Washington Life Magazine - May 2018 by Washington Life Magazine

How Milt Peterson, Dwight Schar and Knox Singleton transformed Northern Virginia, and the Washington Capitals’ T.J. Oshie on his favorite local spots

INSIDE THE TRUMPS’ FIRST STATE DINNER

PA RT PAIES! RT PA IE RT S! IE S !

OUTSIDE INFLUENCERS MAKE THEIR MARK

63 71

34 '328)287 M AY 2 0 1 8

EDITOR'S LETTER

FEATURES THE POWER ........................................ PETERSON SCHAR AND SINGLETON THE TRIO WHO RESHAPED NORTHERN VIRGINIA ..............................

THE ANATOMY OF A STATE DINNER ....

FYIDC

WASHINGTON SOCIAL DIARY

INSIDER'SGUIDE .........................................

SOCIAL CALENDAR ................................... ART SPOTLIGHT 'Carne Y Arena' ................... WATCH TRENDS Night and Day.................... JEWELRY TRENDS Make a Statement ........... THE DISH Hotel Bars ......................................

OVER THE MOON ...................................... Children's Ball..................................................... NewsBash ..........................................................

Joshua Johnson 1A Anniversary................................

The Art of Burning Man ........................................ N Street Village Gala ............................................ Ruth Buchanan's 100th Birthday.............................

POLLYWOOD

THEARC's Wacky and Whimsical Tea......................

EMBASSY ROW ..........................................

All Our Kids Awards Dinner ..................................

Catholic Charities Gala .........................................

Chance for Life ....................................................

HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC .......

Kara Kennedy Fund Brunch ...................................

Harvard Business School Dinner ............................

Parties, Parties, Parties! ...........................................

Honoring Tim Rice.............................................. Norooz on the Hill ...............................................

HOME LIFE

Norooz Community Celebration ..............................

INSIDE HOMES A Place for Family .................... REAL ESTATE NEWS On the Rise.................... OPEN HOUSE .............................................. MY WASHINGTON T.J. Oshie .........................

Human Rights Awards......................................... Vital Voices ........................................................ Running Start 'Women to Watch'...........................

TOP FROM LEFT: Hillary Clinton and Zoey Deutch at Vital Voices (Photo by Tony Powell); Burning Man Reception at the Renwick Gallery (Photo by Tony Powell); Inside Homes photo of the Madani residence(Photo by Tony Powell); MARIA CANALA Flapper Chandelier earrings ($10,625) Tiny Jewel Box, 1155 Connecticut Ave., NW; Brandy Alexander from Off the Record at the Hay-Adams Hotel (Photo Courtesy). On the cover: top row left to right: Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin; Center: Ivanka Trump, Steve Brogan, lower row: Jeff Bezos, Sheldon Adelson, Wilbur Ross

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

T H E I N S I D E R’S G U I D E TO P OW E R , P H I L A N T H R O PY, A N D SO C I E T Y S I N C E 1 9 9 1

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Nancy Reynolds Bagley EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Virginia Coyne SENIOR EDITOR

Kevin Chaffee DEPUTY EDITORS

Erica Moody Catherine Trifiletti CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Roland Flamini COLUMNISTS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Janet Donovan, Steve Houk,Vicky Moon, Stacey Grazier Pfarr and Donna Shor ART DIRECTOR

Matt Rippetoe PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Tony Powell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Joy Asico, Ben Droz, Alfredo Flores, Larry French, Naku Mayo,Kyle Samperton, Erin Schaff, Jay Snap and Amanda Warden

PUBLISHER & CEO

Soroush Richard Shehabi SALES AND MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

John Arundel BOOKKEEPER

Michelle Frazer WEB TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT

Eddie Saleh,Triposs Mihail Iliev LEGAL

Mason Hammond Drake, Akerman, LLP EDITORIAL INTERNS

Catherine Douglas Moran and Kathryn Sanders

FOUNDER

Vicki Bagley CREATIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS (*)

J.C. Suarès CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE BOARD

Gerry Byrne Washington Life magazine publishes ten times a year. Issues are distributed in February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, November, and December and are hand-delivered on a rotating basis to over 150,000 homes throughout D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Additional copies are available at various upscale retailers, hotels, select newstands, and Whole Foods stores in the area. For a complete listing, please consult our website at www.washingtonlife.com. You can also subscribe online at www.washingtonlife.com or send a check for $79.95 (one year) to: Washington Life Magazine, 2301 Tracy Place NW, Washington D.C., 20008. BPA audited. Email us at info@washingtonlife.com with press releases, tips, and editorial comments. Copyright ©2011 by Washington Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content or photos in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed in the United States. We will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. *deceased

EDITOR’S LETTER

THE POWER SET

Art can often transport you in a mental sense, but rarely in a physical one. Oscarwinning director Alejandro Iñárritu pushes both physical and emotional boundaries with his new, cutting edge virtual reality exhibit “Carne y Arena,” located in a former church near the H Street NE Corridor. The six-and-a-half minute solo experience addresses the nation’s looming immigration issues in an incredibly real way. Admission is free, but online reservations must be made in advance. Tickets are hard to obtain, but we promise that it’s worth the trouble. Meetings, networking dinners, postconference nightcaps – all are standard procedure when hosting out of town business guests. Luckily, Washington has some of the most luxurious hotels with food and drink scenes to match. We highlight our top picks in this month’s Dish column. No issue of Washington Life would be complete without our signature event coverage. This month we feature some the year’s powerhouse parties, including the WL-sponsored Children’s Ball, the Catholic Charities and N Street Village galas and THEARC’s Wacky and Whimsical Tea. Next month, look out for our robust coverage from the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and the plethora of parties surrounding the big event. As always, we’ll have snapshots from the most gorgeous spring events in town, including the WL-sponsored National Museum of Women in the Arts Gala (where iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz was honored) and more.

Nancy R. Bagley Editor in Chief Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her at nbagley@washingtonlife.com

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

P H OTO BY OTO N Y P OW E L L

imply put, power is what defines any capital city and Washington, D.C., the center of gravity of the most powerful nation of the world, is certainly no exception. It remains an essential, vital force that not only shapes domestic and international politics but also influences the landscape of media, business and culture — and never more so than in the 15 months since President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated. The 2018 Power 100 List differs from previous editions in which those who worked directly for the U.S. government were not included. This time we decided to add certain current and former government officials, including a few key Cabinet members, White House staffers and non-Washingtonians who seemingly exercise the most influence with the President and in the corridors of power. We have also included a few non-resident journalists with national audiences as well as a number of foreign heads of state who possess the ability to shape important security, economic and trade agreements. We strayed from the usual power fold to focus on a few unusual suspects as well, individuals as diverse as Cafe Milano owner Franco Nuschese, famed chef José Andrés, Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Washington Post chief classical music critic Anne Midgette. On the real estate front, with the District’s markets sizzling, we highlight leading residential brokers who are at the top of their game. Our distinguished contributing editor Roland Flamini did the lion’s share of the research and writing for this comprehensive list. He, along with our entire team, identified a number of underreported facts, which we are certain you’ll find fascinating. We also spoke to three prominent Northern Virginia residents: developer Milt Peterson, homebuilder (and Redskins co-owner) Dwight Schar and Inova CEO Knox Singleton, focusing on how they came together to build Inova Health System into one of the East Coast’s top healthcare and research centers. Nothing says power like a classic wrist watch and we have chosen a number of classic timepieces that are being snapped up at stores throughout the area. The Washington Capitals are having an excellent season and here’s hoping they’re still going strong by the time this issue hits the stands. We caught up with star right winger T.J. Oshie about where he spends time with friends and family when he’s not on the ice.

FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington BY ERICA MOODY

BOYZ II MEN AT MGM

NINETIES NIGHT

PUPS IN THE PARK

FOUR-LEGGED FANS Bring your best furry friend along to a baseball game this season. The Nationals have teamed up with Budweiser once again for “Pups in the Park,” a monthly game night that allows ticket-holders to bring their pets to a game. Mingle with other dog lovers and bark for the Nats in a special reserved section. Proceeds from dog tickets benefit the National Humane Alliance. Saturday, May 19 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, $32, mlb.com.

EVENINGS AT THE EDGE

ART & ENTERTAINMENT Incorporate culture into your next night out at the National Gallery of Art’s monthly “Evenings at the Edge.” The East Building is taken over with “art, film, music and live performances” and dancing is encouraged. For the May evening, Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play and Elisa Monte Dance Company will perform throughout the Gallery alongside dancers from Joy of Motion. Pop-up talks by museum staff will explore “how a little rhythm can help you see art in new ways.” May 10, 6-9 p.m., free admission, registration required, nga.gov/evenings.

GEORGETOWN GARDEN TOUR

HISTORY & HORTICULTURE

Get ready for the 90th annual Georgetown Garden Tour presented by the Georgetown Garden Club.Walk around the beautiful streets of Georgetown and take a peek at the historic gardens of one of Washington’s most treasured neighborhoods. May 12, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., $40, georgeotowngardenclubdc.org. 12

CUBAN ARTS FESTIVAL

CREATIVE CULTURE Leading Cuban artists and Cuban American creators will be featured for two weeks at the Kennedy Center in more than 50 events featuring “music, dance, theater, film, fashion, design and more.”There are free art exhibitions in the grand hallways, 13 free performances at Millenium Stage and even a cocktail tasting. May 8-20, The Kennedy Center, Visit kennedy-center.org for a full list of events and prices.

SPRING THEATER

Don’t skip out on these spectacular shows >>

Q The charming musical “Waitress” comes from Broadway to the National Theatre. It includes original music from six-time Grammy winner Sara Baralleis and is directed by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus.You’ll root for the plucky heroine as she struggles to escape a loveless marriage and dead-end job. May 15-June 3, Tickets start at $28, thenationaldc.org. Q “The Remains” makes its world premiere at Studio Theatre as part of the innovative theater’s New Works Initiative. A dinner party goes awry and reveals the marital troubles of the hosts, ten years after they said, “I do.” The “comedy about the tragedy of loving” stars “Weeds” actor Maulik Pancholy. May 16-June 17,Tickets start at $20, studiotheatre.org. Q The world premiere musical “Snow Child” is bound to be original. It’s based on Eowyn Ivey’s novel of the same name, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and features Alaskan string-band traditions in its score. A grieving couple in the 1920s Alaskan wilderness are visited by a mysterious girl who disrupts and transforms their lives. Through May 20, Tickets start at $75, arenastage.org. WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

CO U RT E SY P H OTOS

Your favorite R&B group of the ’90s is back again at MGM National Harbor for a dance-filled showcase of their greatest hits.The harmonious trio is sure to sing “Motown Philly,” “On Bended Knee” and more. Get a seat near the front to catch a rose they throw out to lucky ladies in the audience. May 13, 8 p.m.,Tickets start at $75, The Theater at MGM National Harbor, theaternationalharbor.com.

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR

PH I LLIPS COLLECTION GALA Celebrate the museum’s award-winning educational programs that support K-12 education reform, art and wellness at the annual gala chaired by Australian Ambassador Joe Hockey and his wife Melissa Babbage.The Bondi beach-themed Contemporaries Bash at Union Market’s Dock5 will keep the museum’s young patrons busy from 8:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. The Phillips Collection; 8:30 p.m.; black-tie; sponsorships start at $5,500; contact annualgala@phillipscollection.org, 202-387-6522.

FA S HION FOR PAWS Owners and their furry friends will strut their stuff on the fashion runway to beneﬁt the Humane Rescue Alliance at the organization’s annual charity event emceed by television personality and celebrity stylist Carson Kressley. Omni Shoreham; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $120; sponsorships start at $3,000; contact Lauren Sracic, lsracic@humanerescuealliance.org.

AN N UAL CITYDANCE DREAM GALA Watch performances by dance superstars followed by an after-party with cocktails and bites. Proceeds from the evening support CityDance’s free after-school DREAM program. Lincoln Theater; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $250; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact dreamgala@citydance.net, 202-347-3909.

KE N NEDY CENTER SPRING GALA Gue sts of the gala will enjoy co cktails on the terrace, dinner, a performance by Mavis Staples and a ’Til Midnight Party. In addition, the gala will honor citizen artist Gary Sinise and distinguished philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad with the Award for the Human Spirit. The Kennedy Center; 5 p.m.; bla ck-tie; tickets start at $1,000; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact springgala@kennedy-center.org, 202-416-8338.

HEARTS DELIGHT TASTING & AUCTION The four-day event will include dinners hosted by Congress, vintners and embassies, capped off with a Bordeaux master class and grand tasting. The series of programming will feature fare from renowned chef Daniel Boulud and winery Chateau Margaux. Various locations and times; tickets start at $200; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact Heidi Arnold, heidi.arnold@heart.org, 703-248-1720.

9-12

ARENA STAGE ONE NIGHT ONLY GALA Broadway legend Maur ice Hines returns to Arena Stage as master of ceremonies for a one-night-only performance and celebration with artist Mary McBride. Washington, D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser will receive an award in recognition of her continued support of the Washington arts scene. Arena Stage; 5:30 p.m.; tickets start at $300; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact Maria Corso, 202-6004025, rsvp@arenastage.org.

WASHINGTON BALLET GALA Join The Washington Ballet for one of the season’s most highly anticipated events at one of Washington’s hottest new concert venue. The evening will include a cocktail hour, seated dinner and performances by company dancers. All proceeds from the gala will support the arts and education programs of The Washington Ballet. The Anthem; 7 p.m.; black-tie; tickets start at $1,000; sponsorships start at $2,5000; contact Staley Holub, 202-362-3606.

Joi Sheffield and her pup at the 2017 Fashion for Paws

Cristhel Barron and Tara Papanicolas at the 2017 Hirshhorn Gala H IR SHHORN MUSEUM SPRING GALA Dig out those retro shoulder pads that harken back to the iconic ’80s for the museum’s annual gala, where contemporary artist Jeff Koons will be honored. In addition to cocktails and dinner, guests will enjoy a dessert performance by Jennifer Rubell. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; 6 p.m.; tickets start at $2,500; sponsorships start at $25,000; contact HirshhornGala@ si.edu 202-633-4109.

EMBASSY CHEF CHALLENGE The 10th anniversary challenge celebrates culinary diplomacy and gives guests an opportunity to sample authentic food and drink from an array of embassy chefs. Expect to experience sensory overload with delicious fare and international musical and dance performances. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; 6:30p.m.; tickets start at $90; contact Mikala Rempe, mikala@ lindarothpr.com.

SAVE THE DATE :/ 6321625(' (9(176

JUNE Halcyon Awards JUNE Hillwood Gala JUNE Dine and Dash

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

P H OTOS BY TO NY P OW E L L AN D E R I N SC H AF F

MAY

FYIDC | ART FEATURE

LINE IN THE SAND

The haunting virtual reality exhibit ‘Carne y Arena’ takes visitors on a border crossing journey that blurs the lines between art and politics.

NE I L D E S I GN : L EG E N DARYG RA P H I C

Carne y Arena 1611 Benning Rd. NE Reservations can be made online at carneyarena.com. Slots are available in 15 minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through August 31.Admission is free.

(which l o o s e l y translates to “Flesh and Sand” in Spanish). From the cold room, meant to mimic the “freezer” where immigrants are detained if caught by border patrol, you enter a large, dark expanse covered in pebbles and sand.There you are fitted with VR goggles and a backpack that keeps you from running into the surrounding walls. In mere seconds you are transported to the middle of a desert, in the dead of night, in the throes of a border crossing. The six-and-a-half minute encounter that ensues is equal parts chaotic, horrifying and heart-wrenching, offering a tiny fraction of the terror a migrant might face while attempting to reach a better life in the U.S.The exhibit closes with filmed snippets of real-life interviews from which Iñárritu based the project. When the Mexican-born director set out to address the nation’s immigration issues with

this project, it took five years for the cutting-edge technology to catch up with his vision. The installation previewed at last year’s Cannes Film Festival where it won a special Oscar before moving on to Milan, Mexico City and Los Angeles to ample buzz. In March, it took up residence in a former church in Northeast D.C. where it will remain on view through August 31. Its Washington debut feels timely as immigration debates press on and hateful rhetoric surrounding the issue heats up. Unlike other contemporary art shows (think Yayoi Kusama at the Hirshhorn), Iñárritu’s was not designed to be shared on social media. It is meant to be lonely and scary in the same way a border crossing would be. After stepping back into the light of day, it is hard to imagine returning to the daily grind so quickly. Personal problems suddenly feel trivial.Taking such reactions into account, Iñárritu and his team provided a “postexperience” tent with snacks and drinks from Maketto. You enter, sit alone in silence and attempt to digest what you’ve just seen.

C R E D I T:

ud-caked sneakers, frayed wedges, torn up boots and other miscellaneous footwear are strewn across a cold, sterile room where you are asked to take off your own shoes. Barefoot on the icy concrete floor, you read a sign explaining that each shoe has been collected from the U.S.- Mexican border, across which thousands of immigrants attempt the harrowing journey into America every year. With no phones or companions permitted, you find yourself unable to take your eyes off a single toddler-sized Croc flipped on its side – small in scale, but large in symbolism. It alludes to the controversial immigration debate that has captured headlines in recent months amid President Donald Trump’s threats to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program enacted by President Obama. Who does that shoe belong to, you wonder. In that moment Academy-Award-winning director (“Birdman,”“The Revanant”) Alejandro G. Iñárritu has succeeded in his goal to create an experience that forces you to think about the individuals behind immigration statistics. These real life stories from Mexican and Central American refugees haunted Iñárritu and fueled his virtual reality project “Carne y Arena”

K E L L E R H O U S E

BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I

FYIDC | WATCH TRENDS

CARTIER Ballon Bleu de Cartier Watch 33 MM, 18carat pink gold, steel and diamonds ($12,000); Cartier, Chevy Chase, 301.654.5858

CHOPARD Happy Sport automatic 18-carat rose gold, mother of pearl and diamonds (Price upon request); Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tyson’s Galleria, 703.448.6731

PATEK PHILLIPPE Complication Chronograph in 18-carat rose gold and ivory dial with an alligator strap ($81,083); Tiny Jewel Box, M St. and Connecticut Ave., 202.393.2747

2-+,8 %2( (%= Timeless wrist candy good for any hour. BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I

TIFFANY & CO. Two hand pave 21 x 34 MM ($22,000); Tiffany & Co., Chevy Chase, 301.657.8777

ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 (price upon request); Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tyson’s Galleria, 703.448.6731 BULGARI Octo Solotempo watch ($6,950); Bulgari, CityCenterDC 960 I St NW, 202.559.2001

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

FYIDC | jewelry trends

bulgari Parentesi bracelet (Price on request); Bulgari, CityCenterDC, 960 I St. NW, 202-559-2001, bulgari.com

temple st. clair Flower serpent diamond and semiprecious stone ring ($15,000); Saks Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com

kendra scott Betsy gold red pendant necklace in red mother of pearl ($150); Kendra Scott, Georgetown, 1249 Wisconsin Ave NW, 202-559-7452, kendrascott.com

david yurman Wheaton ring with blue topaz and diamonds ($775); David Yurman, CityCenterDC, 924 Palmer Alley NW, 202-682-0260, davidyurman.com

Make A Statement

Dainty jewels are out. Volume is in. by erica moody

tiffany & co. Tiffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hardwear triple drop earrings ($2,600); Tiffany & Co, Fairfax Square, 8045 Leesburg Pike, 703-893-7700, tiffany.com

roberto coin 18k yellow gold brown and white diamond cluster ring ($15,800); Liljenquist & Beckstead,Tysons Galleria, 703-4486731, liljenquistbeckstead.com

maria canale Flapper chandelier earrings ($10,625); Tiny Jewel Box, 1155 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-393-2747, tinyjewelbox.com

chanel Green cuff in 18k yellow gold, malachites, tourmaline and diamonds ($48,200); Chanel Tysons,Tysons Galleria, 703-847-0555, chanel.com

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| m ay

2018

| washingtonlife.com

FYIDC | THE DISH

STAY THEN PLAY

Twelve of Washington’s luxury hotels with food and drink scenes to write home about. BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I

The Round Robin Bar at the WIllard InterContinental Hotel.

