Our Team

Dr. Henok Tesfaye is the Chairman and CEO of USP Holdings—a privately held multi-industry company headquartered in Washington, DC. Over two decades ago, Dr. Henok embarked on a career in the parking management industry as the President and Chief Executive Officer of U Street Parking, Inc., (USP). Once a parking attendant, he is now the owner of several parking facilities across the East coast.

Leadership & Business Achievements

Within the last two decades, USP has become a premier company in the highly competitive parking market in the DMV region. Under Dr. Henok's leadership, USP went from a four-employee operation to more than one thousand employees with more than fifty contracts across the DMV region.

Dr. Henok's savvy strategic partnership approach has enabled him to partner with Five Star Parking, a California company, to win a multi-million-dollar contractual award to manage the parking facilities at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for over a decade.

Dr. Henok's tenacity to expand USP's services has led him to take the company nationally. To date, USP has been awarded contracts to manage five of the busiest East Coast Airports including:

• New York's JFK Airport
• Orlando International Airport
• Newark International Airport
• LaGuardia Airport
• Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (one of Africa's busiest airports)

Real Estate & Investment

Dr. Henok is also one of the co-founders and partners of United Investments, a multi-million-dollar real estate investment and development firm based in Washington, DC. As the co-founder and partner of United Investments, Dr. Henok is entrusted with cultivating government relations and fostering longstanding relationships in the real estate industry.

Dr. Henok has formed partnerships leading United Investments to become one of the developers, investors, partners, and owners of the minority development team which has been awarded the rights to develop a $564 million, 1.2 million square feet mixed-use project within the Hill East neighborhood of Washington DC.

USP Holdings Portfolio

A true entrepreneur, Dr. Henok leads USP Holdings groups of companies with impeccable foresight, including:

• USP Parking
• United Investments
• DC General Construction
• Potomac Management Group

USP Holdings provides comprehensive services including Parking, Transportation, Mobility Consulting, Security, and Janitorial services.

Board Memberships & Professional Affiliations

• Board Member of Capital Bank
• Chair of the DC Chambers of Commerce International Committee
• Member of the Economic Clubs of Washington DC
• Former Board Member of the Washington Architectural Foundation
• Former Board Member of Shaw Main Streets
• Member of the National Parking Association
• Member of the International Parking & Mobility Institute
• East Africa Advisor for EB5 Capital

Philanthropy & Community Impact

Dr. Henok believes that he has an obligation to give back. He is a well-respected philanthropist and gives his time and financial support to charitable efforts.

Dr. Henok was appointed by Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as one of the founding Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF), a non-profit organization based in the United States established to mobilize the global Ethiopian Diaspora to raise funds for life-saving socioeconomic projects in Ethiopia.

In 2010, Dr. Henok was introduced to Mary Joy Orphanage in Ethiopia. Since then, he provides financial support to help raise thirty children. Inspired by the work being done in Ethiopia, in 2015, he established Mary Joy USA, an organization aimed at raising funds for at-risk children and mothers in Ethiopia.

Recognition & Education

• Recipient of the 2023 Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award
• Honorary Degree from Washington Adventist University

Practice Focus

• Banking and Financial Institutions
• Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
• Sovereign Representation

Overview

W. Caffey Norman represents a number of foreign governments and financial institutions in connection with legal problems and policy issues arising out of their investments and activities. He has advised several banks and governments in connection with sanctions and related U.S. policy initiatives. He represented Abu Dhabi in the 20-year global BCCI liquidation.

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia

Court Admissions

• US Supreme Court
• US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
• US District Court for the District of Columbia

Representative Experience

• Formation and representation of the U.S.-Ethiopia Business Council
• Washington representation of Government of Ethiopia
• Representation of International Development Bank in connection with access to USD clearing following actions taken by Central Bank of Iraq
• Removal of Bank of Khartoum from list of Specially Designated Nationals, and assistance in recovering frozen assets in the United States and Iraq
• Representation of Government of Sudan in connection with lifting of U.S. economic sanctions
• Representation of Abu Dhabi Government and Ruling Family in BCCI scandal
• Representation of investor group in successful recovery of $500 million wire transfer frozen for over a year by Noor Bank in Dubai
• Representation of UAE Banks Federation
• Advice to GCC "satellite banks" in investigations of possible sanctions violations arising out of their UAE operations, and in developing best practices for sanctions/AML compliance
• Representation of UAE Central Bank, UAE Insurance Authority, and UAE Securities & Commodities Authority on sanctions, FATF compliance, FATCA implementation, and other matters
• Representation of major GCC financial institutions in investigations of possible sanctions violations and in developing best practices for sanctions/AML compliance
• Advice to foreign banks regarding establishing a U.S. presence

