Institute Staff & Advisory Board

After a successful seventeen-year career co-founding and operating Ocean Petroleum Co., Inc., a petroleum distributorship, Thomas E. Kelso joined Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. in 1997 and created the firm’s Downstream Energy and Convenience Retail Investment Banking Group which is the national leader in providing investment banking services to the companies in the petroleum marketing and convenience store industries. During his career, Kelso managed scores of petroleum distribution and c-store transactions and was a frequent speaker at various industry meetings discussing topics related to capital formation and mergers and acquisitions. He served as Group Head until he became President of the firm in 2017. As President, Kelso focused on the continued growth of Matrix through the addition of new industry verticals and management of the firm, while also continuing to assist on downstream energy and convenience store transactions, mentoring young professionals and developing a marketing strategy to further drive the growth of the firm. In addition, Kelso served as Head of Matrix’s Corporate Recovery Group where he led the firm’s efforts in more than fifteen bankruptcy cases. Kelso retired from Matrix at the end of 2022. He remains eligible for Series 79, 63, 24 and 99 licenses through FINRA's MQP program.

Kelso currently serves as Chairman of the Kelso Bishop Family Foundation, and he serves on the Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee of CrossAmerica Partners LP (NYSE:CAPL) and on the Advisory Board of a large private company. He serves as a member of the Board of the Cecil County Breeders Fair focused on maximizing the usage of Special Events Zone at Fair Hill.

Kelso previously served as Chairman of An America United, Inc. and Change Maryland, Inc. which are social welfare organizations created to advance the bipartisan message of Governor Larry Hogan nationally and in Maryland. Previously, Kelso was Chairman of Hogan for Maryland (Governor Hogan's campaign for the US Senate), Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, Chairman of the Hogan-Rutherford Re-election Committee, Chairman of both of Governor Hogan’s inaugural committees, Vice Chairman of the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House Maryland, Chairman of the Maryland Public Policy Institute and Director and Chairman of the John Carroll School. Kelso attended the University of Baltimore and The Johns Hopkins University where he majored in accounting. While enrolled at John Hopkins, he served as Business Manager of the Evening College and Summer Session.

In 2025, Kelso received an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree for Public Service from Washington College.

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

Amelia Chassé Alcivar serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at HRP Group, a multi-strategy real estate investment firm specializing in complex redevelopment projects in urban environments across the country. Alcivar leads HRP’s portfolio-wide external affairs and corporate communications, managing strategic initiatives across government relations, community and media relations, and stakeholder engagement. She is based in the firm’s Alexandria, Virginia office.

Prior to joining HRP, Alcivar spent 15 years in strategic communications, public affairs and senior management roles in diverse states across the country, most recently serving as chief of staff to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. The first woman to hold the position, she worked collaboratively with public and private partners at the state, local, and federal levels to advance administration priorities, including managing Maryland's Covid-19 pandemic response and the development of the state’s $60 billion annual budget. She previously served in senior communications roles for Governor Hogan, the Republican Governors Association, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Alcivar holds a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She is a recipient of numerous honors, including City & State Pennsylvania’s Government Relations 100 (2025), the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 (2025), Women in Government Relations’ Governor’s Staff Award (2021), the Maryland Daily Record’s Power 40 (2021), and Campaigns & Elections’ Rising Star Award (2013). She serves on the Board of Directors for the Committee of Seventy, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and Cornerstone Craftsman, a nonprofit focused on providing pathways for youth in the skilled trades. A native of Maine, Alcivar resides in Old Town Alexandria with her husband and rescue cat, Lucky.

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

Edward A. Burchell III serves as chief of staff at The Hogan Group, where he operates at the center of the organization’s strategic priorities and execution. He helps coordinate major initiatives, manage relationships with partners and stakeholders, and ensure projects move forward effectively across the organization. His work spans government, national campaigns, and nonprofit initiatives, with a focus on advising principals and operating in complex, fast-moving environments.

He previously served as Director of Operations for Governor Larry Hogan’s campaign for the United States Senate, helping lead a large-scale, high-profile operation. He oversaw day-to-day execution of the campaign while also acting as a close advisor to the candidate, with direct involvement in scheduling, logistics and constant coordination across senior staff and external partners. He also held a role with An America United, contributing to its strategic direction, communications, and broader relationship-building efforts.

Earlier in his career, Burchell served in the Office of the Governor Maryland as Special Assistant to the Governor. He supported the planning and execution of major public engagements and was involved in domestic and international travel advancing the state’s economic and diplomatic priorities.

Burchell has remained involved with his family’s business, Roseda Farm, assisting on special projects and business initiatives over the years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he helped the company adapt its customer outreach and sales efforts while supporting relationships with key wholesale and retail accounts. He has also assisted with state grant opportunities and other operational initiatives.

In addition to his professional work, Burchell has maintained a strong commitment to service. He has held leadership and volunteer roles with the Associated Catholic Charities of Baltimore and the Wounded Warrior Project. He is also a founding member of the Cyber Sciences Program at Loyola Blakefield High School, where he helped secure significant investment from regional businesses and foundations to establish and expand one of the country’s pioneering secondary-level cybersecurity programs.

Burchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications from Fairfield University. He resides in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife, Allison, and is a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church.

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

An emeritus member of the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors (BVG), Richard Creighton '73 is retired owner and CEO of TMG Custom Media, an independent custom publishing and multi-media marketing firm he co-founded with his wife Jane Ottenberg Creighton in 1981.

Creighton earned his bachelor’s in political science and French from the College and attended The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He began service on the BVG in 2010 and served as chair of the trustee committee, vice chair of the executive committee, as well as served on the advancement and honors & awards committee. Creighton was also on the former Campaign Steering Committee, 1782 Advisory Committee, President Leadership Council, 50th reunion committee, and is member of the George Washington Legacy Society. In 2015, he received the Alumni Service Award.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

A member of the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors since 2023, Hilary Harp Falk has been president and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) since 2022, where she began her career in environmental conservation as an intern in 1997. Before joining CBF, she held several senior roles at the National Wildlife Federation, including chief program officer.

Falk earned her undergraduate degree in environmental science from Franklin and Marshall College and master’s in natural resources policy from the University of Vermont.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

A member of the Washington College Alumni Board, Raquel Gomez Fernandez '16 is an environmental and social research analyst in the Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) at World Bank Group. Originally from Columbia, she is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and is experienced in environmental and social accountability in international financial institutions with an interest in Latin American politics, development, and human rights.

Fernandez graduated cum laude with a major in political science, with a concentration in Latin American studies and minor in history. She worked as a research assistant, teaching assistant, stage manager, GIS mapping assistant, worked in the Global Education Office, and was a member of the Spanish Club, Service Council Club, and Amnesty International. Fernandez earned her master’s in public policy and international development from The George Washington University ’21.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

An emeritus member of the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors, Stephen Golding '72 served as chair, 2018-24. He has over 35 years of experience in investment management, strategic resource planning, government administration, and financial leadership in higher education at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, University of Colorado, and Ohio University.

As a student, Golding majored in history and political science and was a member of the lacrosse team, wrestling team, and Kappa Alpha fraternity. He earned his master’s in political science from the University of Delaware. Golding has been managing partner for the 1782 Group, a higher education consulting firm he founded, and has also been a senior consultant with the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) and board member of the Forum for World Education. Prior to his higher education service, he was budget director and secretary of finance for the State of Delaware.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

A member of the Washington College President Leadership Council, Andrew King '97 is founder and president of Neale Creek LLC, a government affairs and political consulting firm he established in 2015. A history major, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021 for his excellence as leading scorer for three years on the men’s soccer team and member of the 1994 and 1997 NCAA Division III National Championship men’s tennis teams. He earned his master’s in public administration from Georgia Southern University in 2001. Prior to Neale Creek, King served for nearly two decades as senior staff to Senator Lindsey Graham, overseeing appropriations issues, with an emphasis on defense, energy and water, and the 150 Account, to include Africa, Mideast and State/USAID funding. He is also director of business development for North American Rescue, a defense and medical contractor dedicated to decreasing preventable death by providing medical products to governments, law enforcement, and EMS. King is also co-founder and treasurer of 150pac.org, a bipartisan PAC focused on federal candidates supportive of international affairs. King serves on the board of No Greater Sacrifice, an organization dedicated to honoring service members by investing in their children through education. 

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

An experienced real estate and finance executive, Edward Nordberg Jr. '82 is a senior managing director for ABR Capital Partners, an independent real estate investment company in Baltimore. Prior to ABR, Nordberg was the executive chairman of Wakefield Capital Management, which he co-founded in 2004, specializing in the acquisition and asset management of healthcare-related properties.

A former chair of the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors, Nordberg majored in economics and was a member of the men’s lacrosse team and president of his senior class. He earned his MBA from Loyola University and J.D. from Georgetown University. Nordberg has also served as former chair with both Rebuilding Together and the USA Lacrosse Foundation.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

Michael Ricci is one of Washington’s leading voices on communications, crisis management, and public affairs. With deep experience in both federal and state government, he has been at the center of some of the most consequential moments of the last two decades—helping advise leaders and guide institutions through challenge and change. His expertise is in distilling complex narratives, identifying emerging trends, and translating lessons from history into actionable strategies. He regularly speaks to audiences across sectors on communications, leadership, and the evolving intersection of politics and public trust.

Ricci is currently a partner at Seven Letter, a bipartisan strategic communications and public affairs firm based in Washington. He advises corporate and nonprofit leaders on strategy, storytelling, and reputation, drawing on direct experience in message development, organizational leadership, and navigating high-stakes crises.