5)&Ŏ306/%Ŏ30#*/Ŏ#"3ŎsŎThe Willard InterContinental Hotel Gather ’round the historic circular bar and ponder the types of conversations Mark Twain and Woodrow Wilson might have had over house classics like the Mint Julep, which is said to have been introduced to D.C. here. #-6&Ŏ%6$,Ŏ-06/(&ŎsŎPark Hyatt Arrive hungry to this West End gem where bites come from acclaimed restaurant Blue Duck Tavern. An extensive wine list matches perfectly with the lounge’s nightly cheese and charcuterie presentation. 107Ŏ-06/(&ŎsŎW Hotel This trendy rooftop claims some of the best views in the city. Snag a glass of Veuve Clicquot at a seat by the window and try to spot Secret Service details posted on the roof of the White House.

5)&Ŏ-06/(&Ŏ"5Ŏ#063#0/Ŏ45&",ŎsŎFour Seasons Hotel Grab a booth and pair one of the sexy bar’s rare scotches by the glass with Bourbon Steak’s famous trio of duck fat fries.You’re welcome. 4*3&/ŎsŎThe Darcy This Logan Circle newcomer simulates an underwater escape. Saddle up to the impressive raw bar and watch Robert Wiedmaier’s team construct seafood towers and platters laced with caviar. 5)&Ŏ3:&Ŏ#"3ŎsŎRosewood Hotel As its name implies, whisky and scotch should be priority orders at this sophisticated haunt along the C&O Canal in Georgetown. Settle into a Chesterfield lounger and sip the popular Barrel Aged Manhattan. #&/+".*/Ŏ#"3Ŏ Ŏ-06/(&ŎsŎTrump International Hotel Politics aside, the view in the Old Post Office’s lobby is worth the trip in its own right. Luxe blue velvet sofas and grand crystal chandeliers are just the right amount of ‘extra’ for a special occasion.

45ŖŎ3&(*4Ŏ#"3Ŏ Ŏ-06/(&ŎsŎSt. Regis Hotel This nook in the lobby of the St. Regis oozes class.Visitors can relax by an elongated fireplace and accompany their cocktail with fare from Alhambra, the hotel’s new Mediterranean restaurant concept. 26*--ŎsŎThe Jefferson Hotel Mahogany and amber accents give this elegant lounge a vibrant glow. Cozy up with a traditional dirty martini, or any of the classics, during live piano performances five nights a week.

St. Regis Bar & Lounge

/&95Ŏ8)*4,:Ŏ#"3ŎsŎThe Watergate Hotel This “Mad Men”- esque bar has been a big draw since the hotel’s renovation and reopening in 2016. Living up to its name, visitors will find themselves surrounded by walls of illuminated whisky bottles. Swanky, indeed. %&(3&&4Ŏ#*4530ŎsŎThe Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown High ceilings and a charming outdoor garden at the Ritz’s Georgetown location make it an after work go-to.Try the Peruvian Hemingway cocktail, made with pineapple-infused Pisco, lime juice and simple syrup.

Whole duck from Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt

“Trumpy Sour” cocktail at the HayAdams’ iconic Off the Record bar

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F T H E W I L L AR D I N T E R CO N T I NE N TAL ; P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F T H E ST. R E G I S ; P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F PA R K H YAT T; P H OTO BY DA N C H U N G

0''Ŏ5)&Ŏ3&$03%ŎsŎThe Hay-Adams Hotel Come for the political cartoon coasters, stay for the inventive, wonky cocktails – “Hillary’s Last Word,” anyone? A stone’s throw from the White House and frequented by a high level clientele for decades, we only wish the walls of this red-hued underworld could talk.

POLLYWOOD The Nexus of Politics﹐ Hollywood﹐ Media and Diplomacy | Embassy Row, Catholic Charities Gala and more!

Brigitte Macron, first lady of France, President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump, first lady of the United States, at the White House ahead of the Trumps’ first state dinner. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

POLLYWOOD | EMBASSY ROW

Diplomatic Diversity An Envoy’s Reappearance | Trump Untweeted | Embassy Websites BY ROLAND FLAMINI

increased tariffs on steel, aluminum and other goods. Ross’s reasoned presentation had some envoys wondering whether he was discussing the same issue as his boss’s combative tweets.

Prince Bandar bin Sultan at a dinner in 2009.

activists, journalists, clerics and academics a United Nations report says were rounded up in September. They are still incarcerated – and in nothing like the same gilded surroundings. IT’S HOW YOU SAY IT Meridian House, the long established center for international understanding in the nation’s capital, is stepping up what it calls its “neutral, non-partisan channels” to help foreign diplomats as they strive to explain to their governments the “unpredictability of [Washington’s] political agenda.” As part of the magnified program, a large number of ambassadors representing countries all over the world were on hand at Meridian recently to hear Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross make the administration’s case for

WEB DIPLOMACY There ought to be a prize for the best embassy website. Once little more than compilations of diplomats’ names and phone numbers, many of these sites have blossomed into elaborate audio-visual self-portraits of the countries they represent, complete with videos, graphics, frequently (but not always) up-to-theminute information and the inevitable ambassadorial tweets. A quick browse reveals their diversity and inventiveness. The elaborate German Embassy website, surely a prize contender, includes a minicourse in the language.The French site carries reports of President Emmanuel Macron’s recent phone conversations with President Trump. It is also – predictably – cuisine-oriented to the point that it has an archeological report on what dinosaurs ate. The Embassy of Mexico offers information, including a tollfree number, for use by citizens having immigration problems.The Embassy of South Africa previews an international rugby match at RFK Stadium in June between the Springboks (i.e. the South African national team) and Wales. And from the Australian Embassy site we learn that on July 4 Australia and the United States will mark “100 years of mateship”; that Australia has offered to contribute to the cost of repairing America’s infrastructure (!); and that Ambassador Joe Hockey, who recently played a round of golf with Trump, thinks the time it takes to go through border formalities at Dulles International Airport (1 hour 30 minutes) is “an absolute disgrace.”

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY

2018

| washingtonlife.com

P H OTO BY B E TSY S P RU I L L C L AR K E

PRINCELY DINNER Washington is accustomed to revenant ghosts: it certainly sees enough of them. But the re-appearance of Prince Bandar bin Sultan came as a surprise to many of the guests at a recent dinner for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The focus of the evening was supposed to be the 32-year-old “MBS,” at the start of his charm offensive in seven U.S. cities; but Prince Bandar, a diplomatic fixture in the nation’s capital for more than 20 years, almost stole the show. He was even one of the speakers, paying dutiful tribute to the young guest of honor’s bold and decisive leadership. The assembled company spanned decades of U.S.K.S.A. relations and brought together some distinguished Washington figures from the past who turned out to be still in the present. Also there: Army Gen. H.R. McMaster, fresh from his firing a few days earlier as Trump’s national security advisor. When Jeb Bush, speaking on behalf of two absent Bush presidents, mentioned McMaster in his speech, the entire hall rose to its collective feet to salute the general with prolonged applause. MBS, heir to the throne of the richest nation in the Arab world, got red carpet treatment from the administration, with President Donald Trump lavishing praise on his country, and trumpeting the multi-billiondollar weapons purchase the Prince had apparently confirmed. MBS’s main message is of an evolving regime keen to attract Western economic investment. Prior to his trip the prince had released, mostly on payment of a huge ransom, scores of Saudi princes, government officials and business leaders who had been locked up in the luxurious Ritz Carlton in Riyadh. But not the 60 or so human rights

POLLYWOOD

Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Monsignor John Enzler

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Mark Tuohey, Linda Rabbitt and Marty Tuohey

Bishop Mario Dorsonville and Larry Fisher

Rep. John and April Delaney with Arturo Brillembourg and Hilda Ochoa Brillembourg Bill Homan WL SPONSORED

CATHOLIC CHARITIES GALA

Chris and Karen Donatelli

Marriott Marquis | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL SERVING OTHERS Monsignor John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, welcomed more than 1,000 guests to the organization’s annual gala, which raises critical funds for 57 local programs that address hunger, homelessness, employment, and medical, dental and mental health. Enzler called the 90-year-old charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Washington “a lifeline and beacon of hope for the area’s most vulnerable.” The black-tie soirée included such distinguished guests as Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Judy and Steven Gluckstern with Lisa and Robert Ferguson

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Robert and Anna Trone, Maryanne Fiorita, Chief Justice John Roberts and Jane Roberts

Ralph and Carey Gangitano with Alex Gangitano and Bryan Petrich

Tony and Diane Williams

John Irelan and Dede Wilsey

Yumi Hogan and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan

Jean-Marie Fernandez

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

POLLYWOOD | HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE The MPAA and National Geographic Channel Screen ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and Katie Couric’s ‘America Inside Out.’ B Y J A N E T D O N O VA N

in Emancipation Park.The event If it hadn’t been for Catherine turned violent after they clashed Hand’s bad behavior in the with counter-protesters opposing classroom when she was ten, “A the Confederate imagery. Wrinkle in Time” may never have Ironically, Couric went to the made it to the big screen. The University of Virginia and admits now producer- extraordinaire that at the time she was oblivious to was sent to the library for talking the consequences and significance in class and was handed a copy of Confederate statues: “This has of Madeleine L’Engle’s “A been a real awakening for people Wrinkle in Time.” At a private to understand why these [statues], screening Q&A at E Street why our memorial landscape, is so Cinema, Hand discussed the offensive to some people,” she said experience with Motion Picture “because it celebrates, for many Association of America CEO Americans, the wrong thing.” Charles Rivkin and Catherine Hand at a private screening of “A Wrinkle in Time” Charles Rivkin. “[The book] just It’s also part of a historical made this imprint on me that would never go the movie. Hand calls the Disney logo that narrative. Statue removal of this kind is away,” she said. opens the movie her favorite part of the something that local jurisdictions and Synopsis: A young girl named Meg Murry production. communities are wrestling with: “Should they and her younger brother Charles Wallace Hand is no stranger to the film world. Her be put in a museum? Should they be allowed set out to find their father – a scientist who parents, Ann and Lloyd Hand, were close to stand? Should they be allowed to stay with discovered a new planet employing a concept friends of legendary MPAA head Jack Valenti some context?” Couric asks, “And that’s really called tesseract to travel there. Guided by three when Lloyd served as chief of protocol what this hour deals with.” mysterious astral travelers, the children brave a under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Early in dangerous journey to a planet that possesses all her career, she worked with award-winning The show premiered April 11 on the National of the evil in the universe. writer/producer Norman Lear and for Francis Geographic Channel. Hand remembers reading the book after Ford Coppola’s production company, American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated Zoetrope. and feeling the same sadness as grown ups around her. “I had always heard ‘hope’ had “A Wrinkle in Time” was released in theaters died; ‘innocence’ had died,” she said. “That nationwide on Feb. 26, 2018. was a very hard thing to hear when you’re ten years old.”The book gave her an indescribable KATIE COURIC’S DEEP DIVE We caught sense of courage, which carried her through up with Katie Couric on the red carpet at National Geographic for the Washington the years. She wrote a letter to Walt Disney about premiere of her six-part television series making the book into a movie, but never “America Inside Out with Katie Couric” in mailed it.When he died a few years later, Hand partnership with NatGeo. In the show’s first episode, “Re-Righting felt guilty that she didn’t send it. She promised herself on the day of his death, December 15, History,” Couric is smack dab in the middle 1966, that one day she would take on the of last summer’s Unite the Right rally in Katie Couric at the Washington task herself. The irony now is that The Walt Charlottesville, Va., which drew protesters in premiere of her television series. Disney Company actually owns the rights to favor of keeping a statue of Robert E. Lee

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

PAU L M O R I G I / G E T T Y I M AG E S ; P H OTO BY J OY A S I CO

CATHERINE HAND’S PROMISE

Amb. of Singapore Ashok Mirpuri and Antonio Alves HIlary Geary Ross and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross

WL EXCLUSIVE

DINNER HONORING WILBUR ROSS Amb. of Singapore Residence | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ

Dale Jones and Bill Webster

SPRING KICKOFF The Ambassador of Singapore Ashok Mirpuri and his wife Gouri Mirpuri graciously welcomed guests into their home for a celebration honoring Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. The dinner also served as the kickoff event for Harvard Business School’s third annual Leadership Gala, which will be held on June 13 at the Four Seasons and co-chaired by Ambassador Mirpuri. Ross was was feted among friends and distinguished guests including Judge Bill Webster, Annie Totah, Mark Lowham, Susan Carmel, Dale Jones, Elizabeth and Paul Centenari and Diane Brown. Before being seated for a five-course dinner with wine pairings courtesy of Moet Hennessy, guests took advantage of the lovely spring weather on the residence’s patio with glasses of rose champagne in hand.

Diane Ray Brown

Sir Kim Darroch and Sir Tim Rice Fred Ryan, Jane Harman and Genny Ryan

Robin West, Joan Tobin and Eileen Shields-West

HONORING SIR TIM RICE British Ambassador’s Residence | PHOTOS BY ALFREDO FLORES SINGING HIS SONGS Being honored with a Q&A at the British Embassy followed by a VIP reception is an experience afforded to very few indeed and in Sir Tim Rice’s case three Oscars, three Golden Globes, one Tony and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame were reason enough. “He’s part of the soundtrack of our lives,” Ambassador-cum-interlocutor Sir Kim Darroch said before listing Sir Tim’s collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber on “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita,” with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA on “Chess” and with Sir Elton John on “The Lion King.” HELPFUL HINT: “The key thing is the story,” the self-styled “failed-solicitor-turnedsongwriter” told the crowd. “Even with a bad score it can be a hit.”

William Nitze, Jacqueline Mars and Bill McSweeny

Odile Wilson, Amanda Downes and Gavin Wilson VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

POLLYWOOD

Amb. John Limbert

Morad Ghorban and Rep. Carolyn Maloney

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Jason Rezaian and Yeganeh Rezaian

Rep. Gerald Connolly and Randy Forbes

NOROOZ ON THE HILL Rayburn Building | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ

The Haft-Seen Sofreh

LEGISLATORS FOR NOROOZ Members of Congress gathered alongside the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) in the Capitol to celebrate Norooz, the traditional Persian new year and the arrival of spring. Special guests included Ambassador John Limbert, Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and more than 150 Congressional staff. Members in attendance included Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Jamie Raskin, Scott Peters, Zoe Lofgren, Gerald Connolly, Sheila Jackson Lee, Carolyn Maloney, Andre Carson and former Rep. Randy Forbes. PAAIA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonreligious organization that serves the interests of Americans of Iranian descent and represents the community before U.S. policymakers and the American public at large.

Rep. Andre Carson Goli Kaviani, Robert Babayi, Aghdas Babayi and Leila Molavi

Rep. Jamie Raskin, Nazie Eftekhari and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Farrah Javid, Forough Parvizian Yazdani and Roshan Alavi

IRANIAN COMMUNITY GROUPS CELEBRATE THE PERSIAN NEW YEAR Carnegie Institution for Science | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ WELCOMING SPRING Ten organizations representating Americans of Iranian descent brought their members together to celebrate Norooz with the aim of strengthening relationships and engaging political leaders in Washington, D.C. Many of the 200 guests were spotted posing for pictures around the beautiful, blue-hued Haft-Seen Sofreh, a traditional element of the Persian New Year that incorporates seven symbolic items that all have names starting with the letter S in the Persian alphabet. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Susan Crown, Kayvon Sarmadi and Nadira Sarmadi

Pani Farkhan, Afghan Amb. Hamdullah Mohib, Marzia Abbasi and Sonny Abbasi

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

POLLYWOOD Bozoma Saint John

Honorees Kiran Bir Sethi, Boom Mosby, Lina Khalifeh, Jamira Burley

Alyse Nelson, Hillary Clinton, Sally Field, Melanne Verveer

VITAL VOICES GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Beth Brooke

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

CHANGING THE WORLD Former first lady, Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton headlined the 17th annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards (and did not sidestep politics), telling the sold-out crowd: “We are living through a perilous time in women’s rights and we’re seeing a retreat from a commitment to embrace women’s advancements as an objective of U.S. foreign policy.” The event honored women who are triggering change in their communities and around the world as they address violent crime, education, child trafficking and LGBT rights. DOUBLE TAKES: Headturners in attendance included Hollywood icon Sally Field, actress Zoey Deutch and Uber Chief Brand Office Bozoma Saint John.

Caroline Wanga

Darren Walker, Megan Smith VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

2018 winner Cierra Jackson and Melissa Guzmán

Running Start President Susannah Wellford, Rep. Will Hurd and Ben Shakow

RUNNING START AWARDS

Democratic co-chairTasha Cole, Connie Morella and Republican co-chair Laura Cox Kaplan Anita McBride

National Museum of Women in the Arts | PHOTOS BY ERIN SCHAFF

Rep. Barbara Comstock

WOMEN IN POLITICS Seven alumnae of Running Start’s mentorship program, which trains young women to run for elected office, participated in a campaign simulation in which they gave speeches and went table to table asking for votes at the group’s 12th annual Young Women to Watch Awards. Dinner guests cast their ballots via mobile phones at the end of the night, choosing former Obama White House intern and onetime Miss District of Columbia Cierra Jackson as the organization’s 2018 #ILookLikeAPolitician Ambassador. The evening was a reflection of the current political climate, Running Start founder and president Susannah Wellford said, adding that this year “we’ve had more women running for office and being appointed than ever before.”

2017 winner Sophia Houdaigui and Lane Kaplan 34

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

INOVA

COMMUNITY BUILDERS Milt Peterson and Dwight Schar helped transform the Northern Virginia landscape and, with Knox Singleton, built a world-class hospital system along the way. BY ERICA MOODY | PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

Milt Peterson, Knox Singleton and Dwight Schar

here was nothing,” developer Milt Peterson says about 1965 Northern Virginia. “There was no industry, there was no shopping center; it was strictly residential.” In Tysons Corner, all he remembers is a dilapidated general store with a single gas pump out front. But Peterson saw potential based on proximity to Washington. “I looked at other great capitals of the world — London, Paris, Moscow — and said, I think this place is going to grow. Great countries have great capitals. So, that’s why I stayed in Northern Virginia.” The ability to pinpoint potential and see it through is one thing Peterson shares in common with his friends, fellow Virginia businessmen Dwight Schar and Knox Singleton. Peterson has 50 years in the development business under his belt, building up major retail/ residential projects like National Harbor and Fairfax Corner through his Chantilly-based Peterson Companies. Schar is part owner of the Washington Redskins, a noted philanthropist, founder of Ryan Homes

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

and owner of Reston-based NVR Inc., the nation’s fifth largest homebuilder. Singleton was, until his recent retirement, the longtime CEO of Inova Health System, which is fast becoming a major health research presence and is already one of the largest employers in the region. To hear them speak is to observe three great minds at work. “I don’t know if Dwight remembers this, but we met on a bus doing work for the United Way,” Singleton reminisces. It was in the mid ’80s and, though he didn’t get to know Schar very well that day, he saw enough to make him take notice. “I saw how he operated. He didn’t just talk about things. He brought people together and made things happen.” He says the same about Peterson, who serves on the board of Inova. Most recently, the can-do trio collaborated on the acquisition of ExxonMobil’s 117-acre campus in Merrifield to create a research center for genomic medicine, a success story that was no small feat and featured talks with

Dick Cheney and George W. Bush in attempts to convince Rex Tillerson, then EVP of ExxonMobil to sell to them. “I bought property for over 50 years and this was by far the hardest to get,” Peterson says. “We could write three books on how hard it was to acquire,” echoes Schar. “The process [took] a long time. George Bush came to my house for lunch and we tried to get him to talk to Tillerson,” he recalls. “And then we went to see Dick Cheney, who is a friend. We had lunch with him.” Since Cheney had his heart transplant at Inova, they thought he’d be the perfect person to convince Tillerson. Over lunch, Peterson and Cheney bonded over their admiration of Winston Churchill, Peterson’s personal hero. But Bush and Cheney were unsuccessful. The person who finally pushed the deal through was none other than Terry McAuliffe, Virginia’s business-savvy governor. “It was a joint effort,” Schar says, “but the governor closed the deal.” “The secret [to success] is getting the right people around the campfire to talk about how are we going to make this happen,” Singleton observes. “That’s why Inova is what it is today” — a health system that touches two million lives a year, that’s on its way to becoming the preeminent healthcare and research center between Baltimore and Durham, and is currently the largest employer in Northern Virginia. Schar’s $50 million gift to establish a cancer center was a big help. “Remember this: success is the degree to which you meet your potential,” Peterson says. “Inova, now, because it has that property, can meet its potential.” Thanks to the generosity and innovation of three wise men, Northern Virginia is no longer simply a place to sleep outside of the District.

