OUR LEADERSHIP
Dedicated to providing service excellence to the Copper River Family of Companies, our Executive Team and Management Team bring extensive experience and expertise
Our Executive Team
Kevin McLaughlin, CEO
As CEO of Copper River Shared Services, Mr. McLaughlin is responsible for leading multiple facets of the organization. He directs the oversight of 10+ subsidiary companies with government contract portfolios of over $150MM and a workforce of over 400 employees across the U.S. and overseas. He is responsible for strategic long-term planning and leads multiple teams and business units within Shared Services to provide oversight and customer-focused support services to the Copper River Family of companies.
With over 18 years of industry experience, Mr. McLaughlin has had a significant impact on the Copper River Family. Immediately after joining Copper River, he quickly utilized prior skills helping Alaska Native-owned companies and his affinity for Alaska Native set aside laws and SBA 8 (a) regulations to set up Copper River Shared Services to provide back-office support and oversight for future growth. Mr. McLaughlin continues to be instrumental in the company’s expansion, playing a key role in six strategic acquisitions during his tenure. He also played a major role in the startup of seven additional subsidiary companies for the Copper River Family.
Mr. McLaughlin is a former Army Officer (Captain) and Judge Advocate Attorney. He is a graduate of multiple Officer Leadership Schools and a graduate of the prestigious U.S Army Judge Advocate Generals School in Charlottesville Virginia.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and attained his law degree from Samford University School of Law.
Brian Anthony, COO
As Chief Operating Officer for Copper River Shared Services, Mr. Brian Anthony is responsible for the operational strategy for the Copper River Family of Companies. Dedicated to innovation, Mr. Anthony leverages his 28 years of business technology experience to guide implementation of advanced tools, processes, and procedures that have led to enhanced communication and collaboration efficiencies across multiple business units and departmental functions. With over 16 years of experience in various leadership roles, Mr. Anthony takes pride in mentoring multiple teams and individuals to help guide in the development of collective solutions that solve complex, multi-functional challenges
Ed Mangini, CFO
As the Chief Financial Officer of Copper River Shared Services, Mr. Ed Mangini is responsible for the financial strategy of the Copper River Family of Companies. Mr. Mangini has devoted the past 35 years of his career to ensuring the successful corporate financial performance of private sector organizations in both the manufacturing and professional service markets. A seasoned leader, Mr. Mangini leverages his 25 years of senior-level management experience to guide large finance teams to operational excellence, improving efficiencies for both internal and external customers.
Mr. Mangini graduated from New Hampshire College where he earned his MBA with an Advanced Certificate in Finance. He also holds a current CPA License.
Sarah MacMaster, CLO
As Chief Legal Officer for Copper River Shared Services, Ms. Sarah MacMaster brings over 20 years of extensive experience in law and contracts compliance. As an attorney, Ms. MacMaster worked with several SDVOSBs as an in-house attorney prior to joining Copper River in the fall of 2019. She has worked in all aspects of government contracting in her former roles. Before entering the world of government contracts, Sarah had extensive experience with Corporate law and litigation as a partner with a firm in Chicago. She is a graduate of Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.
Our Management Team
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Amy Hurst, Director of Bids & Proposals
Ms. Amy Hurst has over 25 years of experience working in the technology industry in various writing, editing, and proposal management roles – and has worked at Copper River for the past 7 years. Ms. Hurst manages the Bids and Proposals (B&P) team, which provides proposal support to all of the Copper River operating companies. Her team collaborates with multiple departments within each of the Copper River operating companies on proposal responses that include Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Sources Sought, Statements of Work, and unsolicited proposals, from the federal government as well as state, local and education (SLED) entities. The B&P team’s primary goal is to support the sales teams and in turn support the Native Village of Eyak. Amy’s B&P’s success strategy focuses on teamwork, communication, and collaboration across the organization.
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Ben Bryan, Director of Information Technology & Security
Mr. Benjamin Bryan serves as the Director of Information Technology and Security for Copper River Shared Services, bringing over 25 years of commercial and government sector experience to the organization. A former Marine Corps Sergeant, Mr. Bryan focused in Communications, Electronics, and Cryptology during his time in service. Joining Copper River in 2010, Mr. Bryan continues to expand Copper River’s capabilities across multiple domains inside and outside of IT and Security. Mr. Bryan takes pride in his work, operating from a position of integrity, accountability, and confidentiality, and understands the value of his efforts in helping protect our nation’s security, its people, and information. He is an active member of the National Classification Management Society (NCMS) and ASIS International.
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Kate Pickworth, Director of EPMO
A results-oriented senior leader, Ms. Kate Pickworth has over 20 years of business operations expertise focused on the development and implementation of business policies, procedures, and strategies. As the Director for Copper River’s Enterprise Program Management Office, Ms. Pickworth is responsible for the collection, recording, and analysis of enterprise-wide business intelligence that enables Executive-level leadership to make impactful, strategic decisions for maximum company growth. Driven by results, Ms. Pickworth leverages her strategic thinking and long history of information assessment to improve upon all operations, policies, and procedures of organizations, serving both in the U.S. and Australia. Outside of her professional career, Ms. Pickworth is passionate about supporting her community and serves on the Board of two non-profit organizations; Kate’s Cause, a childhood cancer organization dedicated to supporting the pediatric cancer community, and the Green Lizard Foundation, an organization that supports local youth by sponsoring nutrition programs, team sponsorships, and cycling.
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Cheryl Nicely, Director of Marketing & Channel Partnerships
A creative, results-driven Marketing leader Ms. Cheryl Nicely serves as the Director of Marketing and Channel Partnerships for Copper River Shared Services. With over 15 years’ experience focused in the federal information technology sector, Ms. Nicely is passionate about aligning marketing, brand, and business initiatives. Joining Copper River in 2013, Ms. Nicely collaborates closely with executive leadership and sales professionals to create and execute strategic, innovative, and impactful marketing programs. In September of 2019, Ms. Nicely expanded her marketing role to include the oversight of all Copper River channel partnerships, in which she leverages her experience to position Copper River as a thought-leader, foster key client relationships, and drive growth for the Copper River Family of Companies.
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Lynnette Leidwinger, Director of Contracts
Ms. Lynnette Leidwinger joined Copper River in 2015 and currently serves as the Director of Contracts. With over 20 years’ federal contracting experience, Ms. Leidwinger believes in the power of ethics and morality in negotiations. A dedicated leader, with a strong record of professional commitment and goal achievement, Ms. Leidwinger understands one of the key building blocks to success starts with one’s team and providing the support and tools to be successful. Ms. Leidwinger holds IACCM CCM Advanced Practitioner certification and is a certified Master SMARTership Negotiator.
Servicing the Copper River Family of Companies
Formed in 2016, Copper River Shared Services provides back-office services and corporate governance to the growing number of Copper River companies. While the Copper River Family of Companies operates in markets that range from Construction Services to Marine Manufacturing, and from Cyber Security solutions to IT and Business Professional Services, there are common aspects to every business. Back-office functions such as Accounting & Finance, Human Resources & Recruiting, Legal & Contract Management, Enterprise Governance, IT Systems & Support, Marketing & Partner Management, Bids & Proposals, and Facility & Cleared Personnel services, when consolidated into one central servicing organization, increases efficiency and reduces the cost of operations.