Our Team
Beam Reach Consulting Group pulls expertise from industry, government, and academia to offer the most effective solutions for our clients. Meet the diverse thinkers and problem-solvers who make up our team.
Heather Kelley
President
Heather launched Beam Reach Consulting Group in 2017, bringing nearly 20 years of practical experience in leadership and management to the company. As President, Heather directs the development and execution of short- and long-term goals, strategies, plans, and policies in close collaboration with her leadership team and drawing on invaluable input from staff. Heather prides herself on cultivating an inclusive company culture where employees feel empowered to voice their questions and concerns and actively contribute innovative ideas that propel the company’s direction. Heather also oversees all the company’s business functions, including corporate governance, financial management, and human resources. Prior to establishing Beam Reach Group, Heather served as the Marketing Director and Client Relations Specialist at Chesapeake Financial Strategies. Apart from her professional endeavors, Heather values spending quality time with family and friends, enjoys boating on the Severn River, and loves watching her children compete on their local swim team.
Chris Kelley
Vice President
As a member of Beam Reach Consulting Group’s leadership team, Chris is engaged on every project and works with clients to develop strategic plans, design projects, and implement innovative approaches that drive success. With over 20 years of experience managing project portfolios, programs, and project teams in the energy and technology sectors, Chris has a track record of enhancing resiliency, reliability, and sustainability in critical infrastructure, while driving cost savings. Chris excels at facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, helping develop and implement organizational, regional, and national strategies to solve complex challenges. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Chris held senior leadership positions with FORTUNE 500 energy and consulting organizations. Chris earned a Master of Business Administration in Global Strategy and Management from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from UMBC. Outside of business, Chris is a Scout leader, helping youth appreciate nature and develop essential life and leadership skills, and enjoys attending his children’s swim meets and tackling do-it-yourself projects around his home.
Jimmy Ly
Service Delivery Manager
Jimmy leverages a decade of experience and deep expertise in data analytics, data management, risk management, and portfolio management to help clients ensure their projects are successful, efficient, and compliant with funding requirements. Jimmy excels at streamlining data collection, validation, and reporting; building robust databases; and performing data analysis on operational metrics to identify areas of improvement. As a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Jimmy also supports project management efforts, designs and implements process improvements, and performs cost reviews. Jimmy’s favorite part of working with the clients is sketching out and implementing solutions to their most complex challenges. Jimmy has a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Towson University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Maryland. Away from work, you can find Jimmy reading science fiction novels, challenging himself with puzzles and videogames, rowing, or swimming.
Elizabeth Miller Senior Communications Specialist
Elizabeth advises and collaborates with clients to design effective communication strategies and achieve their business goals. She has worked with small business, corporate, multinational, and nonprofit clients across a variety of industries, including energy, health care, telecommunications, and political advocacy. With a unique combination of experience in communications, technology policy, and business management, Elizabeth excels at developing methods for presenting research and recommendations to influence decision-makers. Elizabeth was formerly a Google Public Policy Fellow and contributed to the development of a guidebook for manufacturers deploying AI on their frontlines. Elizabeth holds a Master of Arts in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, specializing in Public Relations, from the University of Maryland. Outside of her professional work, Elizabeth spends time volunteering and is passionate about helping others access resources to achieve personal and professional success.
Emmanuel Taylor
Senior Energy Consultant
Emmanuel provides clients with subject matter expertise, strategic planning support, and technical facilitation services for their energy-related projects. With nearly two decades of experience in the energy and sustainability sectors, he has a history of success helping organizations research, plan, and execute projects to enhance resilience, improve reliability, and lower costs. Prior to joining Beam Reach Consulting Group, he supported grid modernization research programs as a federal employee in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity. Emmanuel holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a specialization in power systems and power electronics, a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, all from the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of work, Emmanuel volunteers helping bring energy solutions to low-income housing communities in the U.S. and enjoys gardening, fixing things, building with natural materials, acro yoga, and rock climbing.
