Leadership Team
Daniel V. Berkon
Dan Berkon is the Founder and CEO of Culmen International. He is an international expert in WMD nonproliferation, counter-illicit trafficking, and international procurement and logistics. Dan has served as an advisor on international security programs to the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, Energy, Justice and Homeland Security. His contributions have included nuclear security initiatives in the former Soviet Union, maritime security programs in Africa, border security around the world, and counterterrorism in the U.S.
Prior to founding Culmen International in 2004, Dan spent 11 years at SASI, another U.S. Government contractor. There Dan rose from Director of International Programs to the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. In 1992, he worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the East Europe Business Information Center.
Dan holds a MBA in International Business from Georgetown University, and a BA in International Relations from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Additionally, he is fluent in German. Dan is a personal recipient of the DoD David Packard Award for Acquisition and Logistics, the Admiral Stark Award for Innovation, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Outstanding Team Award, and the NAVAIR Award for Acquisition Excellence.
Myron Thomas
Myron Thomas serves dual roles as Culmen International’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), leading efforts to optimize operations and guide capital deployment to maximize organic and inorganic growth. As a member of the executive leadership team, Myron has an integral role in executing the Culmen’s strategic plan, developing and implementing its financial strategy, and providing servant leadership to ensure Culmen’s Divisions and Programs are well supported to exceed client expectations.
Prior to joining Culmen, Myron led multiple high-growth, private equity-backed companies as President, COO, and/or CFO. Most recently, he served as COO at Melwood, a mission-driven Federal contractor utilizing the AbilityOne program to employ individuals of differing abilities. Myron began his career in the audit and transaction services divisions at PwC and KPMG, respectively. After serving as an international ex-pat for Corning Incorporated, and after obtaining his MBA, he served as CFO for Corning’s corporate venture capital division, focused on fiber optic and photonics innovations. Throughout his 25-year career in Finance and Operations, Myron has established a reputation for building high-performing teams and aligning operating and financial metrics to support business strategy and high-growth. Myron has led multiple equity and debt financings and raised in excess of $1.2 Billion.
Myron holds a Master’s Degree in Public/Private Economic Policy (MPA) from Harvard University, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) Degree in Accounting from Florida A&M University. He is certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (GCMA), and Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and has earned a Six Sigma certification. Myron is a member of the Washington, DC/Baltimore Chapters of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and Leadership Greater Washington (LGW).
Mark Dumas
Mark Dumas is Culmen International's Chief Strategy Officer, leading the company’s efforts around analytics, strategic technical planning and thought leadership, partnership and channel development, and mergers and acquisitions. Mark is a well-respected entrepreneur, geospatial scientist and technology innovator with more than 20 years of experience.
Prior to joining Culmen, Mark was the Chief Strategy Officer for PlanetRisk where he tackled new ideas and concepts around global big-data and risk analytics. He was also the successful founder and CEO of SPADAC, a leader in geo-spatial intelligence that in 2010 became a part of publicly-traded GeoEye. As a senior executive with GeoEye until 2013, he played a key role in the organization’s continuing mergers and acquisitions activities. As part of GeoEye, SPADAC became an essential contributor in the area of geospatial predictive analytics for the US government.
Mark graduated from Mississippi State University with an electrical engineering degree and volunteers as a Cubmaster with Boy Scouts of America as well as coaching youth basketball. He was first exposed to geospatial technologies while completing an internship with Florida Power & Light.
Carlos Rivera
Carlos Rivera is Culmen International’s Vice President for Global Health, leading the company’s efforts around Public Health, Research and Development in the Life Sciences, and other Global Health initiatives. Carlos has over 40 years of experience working in the health sector and has participated in major assessments, evaluations, project implementation, and strategic planning activities for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), World Bank, foreign government, foreign military, and private sector clients.
Prior to joining Culmen, Carlos was the President and CEO of Vysnova Partners, Inc. and CAMRIS International, Inc. where he provided leadership and day-to-day management of corporate and project operations that support activities for Federal Agency clients on a global basis. In addition, he completed a successful career in the U.S. Navy as a Medical Service Corps Officer with a subspecialty in Healthcare Information Systems.
