With over 25 years of experience in venture capital, Gene Riechers has a wealth of knowledge for entrepreneurs to draw on. Gene was one of the founders of the Valhalla Partners, where he remains as a Senior Advisor. Prior to co-founding Valhalla Partners, Gene was co-founder and managing director at FBR Technology Partners, where he helped to foster a culture of success, overseeing the initial public offering of webMethods, the most successful IPO in history. Gene has spent years working in a variety of senior operating roles at technology companies and is the co-founder of the MindShare program, an invitation only development program for CEOs in the greater Washington D.C. region. We were fortunate to speak to Gene and ask him a few questions about venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Andrew Lustig is a partner at the Cooley Business department, and heads the Mid Atlantic Business Technology Group. Andrew specializes in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and is responsible for the representation of high growth technology  companies operating in both the public and private sectors. He is also the founder and board member of MissionLink, an exclusive, CEO-only organization that fosters collaboration, promotes access and opportunities for companies that focus on defense and national security missions. Andrew recently sat down with us to discuss his exceptional career, a meteoric rise that has garnered him regional and national attention, the major challenges that the public sector is currently facing, and what is being done to remedy the hurdles that face our government

Everyone loves a good beer. An ice cold pilsner after a long day toiling under the summer sun, or a hearty stout paired with a juicy steak, or a Belgian wheat beer topped with an orange wedge are all things of exceeding beauty and delight. Beer is the every-man’s drink, but is also highly refined and as sophisticated as the brewer wants it to be. Enter Nick Funnell. Nick is Great American Restaurant’s master brewer and the creator of some truly magnificent beers, some of which have garnered him professional plaudits and won him award after award. Nick took some time off his busy schedule to speak with us about our favorite drink.