An unforgettable couples spa day. Candlelit dinner. A change of plans. Breakfast in bed.

What will your story be?

Create the next chapter at SalamanderResort.com or call 844.380.1567.

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

STATE DINNER

ANATOMY OF A STATE DINNER The Trumps Welcome the Macrons BY ROLAND FLAMINI

tate dinners are the most important social event hosted at the White House and an occasion to show off American hospitality at the highest level. The main ingredients are a visiting head of state and his entourage, their American opposites, an additional sprinkling of American and foreign notables, toasts (spoken, not eaten), and, of course, superb food and drink.Within its timehonored protocols every presidential couple adds their individual flavor. The Trumps’ first state dinner in April in honor of President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife Brigitte was a surprisingly low key affair given Trump’s tendency towards flamboyance. But the White House went to some lengths to emphasize that the event had been organized by first lady Melania Trump and her personal staff, and it seems to fit her personality to have made a cautious start. Beginning with the numbers: The dinner was one of the smallest in recent years. The White House invited 123 guests. The Obama dinner for President Francois Hollande four years ago was a huge affair with a guest list of 280; and included among them Hollande’s special adviser – none other than Emmanuel Macron. If the evening had a flavor of déjà vu for the visiting French president, it was more so for another prominent guest — Christine Lagarde. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who hails from France and is a former French government minister, now counts being a guest at state dinners for three of her countrymen – Presidents Macron, Hollande, and Nicolas Sarkozy. The Trumps’ dinner scored a first in at least one respect. As long as anyone can remember,

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Brigitte Macron, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Karen Pence, Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, first lady of the United States, in the Blue Room at the White House ahead of the state dinner. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks).

presidents have always invited a sprinkling of the White House press corps and other media guests to the event, but not this time. Given Donald Trump’s open contempt for the mainstream media, their exclusion was hardly surprising. True, media mogul and Trump supporter Rupert Murdoch was there, but he hardly qualifies as working press. Past state dinners have also been occasions to demonstrate political bi-partisanship, but not this time. No Democrats from either the Senate or House were invited. Gone too were the pop celebrities of the Obama era, like Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, and Stephen Colbert, who was seated next to Michelle Obama at the Hollande dinner. Instead, guests were entertained by performers from the Washington National Opera. One surprising absence among White House senior staffers was Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, although Chief-of Staff Gen. John Kelly was there as were Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Other Washington notables included David Rubenstein, cofounder of the Carlyle Group, megaphilanthropist and perennial president of such galactic institutions as the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. Stuart Holliday, president and CEO of Meridian International, and his wife Gwen made the cut as did Sarah Coulson and Douglas Bradburn, respectively regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, and

president of Mount Vernon. Also spotted: Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin; Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee; and Mary Morton, curator of French paintings at the National Gallery of Art. In between courses there was the traditional exchange of verbal genuflections, ending with each leader proposing a toast to the other, and on this occasion the speeches couldn’t have been more different. Trump quoted Victor Hugo and Charles de Gaulle and recalled the sacrifice of American and French lives in shared conflicts from the American Revolution through World War II and beyond. In the run-up of the presidential visit, the French had pushed back against the “bestbuddy” talk coming out of Washington. And Macron used his remarks to put his relationship with Trump in perspective.Yes, he said, “many comment on our friendship,” but it serves a broader purpose of maintaining the bi-lateral dialogue, and what Macron called “the statute of universality” – stability and universal values, serving “both our countries and the rest of the world.” “I got to know you, you got to know me,” he noted. “We both know that neither of us easily changes his mind. But we will work together, and we have this ability to listen to one another.” It sounded even less chummy in French.

President Donald Trump has revolutionized the use of media by a sitting president, defending his often controversial actions and policy initiatives via phone calls and a storm of tweets at anytime of day or night. The Commander-in-Chief sits at the center of power in Washington and the individuals featured in the following pages exert tremendous influence in the corridors of power.

SPECIAL FEATURE

ower and influence exist in many forms, but in Washington these days they often boil down to the ability to sway, the wisdom to absorb and/or the skill to successfully push against different aspects of the whirlwind generated by an unpredictable president and an administration whose members are in or out depending on the day. Our annual list is generally limited to Washingtonians who neither hold elected office nor draw a government salary. This year, we added a handful of current and former, mostly White House, denizens whose altered roles reflect the unique circumstances of the moment. We also opened up the list to include those outside the beltway to reflect the growing influence of money on power. Trump notwithstanding, there are many people in Washington who make a difference while getting on with their lives, their businesses and their professions: Artists, business owners, philanthropists, a clergyman, a classical music critic who has the power to torpedo a million-dollar opera production with a single review and a leading food critic whose critiques can be counted

upon to fill or empty a restaurant practically overnight. Power can mean money, which can help advance causes and create new enterprises. But power shifts like sand on a beach. Journalists are denigrated by President Donald Trump as the inventors of fake news, but his presidency has boosted the influence of leading media figures, given a new lease on life to newspapers and spiked television news ratings. Because he came into office as an agent of change, many professional and business communities find themselves making common cause to fight, or at least moderate new administration measures. Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” mobilized battalions of opposition from the health sector. Where groups share such a common objective their key players have been grouped together. Yes, it’s a subjective list, even a quirky one in places. Because Washington is not hermetically sealed off from the rest of the world, some outside influencers have also been placed on the list. Vladimir Putin is not a Georgetown resident, but with Moscow’s fingerprints all over the 2016 election, he might as well be. >>

O F FI C I A L W H I T E H O U S E P H OTO

POWER 100

abuse, and Kelly’s removal of Jared Kushner’s top security clearance, the chief of staff ’s authority may have waned.

GOVERNMENT (former and current) Michael Pence Vice President of the United States There are sphinxes in Egypt with more facial mobility than Mike Pence as he waits in the wings for a Trump implosion some people see as inevitable before the end of the presidential term. Pence’s reserved manner is in sharp contrast to Trump’s brash histrionics, and his strong religious conservatism is at the heart of his political record in the House and as governor. So, if he steps into the White House for any reason, including the presumption that he will want to run following the Trump years, the big change will be in style rather than political substance. For the moment, though, Dick Cheney he ain’t. Gen. James Mattis Secretary of Defense Gen. John Kelly Chief-ofStaff, The White House Ironically, the retired U.S. Marine general who was known in the military as “Mad Dog Mattis” is now seen as the straightest-shooting member of the Trump administration. When he was appointed to head the Pentagon, the New York Times rightly predicted that he would be “the voice of reason.” As a military commander he was known for his forceful approach to military tactics, his good judgment and his colorful speech. But the saber rattling now comes from the Oval Office not the Pentagon, where Mattis has yet to make a misstep. Trump brought in former Marine Corps General John Kelly to restore order and discipline to the White House but typically was then reluctant to accept his reforms and restrictions. Since the departure of staff secretary Rob Porter following accusations of spousal

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Michael Pompeo Secretary of State John Bolton National Security Advisor, The White House The recent switch from Gen. H.R. McMaster to John Bolton as head the NSA, and Trump’s nomination of Mike Pompeo to succeed Rex Tillerson as secretary of state represent a seismic – and many say worrisome – change in the conduct of Trump’s foreign policy at a time when the nation faces more than one potentially explosive situation. Bolton, a neoconservative and former U.S. representative to the United Nations, is notorious for his aggressive approach. New York Times political columnist Peter Baker’s recent description of him as “combative, relentless and proudly impolitic” is almost a compliment compared to what other opponents say about him. R. Nicholas Burns, a former senior State Department diplomat, calls Bolton “a practitioner of sledgehammer diplomacy.” As a CNN commentator, Bolton argued in favor of a strike against North Korea. Unlike Tillerson, Pompeo is on Trump’s wavelength when it comes to issues such as the Iran nuclear agreement and the Paris Climate Accord. Unusually for a director of the CIA, Pompeo personally conducted Trump’s daily intelligence briefing, reportedly tailoring it to the president’s short attention span and reputed limitations in coping with complex issues. At his confirmation hearings Pompeo protested that he was not a hawk, but his president is, and an unpredictable one. And the question is, would either man have the will or the inclination to restrain him? Wilbur Ross Secretary of Commerce Trump regards the 80-year-old Wall Street billionaire as his savior because in 1999 Ross, then head of Rothschild Inc.’s bankruptcy

ALL IN THE FAMILY Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Presidential Advisors For severa l months, it was a case of the son-in-law also rises. Even stripped of the intelligence access needed to work on his assigned areas and knee deep in a f inancial investigation, Kushner’s future as a dollara-year official presidential advisor appears secure. Kushner and his wife Ivanka continue to maintain strong ties to many powerful individuals across the globe including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (an old family friend and house guest of the Kushners), the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba (through Trump conf idante Thomas Barrack), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, as well as a host of Russian oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich and Lev Leviev, who together with Kushner are part of the small but powerful international orthodox Hasidic “ C h a b a d m o v e m e n t .” N o t a b l y, Abramovich and Leviev (who are also said to be two of Putin’s closest conf idants) helped arrange for Rabi Berel Lazar of Chabad to become the chief Rabbi of Russia, aka “Putin’s Rabbi.” According to Politico, in the early 2000s Donald “Trump would seek out Russian projects and capital by joining forces with a partnership called Bayrock-Sapir, led by Soviet émigrés Tevf ik Arif, Felix Sater and Tamir Sapir – who maintain close ties to Chabad.” A number of other wellknown oligarchs are also members of Chabad with Kushner including Len Blavatnik and Alexander Mashkevitch (see Jones Day entry). As for Ivanka, it is assumed she continues to have the president’s ear, and he trusts her like no one else. She has represented the country on his behalf in travels around the world, including at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic games.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

THE INVESTIGATORS Robert Mueller Special Counsel Every night before he goes to sleep, Donald Trump checks under his bed to see if Robert Swan Mueller is hiding there – which, metaphorically, he is. But Mueller became a boogeyman of Trump’s own making, when he sacked James Comey. As Mueller, a lifelong Republican, peels away the layers of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 campaign, tension grows in the White House. Mueller’s investigation has leaked very little, so people will only know the details when his findings are made public. As of this writing, however, Mueller has brought over 100 criminal charges against 19 people, including former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and former campaign manager Paul Manafort. In April, the FBI raided the offices of Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen upon the referral of Mueller, a move that so infuriated the President that he has put on hold the possibility of sitting down for an interview with the special counsel. Trump also hired former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to help bring an end to the Russia probe, but how he would do that is unclear. And the question arises weekly: Could the president fire the special counsel? division, brokered a deal that saved Trump’s failing Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City. They remained friends, especially after 2000, when Ross left Rothschild and went into private equity as W. L. Ross & Co. As a so-called “vulture capitalist,” Ross’s interest focused mainly on coal mines and iron works, the industries Trump wants to resuscitate. Ross now spearheads Trump’s combative trade policies, notably his determination to either scrap or re-negotiate what he sees as trade agreements unfavorable to the U.S. and to impose steel and aluminum tariffs that would tax countries at 25 percent and 10 percent respectively. The threatened hikes have resulted in push back from Europe and China as well as warnings of a trade war from both sides of the Atlantic. Ross and his wife Hilary Geary Ross quickly made themselves a fixture in Washington’s social scene, hosting guests from both sides of the aisle at their artfilled Massachusetts Avenue Heights home. Stephen Miller Senior Policy Advisor, The White House Miller is another of the rapidly dwindling original group of Trump’s campaign menagerie. With Bannon gone, the fiery

James Comey Former FBI Director There’s a Biblical touch to the narrative that Donald Trump embraced James Comey, and then f ired him. By getting rid of the FBI director, Trump set in motion a sequence of dramatic events that continue to roil the White House as they edge towards a yet unknown conclusion. And yet, like Trump, Comey also waits for Muel ler’s f inal verdict of some of his more controversial actions. In April, Comey released his muchanticipated tell-all book,“A Higher Loyalty,” which offers a scathing assessment of his former boss. He held no punches as he made the rounds on television news programs, calling Trump “morally unf it” to be president in an interview with ABC. Comey’s high profile appearances led the Commander in Chief to fire off a number of tweets in which he contradicted himself about why he had terminated Comey, this time saying he “was not fired because of the phony Russia investigation,” when he had previously told a reporter that the Russia investigation played a big role in his decision to f ire the FBI director. Confused yet?

crowd warmer of campaign days has acquired more power as the chief White House ideologue and guardian of the populist promises that got Trump elected. Miller established his combative style with the immigration executive order in February 2017, within less than a month of Trump’s arrival in the White House. In his famous on-air shouting match with CNN’s Jake Tapper he displayed the classic traits of a faithful apparatchik. But most striking was his authoritarian tone on CBS’ “Face the Nation”: “The powers of the President to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned,” he said in regard to Trump’s travel ban and immigration policies. Kellyanne Conway Counselor to the President Sarah Huckabee Sanders Press Secretary, The White House Conway, a former pollster who successfully managed the Trump campaign in its final days, becoming the first female campaign manager to win a presidential election, is one of the few survivors of the original

senior White House group. She has the ear of the president and advises him on both policy and politics. Her no-holds-barred interviews on television – from her use of the term “alternative facts” on NBC after the Inauguration to more recently clashing with CNN’s Dana Bash after the journalist asked Conway about her husband’s seemingly critical tweets about the President – has earned her continued admiration from Trump. At the White House, she is a jack of all trades: She was appointed “opioid czar” by the president to help combat the nation’s substance abuse crisis, and is essentiallly running the communications shop, which has been leaderless since the departure of Hope Hicks. Sanders is the unwavering front woman for the administration, who faces the press each day on national television, defending the president, reinforcing his views and taking the “arrows” slung by the press corps. As a result, she is trusted and well-liked by the Commander in Chief. Still, in her hands the White House daily briefing often loses its relevance as an accurate account of the president’s daily activities, as journalists try to sort out the

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

facts from the half-truths, and downright falsehoods. Brad Parscale Campaign Manager, Trump 2020 The digital strategist of Trump’s successful election campaign returns to run the president’s second bid. Parscale’s computer based operation using Facebook and Twitter is widely regarded as the main component of Trump’s victory and his appointment ref lects the Trump camp’s hope that the earlier triumph can be repeated. Corey Lewandowski Political Operative He was in, then he was out and now he could be in again. L e w a n d ow s k i , P r e s i d e n t Tr ump’s combative for mer campaign manager, left the Trump team in

Ju ne 2 016 a f ter new s t h at he h ad manhandled a protester and a journalist, and after reportedly butting heads with then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Insiders say he never stopped being a confidante to the president and rumors are now circulating that he could be in line to replace current White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. On the night of the White Hou s e C or r e s pond ent s’ D i n ne r i n Washington, as Trump held his counterprog ra m m ing ra l ly in M ich ig an, Lewandowski appeared on stage with the President, who praised him for not being “a patsy” on cable news and for helping him w in the election. Cur t M i l ls, a reporter for The American Conservative, wrote: “Those familiar with Lewandowski say that Tr ump sum moning him was evocative of when he called onstage Reince Priebus, who would become chief of staff, during election night in 2016.”

GOVERNMENT WATCHDOGS Speaking truth to power Norman Eisen Chairman, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) “Only 16 percent of what Trump says is true, or mostly true,” says Eisen, a former Obama White House attorney. ”We’ve never had a president like this.” With the enormous personal wealth of the presidential family raising questions of divestiture, and the President making pronouncements that sometimes baffle even his own staff, it’s open season for a group of nonprofits like CREW whose mission is to keep the government and its leaders honest. Three of the more prominent ones are included here. Eisen pulls no punches in his comments on the president. “Of course Trump’s nervous,” he says of the Mueller investigation. “They’re all nervous. The president of the United States has tremendous exposure. He’s facing a trap. If he tells the truth he may prove corrupt intent, and expose himself to the consequences. If he lies, he’s liable under false statement liability, so it’s a terrible situation.” Sheila Krumholz Executive Director, Center for Responsive Politics The Center focuses on tracking money in U.S. politics, and its impact on the elections and public policy. Following the Parkland, Fla. high school shooting and the resulting debate on gun control

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Barack Obama Former President of the United States Not since Herbert Hoover has a former president actually made Washington, D.C. his home. The Obamas bought a house in Kalorama and will remain there at least until their younger daughter Sasha finishes high school. Obama has tweeted in defense of the “Dreamers,” young illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. by their parents, whose future in this country is now in jeopardy under Trump. But he has otherwise said little in public despite Trump’s determined attempts to dismantle his legacy. And as an example of the former president’s continued global reach and influence, Obama beat Trump at own game: Twitter. The current Tweeter-in-chief who takes to the social media platform daily, didn’t even make the top 10 of Twitter’s most retweeted missives of 2017, while Obama’s tweets comprised three of the them. One – his tweet in the wake of the Charlottesville protests – became the most liked tweet in history.

legislation, for example, the Center was ready with up-to-date numbers showing how the gun lobby maintains its grip on law makers through campaign contributions, mainly to Republicans, but also to a few Democrats. In particular, the group called out Florida Senator and former presidential candidate Marco Rubio for receiving more than $3.3 million in donations from the National Rif le Association. It also found that in 2017, the NRA and related groups poured more than $10 million into campaign coffers ($ 820,375 to GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell), compared to a fourth of that amount by the gun control lobby. Robert Weissman President, Public Citizen The Washington-based nonprofit group keeps tabs on gover n ment transparency and cor porate inf luence on the administration’s policy making. It has raised questions about Trump’s failure to follow what his predecessors have done to divest themselves of their business interests while in off ice. A year into the Trump administration, Public Citizen published a list of groups and organizations that in 2017 held events or booked rooms in Trump’s Washington hotel and other Trump properties. The list enumerates 35 political candidates, 16 interest groups, four charities, four foreign governments, three religious groups, two individual companies and a college football team.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

LEGAL EAGLES Stephen Brogan Managing Partner, Jones Day With at least 13 of its lawyers po s it ione d s t r a t e g ic a l l y t h roug hout t he Tr u mp administration, including Don McGahn, the firm has not been coy about its ties to Trump and exercises immense, unprecedented power in Washington. McGahn who served as counsel to the 2016 campaign and then the transition team has also led the highly successful effort to pack the U.S. courts with fellow conservative Federalist Society judges and has been at the center of a continuous stream of legal actions in connection with the Mueller investigation, immigration, and other issues. A Jones Day advertisement boasts of insights on the new administration with a photo of the White House to hammer home the point. Other Jones Day attorneys who have or currently hold key administration positions include: Noel Francisco: solicitor general; William McGinley, deputy assistant to the president and Cabinet secretary; James Burnham, senior associate counsel to the president; Annie Donaldson, special counsel to the president, chief of staff to the White House counsel; Stephen Vaden, special assistant to the secretary of agriculture; Blake Delaplane, special assistant to the White House Counsel; John Gore, deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights; Michael Murray, counsel to the deputy attorney General; James Uthmeier, special advisor to secretary of commerce; Greg Katsas, deputy counsel to the president; David Morrell, associate counsel to the president; and Kaytlin Roholt, special counsel to the Senate Judiciary Commission. Jones Day is famously governed - unlike any other major international law firm - with

control resting in the hands of just one man, Steve Brogan. The power Brogan exercises over Jones Day’s 2,500 attorneys located in 44 global offices has been described as autocratic and absolute. Unusually, on April 16, 2016, The White House Counsel’s Office, issued a blanket ethics waiver allowing White House Counsel McGahn and other former Jones Day attorneys working in the White House to participate in communications and meetings with Jones Day. It is well known that the law firm of Jones Day represents President Trump, the Trump 2016 and 2020 Presidential Campaign Committees, Trump for America, Inc. (aka The 2016 Trump Transition Team) and certain Trump related political action committees as well as the Republican National Committee, The National Rifle Association, Citizens United, Judicial Watch, Diebold, RenTech (owned by Robert Mercer), and certain interests of Wilber Ross. According to Federal Election Commission filings, during the period from March 13, 2017 through the end of the year Trump’s campaign has been publicly reported to have paid more than $2.3 million to Jones Day. What is less known is Jones Day’s global reach, which includes a Moscow office, run from Washington by Vladimir Lechtman. The firm’s oligarch practice has included representing companies owned and controlled by a group of the former Soviet Union’s most wealthy and powerful oligarchs, some of whom appear to be at the center of the U.S. election controversy now being investigated -- all of whom are alleged to owe their immense wealth and inf luence -- at least in part -- to relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although it is unclear whether Jones Day represents the oligarchs themselves or merely the companies holding their assets, according to Jones Day and their clients’ disclosures, these oligarch controlled companies include but are not limited to the following (noted along with these individuals approximate net worth): Alfa Bank, TNK and LetterOne

