Leadership

At Applied Development, we know that the right people make all the difference. From our innovative founders to our dedicated leadership team to our highly skilled staff, our people are the key to driving transformative change and ensuring customer satisfaction. 

Applied Development’s core values of Delight the Customer, Serve Enthusiastically, Relationships Matter, Yearn to Learn, and Accountable are more than just ideas, they are guiding principles for everything we do, helping to inform the decisions we make every day.

Our Core Values

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Delight the Customer

Embrace the customers' mission as your own. Understand & anticipate their wants & needs. Go above & beyond.

Serve Enthusiastically

Embrace our mission. Value our community. Be a team player. Communicate and collaborate.

Relationships Matter

Balancing individual & collective needs is essential for fostering a thriving community.

Yearn to Learn

Be hungry. Understand what you know & don’t know & bridge the gap. Be curious. Strive to level up.

Accountable

Do things right. Have integrity. Be honest. Practice blameless problem-solving.

Take ownership. Communicate.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Headshot of Kimberly Citizen

Kimberly Citizen

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

As Co-Founder and CEO of Applied Development, Kimberly leads all facets of the company’s operations and serves as its Cultural Ambassador. She directs Applied Development’s strategic planning initiatives, ensuring that business strategies align with our mission and vision. Her responsibilities include overseeing financial performance, guiding key business activities, and building relationships with major partners and stakeholders.

Journey to Applied Development: Kimberly’s Path

Kimberly’s professional journey is characterized by a strong dedication to service and leadership. Her career began with service in the United States Army, where she earned numerous awards, including a National Citation from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. After transitioning to civilian roles and spending many years with large consulting firms, she often felt depersonalized and undervalued. This experience motivated her to establish a company that genuinely appreciated and recognized its employees. In 2011, she co-founded Applied Development with Biffrey Braxton, focusing on creating a supportive and inclusive culture within the government contracting sector.

Beyond the Office: Kimberly’s Passions

A seasoned sailor, avid reader, and enthusiastic tennis player, she embodies the principles of teamwork, continuous learning, and strategic thinking—values that she champions at Applied Development. Her hobbies not only offer relaxation and enjoyment, but also complement her professional life, providing balance and reinforcing her commitment to living a rich, purpose-driven life.

Vision & Values: Kimberly on Shaping the Future of Applied Development

Kimberly’s vision for Applied Development is to continue its trajectory as a leading provider of equitable communication access and strategic communication services in the government contracting industry. Her personal values of putting people first, a zeal for learning, fostering a human connection, ethical conduct, and customer satisfaction are deeply embedded in the company’s culture. Kimberly is dedicated to deepening the firm’s impact on the community and the industry, focusing on inclusivity, belonging, and lifelong learning. Her leadership is aimed not just at achieving business goals but at forging a sustainable and ethical future where every team member thrives and contributes to the greater good of Applied Development’s collective community.

Headshot of black-owned business co-founder Biffrey Braxton, man in suit with glasses smiling.

Biffrey Braxton

Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board of Advisors

As the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Biffrey is the cornerstone of strategic direction and governance at Applied Development. He meticulously executes expert board governance and best practices, oversees all board meetings, ensures compliance with industry regulations, and makes sound financial decisions to steer the organization toward sustainable growth. Biffrey is also instrumental in facilitating productive discussions between the Board and executive teams, ensuring alignment with Applied Development’s mission. His forward-thinking approach has consistently driven significant improvements in the firms he has led and advised, fostering a collaborative and socially conscious corporate culture that invests deeply in its people.

Journey to Applied Development: Biffrey's Path

Biffrey’s journey to Applied Development is a narrative of continuous growth and adaptation. After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management of Information Systems with a concentration in Software Design from The University of Alabama, Culverhouse School of Commerce & Business Administration, Biffrey embarked on a career that included working under IBM at the Mercedes Benz plant and consulting with prestigious firms like Mercer. These experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to found several small businesses in the technology and fintech sectors.

