Leadership

Chad Lewis

Region 1 Director

Chad began his career after graduating from Middletown High School (RI) by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served with U.S. Joint Forces Command in Virginia and later deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. After two enlistments and an honorable discharge, Chad transitioned to government contracting.

As a Contracting Officer at NAVSUP WSS, he led procurement efforts for components supporting U.S. and U.K. submarine programs and addressed supply chain and audit challenges. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from Alvernia University and is DAWIA Level II certified in Government Contracting. For the past two years, Chad has served as the RI APEX Accelerator Director, helping Rhode Island businesses succeed in government contracting.

Anna Vulaj Fitzsimmons

Region 2 Director

Anna Vulaj Fitzsimmons has over 30 years of experience in government contracting, business, and economic development. She has led the MCFL APEX Accelerator as Program Director since 2015, helping clients secure more than $2.76 billion in government contracts and subcontracts.

Her background includes owning a communications and marketing business, serving as Director of Communications for a regional Chamber of Commerce, and working as a reporter/producer for a local NPR affiliate. Anna is a member of the Department of Defense North East Regional Council (DoD NERC), the DBX Cluster, and the SBA Buffalo District Small Business Community Forum. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX). She lives in Irondequoit, NY, with her husband Matthew, their daughter Nora, and their German Shepherd, Jax. Anna enjoys boating, fishing, and exploring Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes.

Beth Alboucq

Region 3 Director

Beth Alboucq is the Program Manager for the Southeast PA APEX Accelerator, supporting businesses in the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions. She brings a strong background in special projects management and previously served as the Disaster Response Program Manager for the PA Small Business Development Centers, coordinating statewide COVID-19 recovery efforts for small businesses.
Beth earned an M.A. in Public Administration from Kutztown University in 2020 and holds degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice Administration. Her work in state and local government has included research on Pennsylvania’s CRIZ program and leading community-based economic development initiatives.

In addition to her APEX role, Beth is a business owner and nationally certified paralegal who consults with local law firms on business formation and probate matters. A resident of northeast Pennsylvania, she serves on the board of her local recreation organization, enjoys global travel, and proudly supports her children at their sports.

Yolanda Goodloe

Region 4 Director

Yolanda Goodloe brings over 25 years of public service and leadership in supplier diversity. As a Government Contracting Consultant with the Florida APEX Accelerator, she equips entrepreneurs and small businesses in Pinellas County with the tools to navigate and win government contracts.

Previously, she served as Human Relations Specialist for Lee County Government and as liaison to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Council. She also led major procurement equity efforts as Equal Opportunity Director for the City of Fort Lauderdale, overseeing DBE and federal certification programs tied to large-scale capital and transportation projects. Yolanda combines practical training, compliance expertise, and a passion for economic inclusion. Her impact earned her the 2024 NAPEX People’s Choice Award for Economic Impact and election as Region 4 Director. A proud Florida State University graduate with a B.A. in Political Science and History, Yolanda remains a driving force in expanding federal contracting access for small businesses Throughout the state of Florida.

Jutta Bangs

Region 5 Director

Jutta has a professional background that includes business management, computer science, social media, data management & analysis, international business, cybersecurity, and supply chain management.

In 2020, she joined the Tennessee APEX Accelerator. Prior to that role she was a Director with the TN Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for 14 years. She also counsels on advanced topics such as innovation (SBIR/STTR) and is the cybersecurity specialist with the TN APEX. Jutta is a Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) and considers herself a lifelong learner.

Olga Martinez

Region 6 Director

Olga Martinez is the program administrator for the APEX Accelerator at Schoolcraft College in Metro-Detroit, Michigan. She leads a dedicated team focused on helping businesses navigate government procurement and increase their success in the government contracting marketplace.
With over 15 years of experience in lifelong learning, partnership engagement, program development, and strategic management, Olga is a skilled relationship builder. She works to establish mutually beneficial partnerships and expand strong referral networks.

Olga also serves as the director for Region 6 on the NAPEX Board, where she engages members by sharing Board priorities, coordinating guest speakers, and creating opportunities for peer collaboration and learning.