Carlos holds a degree in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University. In addition, he has completed graduate level courses in Supply Chain Management at Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth University, and coursework leading to earning a subspecialty in Information Systems Program Management at the Department of Defense.
Carlos volunteers with the Small Business Association of International Companies (SBAIC), the Board of Directors at the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, and the Board of Advisors at the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP). In addition, he serves as a business mentor under the U.S. Small Business Administration Mentor-Protégé Program, several corporate Advisory Boards, and as both a formal and informal business mentor to a number of U.S. small businesses.
John Fallon, Ph.D.
Dr. John W. Fallon, is Culmen’s Vice President of Corporate Operations. In this role, John leads Culmen’s Contracting Department, Quality Management, Regulatory Compliance, and International Operations. Additionally, he will oversee and manage the integration of Vysnova Partners. Dr. Fallon has 25 years of experience spanning all facets of government acquisition and operations, CONUS and OCONUS, and has spent equal time in both the public and private sector, all of which has been focused on advancing the mission of civilian and defense agencies. Throughout his career, John has continually investigated, implemented, and delivered approaches for improving acquisition and program management effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes-focused measurement of real results.
Prior to joining Culmen, John was the Chief Operating Officer of Vysnova Partners where he was responsible for overseeing all programs and activities to ensure profitability, client delivery, and mission success. Additionally, he managed the firm’s Human Resources, Operations, and Contracts Departments. He also played a lead role in the firm’s strategic planning and business development activities. From 1997 through 2010, John served as a Contracting Officer, Senior Procurement Analyst, Senior Program Manager, and a Professor of Contract Management / Program Management for Defense and Civilian Agencies in both CONUS and OCONUS locations.
Dr. Fallon graduated from LaSalle University (BA, Political Science and Economics), Villanova University (MA, International Relations) and Walden University (Ph.D., Public Administration). He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (MA program in Supply Chain Management) and Villanova University (MA program in Public Administration). He enjoys time with his family and resides in the Greater DC Area.
Simon Limage
Simon Limage is Culmen International’s Vice President of Nonproliferation and International Security. In this role he is leading program teams executing a range of contracts at federal agencies including equipment procurement and sustainment, training, logistics, and Advisory and Assistance Services. Simon also provide senior subject matter expertise and is involved with business development and strategic planning.
Prior to joining Culmen, Simon served in a variety of capacities in Congress and at the State Department (DOS), most recently as the DOS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Programs. In this role he managed 120 staff and $200 million in global programs that reduce the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. Simon was the United States Representative to the Boards of the International Science Centers based in Kazakhstan and Ukraine and served as the U.S. co-chair of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Also, within the DOS he served as chief of staff for the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.
Simon holds a Master’s Degree in Foreign Service and a Master’s in History from Georgetown University as well as a B.S. in International Relations and a B.A. in History from Tufts University. He is a non-resident scholar at George Washington University’s Elliott School in the Institute for Security and Conflict Studies. Throughout his career he has received several awards for superior management and for his role in the removal of chemical weapons from Syria and Libya and for ratification of the New START Agreement.
Louis Meier
Louis Meier, Culmen's Vice President of Global Security, Intelligence, and Logistics (GSIL), has a distinguished military and private sector career. He has a unique blend of international nonproliferation experience; operational and strategic planning; national level intelligence; Embassy positions; Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE); Combat Command (CCMD); and Program Management experience. Louis is an expert in national security issues, interagency cooperation, military to military cooperation, and international negotiations with extensive overseas experience. Louis has over 35 years of international experience serving in three U.S. Embassies and extensive travel internationally supporting the Defense Nuclear Agency now the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). He was the Officer in Charge of a US Navy Salvage Dive Team equipped with a hyperbaric chamber and served as the emergency diver on two US Navy Ships.
Louis earned a Master’s in Business Administration Escuela Superior de Peru where he was the first international student to attend and graduate the Peruvian Senior War College. Additionally, he graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy. He speaks Spanish and Afrikaans.
