As a native son of the Mid-Atlantic, Gary Washington, who serves as the Chief Architect of the FDA, has the DNA to make a success of his position. Raised in Southeast Washington DC, Gary joined the Air Force right out of high school and spent ten years immersed in networks, mainframes and databases.

Control systems and the U.S. Air Force NCO Leadership School. After leaving the Air Force, Gary then went on to a 6-year stint in the private sector followed by a return to the Federal Government.

Meetings are a necessary staple of Dr. Warren Ritchie's work life as Leader of Business Integration Services at Volkswagen of America.

He's had thousands of them in a distinguished career at the automaker. Amid them all, however, there have been a few meetings that truly stand out.

On a brisk fall day several years ago, Ritchie had one of those extraordinary meetings, which ultimately—in the years since—guided the wholly owned subsidiary of VW along a strategic path that should be the envy of its peers.