Chuck Beck

Region 7 Director

For the past twelve years, Chuck has served the Nebraska APEX Accelerator – covering a 50,000 square mile territory in Central and Western Nebraska. Chuck received his CPP Certification in 2016, and was elected to serve as NAPEX Region 7 Director in 2023. In his role on the NAPEX Board, Chuck has been instrumental in establishing the NAPEX National Training effort to coordinate nationwide (NAPEX-wide) training with agency partners. Chuck is known for being a dedicated and purpose-driven leader that thrives on recognizing potential, aligning resources, and moving results from good to great through strategic analysis and exceptional customer service. In 2020, Chuck was presented the Dean’s Citation for Excellence in Performance for UNO’s College of Business Administration, and in 2022 was recognized at the Nebras

Cynthia Carrier

Region 8 Director

Cindy Carrier is the Program Manager for University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s statewide Louisiana APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) Region 8 Director, serving Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. In 2022, LA APEX was honored with the NAPEX “Outstanding Project Award.” Additionally, LA APEX has received NAPEX’s “Outstanding Center” and “Humanitarian Award”. Mrs. Carrier received the Small Business Administration’s Louisiana Small Business Advocate of the Year award.

Cindy holds a NAPEX Certified Procurement Professional certification and earned her Fellows certification from the National Association of Contract Management. She previously served as the Subcontracting Director for General Dynamics Space Systems, where she managed contract administration for the Superconducting Super Collider project, totaling $26.5 million, and was recognized with the General Dynamics Outstanding Contributions to Small Business Program award.

Mrs. Carrier earned her MBA degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and has 36 years of experience in government procurement and contract administration.

Beth Freeman Myers

Region 9 Director

Originally from Arizona, Beth and her husband now call Rathdrum, Idaho home. Beth has been on the Idaho APEX team as a business consultant since 2020, and also serves as a Regional Director for the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX). She has a BA in Business Development, and holds the NAPEX Certified Procurement Professional title as a Senior APEX Consultant, assisting clients primarily located in the Idaho panhandle.

Beth and Rick enjoy time with their combined seven adult kids and 6 grandchildren. Off-time includes boating on the lake, volunteering, and enjoying the local restaurants.

Mike Sabellico

Region 10 Director

Mike Sabellico is the Regional Director of the San Diego, Orange, and Imperial APEX Accelerator. He brings over 30 years of experience in program leadership, multi-million dollar budget management, and process improvement. Mike previously served as a part-time consultant and full-time Senior Procurement Advisor. A 20-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran, he held several Command Cadre positions, gaining expertise in maritime operations, emergency response, search and rescue, counter-smuggling, and disaster recovery.

Following his Coast Guard service, Mike led business development for a San Diego-based defense contractor with locations nationwide. In 2010, he founded Vanguard Global Solutions, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business specializing in Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness, and business consulting services, including marketing, growth strategy, and government certifications. Mike is a hands-on program manager who excels at uniting diverse technical and management teams. His deep understanding of government contracting makes him a trusted resource for businesses navigating the federal procurement space.

Venessa Gleich

Region 11 Director

Venessa Gleich serves as the Program Manager for the American Indian Chamber Education Fund APEX Accelerator (AICEF), a role she has held since November 2010. Based in Chandler, Arizona, she is responsible for the direct oversite of 4 office locations in California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.

With over 30 years’ experience in federal contracting, she provides strategic and tactical government procurement counseling, training, and education. Her work helps to support Native American businesses, Tribal Enterprises, Alaskan Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in navigating opportunities to sell their products and services to federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies. AICEF APEX proudly serves 197 Tribes across seven states.

Chris Hollingsworth

Awards and Recognition

Chris started with the Illinois APEX Accelerator program in 2011 and is currently the APEX Accelerator Director at the Joseph Center, in Forest Park, IL.

In this role, Chris assists Northern Illinois companies with improving their current government procurement initiatives; including, solicitation/RFP analysis, proposal creation assistance, market research, contract administration assistance, and customized computerized bid matching service. He has a background in sales and marketing in the consumer product goods and foodservice equipment sectors of business, where he initiated his government sales experience and was vital to incremental revenue growth for those organizations. He gained knowledge of developing and implementing government marketing strategies within these market segments through initiating and negotiating General Service Administration (GSA) contracts and pricing with government agencies. Chris served as a Medical Corpsman in the US Navy and holds a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Allen Waldo

Ballots

Allen Waldo, CPP, joined the MO APEX in 9/14. He serves SW MO, including the Springfield & Joplin. At one time, he was an executive in rural hospitals in MO.

He received his Master’s Certificate in gov’t contracting from George Washington U. He served on the APTAC board as Region Director for 7 and now serves as chairman of the Ballots committee and serves on the Membership Committee. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University).

Married to his wife for 38 years. They have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. He enjoys camping, board games, live concerts, and collecting LPs. He is also a St. Louis Cardinals/Blues and KC Chiefs fan.

