AKG Executive Leadership

Michael H. Howland, Chief Executive Officer

As the founding partner of AKG, Mike provided the clear vision demonstrated by the AKG tagline,”linking the knowledge of people.” He wanted to create a company that specializes in combining the power of information technology with change management practices.

Mike’s powerful background has provided the basis for guiding AKG through its early years in the infancy of collaborative technology to the explosive growth being realized today. His experience helped structure AKG to join the human and technical skills required to enable clients to use computer-based tools in support of new ways of using learning and knowledge.  His guiding influence is based on the belief that computer-supported collaboration enhances organizational performance by providing the tools to preserve and share an organization's greatest asset,its knowledge.

Andy Campbell, President

A founding principal of AKG, Andy has extensive experience as a management consultant with a focus on government and larger private-sector organizations. His background includes experience in the national security community, as well as experience in the White House, working in the Office of the Vice President on the National Performance Review Team. Andy’s skills and expertise have helped shape AKG into a growing company that values people first and foremost. Andy received a B.A. in Politics from Princeton University and an M.S. in Organizational Development from The American University in Washington, D.C.  

Jim O’Farrell, Chief Operating Officer

Jim brings to his role a wealth of experience in management and technology consulting. His work history includes consulting giants Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG Consulting, and EDS. Jim also gained military leadership experience as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in overseas assignments, as well as with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). In his current role, Jim is responsible for carefully balancing the needs of an expanding company while maintaining a healthy, creative work environment; ensuring the quality of AKG’s client service; and delivering positive financial results for the company. Jim graduated the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Political Science. He holds an M.B.A. from Averett University. Jim is a member of Northern Virginia’s Volunteers for Change and is on the Board of Directors of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).

Katie Foroughi, Vice President—Operations

As Vice President—Operations, Katie plays a critical role in the growth and management of Applied Knowledge Group. Katie is an accomplished operations and human resources professional with a comprehensive background. Her skills and accomplishments make her instrumental as AKG continues to grow in both size and reputation. At AKG, Katie oversees all aspects of human resources, resulting in staff recruitment of highly qualified and satisfied employees.

Additionally, Katie is responsible for contracts with both clients and vendors. This role is central to ensuring that AKG, its clients, and its vendors have a clear understanding of expectations, deliverables, and deadlines for services. Katie has an A.S. in Legal Technology from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Pamela Harris-Vet, Director of Professional Services

Pamela brings an extensive information systems background to AKG. She has significant experience managing large-scale projects for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Robert Half International.  Her client experiences also include the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of the Vice President on the National Partnership for Reinventing Government where her responsibilities included centralized design, development, deployment and maintenance to support business processes for enterprise applications and initiatives.

Throughout her career, Pamela has managed global systems, client engagements, technical initiatives, project planning, staffing resources, training initiatives, and more. Her extensive, well rounded background enables Pamela to effectively manage the delivery of AKG’s professional services, which include our implementation and delivery, business process reengineering, behavioral change management, knowledge management, and training. Pamela earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies from the University of the Pacific, with an emphasis in Information Systems and Communications. 

Rance Hitt, Director of Technical Services

Rance has considerable experience in large systems and solution deployments, including management of large-scale projects. His employment history includes the United States Enrichment Corporation, where his clients included Lawrence Livermore Laboratories and Oak Ridge National Laboratories; and Total Resource Management, where his clients included Target Corporation, KBR, the U.S. Navy, and the New York Power Authority. Throughout his career, Rance has managed customer engagements, technology initiatives, project planning, staff development, strategic initiatives, and more. This background enables Rance to excel in managing the definition and delivery of AKG's technical services, which include development, deployment, and implementation resources. Rance earned a B.S. in Marketing from Towson State University. He is certified in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework for delivery optimization and earned Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.