Our Management Team

John L. English

Chief Executive Officer

John English is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Heartland Consulting, which he founded in 2009. Mr. English manages and oversees all operations regarding government and commercial clients across several different fields. Prior to founding Heartland, Mr. English worked for the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs from 2005-2009. There, he assisted three different Department Secretaries with organizational and transformational management as well as strategic communications pertaining to the Department’s major initiatives.

Mr. English has also served in government at the state level. His service to Oklahoma began when he joined the administration of Governor Frank Keating in 1998. In that capacity he worked alongside the governor in promoting a pro-growth economic agenda for the state. In 1991, Mr. English joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1996. He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and College and currently serves as its Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the San Miguel School, located in Washington D.C.

He earned an undergraduate degree from The University of Oklahoma and an MBA from The George Washington University. In 2014, Mr. English continued his support and devotion to veterans through the creation of the John L. English scholarship at The George Washington University School of Business. This scholarship was created specifically for former U.S. Marines to attend the GWU school of business in either graduate or undergraduate studies.

Tim Newland

Chief Operating Officer

Tim Newland currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Heartland by managing the firm’s Program Management Office (PMO), which oversees all client projects. Mr. Newland also serves as Heartland’s Facility Security Officer. He has extensive experience in providing program and project management for several government clients. Mr. Newland is a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and is also a FEMA certified Professional Continuity Practitioner. He earned an undergraduate degree from The University of Kansas and an MBA from The University of South Florida.

Paul Gates

Chief Financial Officer

Paul Gates currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Heartland. In this role, Mr. Gates oversees the firm’s finance, accounting, and investment functions. Mr. Gates has extensive experience in the areas of finance, business operations, strategy development and implementation, government affairs and business development. Mr. Gates graduated with a B.S in Finance and a minor in Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. Gates also holds a graduate certificate in International Business Management from Georgetown University and a M.S. in Finance from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Gates is a Certified Project Management Professional – PMP.

Ann Marie Latess

Chief Information Officer

Ann Marie Latess currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for Heartland. In this role, Ms. Latess develops and leads the implementation of the company’s strategy for utilizing technological resources ensuring they are used efficiently, profitably, and securely. Ms. Latess has over ten years’ experience establishing integrated approaches to the development and management of enterprise-wide Information Technology/Information Management applications. Ms. Latess is Information Technology Infrastructure Library v3 (ITILv3) certified as well as a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Jay King

Director of Security and Resiliency

Jay King currently serves as the Director of Security and Resiliency Services for Heartland. Mr. King has over 20 years of experience in security program management, ranging from physical protection systems evaluation and design to protection program governance. He provides protection program management, crime prevention and physical security infrastructure alternatives—balancing risk mitigation with clients’ unique operational requirements. After serving in the Marines as an infantry and security forces officer, Mr. King worked for engineering and logistics firms involved security project management for government and commercial clients across multiple critical infrastructure sectors. Mr. King graduated with a master’s degree in Security and Safety Leadership from The George Washington University. He is certified in project management (PMP), security management (CPP), and physical security (PSP). 

Alan J. Ruprecht

Assistant Facility Security Officer

Alan Ruprecht assists with the overall management of all aspects of Heartland Consulting’s participation and compliance in the National Industrial Security Program’s functional areas of personnel, information, and physical security.  Mr. Ruprecht has worked for over 16 years in all facets of the National Industrial Security Program and project management, since retiring after serving for 33 years in the U.S. Navy, as both an enlisted man and an officer.  Mr. Ruprecht has been a recipient of the Department of Defense Security Fundamentals Professional Certification since 2012. He has earned an undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Arts degree from the College of Navy Command and Staff, and a Master of Science degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Gabrielle Claxton

Human Resources Manager

Gabrielle Claxton acts as Heartland’s Human Resource Manager. In this role she serves on the frontlines of sourcing outstanding talent to add to the Heartland team in various expertise. She works with our employees every step of the way from the first interview, to assuring a smooth transition, performing successfully and happy in their newly hired positions. Ms. Claxton brings more than 8 years of experience guiding others into new positions and has worked with Heartland Consulting since 2021.

Gabrielle is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she studied Public Relations and Business Enterprises. She is a proud member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and stays active working on National tribal initiatives and seeking out qualified Native talent to fill positions where first-hand tribal knowledge is key. She has invaluable experience working with both federal and tribal government clients.

Ms. Claxton has spent more than 5 years volunteering and working with underprivileged youth in competitive sports capacities. She is passionate about playing her part in helping others reach their goals and recognize their talents.

Lucia Breton

Senior Proposal Manager

Lucia Breton currently serves as Senior Proposal Manager. Providing dynamic support for Marketing, Business Development, and Proposals, Lucia co-leads the business development lifecycle implementing improved processes aligned with the company’s strategic mission and objectives. Lucia has 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and 10 years’ experience in federal, defense, and state and local government contracting. Ms. Breton holds a Master of Science in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida (UCF), Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and a Shipley’s Associates Certification.

Brandi Plemmons

Webmaster and Graphics Specialist

Brandi Plemmons serves as Heartland’s resident Webmaster and Graphics Specialist while also providing support in the Business Development Office with Employee Communications and Regulatory Compliance; Lead Prospect Analysis; Proposal Development; Database Management; and Business Administration. Ms. Plemmons has over twenty years’ experience with Front End Web Development, Creative Design, and Business Administration; plus a diverse background in the Information Technology, Marketing, and Consumer Banking Sectors.