LEADERSHIP
The DAWSON companies are subsidiaries of the Hawaiian Native
Corporation (HNC), a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)
Christopher Dawson
Founder - DAWSON and Hawaiian Native Corporation
Honolulu, HI & Denver, CO
An industry trailblazer in Native and Small Business Contracting with the U.S. Federal Government, Chris Dawson founded DAWSON in 1994. He currently leads the company’s business strategy, drawing on more than three decades of experience launching ventures and successfully positioning them for growth in emerging markets.
With the goal of bettering the environment in his home community, Chris started Dawson Environmental Services in 1994 as a solo entrepreneur providing soil remediation services throughout Hawaiʻi. Since then, he and his team have grown DAWSON into a diversified, global business enterprise based on traditional Native Hawaiian values. Almost 30 years later, Chris remains driven by the principle of being in business to make a difference. As a Native Hawaiian social entrepreneur, he is dedicated to principally benefitting the Native Hawaiian community through the work of DAWSON’s parent organization, the Hawaiian Native Corporation (HNC), which he established in 2004. He also served as founding President of the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA), the industry trade association for NHOs.
Learn more about our founder – chrisdawsonhawaii.com
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dave Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Denver, CO
Dave leads DAWSON’s operations and has dedicated his entire 20-year career to Federal Government contracting. Prior to being promoted to his current role, he served as GM for DAWSON’s Pacific Rim region where he grew partnerships and clients threefold.
Katie Harding
Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Financial Officer
Denver, CO
Katie has more than a decade of C-Suite leadership experience in driving business transformation for organizations. Prior to joining DAWSON, she held combined roles as COO & CFO in the defense and tech industries and spent 26 years in defense consulting.
Andrew Riehemann
Chief Information Officer
Ogden, UT
Andrew oversees the continued development of an innovative, best-in-class, information technology environment throughout the company. Prior to joining DAWSON, Andrew spent 25 years in multiple IT roles across a variety of industries.
Alan Reynolds
Chief Operating Officer &
Business Line Lead – O&M
San Antonio, TX
Alan brings to DAWSON more than 35 years of leadership experience in Fuels and Construction. He joined the company in 2014 as a Fuels Project Manager, growing the program significantly. Alan also served 20 years as a U.S. Air Force Command Fuels Manager.
Danielle O'grady
Chief Knowledge Officer &
General Manager – Dawson Solutions
Hamburg, NJ
Danielle brings to DAWSON more than 25 years of leadership experience in operations, capture/proposal management, and strategy. Since joining DAWSON in 2014, she has been recognized for her leadership, development of others, and creating positive, forward-thinking teams.
Dwayne sellers
Chief Strategy Officer
Seguin, TX
Dwayne joined DAWSON in 2014 and brings more than 35 years of experience in acquisition, risk management, and strategic planning and management. As a U.S. Air Force veteran, Dwayne served twice as Commander of a contracting squadron and deployed numerous times to Iraq and Saudi Arabia supporting contingency operations.
Mike Gelsleichter
Executive Director - PTS &
General Manager – Dawson AKT
Panama City, FL
Over the past 20 years, Mike has managed more than 100 contracts supporting DoD and Federal clients. He is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with 40 years of experience in Civil Engineering operations, training & education, construction/O&M, and program management.
Tom Coffey
Executive Director - Construction &
General Manager – D7
San Antonio, TX
Tom joined DAWSON in 2016 as Program Manager for the Fuels Service Line and opened DAWSON’s California office as General Manager. He has worked in DoD construction and operations management for the past 23 years. Currently, Tom serves as Director of Construction for the Western U.S.
Jason Shiflet, PhD, PG
Director - Environmental
Services
Belmont, NC
Jason brings over 25 years of technical, academic, and leadership experience in a wide range of environmental services. He currently oversees the Environmental Business Line, focusing on client relationships with best-in-class service, strategic partnerships and growth, and staff development.
Michael Fonseca
General Manager - Pacific &
General Manager – Dawson Enterprises
Honolulu, HI
Michael is Native Hawaiian and has spent his entire career executing DoD contracts for various agencies across the Pacific. He joined DAWSON in 2015 and currently oversees operations for the Pacific region, including the management and overall success of all Service Lines, client relations, and compliance.
Derek Kekaulike Mar
Cultural Advisor &
General Manager – Dawson MCG, LLC
Honolulu, HI
Kekaulike is Native Hawaiian and leads business strategy and operations for Dawson MCG, LLC. He also serves as a Cultural Advisor providing cultural training for DAWSON and the Hawaiian Native Corporation (HNC). He joined DAWSON in 2011 as a Project Manager.
Matthew Ferguson
General Manager - Dawson CMS, LLC
Arlington, VA
Matt joined DAWSON in 2017 and currently leads Consulting & Health Services. He brings 25 years of experience working in Management Consulting to provide federal government clients with strategy, performance, financial, analytics, and advisory services.
John (JD) Downing
General Manager - Dawson &
Associates, LLC
Sierra Vista, AZ
JD has over 15 years of small business management and leadership experience. He served in the US Army for eight years prior to venturing into Government Contracting. JD joined DAWSON in 2021 as a Strategic Advisor and is now the General Manager for DAWSON & Associates, LLC.
Dave McMindes
General Manager - Dawson BH Company
San Antonio, TX
Dave joined DAWSON in 2011, having previously served as a mentor in an Air Force mentorship program starting in 2000. He utilizes his decades of experience to provide operational and business development support across all of DAWSON’s Business Lines, including PTS, Construction, O&M, and Environmental.