About Us
Luceque believes a more innovative and equitable society begins with open access to the global marketplace.
Mission
Luceque discovers brilliant, cutting edge products and technologies and connects them to the global marketplace.
Vision
Luceque enables inventors and companies to navigate barriers to the market and to elevate the quality of life for people, one innovative product at a time.
Our Story
Founded in 2015 by Soohyun Julie Koo, Luceque was created to discover brilliant products and technologies and connect them to the global marketplace. Luceque enables inventors and companies to navigate barriers to the market and to elevate the quality of life for people, one innovative product at a time.
Julie’s entrepreneurial spirit, backed by leadership roles in private industry and in public service, provided her with a unique vantage to see people and companies—large and small—trying to compete in a world that can be unfriendly to the novel.
As a business leader in today’s fast-moving world where domination by huge business enterprises can feel inevitable, Julie looked past the obvious and recognized that oftentimes emerging technologies can be overshadowed by the sheer scale of the big competitors. She saw that the new, the impactful, the wonderful products and technology brought to existence by individuals and small companies might never see the light of day unless there was a way to guide them through the complex—often tangled—journey from inception to market to people.
Julie and her team are driven by a purpose to celebrate human creativity and unite the optimistic spirit of the inventor with a marketplace seeking innovative sustainable products and technologies — products that are fun, that can help make people well, that enable greater productivity, and that are designed and made responsibly and sustainably. People deserve an opportunity to buy them.
We believe that while countries may have borders, human creativity does not. “Innovation Beyond Borders” is at the core of what drives our spirit. Together, we can help the world constantly evolve and grow into a better place.
Our Team
Soohyun Julie Koo
Founder & CEO
Matthew Ahn
Vice President, Korea Team
Nicholas Hood
Chief Experience Officer
Samantha Bendt
Director of Research & Development
Martin C. Link
Vice President of Marketing & Sales
Rachel Yadav
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Moliduoer Sailike
Marketing Specialist
Iris Lee
Chief Operating Officer
Fatmah Abdulsalam
Director of Business Development
Luceque Advisory Board
Congressman Mike Honda
Government & Policy; Science & Technology
Learn MoreMike Honda
Government & Policy; Science & Technology
Mike Honda served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2017 for California’s 15th and 17th Congressional Districts, respectively. As a representative of the 15th District, Mike served on the House Committee on Science and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He became the vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2005 and prior to that, he was the regional Whip for Northern California, Hawaii, American Samoa and Guam as the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, Mike Honda was involved with the San Jose’s Planning Commission, San Jose Unified School Board, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the California Assembly.
He graduated from San Jose University with two Bachelor’s Degrees in Biological Sciences and Spanish as well as a Master’s Degree in Education.
Dr. Bill Lang
Health & Pharmaceutical
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Dr. Bill Lang
Health & Pharmaceutical
A skilled clinician, Dr. Bill Lang is also a leader in health services operations and policy including health systems and finances. As the Director of the White House Medical Unit and Deputy Physician to the President of the United States, Dr. Lang was responsible for organizing and providing comprehensive health and wellness services to two U.S. presidents and a large portion of the President’s Cabinet. He also provided occupational care for the thousands of members of the executive staff.
Later, as Associate Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Lang played a key role in implementing department-wide health services policy/programs and the nation’s health preparedness strategy at the Departmental level. As Vice President for International Medicine at the Inova Health System, he was responsible for leading health services in support of the hundreds of international organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, including the diplomatic corps and executives associated with international business. Dr. Lang was also involved in exploring international health business opportunities.
Dr. Lang has an extensive background in health information technology, having served as Director of Medical Information Requirements for the US Department of Defense. He also has a background in finance, including his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, with an emphasis on finance, and experience in the financial industry including 20+ years registration as a General Securities Representative (FINRA Series 7/63).
Dave Smith
Technology
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Dave Smith
Technology
David Smith began his career as an environmental attorney spearheading national clean-up efforts of hazardous waste. He has since held numerous executive leadership roles such as Head of Solutions Design, Head of Client Services, Head of Sales, COO and the Head of Non-US Expansion for various companies.
Having led five technology start-ups, David has garnered an abundance of knowledge regarding supply chain automation, pricing and yield and digital media data management. Some exits have included sales to various public companies like Microsoft and Salesforce.