(Petr Aven, $4.6 billion, German Kahn, $9.3 billion, Alexey Kuzmichev, $7.2 billion and Mikhail M. Fridman, $14.4 billion); Access Industries (Leonard Blavatnik, $19 billion); Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (Alexander Mashkevitch, $1.91 billion, Patokh Chodiev, $2 billion and Alijan Ibragimov, $2.3 billion); Basic Element (Oleg Deripaska, $5.1 billion); Sapir Organization, 100 Church Street development (Sapir family, $2 billion); Rosneft (Igor Sechin, $2 billion); Roust Corp (Roustam Tariko, Russian Standard Bank and Russian Standard Vodka, $1 billion) and Renova Group (Viktor Vekselberg, $12.4 billion). Notably Victor Veksleberg, Oleg Derapska and Igor Sechin have been placed on the U.S. Sanctions List. The founders of the Alfa Group entities and Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation have remained off of the sanctions list. Jones Day has also represented Gazprom Export, a branch of the Russian state-owned energy giant. A former Jones Day attorney, Solicitor General Noel Francisco, is also now next in line, after Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, to oversee the Mueller investigation into Russian inf luence in the 2016 election given the vacancy created by the departure of Rachel Brand. In February, Brand, who was next in the line in succession behind Rosenstein, announced she was stepping down as associate attorney general after only nine months on the job. In a speech before the Federalist Society in February she said she resigned because she “unexpectedly” received an offer she could not refuse to become the global governance director at Walmart. Coincidentally, Jones Day generated millions of dollars advising Walmart on an investigation regarding violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) after which the CEO was replaced by Doug McMillon to whom Brand will now report. The reason Francisco is next in line behind Rosenstein is because the President has not appointed her replacement, who in any event would need to be confirmed by the Senate.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Jamie Gorelick Partner, WilmerHale When Gorelick, a long-time, ardent, high level Clinton devotee (deput y at tor ney general to be exact), agreed to help Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner navigate divestiture rules and conf lict of interest and nepotism concerns, it seemed to many that she had taken bipartisanship too far. In interviews, Gorelick waff led on about how she was more likely to guide her clients to an ethical position over an attorney of the same political persuasion. The validity of her conclusion– that Ivanka becoming a White House staffer made her obl igat ion to subm it to eth ics r u les voluntary– was widely challenged. As for Kushner, his controversial business ties continue to raise questions. Kim Koopersmith Chairman, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld 2017 was a good year for lawyers, and an exceptional one for Akin Gump, one of the District’s leading f irms. It’s gross revenue was $1.039 billion, a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year, $38.7 million of it coming from lobbying because the firm’s full client list included companies tied to the big controversial issues of the day – health and tax reform. Jonathan Talisman Founding Partner, Capitol Tax Partners For years, in his past roles in government and before that on the Hill, Talisman was a strong advocate of reforming the country’s cumbersome tax laws. His company was in the middle of the action on behalf of a long list of blue chip clients in 2017 when talk of tax reform changed into often chaotic action pushed by Donald Trump. But that’s hardly the end of the stor y: the f lawed leg islation cobbled together by the Republican-dominated House and Senate needs extensive repair – promising even more business for Capitol Tax Partners and organizations like it.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

INTERNATIONAL MONEY Jim Yong Kim President, World Bank Jim Yong Kim, a U.S.-born Korea n physicia n a nd anthropologist, was an antipoverty activist before his World Ba n k appoint ment. He ha s com m itted the bank to eradicating extreme world poverty, a departure from its traditional role of f inancing major i n f r a st r uc t u re projec t s. A st ron g environmentalist, Kim announced last year that the bank would no longer f inance upstream oil and gas projects. Trump is openly skeptical of the World Bank’s change of direction and poverty targets, but then so are many World Bank economists and staffers. Not surprisingly, there is some question whether the U.S. will continue to meet its obligations to the bank. A year ago, the Tr ump administration stopped its contribution to the IDB, which finances development projects in Latin America. Luis Alberto Moreno President, Inter-American Development Bank Moreno is a former Colombian ambassador to Washington who sold the administration on Plan Colombia, a U.S.-financed strategy to fight the Colombian drug cartels. He learned of the U.S. cutoff decision while meeting the IDB board in Paraguay. But not all Latin American countries are net beneficiaries of the IDB these days, and Moreno says he had made up the shortfall in commitments by the end of the meeting.

Christine Lagarde Managing Director, International Monetary Fund Following Trump’s election all three Washington-based international financial institutions are having to adjust to less support from their biggest shareholder, the U.S. government. Lagarde, a former French f inance minister with a high profile in the global financial world, is in her second four-year term at the head of the IMF. She was at the forefront of easing the debt crisis in the European Union, in particular the big bail- out of Greece. But Trump’s protectionist policies, which are now beginning to take specific shape run counter to all that the IMF, a lender of first response stands for, so a meeting of the minds is hardly likely.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

OUTSIDE INFLUENCERS ARABS Salem Al-Sabah Ambassador of Kuwait Rima Al-Sabah Goodwill Ambassador, U.N. High Commission for Refugees It was hard ly sur pr ising that President Trump’s first – and, so far, only – social visit to a foreign embassy would be to attend an event hosted by the Al-Sabahs. The affable ambassador, who has been at his post since 2001, has proven his longevity across both sides of the aisle. Rima Al-Sabah, a former journalist and goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Refugee Agency, is without question a leading Washington hostess. Further solidifying their ties to the man in the White House, the Embassy of Kuwait has held its national day celebration at the Trump Hotel in Washington for two years running. Prince Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Khalid bin Salman Ambassador of Saudi Arabia President Trump is hardly an expert in the labyrinthine complex it y of Middle Eastern affairs, but the Saudi kingdom won him over with two issues he could understand: opposition to Iran and the prospect of a huge arms sale. So, the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS), the de facto ruler, became Trump’s and his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s BFF, with the enthusiastic backing of the Emirates. As part of his campaign to promote his kingdom’s new image and attract Western investments, the Saudi prince visited the U.S. in March, where he trod on all the red carpet that money could rent, and where his American hosts avoided such

embarrassing topics as his incarceration of scores of rival princes and rich Saudis for huge ransoms; the forced resignation of the Lebanese prime minister; the Saudi-orchestrated break with, and blockade of, neighboring Qatar; nor the billions of dollars Saudi nationals have been pouring into exporting extreme Wahhabi Islam around the world, including in Pakistan, Indonesia and Africa. The focus was on women being allowed to drive and to attend soccer games – promising steps towards gender equality, but not compensation for a poor human rights record and a botched and bloody Saudi air offensive in Yemen which has cost 100,000 Yemini lives, with at least a million more displaced. The Prince’s itinerary took him to Hollywood where he expressed his intention to re-open movie houses, closed 20 years ago when fundamentalist Wahhabism took hold in the kingdom. This is not reform as we know it, but in Saudi Arabia change can only come from the top. Muhammed bin Zayed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Yousef Al Otaiba Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Ambassador A l Ot a iba enjoys considerable access in Washington in no small measure because of his charismatic personality, understanding of the U.S. system and the generous and perhaps strategic support he provides to charities, colleges and DC think tanks (such as the Center for American Progress and the Middle East Institute). The tiny Persian Gulf state (with a population of 10 million, of which only one million are citizens) also exerts inf luence as the world’s third largest arms purchaser. For years, this huge, high-profile largesse was in sharp contrast to the more veiled activities of the Saudi embassy. Al Otaiba has entrée to the top levels of society, government, and media. To what extent has spreading the wealth paid off? That depends on whom you talk to. You don’t hear much about the role of UAE Mirage fighters in the devastating Saudiled Yemen campaign or its heavy use of mercenaries to make up for their small armed forces. But soon the Saudis were unloosing their own pockets to compete. Did Arab money

purchase loyalty and influence, or did it merely amplify a preexisting pro-Arab consensus? Either way, as reported by Politico, “the dramatic and sudden effort to isolate Qatar, like the fateful intervention before it in Yemen, sprang from the shared vision of two princes,” Muhammed bin Zayed (“MBZ”), the 56-yearold crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the impulsive 31-year-old Saudi Crown Prince who “seems to accept MBZ’s counseling but probably would be horrified of the perception that he may be the junior partner.” Regardless, both men are the up-and-coming powers behind their respective countries’ thrones, quite influential in Trumpworld, and the architects of the hyper-aggressive posture taken in Yemen and across the Middle East. Back in Washington, the ambassador and his fashionable wife Abeer have cultivated friendships with many in the media such as Norah O’Donnell and Bret and Amy Baier, with whom they have worked closely to raise tens of millions of dollars for Children’s National Medical Center. Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al-Thani Emir of Qatar Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani Ambassador of Qatar In 2017, Trump supported a Saudiengineered attempt to isolate Qatar, backing an anti-Qatar embargo by Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., and all but accused the Qataris of fomenting terror. Eight months later, the grown-ups in the Trump administration restored some reality to U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf, pointing out that Qatar is host to thousands of U.S. troops on the biggest American military base in the region. In February, the Qatari foreign and defense ministers visited Washington, where they were feted with a lavish reception. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis praised Qatar’s “outstanding support of America’s present and continuing commitment to regional security,” and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the super-wealthy desert emirate a “strong partner and longtime friend.” Since then, Trump has welcomed the Emir at the White House and pushed for an agreement to the dispute.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

RUSSIANS Vladimir Putin President of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Prigozhin Owner, Concord Management & Consulting Aleksandra Yuryevna Krylova Associate, Internet Research Agency

CHINESE Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China Liu He Vice Premier, People’s Republic of China Cui Tiankai Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China

A m o n g Tr u m p’s d i v a g a t i o n s a n d terg iversations the most puzzling has been his reluctance to challenge Project Laktha, Russia’s proven interference in the 2016 election. Yet Russia looms larger in Washington than at any time since the Cold War, and sometimes it seems as though Vladimir Putin has taken up residence in Chevy Chase. The Mueller investigation has shown that virtually every key member of the Trump campaign had been approached by the Russians at one time or another; Trump’s own intelligence services say the U.S. can expect more of the same intrusions in the 2018 midterms. Yet tougher sanctions enacted by Congress languish in the Oval Off ice awaiting the presidential green light to be put into effect. And while Washington dithers, Putin is busy in Syria, Ukraine and Crimea, and meddling in U.S. and European elections. The Putin factor may well be waiting for Mueller to detonate it into a full crisis. In February, a Federal grand jury indicted 13 Russians in connection with the Mueller investigation. They included the oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s Cook” because he is said to be Putin’s unofficial fixer on such projects as financing the troll factory – the Internet Research Agency – that spearheaded Project Laktha. Also on the list is Aleksandra Yuryevna, an alleged leading member of the troll factory. But in the meantime it remains an ominous subtext to developments in Washington – a reminder of the Edwardian satirist Edward Lear’s poem. “As I was going up the stair,/ I met a man who wasn’t there./ He wasn’t there again today,/Oh how I wish he’d go away.”

Even as Trump’s chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn was resigning over new U.S. tariffs, his Chinese counterpart Liu He, long a close col laborator of President Jinping, was visiting Washington in an attempt to ease the tensions between the two countries. Trump, believes he can manage the bilateral relationship through his personal rapport with Jinping, who just became a ruler with no set term, and has introduced $50 billion worth of new tariffs threatening another $100 billion on a raft of imported goods from China and other pena lties for theft of trade secrets (valued at $300 billion). This is in addition to earlier protective tariffs on steel, aluminum, washing machines and solar panels. Trump has also introduced new restrictions on Chinese investment in the U.S. Experts worr y that the U.S. moves could ignite a trade war which cou ld lead to a rece s sion, a nd sou r Tr ump’s relations with Jinping, which is concerning since China is the number one buyer of U.S. Treasuries, and could sour China’s appetite for Boeing aircraft, as exploding wealth in the countr y is ex pected to y ield $1 t r i l l ion in new aircraft purchases over the next decade. Also worthy of note: China’s 8.1 percent increase in defense spending this year. Transmitting Beijing’s line to Washington is Cui Tiankai, who assumed the post of ambassador in 2011 and is no stranger to the city, having pursued his postgraduate degree here. After tariffs were announced in April, Tiankai told CNBC: “We will see how much the U.S. measures wil l hurt our economy and we will f ight back accordingly.”

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

ISRAELIS Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel When Bibi Netanyahu visited President Tr ump in early March, they dispensed with the trad itiona l joint press con ference, t hu s avoid i ng awk wa rd questions. Trump had a smorgasbord of issues on which he preferred not to take repor t er s’ que st ion s. Net a nya hu i s entangled in a series of corruption scandals in Israel and was hang ing on to the premiership by a thread. In Washington, he received his usual standing ovation at the annual AIPAC conference, but at home Israel i pol ice said they have enough evidence to indict him on bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two cases. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, with whom Netanyahu has stayed in New York on past visits, has been stripped of his top security clearance, which experts say will hurt his assig ned task of plann ing the W hite House’s new Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. What deal? The Israeli paper Ha’aretz repor ted that the Tr ump-Net anyahu meeting “ref lected the rapid death of the peace-deal – before it was even born.” And although the White House says it’s almost complete, Netanyahu admitted to Israeli reporters, “We didn’t see a draft of their peace plan and I can’t say in their name what there is or isn’t [in it].” OTHERS Charles Koch Chairman and CEO, Koch Industries David Koch Executive Vice President, Koch Industries The billionaire libertarian Koch brothers are among the country’s richest supporters of conservative politicians and causes. Through their network of District-based foundations, they recently committed $400 million to support GOP candidates in the 2018 midterms. They did not support Trump in 2016 and continue to distance themselves from his administration on key

Sheldon Adelson CEO, Las Vegas Sands; Owner, Israeli daily newspaper Hayom “All the politicians money can buy” is a cynical comment on the American political system that often comes uncomfortably (or comfortably, depending on one’s point of view) close to the truth. Casino billionaire and philanthropist Sheldon Adelson was the largest single donor to the Trump campaign. When he led the charge for U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state, Trump obliged. Adelson, with others, was also

issues, although that hasn’t stopped 35 Koch staffers and others linked to Koch organizations from moving over to Trump Administration jobs. The Kochs’ Hispanic advocacy organization wants immigrant children brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents – the socalled “Dreamers” – to be allowed to remain, but not at the expense of Trump’s conditions to cut back on other categories of immigration. The Koch brothers also differ from Trump administration on tougher law-and-order measures and favor prisoner rehabilitation and prison reform. This year, Koch Industries aired ads during the Superbowl and the Olympics, spending between $8 and $12 million to “boost the reputation of its corporate brand, as well as quash “misperceptions by people who only associate the company with its owners’ political views” per the Wall Street Journal. Longtime GOP political operative Steve Lombardo serves as Koch Industries’ chief communications and marketing officer, deftly giving voice to the

behind the White House decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from its present location in Tel Aviv. Those others – American Jewish groups and Evangelical Christians - had been pushing for recognition of Jerusalem and the embassy move for decades without success. With Trump, the price was clearly right. Adelson has also pressed Trump to kill the Iran nuclear deal. He has open access to the president, and he is also close to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s embattled prime minister. Hayom, Adelson’s newspaper, is regarded by many in the Jewish state as Netanyahu’s mouthpiece.

brothers’ agenda. Thomas Barrack CEO, Colony Northstar The California real estate mogul is a long-time supporter of Donald Trump, but he first came to wide attention after the election when he chaired the Inauguration. The celebration was a disappointment to Trump, but the affable, polo playing businessman who is of Lebanese origin, managed to remain a close advisor to the president, and a go-to media source for attributable Trump quotes. Barrack had a hand in Trump’s widely publicized trip to Saudi Arabia. As the Trump juggernaut recently came close to crushing White House chief-of-staff John Kelly over the Rob Porter wife abuse scandal, the New York Times listed Barrack as one of Kelly’s possible successors.

THE CONTRARIAN LIBERTARIAN Peter Thiel Co-founder, Paypal Even as Silicon Valley’s big n a me s were back i n g t he wrong horse, Thiel became an early Tr ump suppor ter, donating $1.5 million to The Donald’s election campaign. A long-time articulate c r it ic of pol it ic a l cor r e c t ne s s , t he German-born executive remains a close Trump advisor. It was once rumored that Tr ump wou ld appoint Th iel to a top posit ion i n i ntel l igence. Th at never happened – at least, not so far. But Thiel had a hand in shaping Team Tr ump, suggesting names for key staff posts in t e c h n o l o g y, s c i e n c e a n d s e c u r i t y. Recently, Thiel quit Silicon Valley and shifted his operations to Los A ngeles. “Silicon Valley is a one-party state,” he declared. And it certainly wasn’t Thiel’s party.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

advocacy

The swamp Norm Coleman Chairman, Republican Jewish Coalition Matthew Brooks Executive Director, Republican Jewish Coalition Coleman, a former Republican senator from Minnesota, and Brooks, head this leading Jewish lobby organization focusing on Republican lawmakers. The RJC has strong ties to mega-donor and Donald Trump supporter Sheldon Adelson but has had its differences with the president over what some say seems like ambivalence on Trump’s part to speak out on racial issues and anti-Semitism. Last year, Coleman called on the president to show “greater moral clarit y” after he appeared to equate white supremacists with protesters who clashed with them. The RJC also had issues with Trump’s failure to mention Jewish victims in a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement. But when Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said he would move the Tel Aviv-based U.S. embassy there, the RJC took out a full-page ad in the New York Times thanking him for his decision, notwithstanding international condemnation for the move and the riots that ensued in the West Bank. Thomas J. Donohue President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Scott Reed Senior Political Strategist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Major corporations that once relied on the Chamber now opt increasingly to do their own lobbying, but the Chamber still has

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| m ay

2018

| washingtonlife.com

considerable inf luence, and Donohue, nearing 80, continues to be regarded by many as an effective voice for American business interests. Reed, a longtime GOP insider, represents the organization’s perceived Republican tilt. The Chamber of Commerce is on the same wavelength as Donald Trump on many issues (infrastructure, tax reform), but differs on others, notably Trump’s stance on free trade and what many see as his draconian immigration policies. Kay Coles James President, Heritage Foundation As its eighth president, the Heritage Foundation – the conservative think tank Donald Trump called a “real friend” – picked a female, African-American, 12-year board member with plenty of experience in state and federal government. As director of the Off ice of Personnel Management in George W. Bush’s administration, she merged 22 different government agencies to form the sprawling Department of Homeland Security. The think tank she now heads earned Trump’s favor by f looding his transition team with hundreds of policy recommendations, ranging from quitting the Paris climate accord to Supreme Court nominees. At least 25 former Heritage staffers made their own transition to jobs throughout the administration. Steve Elmendorf Partner, Subject Matter The Democratic side of this Washington lobbying f irm represented by Elemendorf, who has close ties to Hillary Rodham Clinton - witnessed a slowdown in business since Clinton’s 2016 loss, but still punches above its weight on both sides of the aisle. K Street Republicans and Democrats both speak highly of his work and given how he is rallying Democratic support for the 2018 mid-term elections and House Speaker Paul Ryan’s forthcoming departure, his star is likely to rise again. Elmendorf is also rumored to be picking up

silicon valley on the defensive Susan Molinari Vice President of Public Policy, Google Joel Kaplan Vice President for U.S. Public Policy, Facebook Corie Wright Director of Global Public Policy, Netflix Fred Humphries Corporate Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft Corporation

