The Principals

David M. Olive

A co-founder of Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, David M. Olive has more than 25 years’ experience in law, business, politics, and public affairs.  Formerly chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, Mr. Olive oversaw aviation, antitrust, telecommunications, and information technology practice groups as senior vice president of the public affairs firm, Powell Tate. Full Biography

James R. Edwards, Jr.

James R. Edwards, Jr., brings expertise in both public relations and public policy.  A principal and co-founder of Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, Mr. Edwards has nearly 20 years of experience in public affairs. He has been dubbed “Jim ‘Can-Do’ Edwards” by a lobbyist who has worked closely with him. Full Biography

Richard B. Cooper

Richard B. “Rich” Cooper is a Principal with Olive, Edwards & Cooper, LLC, a successful public affairs, communications and strategic planning practice in Washington, DC. In this role, Mr. Cooper is working to expand the firm’s portfolio further into the homeland security field contributing to critical areas of strategic planning and partnerships; emergency preparedness planning and response; business continuity leadership and stakeholder development; and science and technology development and deployment. Full Biography

François P. Bégin

François Bégin brings 28 years of extensive experience in both domestic and international markets. Mr. Bégin has spent his entire professional career accessing and optimizing public and private sector opportunities, both as a consultant and as a senior executive. As a Principal of Olive, Edwards, & Cooper, Mr. Bégin continues to identify opportunities, build critical relationships, and provide access and guidance to a variety of small and large businesses to help them broaden their footprint. Full Biography

Dr. David McWhorter

Dr. David McWhorter spent over seven years at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Most recently he served as the deputy project leader for IDA on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAFETY Act (the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002). Full Biography

Randy Beardsworth

Randy Beardsworth is a Partner with Olive, Edwards, & Cooper. His extensive background in homeland security issues, both from a policy perspective and an operational perspective as well as his experience as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide clients with strategic planning, business development insight, and public-private coordination involving the homeland security marketplace. Full Biography

L. Vance Taylor

L. Vance Taylor has worked to advance the mission of homeland security on Capitol Hill and in the private sector. One of only approximately 250 people in the nation with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security, Mr. Taylor combines specialized educational training with real-world experience to leverage successful outcomes for clients and stakeholders. Full Biography

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