Most recently, he has served as the SVP of Monetization and Yield at SXM Media and has also focused on managing and monetizing user data cross all SiriusXM advertising platforms.
John Harper
Financial Services
Learn MoreJohn Harper
Financial Services
John Harper has amassed over 35 years of private and public sector leadership and executive management experience. His concentration has been in areas such as commercial real estate investments, business finance, mergers and acquisitions, sales, manufacturing, retail technology and repositioning and branding.
Having managed teams brokering commercial real estate investments and business financing with credit facilities up to $200 million for the past 15 years, John currently works as a Managing Director at Greenbriar Capital where he provides commercial loans and mortgages as well as advisory services to clients across North America.
John graduated from the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in Economics and has also served in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Officer following his graduation.
Beth Heider
Sustainability – Building & Systems
Learn MoreBeth Heider
Sustainability – Building & Systems
Beth Heider is a leader in the green and net zero building space. She is involved at the nexus of design, construction, sustainability, and economically viable business. In 2020, she founded Heider Sustainability Advisors to catalyze prosperous and sustainable business through research and advisory services.
Beth has elevated to the role of Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and LEED Fellow by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in addition to being recognized as a Living Hero by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). Her Board experience includes service for USGBC, ILFI, the Envision Review Board and Excel Academy.
She is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and its graduate program in Venice, Italy.
Richard Gordon
Environmental Law
Learn MoreRichard Gordon
Environmental Law
As the President of the Gordon Law Firm, Richard Gordon is also the founder and CEO of Gordon Strategic Advisors, LLC, a public policy, strategy and government affairs firm located in New York City. He is a lawyer, strategic planner and a political and policy advisor and analyst.
Throughout his career, Richard has been heavily involved in public policy and strategic counseling in both the public and private sectors, where he has been a key national government and business affairs strategist and consultant.
Mr. Gordon is an expert on advising businesses how to work with state, local, federal and international governments.
Robert Summers
Business Management
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Robert Summers
Business Management
Robert Summers has over 20 years’ experience in the business sector and offers a unique blend of business acumen, exceptional communication skills, team-building and contract management.
Recently, Robert served as the Director for the District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), where he was also the Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of Business Development. Prior to joining DSLBD, he worked as the Director of Client Management at a national non-profit called The New Teacher Center in Santa Cruz, California and was also the Business Development Specialist for “Beautifull”, a startup in San Francisco.
Robert’s journey started with NASA as a Management Analyst in the Program Mission Support Division where he oversaw a $35 million budget spread across four NASA facilities.
A graduate of DartmouthCollege, Robert is currently President and CEO of Pantera Management Group LLC, a business consulting and compliance management firm headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Schmitler
Executive Search
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Jennifer Schmitler
Executive Search
Jennifer Schmittler brings a tremendous amount of experience pertaining to industries such as Finance, Accounting, Consulting and Call Center. This background has seen her in roles such as Senior Financial Analyst/Chief Financial Officer at Quick Service Management Inc, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner at Residential Programs Inc, and Chief Executive Officer at Customer Service Experts.
Jennifer also contributes often to her community by being a board member for multiple organizations including Seton Hall University Customer Service Program, PACE Association NY Metro and the International Cancer Recovery Foundation. Alongside these duties, she is also a Founding Member of Enterprise Communications Advocacy Coalition (ECAC), a member of the Benefits Committee for Monmouth Museum and a Treasurer for Girls Scouts of America.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude at Bentley University where she achieved a Bachelor of Science in Finance along with a Minor in Business Communications.
Matt Cary
Learn MoreMatt Cary
While working as the current Senior Marketing and Sales Advisor for IOREX/Global in Washington, D.C., Matt Cary also serves as the Executive Director of Veterans & Military Families for Progress (VMFP) a 501c4 Non-profit, Non-partisan, Tax-exempt national Veteran and Military Family Veteran Service organization.
Matt’s military connection is personal as he served in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Army Reserve and received an Honorable Discharge after 6 years of service from 1969 through 1975 in a Combat Engineer Unit and the 354th Civil Affairs Unit in Riverdale, Maryland as a Supply Officer.
