CEO, V-Empower, Inc.

Founder, Statedemocracy Foundation

Leading a very successful career for about 21 years in the US, starting as a Travel Agent/International Air Tariff expert to a CEO of one of the fastest growing company according to Inc. Magazine in 2007.

Currently, dividing time between being a CEO, Mentor, Facilitator, Non-Profit Executive, Community Worker & a family man with 2 wonderful kids and spouse.

• Technologist
• Philatelist
• Philanthropist
• Public Servant

CEO, V-Empower, Inc.

October 2000 – Present (9 years 5 months)

Manages a small company with 12 employees which specializes in Information Security, Web-Development, Software Development, Search Engine Optimization & Search Engine Marketing.

We built this company from an investment of $ 1000 to over 110 employees in 6 countries with an annual revenue of $ 5.4 million in 2006; An Inc.500 honoree for 2007 (Ranked # 263); A Deloitte’s Fast 50 honoree (Ranked #1) for 2007 in Maryland and (Ranked #7) in 2008.

V-Empower, Inc. has cultivated the culture of innovation/entrepreneurship by developing 12 products in last 9 years and facilitating its 7 employees to start their own businesses.

We are now a small, innovative company with a focus to foster entrepreneurship by opening up our intellectual property & talent.

Political Involvement/Affiliation

Field Director, Bill Bradley for President 2000

State Director, Joe Lieberman for President 2004

Prince George’s County Coordinator, Bill Richardson for President 2008

Internet/Technology Team & Volunteer for President Obama 2008

Campaign Manager, Katina Johnston for Congress, New York, 2002

Mentor to David Murray & Ed Burroughs for School Board, 2010

Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, 2006

Legislative Aide, Delegate John Giannetti (Laurel), 1999

Helped over 50 Political Candidates & over 50 Non-Profit Organizations (as a volunteer)

Awards & Honors

Nominated for the Patricia Wallace Outstanding Citizen of Bowie (1994 & 1995)

Nominated for the Presidential Service Award in 1995 (President Clinton)

Nominated for the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1995 (Governor Glendening)

Nominated for the Prince Georgian of the Year Award (1995)

White House Fellowship Regional Finalist (Made the list of 108 applicants out of 9000) in 2005

Governor's Service Award in 2006 (Governor Ehrlich)

Recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing company in US in 2007 (Ranked # 267)

Fastest Growing Company by Deloitte in Maryland in 2007 (Ranked #1)

Fastest Growing Company by Deloitte in US in 2007 (Ranked #19)

Fastest Growing Company by Deloitte in Maryland in 2008 (Ranked #7)

Minority Business Award by Business Journal in 2008

Ranked 5th in Local Giving (Washington DC) by Business Journal, 2009

Outstanding Alumni by Strayer University, 2009

Legislative Accomplishment

Only Democrat in Prince George’s County to Support Public School Choice (Began the campaign in 1998 and helped enact Public School Choice in 2003. Currently there are 36 Charter Schools in the State serving about 12,249 students)

Only Candidate in District 23A who supported Inter County Connector (will be opened in 2010)

Only Candidate in District 23A that supported Slots Revenue for Education (Passed through Referendum 2008)

Assisted groups to lobby for Stem cell Research (2006)

Helped Repeal Tax on IT/Computer Industry (2008)

Education

Fellowship in Entrepreneurship, University of Maryland, 2005

MPP, Master in Public Policy, American University, 1999

BS, Computer Information Systems, Strayer University, 1993

BS, Mathematics & Physics, Osmania University, 1983

Personal

Shukoor is an example of the American dream being alive and well. He came to this country as an immigrant from India a little over 22 years ago, with just $500 in his pocket. Since then he has been able to start a family with his wonderful wife, get a post graduate degree, and build his own company from the ground up.

Before coming here, Shukoor’s parents instilled the value of getting an education, which is why upon arrival, he completed his Bachelors in Computer Information Systems (he later went on to complete his masters in Public Policy from American University). He then worked in the travel industry where he learned the basics of customer-service.

He is a resident of Prince George’s County since 1988 and has been living in Bowie since 1992. Shukoor is married to Nabeela Ahmed who was a Valedictorian (Class of 1986, Fairmont Heights High School) and is a community Pharmacist with CVS in Upper Marlboro. Shukoor has two daughters who are currently enrolled into Prince George’s County School system. His older daughter Raaheela Ahmed is a Junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt & younger daughter Shabnam Ahmed is a Freshman at Bowie High School, Bowie. He serves on the board of Ayesha & Ali Foundation which runs a free heath care clinic in Laurel every Friday and is currently working to expand it to all week. He mentors small businesses & provides access to his network of about 1500 contacts on Linkedin

Authority by: David W. Whyte, Treasurer (Friends of Ahmed)