These executives are at the forefront of the online industry’s push-back against the Congress and adm inistration’s deter m ined dr ive to regulate them, not to mention other challenges related to major issues of privacy, transparency in advertising, anti-trust charges and more. Molinari is a former Republican congresswoman from New York, Kaplan was a deputy chiefof-staff in the George W. Bush White House, Wright came from the non-prof it public sector and Humphries was once a policy advisor for former-Sen. Dick Gephardt as well as a political director at the Democratic National Committee. In February, they joined forces in an attempt to lobby Congress to restore the Obama era’s net neutrality rule, repealed in 2017 by the Trump administration. Earlier, Facebook lost a battle to turn over to Congress more than 3,000 ads planted by Russians in Moscow’s campaign to inf luence the 2016 election. In April, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg answered a summons to appear before Congress following revelations that Cambridge Analytica, a British research firm working for the Trump campaign, had plundered the prof iles of millions of Facebook users. Even as they say they are committing themselves to greater transparency, the companies are pushing back against law enforcement and intelligence communities’ refusal to alert clients if agencies request information from their accounts. The atmosphere is toxic and vindictive because almost all of the U.S. social media and social networking community backed the Democrats in 2016. In their lobbying they have the advantage of deep pockets. For example, Fox Business claimed recently that “Cumulatively, over the past f ive years, only Google has spent more than Boeing on lobbying Washington.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

clients from Tony Podesta’s now-defunct lobbying shop. Adam Falkoff President, Capital Keys In a tumultuous administration, Falkoff ’s access to President Tr ump has positioned his public policy firm well. Few are able to navigate matters with the skeletal staffs at agencies and the White House like Fa l kof f, who’s a lso helped adva nce appointees through Senate conf irmations. He has known the Trump family for a decade, and helped raise $1.2 million in campaign funds and was one of his earliest outside strategic advisors. A filmmaker as well, Falkoff ’s f ifth production “The Brawler” hits theaters in June. This month, he is to be awarded the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Thomas Fitton President, Judicial Watch The strongly pro-Republican Judicial Watch, which Fitton heads and Trump likes to quote, originally revealed Hillar y Clinton’s alleged misuse of classified memos as secretary of state. More recently, Fitton accused the Obama administration of turning the FBI into “a KGB-style operation,” and claimed that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats had misled a court to authorize “spying on the Trump Team.” The organization doggedly pursues Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, claiming it wants to uncover “corrupt behavior” that occurs “in secrecy, behind closed doors.” But Fitton and his group have been accused of being obsessed with Hillary Clinton’s emails and spreading untruths about their contents. Fitton has also called for an end to the Mueller investigation and the shuttering of the FBI. Jack Gerard President and CEO, American Petroleum Institute Gerard’s annual report in January on the state of the U.S. oil and natural gas industry was his swan song. After a decade as

head of the powerful trade organization representing the interests of 625 large and small American companies in the fossil fuel energy sector, where he helped dismantle numerous environmental protection laws, he plans to step down from the post in August. Whoever replaces him will continue to exert considerable inf luence on behalf of oil interests. Jo Ann Jenkins CEO, AARP An executive with years of federal government ex per ience, Jen k i n s now heads one of Washington’s most powerful lobbies, representing the interests of nearly 38 million members age 50 and over. In her four years as CEO she has signif icantly shifted the association’s approach to meet the expectations and problem s of a more ac t ive sen ior com munit y. A A RP also of fers health insurance to members via a partnership with UnitedHealth Group, the country’s l a r g e s t he a lt h i n s u r a nce com pa ny. According to Forbes, the “AARP brand has helped grow UnitedHealth’s Medicare and retiree business to more than 8.5 million seniors.” Howard Kohr Executive Director, AIPAC Kohr’s challenge is to maintain the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s bipartisan course in an increasingly polarized political environment. President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran was a bitter defeat for AIPAC. The biggest Jewish lobby in the U.S. has found an ally in Donald Trump’s growing opposition to Iran – but perhaps at the expense of its bipartisanship. At the March 2018 convention, the keynote speakers were Vice President Pence and ex-officio Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, both of whom, for different reasons, are reportedly looked upon with some reservations by a broad section of American Jews. A recent article by an American writer in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz was headed “Why Young Jews and Democrats are Waving Goodbye to AIPAC.”

Mark Lampkin Managing Partner, Washington, D.C. Office of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck Michael Petruzzello Founder and Managing Partner, Qorvis MSLGroup In his campaign, Trump frequently vowed to make life more difficult for Washington’s lobbyists through tighter regulations, but the reverse is happening. “In reality, instead of presaging a crackdown on lobby ist s, Tr u mp’s elect ion spel led opportunity for them,” said a report by Public Citizen, a consumer protection organization. Two high-end lobbying firms illustrate this point. Brownstein Hyatt Farber, an Arizona firm with a strong D.C. presence headed by Mark Lampkin, is within the top five in income ($28.7 million in 2017) and has been engaged in leading issues before Congress on behalf of its health, tax, and gaming clients. Michael Petruzzello’s Qorvis MSLGroup (now part of the French multinational giant Publicis Group) has a broad list of clients, but according to Advertising Age is best known for representing foreign governments such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico and Fiji. Plus, according to public records compiled by the investigative nonprofit ProPublica, at least 187 former lobbyists have settled comfortably into jobs in the Trump Administration. Wayne LaPierre Executive Vice President and CEO, National Rifle Association In the wake of yet another tragic mass shooting, this time at a school in Parkland, Fla., and despite the ensuing “Never Again” movement, there has yet to be action on Capitol Hill with regard to gun control. The latest incident engaged President Trump whose answer was – more guns. His proposal to arm teachers to defend their students was greeted with widespread skepticism by … teachers. Gun control is an eternal political dead-end in large part because the NRA not only donates campaign cash, mostly to

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

THE POWER OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT METOO AND NEVERAGAIN Republicans, but also keeps a scorecard on politicians’ positions as a helpful guide for its members at voting time. NR A board member and rock musician Ted Nugent continues to mock Parkland shooting survivors, calling them “liars” and accusing them of not having a soul for calling out the NRA. Leonard Leo Executive Vice President, Federalist Society This inf luential far-right legal group and its executive vice president are among the Trump White House’s leading sources in recommending and vetting candidates for the Supreme Court and other federal judicial appointments. Ronna McDaniel Chairwoman, Republican National Committee Thomas Perez Chairman, Democratic National Committee Bot h f ace t he immediate cha l lenge of shepherding their party through the 2018 midterms. Time will tell whether McDaniel — who used to be Ronna Romney McDaniel until Trump suggested that she might drop the reference to her uncle Mitt’s family — will find the inf luence and persuasive skill to be effective in managing when and where Trump’s campaign support will be helpful or toxic. Perez has to show he can turn a favorable political climate for Democrats into the reality of more Democrat wins. He and DNC Deputy Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison face the longer term problem of ensuring that a post-Hillary environment w i l l a l low enough space for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to gain traction. Grover Norquist President, Americans for Tax Reform Norquist has for years crusaded for the abolition of taxes altogether, but he has been vocal in his embrace of Trump’s recent

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

tax reform victory as the next best thing. The group’s website maintains a list of companies that have passed on one-time bonuses to their employees as a result of lower corporate taxes. Anthony Romero Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union Romero h a s he aded t he A mer ica n Civ i l Liber t ies Union since 2001. According to Politico, there has been “an explosion of donor and membership” since Trump’s election; and the organization has found a new purpose in direct involvement i n n at ion a l elec t ion s. He recent ly announced that ACLU plans to spend $25 million in the 2018 midterms to push ballot initiatives and issues in contested races. Richard Trumka President, ALF-CIO In the 2016 election, working class Americans broke ranks with the Democrats and voted for Donald Trump in significant numbers. As leader of the nation’s largest labor federation, Trumka took the hint and established a budding rapport with Trump. But in January, Trumka told the New York Times that the president had failed to deliver on his key election promises and had consequently lost labor support. “What he’s doing hasn’t matched up to what he’s said,” was Trumka’s comment. More recently, however, Trumka applauded the president’s controversial plan to place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Last October, a powerful movement began on social media, when, after Harvey Weinstein was revealed to be a longtime sexual predator, actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to share their stories of sexual harassment or assault, using the hashtag #MeToo. It took off, with more than 4.7 million people using the hashtag on Facebook in 12 million posts over the course of 24 hours, including a number of Hollywood celebrities. Activist Tarana Burke, who originally used the term in 2006, continues to be outspoken about sexual violence and the silencing of victims. In response to #MeToo, a group of powerful Hollywood women launched the Time’s Up initiative, a campaign to fight sexual harassment and advocate for victims with a legal defense fund. In February 2018, a former student carrying an AR-15 walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. and killed 17 students and staff members. Only four days after the tragic event, a gun control movement was formed. Twenty survivors, including Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg and Cameron Kasky, began mobilizing for gun reform, organizing a march on Washington that drew approximately more than 200,000, and speaking out on social media using the hashtag #NeverAgain. Several of the students were featured on the cover of TIME magazine in March. Retailers have taken a stand as a direct result: Dicks Sporting Goods announced that it will no longer sell assault-style rifles nor will Walmart sell guns or ammunition to customers under 21. In March, Florida passed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act that raised the minimum age to buy firearms.

Randi Weingarten President, American Federation of Teachers The combat ive u n ion representative of 1.7 million teachers, a former teacher herself, leads the fight against Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s campaign to boost charter schools and private school vouchers at the expense of the nation’s public school system. She is backing teachers in states such as Oklahoma and West Virginia who have staged walkouts to protest low teacher salaries and lack of adequate funding in public schools.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER 100

MEDIA

The “fake news” crowd Robert Allbritton Publisher, Politico Patrick Steel CEO, Politico What the Wall Street Journal calls the “D.C.-obsessed web publication” completed its internal adjustments following the 2016 defection of five top staffers to start their own news outlet with the appointment of a new CEO, investment banker Patrick Steel. With this adjustment, Allbritton returned to his original role of publisher and executive chairman. In terms of content, Politico withstood the upheaval as a result of the departing five. The organization expanded its European operation, benefited from the Trump bump in Washington and boosted Politico Pro, a subscription service that now accounts for almost half Politico’s yearly revenue. Marty Baron Executive Editor, Washington Post Fred Ryan Publisher, Washington Post W it h a n e w, bottom-lineconscious owner and a new home in downtown Washington, the paper has taken Trump’s campaign against the media as a personal challenge, publishing one exclusive story after another. If Judge Roy Moore isn’t sitting in Washington today as the Republican senator from Alabama it’s largely because the Post uncovered the Trump-backed candidate’s troubling history with young women (a scoop that recently won it a Pulitzer Prize). The Post has also seen an upsurge in its digital subscriptions, having – at Bezos’ suggestion – put more resources into its website; and in 2018 will be profitable for the second straight year.

Maggie Haberman White House correspondent, The New York Times “One of the saving graces of the Trump era is the journalism it has inspired,” wrote David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker magazine. He was writing about Maggie Haberman, but it serves well as a general comment on Trump coverage since his arrival at the White House. Haberman’s reporting puts Trump under a microscope, examining him as if he were a specimen in a science laboratory. There is little warmth in her scrutiny, but Trump – a New Yorker – seems obsessed with Haberman and the Times. Ryan Grim Washington Bureau Chief, The Intercept Glenn Greenwald Co-Founder, The Intercept Gr i m lef t h i s position as D.C. bureau chief of the Huff ington Post when Lydia Polgreen took over as editor-in-chief last year and immediately landed at The Intercept, which bills itself as a news site featuring “fearless, adversarial jour na l ism that hold s the power f u l accountable.” Greenwald was one of the original recipients of Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks, and he founded The Intercept as an online publication in 2014 (along with Laura Poitras) to publish the material. Since then the Intercept has focused on national security and surveillance issues and often goes where mainstream media won’t go. Chris Matthews Host, MSNBC’s ”Hardball” Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski Co-Hosts, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

With decades of experience in Washington politics and journalism, long-time MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews remains one of the more perceptive Trump critics. “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough

and Mika Brzezinski, who are engaged to be married, had a good relationship with Trump in the 2016 campaign when they treated him as a plausible candidate. Trump called the pair “believers,” was a regular follower of their show and from time to time would phone them to discuss his progress. But once Trump moved into the White House the relationship soured; they became the target of spiteful Trump tweets, and White House staffers say he stopped watching their show. Still, Scarborough, a former Republican cong ressman, continues to take the administration and the GOP to task, making MSNBC go-to TV for Beltway insiders. Jim Lobe Founder and Director, LobeLog Founded by, and named after veteran journalist Jim Lobe, the blog provides useful background on foreign policy issues, with special focus on the Middle East. It relies heavily on contributions from former intelligence, diplomats and government officials, and tries to be even-handed in its approach to the troubled region. It was originally part of the Inter Press Service, a long-established information outlet with strong Latin American interests launched by two Argentine journalists. Years ago, Lobe moved it to the Institute for Policy Studies. Jake Tapper Chief Washington correspondent, CNN Wolf Blitzer Lead political anchor, CNN People forget that Jake Tapper also clashed with the Oba ma W h ite House, just as he does now with the Trump White House. In a recent interview he said the media often gave Obama a free ride, and sometimes give Trump too hard a ride. As an on-air interviewer he is fair, but sometimes finds it hard to suppress his indignation, as evidenced in a recent interview in which he summarily dismissed Trump advisor and speechwriter Stephen Miller. Blitzer, anchor of CNN’s “Situation Room,” is Tapper’s on-camera opposite – calm, controlled and low key. His demeanor has helped him remain one of the mainstay faces of CNN.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| m ay

2018

| washingtonlife.com

Mike Allen Co-Founder, Axios Jim VandeHei Co-Founder, Axios Donald Trump’s election helped jumpstart former Po l i t i c o s t a r s VandeHei and Allen’s rival venture, started with $10 million and the support of other Politico defectors. The Trump story proved to be a gift that keeps on giving, helping to establish Axios as a news service to be reckoned with. Chris Wallace Moderator, “Fox News Sunday” Bret Baier Chief Political Anchor and Host, “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Fox News Fox News remains the most-watched cable news channel (no surprise it would maintain a lead over CNN and MSNBC in the Trump era) and its senior Washington correspondents - Chris Wallace and Bret Baier continue to be widely watched across the country. Not combative like their counterparts, they remain respected voices of reason at the network. Last month Baier was spotted golf ing with the Commander in Chief at Trump National in Virginia. Judy Woodruff Anchor and Managing Editor, “PBS NewsHour” Sara Just Executive Producer, “PBS NewsHour”; Senior Vice President, WETA In March, Judy Wood r uf f was f inally and officially named sole anchor of the “PBS NewsHour,” the nightly program she had been shepherding alone since co-anchor Gwen Ifill died of cancer in 2016. The show is now helmed completely by women - Woodruff is also managing editor and Sara Just serves as executive producer. Under their leadership, the program has increased its’ nightly audience by 12 percent since 2016 to 1.9 million viewers. It remains a reliable, drama-free news source. In April, the show received a Peabody for a report, “Inside Putin’s Russia.”

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

THE TRUMPETERS Sean Hannity Host “Hannity,” Fox News Ainsley Earhardt Co-host, “Fox & Friends,” Christopher Ruddy CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Newsmax Media

Hannity hosts the top nightly cable show. Because of his closeness to Trump – they are in frequent contact – he is widely seen as a member of an unofficial inner circle the president consults, to the exasperation of the White House staff. If Trump can do any wrong, Hannity has yet to acknowledge it. Hannity was also recently revealed to be a client of Trump attorney Michael Cohen and although he was criticized for not telling viewers, it didn’t make a dent in his ratings. But “Fox & Friends” is the program Trump regularly watches and what gets him tweeting in the morning (he’s also a fan of co-host Ainsley Earhardt and recently tweeted about her new book). Ruddy, a London School of Economics graduate, owns an inf luential conservative multimedia company. The Atlantic monthly has called him the “Zelig of the Trump administration” because he pops up in Washington when least expected and comments quotably to the media about Trump’s decisions and actions, with no serious repercussions from the president. Tucker Carlson Political Commentator, Fox News Matthew Boyle Washington editor, Breitbart News Network Benny Johnson Reporter-at-large, Daily Caller

With his boyish appearance, Carlson appears to have prolonged adolescence into early manhood (The New Yorker said he dressed like a spelling bee champion),

but he’s good at it. Having gravitated from MSNBC to CNN, he is now Fox News’ conservative grenade launcher, leaving nightly casualties in his wake. Breitbart has lost Steve Bannon, its ideological leader, but not Bannon’s protégé and star performer Matthew Boyle, who supports Trump and punishes his enemies. Boyle spent weeks in Alabama covering the Roy Moore senatorial campaign and has interviewed Trump many times. Benny Johnson was fired from both Buzzfeed and Independent Journal Review for plagiarism, but landed on his feet as a reporter-at-large at the Daily Caller where he is poised to take advantage of any postBannon slippage in Breitbart’s popularity. David D. Smith Executive Chairman Christopher Ripley President and CEO, Sinclair Broadcast Group Controlled by founder Julian Sinclair Smith’s f a m i l y, t h i s publicly traded company is by far the largest broadcaster in the United States with close to 200 local news stations across the country. Headquartered in Maryland, Sinclair controls the local news that over 40 percent of American households see in more than a 100 local markets. Sinclair has been buying more and more news stations and placing rightwing editorial with supposedly unbiased commentators. This year Deadspin compiled a video that went viral showing trusted local news anchors from Sinclair-controlled markets all reading from the same script word for word, ironically warning viewers about “fake news.” Former CBS Anchor Dan Rather has described Sinclair’s practices as “an assault on our democracy” that disseminates Orwellian-like propaganda to its local stations. In 2016 Politico reported that Jared Kushner struck a deal with Sinclair to get better coverage of Trump in return for more access to the campaign. Now it seems Trump may be repaying the favor. If the acquisition of 233 more stations is approved Sinclair will have unprecedented reach to 70 percent of local U.S. markets.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE Thomas Anderson Founder, Washington Fine Properties Dana Landry Founder, Washington Fine Properties William F.X. Moody Founder, Washington Fine Properties Marc Schappell Founder, Washington Fine Properties

One of Washington’s most successful real estate powerhouses is benefiting from the District’s “re-urbanization,” where a combination of the active development sector, the city’s f lourishing economy and a general renewed interest in city living is ensuring the market stays steadily hot. WFP founding partners Anderson, Landry, Moody and Schappell are at the forefront of the revival, keeping the leading company’s 150-plus agents busy selling downtown developments on the U Street Corridor and beyond. Recently one of the company’s senior sales associates said on a radio program that real estate agents were selling residential properties in areas of Washington where they feared to tread a few years ago. WFP is also capitalizing on young married couples drifting back from the suburbs to savor the amenities and walkability of Washington. But what grabbed the headlines and boosted its revenues to $2.7 billion in 2017 were its high end sales including, most recently, the late Mandell Ourisman and wife Mary’s Woodland Drive home sale to the Embassy of Morocco as the ambassador’s residence for $14 million. WFP represented seven of the top 10 sales in the Capital Region in 2017 and was the “goto” firm for sales to Trump administration biggies, including Mnuchin, Ross, DeVos, Conway and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Jeff Bezos CEO, Amazon; Owner, The Washington Post Bezos is the richest man on the planet with a personal wealth valuation of $129.5 billion – “enough to cover Britain’s budget deficit twice over and still have change,” as the Guardian newspaper put it. Its main source is 16 percent of Amazon shares, which is why his personal wealth took a dip when Trump launched a Twitter campaign against the company, charging that it wasn’t paying enough to the Postal Service for its deliveries (others say Amazon business is helping to keep the mail service in business). With the acquisition of the Post in 2013 for $250 million, Bezos established a presence in Washington, which could increase if Washington, Virginia or Maryland land the contract for Amazon’s planned second headquarters, for which 238 towns and cities across the nation have put in bids. With the purchase of a mammoth home in the Kalorama neighborhood (formerly the Textile Museum) we can expect that Bezos will be spending more time in the nation’s capital, but certainly not to be close to Trump. Their differences go back to the 2016 campaign when Bezos offered Trump a free ride into space with the hashtag #SendDonaldtoSpace. Trump landed in the White House instead and that, among other things, raises questions about the future feasibility of Bezos’ new $32 million college scholarship fund for “Dreamers.” Richard Fairbank Chairman and CEO, Capital One Financial Corp. “What’s in your wallet?” is C a p i t a l O n e’s f a m i l i a r advertising slogan. In Fairbank’s case, the answer is $1 billion. In 2017, Fairbanks became one of four bank CEOs to have reached the billion-dollar pinnacle. And he knows Jennifer Garner, who is featured in the company’s numerous TV ads. Since Capital One was launched in 1994, Fairbank has built it into the seventh biggest U.S. commercial bank ranked by assets with 4,500 employees, 1,000 branches in six states and $27.2 billion in revenue. He collects no salary but over the past three years has averaged $18 million in cash bonuses,

stock and options awards from the bank, according to Bloomberg. At 67, he still plays ice hockey. P. Wesley Foster Jr. Founder and Chairman Emeritus, The Long & Foster Companies Jeffrey Detwiler CEO and President, The Long & Foster Companies The company was founded in 1968 by Wes Foster and Hank Long, and it has grown into one of the largest independent residential real estate brands in America in sales volume. Over 10,000 agents and 1,800 employees work in more than 220 off ices spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, from North Carolina to New Jersey (including over 4,500 in the D.C. metro area). In 2017, Long & Foster Real Estate had $31.1 billion in sales volume and sold nearly 85,000 homes. Likewise, Long & Foster’s affiliated bu si ne s se s of mor t g a g e, i n su r a nce, settlement and proper t y management achieved significant results in the last year. Prosperity Home Mortgage financed nearly 10,900 loans for a total of $3.06 billion in volume. Long & Foster Settlement Services closed over 20,500 transactions and Long & Foster Insurance wrote over 9,800 new policies, bringing its total policies in force t o n e a r l y 49, 5 0 0 . T h e c o m p a n y accomplished these results while being acqu i red by t he M i n neapol i s-ba sed HomeServices of America, an aff iliate of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, a partnership announced in September 2017 that created an even bigger combined company and stronger f inancial status for the firm and its agents. Marillyn Hewson President and CEO, Lockheed Martin W hen P re sident Tr u mp complained about the high cost of Lockheed Martin’s overbudget and years-late-in-delivery F-35 jet fighter, Hewson promptly announced

