Life Force

Christian Berger is the Managing Director within McGuireWoods' Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Debt Finance practice, based in San Francisco. He excels at business development, leveraging the firm's robust network with capital providers and operating companies to facilitate strategic corporate transactions. Christian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Individual Studies from the University of Maryland and has been recognized as the Legal Sales & Service Organization's "Sales & Service Executive of the Year" in the large-firm category for 2019. His thought leadership extends to frequent speaking engagements at industry conferences and contributions to legal insights on independent sponsor trends.

Steven Marder is a veteran leader in Technology, Media, and Telecommunications investment banking, with over 25 years of executive, advisory, and investment experience. At BTIG, he guides TMT-focused deal-making as Managing Director. Previously, he served as an Operating Partner at Morgan Joseph TriArtisan and Avista Capital Partners — specializing in internet, digital media, entertainment, and communications — where he also held board roles including at WideOpenWest (NYSE: WOW) and InvestorPlace Media. Earlier in his career, Steven co-founded and led startups like Eurekster and PetPlanet.com, and held strategic business development roles at EMI Music and Tribune Company. He holds a J.D. from St. John's University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University.

Jason Sugarman is a leader in finance, specializing in sports financing, asset-based lending, private equity, and infrastructure investments both domestically and internationally. He has invested in prominent franchises such as Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and the Oklahoma City Dodgers, and actively supports infrastructure initiatives that benefit communities across regions. A native of Los Angeles, Jason is also deeply involved in regional philanthropy and cultural ventures — particularly in the arts, eateries, and esports. Alongside his wife, Elizabeth Guber, he contributes to health and education nonprofits throughout the area. He's notably connected to the esports realm through investments in Team Liquid, a championship-winning team. Jason is also the son of Peter Guber and helps manage the family estate.

Paul Stimers is a Washington, D.C.-based partner and leader of Holland & Knight's Federal Government Affairs Practice, specializing in policy advocacy for emerging technologies including commercial spaceflight, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. He advises companies and industry associations on legislative matters and federal agency representation, with spaceflight work spanning licensing, liability, property rights, and debris mitigation. In IT policy, he founded a coalition advancing U.S. quantum leadership and manages industrywide security initiatives, and has championed international development efforts directing billions toward global water and sanitation access. He holds a J.D. and M.P.A. from Harvard University and a B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Washington.

Brad Gentile is the Founder and CEO of HillEast Group, a Washington, D.C.-based government affairs and strategic communications firm serving private-sector clients, state and local governments, and nonprofits. He founded the firm in 2017 following nearly a decade of bipartisan public service on Capitol Hill, where he served as Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and policy advisor to three members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House and the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee. Gentile built HillEast into a full-service practice spanning lobbying, communications, federal procurement support, and state advocacy.

Marty Obst is the Founder and President of MO Strategies, a political and corporate strategy firm advising political leaders and Fortune 500 companies nationwide. With over 20 years in Republican politics, he has held leadership roles on more than 80 federal and statewide campaigns and served in senior leadership positions on both the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Obst also served as Senior Political Advisor to the Vice President and as Deputy CEO of the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee, and is widely regarded as a trusted strategist bringing high-level campaign and governmental experience to corporate and policy clients.

Matt is a seasoned attorney, strategic advisor, and military officer with extensive political experience and institutional knowledge. He focuses his practice on assisting clients with navigating complex government processes, regulatory environments, government affairs, investigations and enforcement, and government contracting and procurement. He brings decades of experience in the public sector to Steptoe, leveraging his legal, policy, and political acumen to help clients navigate the complexities of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. During the first Donald J. Trump Administration, Matt held senior positions within the Executive Branch, including Deputy Assistant to the President and Acting White House Cabinet Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats, and Counselor for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior. Recently, Matt served as a policy advisor and instructor for the Trump-Vance Presidential transition team and as an attorney for the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Zack Larson is a senior federal market strategist with 15+ years helping small and mid-sized businesses win, scale, and sustain revenue in the federal marketplace. He has built and led capture, proposal, and go-to-market teams that have generated over $2B in contract awards and $1B in winning proposals. Formerly VP of Business Development at FedBiz Access (2010–2019), Zack has since founded and led multiple advisory firms — including Small Business Development Group, Federal Contracting Advisors, Sunstone Advisory Group, and GovPointe — and is a Partner at GovConAccelerator. He has consulted with more than 20,000 federal contractors, designed campaigns driving $100M+ in revenue, and directly supported over $50M in awards. Zack has guided 100+ firms to their first federal contract (now exceeding $200M cumulatively) and surrounds clients with seasoned federal acquisition leaders — including growing one client from startup to a top-10 national supplier.

