Eileen Cassidy Rivera is an accomplished strategic communications and marketing professional with more than 30 years of experience in business, technology, government, education, non-profits, media, and politics. Eileen has experience at every level of government. In 1993-2001, she served in the Clinton Administration where she led international trade and export promotion programs at the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. During the final year of the Clinton Administration, she was Director of Press and Public Affairs and spokesperson for the Peace Corps.
In 2002, she was named by former Virginia Governor (now U.S. Senator) Mark Warner to serve on the Virginia Business Education Partnership. In 2006, Eileen was elected to the School Board of Alexandria City Public Schools and served until 2009. At the end of her term, Eileen was named Education Advocate of the Year by Tenants and Workers United.
At present, Eileen is Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at MAXIMUS Corporation. Prior to this role, Eileen was Director of Industry Positioning at Cerner Corporation where she led marketing, branding and communications for the Federal government business. Former roles include Vice President of Marketing at healthcare technology companies – Talix, Ciox and Harris Healthcare Solutions. In 2013, she founded her own firm, Cassidy Rivera Communications where she advised government contracting companies on new trends in branding, digital marketing and strategic communication.
From 2005-11, Eileen was Vice President of Communications and Investor Relations at Vangent, a leading provider of information management and strategic business process solutions, which was sold to General Dynamics in 2011. During her tenure, Eileen led the creative development of digital marketing, branding, public relations and advertising as well as internal communications programs reaching more than 7,000 employees in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Latin America. Prior to her leadership roles at Vangent, Eileen served
as Director of Public Relations at EDS Federal (now HP Enterprise Services) where she led the company’s public affairs and strategic communications programs.
She cut her teeth in public relations at Hill & Knowlton where she worked in the international division and was mentored by some of the best PR professionals in the business including the legendary Frank Mankiewicz. While at H&K, Eileen won the coveted Fabian Award for Excellence in International Public Affairs for her exceptional mastery of media relations, media training and crisis communications.
Eileen is a two-time graduate of American University where she earned a MBA from the Kogod School of Business and a BA from the School of International Studies. She received an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. During her junior year abroad, she studied at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City, Mexico.
Active in her community, Eileen serves on a variety of boards and organizations and is proud to serve on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. She is bilingual in Spanish and has traveled to more than 25 countries around the world. She lives in Alexandria with her husband, Andrew, and their three fabulous children.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
