Our
Mission
We empower organizations with innovative solutions that make a positive impact on their communities. Learn more about our journey and values.
Our story
Our Journey
From our humble beginnings to becoming industry leaders, our story is one of innovation, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Discover how Level 4, a Veteran-owned small business, has grown and evolved to better serve our clients.
Our team
Meet Our Leaders
Our executive team comprises visionary leaders dedicated to guiding Level 4 towards greater heights. Get to know the minds driving our success and their commitment to our mission.
Sam Featherstone
Chief Executive Officer
Sam Featherstone, CEO of Level 4, brings decades of experience in banking and technology. A U.S. Navy veteran, he holds degrees from Northwestern and Duke. Based in Oakland, CA, Sam attempts every day to lead Level 4 with integrity, humility, and empathy.
Erik Fike
President & Chief Operating Officer
Erik Fike, President of Level 4, has over 25 years in consulting, services, and sales. Known for his strategic vision, Erik has driven operational excellence and growth through innovative technology integration. He excels in managing teams and fostering strong client relationships.
Kari Gutierrez
Strategic Advisor
Kari Gutierrez, Strategic Advisor to Level 4. With over 35 years of experience executing business and technology transformation in state government, Kari served in various leadership positions across many state agencies. Prior to retiring from state government, she served as the Deputy Director, IT Project Oversight and Consulting for the California Department of Technology. Kari also served 8 years in an executive position for a successful management and technology consulting company where she built a project quality assurance program, built a general government practice, and ultimately led the company’s marketing and branding efforts. Blending her experiences in both public and private sectors gives her a unique and valuable lens into the success factors and challenges of business and technology transformation.
Matthew Raphaelson
Head of Decision Science and Risk Management
Matthew Raphaelson, our Head of Decision Science and Risk Management, brings a wealth of financial expertise as the former Group Finance Officer at a San Francisco-based Fortune 50 bank. His current focus is on quantitative modeling for wildfire safety, optimizing risk, and developing data-driven financial strategies. Matthew’s work in risk assessment and wildfire safety uniquely combines advanced analytics with practical decision-making to deliver impactful solutions in high-stakes environments.
Zandra Clark, CF APMP
Head of Growth
Zandra Clark serves as the Head of Growth at Level 4 Ventures, where she excels at identifying and responding to strategic RFP opportunities from both Federal and State sources. She leads a global team across three continents, overseeing proposal management and international recruiting with precision and a focus on constant improvement. With meticulous attention to detail, Zandra leads the Level 4 propoisal team, which consistently produces RFP responses that are compliant, compelling, visually engaging, and highly persuasive.
Jake Rowley
Director of Project Controls
Jake Rowley, Director of Project Controls at Level 4 Ventures, leads our estimating and project approval practice. With over 14 years of experience, Jake customizes our ExcelerPlan platform for each new project, aligning it to the unique costs, labor mix, and requirements of the client. His expertise in soliciting information about a project, tailoring the platform, and explaining its results ensures that Level 4 delivers defensible, understandable, consumable results while maintaining ExcelerPlan's impressively low rate across projects totaling over $7 billion.
Veronica Ortiz-Torres
Strategic Advisor
Veronica Ortiz-Torres, Strategic Advisor to Level 4. As a seasoned public servant with over 30 years of experience, Veronica has dedicated her career to serving the people of California through various roles in state government and the private sector. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working in the offices of Governors Gavin Newsom, Edmund G. Brown, and Gray Davis, and has collaborated with numerous Assembly members and Senators. This experience has given her a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of state government and the legislative process. Her expertise lies in the public sector, consultant work, and legislative affairs, with a strong focus on recruiting, planning, organizing, and management. With a passion for public service and a wealth of experience, Veronica is committed to driving innovation and excellence in technology-driven solutions for public and private sector organizations.
Mark McBride
Chief Information Security Officer
Mark McBride, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO),Head of Information Security, Mark McBride, CISO and Head of Information Security for Level 4 Ventures, brings more than 30 years of Information Technology experience and 20 years of Information Security experience to lead the Level 4 Information Security organization. His expertise spans commercial, healthcare, financial and governmental (federal and State) arenas. Oversees all Information Security and related activities for Level 4 internal initiatives and external client engagements. Expert in NIST based controls (NIST 800-53 r5), RMF, Data Protection Plans/Data Loss Prevention Programs as well as 3rd party and vendor risk management and assessments. US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer - Retired
Romina Pangilinan
Head of Recruiting
An experienced Recruitment Consultant and Onboarding Specialist with over thirteen years in the field, Romina Pangilinan has a strong background in talent acquisition and human resources management. She excels in identifying top talent, building relationships, and coordinating recruitment processes to ensure a seamless hiring experience. Known for fostering diverse and inclusive work environments, Romina expertly meets staffing needs to support company growth. Romina is also an expert in creating smooth onboarding experiences, designing programs that help new hires integrate effectively. Committed to enhancing employee satisfaction and retention, she ensures new team members feel welcomed and well-prepared to join the Level 4 team from day one.
Youssef El Mlaki
MBA, Head of Proposal Writing
Youssef brings over five years of experience in government contracting and procurement. With an MBA from Cardiff Met University, UK, Youssef focuses on developing compelling proposals that position Level 4 for success in the competitive public bidding space. His strategic approach, continuous learning mindset, and deep understanding of procurement processes enable Level 4 to pursue key opportunities and deliver high-quality services. Youssef is committed to supporting Level 4 in its mission to provide exceptional solutions and expand its impact.
Our contract vehicles
Contract Vehicles
We are proud to offer a variety of contract vehicles to facilitate our partnerships and ensure seamless service delivery across numerous sectors and industries.Our contract vehicles
Certifications
Collaborate with
confidence
At Level 4, we have the expertise to guide you through the intricate world of business analytics, providing comprehensive solutions that improve operational efficiency and decision-making.