Leadership

Colonel (Retired) Byron L. Cherry, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Cherry founded Succeed to Lead, LLC in June 2007. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Cherry is responsible for corporate, strategic and business planning, financial management oversight, and corporate business outreach. He participates and donates his time to community and social activities as he serves and works with several organizations and foundations. Dr. Cherry began his professional career as a United States Army officer, serving 26 years of active service. Key assignments include tours with the Chief Information Officer/G-6 (CIO/G-6) as Chief of Investment Strategy, Director of Resource Integration, Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management-Army Reserve Directorate (ACSIM-AR); Chief, OMAR/MCAR Budget Formulation Division, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve; Comptroller, US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), US Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Dr. Cherry received his Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Norfolk State University; his Masters of Business Administration from Troy University; a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, DC, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Active in professional and community organizations, Dr. Cherry is a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, the National Defense University Foundation and the Norfolk State University, Military Alumni Chapter. He holds life memberships in the Finance Corps Association and The ROCKS Inc., and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has received numerous awards and honors to include the Legion of Merit, inducted into the Norfolk State University Military Hall of Fame and was designated as a Distinguished Member of the Finance Regiment.

Josephine Benson

Executive Vice President

Ms. Benson has been associated with Succeed to Lead since its inception in June 2007, as the Executive Vice President. As the Executive Vice President, Ms. Benson is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations and administration of Succeed to Lead, LLC. Ms. Benson also assists the CEO in the corporate, strategic and business planning, financial management oversight, and corporate business outreach. She participates and donates her time to community and social activities as she serves and works with several organizations and foundations.

Ms. Benson has worked in Financial Management and Budget for 25 years. She has demonstrated excellence in PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution), Army and Marine Corps financial management systems.

Ms. Benson holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Norfolk State University and a Master of Divinity from Regent University.

Donna Jackson, BS, CDFM

Director of Contract Administration

Ms. Jackson joined the Succeed to Lead team as the Director of Contract Administration in August 2011. Some of her responsibilities include cost estimating, invoicing, and contract reconciling. She also advises management on contract efforts and serve as the focal point for all contractual efforts.

Ms. Jackson has over 35 years’ experience within the commercial and federal sectors. She has served as a Comptroller, Director of Contracting, Program Manager and Financial Manager with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense and the Army. Ms. Jackson has Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) experience to include formulating the Program Objective Memorandum (POM). She is an experienced international project manager, coordinator, and trainer of financial management and accounting reconciliation of Defense and Commercial Programs and an accomplished financial manager. Ms. Jackson is also experienced in auditing Department of Transportation grants and contract administration.

Ms. Jackson holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and Management from Regis University, Denver, Colorado. She is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager.