- 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 401 Reston, Virginia 20191
Jimmy served as Cabinet Secretary for Business Affairs in Maryland and Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade in Virginia, where he led impactful economic development initiatives. With extensive experience in international trade, investment, and economic development, he focused on enhancing local manufacturing and driving job creation. He worked closely with the White House on key cross-border initiatives, including the National Export Initiative and the Entrepreneur Program, to promote U.S. business interests on the global stage.
Jimmy orchestrated high-profile trade and investment missions, forging strategic partnerships with political and corporate leaders, particularly in Asia, while recruiting international companies to the U.S. to drive economic development. He also provided counsel to governors on regulatory reforms, improving access to capital for small businesses, and collaborating with stakeholders on critical infrastructure projects, such as highways and offshore wind energy projects, to foster local supply chains and enhance the economic multiplier effect.
With over two decades of private sector entrepreneurial experience, Jimmy is a proven leader in enterprise creation, growth, and change management. His extensive record includes directing successful turnarounds across diverse industries, from manufacturing to software companies. He excels at identifying new strategic opportunities amid shifting macroeconomic factors, such as geopolitics, technology, and demographics, and connecting interdependent elements to achieve economic synergy.
As a strategic advisor, Jimmy collaborates closely with the esteemed Livingston Group, founded by Bob Livingston, the former Speaker-Elect and Chair of the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House. In this capacity, he provides advisory services to export-driven businesses and investment firms, helping clients navigate the changing geopolitical landscape and fostering partnerships for market entry.
Jimmy is a sought-after speaker at business and community events and serves on the boards of several professional, educational, and civic organizations, including a bank, universities, research centers, and investment entities. He has also received numerous awards from professional organizations and industry leaders, including the Korean Presidential Medal for Outstanding Korean American in Economic Development.
Jimmy earned degrees from Johns Hopkins University (MAS/MBA) and the University of Maryland (BS), studied law for two years, holds a professional certificate in energy from the Stanford University Center for Development and is a certified performance improvement coach.
Ferhan is a seasoned venture capital investor and entrepreneur who has started and exited multiple businesses. Ferhan was formerly Director of FBR Capital Markets, a NASDAQ listed investment banking firm. There he developed and evaluated new strategies for equity funds, hedge funds, and externally managed businesses.
He previously also led private consulting firm focused on the technology sector including multi-national corporations and Silicon Valley-based startups.
He was the CEO of a technology firm which he led from start-up to multi-millions of dollars in revenue and successfully exited. He has served as Board Chairman of the Virginia Lottery, a $5.5 billion per year enterprise since 2018 and as a Board Member since 2016, having been appointed by the Governor of Virginia and confirmed by the State Legislature.
Ferhan has extensive experience in India where has stood up his own teams of consultants in multiple cities. He has also engaged in multiple transactions in India in various sectors. Ferhan previously practiced corporate law and has worked extensively in government affairs in Washington D.C.
He formerly served as Assistant Attorney General of Illinois focused on tax and bankruptcy matters, and Managing Deputy Comptroller for the City of Chicago where he managed billions in investment dollars. He has served multiple Virginia governors as a member of transition policy team or as a public board member and chaired the American Technology-Industry Advisory Council established to assist the Obama Administration with its digital government strategy. BA with Honors – University of Illinois, Urbana and JD – DePaul University College of Law.
