How Andre Thornton Is Empowering Leaders to Reach Their Full Potential in Montgomery County

For Andre W. Thornton, Founder and CEO of Whitman Consulting, leadership is about clarity, purpose, and effectiveness. After beginning his career in engineering and spending nearly two decades at Lockheed Martin, Thornton discovered his true calling was not just building aircraft systems but instead, developing people. That realization became the foundation for Whitman Consulting, a firm focused on helping individuals reach their potential through practical, evidence-based leadership development.

Founded in Montgomery County in 2016, Whitman Consulting specializes in purpose-driven leadership development, coaching, and organizational consulting, with offerings designed for professionals ranging from emerging leaders to senior executives. Over time, the company has evolved beyond one-off engagements into a portfolio that includes proprietary frameworks and repeatable programs, allowing the firm to serve organizations and individuals at greater scale. To date, Whitman Consulting has supported more than 50 organizations—from Fortune 500 companies, including global companies like Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Verizon, to smaller, growing companies—and has reached over 3,000 professionals through leadership development and coaching. The company’s success has not gone unnoticed with Whitman Consulting recently being recognized as a Top Leadership Development/Training Company for 2025 by HR Tech Outlook, and Thornton preparing to launch his first book this spring, Disrupted: The 2 Stabilizers and 7 Accelerators of Growth Through Chaos.

According to Thornton, Montgomery County has been vital to the growth of the company. Thornton chose to base the company where he has lived since 2012, citing the County’s rich talent base, strong institutions, and proximity to companies throughout Washington, D.C. and the region. Additionally, Thornton mentions that direct access to three airports—Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, allowing for travel to companies across the globe, is another reason Montgomery County is so attractive to businesses. “Montgomery County is an ideal base for a firm that serves leaders across markets,” said Thornton.

While Whitman Consulting’s expansion has been largely fueled by client outcomes and referrals, Thornton notes that the County’s business ecosystem has helped strengthen connections and visibility through networking and relationship-building opportunities. “Montgomery County will remain a strategic base as we scale Whitman Consulting’s impact,” added Thornton. “Our future here includes expanding repeatable programs, deepening partnerships with community and local organizations, and growing our footprint across leadership development.”

As a Black founder, Thornton is equally committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. He aims to model what purpose-driven leadership looks like in person by building community and helping future leaders strengthen the skills, confidence, and networks they need to thrive, while also normalizing the idea that you can build a successful business that is aligned with your personal values.

According to Thornton, there is tremendous opportunity ahead for Montgomery County’s Black business community, particularly in leveraging its depth of talent and expertise to help companies scale. With access to support from local organizations like MCEDC, the Montgomery County Black Collective, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, as well as the powerful professional network based here, he believes that “there is no limit on what can be achieved.”

By developing leaders who can navigate complex situations while staying grounded in purpose, Thornton is not only growing a successful firm but is helping shape stronger organizations and communities and creating meaningful change across Montgomery County and globally.