (formerly Public Affairs)/Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs; and the NA-70 Technical and Analytical Support.

Susan has been married for a little over 14 years to her husband Bobby, who serves in the 113th Wing DC Air National Guard. She has two kids, Jameson, and McKenzie, and two dogs—Lulu, and Lucy. Susan enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Teresa Fiore is on her second tour with MELE as the company’s HR Director. Teresa previously held the role from 1997 to 1999, joining the team shortly after the company was founded in 1993. She has nearly 30 years of HR experience and brings a proven history of strong HR performance to the role. She leverages significant coaching and development, employee relations, policy development, benefit plan design, and talent acquisition skills to enhance MELE’s HR performance and augment its employee experience.

Teresa spent the bulk of her career in the biotechnology industry and in the federal contracting space where she worked for both small (8A) and large global businesses. Prior to her return to MELE, Teresa was a Human Resources Manager at Charles River Laboratories, a well-regarded Contract Research Organization (CRO) serving the biotech industry. She has also held HR leadership positions at the transportation technology company Nomad Digital and SAIC, a large technology company that services the government.

Teresa holds her SHRM Senior Certified Professional Certification (SHRM-SCP) and earned her B.S. in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She also has Masters Certificate in Organizational Development from Hood College.

When not working, Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughter. She also has her hands full with a trio of labrador dogs, Gunner, Leo, and Ella.

Rob Lively brings more than a decade of federal contract experience to MELE, including USG contract and subcontract administration, international contracts, and financial analysis expertise. He also has strong federal contract regulatory knowledge, including experience with FAR, DFAR, and other government regulatory requirements.

Across his career, Rob has consistently delivered exceptional full lifecycle contract and subcontract management support to government agencies like the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the Department of Defense (DoD), among others.

Prior to joining MELE, he was the Manager, Contracts & Proposals, at the biopharmaceutical company Emergent BioSolutions (Emergent). While at Emergent, he managed 12 prime federal contracts valued at over $3B. Earlier in his career, Rob also served in contract roles of increasing responsibility at Leidos Biomedical, Inc. and the Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Rob earned his MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. He lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. In his free time, Rob likes to spend time with his family, ride his motorcycle, camp, fish/fly-fish, hike, drive off-road trails, watch UFC, and play golf.