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

a price-cut, thereby deftly avoiding more adverse presidential tweets. It makes good sense for the head of the Pentagon’s No. 1 weapons supplier to avoid irritating an unpredictable commander-in-chief, especially when he has called for a significant increase in U.S. defense spending, which the whole industry regards as a welcome bonanza after years of Pentagon belt-tightening. Todd Hitt Founder and CEO, Kiddar Capital “We’re a true private equity company with $1.4 billion under management and very little outside capital. Right now $120 million of that is directly at work in U.S. Housing,” is how Hitt describes the alternative asset management firm he started in 2007. The emphasis on built world investing is no coincidence, A native Washingtonian, Hitt is a member of the fam ily behind Hitt Contracting, the construction company founded by his grandparents in 1937. His private equity firm is headquartered in Falls Church, Va. with additional off ices in Houston, Palm Springs and London, giving them a national and global presence in the alternative investing world. Hitt’s assets span real estate, venture, credit, energy and sports. A noted social impact investor who tracks job creation along with financial returns at his firm, he is a frequent commentator on TV news and finance programs where he often calls for immigration and education reforms to counteract the labor shortage, reduce inequality and drive industrial and GDP growth. “We need to put people where the jobs are,” he says, “and jobs where the people are.” Sheila Johnson CEO, Salamander Hotels and Resorts; Co-Founder, WE Capital Sachiko Kuno Founder, Halcyon; Co-Founder, WE Capital Johnson and Kuno, both successful businesswomen

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Steve Case Chairman and CEO, Revolution Jean Case Chairman, National Geographic n March, representatives of 125 start-ups in the ecosystem sector from 57 Rust Belt towns and cities met in Washington to discuss funding and the micro-venture capital sector. The meeting was oganized by Revolution, a venture capital investment program started by digital pioneer and co-founder of America Online Steve Case and devoted to innovative and dynamic new companies. In the summer of 2017, Case went on a bus tour of non-coastal states and at each stop handed out $100,000 to one start-up based on its presentation. Jean Case is chairman of the board of trustees of the National Geographic Society with which she has been connected for more than a decade. The couple (net worth $1.34 billion) has joined Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge along with other wealthy entrepreneurs, to donate the bulk of their fortunes to philanthropic causes.

Jean and Steve Case

in their own right (the former is a cofounder of BET and the latter of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals) launched the female led investment fund WE Capital in 2016 to support women-led companies that make a socia l impact. Kuno a lso co-founded H a lc yon , a s t a r t - up i nc u b a t or i n Georgetown led by CEO Kate Goodall that provides funding, mentorship, free residenc y and a workplace to socia l entrepreneurs working on “scalable and sustainable” ventures. Together, they’ve helped make Wash ing ton one of the leading cities for women in tech in the nation. Matt Kelly CEO , JBG Smith In 2017 JBG Cos, a closely held Washington land lord, merged with Vornado Realty Trust’s vast portfolio of area

off ice buildings and apartments to create the largest developer in the reg ion. Following the merger, the JBG Cos. began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to Kelly, two other JBG top executives will have key positions in the new compa ny – Rober t Stewa r t i s executive vice-chairman and David Paul, ch ief operat ing of f icer. J BG ha s a n operating portfolio of over 20 million square feet of resident ia l and of f ice properties but is best known for its Crystal City development. Roger Krone Chairman & CEO, Leidos Holdings Inc. In 2014, when Krone was 58, he decided it was time to retire from Boeing after 35 ye a r s i n t h e a e r o s p a c e business. His idea of retirement was to take over Leidos, a government contractor, and

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER 100

double its size. The term government contractor suggests hardware suppliers, but Leidos is an IT contractor. “We use in for mat ion to solve rea l ly complex customers’ problems, [using] a set of software applications and really smart people,” Krone says. For example, in 2017, Leidos created an electronic health record for every one of the over 9 million active U.S. m i l itar y across the g lobe. The company is also the leading supplier of air traffic control systems worldwide. In 2016, Leidos merged with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems and Global Solutions Business. Virtually overnight its workforce went from 18,000 to 33,000 (8,977 in the D.C. area), and its revenue from $5 billion to $10 billion, which is how you become the largest pure-play (i.e., having one line of business) government contractor. Ted Leonsis Founder, Chairman and CEO, Monumental Sports & Entertainment The sound of bongo drums echo at Washington Wizards games these days, which is Te d L e o n s i s ’ w a y o f introducing fans to the latest addition to the Monumenta l Spor ts fam ily – the Capital City Go-Gos, the Wizards’ new affiliates in the G League, or minor league. Leonsis says the team’s name was inspired by go-go music, one of Washington’s beloved musical traditions, and calls it “the music we grew up with.” The team will play in the new arena in Southwest now under construction. “They will be a way to develop players and coaches, and will be an outlet for a lot of fun for our fans,” Leonsis says. The Go- Gos join Monumental’s roster of f ive sports teams including the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards of the NBA. Monumental’s partners are: Dick Patrick, Raul Fernandez, Sheila Johnson, David Blair, Scott Brickman, Neil Cohen, Jack Dav ies, R icha rd Fa i rba n k, M ichel le Freeman, Richard Kay, Jeong H. Kim, Mark Ler ner, Roger Mody, A nthony Nader, Fredrik Schaufeld, Earl Stafford,

George Stamas and Cliff White and most recently, Laurene Powell Jobs. J.W. (Bill) Marriott Executive Chairman, Marriott International Arne Sorenson CEO, Marriott International After running the fam ily hotel cha in for 40 years, Mar r iott kicked himself upstairs three years ago and appointed Sorenson to run the company as its f irst chief executive off icer to not have M a r r iot t a s h i s su r n a me. A f ter it s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Mar r iott Inter national grew to 6,000 hotels in 122 countries, totaling 1.1 million rooms and employing 350,000 people. The company’s biggest challenge his year was decid i ng where to relocate it s new corporate headquarters after decades on Bethesda’s Fernwood Road. The company had said from the start that it would stay in the Washington area and the f inal choice was to remain in Montgomery County. Its new $ 60 0 m i l l ion ca mpu s at 750 0 Wisconsin Avenue will include a 22-story off ice tower and naturally, a Marriott hotel.

Michael Rankin & Jonathan Taylor Co-founder, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Mark Lowham CEO and Managing Partner, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Milt Peterson Principal and Chairman, Peterson Companies Dwight Schar Chairman, NVR, Inc. Knox Singleton President, Inova Health System

T h e Wa s h i n g t o n a f f i l i a t e o f t h e international company has its fair share of the District’s luxury (and often historic) market with six of its current listings topping $10 million. In 2017 Sotheby’s n abbed “Mer r y wood,” the Potom ac River estate in Virginia with the double distinction of having been Jacqueline Onassis’s childhood home and being owned by philanthropists Steve and Jean Case. Asking price: $49.5 million. The brokerage firm ended 2017 with $3.14 billion in sales, which included the highest on record for the Washington area: the $35 million sale of Dwight Schar’s McLean home. The f irm’s banner year also included repping both sides of the $5.2 million McLean sale by Boston Properties co-founder Ray Ritchey and his wife Anne to Washington Capitals star T.J. Oshie. Then, earlier this year, a Georgetown town house where then-Senator John F. Kennedy f irst met Jacqueline Kennedy in 1951, also listed by Sotheby’s, was snapped up within days. In 2014, Sotheby’s agents were on both sides of the transaction for the historic Patterson Mansion sale in Dupont Circle for $20 million, a record price at the time.

Peterson’s development business has built up major retail/ residential projects like National Harbor and Fairfax Corner. Schar is founder of Ryan Homes and owner of Reston-based NVR Inc., the nation’s fifth largest homebuilder. Singleton was, until his recent retirement, the longtime CEO of Inova Health System. Turn to page 35 to read about how these three business titans have transformed Northern Virginia.

David Rubenstein Executive Chairman, Carlyle Group Rubenstein has stepped down as co-CEO of the giant equity company he founded with two partners and built up to its present level of managing $170 billion in assets. He and William F. Conway will remain as co-executive chairmen. But as he says himself, “It’s not as if we’re disappearing into the dust.” Washingtonians know him for his high-profile philanthropy with a passion for American history, and as chairman of

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| m ay

2018

| washingtonlife.com

practically everything. There’s no indication that he will relinquish any of his various board positions including at the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center and the Council on Foreign Relations, among others. Rubenstein, who is reportedly worth $2.7 billion, was one of several billionaires invited to the White House’s state dinner French President Emmanuel Macron in April. Duff Rubin President, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Mid-Atlantic One of the M id-Atlant ic region’s leading residential real estate companies, 112-year-old Coldwell Banker has 30 offices and over 2,100 agents in Greater Baltimore, Greater Washington, D.C. and the Maryland and Delaware beaches. The brokerage closed more than $5.37 billion in residential sales in 2017. Coldwell Banker’s highest sale last year was a home in Benton Place NW Wa sh i ng ton to pre sident ia l adv i sor Kellyanne Conway for $7.785 million. Holly Worthington Managing Director, D.C. office, Compass Patrick Chauvin Executive Vice-President, Compass This 6-year-old st a r t up is the fastest growing company in real estate nationwide. Compass moved into the local real estate market in 2014 by acquiring the boutique brokerage Lindsay Reishman Real Estate and has placed itself among the top brokerages by volume in the District as of yearend 2017. Compass offers agents a suite of proprietary tools and technology to make the home buying and selling process easier for both them and their clients. Recently, the brokerage celebrated the opening of its sixth brick and mortar office in the metro region. The rapidly-expanding group is led by Cofounder and CEO Robert Reffkin, previously chief of staff to the president of Goldman Sachs, and Co-founder and Executive Chairman Ori Allon.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Monty Hoffman President, PN Hoffman n the summer of 2017, Monty Hoffman, one of the city’s leading urban developers, relocated his company’s offices to The Wharf, the new $2.5 billion complex on the water’s edge of the Washington Channel of the Potomac River. The move made sense: PN Hoffman, his company with partner Madison Marquette, had almost completed the first phase of The Wharf ’s construction, including apartments, offices, restaurants and commercial spaces. The New York Times reported that the project had returned the decaying waterfront to life. If it were Hoffman’s only project he would already have left his mark on Washington. But the company he started in 1993 with a single townhouse conversion has been a market leader in the city’s urban transformation.

SPECIAL FEATURE

POWER

dishes and impressive decor. Fiola in Penn Quarter has earned a Michelin star.

SOCIAL / CULTURE FOOD MUSIC THEATER ART & RELIGION José Andrés Founder, ThinkFoodGroup Franco Nuschese Owner, Café Milano Fabio and Maria Trabocchi Owners, Fiola Restaurant, Fiola Mare, Del Mar, Sfoglina and Casa Luca

Until a few years ago nobody came to Washington for the food, but, once here, they had to eat. Today, it’s gourmet heaven and the best known Washington monument may well be José Andrés, with his smorgasbord of creative, high quality eating places and his two stars in the Michelin Guide (for Minibar). The other side to the Spanish-born chef (now a proud U.S. citizen) is his food-based global activism and philanthropy. In March, he was saluted on stage at the Academy Awards for his disaster relief efforts hurricane-ravaged areas like Puerto Rico where he was first on the scene serving 100,000 meals a day to deprived survivors. Franco Nuschese’s Café Milano is Washington’s live Mount Rushmore, where a frieze of political leaders and celebrities provides a nightly spectacle of some of the most powerful and best known jaws in the country working through traditional Italian dishes. Members of Trump’s Cabinet had settled in at Franco’s even before they could find their way to the White House. The Trabocchis’ Fiola Mare in Georgetown competes with Café Milano for prestige dining, and the couple’s five high-end, high quality restaurants ref lect their respective homelands: Chef Fabio is Italian, and Maria is from Spain. Their newest concept Del Mar at the Wharf has gained national attention for its supremely executed

Anne Midgette Classical music critic, Washington Post Tom Sietsema Food critic, Washington Post “Anne Midgette plays an increasingly important role in helping someone decide where to spend their free time and cultural dollars; her reviews could have an impact on the opera box off ice.” So says Michelle Krisel, former special assistant to Placido Domingo at the Washington National Opera, and lately genera l and ar tistic director of the Charlottesville Opera. Midgette came to the Post in 2008 from the New York Times. At the Post, her remit extends to all forms of classical music but, given the rising cost of mounting an opera production, it is her WNO reviews that are anticipated with greater anxiety. Midgette brings wide musical knowledge to the job but has been known not to pull punches. Tom Sietsema may not be the only food writer in town, but given the power of his newspaper he is without the question the most widely read, and has the greatest clout. He has been with at the Post since 2000 and the impact of his reviews has grown with Washington’s importance as a restaurant town. Gianandrea Noseda Musical Director, NSO The Nat iona l Sy mphony Orchestra’s eighth musical director – and the first Italian – in its 86-year existence is one of the most sought after conductors of his generation. Equally at home conducting orchestral concerts and opera, he has a reputation for re-interpreting familiar music in the repertoire to give it new force and freshness, and conducting it with athletic f lourish. As musical director of the Teatro Regio of Turin since 2007 Noseda has propelled the opera company to one of the best in Italy, and the hope is that he will have the same success with the NSO.

Earl (Rusty) Powell Director, National Gallery of Art In a way, this entry is more about past inf luence because Powell will retire in 2019. “I’ve had a pretty good race here, and it seemed like a logical time [to retire],” said Powell, who turns 75 later this year. “I still have some gas in the tank, and I’m not particularly interested in sitting on the porch looking at sunsets.” Powell became the NGA’s fourth director in 1992. His tenure has been marked by growth in every aspect from the size of the collection and the restoration of the gallery to the number of visitors – 122 million since he took over. Deborah Rutter President, Kennedy Center Three years into the job, Rutter has put her stamp on what many regard as the n a t ion’s bi g g e s t c u lt u r e complex, with its multiple performing areas, opera company, resident orchestra and ballet group. The sound of many top Kennedy Center executives from the old management slamming the door as they departed raised some eyebrows in establishment Washington, but Rutter wanted her own team in place to advance her plans for making the iconic center f lourish in uncertain times. Big name performers including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, soprano Renée Flem ing, world class conductor Gia na nd rea Nosed a, ja zz trumpeter Terence Blanchard and rapper/ producer Q-Tip (if you can believe it) add their luster, and the opening later this year of the $120 million extension will add f lexibility to the Center in the form of smaller performing areas and more rehearsal space. David Skorton Secretary, Smithsonian Institution Skorton oversees 19 museums and galleries, 20 libraries, the National Zoo and numerous r e s e a r ch ce nt e r s . He i s responsible for an annual budget of $1.3

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

billion, 6,500 employees, 6,300 volunteers and 8,500 digital volunteers. At a time when Federal funding for the arts and the humanities are in jeopardy, he has publicly stressed the importance of support for these disciplines as a wise investment in the future of the country. Molly Smith Artistic Director, Arena Stage Washington is where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by a bullet from the stage of a theater, but today the metropolitan area‘s theater scene is safer, larger and has more variety. The intimate Arena Stage, which the talented and enterprising Smith has run for a couple of decades, is typical of the impressive range of choice on offer. In the past year or so, Arena Stage has produced, or has pla n ned, A r thu r M i l ler’s play “The Search,” a revival of “The Pajama Game” and “Snow Child,” a new musical set in A laska, which not so coincidentally is where Molly Smith started her theater career. Cardinal Donald Wuerl Catholic Archbishop of Washington “Unusual for Washington, Cardinal Wuerl doesn’t like the limelight, and he’s not comfortable with the press, but he can be a player behind the scenes,” says Tom Reese, a Jesuit priest who is a District-based senior analyst of the Religion News Ser vice. Another knowledgeable Catholic cleric described the cardinal a bit less kindly as “cautious, very orthodox and a very cagey fellow.” As spiritual head of the area’s 650,000 Roman Catholics (22 percent of the population) the cardinal is hardly a combative prelate. Observers tend to regard him as moderate on most issues. Wuerl is also seen as close to Pope Francis (but then he was also seen as close to Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI). In 2017 Pope Francis appointed him to a key Curial Vat ic a n com m it t ee re spon s ible for appointing new bishops.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

EDUCATORS John “Jack” DeGioia President, Georgetown University Alumni visiting Georgetown for the first time after a long gap might f ind that two buildings looked familiar, but their names were not. Each had been renamed in 2017, the first for a slave sold by the Georgetown Jesuits in the 19th century, and the second for a woman of color. This was part of the university’s response to the revelation that slaves had been sold to raise funds for the college in 1838. In apologizing for the action, Georgetown President John DeGioia said slavery was the “original evil of our republic – an evil that our university was complicit with.” Under his direction since 2001, the university – the oldest Catholic college in the United States (1789) – has occasionally earned rebukes from the local hierarchy and from conservative Catholics, but remains consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the nation. Thomas LeBlanc President, George Washington University LeBlanc had hardly taken over as president with its sprawling downtown campus in 2017 when he found himself facing problems following a racially offensive media post for which a college sorority took responsibility. “The incident has clearly signaled that racial tension at the university needs to be confronted,” LeBlanc stated in a message to the 11,504-strong student body. “Acts against black students on this campus will not be tolerated.” He introduced mandatory diversity training for incoming students and for the entire college staff. In addition, GW faces the common nationwide problem of lower enrollment by foreigners because the Trump Administration’s new immigration laws have led to tighter

restrictions on student visas. Because foreign students tend to pay full tuition, any reduction in enrollment bites into college income. In 2017, about 78,000 fewer visas were issued to students nationwide, a drop of 17 percent from the previous year and nearly 40 percent from 2015. Carla Hayden Librarian of Congress A former Chicago children’s librarian who rose to become president of the American Library Association and to restructure Baltimore’s extensive free library network, Hayden’s appointment to head the nation’s largest repository of books and documents, and the world’s secondlargest (after the British Library in London) represents a number of firsts. She is the first woman and f irst African American appointed to the post, and the f irst professional librarian in over 60 years. The job has tended to go to distinguished scholars and philosophers. Sylvia Burwell President, American University “I will admit that in November I did not think I would be the one referred to as the first woman president.” So said Sylvia Burwell, referring to Hillary Clinton’s widely presumed election as president. A longtime member of the Clintons’ inner circle, she had been an adviser to Hillary Clinton’s election campaign. Instead Clinton lost, and Burwell was chosen as American University’s first female president. Her ties date back to the Clinton White House where she was deputy chief of staff to the president. Since Trump’s election she has witnessed the Republican assault on the Affordable Care Act, which she had run as Obama’s secretary of health and human services. Of AU she said, “AU’s future is bright,” she says. “Today here the demand for undergraduate admission has never been greater, AU endowment has grown and its financial strength is evident. “

Welcome Ury & Associates We are proud to announce that Ury & Associates has combined with Toka Salon & Day Spaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Georgetown location. We believe that the joining of these two extraordinary salons with highly complementary industry strengths will position us to provide a broader set of services to our clients. Toka Welcomes Ury & Associates

Georgetown Court 3251 Prospect Street, NW Suite #19, 2nd floor Washington, DC 20007 202.333.5133

Madison Avenue 768 Madison Avenue 2nd floor, between 65th & 66th New York, NY 10065 212.517.5133

Great Falls 9867 Georgetown Pike Great Falls, VA 22066 703.759.5700

tokasalon.com

Cameron Station 4907 Brenman Park Drive Alexandria, VA 22304 703.370.5133

WASHINGTON S O C I A L D I A R Y over the moon﹐ thearc wacky and whimsical tea﹐ n street village gala and more!