Partner at Thrive Capital with deep expertise in growth-stage venture investing and strategic capital deployment across technology, healthcare, and enterprise sectors. Brings institutional-grade deal sourcing and portfolio development capabilities to the Alliance.

Brock Pierce is a pioneering blockchain entrepreneur and impact investor whose ventures have shaped the foundations of the digital-asset economy. He co-founded Tether, the world's most widely traded stablecoin, and Block.one, creator of the EOS blockchain, following an earlier career as a child actor. He served as Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation and co-founded Blockchain Capital, one of the industry's first dedicated crypto venture funds. Forbes has ranked him among the wealthiest individuals in cryptocurrency, and he remains active as an advisor and investor across blockchain, governance, and emerging-technology initiatives.

Kat Khosrowyar is Associate Director for Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at the American Chemistry Council, where she leads efforts to protect the chemical industry from emerging threats including drones, artificial intelligence, and cyber risks. Her international career has spanned energy, trade, and national security, beginning as a process engineer in LNG projects across Africa and Asia before serving as Trade Advisor Attaché for Luxembourg in the Middle East. At 17, Kat helped pioneer women's soccer in the Middle East, later founding and coaching the Iran Women's National Team and earning a FIFA nomination as Asia's Best Coach. In 2021, she co-led Operation Soccer Ball, the mission that evacuated members of the Afghan girls' national team to safety. She holds master's degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham and Global Affairs from Rice University, and has shared her story through global platforms including 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal, and TEDx.

Cem is a seasoned CEO and energy infrastructure executive with a proven track record of building, scaling, and transforming LNG and global power businesses. He has led multiple companies through high-growth expansion, turnarounds, capital raises, and complex international negotiations across private markets and large-scale infrastructure development. As founder and CEO of CryoPort LNG, he pioneered patented mobile storage and regasification technology that expanded LNG access for off-grid and flexible power applications. At West Africa LNG Group, he leads the Guinea LNG Project, a landmark initiative designed to support 1,800 MW of power generation and industrial growth. Previously, as CEO of Applied LNG, he restructured a distressed company with nearly $100 million in debt into a profitable enterprise valued at over $100 million. His background also includes senior investment leadership roles at Sandell Asset Management, Millennium Partners, and Merrill Lynch & Company.

Greg Warnock is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Mercato Partners, where he drives growth by aligning competencies, strategic relationships, and leadership development. He previously co-founded vSpring Capital and founded Junto Partners to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. A recognized leader in Utah's startup ecosystem, Greg has received awards for mentorship, directorship, and entrepreneurial support, and holds a B.S., M.B.A., and Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship and Venture Finance.

Matthew Jason Nordgren is an investor and Founder of Arcadian Capital. In 2005, Mr. Nordgren received his education at the University of Texas at Austin, while playing football for the Texas Longhorns Football Team. Throughout his career, he has singularly focused on finding synergistic opportunities in early stage private growth rounds that have upside potential. Matt plays a significant role in high net worth investments, particularly within the health and wellness sector. He is deeply committed to overseeing and enhancing the financial health of his partners' businesses and the companies in which they have strategically invested. Inspired by his belief that education and athletics can open doors for at-risk youth, Mr. Nordgren launched The Leadership Foundation — an organization committed to giving back to non-profits whose purpose is to empower youth through sports and education.

Rick is a healthcare leader, visionary and entrepreneur with a passion for reducing the cost of healthcare delivery with novel solutions that challenge the established inequities between provider, patient and supplier. Rick has successfully launched, grown and sold businesses that achieve this with novel technology, service, supply chain and product design solutions. Many in the healthcare industry have come to rely on Rick for perspectives and solutions that look beyond status quo and create real, measurable results that reduce costs while simultaneously improving the quality of care.

James "Jimmy" Milliron is Co-Founder & President of National Brokerage Atlantic, a leading independent advisory firm specializing in Wealth Enhancement, Estate Planning & Asset Protection for U.S. and international clientele. Mr. Milliron is an insurance veteran specializing in multi-channel distribution via independent & institutional channels, family offices, and law & accounting firms focusing on intelligent insurance strategies to help uncover, understand, and engage with affluent clients. Previously, Mr. Milliron served as Executive Vice President & Board Member of NexTier Bank's Insurance Division for fifteen years, responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing the Employee Benefits & Private Client division and advising high net worth individuals on life insurance-based wealth planning solutions. Mr. Milliron was instrumental in building NexTier's fully collateralized premium finance lending program to a $400MM+ portfolio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, German & International Studies from Virginia Military Institute and currently holds Series 22 and Series 63 securities registrations in addition to Life, Health, Property & Casualty, and Annuities Insurance Licenses.