1ST CHOICE FINANCIAL GROUP™ is a highly accomplished, hands-on, and diligent organization, offering progressive experience and verifiable achievement in project management, business development, organizational operations, and contract negotiation, complemented with proven success in directing international projects for contractors. Extensive background in contractual and financial compliance issues related to project management. Comprehensive experience in directing and completing projects on-time and on-budget resulting in operational efficiencies and improved business operations. Exceptional leadership, social consciousness, and analytical and research skills. Well versed at establishing solid professional and personal relationships with individuals while maintaining high ethical and quality standards, professional demeanor, and a cooperative attitude. Excellent communication skills. Extensively worked in Ukraine, Poland, Africa, Middle East, Central America, and Asia.

1ST CHOICE FINANCIAL GROUP™ has been engaged in multiple verticals which include domestic and international agencies, non-profits, municipalities, and private corporations with extensive expertise in grants management, utilities systems, strategic and creative solutions, disaster response and mitigation, communications, data analysis, and economic development. We also specialize in Field Assessments, RFP/RFQ’s and Reports.

Executive Operations Team

Richard H.L. Marshall, ESQ
Chairman of the Advisory Board of 1st Choice Financial Group, LLC
Chairman of the Board of CinturionGroup
Colloquium for Information System Security Education (CISSE)
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC – Baltimore Area

Dr. Marshall offers 35 plus years of broad executive leadership experience as a former member of the Senior Executive Service in the federal government having served in the Department of Defense, National Security Agency (legal architect of nation’s first cyber warfare exercise), the White House (Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative), the Department of Commerce (Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office), and the Department of Homeland Security (Director of Global Cyber Security Management). 

Since retiring from the federal government (SES), he has broadened his executive experience by serving on various boards of directors, CEO of tech startups, Executive Director of a non-profit research center, and Special Cyber Advisor to the government of Moldova. He has extensive leadership experience and success in designing growth strategies, integrating policy, culture and training with technology issues, building relationships and delivering lasting results; strategic thinker who knows how to lead and most importantly, where to lead. 

Founder and Chairman of the Board of CinturionGroup, a global provider of international fiber optic cable communications systems and services delivering high-reliability and high-capacity solutions via the next generation of fiber optic networks. Current project is connecting Europe to India and Singapore through Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. 

Chairman of the Board of SDSE Networks – Home of SCOUT providing a software defined Secure Enclave. SDSE (SCOUT) secures and encrypts network communications each checkpoint, every instance, over any device, any place in the world. “Engineered with Stealth, Dark by Design.” 

Marshall graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in Political Science, History, and English; Creighton University School of Law with a J.D; Georgetown University School of Law with an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law; National Security Law Institute, University of Virginia School of Law; Harvard University School of Law Summer Program; Georgetown University Government Affairs Institute on Advanced Legislative Strategies. 

He has represented the United States before Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in London and is licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the United States Court of Appeals (8th Circuit), and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Dr. Marshall offers 35 plus years of broad executive leadership experience as a former member of the Senior Executive Service in the federal government having served in the Department of Defense, National Security Agency (legal architect of nation’s first cyber warfare exercise), the White House (Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative), the Department of Commerce (Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office), and the Department of Homeland Security (Director of Global Cyber Security Management). Since retiring from the federal government (SES), he has broadened his executive experience by serving on various boards of directors, CEO of tech startups, Executive Director of a non-profit research center, and Special Cyber Advisor to the government of Moldova. He has extensive leadership experience and success in designing growth strategies, integrating policy, culture and training with technology issues, building relationships and delivering lasting results; strategic thinker who knows how to lead and most importantly, where to lead. Founder and Chairman of the Board of CinturionGroup, a global provider of international fiber optic cable communications systems and services delivering high-reliability and high-capacity solutions via the next generation of fiber optic networks.

Kathrina L. Nease
CEO/President/PMP

Kathrina Nease brings a wealth of experience as the CEO/President of 1stCHOICEFG. With over 40 years in diverse sectors such as Six Sigma ISO 9002 QA/QC, Transportation Auditing, ISO 9001 QA/QC, Forensic Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Internal Control Design. She has cultivated a robust career serving international clients across Defense, Intelligence, Manufacturing, UN NGOs, and Military Hardware Industries.

Her tenure includes pivotal roles within the US Government, notably as Senior White House Special Projects Manager under President George W. Bush, specializing in Blast and Ballistic Engineering for critical government installations. Over four administrations, she has overseen numerous sensitive projects, including security assessments, operational reporting, and administering Grants, RFQ/RFPs, and managing Federal processes.

Kathrina has led complex defense contracts and governmental contracting efforts. Her leadership was instrumental in managing thousands of loss claims stemming from natural and human-induced disasters for the US Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, she designed and delivered annual training courses covering security, investigations, and compliance topics. Her dedication to excellence and strategic leadership continue to drive impactful outcomes in global defense and advisory services.

Dean R. Stevenson
VP Strategic & Creative Integrations

With over 28 years of diverse experience in creative direction, marketing, design, development, and strategy management, Dean brings an entrepreneurial mindset to pioneering industry innovations. He specializes in leveraging advanced technologies to enhance customer acquisition and retention, ensuring brands remain competitive. Dean is a visionary leader in integrated service and global marketing strategies, exemplified by his pioneering work in crisis management and public relations. His projected implementation
of the Emergency Disaster and Management System (EDAMS™) in Newark, New Jersey, stands as a testament to his collaborative approach to crisis management, fostering creative and strategic methods.

Leveraging social and marketing platforms, he effectively bolstered public relations efforts, promoted community engagement, and garnered positive feedback. His involvement in the conversion of shipping containers into versatile facilities has elevated brand visibility through targeted marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives. Dean has participated in budget discussions and created proposals for multi-million-dollar projects.

Rebecca Kephart
VP Cultural & Social Engagement

Experience in fostering and maintaining positive relationships between our organization and its stakeholders by bringing a unique combination of strategic thinking, communication skills, and community engagement expertise. Rebecca brings over 34 years of management experience in various aspects of state government, community organization, volunteer coordination and strategic critical response coordination. Certified Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt ready and able to provide root cause analysis for accurate problem definition, strategic stakeholder rapid improvement planning and outcome-based program evaluations.