Our Mission To serve clients and grow their business with excellence by building value and relationships to achieve the best results for the client and utilize success to serve God and the community.

Governor McDonnell began his career in public office representing the 84th District  in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served seven terms from 1991 to  2006. He was elected Virginia Attorney General in 2005 and was inaugurated  January of 2006. In November 2009 he was elected the 71st Governor of the  Commonwealth of Virginia with the most votes of any candidate in history at the  time, serving from 2010 to 2014. He also served 4 ½ years of active duty in the  United States Army and 16 years in the United States Army Reserves, retiring as a  Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. After active military service, he worked for the  Fortune 500 Company American Hospital Supply Corporation as an operations  manager. He began his legal career in 1990 as a Virginia Beach prosecutor, and was later a partner with the law firm of Huff, Poole, and Mahoney. Currently, he  teaches law and government at Regent University and Liberty University as a  Distinguished Professor. Additionally, he is the president and founder of the McDonnell Group, a firm that focuses on consulting and business development.  He is of counsel with the Virginia Beach law firm, Poole, Brooke, Plumlee PC. He is  also a regular contributor on Newsmax T.V., and a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Star, Inc.  Governor McDonnell has a BBA in management from the University of Notre  Dame, an MSBA from Boston University, and a JD and MA from Regent  University. He is the leader of the racial reconciliation group, Virginians for  Reconciliation, and on the Boards of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce,  Virginia Beach Sister Cities Association, and the Samaritan House Foundation. He  has served in various political leadership roles as Chairman of the National  Republican Platform Committee (2012), and as Chairman of both the Republican Attorneys General Association (2008) and the Republican Governors Association  (2011-2012). He has 5 adult children and 8 grandchildren.  

 An achievement oriented professional with diversified experience, Holly brings extensive knowledge in political, state governmental affairs and higher education to the organization. A dedicated servant leader, she currently serves on the City of Virginia Beach’s Planning Commission and is a certified planner. Prior to that, she served two four years terms on the Board of Visitors at the University of Mary Washington including a three year term as Rector.

An active listener, Holly is well versed in working collaboratively with peers and leading, developing and implementing effective policy decisions. She brings a strategic mindset to problems while not losing sight of the impact the decisions have in communities. Holly easily traverses between the private and non-profit sectors garnering results.

Holly is a graduate of University of Mary Washington, and remains active in University affairs and within her local community.

Holly and her family reside in Virginia Beach. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, hiking and going to the beach.

 Derek Pulizzi is the Business Development Manager at The McDonnell Group. He graduated Cum Laude from Regent University with an Associate Degree in Health Sciences and a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Derek's marketing expertise comes from his diverse work history, and he has held various leadership roles within his community and during his time at Regent University. At Regent, Derek was involved in initiatives that covered Social Media Marketing, Business Administration, Business Ethics, Consumer Behavior, and Advertising and Promotion. With over seven years of experience in customer service, hospitality, and marketing, Derek is well-versed in business development and strategic communication at The McDonnell Group.