Beth Alboucq

Bylaws

Beth Alboucq is the Program Manager for the Southeast PA APEX Accelerator, supporting businesses in the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions. She brings a strong background in special projects management and previously served as the Disaster Response Program Manager for the PA Small Business Development Centers, coordinating statewide COVID-19 recovery efforts for small businesses.
Beth earned an M.A. in Public Administration from Kutztown University in 2020 and holds degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice Administration. Her work in state and local government has included research on Pennsylvania’s CRIZ program and leading community-based economic development initiatives.

In addition to her APEX role, Beth is a business owner and nationally certified paralegal who consults with local law firms on business formation and probate matters. A resident of northeast Pennsylvania, she serves on the board of her local recreation organization, enjoys global travel, and proudly supports her children at their sports.

Jutta Bangs

Communications

Jutta has a professional background that includes business management, computer science, social media, data management & analysis, international business, cybersecurity, and supply chain management.

In 2020, she joined the Tennessee APEX Accelerator. Prior to that role she was a Director with the TN Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for 14 years. She also counsels on advanced topics such as innovation (SBIR/STTR) and is the cybersecurity specialist with the TN APEX. Jutta is a Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) and considers herself a lifelong learner.

Jen Dangelo

Curriculum

Jen Dangelo has been helping entrepreneurs set and reach goals for their businesses for more than 15 years. Jen holds a Bachelors degree in Business & Communications, and a Masters degree in Adult Online Education. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee APEX Accelerator (TN APEX) in 2019, Jen guided entrepreneurs through her role as a counselor and director of a Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) for over a decade.

Jen’s specialty areas are marketing, branding, web and graphic design. Jen serves as the Program Support Specialist for the TN APEX, and her roles include administering the Neoserra database, creating marketing materials for the program, building and maintaining the TN APEX website, and ensuring all reporting for the program is accurate. Jen serves as the Curriculum Committee Chair where she brings her passion for online education to NAPEX’s counselor onboarding program. Jen believes knowledge should be shared, not hoarded, and that we should never stop learning.

Miranda Pelkey

Education

Miranda Pelkey is the Program Director for the Maine APEX Accelerator. She joined the program as a procurement counselor in January 2020, became Deputy Director in 2023, and moved into the Director position in May of 2025. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Adult and Higher Education Administration, Miranda brings a client-centered, educational approach to her program.

In 2020, Miranda joined the NAPEX Curriculum committee where she assisted in the creation and launch of the first official NAPEX onboarding platform and later went on to become committee chair. In June of 2025, Miranda accepted the role of Education Committee Chair where she focuses on maintaining synergy between all aspects of NAPEX education.

Shannon Wilson

Membership

Shannon Wilson is a Procurement Counselor with the Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator, bringing nearly a decade of experience helping businesses navigate the government marketplace. With a background in Historic Preservation and a love of the outdoors, she brings a fresh perspective—especially when working with innovative clients forging new paths. Shannon supports businesses at all stages, from “what’s a UEI?” to “let’s pursue that SBIR,” and is known for making complex processes clear, approachable, and even enjoyable. She also develops and delivers training on federal, state, and local procurement topics.

Shannon holds a procurement counseling credential from the National APEX Accelerator Alliance and is an active member of the National Contract Management Association and the National Defense Industrial Association. She’s excited to serve as the new Membership Committee Chair for NAPEX. Shannon is happiest when helping bold business owners turn ideas into real opportunities—with a coffee in hand and a trail nearby.

Gary Moore

Professional Review

Gary retired from the U.S. Navy in 2001 after 23 years of service. He worked a couple of jobs before starting with the State of Idaho in 2007. He started with the Idaho PTAC in 2008 as a counselor and was selected to be the Program Manager in 2009. During his time at the Idaho PTAC he served as the APTAC Region 9 Director and as Secretary and Treasure on the APTAC Board of Directors.

In 2019, he went to work for the Oregon GCAP as a Government Contracts Counselor and was assigned responsibility for eastern Oregon.

Dave Pease

Stakeholders

Dave’s early career as an environmental scientist evolved into business management and successful entrepreneurship. His formative experiences as a business owner and manager led him to 29 years in business assistance, where he has worked with thousands of companies, first in a private consulting practice, later as an NH Small Business Development Center counselor. From 2008 to 2023, he managed the award-winning N.H
APEX, a program of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, where he continues to serve as a Senior Counselor. Dave has long been active in NAPEX, the professional association of APEX Accelerators, and serves on its Executive Committee since his election to the presidency of that organization in 2022

Dave holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and a Master’s in Resource Administration and Management from the University of New Hampshire, is an avid skier, and is a resident of the New Hampshire seacoast region.