Jump Start is a high-energy program that provides new and established members an overview of Board of Trade and offers the opportunity to expand your network of contacts. In this three-part series, you will hear success stories from Members of our Board of Directors, learn to maximize your membership, and determine the best strategy to becoming involved in the Board of Trade.

About Our Jump Start Facilitators

Alex Orfinger is the publisher of The Washington Business Journal, the weekly newspaper delivering news and information to over 150,000 business leaders throughout the greater Washington region. Since joining the Washington Business Journal in 1996, the paper has become one of the fastest growing business journals in the country.

Alex is active in the local business community and serves on a number of boards including The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Destination DC, and the president elect of the DC Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, The Washingtonian recognized Alex as one of the 150 Most Powerful people in the DC- metropolitan area. A New York native, Orfinger holds a degree in history from Vassar College and an MS in international affairs from Georgetown University.

Mahan Tavakoli is Vice President of international operations for Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc., one of the largest and most successful training organizations in the world with offices in over 70 countries. Over the past six years he has led the expansion of Dale Carnegie to new markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and is actively involved in the Federal City Council, The Economic Club of Washington and Leadership Greater Washington.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University.