Denisse Parada Data Management Analyst
Denisse collects, interprets, and analyzes client data in order to provide evidence-based strategic direction for achieving their objectives and accomplishing their goals. She has a decade of experience in data analysis and management and previously supported the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) with handling cyber security and information technology data requests for Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and Integrated Data Collection (IDC). Denisse’s core competencies include creating information gathering and processing systems, designing and implementing databases, and conducting both quantitative and qualitative analysis. She also excels at designing compelling presentations that enable internal and external stakeholders to visualize the data they need to make informed decisions. Denisse holds a Master of Science in Cyber Operations from University of Maryland Global Campus and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Maryland. Away from her professional life, Denisse enjoys traveling, playing soccer, cycling, embarking on adventures with her dog, and camping.
Jess Jackson Graphic Design
Jess provides creative solutions for branding, advertising, marketing, and clients’ graphic needs. With over 15 years of experience in visual design, she has collaborated with clients of all sizes across diverse industries to transform their ideas into compelling visual narratives. Her success stems from building relationships with clients to understand their unique needs. Jess is passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals through effective, engaging design. Her core competencies include creative problem solving, concept development, brand identity, and information design. Jess has been honored for her work as an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award finalist in the category of Most Improved Design. She holds a degree in Graphic Communication Arts & Design and has trained with some of the industry's leading creatives. Apart from her work, Jess enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, playing board games, and finding new ways to express her creativity.
Joe Sabel Senior Advisor
Joe supports clients seeking to optimize their strategies related to energy end-use. Applying decades of experience in energy management and use, he guides clients in developing sustainable, resilient energy programs for their buildings, facilities, and installations. Joe has held senior management roles in several federal agencies and served as managing director of a consulting firm in the energy sector. As a former U.S. Naval Officer, he possesses unique expertise in the energy requirements of defense installations and platforms. He continues to serve as an advisor to stakeholders in the Defense Critical Electric Infrastructure (DCEI) community, providing recommendations for local-tactical and national-strategic engagement. Joe holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, a Master of Science in Geology from South Dakota Mines, and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Iowa State University. When Joe is away from work, he enjoys sailing, wood- and metalworking, and gourmet cooking.
Maria Smith Data Management Analyst
Maria applies her extensive knowledge in managing, reporting, and handling sensitive data to help clients monitor project progress and complete compliance reporting, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and success. Before joining Beam Reach Consulting Group, Maria served as a safety compliance officer for a leading regional manufacturer and supplier of building materials. In that role, she specialized in data management to ensure Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance, strictly adhering to the rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With additional experience maintaining the confidentiality of employee records and HIPAA-protected patient information, Maria is well-versed with best practices for data security. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland. Away from work, Maria cherishes time immersing herself in mystery novels while soaking up the sun, creating memories with her family and friends, and cheering on her son's soccer team.
Lee Pearson
Senior Management Consultant
With over 25 years of experience, Lee helps clients mitigate their risk exposure on major projects and programs by guiding them through project management best practices. His expertise in project planning and controls, critical path method scheduling, and implementation of project, portfolio, and earned value management solutions has contributed to successful projects across diverse industries and organizations. Lee has supported over $1 billion of federally funded projects for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Navy (USN), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and has served as a project review panelist for NSF since 2022. Lee is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Microsoft Project and Oracle-Primavera P6 certified trainer and implementation consultant. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University. In his free time, Lee enjoys traveling and golfing and cherishes spending quality moments with his family.
Dominic Ligon Technical Writer
Dominic assists clients in creating, refining, and organizing a variety of technical documents, including published reports. With a proven track record of success in the printing, publishing, and fulfillment industries, Dominic is exceptionally skilled in information and document optimization, technical documentation, usability testing, business development, and social media. Previously, Dominic was a Technical Writer at a Fortune 500 firm, where his technical documentation significantly enhanced organizational communication and operational efficiency. In addition to technical writing, Dominic served as the Editorial Director for a literary publication, where he honed his creative writing and editing skills, gaining valuable insights into the nuances of language and storytelling that elevate the quality of his client work. Dominic holds a Master of Arts in Professional, Technical, and Business Writing from Kennesaw State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Organizational Communication from Valdosta State University. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dominic’s interests include fishing, golfing, and collecting vinyl records.