Norah O’Donnell, Amy Baier and Abeer Al Otaiba, all wearing Al Otaiba’s label SemSem, at the Children’s Ball. (Photo by Tony Powell)

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

OVER THE MOON

Dog and Pony Show Jack Russell Terriers, the dogs of choice in Hunt Country, race over hurdles as equines compete in Upperville. BY VI C KY MO O N

he diminutive, feisty, tenacious and adorable Jack Russell Terrier has been the dog of choice in Middleburg for decades. They can be spotted escorting their owners to the feed store, local bank and steeplechase races. Many strut about dutifully but others are not so wellmannered. It’s a love-hate situation. Affable extra man Jimmy Hatcher of Upperville has had five Jack Russells (they frequently live well into their teens). Hatcher, a friend of Mimi Abel-Smith as well as the late Pamela Harriman, takes “Guy” to the post office in Upperville. “At first he was afraid to go in there,” he says.“They started to give him a special treat, and it’s no longer a problem.” British in origin, these status canines are named in honor of Parson Jack Russell. While at Oxford College in 1819, he’s credited with formulating the breed with a “bitch” (female) named Trump, of all things. They love to chase raccoons, badgers and possums. Their noses are often scarred from sticking them down a hole after a live, biting varmint. Around Middleburg, there are staged races in which these agile dogs compete over hurdles. Tommy Lee Jones, huntsman for Casanova Hunt,

and his wife, Diane Jones, started the racing programs in 1976 along with Gus Forbush, a Master of Old Dominion Hounds. On June 10, the final Sunday of the Upperville Horse Show, the Russells will run, jump, flip and fall, just before the horses will likely do the same in the Grand Prix Jumping Classic. The Joneses and Forbush produce the oldest active terrier races in America.They’ve appeared on late-night television with David Letterman, in video and film clips and have been viewed by millions all over the world. “Most are good with children,” Forbush notes. Still, Diane Jones, who owns two, warns that, “These dogs are not for everybody. You cannot leave them in a crate all day and go off to work. They are high-energy dogs.” As for the equine competition at Upperville, nine-year-old Sydney Pemberton hopes to repeat her blue ribbon ways in the pony classes at what is the oldest horse show in the United States. She won her first event there at age two, riding sidesaddle in the lead line class. That’s no small feat, considering all the others have one leg on each side of the pony. This year, Sydney will be on Lyden Sadie

The Jack Russells are oﬀ and running at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

PHOTOS BY MIDDLEBURG PHOTO

Sydney Pemberton brought a new dimension to the pony races this season riding side-saddle on Mary Elaine Boland’s Lyden Sadie Hawkins.

Hawkins, owned by Mary Elaine Boland and trained by multiple side-saddle champion Devon Zebrovious in the short stirrup classes at the show, which also includes jumping. Sydney comes to the equestrian world quite honestly with both parents involved with horses and a brother who plays polo. She’s just come off the winter sidesaddle racing circuit. We almost forgot to mention that Sydney, a third grader, is home-schooled by her mother, Sarah Pemberton.“So she can ride,” Pemberton says. “There’s nothing more exciting to seeing those blue and white tents for the stabling go up. We love that horse show.” Just five miles west from Upperville, Rebecca Poston of Thomas and Talbot Real Estate has listed “Liberty Hall,” a 20-acre rolling agricultural sanctuary evolved from a 1768 land patent. Architectural evidence confirms that the one half-stone section of the house was built circa 1770. County records indicate that the residence provided room and board for soldiers during the American Revolution. The exterior of the residence has been restored and awaits the next owner’s interior finishes. Mature trees surrounding the house include walnut, pear, locust and maple. The property features stone walls and over 30 boxwoods ready for placement. A pasture below includes a runin shed for horses and ample room for a Jack Russell to romp.Think Upperville 2019 at $1.55 million.

Abeer Al Otaiba and United Arab Emirates Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba

Jack Davies, Kay Kendall, Neil Cohen, Marcy Cohen, Michelle Freeman, Jean-Marie Fernandez and Raul Fernandez

Alison Newman and Children’s National CEO Kurt Newman with honorees Amy and Bret Baier

WL SPONSORED

CHILDREN’S BALL Union Station | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Andrea and Steve Strawn

A MONUMENTAL EVENING Union Station’s majestic Great Hall was transformed into a ruby red wonderland for the 2018 Children’s Ball, with many of the more than 900 guests also choosing to “rock the red” when it came to their attire (a nod to co-chairwomen Patrice King Brickman, Marcy Cohen, JeanMarie Fernandez, Michele Freeman and Kay Kendall and their involvement in Monumental Sports). The event raised over $3 million for patients at Children’s National. Fox News anchor Bret Baier (celebrating his 10th year as emcee) and wife Amy Baier, whose oldest son was born with a congenital heart defect, were honored with the Children’s Advocacy Award for their dedication to the medical center. SPORTS-THEMED FUN: The “Slam Dunk” after party featured air hockey tables, basketball hoops and foosball.

Bill Homan Connor and Catie Faught

Sheila Johnson and William Newman Elise and Marc Lefkowitz

Elizabeth Kaufman and Sharon Bradley

Norah O’Donnell and Jack Evans Tom Davidson, Tripp Donnelly and Bruce Bradley

Toni and Lee Verstandig

Mae Grennan, Anderson Grennan, Gina Coburn, Alexandra Woodward and Emily Granville

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

John Irelan and Australian Dede Wilsey Amb. Joe Hockey and Melissa Babbage

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Tracy Bernstein

Alison Starling, Andrea Roane, Jill Biden, Laura Evans, Angie Goff and Kristen Berset-Harris

Erin Como and Christine Gregorian

Caren and Barry Glassman

NEWSBASH 2018 Pearl Street Warehouse | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Richard Beckerman and Lynne Lightfoote

Joy Kingsley-Ibeh and Lesli Foster

Dr. Regina Hampton and Beth Beck

PRETTY IN PINK A group of the city’s most well-known newswomen and supporters of their NewsBash charity packed one of Washington’s newest music venues to raise funds for breast cancer research. WUSA 9’s Lesli Foster made moving remarks about her friend and colleague Kristen Berset-Harris, who has battled breast cancer twice (once at age 27 and again last year at age 35). Berset recently completed her cancer treatment and returned to the anchor chair as host of “Great Day Washington.” SELFIEMAGNET: Special guest Jill Biden, wife of former Vice President Joe Biden, praised the group’s work, then generously posed for photos with pink-clad partygoers before exiting through the stage door. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Emily Lohman and Andreas Brandenberger

Joshua Johnson, Dave Steadman and Daphne Kiplinger

Kojo Nnamdi, Sylvia Burwell and Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde

JOSHUA JOHNSON’S ‘1A’ ANNIVERSARY District Winery | PHOTOS BY JOY ASICO

Mary Beth Kirchner, JJ Yore and Tammy Haddad

RADIO PARTY Friends of public radio sipped rosé and toasted the one year anniversary of WAMU’s “1A” at Washington’s first ever winery. The daily program, hosted by San Francisco transplant Joshua Johnson, airs on 275 NPR stations nationwide and reaches 2.9 million Americans. Named after the First Amendment, “1A” is billed as a “national conversation” that features topics as diverse as faith, racism, money and Hollywood. “I am relieved, so relieved, that people desperately want a break from talking about politics all the time,” said Johnson as he addressed the crowd. SPOTTED: WAMU General Manager JJ Yore, American University President Sylvia Burwell and Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde.

Anne-Marie Boisseau and Ashley O’Sullivan

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Brittain Damgard, Susie Matheson and Murdoch Matheson Stephanie Stebich, Stewart Harvey, Burning Man CoFounder Larry Harvey and Cheryl Edison Gia Gelareh

Melissa Barron

‘THE ART OF BURNING MAN’ OPENING RECEPTION The Renwick Gallery | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Bill Homan

THE MAN BURNS Onlookers were unable to look away as a parade of guests clad in colorful and creative outfits congregated outside of the Renwick Gallery. The unusual scene was meant to mirror, at least in spirit, that of Burning Man, where thousands of people descend on Nevada’s Black Rock desert (also known as “the playa”) for a week long art and music festival that centers on ten core principles including radical self-expression, civic responsibility and decommodification (no cash transactions are permitted on the playa). Artists who frequent the festival created custom installations for the Renwick’s new exhibit “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man,” curated by Nora Atkinson. Pieces include a 55-foot dancing woman by Marco Cochrane and giant light-up paper mushrooms that expand and retract via a hydraulic system by FoldHaus Art Collective. Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Director Stephanie Stebich called the project a “massive undertaking,” explaining that teams of artists installed the larger-than-life works piece by piece inside the museum. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Judy and Steven Gluckstern with Lisa and Robert Ferguson

Rose Ellis and Sophia Constance

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

John Irelan and Dede Wilsey Sterling Howard and Joe Howard

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Joe Meschede and Jason Selfe

Yvonne Force Villareal, Cuatro Villareal, Lux Villareal, Dr. Deb Windham and Leo Villareal

“HYBYCOZO” by Yelena Filipchuk & Serge Beaulieu

Chris and Allison Putala

Kasey Nilson and Rep. Joe Crowley

Dafna Tapiero and Hillary Baltimore

Sonia Denham

WL SPONSORED

N STREET VILLAGE GALA Marriott Marquis | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL HELP FOR THE HOMELESS More than $1.4 million was raised at N Street Village’s 45th anniversary gala, attended by 900 people committed to ending homelessness. Longtime supporters Stu and Pat Van Scoyoc were honored for helping homeless women reenter the workforce. Special musical guest Ledisi performed a moving version of “Pieces of Me” with the N Street Village and Luther Place Ambassadors of Praise. N Street Village welcomes nearly 2,000 of the city’s most vulnerable women every year, and provides housing to more than 700 women and 51 families in five locations throughout Washington, D.C.

Keith Harley, Stuart Allen, Schroeder Stribbling and Debbi Jarvis

Honorees Rita Lewis and Alberta Williams VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Brittain Damgard, Susie Matheson and Murdoch Matheson

Jack Matheson and Ruth Buchanan

Eve Matheson and Delilah Ohrstrom

Ruth Buchanan in the 50’s WL EXCLUSIVE

RUTH BUCHANAN’S 100TH BIRTHDAY Private Club | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL HEART AND SOUL “I’m overwhelmed,” was all Ruth Buchanan could manage to say with all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren plus friends of all ages surrounding her as Bob Hardwick’s Sound Sensation struck up “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her centenary. Numerous pals from Newport flew down for the cocktailbuffet-dansant in honor of Washington’s most beloved grande dame — one of those extremely rare occasions when four generations are spotted whooping it up together on the dance floor. Even the birthday girl got into the action when Rev. Stuart Kenworthy gave her a whirl or two in her wheelchair — as the band struck up “Soul Train” no less! A more delightful event would be nearly impossible to imagine.

Grace Hilliard and Bear Matheson

John Irelan and Dede Wilsey

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Dr. Marceé White, Jayden White and David White

William, Mae, and Rose Grennan

RJ Bernard and THEARC Executive Director Rahsaan Bernard WL SPONSORED

Rachel Yang, Carys Kang and Eun Yang

THEARC WACKY & WHIMSICAL TEA Ritz-Carlton Washington | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Eli Beaber

TEA TIME WITH AN OLYMPIC TWIST Children of all ages gathered with their families on a sunny Sunday afternoon for an Olympic-themed high tea, special entertainment and a silent auction to benefit THEARC’s programs for underserved children and adults in Ward 8. It’s one of the few social events of the year that encourages adults to bring along their offspring for an afternoon of bonding and benevolence. The ninth annual event was co-chaired by Nancy Cordes, Elizabeth Engel, Katharine Lucas and Jill Wiley White. THEARC, an expansive $27 million campus, offers local residents dance classes, fine arts, tutoring, medical care and more at a reduced cost or no cost at all.

Hank and Kristen Billings

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Claudia Zeldin and Kesari

Anne Snyder Brooks, Larisa Martinez, David Brooks and Clarence Greenwood

Brian McCormick, Stefanie Zeldin and Sara Pratt

ALL OUR KIDS’ AWARDS DINNER Sixth & I Historic Synagogue | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ A CHANCE FOR EVERY KID At the inaugural All Our Kids (AOK) awards dinner, honors were bestowed upon New York Times columnist David Brooks, Citizen Cope musician and activist Clarence Greenwood and fair housing attorney and founding AOK board member Sara Pra . The organization provides a range of support services for young artists in the Washington, D.C. area, many of whom attended the event and were seen chatting up guests and supporters about their experiences with AOK. Musical performances by Citizen Cope and opera singer Larisa Martinez followed dinner in Sixth & I’s stunning sanctuary space.

Rep. Jim McGovern

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

David Simpson and Kathy Fletcher 65

Tournament winner Tim Rodgers and Brad Nierenberg

Hollis Pica and Jon Kling

Dr. Lily Talakoub, Kristin Cecchi and Angie Goff

Chi Ko Chef Scott Drewno

CHANCE FOR LIFE MGM National Harbor | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Aerialist Nina Mann

BETTING ON KIDS Hundreds of Chance for Life Foundation supporters descended upon MGM National Harbor for an all-day charity poker tournament – one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Revelers continued late into the night with a “culinary taste experience” featuring small bites from local restaurants and a Las Vegas-style after-party in the MGM Theater, where aerialists served champagne while entangled in ribbons hanging from the ceiling. The event helped raise more than $1.6 million for pediatric cancer research. RedPeg Marketing CEO Brad Nierenberg founded Chance for Life when his goddaughter, Kennedy Snyder, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two. SPOTTED: NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, former Washington Redskins players Santana Moss and Chris Samuels and 14-time World Series of Poker Champion Phil Hellmuth.

Pamela Sorensen, Callie Nierenberg and Colleen Avis

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Hope Donovan and Linda Semans Donovan

Amir Frydman with JoAnn and Charlie Nulsen

Jill Tryon with Antonio and Natalie Monteiro

Terry Adams

KARA KENNEDY FUND BRUNCH The Hamilton Live | PHOTOS BY GEVAR BONHAM SWIMMING SUCCESS The dance floor was packed from beginning to end at the Kara Kennedy Fund’s fifth annual brunch benefit attended by nearly 200 guests. Host committee co-chairs Carolyn Vinson Bou and Robin Wilder were joined by guests including Ginny Grenham, Carlotta Hester and Chris Murray, John Donovan and Linda Semans Donovan, Rob Wilder, Stephen Bou, Jamie Sterling, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Rosalind Cross and Peter Moore. Rhythm and blues quartet NRBQ performed. This summer, the Kara Kennedy Fund will help more than 500 students learn to swim through Horizons Greater Washington and Dedham Country Day School in Massachusetts.

Rosalind and Daniel Cross VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES

PARTIES IN BLOOM VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Dr. Sachiko Kuno, Beth Brummel, Linda Smyth and Nigel Smyth

WINE AT WOLF TRAP [THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP]

P H OTO S BY A E L A N D E S

Wine lovers gathered for an intimate five-course dinner followed by dancing and a silent auction to benefit Wolf Trap’s arts and education programs. The 10th annual event featured a menu designed byJosé Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and a hand-curated selection of wines by Jarad Slipp, master sommelier and estate director at RdV Vineyards..

Jarad Slipp, Arvind Manocha, Chef Lang, Bahishta Talash Barbara Joe Raffa and Andy Myers and Marco Aguilar

Rutger de Vink, Jenny de Vink and David Langstaff

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST [FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE] P H O T O S B Y B E N D R OZ

French Ambassador Gérard Araud hosted friends of the National Museum of Women in Arts for coffee and croissants to mark the opening of the museum’s “Women House” exhibit. The show, on view through May 28, challenges conventional ideals about gender and the domestic space. “Today, this residence is truly also a woman’s house,” said Araud to the well-heeled crowd.

Jose Sacin, Liz Sara and John Hoskinson

OPERA CAMERATA

Amy Baier and Amra Fazlic

[BRITISH AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE] P H OTO BY A RT H A R M A N

Before being treated to a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance,” guests gathered for cocktails and canapes in the British Ambassador’s drawing room and then enjoyed a three-course dinner with wine pairings in the ballroom. The performance included an orchestra led by Jose Sacin and narrated by Robin Phillips. Opera Camerata provides a special opportunity for patrons to witness full production performances in the intimate settings of ambassadorial residences.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Tati Pastukhova and Svetlana Legetic

Charlotte Buxton, Tony Podesta and Nancy Stevenson

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB NATIONAL ADVOCACY DAY [HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING]

Ting Chang in a dress made entirely of plastic bags

Jim Clark, Jessica Cree Jock, Heather Peterson, Wendolyn Murphy and Tim Reiplinger

TAIWAN FASHION SHOW [TWIN OAKS] CO U RT E SY P H OTO S

The Tapei Economic and Cultural Representative Office hosted a fashion show on International Women’s Day at Twin Oaks, an event that also marked the estate’s 130th anniversary. Clothing styles from 1888 to the present day, designed mostly by Pouyun Hsiao, showed how women’s roles have changed over the years. The show was followed by a Taiwanese feast.

Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba BGCA Chairman Emeritus, Ron Gidwitz and Bob Jones

P H O T O S B Y PA U L M O R I G I /A P I M AG E S F O R B C G A

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) hosted the Congressional Champions Reception to honor Sens. Roy Blunt and Jack Reed and Reps. Tom Cole and Nita Lowey with BGCA’s Champion of Youth award. The reception was attended by Boys & Girls Clubs executives, board members and youth from 43 states, the District and Puerto Rico, who were visiting their members of Congress to discuss the critical needs of young people in America.

PREVENT CANCER FOUNDATION DINNER [THE MAHMOOD RESIDENCE] P H O T O S B Y A L L I S O N O ’ B R I E N AO B P H O T O

Supporters of the Prevent Cancer Foundation attended a dinner hosted by Shaista and Ray Mahmood and Susan and George Allen honoring the work of the non-profit group’s founder Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé and Dr. John Marshall of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Justice Samuel Alito and Martha Ann Alito with Shaista and Ray Mahmood

Rep. Barbara Comstock and Grover Norquist

WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS GALA [WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL] P H OTO S BY K A LO R A M A P H OTO

The Washington Performing Arts Gala & Auction honored special guest Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with the Washington Performing Arts Ambassador of the Arts Award. Baritone Eric Owens, the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, Step Afrika! dancers and violinist Chelsey Green performed for guests. NPR’s Nina Totenberg acted as the evening’s emcee.

Nina Totenberg and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Reginald Van Lee, Lonnie G. Bunch and Jenny Bilfield

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION GALA [NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM] P H O T O S B Y J U A N C A R L O S

Ted Proxmire, Harriet Pressler, Larry Pressler and Kelley Proxmire

B R I C E N O/ FOTO B R I C E N O

Actress Debbie Allen, star of of television hit series “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Fame,” hosted the NEA Foundation’s annual gala to celebrate public school educators. The organization presented more than 40 awards to teachers and other supporters of public education at the star-studded event. Bobbie Cavnar, a 12th grade language arts educator from Belmont, N.C., received the top honor.

