Leadership Team
We live by our corporate motto, “Serving Those In The Arena.” If our customer fails at their mission, ITA fails at our mission. It is critical to our success that our customer be successful.
Mike Melo
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Melo is currently the chief executive officer (CEO) of ITA International, which he co-founded with his wife Kathy in 2003. ITA was awarded its first government contract for one full time employee in 2005 and has grown to over 300 full and part time employees in 20 different states within the United States and overseas in the Middle East. ITA provides integrated services in the areas of operational support, marine engineering and…
data analytics for customers conducting global operations.
Melo served on active duty for over 23 years, as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. Upon retiring from the U.S. Navy, he was the director of the Virginia Troops to Teachers Program prior to founding ITA.
Melo serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula Campaign and the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund. He is the Chairman of the Deans Advisory Board, the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. He also served on the Governor’s Commission on Job Creation and Economic Development and the Secure Commonwealth Panel.
He received a bachelor’s degree in forestry (environmental conservation) from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1979 and a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in 1993.
Kathy Melo
Chief Governance Officer
Mrs. Melo currently serves as the Chief Governance Officer of ITA International, which she co-founded with her husband Mike in 2005. She is responsible for the oversight of the financial and governance programs within ITA International, including all ISO Qualifications. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for ITA International. ITA International was awarded its first government contract for one full time employee in 2005 and has grown…
to over 360 full and part time employees in 20 different states within the US and overseas in the Middle East. ITA International provides integrated services in the areas of operational support, marine engineering and data analytics for customers conducting global operations.
Prior to joining ITA, Mrs. Melo worked as an Early Childhood Educator for over 20 years in over 10 different schools across the country.
Mrs. Melo serves on the York Foundation for Public Education Board of Directors and the Mary Baldwin University Advisory Board of Visitors.
She received her Bachelor of Science from Mary Baldwin University in 1981 in Psychology with K-4 Teaching Certificate.
Keith McGhee
Chief Operating Officer
Keith McGhee, formerly the president of ITA Data Solutions (ITADS), now serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). With a remarkable 27-year career, he has successfully delivered comprehensive business and IT solutions to prestigious organizations like the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and the State Department. McGhee’s expertise encompasses data analytics, enterprise software development, data center management, and more. His prior executive roles at CACI and American Systems have been marked by significant contributions to their success.
Katelyn Byrd
Chief of Enterprise Services
Katelyn Byrd currently serves as the Chief of Enterprise Services at ITA, where she plays a pivotal role in enhancing the organization’s internal operations to support external customer satisfaction.
The establishment of the Enterprise Services represents a significant internal structural change aimed at empowering ITAers to excel in delivering top-tier solutions to external customers. Under Byrd’s leadership,
specialized teams within Enterprise Services have been formed to ensure seamless operations and promote a culture of continuous improvement and shared success. These teams include Contracts, Communications & Branding, Corporate Development, Human Resources, and Proposals, all of which collaborate harmoniously to elevate ITA’s performance.
Byrd’s journey at ITA has been marked by a series of progressive leadership roles since joining the organization in 2014. She has made significant contributions across various functional areas, including Customer Solutions, Operations, Marketing and Communications, Chief People Officer and her previous role as Chief of Growth.Before her tenure at ITA, Byrd held the position of Director of Administration, where she served under the esteemed Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli III. In this capacity, she oversaw support services in Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Office Operations for the Commonwealth of Virginia, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and organizational skills.Byrd’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business.
John Altizer
Chief Financial Officer
John Altizer joined ITA in April 2012 as the Chief Financial Officer. The majority of his more than 33 years experience is in the US Government Contracting space supporting agencies of DoD, NASA, DHS, and DOS in the area of professional services, construction, operations and maintenance, and training. Prior to joining ITA, John worked overseas in both Turkey and Egypt. In Turkey, John was the Business Manager for the Base Maintenance contact…
at Incirlik Airbase. In Egypt, John was the Country Controller for a large construction company performing contracts for the Army Corps of Engineers.