Ricci spent nearly 15 years on Capitol Hill, most of that time in senior communications roles under House Speakers John Boehner as deputy communications director and Paul Ryan as communicators director, helping steer messaging during the landmark tax, trade, and budget debates of the 2010s. He was also a speechwriter for the two speakers, and collaborated with both on major speeches, including their farewell addresses. Prior to that, he held similar roles at the National Republican Congressional Committee under Chairman Tom Reynolds (R-NY) and the House Republican Conference under Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL).

Following his time in Congress, Ricci served as communications director for Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, where he led the state’s public relations response to the Covid-19 pandemic and helped maintain one of the highest approval ratings in the country. His team’s work was described by CNN’s Doug Heye as a “master class in crisis communications” and by The Capital Gazette as “consistent, objective, and almost omnipresent.” In 2022, The Daily Record named him an Influential Marylander.

In addition to his work at Seven Letter, Ricci teaches a seminar on crisis communications at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. He was a fellow at Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service in spring 2023 and a practitioner-in-residence at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics in fall 2025. He writes The Professor’s Cut, a Substack newsletter exploring lessons in public communications and leadership, and has provided political analysis for CBS News, C-SPAN, MSNBC, NPR, and BBC.

In his community, Ricci serves as chair of the Montgomery County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and is a lector at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Previously, he served on the University of Maryland Medical System Board of Directors. A Long Island native, Mike is a graduate of Columbia University

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

Christopher B. Shank is a senior public policy leader with more than 30 years of experience in Maryland state government across legislative and executive roles. He served 16 years in the Maryland General Assembly, representing Washington County in both the Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate. During his legislative tenure, he served on the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, was elected Minority Whip in the House, and chaired the Washington County Delegation. He also played a leading role in advancing a major package of public safety and corrections reforms, working with a diverse coalition of partners across the ideological spectrum.

Shank joined the Hogan-Rutherford Administration as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, where he led the state’s Justice Reinvestment Council, advancing reforms focused on expanding drug treatment and re-entry services to reduce recidivism. He later served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Legislative Officer, and Senior Advisor. In his final role in the administration, he helped lead the rollout of the state’s Covid-19 vaccine strategy, focused on technology enablement, and worked to enhance cybersecurity.

Today, Shank is a self-employed consultant advising clients in workforce development, technology, and economic development. He also serves on the board of Maryland Humanities.

Shank holds a bachelor’s degree in history from The Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree in political management from The George Washington University.

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

Tiffany Waddell is a thought leader, seasoned government relations executive, and Washington, D.C. insider with more than a decade of experience working alongside the nation’s governors to advance bipartisan public policy solutions. Most recently, she served as Director of Government Relations at the National Governors Association (NGA), where she led the organization’s federal advocacy efforts and ensured governors’ priorities remained front and center in Washington, D.C. In this role, she worked closely with governors, the White House, Congress, federal agencies, and international partners to address the country’s most pressing challenges. Prior to joining NGA, Waddell served for nearly six years as a political appointee for Governor Larry Hogan, where she was Senior Advisor and Director of Federal Relations, acting as the governor’s chief Washington, D.C. representative.

Earlier in her career, she managed government affairs for Delta Air Lines, overseeing PAC and grassroots engagement efforts. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor with the SINE Institute of Policy & Politics and on the board of directors for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital. A Maryland native, she holds a degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in legislative affairs from The George Washington University. She lives in Maryland, with her husband and their three children.

Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan Jr.

A member of the Washington College Alumni Board, Minty Abraham Wade '04 is deputy director of strategic planning, program and resource management for USAID, where she began working as a policy advisor in 2011.

Wade majored in political science and was a member of Cater Society of Junior Fellows, Black Student Alliance, and has a master’s in international relations and affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. She received the Alumni Horizon Ribbon in 2017.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12

The Executive Director is an Ex Officio Member of the Advisory Board

Susie Chase '90 P'21, chief advancement and revenue officer.

A 1975 graduate of the College, Bryan Matthews had already worked at Washington for more than 25 years throughout his career before becoming president, serving in many leadership roles: head lacrosse coach, director of athletics, assistant to the president for special projects, associate vice president of administrative services, and interim vice president and dean of students.

As the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Policy, Victor Sensenig works with the president on the implementation of strategic objectives, oversees Middle States accreditation, and coordinates the College's participation in associations like MICUA and the Annapolis Group.

Sensenig acts as the primary staff liaison with the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors. He also heads the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, organizes Cabinet meetings, acts as a liaison with Staff Council, and represents the president on select faculty committees.

Sensenig joined the College in 2015. He received a Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Policy from Penn State University and previously conducted institutional research for the State University of New York. Before his doctoral study, he taught at a university in Central Java, Indonesia, in a term of service with Mennonite Central Committee.

Dr. Christine Wade is a specialist in the international and comparative politics of Latin America, with a focus on Central America and the Caribbean. Much of her field research is conducted in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, interviewing public officials, analysts and members of civil society. She has also served as an accredited election observer for various presidential, legislative and local elections in the region. In addition to her work with governmental and non-governmental organizations, Dr. Wade serves as an expert witness in immigration court.

Appointed by Washington College President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12