Matt continued on with his work in regards to the military as he was a founding member and elected first President of Veterans and Military Families for Progress (VMPF) in 2005 and re-elected to a second two-year term in 2007. Due to Mr. Cary’s leadership prowess and partnerships with other Veteran Service Organizations, VMPF successfully secured the Passage of 51 Bills for veterans and their families through the 110th and 111th Congresses and turned them into Public Laws.
Before starting his own small business, Matt was the Director of Federal Programs for a Consulting Engineer Trade Association, Director of the New York State Washington Office for former Governor Hugh Carey, the Washington Representative to Mayors of 7 cities and the Legislative Director to a former New York Congressman.
Matt holds a BA degree in Social Science from St. Bonaventure University as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from American University.
Bob Sweeney
Learn MoreRobert Sweeney has a vast amount of experience as a businessman, entrepreneur, educational leader and non-profit executive. He spearheaded the Washington area regional bid to bring HQ2, the new Amazon Headquarters, to the area as well as becoming the Founder and CEO of DC2024 which was created to win the bid to bring the 2024 Olympics to Washington, D.C.
He is widely-known as the first President and CEO of Greater Washington Sports Alliance which he began in 2003. After gathering a prominent board of directors, Bob created the Alliance mission and developed the Sports Collaborative to nurture and grow fledgling youth investment organizations in the sports arena which shaped the Sports Alliance to be a critical organization in Washington’s business community.
Before focusing on the Greater Washington Sports Alliance, Bob was the Vice President of DC Agenda, the equitable development arm of the Federal City Council; Vice President of the Greater Washington Initiative, the economic development arm of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Director of Business Development for the nationally acclaimed Office of Economic Development for Arlington, Virginia.
Bob joined the Luceque Team in August of 2021 and looks forward to bringing the Team new business opportunities for 2022 and beyond!
James Gavin
Learn MoreJames Gavin has collected 13 years of experience in the Medical Device and Equipment sales sector at Johnson & Johnson while participating in 30 plus medical product launches.
Known as an innovative thinker with strong health care, medical device and technology acumen, James has demonstrated success in developing and seamlessly executing plans in complex organizational structures. Recognized for maximizing revenue growth through effective sales tactics, James’ expertise focuses in on but is not limited to managing multimillion dollar accounts, multi-year contracts and advising C-level executives.
A graduate of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., James currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area and is the proud father of two daughters.
Arnet Jones
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Arnet (Skee) Jones has 40 years of experience in agricultural and environmental science, management, and scientific communication. He worked extensively in agronomy, statistics and experimental design, project management, team leadership, policy development, technical writing, peer review, and risk assessment and management. For 29 years he worked as a manager, senior science adviser, and staff scientist in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP). He has detailed knowledge of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). He led and participated in EPA outreach efforts with federal agencies and private organizations.
Prior to joining EPA, Mr. Jones was staff agronomist and project manager for a consulting firm that provided technical assistance in agriculture and rural development in Africa. He earned an M.S. degree in agronomy at the University of Maryland.
Values
Have Integrity
We align our purpose with our values. Our work is a not merely a reflection of our values but a manifestation of them.
Be Open-minded
We believe in fearless problem solving – different perspectives are not a threat, they are an opportunity to learn and grow as a company and as people.
Have Radical Transparency
We never compromise integrity. We do everything with truthfulness and honesty.
Be an Independent Thinker
Effective collaborative problem solving requires independence of thought. We bring our best to think analytically and critically through every challenge and embrace discomfort over acquiescence.
Be Innovative
We do not simply accept the status quo and believe that better is always better.
Be a Learner
We learn and improve ourselves every day. We strive for intentional personal and professional growth.
Be You!
We are proud of who we are. We are authentic. We are comfortable being us.
Be Passionate
We pour 100% of ourselves into everything we do – every time.
Have Fun! 😊
We enjoy the work that we do and the people that we are doing it with!
Culture
- Be present…be truly present in the moment.
- Celebrate every victory large and small!
- Be persistent. Be resilient.
- Learn from failures—see every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Be resourceful. We don’t say, “I don’t know how to make it happen.”
- Have accountability & autonomy. Be your own boss.
- Encourage and foster connection and the combustion of ideas.
- Strive for excellence. Produce something you can be proud of.