BUTORS MIXOLOGY Luca Giovannini and Charles M. Tappan Jr., form the team that creates our mixology section. Luca discovered his passion for food and drink in his hometown in the north of Italy. After working in Europe, he landed in Washington and perfected his skill of combining European and American styles of drink. Charles is a founding member of VenerĂ te Group LLC. He launched the company, leaving a career in capital markets, to elevate cocktail culture through creativity, classical knowledge, craft dedication and teaching.
MONEY & FINANCE
TECH
VINEYARD
Marc Schliefer has been in the financial planning business since 1978, when he joined Equity Planning Institute, Inc. He became President of Equity Planning Institute, Inc. in 1996. With over 33 years of practicing financial planning, Marc has worked mainly on individual financial planning and counsels clients on all aspects of their financial life. Marc was a frequent guest on the WRC radio program, Your Money Show, and has written many articles for local associations. He has conducted Financial Planning seminars for companies and government agencies and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
Kristina is a writer and award-winning communications professional who works with clients in an array of technology markets, from emerging technology to consumer electronics, government IT, defense and homeland security. As senior vice president of public relations and social media for Focused Image, a leading branding firm based in Falls Church, VA., she supports top federal contractors, fast-growing private companies, associations and nonprofits. Each issue, Kristina will share insights on some of the latest and most fascinating technology products and trends that are changing our world.
David-Michael Shott has resided in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for over a decade. A creative and energetic leader, he has always embraced innovation while seeking new business opportunities. The Local Vine Cellar signifies a culmination of David’s extensive experience in myriad fields ranging from radiation oncology to real estate development and investment. He was a co-partner of a successful restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, which gave him the opportunity to develop and refine his palate and passion for wine. A lover of port and Italian reds, he believes wine should be enjoyable and accessible to all, regardless of knowledge or expertise. With a background in Economics and GIS, John Gjika is a thoughtful entrepreneur who values a good bottle of Amarone and believes wine is as good for the mind and building communities. An Albanian native who grew up in Portland, Maine, John always offers an independentlyminded approach and has a soft spot for anything Mediterranean.
John Eric Home would like to introduce our readers to the contributors who provide both informative and interesting articles to the magazine on a monthly basis. These are the voices that bring to you the most current trends within their individual industries. We would like to thank our contributors for providing their insight to the magazine and its readers. John Eric Home 7