Leading with Integrity. INspiring excellence.
Hartwood is led by professionals with extensive federal, defense, and operational experience. Our leadership team is actively involved in shaping direction, guiding delivery, and maintaining accountability throughout every engagement.
We lead with pragmatism and integrity—making informed decisions, addressing challenges directly, and ensuring commitments translate into results. Our clients value our ability to balance strategic perspective with hands-on execution.
THAD ASHE
President / Managing Director
Thad Ashe, a USMC service-disabled veteran and co-founder of Hartwood, leads the company’s operations, business growth, and strategic planning. A skilled leader and strategist, he oversees business development, client relationships, and internal operations, ensuring alignment with customer needs and market trends. Committed to fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture, Thad drives innovation and positions Hartwood as a trusted partner for government and industry clients. His leadership ensures the company remains agile and prepared to meet evolving challenges with future driven solutions.
BRUCE KIRKLAND
Director of Business Development / Sr. Capture Manager
Bruce Kirkland, a USN veteran, leads Hartwood’s business development, capture, and growth initiatives with a focus on identifying and pursuing opportunities within the Federal Market. An innovative and forward-thinking professional, Bruce is responsible for building and strengthening relationships across Federal agencies, expanding Hartwood’s market presence, and driving revenue growth. With a strategic approach to opportunity identification and client engagement, Bruce plays a key role in expanding Hartwood’s business capabilities and positioning the company for long-term success in the public sector.
DELA ASHE
Director of Human Resources
Déla Ashe is a results-driven leader dedicated to developing talent acquisition, retention, and employee engagement strategies that empower Hartwood to maximize its most valuable asset—its people. She oversees all facets of human resources management and provides strategic direction for key programs, policies, and HR functions. A passionate advocate for teamwork and collaboration, Déla is committed to fostering a work culture that nurtures creativity, innovation and meaningful connections for every employee. With a deep understanding of people and processes, she leads HR operations to effectively manage change and support organizational growth.
SAM SHANNON
Director of Program Management
Sam Shannon, a USMC veteran, leads Hartwood’s programs and projects with a focus on strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and seamless execution. A dynamic leader with deep expertise in project planning, resource management, and risk mitigation, Sam cultivates cross-functional collaboration and clear communication to ensure initiatives are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives. Committed to efficiency and continuous improvement, Sam plays a pivotal role in optimizing processes and driving impactful outcomes for both government and industry clients.
MAGGIE GIBBS
Director of Creative and Visual Communications
Maggie Gibbs leads Hartwood’s creative direction with a strong eye for detail and visual excellence. With over 25 years of experience serving both government and commercial clients, Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge in graphic design and strategic communications. As Director of Creative and Visual Design, she oversees brand development, internal and external communications design, and ensures consistency across all visual platforms.Her broad skill set to translate complex ideas into compelling visuals has been instrumental in supporting mission-driven work across diverse industries.
Her leadership continues to shape Hartwood’s visual identity, strengthening the way we connect with clients.