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Moderator, "Central Bank of the UAE National Summit on Counter Terrorist Financing and Sanctions," Abu Dhabi (November 2019)
• "Assertion of Broader Jurisdiction by U.S. Authorities over Foreign Accounts, Over-compliance by Financial institutions Creates Uncertainty," Patton Boggs Publication (January 2014)
• "FATCA Overview," Thomson Reuters GCC 5th Annual Compliance and AML Seminar, Riyadh (March 27, 2013)
• "FATCA Intergovernmental Agreements," Thomson Reuters GCC FATCA Seminar, Dubai (June 11, 2012)
• "U.S. Sanctions Targeting Iran and Their Possible Impact on Non-U.S. Financial Institutions," Patton Boggs Publication (July 2010)
• "Impact of U.S.A. PATRIOT Act on Banking and Remittance Business," U.A.E. Central Bank Conference (May 10, 2006)
• Author, "Principles of Shari'a in Islamic Finance and Their Application for Western Investors," Middle East & North Africa Business Guide 2004/2005, 86-90

Entrepreneur | Digital Identity & e-Signature Innovator | Ecosystem Builder

Professional Journey & Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Kebron Dejene is the Founder, CEO & Board Chairman of Viditure, a digital-identity and e-signature platform that secures remote transactions with video-based authentication and tamper-evident signing. He established Viditure to solve a real, high-stakes problem across Africa and the diaspora: verifying identity and consent online with legal certainty. Today, Viditure operates via Viditure Inc. and Viditure Technology Solution PLC (Ethiopia), delivering enterprise-grade e-signature and KYC solutions for government and private sectors.

Leadership & Business Achievements

• Launched “Weleta,” Ethiopia’s first digital/e-signature application—bringing compliant, remote signing to enterprises and individuals, aligned with Electronic Signature Proclamation No. 1072/2018.
• Productized video-verified signatures that combine audio/video proof with cryptographic controls for higher integrity than traditional e-sign flows.
• Recognized by regional tech media for unlocking modern, legally valid e-signatures and streamlining contracts, onboarding, and approvals across sectors.
• Public-sector credibility reinforced through on-site case references and testimonials featured by the company.

Solutions & Portfolio

• Viditure Platform (API & SDK): Identity-verified e-signatures, audit trails, role-based access, and integrations for real estate, HR, finance, healthcare, and legal workflows.
• Weleta (Mobile & Web): A user-friendly e-signature app designed for the African market, available on Android, enabling secure signing and document management for businesses and individuals.

Background note: Press coverage of Viditure’s Ethiopia arm has also referenced prior gov-tech efforts such as Digital INVEA for diaspora services.

Ecosystem Engagement & Policy Alignment

Kebron has positioned Viditure at the intersection of technology, compliance, and public-private collaboration, aligning products with Ethiopia’s e-signature law and broader digitization goals. Viditure’s legal explainer openly educates the market on what constitutes electronic vs. digital signatures and their evidentiary value—helping institutions adopt secure paperless processes with confidence.

Recognition & Media

Viditure and Weleta have been featured by regional business/tech outlets for pioneering e-signature adoption and enabling trusted remote transactions in Ethiopia.

Ben Tesfaye is an accomplished entrepreneur and Managing Partner of USP Holdings, a diversified U.S.–Ethiopia enterprise group with operations spanning parking management, real estate, construction, security, transportation, janitorial services, and digital health innovation. With over two decades of experience leading businesses on both continents, Ben has been instrumental in bridging U.S. operational standards with Ethiopia’s emerging market potential—creating sustainable enterprises that blend technology, infrastructure, and social impact.

Under his leadership, U Street Parking (USP)—a flagship subsidiary of USP Holdings—has become one of the most trusted parking management and mobility service providers in Washington, D.C., and Addis Ababa. The company operates in landmark U.S. locations such as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, CitycenterDC, The Watergate Hotel, and RFK Stadium, while its Ethiopian counterpart, U Street Parking PLC, manages advanced parking operations at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and other key commercial facilities. Ben has played a central role in the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with the Addis Ababa City Government, spearheading Ethiopia’s first citywide Digital Parking Modernization Project, integrating QR-based cashless systems, EV charging infrastructure, and data-driven management platforms.

