1990, Brooks has positioned it as a unique bridge between the more conservative Jewish community and Republican decisionmakers, especially with regard to support for the position of the current far-right Israeli government, U.S. oil independence and a hawkish pro-regime-change foreign policy. EVAN BURFIELD & DONNA HARRIS Co-Founders, 1776 The two founders and coCEOs of 1776 announced last April that the startup incubator — which has hosted such power players as President Obama and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull — would expand to San Francisco by acquiring Hattery, a similar entrepreneurial studio. “Washington, D.C. is home to the world’s most important leaders,” Harris said in a 1776 news release, “and San Francisco is the heart of the startup movement. By combining … we’re in a stronger position than ever.” Other 1776 news includes the move of former CNN reporter Erin McPike into the communications director role and the recent addition of former New York State chief digital officer Rachel Haot as managing director. In September, 1776 announced a $12.5 million seed fund for new investments. “1776 is … a vibrant community,” the Oxford-educated Burfield said. “To be truly successful, we need to open these resources to … the world.” WES BUSH Chairman, CEO and President, Northrop Grumman Corporation This MIT-educated engineer and executive won a massive victory in February when the Government Accountability Office denied a challenge from competitors Lockheed Martin and Boeing and upheld Northrop Grumman’s $80 billion contract to build the Air Force’s first new bombers since the Cold War. The 100-plane contract’s survival boosted stock in Northrop Grumman instantly. The major defense contractor also won a
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Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter. Photographed at the Kennedy Center..
contract to build a laser-based airborne drone that detects sea mines. Meanwhile, the company’s operating income rose to more than $3.1 billion in 2014. ÁNGEL CABRERA President, George Mason University Just as he began the first semester as president of George Mason University, Cabrera — himself only five years older than G.M.U. — took to Twitter to introduce himself to
students. His followers have doubled since he took the helm in 2013, and the university’s rankings have skyrocketed as well. It’s now No. 135 among national universities rated by U.S. News & World Report, with top-20 marks for innovation and a top-70 rank among public schools. The green machine from Virginia also made headlines when it announced that, following a $30 million donation from the Koch Brothers and pending approval from Commonwealth’s higher education board, it would name its law school in memory of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
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