LARRY PRESSLER’S BIRTHDAY [TURKMANI RESIDENCE] P H O T O S B Y J A N E T D O N OVA N

Over 100 guests gathered at the home of Chang and Salal Turkmani to celebrate former Senator Larry Pressler’s 76th birthday. Pressler served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975-79 and in the U.S. Senate for 18 years. He was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the Senate.

Charles “Lil Buck” Riley and Debbie Allen

REGENERON SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH AWARDS GALA [NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM] P H O T O S B Y J OY A S I C O

The 77th Annual Awards Gala, hosted by esteemed Science Talent Search alumni, celebrated 40 finalists and honored top winners of the prestigious science and math competition for high school students. Guests at the National Building Museum enjoyed a reception, finalist poster session and dinner. Malcolm Gladwell, author of five New York Timesbestselling books, gave the keynote address.

Michela English and Rick Bright

Bruce McNamer; Mayor Muriel Bowser and Carol Thompson Cole

Gerald Yao, Rebecca Rothey and Tim Hwang

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

George Yancopoulos, Malcolm Gladwell and Maya Ajmera

CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY

LEUKEMIA BALL

[ARENA STAGE]

CONVENTION CENTER]

P H O T O S B Y D I G I TA L PX

P H OTO S BY B RU C E B U C K L EY

A standing-room-only crowd celebrated 45 years of the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s local giving efforts at their annual benefit. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser congratulated Carol Thompson Cole, who received the Civic Spirit Award for her lifelongdedication to giving as CEO of Venture Philanthropy Partners. The evening raised more than $600,000 to support philanthropic causes and showcased local performers and artists who have Va. Gov. Ralph Northam benefited theRing foundation’s support. andfrom Bettina

More than 2,000 guests wined, dined and enjoyed performances by comedian Jeff Foxworthy and country singer Phil Vassar at the 31st annual ball in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Cancer survivor Kelvin Yates and his daughter shared their experience thanking the organization for its unwavering support. Neil Kishter, founder of the Kishter Group at Merrill Lynch was honored with the James L. Eichberg Lifetime Achievement Award.

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

[WALTER E. WASHINGTON

Lauren Veneziani McCarthy and Kevin McCarthy

HOME LIFE Real Estate News and Open House I Inside Homes and my washington

% 4PEGI JSV *EQMP] Real estate developer Barry Madani and his wife Dyala transform a traditional Spring Valley house into an airy, modern refuge. BY VIRGINIA COYNE PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

HOME LIFE | INSIDE HOMES

n a corner of Barry and Dyala Madani’s tidy, light-filled kitchen, the pale gray wallpaper has been embellished with abstract markings from blue, yellow and orange crayons, clearly a “gift” from one, or both, of their sons — Sammy, age 8, and Dean, age 4. When the graffiti is pointed out, Barry Madani shrugs and smiles, saying, “Oh, that happened right after we moved in!” Such nonchalance is striking from a man whose real estate development firm, Madison Investments (which he founded 14 years ago with his brother, Sia), is known for x its sleek, luxury condominiums. The brothers’ properties include Elysium Logan, Kipling House on Barracks Row and 11Q in Shaw, where sales are set to begin this summer. The aesthetic of the Madanis’ Spring Valley residence is similar to that of his high-end projects.The design is modern, the finishes are luxe and the atmosphere is “airy and serene,” as both husband and wife describe it, but it is far from homogenous. It is clearly a home meant for family, and it’s filled with mementos of their travels, photos of relatives and yes, evidence of young children. The couple purchased the house, which featured both Tudor and Cape Cod-style elements, in August 2014, and had only ten weeks to make it their own before they needed to move out of a nearby rental. Although they loved the bones of the structure, which was built in 1954, they wanted to modernize it to reflect their lifestyle. Barry Madani says he threw his entire team on the project and, with the help of locally-based Akseizer Design Group (ADG), they essentially gutted the place – tearing down walls and some ceilings, removing dark wood paneling, redoing floors and installing custom cabinetry. On November 1 of that year, they moved in with their existing belongings and slowly and deliberately began to decorate. “Although we did a lot structurally very quickly,

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

PREVIOUS PAGE: (clockwise from left) A toy rideon car, a nod to Barry’s antique automobile collection, is placed next to the fireplace in the living room. The fireplace surround is made of Crema Venato marble; custom cabinetry in the kitchen was designed and created by Akseizer Design Group (ADG) based in Alexandria, Va. “Eiffel” wood bar stools by sohoConcept add to the clean, modern look; attic space was knocked out to create the high ceiling in the family room, where the walls are decorated with family memorabilia, including a wedding photo of Barry Madani’s Iranian grandparents. The Madanis both grew up in London and the Union Jack pillows, a gift from a relative, are a reminder of home. THIS PAGE: (clockwise from top left) The couple recently decided to stucco the front of the house, which they deemed “too busy” in its previous state because it featured Tudor banding, herringbone brick, bluestone and wood siding. The living room sofa and chairs are from Mitchell Gold, as is the coffee table made of sustainably harvested tree roots and tempered glass. The console table is RH Modern. The dining table and chairs are from Calligaris and the plates on the wall were collected by Dyala Madani on her travels abroad; the children’s bedroom suite includes a play area in the front room.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

beyond that point we took our time and have been really very careful of how we select everything in the house to make sure we love it and that it meets our general palette and aesthetic,” Barry Madani explains. They knew they wanted neutral pieces that blended with the updated architecture and would not clash with personal touches like the colorful throws they purchased at a souk on a recent trip to Iran or the plates Dyala Madani has collected on travels to the Middle East and Mexico that are displayed on the dining room walls. In the living room, the couple ultimately decided on sofas and chairs upholstered in two different shades of gray from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The coffee table, with a base made of sustainably harvested tree roots, was chosen because their son Sammy had recently become fascinated with British sculptor and environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy, who is known for creating artwork from natural materials such as twigs, mud and leaves. As for the artwork on the walls, the Madanis, who both grew up in London, admit that that’s where their tastes diverge. “He likes statement art, provocative art,” Dyala Madani says of her husband. “For me, art has to be peaceful and make you feel good.” She prevailed, and the house is filled with “happy” pieces – a rendering of a buffalo on one wall, a row of geese on another, reframed in white to blend in with their surroundings. Barry Madani’s love of antique cars is, however, reflected in the decor. There are models of old vehicles on bookshelves, and in the family room, near a framed George Michael cassette tape from his teenage years, is a limited edition poster of the Louis Vuitton Classic automobile show featuring the Union Jack. A significant expansion of the house that will include a three car garage for his real-life auto collection is due to begin this year.

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

OPENING PAGE: Developer Barry Madani and wife Dyala Madani, who runs a food blog called Umamimami, sit with sons Sammy and Dean on the staircase in their entry hall.

HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS

On the Rise

Suburban home prices continue to rise with new records broken for 2018 in Bethesda BY STAC E Y G R A Z I E R P FA R R

Erik Fanning bought P STREET NW for $2.8 million from Jessica Herzstein and Elliot Gerson. Herzstein works as an independent consultant in preventive medicine and occupational and environmental health and Gerson is an executive at the Aspen Institute. The posh townhouse in the heart of Dupont Circle boasts five large levels of living space including a lower level in-law suite with a separate front entrance. Compassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lindsay Reishman was the listing agent. TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daniel Heider was the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent Basil and Pat Gogos sold MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NW to an

undisclosed buyer for $2.5 million with the help of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joseph Zorc. Long & Fosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daniel Lusk represented the buyer. The classic brick 1927 center hall Colonial has a slate roof and is located near Observatory Circle. The six-bedroom house sits on a corner lot and includes a Lobkovich designed gourmet kitchen, elegant plaster mouldings, tigerwood floors, a solarium and spacious living areas for both entertaining and family living. Margot Roux, the daughter of former Oracle Corporation exec and co-founder of Silver Lake Group Dave Roux and his wife Barb, purchased N STREET NW from The Lighthouse LLC for $3 million. Roux is a first grade teacher at Beauvoir,The National Cathedral Elementary

School.The four- bedroom Federal townhouse in Georgetown is over 100 years old and was renovated to include modern day amenities. Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nancy Taylor Bubes was the listing agent. Compassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Patrick Chauvin was the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent.

MARYLAND Nextel founder Chris Rogers and his wife, Nalini, sold EDGEMOOR LANE for $5.35 million to an undisclosed buyer. (The Rogers bought the property in 2011 from Laurence and Linda Mann for $10 million). The six-bedroom, eight-bath Colonial on a doublewas built in 1913 and was extensively renovated by acclaimed architect George Meyers and interior designer Mary Drysdale. The sprawling mansion features a grand salon with 40-foot ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with a private breakfast room, a unique guest suite

with open beamed ceiling and a pool on more than an acre of land. There are four deluxe bedrooms with en suite baths in addition to a master bedroom with two baths and dressing rooms plus a private office. Marc Fleisher of TT Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Real Estate was the listing agent; Linda Picasso of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. represented the buyer. Bill and Margaret Strang sold COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE in Bethesdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Club

estates for $3.05 million. Custom built in 1998 by Griff Gosnell, it boasts large rooms for entertaining, a gourmet kitchen with a fireplace, a second floor family room, lower level Jockey-style bar, wine cellar and two spectacular acres of well manicured grounds with expansive stone hardscaping. Long & Fosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Margie Halem was both the listing agent and buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

Prospect Street LLC sold PROSPECT STREET NW to an undisclosed buyer in a discreet transaction for $4.75 million after completely renovating the white brick townhouse from the ground up. Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nancy Taylor Bubes represented the private buyer and seller in the transaction. A rare find in Georgetown, the fivestory 1937-built Federal features sleek and modern decor throughout and boasts sweeping Potomac views, a brand new gourmet kitchen, multiple private patios and a rooftop deck complete with elevator access.

Steven and Allison Lockshin sold SURREY STREET in Chevy Chase for $3.25 million to William and Sandra Wiesmann. Mr. Lockshin is a CEO of Convergent Wealth Advisors with headquarters in Potomac. The six-bedroom, six-bath house was built in 2011 by Jim Gibson and boasts four finished levels featuring a wrap-around porch, formal living and dining rooms, custom built-ins throughout, a wood floor with inlaid design, luxurious master suite, wine cellar, home gym and theater. Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cheryl Leahy was the listing agent while TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Michael Rankin represented the seller.

Patrick and Michelle Bryski sold WOODLAND DRIVE in Massachusetts Avenue Heights for $2.55 million to a private LLC. Mr. Bryski is a principal at Deloitte Consulting. The property is former residence to writer and prolific political observer Elizabeth Drew. Built in 1927, the sixbedroom house has high ceilings and an open layout featuring a spacious kitchen with family room access to a patio and backyard pool. Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nancy Taylor Bubes was the listing agent. John Coplen of Evers & Co. Real Estate, a Long & Foster Company, represented the buyer.

VIRGINIA Former RedZone Robotics president and CEO Michael Lach and his wife Diana sold a stately five bedroom English manor style home at

MALTA LANE in Langley Farms for $6.6. million to financial advisor Christopher Sargent. The five-bedroom stone estate, complete with a wine cellar, a hand-carved mahogany paneled library and sun-filled gourmet kitchen was constructed by acclaimed builder Michael Bowman in 2008 and sited on the end of a private street in the prestigious enclave. Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jennifer Thornett and Micah Corder were listing agents. Washington Fine Properties Mary Ehrgood was the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS

PROPERTY LINES

LOTS OF LOTS: John B. Ritch III and his wife Christina listed their French Normandy-style residence at ND STREET NW in Massachusetts Avenue Heights for $11.2 million. Ritch was appointed by President Bill Clinton as United States representative to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna. The 1930-built residence sits on over an acre of land and includes two adjacent buildable lots. The existing house was renovated to include an updated kitchen and baths and also features such charming details as leaded glass windows and original hardwood floors. Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jeff Mauer is the listing agent.

SEALED BID SALE: Co-Owner of DC United soccer team Brian Davis and his wife Marsha, are accepting bids on

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NW, which is priced at $7,999,999. On what is arguably the most coveted block of Embassy Row, this architecturally significant Beaux Arts town house was designed by famed Gilded Age architect George Totten. The 1907 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grand Maisonâ&#x20AC;? boasts over 9,500 square feet of renovated and restored space on five levels. Hollywood Real Estate Servicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; James Kazunas is the listing agent.

ANKIE BARNES RENOVATION: Dick and Pam Sauber are selling their 1923-built Wesley Heights Georgian residence at CATHEDRAL AVENUE NW for $6.495 million. Mr. Sauber is a partner at Robbins Russell law firm. The classic house has been renovated to perfection to include elegant entertaining spaces spilling out to sunny terraces extending across the back of the house. Custom finishes and built-ins, a gourmet kitchen, a sunny guest suite on the third level plus a luxe pool with it own loggia make this charming estate one of a kind. Anne Hatfield Weir and Heidi Hatfield of Washington Fine Properties are the listing agents.

TREMENDOUS TUDOR: Investment banking executive Carlos Fierro, currently of Guggenheim Securities, and his wife, interior designer Jennifer Tonkel, are selling GARFIELD STREET NW for $9.995 million. The property is the former residence of philanthropists Stephen and Diana Goldberg. (The couple donated over $25 million to Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Medical Center in 2001.) The 1930s Wesley Heights Tudor mansion has been completely renovated and boasts nearly 12,500 square feet of interior space and featuring an atrium-like family room, custom library, a kitchen with three islands and two attached garages. The main house has seven bedrooms and eight baths. There is also a two-bedroom, three-bath guest house. Exterior features included a private gated garden with multiple terraces, swimming pool and circular brick paved driveway. HRL Partners of Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are the listing agents. Send real estate news to Stacey Grazier Pfarr at editorial@washingtonlife.com.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

OPEN HOUSE

DMV Digs Settle down in a stylish new home. FAIRFAX

SUMMIT DRIVE

ASKING PRICE: $4,390,000

This wonderful estate exudes elegance while offering three-and-a-half acres of privacy and tranquility. With eight bedrooms and nine full- and three halfbaths comprising over 25,000 square feet, this house is perfect for both family life and entertaining. A custom pool, atrium, tennis and basketball courts round out the exquisite grounds of this one-of-a kind home.

LISTING AGENT: Mike Anastasia, 703-501-1000, Long & Foster | Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

MCLEAN ALVERMAR RIDGE DRIVE

ASKING PRICE: $3,750,000

This grand and prominent custom home has eight bedrooms, eight half baths and approximately 13,000 square feet of living space featuring dramatic ceilings, large living spaces and eye-catching floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. It is beautifully designed to complement large-scale entertaining with a flowing floor plan, wet bars and a theater room. Outside, there is a sweeping deck with a spacious terrace and a pool surrounded by lush landscaping.

LISTING AGENTS: Anne DiBenede@o, 703-6151897 and Marc Bertinelli, 202657-9000, Washington Fine Properties

ARLINGTON N HARTFORD STREET

ASKING PRICE: $2,595,000

This beautiful single family home originally built in 1939 was completely renovated thanks to prominent local architect Rob Morris. LISTING AGENT: John Eric, 703-798-0097, The approximately 4,200 square foot home has incredible modern Compass features, expansive entertaining spaces and large, comfortable rooms. There are five bedrooms, five baths and two half baths on four levels (including a basement). Amenities include eat-in kitchen, fireplace, hardwood floors and parking.

ARLINGTON

N UPLAND STREET

ASKING PRICE: $2,499,000

This custom-built home offers a serene, natural setting in Arlington, Va. Built in 2013, the spacious residence includes eight bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and more than 7,000 square feet of interior living space plus a stunning chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen and expansive screened-in porch.

LISTING AGENTS: Ruth Boyer Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dea, 703338-2277 and Sheri Grant, 703-405-1016, TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty

FOREST HILLS FIELDSTONE LANE NW This charming residence overlooking Rock Creek Park features a modern high-end renovation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approximately 4,800 square feet include a beamed living room ceiling, a cozy study, table space kitchen, wood burning fireplaces and two family rooms. There is a large garage plus parking for six to eight additional cars. Close to Connecticut Avenue shops. WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

ASKING PRICE: $2,300,000 LISTING AGENT: Marin Hagen, 202-257-2339 & Sylvia Bergstrom, 202-471-5256, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 79

MY WASHINGTON T J OSHIE Right winger, the Washington Capitals BY ERICA MOODY

MY TOP SPOTS

I’m a big crab and steak guy, so Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is the place to go for a good meal.

I was always a big movie guy before Lauren and I had kids. Now that Lyla’s old enough we catch every animated flick that comes through AMC Tyson’s Corner.

We love getting takeout from Founding Farmers Tysons and I usually get the spicy fried chicken with the Jefferson donut. It’s amazing. Try it.

My family loves Clemyjontri Park in McLean because it seems like you can let the kids run all over and have a blast. On the weekends it’s a fun place to spend time with the little ones.

I play with my neighbor quite a bit at TPC Potomac Avenue golf course. I haven’t scored well there yet but I feel like it’s always in great condition.

I am part Ojibwe and I went to the National Museum of the American Indian with my family. It was a pretty amazing experience and I learned a lot that I didn’t know about myself and the Ojibwe people.

he Washington Capitals won their third consecutive metropolitan division title thanks to players like right winger T.J. Oshie, 31. He’s second on the team in power play goals, preceded only by champion 600 goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin, which is not a bad place to be. The family man from Mount Vernon, Washington (state) reveals what he likes to do in the District when he’s not lighting the lamp. >>

A LOT OF PLAYERS IN THE NHL HAVE PLAYED IN OUTDOOR GAMES BUT YOU FINALLY PLAYED IN YOUR FIRST ONE AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY IN MARCH. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? I was looking forward to it very much for several reasons. One, as an American, it being at the Naval Academy was special. Both my grandpas served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Saint Paul and the experience was amazing. From start to finish, it was even cooler than I had imagined. It was very special and I’d like to do it again. It was a huge honor not just because of my family connection, but also because of the sacrifices military members and their family are currently making. YOU LED TEAM USA TO A THRILLING SHOOTOUT WIN OVER TEAM RUSSIA IN THE 2014 OLYMPICS. DID YOU SEE THE U.S. WOMEN’S TEAM WIN GOLD MEDAL WITH A SHOOTOUT? I did see it; I thought it was great for them. I went and watched as many of their games as I could in Sochi and it was really exciting. It kind of felt like when they won, for some reason I was part of the win – obviously I wasn’t, but it was really cool because I know some of the girls on the team and I’m really proud of them. AFTER TWO YEARS IN WASHINGTON, YOU BECAME A FREE AGENT. HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO COME BACK TO WASHINGTON ON AN EIGHTYEAR DEAL? WAS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL

ABOUT THE AREA FOR YOUR WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS THAT MADE YOU WANT TO COMMIT HERE LONG TERM? A lot of the people we met have become good friends. My oldest daughter, Lyla, really loved her school and it would have been hard for us to take her away from there. On the hockey side of things, I loved all the players I was playing with and felt the organization was run very professionally. I really enjoy playing here and knew it was a place I wanted to stay for a long time. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR YOUNG FAMILY? It’s pretty simple for me. We don’t get many days off to go out and really experience the region, so really when we get days off, I’m at home, going to parks around Arlington or McLean with my family. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE REGION TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR TEAMMATES? At one of the amazing golf courses in town. We play quite a bit at Avenel with my neighbor and some teammates and it’s really fun. YOU’VE DONE A LOT IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE SIGNING WITH WASHINGTON, FROM COURAGE CAPS TO RECENTLY SPENDING TIME WITH UNITED HEROES LEAGUE FAMILIES PRIOR TO THE STADIUM SERIES. ARE THERE ANY CAUSES THAT STAND OUT TO YOU? I have to give a lot of credit to Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. They’ve given me a lot of avenues to connect with the community and give back. It’s important to me and my family to be part of as much as we can. Courage Caps in particular is important to me. Team-issued branded hats and T-shirts are sold each season with all proceeds benefitting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which offers compassionate care to anyone grieving the loss of military loved ones.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

CO U RT E SY P H OTOS

Washington Life Magazine - May 2018

Articles inside

The 2018 POWER 100

Carne y arena

Pollywood

FYIDC