In 2011, driven by a shared vision with his partner Kimberly Citizen, Biffrey co-founded Applied Development. Since its inception, Applied Development has experienced explosive growth and received numerous accolades, including multiple Inc Magazine and Baltimore Business Journal awards. Under Biffrey’s leadership, Applied Development has become a beacon of excellence, recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to its core values.

Beyond the Office: Biffrey's Passions

Outside of the professional sphere, Biffrey is an avid sailor, a passion ignited in 2000 aboard his friend’s Pearson 30. He has since participated in numerous races and cruises, including the Annapolis to Bermuda Race and Block Island Race Week. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Biffrey and Kimberly sailed to Georgetown, Bahamas, aboard Ananda, their third sailing vessel.

In addition to sailing, Biffrey earned his private pilot license in 2024 and continually seeks to improve as an aviator. His dedication to fitness is evident through his commitment to tennis and calisthenics, activities he enjoys with Kimberly. These pursuits reflect his belief in balance, health, and continuous learning.

Vision & Values: Biffrey on Shaping the Future of Applied Development

Biffrey envisions a future where Applied Development continues to thrive as a leader in the government contracting sector, driven by a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. His personal values of putting people first, a relentless pursuit of knowledge, fostering a connected community, doing the right thing, and delighting the customer are deeply embedded in the company’s ethos.
Biffrey’s aspiration for Applied Development is to champion the rights of individuals of all abilities, ensuring they can share their brilliance in the workplace through superior communication services. By aligning his personal values with the company’s mission, Biffrey leads Applied Development toward a future of expanded federal agency penetration, innovative work products, and strong, enduring relationships. His leadership not only shapes the company’s trajectory but also ensures that it remains a place where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute their best.

Headshot of Kathleen O'Regan

Kathleen O'Regan

Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Executive Director of Reasonable Accommodations

Katie brings extensive experience as an interpreter, service coordinator, social impact strategist, leader, and innovator to her role as COO and Executive Director of Reasonable Accommodations at Applied Development. Her deep commitment to community engagement and fostering inclusive environments drives her dedication to elevate every individual and community she serves.

Journey to Applied Development: Kathleen's Path

Katie’s career path has been shaped by a relentless commitment to social justice and the effective integration of ethical leadership within business operations. She honed her skills in strategic planning and execution across various roles, leading to significant social entrepreneurship ventures. Katie’s role as a founder of a social impact organization further underlined her commitment to creating sustainable changes in local communities. After selling that organization in 2019, she relocated and embarked on a transformative journey, devoting a year to volunteer work, including actively supporting organizations such as Deaf in Government (DIG), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and the General Services Administration (GSA). Simultaneously, she began her tenure as Board Treasurer at the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), guiding financial strategies to foster organizational transformational growth and sustainability. After working with Applied Development as an interpreter, she developed a deep appreciation for the company’s values and felt fully recognized, valued, seen, heard, and appreciated. This was a pivotal experience, allowing her to maintain a balance between professional responsibilities and volunteer leadership roles and reinforcing her dedication to both her career development and community advocacy.

Beyond the Office: Kathleen's Passions

Outside of professional commitments, Katie is deeply rooted in family life, residing in rural Maryland with her spouse and children. Embracing the challenges and joys of parenting, she leans into all aspects of family as a foundational value. Katie is passionate about gardening and engaging in natural art projects, activities that not only beautify her surroundings, but also instill a sense of creativity and connection to nature in her family. The tranquility of the countryside complements her passion for continuous learning and enriches the community-focused initiatives she undertakes. This balance sustains her energy and deepens her commitment to enriching the community around her.

Vision & Values: Kathleen on Shaping the Future of Applied Development

Katie’s vision is rooted in the belief that organizations must not only aim for excellence in service delivery, but also act as catalysts for social change. As a volunteer leader, she commits significant time to nurturing initiatives that expand access and equity, believing that true leadership means lifting others as we climb. She advocates for a leadership style that is inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive, ensuring that Applied Development’s teams are equipped to meet challenges dynamically and ethically. She is committed to maintaining high standards of equity and inclusion, using these principles as a foundation to build stronger, more effective teams and community relationships.

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