Introducing Our Family of Innovators: The Heart Behind Tequity
Our Team
Malcolm Weems
Malcolm is a distinguished leader in financial management, strategic planning, and government consulting, with over two decades of experience driving success in both the public and private sectors. As the visionary founder of Tequity Partners LLC, Malcolm has pioneered the firm into a leading consultancy, specializing in government procurement, strategic partnerships, and developing niche markets. His strategic foresight and leadership have established Tequity Partners as a market leader.
In tandem with his role at Tequity Partners, Malcolm leads Weemsway Consulting LLC, applying his extensive expertise in public-private partnerships and legislative strategy to deliver exceptional value to clients navigating complex governmental landscapes. His ability to resolve client concerns, manage business operations, and develop strategic plans has been pivotal in both firms' growth and success.
Malcolm's career is marked by significant achievements, including driving statewide initiatives, negotiating landmark revenue-generating contracts, and leading operational improvements that have significantly benefited Illinois’ infrastructure and its citizens. His leadership extends beyond professional accomplishments; as Chairman of the board for South Central Community Services, Malcolm demonstrates his commitment to community development and leadership excellence.
Founder
Mercedes Weems
Mercedes is the Director of Operations at Tequity Partners, where she seamlessly applies her extensive experience from high-pressure healthcare environments to the dynamic world of technology management consulting. Trained in the demanding and fast-paced Medical-Surgical Unit at Rush University Medical Center, Mercedes has a proven track record of leading with empathy, precision, and effectiveness. Her adeptness at managing complex situations, coupled with her leadership in overseeing daily operations, has propelled Tequity Partners to new operational heights.
Leveraging her background in nursing and her innate ability to adapt and communicate across diverse groups, Mercedes has been instrumental in enhancing efficiency, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of productivity and morale within the firm. Her unique approach to operations, rooted in her healthcare experience, prioritizes problem-solving, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration, driving innovation and excellence at Tequity Partners.
Mercedes' commitment to diversity and inclusion further enriches her leadership, mirroring her healthcare-driven dedication to empathy and inclusivity in the workplace. Recognized for her leadership with the Diversity Leadership Award from Rush University, Mercedes continues to make a significant impact, bridging her healthcare expertise with her strategic operational role in consulting.
Director of Operations
Eddie T. Johnson
Eddie T. Johnson is a seasoned public safety and organizational leadership expert with more than 30 years of experience guiding large agencies through operational challenges, security risks, and strategic transformation. As the former Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, he led one of the nation’s largest law enforcement organizations, overseeing more than 15,500 personnel and a $1.5 billion annual budget. His leadership produced measurable reductions in violent crime, strengthened community engagement, and modernized department-wide practices in mental health, policy development, and crisis response.
Today, Eddie provides consulting services to public- and private-sector clients seeking expert guidance in crime prevention, security strategy, operational assessment, and organizational improvement. He advises executives, IT professionals, and facility leaders on identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating risks, and implementing practical, sustainable solutions that enhance safety and efficiency.
Respected for his analytical approach, collaborative style, and deep understanding of federal, state, and local systems, Eddie brings unmatched experience in risk management, leadership development, community safety, and cross-functional operations.
Eddie partners with organizations committed to strengthening safety, improving operations, and building resilient, forward-thinking teams.
Security and Public Safety Advisor
Michael Pegues
Michael Pegues is a senior technology executive with more than 25 years of experience leading digital transformation, mobility innovation, cybersecurity strategy, and large‑scale infrastructure modernization across government and global enterprise environments. A U.S. Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Gulf War, he brings a mission‑driven, disciplined approach to technology leadership and organizational change.
In the private sector, Michael has held leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, Vodafone, and Hewlett‑Packard, where he directed global infrastructure programs and cybersecurity portfolios across EMEA, North America and Asia-Pacific. These roles strengthened his expertise in enterprise architecture, IT operations, regulatory compliance, and high‑performance organizational leadership.
In the public sector, Michael served as Chief Information Officer for the City of Aurora, Illinois, where he led multi‑million‑dollar modernization efforts in fiber infrastructure, public safety technology, cybersecurity, and smart‑city innovation. He advanced AI/ML, Data & Analytics, GIS, PMO, and cloud capabilities while driving process improvement, governance maturity, and change‑management delivery to improve service outcomes and operational efficiency.
Michael holds a B.S. in Computer Science, an Executive MBA, and completed Executive Education in Foundations of City Innovation: Strategy, Leadership & Innovation at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He also serves as an Associate Lecturer at Aurora University, teaching Smart Cities & Communities and Business Management to graduate students and developing the next generation of technology and civic‑innovation leaders.
Senior Advisor
