Meet Our Team

Lisa Newell
With over 27 years of experience in the federal sector, Lisa Newell has received numerous awards for capturing the largest contracts in corporate histories for some of the most prominent companies in the world. And not just large companies--she has helped small companies establish business operating infrastructures, launch new business units and exceed revenue and profitability objectives annually. Her responsibilities have included operations and business development, service integration, solutions development, and information security.

Newell is extremely active in the federal community. She serves on the board of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) DC Chapter where she runs the programs, supports the NOVA chapter as a volunteer, and is an active member of a number of other associations including the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), the National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) and the American Management Association (AMA).

Ms. Newell holds an MS and BS in Economics, receiving an academic letter for graduate studies, and an MBA in finance. Her best-known publication was a cost benefit study comparing the use of enterprise software licenses to the as-is incremental purchase model used. This watershed study was considered a major factor in changing federal IT spending.


Ken Allen
Kenneth J. Allen, practiced law for the federal government for over 32 years, mostly in contracting and fiscal law. His assignments while in government included Defense and Army information systems commands, medical research and materiel commands, and the Defense Business Management University, where he served as the legal advisor on fiscal law, as well as on fiscal law training and syllabi requirements. For the past fifteen years, Ken has also taught in the government and private sector, and has authored over thirty course manuals on several subjects including government contracting, federal appropriations and fiscal law, contract interpretation, federal grant practice, trial advocacy, and leadership and management. He has taught fiscal law for the American Society of Military Comptrollers (both at the National and Chapter levels), the Army War College, and numerous federal agencies. He is also now (2006-present) an adjunct faculty member of the Naval Postgraduate School, for whom he taught at their campus at Monterey, CA and at sites overseas.

Ken is a graduate of the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, the Army JAG School resident basic and advanced courses, the Army Management Staff College, the Defense Business Management University, and the Army War College.

Dr. Joanne Yamauchi
Dr. Joanne S. Yamauchi is a Professor Emerita of Communication in the School of Communication at The American University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Yamauchi received her B.A. in English and Theatre from Goucher College, her M.A. in Speech Communication with honors from Columbia University, and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University.

Her research and training efforts for the past 38 years have focused on managing culturally diverse communication in organizations. She has also conducted numerous seminars nationally and internationally for over 100,000 professionals. Her seminars have been conducted for all of the major U.S. government departments and numerous corporations, nonprofit organizations, and universities. Her most recent publication is “The SOLVE Communication Method ™: Working out of the Bamboo Box with Asian Pacific Americans and African, European, Hispanic, and Native Americans.” Dr. Yamauchi has received grant awards from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Education, and The American University. Her achievements have been listed in the World Who's Who of Women and the Who's Who of American Women. She also was recognized nationally for her work with the "Excellence 2000" award from the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and was named "Asian American Professional of the Year" by the National Association of Asian American Professional Women. She also has the distinction of being the youngest professor and the first Asian American woman to attain tenure and the rank of full professor at American University.

Dr. Yamauchi has also served as an associate editor of several communication journals; governing board member of the Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research; and commissioner of the Intercultural and International Communication Commission of the National Speech Communication Association.

The Solve Communication Method

A hands-on, practical manual with examples, tools, diagrams, cases, and hundreds of practical tips to develop your skills as a culturally competent and innovative communicator. Featuring the SOLVE Communication Method ™, a proven technique developed by Dr. Joanne Yamauchi, professor of communication, American University, Washington, D.C. and a nationally recognized organizational consultant and workshop facilitator for the past 38 years who has trained over 100,000 professionals in all of the U.S. government departments and numerous Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, and universities. Master communication strategies to go outside of your cultural comfort zones to bridge cultural divides of workplace misunderstanding and tension. Transcend cultural stereotypes to recognize and engage top talent of major cultural groups of employees Leverage knowledge about multicultural perspectives from a team of cultural consultants to improve team cohesion and productivity; enhance employee collaboration skills to ensure an engaged, loyal, high-performing workforce $24.50—discounts for bulk purchases Special discounts for non-profit organizations. Profits will be donated to select college/high school student scholarship funds.

• About The Author, Dr. Joanne Yamauchi
• $24.50—discounts for bulk purchases Special discounts for non-profit organizations. Profits will be donated to select college/high school student scholarship funds.

Middle East and Asia Support

Kimberly Seifert - View Resume
Kim establish relationships between US-based firms and companies around the Middle East and Asia pursuant to BGA’s mission of helping US companies expand their presence in the federal sector; roles include: providing translations, ensuring mutual understanding and accurate representation, acting as a liaison between domestic and foreign entities.

Omer Ashkenazi - View Resume
Omer establish relationships between US-based firms and companies around the Middle East and Asia pursuant to BGAʼs mission of helping US companies expand their presence in the federal sector; roles include: providing translations, ensuring mutual understanding and accurate representation, acting as a liaison between domestic and foreign entities