Our Team
The expert consultants at The Capitol Management Group bring many years of successful grant writing, organizational management and human resource development experience and knowledge to our clients.  We are dedicated to using our knowledge to serve the needs of our clients, for the sake of building effective nonprofit organizations and stronger communities.

Chief Executive Officer
Karen Burist-Simon, MBA, is one of the most sought after nonprofit management consultants around.  Known for her tireless enthusiasm and heart-felt dedication, she offers nonprofit organizations the sound, proven strategies necessary for growth and success in their missions.  She has the knowledge and expertise to assist nonprofit organizations at all levels of maturity, and especially enjoys helping organizations get “off the ground” by establishing a firm foundation of prudent management practices.   Her specialization in working with professional athletes, including many players in the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, has heightened her career in the nonprofit arena.  Karen is an effective facilitator and trainer, and works hands-on with a variety of nonprofit organizations.  Her dedication to building effective nonprofit organizations for improved communities is motivated by the old adage “to whom much is given, much is required”—a phrase that sums up the compassion that seals her work.  Karen is a very active volunteer in community affairs in Houston, Texas where she resides with her husband Charles.

Chief Administrative Officer
Arquella Hargrove, PHR, possesses a solid track record of effectively collaborating across all levels to achieve business results through influence versus direct authority. She has over 10 years of industry transferable, progressive experience in the human resources profession in corporate and nonprofit environments. Arquella holds a dedicated commitment to the community by volunteering with numerous nonprofit organizations. She holds certification as a Professional in Human Resources and as a trainer in Workplace Mediation. Moreover, she has demonstrated the ability to perform effectively in tactical and strategic roles supporting single or multiple locations. Arquella is competent in all traditional HR functions with exceptional abilities in communications and interpersonal skills, leadership, and organizational development.

Chief Financial Officer
Shedric McGill, CPA, possesses over ten years of experience providing accounting, tax, financial management, and small business consulting services to entrepreneurs and their companies as well as established companies and their venture to grow.  As an eminent and honorable individual in the community, he successfully manages the tax issues of nonprofit organizations as well as community based programs.  He is dedicated to stabilizing his clients’ financial discipline and responsibility, and providing guidance to facilitate the financial freedom of businesses.
As an accountant, Mr. McGill has demonstrated professional competence by maintaining high standards for his firm. He is prompt, often courteous and efficient demeanor has proven instrumental in his longstanding relationships with his clients. His goal is to educate each client by helping them better understand their individual situations. With this knowledge, these clients will be able to manage their personal finances, and in the case of small business owners, to better oversee their daily operations. Mr. McGill values the importance of client relationships. He adds a personal touch to his services, contacting clients throughout the year with tax law changes and other pertinent financial news. The reason for this is simple: He cares not only about the service he performs, but also about the people to whom the service is provided.
Mr. McGill retains extensive training in the sector of government and corporate accounting and taxation.  Furthermore, he has efficiently administered city-wide construction contractual obligations for Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the nation.  Likewise, he has exercised an integral role in the daily operations of a local Fortune 500 company, serving on the advisory board as well as preparing monthly financial statements.
Ensuring that each of his clients receives the individual consideration they deserve,
Mr. McGill fuses his accounting expertise with maximum production.  Furthermore, he utilizes solid planning and organizational skills in coordinating all aspects of each project from inception to its completion.

Mr. McGill effectively devises strategic business planning with the provision of wealth management services, including 401 (K) plans, IRA's, SEP, and Educational Savings Plans.  Moreover, he actively serves clients nationwide, with a salient concentration on the regional area of Houston, Dallas, Beaumont, Galveston, and Texas City.

Chief Legal Officer
Pamela M. Carroll, Juris Doctorate, brings the unique blend of legal expertise, insurance expertise, and capitol funding research to our clients which provides them with the necessary tools to build a sound and successful business.  Her legal practice includes transactional work for corporate and private investment clients, bankruptcy, employment discrimination, family, probate, personal injury, juvenile, and criminal law.  Pamela holds a professional license as an insurance adjuster, which enables her to assess the coverage needs of our client’s organizations.  She has also facilitated and participated in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, and mini-trials.  In the last 10 years, she has been assisting both nonprofits and for profits business in securing funding especially through business plan and grant writing.  Her ability to effectively identify the client’s specific needs and research and find sources of needed funding has assisted many clients in achieving their business and project goals.  Her combined experience in these challenging fields spans 18 years. She is currently working on her Series 65 and 7 licenses as well as her CFP and CFA designations.

Development
Mitzi Coleman specializes in nonprofit funding and resource development. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit field, she has worked to provide people with some of their most basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter. Her career has included managing a faith-based food pantry and thrift shop program; assisting in the start-up of the Houston Food Bank as a VISTA volunteer; serving as the Food Bank’s public affairs director for 14 years (guiding all funding development, communications, media relations, special event coordination, and its volunteer program); and most recently, working as its associate director for development for three years. In addition to her work in area of hunger-relief, Mitzi has experience in securing funding for major community development projects and initiatives in education and the arts. She has three years of experience in the “for-profit” world of public
relations.  An award-winning writer, she has written and produced numerous communications pieces, including annual reports, brochures, public service announcements for radio and television, and promotional videos.  

Chris Williams, founder and President of the Lucid Media Group, LLC. Since April of 1999, Chris has been establishing his presence in sports and entertainment event marketing and promotions. After his 1997 departure as a recruiter from First Round Sports, Chris placed all of his attention on a career in event marketing where athletes and entertainers could be involved with special event branding experiences all over the country. Chris began to involve current and ex-NFL players in special events and celebrity benefits such as the Celebrity Waiter Benefit for MDA, Player sponsored youth football camps, celebrity weekends and fundraisers. By 2002, Chris and The Lucid Media Group, LLC evolved into a boutique agency offering public relations, marketing, promotions and event planning to pro athletes and entertainers nationwide, with a focus on bringing special VIP events to the city of Houston.

Alexia McWhinney, founder of Lifespedals, LLC an exquisite event planning and management company. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management from the Price College of Business.  In addition to her work with the company, she is a teacher and coach, as well as a student pursuing her M.B.A. from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Lifespedals blossomed out of an obsession with memorable moments and a passion for perfection.  The company's services are strategically segmented, providing three distinct areas of event management- personal occasions, organizational consulting, and commercial/ social events.  Lifespedals thrives on creating the setting and context for lasting memories, all the while recalling and reflecting each client’s individuality.  We invite the responsibility and expectation of doing what it takes to make your occasion absolutely unforgettable.  In doing so, we strive to positively impact our client’s lives daily, adding value and giving key insight.  Whether it be perfect décor, unique favors, or flawless ambiance, Lifespedals is dedicated to providing it.