Chris OlsonChris Olson was vice president of Electronic Trading at Solomon Brothers through1998, where he built the first equity trading desk on Wall Street, a feat which revolutionizedthe way all equity trading is done today. Later Olson went on to CommerzBank AG, wherehe was able to apply this technology on a more global level. Today he is hoping to accomplishsimilar advances in the media management sector, with his company Spheric Media, aD.C.-based software provider that he founded in 1999.

Olson is also lending his talents to Holt International Children’s Services, anorganization that provides adoption services around the world, specializing in the Far Eastand Eastern Europe. Olson first became familiar with Holt 18 years ago when his parentsadopted his sister Molly. He is currently engaged in a project for Holt that will lendWeb-camera technology to adoption shelters…thereby giving adoptive parents theability to communicate with their children in the months before they arrive in the UnitedStates as well as allow prospective parents who are not able to travel to the Far East or EasternEurope to communicate with children there.

Photographed in the Tysons Corner area by Anton Papich, P2 Photographic. Chris iswearing Armani Sportswear.This April, Saks Fifth Avenue and Washington LifeMagazine teamed up to recognize ten local men inthe first annual Men of Substance and Style Awards. While diversein backgrounds and professions, all of the men chosen have exhibited apersonal commitment to the community or made asubstantial contribution to society. They prove that style transcends fashion.

Harold Ford Jr.In 1996, at the age of 26, Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr. was elected torepresent the Ninth District of Tennessee, taking over his father’s seat. Ford was the youngestmember of his freshman class in the 105th Congress’s second session, and served as classpresident. He serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee, the GovernmentReform and Oversight Committee, and the Financial Services Committee.

Since elected, Ford has made improving education his chief priority and has advocatedfor stronger accountability, as well as increased funding for education. He authored the “NoChild Left Behind Act of 2001,” a bipartisan legislative overhauling of the Federal role in K-12education, and the “How to Make College Affordable Act of 1999” which aids workingfamilies meet the costs of higher education. He also had a hand in other initiatives such as the“Consumer Credit Empowerment Act,” which is designed to give consumers the same accessto information that creditors and lenders enjoy, and has fought for prescription-drug coverageunder Medicare, and the Patient’s Bill of Rights.

Ford received his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Michigan, and aB.A. in American history from the University of Pennsylvania. He was voted one of Ebonymagazine’s most eligible bachelors.

William R. TiefelWilliam R. (“Bill”) Tiefel recently retired from his positions as chairman of theRitz-Carlton Hotel Company, vice chairman of Marriott International, and director of BVLGARIhotels and resorts, capping a career that began 40 years ago when Marriott operatedonly four hotels.

Tiefel has inspired loyalty and excellence throughout the company with his belief inrespecting all employees. His commitment to promoting from within and actively seekingout qualified leaders has led to many success stories.

Years ago, executives were looking for a lower-level manager in one of their hotels, andTiefel asked for a list of candidates within the company. He received a list without a singleminority represented. He knew about an African-American women who was doing anexcellent job as head of housekeeping, and replied that promoting her to head of housekeepingat successively larger hotels was failing to recognize her talent. Tiefel made her managerat that hotel, and today she is the general manager of The Convention Center Marriottin Philadelphia.

Tiefel has received numerous awards: In 1996, he was named “Corporate Hotelier ofthe World,” by the readers of Hotels magazine; in 1997 Tiefel was given the Arthur LandstreetAward for advancing the quality of hospitality education and training; in 2000 he received the“Good Scout Award” from Greater New York Councils of Boy Scouts of America; and in2001 he was recognized with the “Industry Achievement Award” by Widener University’sSchool of Hospitality Management.

Photographed by Jeffrey Prehn, P2 Photographic, at The Ritz Carlton Hotel at22nd and M streets. Tiefel is wearing a Baldessarini suit, shirt and tie, andFerragamo shoes.

Septime WebreSince being named the Washington Ballet’s artistic director in June of 1999, SeptimeWebre brought the company’s ethnic base to serve a more racially-diverse audience. As amember of the board of directors of Dance/USA, he launched the Dance DC programoffering free ballet training to inner-city youth at five city schools and centers. The programencourages self-expression as it educates. He also launched a two-year project involvingan exchange of teachers and choreographers with Cuba.

Last year, Webre transported the dance company to Cuba to perform in Havana’sInternational Ballet Festival, the first time in 40 years that an American troupe danced there,and was instrumental in bringing the Cuban Ballet to the Kennedy Center.

He brings a unique blend of American pop, jazz, and Latin dance rhythms, breathing lifeinto the 26-year-old company. Webre began studying ballet at the University of Texas wherehe studied history and pre-law. In 1987, he joined the American Repertory Ballet as adancer and became resident choreographer and artistic director. His works have appeared in therepertoires of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, among manyothers.

Jack DaviesIn January 2000, Jack Davies became senior advisor to the president of America Onlineafter serving six years as an executive with the company. Davies also founded and has beenpresident of AOL International since 1994, leading the global expansion of AOL into theEuropean, Latin, Canadian, and Asian-Pacific markets. Davies also cofounded VenturePhilanthropy Partners, a fund that invests in Washington, D.C. area organizations that aidchildren. “I decided to make a significant investment of time and money in helpingunderprivileged children in the region with a focus on education...I was looking to do morethan just write checks and attend charity events...”

