Robert Charles
2003-2005 Assistant Secretary of State, for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), under Secretaries Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. His tenure in the Bush Administration led to the development of strong international relationships, which reinforce his strong ties with many in Congress and the administration. Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice Subcommittee (GRO) in the House of Representatives from 1995-1999.

Charles also served former US House Speaker and Subcommittee Chairman, J. Dennis Hastert, as chief staffer to The Speaker’s Task Force on a Drug Free America from 1997-1999. Charles maintains strong ties with committee leaders in both parties and both Chambers of Congress. He is also a Navy Reservist who served on active duty at the Pentagon immediately following the September 11th attacks.

Benjamin G. Bawden
Served as staff assistant on the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice in the House of Representatives where he focused on defense and drug policy issues. He worked at Financial Security Assurance, an asset-backed securities insurance firm in New York during 1998.

Ben has helped secure millions of dollars in federal appropriations, and led successful efforts to change federal laws and introduce new legislation.His areas of focus include appropriations projects, health care, drug policy, law enforcement, homeland security, education, and defense.

Marina T. Charles
Marina T. Charles spent twelve years as a corporate transactional attorney with law firms in New York City and Washington, DC. She has extensive experience in contracts and regulatory analysis as well as international business matters. Marina manages operations, participates in the development of regulatory and government policy white papers, and provides regulatory analysis for the company's clients.

Marina received her BA, cum laude, in Government from Harvard University and her JD from Columbia University Law School, where she was a Stone Scholar. She is fluent in French and Russian and lives in Maryland with her husband and their two children.