Leadership

Barbara Piilani Benz is a Native Hawaiian executive with over 23 years of leadership in insurance, financial strategy, and business development.  As President of both The Ali‘i Group, an SBA-certified 8(a) Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO), and
Alliance West Insurance, Inc., an SBA-certified 8(a) firm, she drives mission-focused, culturally grounded contracting solutions that uplift underserved communities and deliver on federal priorities.

Licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance, Barbara has built a nationally recognized multi-line agency and led her clients to secure over $9 million in PPP/EIDL funding with 100% forgiveness.  Her expertise spans regulatory compliance, capital access, and high-performance team leadership.

As a trusted advisor and strategic operator, Barbara expands economic impact through protest-free sole-source contracts up to $100M under NHO 8(a) authority, while also advancing direct award capabilities through Alliance West. Her leadership blends cultural integrity with operational excellence—making her a force in the federal space and a champion for generational resilience.

Piilani Gisela Benz is a results-driven executive with over a decade of experience in life, health, and group benefits, and a proven track record of advancing high-impact programs in the federal, public and nonprofit sectors.  As Vice President of The Ali‘i Group, an SBA-certified 8(a) Native Hawaiian Organization, and Chief Operating Officer of Alliance West Insurance, Inc., she leads strategic planning, regulatory alignment, and mission-centered initiatives that expand federal partnerships and drive measurable outcomes.

With extensive expertise in benefit analysis, compliance, and nonprofit program development, Piilani brings a sharp operational focus to The Ali‘i Group’s federal contracting capabilities. She excels at optimizing resources, managing stakeholder relationships, and translating strategic goals into actionable, community-forward results.

Rooted in kuleana and collaboration, her leadership ensures every engagement upholds the highest standards of service, equity, and cultural integrity.  Piilani holds a BBA in International Marketing from the University of Washington, an AA in Business Marketing from Pierce College, and has been a licensed Property & Casualty Agent in Washington since 2014. Known for her strategic acumen and service-driven mindset, Piilani plays a key role in strengthening The Ali‘i Group’s impact across underserved communities while supporting protest-free, sole-source contracting pathways for federal agencies.

Mukhtar Zeglam is a strategic financial professional with expertise in banking, insurance, corporate finance, and nonprofit financial management.  As Director of Finance at The Ali‘i Group, he brings over a decade of experience managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, overseeing more than 100 government grants and contracts, and driving fiscal strategies that support mission-driven growth and operational excellence.

Born in Tripoli, Libya, Mukhtar earned a degree in Banking and Insurance from Tripoli University and a Master’s in Finance from the City University of Seattle—graduating with multiple Dean’s List honors.  His approach combines data-driven decision-making with deep experience in FP&A, compliance, and efficiency optimization—delivering financial frameworks that are both scalable and audit-ready for federal contracting environments.

Mukhtar’s leadership is grounded in adaptability, innovation, and financial stewardship—fueled by a commitment to uplifting underserved and Indigenous communities. He plays a critical role in advancing The Ali‘i Group’s capacity to execute complex contracts, ensuring every dollar serves its purpose and drives measurable impact. He leverages 13 CFR 124.110(c) to help contracting officers simplify and accelerate procurement by enabling direct awards to qualified 8(a) firms, reducing administrative burdens, shortening timelines, and supporting small business goals while ensuring compliance.

Jonathan Croom is a dynamic leader with cross-industry expertise spanning government contracting, logistics, marketing, and nonprofit development.  As Program Director of Government Solutions at The Ali‘i Group, he leads with innovation and precision—designing, managing, and scaling federal programs that advance economic empowerment, small business growth, and support for Native Hawaiians.

A lifelong advocate for underserved communities, Jonathan has built a reputation as a tenacious problem-solver who transforms challenges into opportunities- concepts into contracts.  His experience includes leading high-stakes program operations, launching small business initiatives, and building infrastructure to support The Ali‘i Group’s expanding 8(a) footprint across government sectors.  His work is driven by kuleana—responsibility to uplift others through service, systems, and sustainable impact.

Jonathan’s leadership is grounded in execution, adaptability, and mission alignment. He brings a sharp focus to federal procurement strategy, ensuring programs are contract-ready, compliant, and positioned for long-term success. With a deep understanding of agency priorities and small business dynamics, he plays a critical role in helping The Ali‘i Group secure, manage, and deliver sole-source and competitive government contracts that drive meaningful impact and measurable results. He also helps contractors unlock a 5% DOD incentive through NHO subcontracting, increasing both contract value and competitive advantage.