In the commercial sector, he worked as CFO for a builder of Custom Carolina Sportfishing boats in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Mr. Altizer, a Virginia native, graduated from Virginia Tech in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Major in Accounting. He received his CPA certification in 1988.
Amber Lempke
Chief of Corporate Development
Amber L. Lempke, currently serves as the Chief of Corporate Development at ITA International, where she leads the organization’s mergers and acquisitions efforts, driving strategic growth and expansion initiatives…
Before transitioning to her current role, Lempke held the position of Chief People Officer at ITA, where she provided exemplary leadership and direction for talent acquisition and human resources management strategies.
Lempke’s distinguished career encompasses an impressive tenure in the public sector, during which she served as a member of the Senior Executive Service. Her roles in public service included her most recent position as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the U.S. Census Bureau, where she played a pivotal role in shaping human resources strategies and initiatives.Throughout her career, Lempke has also held strategic human capital management positions within esteemed organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Energy, and FEMA, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
A native of Georgia, Lempke embarked on her professional journey as a U.S. Naval Supply Corps Officer following her graduation from Rhodes College with a B.A. in International Studies and Economics. Her commitment to serving her country led her to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors, in Washington, DC. In this program, she served as the program’s human resources director, contributing significantly to its mission.
Lempke’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident in her educational achievements. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University’s School of Political Management and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland, University College. Additionally, she has earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), highlighting her dedication to excellence in her field.
Glenn Mallo
Vice President, Quality Management Systems
Glenn Mallo leverages ISO-certified processes and data analytics to deliver winning ITA solutions, enhance customer satisfaction, continuously improve ITA’s safety and environmental performance, and meet contract and regulatory requirements. As Vice President for corporate quality at ITA, Glenn led a team of teams in the successful implementation and certification…
of ITA to ISO 45001:2018 as well as the company’s transition to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 Management Systems.
Glenn is a nuclear trained U.S. Navy veteran with over 30 years’ experience in Program Management, Data Analytics, Leadership, People Development, Quality Assurance, Reactor Controls Maintenance, Operations, and Training. Prior to joining ITA, Glenn served as Command Master Chief for U.S. Second Fleet, Battle Force Seventh Fleet/Carrier Strike Group 5, Task Force 20, USS Carl Vinson (CVN70), Training Center Great Lakes, HM-15, and USS Oak Hill (LSD15).
Lauren Green Barnes
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Branding
Lauren Green Barnes is the Vice President of Corporate Communications and Branding. Prior to this role, she served as Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, where she developed an integrated marketing and communications strategy to support company objectives by implementing comprehensive, measurable and impactful programs in the following areas: internal and external communications, advertising and overall company branding.
Before joining ITA in 2020, Barnes served as manager of Strategic Communications at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Technical Solutions Division (TSD), where she developed integrated business communications strategies, products and marketing campaigns in support of major business pursuits. She also collaborated with the HII Corporate Communications team to develop an enterprise media engagement strategy for the division. Prior to that, she was manager of Communications for HII TSD’s Nuclear & Environmental Group where she managed the group’s communications strategy to align with the division’s goals to achieve marketing, public relations and talent acquisition objectives. Barnes began her career with Northrop Grumman where she held various public relations and communications roles with increasing responsibility for over 13 years.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Hampton University in 2001.
Meredith Cline
Vice President, Charities and Community Relations
Meredith Cline currently holds the position of Vice President of Charities and Community Relations at ITA. In this role, she leads the company’s charitable initiatives and manages community relations, enhancing ITA’s outreach and impact. Previously, she served as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program manager, where she was the SBIR subject matter expert. Melo was responsible for educating both internal and external stakeholders on the nuances of SBIR Phase I, II, and III. She also contributed to the company’s Growth team, seeking new opportunities in SBIR contract vehicles.…
Cline joined ITA in 2020 as the manager of Market Development. Her responsibilities included managing and tracking task orders for ITA’s Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contracts, overseeing internal Power BI reports, conducting task order research, and managing the program for OASIS contracts. Before joining ITA, she worked at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education as an alumni and student engagement specialist. There, she managed stakeholder relationships and organized engagement events.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition, foods, and exercise from Virginia Tech, and a master’s degree in public health from George Mason University.
