Industry leaders, entrepreneurs come together to guide the university toward its future.
Marymount University has announced the appointment of six distinguished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Jeffrey Houle, Tami Jackson Buckner, Antonios Skoulariotis, Cecilia Hodges, Alberto Omeechevarria, and Andrea Dykes. Their terms began on Friday, November 14, following the conclusion of service for F. Kevin Reynolds and Alexandra “Lexy” Kessler.
“We are deeply grateful to Kevin Reynolds and Lexy Kessler for their years of dedicated service,” said Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University. “Their leadership strengthened the Board and helped guide Marymount through an important period of growth and transformation. We are equally excited to welcome our newest Trustees, each of whom brings strategic insight, professional excellence and a strong commitment to our mission.”
The six incoming Trustees represent a wide range of expertise across law, government relations, banking, cybersecurity, construction, and wealth management. Their collective leadership reflects Marymount’s continued prioritization of innovation, community engagement, and values-driven governance.
Jeffrey Houle is the Chair of the Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Transactional Practice at DLA Piper LLP. As a dual-qualified law partner in both the U.S. and the U.K., he possesses extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and cross-border transactions. Jeff represents a diverse clientele, including aerospace, defense, and technology companies, as well as global investors, private equity firms, family offices, and strategic acquirers across various sectors. Recognized as a thought leader, Jeff actively contributes to prominent business and academic forums. He has held key leadership roles within the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, DC. Additionally, he serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and alumni associations. Jeff is an alumnus of Boston College, Western New England University, Georgetown Law, Harvard Business School, and the University of Oxford.
Tami Jackson Buckner, Partner and Chair of the Energy and Environment Practice at Michael Best Strategies, is a sought-after and highly regarded policy and public affairs strategist with more than 25 years of experience advising corporate and nonprofit leaders on complex political and regulatory issues. Recognized as one of The Hill’s top lobbyists for the last five consecutive years, she leads bipartisan federal policy and communications initiatives and is deeply active in civic and educational leadership, including board roles at Georgetown University’s McCourt School, the Congressional Management Foundation, and Stillman College. She is also a member of the prestigious Economic Club of Washington, DC.
Antonios Skoulariotis, Senior SASE and Cloud Security Leader at Palo Alto Networks, is a veteran technology and cybersecurity executive with more than two decades of experience in advanced network, cloud and security transformation. Known for driving large-scale digital transformation and architecting resilient, future-ready infrastructure, Skoulariotis brings deep expertise and strategic insight into cloud architecture, secure enterprise networks, and AI integration to drive digital innovation. He holds a Global Executive MBA jointly awarded by NYU Stern, HEC Paris, and the London School of Economics through the TRIUM program, as well as multiple engineering degrees.
Cecilia Hodges, Regional President for Greater Washington and Virginia at M&T Bank, brings more than 30 years of banking expertise. She oversees commercial, real estate, business, and consumer banking across the region while leading strategic growth initiatives. A prominent civic leader, she served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Baltimore Board, completing her six-year term in December 2025, and continues to serve on the Greater Washington Board of Trade and numerous nonprofit, regional, and affinity-based boards.
Alberto Omeechevarria, Founding Principal of Biscayne Contractors, Inc., has spent nearly four decades building one of the Washington, D.C. area’s most respected construction firms. Under his leadership, Biscayne has delivered thousands of government and commercial projects grounded in quality, professionalism, and ethics. A committed philanthropist, he has supported numerous humanitarian and community-focused organizations and served on several regional boards.
Andrea L. Dykes, Managing Partner of Howard Insurance, is a nationally recognized leader in wealth strategy and risk management. Her insights have been featured in the Investments & Wealth Institute, Trusts & Estates, Probate & Property, the American Bar Association, and other premier industry publications. A Top Financial Advisor and member of Washingtonian Magazine’s Hall of Fame, she is deeply involved in civic and professional leadership, including service with the National Children’s Museum, Finseca and the DC Estate Planning Council.
Marymount’s newest Trustees join a community of thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, and community-driven difference-makers, headed by recently elected Chair Michael J. Hershman, who will continue to lead Marymount toward a future of learning with purpose, so that graduates become driven, intentional citizens.
“Each of these leaders brings a wealth of professional achievement, a commitment to ethics and service, and a passion for shaping the next generation,” Becerra said. “Their expertise will be instrumental as we continue Marymount’s upward trajectory as a nationally recognized, student-centered institution.”