Beyond parking, Ben oversees multiple verticals that reflect USP Holdings’ integrated vision:

• DC General Construction Company (DCGCC) – delivering high-quality construction and renovation projects across both the U.S. and Ethiopia.
• United Investments – managing a growing real estate portfolio that includes luxury and mixed-use developments.
• Potomac Management Group – overseeing property management and maintenance operations for premium assets.
• Signature Residence – a flagship 67-unit luxury development in Addis Ababa, featuring state-of-the-art amenities such as a rooftop pool, gym, and smart home automation. The project represents the group’s long-term commitment to elevating urban living standards in Ethiopia.

In the health technology space, Ben founded Medrafa Technologies PLC, a pioneering digital health company dedicated to modernizing pharmacy operations and prescription management across Ethiopia. Medrafa’s flagship innovation, RxHub, is positioned to serve as a national e-prescription and health data exchange infrastructure—akin to ETHSwitch in the banking sector—aligning with FHIR R5 and SNOMED CT global standards. The platform is designed to reduce prescription errors, strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain, and enable data-driven public health policy.

A passionate advocate for innovation and partnership between the United States and Ethiopia, Ben continues to champion investment, technology transfer, and sustainable development initiatives. His work embodies the principles of public-private collaboration, diaspora engagement, and economic empowerment through smart infrastructure and digital transformation.

Ben’s unique cross-continental experience, spanning Washington, D.C. and Addis Ababa—positions him as a key voice in advancing the next generation of U.S.–Africa business relations, with a focus on urban modernization, smart mobility, real estate, and digital health ecosystems.

Accomplished financial consultant and former regulator with extensive expertise in risk-based supervision, regulatory compliance advisory, and international banking regulations. Proven track record guiding financial institutions through complex credit risk analysis, liquidity and capital assessment, and financial stability evaluation to strengthen resilience and meet supervisory expectations. Skilled in developing and implementing corporate governance frameworks, advancing anti-money laundering oversight, and directing financial crime risk management initiatives aligned with global banking best practices.

Adept at driving performance optimization strategies, leading business transformation initiatives, and providing actionable insights through data-driven decision making. Experienced in facilitating cross-border regulatory cooperation, conducting compliance gap analysis, and advising executives on mergers and acquisitions guidance, market entry advisory, and strategic business management to enhance institutional growth and operational sustainability.

Managing Director, Financial Services (2021 – Present)
USP Consulting, Washington, DC

• Lead strategic financial consulting initiatives for commercial banks in emerging markets, advising on business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and market entry strategies that align operations with global best practices and sustainable growth objectives.
• Manage senior-level client relationships with C-suite executives and boards of directors, providing tailored consulting solutions and fostering long-term partnerships.
• Advise banking clients on regulatory compliance frameworks, corporate governance, and international banking standards, conducting gap analyses and risk assessments.
• Direct the development and implementation of risk management policies and deliver training to build internal capabilities.
• Drive performance improvements through data analytics and recommend optimization strategies across financial and business functions.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis, preparing structured reports to guide strategic planning and risk identification.

Director of International Cooperation / Senior Banking Supervisor (1992 – 2020)
Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Supervised UAE financial institutions using risk-based supervision and financial condition reviews.
• Directed evaluation of board governance practices and developed remedial strategies to reduce systemic risks.
• Spearheaded the Corporate Governance Framework initiative with the International Finance Corporation.
• Led the 2020 FATF peer review of UAE anti-money laundering systems and enhanced cross-border regulatory collaboration.

International Credit Analyst (1986 – 1992)
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA

• Conducted ongoing credit risk analysis of international financial institutions.
• Evaluated international exposures through structured financial performance analysis.
• Prepared assessments for the Monitoring and Analytics Section, strengthening supervisory strategy.

Banking Examiner (1981 – 1986)
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA

• Conducted comprehensive bank examinations and provided regulatory recommendations.
• Assessed financial performance, liquidity, and credit exposure across supervised institutions.

Medical Records Specialist (1978 – 1981)
Lahey Clinic, Boston, MA

• Analyzed patient visit documentation for accuracy and compliance with established guidelines.
• Processed medical service fees with strong attention to detail and financial recordkeeping practices.