Geoff Hill
Geoff Hill serves as Culmen International’s Vice President of Business Development overseeing all business development activities for the company. In leading Culmen International’s growth initiatives, Geoff focuses on opportunity identification through tactical prospecting and market research, capture and customer positioning, as well as proposal development.
With over 15 years’ experience in business development, Geoff is a specialist in leading Business Development teams securing government awards in defense and civilian agencies. Having worked for mid-size and small businesses throughout his career, Geoff brings a blend of business acumen, marketing, business operations, contract administration and client relationship management to companies that contract products and services across different market sectors.
Geoff is a graduate of West Virginia University holding a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. A life-long Alexandrian, he is very active in the community supporting charitable organizations such as the Campagna Center and the Seaport Foundation. He has volunteered as the former Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at West Potomac High School and is engaged with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Laura Gosneigh
Laura Gosneigh serves as Culmen International's Vice President of Human Resources (HR) and Talent Management. In this role, Laura works with a fantastic team of professionals to execute in the areas of Payroll, Human Resources, and Talent Acquisition.
Laura received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University (Atlanta, Georgia) in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law (Newark, New Jersey). Laura has spent the last 20 years of her career working in various HR roles, including HR Generalist, Payroll Specialist, Recruiter, HR Business Partner, HR Manager, and HR Director.
Phuong Benfield
Phuong Benfield serves as Culmen International’s Vice President, Controller and Treasury, responsible for financial management operations and spearheading strategic and financial initiatives across the organization. In this role, Phuong leads all Culmen financial efforts, performs lead role across Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, and other financial systems, and ensures corporate financial and reporting systems meet regulatory, statutory, and financial and ethical standards, as well as cyber security needs. Phuong also serves as a key leader in Culmen’s Executive Leadership Team.
Prior to joining Culmen, Phuong led finance, accounting, treasury, and payroll efforts performing roles as a Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Accounting with previous government contracting entities. With over 30 years of experience, Phuong possesses deep expertise and far-reaching proficiency within finance and accounting operations, strategic financial planning, program control, risk management, treasury management, purchase accounting and system integration for company acquisitions, and taxation. Phuong successfully streamlined reconciliation and closing procedures eliminating weeks off of closing efforts and modernized revenue and margin review process to ensure accurate and complete
financial monthly.
Phuong holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in both Finance and Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. Phuong is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University and is a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP). Phuong is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Diane Cooper
Diane Cooper is Culmen International's Corporate Director of Quality Management. She has 25+ years’ experience managing Quality, Compliance, and Risk for large and small businesses in an efficacious manner. Her streamlined procedures for thorough and effective (yet practical) Risk, Compliance, and Program Management have been rated as best practices in formal CMM-Based Assessments and CMMI Appraisals. Diane has also managed several DoD Mentor-Protégé programs for government contractors, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force, including an outstanding Mentor-Protégé Program nominated for the 2018 Nunn-Perry Award.
Prior to joining Culmen, Diane led Business Process Solutions as CEO and Principal Consultant where she provided SME and consulting support to many commercial and government organizations including the National Weather Service, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Electronic Data Systems, and British Petroleum. Diane led the effort for concurrent implementation of SW-CMM and ISO 9000:2000 procedures within a large partnered (government & industry) organization. The organization was the first in the Army Personnel Command to achieve CMM Level 3. That achievement was part of a five-point nomination to the Pentagon for the 2001 Department of Defense CIO Award, which it won. As Senior Process Engineer of the Global Process Improvement team for General Motors, Diane defined and documented the role of the Process & Quality Assurance Engineers within the GM Software (SW) & Controls organization and then played a significant role in the merged SW & Controls/Powertrain organization to create a common set of processes across the many divisions and vehicle programs of GM to help facilitate the organizational turnaround.
Diane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate for Business Management with a Focus on Leadership and Organizational Change. As author of three top-selling books on the Capability Maturity Models (CMM/CMMI) under her previous name (Diane M. Burwick), she is recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of process improvement and her considerable expertise in CMMI and the ISO standards. She is also a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) from the American Society of Quality and is trained and experienced as an ISO Lead Auditor, FedRAMP Assessor, A2LA Accreditation Council Member, and CMMI Appraiser.