LEADERSHIP
Garry Curtis, President and CEO
Garry Curtis, president and CEO, brings a communications and public affairs focus to his work with Hager Sharp. He has a depth of experience in social marketing, including strengths in visioning, strategic and communications planning and partnership development. In addition, Curtis brings 15 years of association management skills to Hager Sharp clients and has a thorough understanding of the unique association and committee operating and decision making processes – critical skills in the execution of partner driven communications campaigns.
Curtis serves as project director for the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1997, when Hager Sharp launched NDEP, 8 percent of Americans believed diabetes was a serious disease. In 2003, it was a TIME magazine cover story. By 2006, 89 percent of Americans understood that diabetes is serious. Hager Sharp has made a difference in diabetes.
Curtis also leads work for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and provides support across the firm’s full complement of health engagements.
Along the way, Curtis has been an important part of the success of Leadership Greater Washington, serving as executive director during its initial three years and returning as a volunteer leader, and ultimately, board chair, in 1999. He is also involved with the District of Columbia Cultural Development Corporation’s art incubator program. Curtis has spoken at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the national meeting of the American Public Health Association, the Society of Public Health Educators and the annual conference of Voices for America's Children, among many others.
Debra Silimeo, Senior Vice President
Debra Silimeo brings a reporter’s eye for news and a wealth of experience in policy advocacy and national public awareness campaigns to her work at Hager Sharp. She has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, public relations, government and social marketing communications.
As Senior Vice President, she is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, designs and manages national public affairs efforts and provides strategic communications counsel to the firm’s clients. She directs the firm’s Education and Public Safety Practices, is an award-winning creative director and serves as the firm’s senior media counselor.
Major clients include the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress – widely known as “The Nation’s Report Card” – for which Hager Sharp provides a full range of communications assistance. She serves as corporate manager and creative director for the U.S. Fire Administration’s fire safety efforts, which have earned several campaign awards, including a Telly. Her public safety portfolio also includes the Ad Council’s campaign to prevent teen reckless driving, which utilizes new media and viral marketing efforts to reach a highly media savvy audience.
In the fast-paced and politically-sensitive environment of Capitol Hill and the Administration, she effectively managed national communications efforts and developed and maintained good relationships with media and public officials. She previously served as a senior member of the Congressional Leadership staff and headed Communications efforts at two Cabinet level agencies. She organized events involving the President of the United States, Cabinet members and Congressional Leaders. She began her career as a radio and TV journalist. Her work as a reporter and anchor (at Washington, DC’s WRC-TV, WTOP and WAMU Radio) earned her a prestigious journalism fellowship at Columbia University. She serves on the Board of Directors of Leadership Greater Washington and on the Speakers and Newsmakers Committees of the National Press Club.
Karen Cassiday, Chief Operating Officer
Karen Cassiday is Hager Sharp’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Cassiday is a member of the Executive Committee and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, from human resources to new business development. She also focuses on the administration, implementation, management and advancement of the information technology systems and overall office operations. Cassiday brings over 20 years of computer skills to Hager Sharp that includes both hardware and software installation, configuration and training as well as network administration.
Cassiday’s human resources responsibilities are wide-ranging. She administers the medical insurance health plan, dental plan and long-term disability plan. She revises the employee manual as warranted by administrative changes, supervises the receptionist and coordinates staff recruitment and hiring. When needed, Cassiday performs client work that includes Internet research, Web design and maintenance and database management.
Cassiday is the proud mother of two Peace Corps volunteers.
Walter Watts, Controller
As Hager Sharp’s Controller, Walter Watts is responsible for the firm’s accounting, contracting, invoicing and cash management. With over a decade of experience in delivering sound accounting practices for government clients, Watts strives for flawless preparation and submission of budgets, invoices and government audits. He ensures financial statements are prepared in conformance with GAAP, FAR and CAS. Watts is a member of the Hager Sharp’s Executive Committee. He is also popular among staff, who appreciate his timely delivery of bi-monthly paychecks.