Jon Greene
President, Innovative Solutions
Jon Greene is a seasoned leader with extensive experience and a strong commitment to driving innovation and excellence. He currently serves as the Business Unit President for Innovative Solutions at ITA International, a role that involves dedicated support for organizations including Homeland Security, National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Navy.
Before assuming his current position as Business Unit President, Greene held the role of Senior Advisor to the CEO and President of Stability and Sustainability at ITA. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in developing new opportunities centered around sustainable human ecosystems. His contributions included identifying and introducing new technology solutions to serve ITA’s diverse customer base.
Greene’s remarkable career also includes over 28 years of service in the U.S. Navy, where he held various leadership positions of increasing responsibility. Notable roles within the Navy include serving as the Commanding Officer of USS McInerney (FFG 8), serving as the Reactor Officer on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and holding the position of Commanding Officer at Combat Direction System Activity, Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, Virginia.Following his distinguished military career, Greene transitioned to Virginia Tech, where he continued to make significant contributions. He took on roles such as Associate Director for Strategic Development of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, where he played a key role in advancing various research activities. These activities spanned a wide spectrum, including unmanned systems, data analytics, wireless communications, weapon systems, computation, and space science. He also served as the founding Executive Director of the Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership, Virginia Tech’s FAA-sponsored UAS Test Site, further highlighting his leadership in cutting-edge technology initiatives.
Greene’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in general science from the United States Naval Academy. He has also earned a Master’s degree in national security affairs with a focus on Strategic Planning from the Naval Postgraduate School, underlining his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
Mike Akhbari
President, Operational Support
Michael “Mike” Akhbari has recently assumed the role of President of Operational Support at ITA International. In this capacity, he is responsible for providing essential support to esteemed organizations such as Special Operations Forces, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard.
Prior to his appointment to President of Operational Support, Akhbari held the position of President of the ITA Global Security (ITAGS) business unit. In this role, he exhibited exemplary leadership by overseeing the ITAGS portfolio of programs and ensuring the smooth daily operations of the business unit and its dedicated personnel. His responsibilities extended to business development, positioning ITA for sustainable growth, and fostering customer intimacy. Akhbari consistently focused on developing and executing sustainable business strategies and initiatives that align seamlessly with the company’s overarching objectives.
Before his tenure at ITA, Akhbari served as vice president of the Air, Space, and Intelligence sector at Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI). During his time at FTI, he played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic development and execution of operations for multiple business units dedicated to serving the federal sector. These units specialized in innovative technologies, with a primary focus on decision and data analytics, engineering, logistics planning and analysis, and acquisition support.Akhbari’s career also includes an impressive 13-year tenure with Reston, Virginia-based NCI Information Systems Inc. Here, he assumed roles of increasing operational responsibility, culminating in his assignment as Vice President for NCI’s Acquisition and Logistics Services group. This division, one of four business units at NCI, predominantly concentrated on Army Acquisition support activities. Akhbari embarked on his career as a corporate pricing analyst with MTC Technologies, where he laid the foundation for his extensive and varied professional journey.
With over 17 years of experience, Akhbari has consistently excelled in building and leading large-scale private and public organizations. His expertise lies in providing complex programmatic, acquisition, engineering, data analytics, and logistics-related solutions to the federal sector.
Akhbari holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University and is a distinguished graduate of The Wharton School’s Executive Development Program. He also holds certifications as a Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma certified Green Belt, underscoring his commitment to excellence and continuous professional development.
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