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Executive Biographies
Richard Palarea is the co-founder of PA & Associates and our previous Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Palarea was instrumental in the foundation of all facets of the business including RFP methodologies, business model, marketing, carrier relations, negotiations and analytics. Mr. Palarea is a seasoned negotiator, and parcel expert with 20 years of industry experience and acumen. Before defining the logistics spend management industry, Mr. Palarea began his career as an entrepreneur in the real estate industry as the founder and owner of a real estate appraisal firm in Southern California. Richard Palarea & Associates Real Estate Appraisal Network specialized in residential and commercial real estate valuation for a number of institutional and non-institutional lenders nationwide. . Mr. Palarea was also instrumental in the growth of Integrated Partnerships (later Directfit), a venture-backed technical staffing company in Irvine, CA, subsequently acquired by Aerotek (Allegis Group). As marketing director (and internet marketing director), Mr. Palarea set the tone for the company’s public and private face and brand. A hyper-growth organization, Directfit made the move to a web-centric staffing model through many innovations Mr. Palarea had assistance in crafting, further deepening his belief in the partnership of technology and analytics.. Mr. Palarea’s background of analytics, marketing, best practice consulting and the use of technology have all been integral leverage points that have built PA & Associates. Mr. Palarea developed the best-in-class offerings at PA & Associates through working with outstanding clients across the country and around the world. Mr. Palarea is a member Gerson Lehrman Group’s Expert Network, a professional member of Beroe for best practice procurement matters, founding member of the Browning-Faraday Group for Small Business Advisory and serves as a board member for Business Opportunity Network, as well as his active involvement and leadership in Accelerent. Richard is also the Ministry Director at Grace Fellowship Church for The Stream, where he oversees a volunteer staff responsible for recording and distributing weekend messages on CD, MP3 and the church bookstore.
Juliette S. Phelps, President
Not only on the front lines for the early project work the company performed, Juliette was also responsible for acquiring a number of large brand clients such as Southland Micro, D-Link, Verifone, Legg Mason and Danskin. Juliette is active in matters of women in business and has launched a second business, JPStyles LLC, which provides residential interior design and remodeling consulting. She also serves the female inmates of the Baltimore County Detention Center with a weekly bible study and ministry.
Christopher M. Steer, Chief Strategy Officer
While a practicing attorney, he honed his craft of drafting and negotiating contracts and also developed a skill in advising businesses of all sizes. As a principal in successful start up companies, he furthered his skills in raising capital, business development, marketing, strategic planning, critical thinking, and, of course, navigating the contract landscape for small companies. In addition, Mr. Steer brings a strong personality and finely honed speaking and mediation skills to the PA & Associates team. His versatility, though, is the most vital asset to PA & Associates. Mr. Steer is a member of the Board of Directors for Sylvan Beach Foundation, President Emeritus of Blue Jays Unlimited at Johns Hopkins University, a Board Member on the University Of Maryland School Of Law Alumni Association, a member of the Board of Advisors for Taharka Brothers, a member of the Maryland Bar Association, and an active member of Accelerent and the Greater Baltimore Technology Council. He holds a degree from Johns Hopkins University, where he played lacrosse for four years and captained the team his senior year, and a J.D. from the University Of Maryland School Of Law, where he was awarded the designation of the Order of the Barristers and was a member of the National Trial Team.
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Juliette Phelps is the co-founder of PA & Associates. Juliette began her career in her early 20’s as one of MCI’s top
National Account Managers, providing business telecommunication solutions
to some of MCI's largest national accounts. She parlayed her success to a move from Baltimore to the Philadelphia market and eventually to Los Angeles. She left telecom sales to pursue her own consultancy in telecommunications cost reduction
which eventually became logistics cost reduction. 
Whether in the boardroom as an innovative and
driven entrepreneur or in his legal practice, Mr. Steer offers proven
leadership in the team dynamic which demands the mantra of “others over
self.” Over the course of his professional life, Mr. Steer developed
unique skills in contract negotiation and drafting while also developing
acumen in strategic thinking, growing businesses, and business
development. As a principal with PA & Associates, Mr. Steer works
shoulder-to-shoulder with the founder, Richard Palarea, in all facets of
the business to include strategic planning, business development, sales
leadership, product development, and contract
creation/negotiation/enforcement.
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