Prior to working for AOL, Davies was managing director of Citicorp’s London–basedconsumer mortgage business and before that, he was vice president for Europe of RCARecords. Davies also serves on the board of directors of Scholastic, a global children’s publishingand media company, and is a co-owner of the Washington Capitals and minorityowner of the Washington Wizards.

Photographed by Jeffrey Prehn, P2 Photographic, on the ice at the MCI Center. Jack is wearing a Hugo Boss suit with a SaksFifth Avenue private-label shirt, and Ferragamo shoes.

John DickersonPhotographed in his home office, surrounded by an eclectic assortment ofbooks and his collection of antique typewriters, it is clear that John Dickerson has a passion forwords. Dickerson is TIME magazine’s White House correspondent.

With over 10 years at TIME, Dickerson has covered Capitol Hill and politics, reporting onthe Gingrich Congress, and the House impeachment proceedings. Last December, hewrote the cover story that named George W. Bush TIME’s “Person of the Year” (after spendingtime at the president’s Texas ranch).

Dickerson’s love of writing extends beyond the professional arena. “I deal with wordsall day long and believe in the transformational power of reading.” Helping people learn aboutthe world around them is what motivated him to get involved with Literacy Volunteers ofAmerica, a nationwide adult literacy program. Dickerson is also extremely proud of hisinvolvement with Mentors, Inc., a program that promotes the academic, career, and personaldevelopment of public high school students through one-on-one mentoring relationships.

Photographed by Anton Papich, P2 Photographic, in John’s Washington, D.C.home office John iswearing an Ermenegildo Zegna suit, and Ike Behar shirt and tie.

Marcus JohnsonMarcus Johnson’s unique ability to seamlessly blend varying musical styles hasearned the self-taught pianist recognition in the jazz and hip-hop communities. Ask him whathis most important achievement is, and Johnson won’t tell you graduating with a J.D.and M.B.A. from Georgetown, being named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s YoungEntrepreneur of the Year, or his fourth critically acclaimed album, Urban Groove. Instead, hewill tell you about “It Takes a Village,” the first in a series of interactive CD projects byMarimelj Entertainment Group, which he founded and heads. The CD provides interactivesupport to women regarding breast cancer, such as risk assessment. Johnson chose breastcancer as his cause largely because of the socioeconomic disparity among breast cancerpatients. Reflecting his belief that “one should always give back to those who have given toyou,” he requires all artists on the Marimelj label to select charitable causes.

This year promises to be one of growth for Marimelj, because Johnson recently agreedto terms of a multimillion-dollar investment that will create a new headquarters with recordingstudio facilities in Silver Spring, Maryland, and also recently landed a distribution dealwith Warner/Elektra/Atlantic which will distribute its music to record stores worldwide.

Photographed by Jeffrey Prehn, P2 Photographic, at one of National PublicRadio’s studios in Washington, D.C. Marcus is wearing Prada Sportswear fromSaks Fifth Avenue.

C. Marc HarperMarc Harper teaches history at Quince Orchard High School in MontgomeryCounty to at-risk young people with disciplinary, social and academic problems, and coordinatesan internship program with local businesses. In the summer, Harper is assistantdirector at Discover Creek Outdoor Adventures, a camp that teaches kids about theimportance of protecting the environment. In his spare time, he also volunteers with the“Gentlemen by Choice” mentorship program that focuses on building confidence and characterin young minority males in underserved communities through weekly meetings, weekendoutings, and intimate discussions. Harper also assists other community projects throughhis membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His life’s work is dedicated to improvingand changing the lives of America’s youth.

Photographed by Anton Papich, P2 Photographic, in his classroom at QuinceOrchard High School. He is wearing Hugo Boss sportswear and Tod’s shoes.

Douglas GanslerFormer Federal prosecutor Doug Gansler currently serves as the State’s Attorney forMontgomery County. He received national attention for his prosecution of a Georgiandiplomat who was convicted on manslaughter and drunk driving charges.

Gansler serves on numerous boards such as the Jewish Community Center, the BlueRibbon Task Force on Pedestrian Safety, the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, and isvice chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Childproof Guns. Gansler is also a member ofthe Montgomery County Commission on Aging and initiated the prosecution of dead-beatdads. In his spare time, he mentors with a program for at-risk youth. Gansler wasrecognized by the Victims’ Rights Foundation and was awarded their “Champion of Children”Award. His was the first prosecutor’s office in the United States to implement CommunityProsecution. Gansler graduated from Yale University cum laude where he was an all-Americanlacrosse player, and attended the University of Virginia School of Law.

Photographed by Anton Papich, P2 Photographic, at the historic Red BrickCourthouse in Montgomery County, Doug is wearing an Armani Collezioni suit, HickeyFreeman tie, and Cole Haan shoes.Credits: Clothing and fittings by The Fifth Avenue Club of Saks Fifth Avenue,Tysons Galleria. • Hair and make-up for Chris, Harold, Bill, Jack, Brett, Marcus, Marcand Doug by Nicole Colucci. Hair and make-up for John and Septime by Dragana Rankovic.• P2 Photographic can be found online atwww.p2photographic.com.