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Power Moves: Meet the newest faces on the DMV’s quantum computing scene

IonQ and Quantum Computing added senior tech talent, plus C-suite hires from 3Pillar Global, ID.me and more.

IonQ's Kai Hudek in the lab. (Courtesy photo)

Power Moves is a column where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, new gig or promotion? Email us at dc@technical.ly.


Starting the year off strong, the DMV’s quantum companies are making moves in the hiring space.

This week, Leesburg, Virginia company Quantum Computing added former board member William McGann as its new COO and CTO. According to Quantum Computing, he’ll lead the team as it continues to advance and innovate its quantum optimization software.

“As a leader, I look forward to establishing an exciting, fast-paced business rhythm that is customer-focused and leading through innovation,” McGann said in a statement. “We will aspire to be the best in all that we do and endeavor to become the preeminent leader in delivering quantum solutions to the market that advance customer business and application outcomes.”

William McGann. (Photo via LinkedIn)

The company also added Michael Turmelle, a former chairman of Ideal Power, to its board of directors.

And following its uber-successful IPO in 2021, College Park, Maryland quantum firm IonQ has pulled some power players into its fold.

On the leadership side, IonQ has added two new members. Ariel Braunstein, the cofounder of Pure Digital Technology and a former product lead at Cisco and Google’s  AV/VR department will join as senior VP of product management. Dean Kassman, former senior director at Blue Origin, was also named as VP of research and development.

Additionally, the company added Inder Singh, executive VP and CEO at Arm, a British semiconductor firm, to its board.

“It is an incredibly exciting time to join IonQ’s Board, having watched the company grow from a startup to the quantum computing industry leader it is today,” said Singh in a statement. “Government, business and society as a whole are quickly recognizing quantum’s ability to solve previously impossible problems, and they are turning to IonQ for counsel and strategic partnership. I could not be more excited to be joining the Board and helping the team potentially shape the next frontiers of technology.”

Inder Singh. (Photo via LinkedIn)

3Pillar updates its C-suite

In the past month, Fairfax, Virginia software developer 3Pillar has made a ton of hiring moves, including adding three members to its C-suite.

In mid-December, the company added Ken Krtiz as senior VP of banking and insurance, Chris Hansen as senior VP of communications and Kim Mirazimi as senior VP of commercial sector clients.

At the top, 3Pillar promoted its chief delivery officer David Sawatzky to the role of COO. Jamie Whitacre, previously the senior VP of talent, was also bumped up to the role of chief people officer. And just this week, 3Pillar appointed Jeff Sperber as its new CFO. Sperber was previously the CFO for companies including Class Valuation, TalentReef, NetDocuments and Accenture Mortgage Cadence.

“I’m thrilled to continue my journey at 3Pillar as we expand our global presence and scale our culture,” said Whitacre in a statement. “Our next phase of growth is critical in helping us attain our vision of becoming the employer of choice in digital product development services.”

Other notable tech leadership changes in the DMV region

  • Revolution Growth, the DC growth-stage capital fund, added Fazeela Abdul Rashid as a partner to its investment team.
  • Downtown DC data intelligence firm Morning Consult announced three new hires. Julia Chambers will be joining as senior director of client services, Angelina Nikoloff as a software engineer and Alex Willemyns as its geopolitics editor.
  • A former product leader at Amazon, Stephen Benedict, joined McLean, Virginia identity software firm ID.me. YouTube Director of Product Management Erin Teague also joined the company’s board of directors.
  • Afiniti, a DC-based firm that develops AI for use in healthcare, telecommunications, hospitality and more, appointed Larry Babbio as its new CEO. Babbio is the former vice-chair and president of Verizon.
  • Ashburn, Virginia’s DXC Technology, an IT and cloud services firm, named Kristie Grinnell as senior VP and CIO. She previously held leadership positions at General Dynamics Information Technology.
  • TEDCO, the Columbia, Maryland-based startup funding entity, added Elizabeth Good Mazhari as a diversity, equity and inclusion advisor, developing strategies in administration, talent management, programs and funding.
  • The Telecommunications Industry Association, a trade association based in Arlington, Virginia, added Bruce McClelland and Charlie Vogt to its board.
  • Investment organization T. Rowe Price, based in Baltimore, Maryland, appointed Rob Sharps as its CEO and chair of the entity’s Management Committee.
  • AT&T’s inaugural class of its Dream in Black Rising Future Makers, which honors students from historically Black colleges and universities, included three students from DC’s Howard University. Kayla Austin, Gabrielle Stewart and Leyha Williams were honored on the list.
  • Arlington’s Amify, an Amazon-as-a-service provider, added Christine McCambridge as its senior VP of delivery, Drew Hall as VP of sales and Steve Peele II as VP of marketing.
  • Alexandria, Virginia City Council hired James Parajon as the next manager of the city.
  • Alongside its name change, Chantilly, Virginia systems engineering company Arcfield (formerly CTFV Acquisition Corp) named Kevin Kelly as its CEO and chairman.
  • Old Dominion University’s Research Center for Bioelectronics, based in Norfolk, Virginia, named Gymama Slaughter as its founding CEO.
  • Pivotal Analytics, a healthcare analytics company in DC, has built out its engineering and growth teams. Jeff Chromulak, Rob Haberstroh, JR Hohman, Jeremy Moore, Todd Kozikowski and Sylvia Marten are the latest adds to the team.
  • Reston, Virginia digital audience company Comscore appointed Brian Pugh as its CIO. Pugh has been with the company since 2007.
  • Govplac, a fellow Reston firm for systems integration, added Lauren Shaffer as VP of sales.
  • Russ Langford is the new chief growth officer of Acuity International, a Reston tech services firm.
  • Agile tech firm Excella, based in Arlington, named Eddie Morris as VP of strategic pricing and profitability.
  • Reston’s Electrosoft, an IT and professional services firm in the cybersecurity space, promoted Justin Lapington to CFO.
Companies: IonQ / 3Pillar Global
Series: Power Moves
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