In this episode, we are thrilled to host Krystn Macomber, a dynamic speaker and the founder + CEO of Summit Strategy. Krystn's journey from a Division I college athlete to a powerhouse in the marketing and proposal consulting industry is nothing short of inspiring. Her competitive spirit and growth mindset have driven her to excel in every endeavor, from leading high-performing teams to delivering significant sales growth and improved win rates for B2G and B2B organizations. With over 20 years o...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 231
In this episode, we explore the foundational elements of starting and scaling a business within the highly competitive world of government contracting. Our guest, Tyrel Rose, the Business Director of Victory Contracting LLC, breaks down the critical steps required to successfully enter this market, including understanding the bidding process, navigating compliance requirements, and building a strong network. With a focus on achieving "past performance," a key indicator of credibility in the indu...
Aug 21, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 230
In this episode, we dive into the massive opportunities available for businesses of all sizes through government contracts. If you're tired of relying on the same old commercial clients, this episode is a must-listen. This episode I reveal nine powerful tactics to help you secure your first or next government contract, offering actionable insights that can transform your business. I emphasize the importance of laser focus in targeting the right government contracts, ensuring that your efforts ar...
Aug 14, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 229
In our latest episode, we are thrilled to welcome Kenneth Kelly, the dynamic founder, President, and CEO of Strativia. Since its inception in 2006, Kenneth has led Strativia to become a powerhouse in the technology, consulting, and services sectors. Under his visionary leadership, the company has expanded to over 300 employees and operates across 19 states in the U.S. and several countries worldwide. Kenneth is a pivotal force behind Strativia’s strategic planning, business development, and mark...
Jul 31, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 228
In this episode, we bring back a remarkable guest, Kizzy Parks, joining us from Tulum, Mexico. Kizzy Parks has been a shining star in the federal contracting realm and a successful YouTuber, offering invaluable insights to help small businesses win government contracts. Over the past few years, Kizzy has built an impressive following both online and offline, establishing herself as a giant in her own right. Listen to our insightful conversation that goes beyond the usual government contracting d...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 227
In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we sit down with Mark Masters, the dynamic Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chloeta. Mark brings over twenty years of industry experience to the table, and his journey from a federal wildland firefighter to the helm of a multi-faceted national service provider is nothing short of inspirational. Mark is a proud tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. His career began in the rugged and demanding field of federal wildland fir...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 226
In today’s episode, we have a special guest returning to the show—Peter Gibbs, President and CEO of Foundation, Surety, and Insurance Solutions. Since his last appearance, Peter's company has achieved groundbreaking status as the only African American-owned surety agency with a national license in all 50 states. Today, he shares the latest advancements at Foundation Surety and Insurance Solutions that can help small businesses better understand and navigate the often intimidating world of surety...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 225
In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we are honored to welcome Robert Schroder, the founder of SteerBridge. With a distinguished background that spans both military and private sectors, Rob's journey is a testament to the value of veteran leadership in federal projects. As a retired Marine Corps Harrier pilot, Rob has seamlessly transitioned his extensive operational, congressional, and acquisition experience into the private sector, founding SteerBridge with a mission to elevate the ro...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 224
In today's episode, we have Jonathan Hard, and we delve deep into his entrepreneurial spirit, which is characterized by relentless drive, determination, and a commitment to delivering top-notch results. Listen now as we explore various facets of running a cybersecurity firm, from navigating stringent barriers like CMMC and facilities clearance to expanding into global markets, evidenced by their recent moves in Kenya with Mac Three Defense. Jonathan also shares his approach to building a robust ...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 223
In this episode, we have an inspiring guest, Laurie Sayles, the President and CEO of Civility Management Solutions. Laurie’s journey from the streets of Chicago to becoming a prominent figure in federal contracting is nothing short of remarkable. As a proud Marine veteran, Laurie founded her company after recognizing the vast opportunities in government contracting for individuals with her unique background as a woman, minority, and veteran. Today, Laurie shares her insights on her transition fr...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back Matt Schoonover, a legal expert in government contracts. We dive into the latest developments and legal nuances in federal contracting, offering valuable insights for both seasoned and new contractors. We talk about joint ventures and mentor-protégé agreements, focusing on recent changes to SBA regulations. Matt shares strategies for leveraging these agreements for business growth and highlights the importance of proper preparation and legal consulta...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 221
In this insightful episode we have Randie Ward with Scott Peper, the visionary co-founder of Mobilization Funding. Scott delves into his entrepreneurial journey, sharing how he transitioned from a successful career in the medical device industry with AngioDynamics and Stryker Orthopedics to founding a health and fitness company, the Wellness Zone, focused on individual wellness programs for executives. He then narrates his inspiring journey of co-founding Mobilization Funding in 2013. Scott disc...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 220
In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we welcome back Roberta Moore, the President and CEO of Amoorer Incorporated. Known for her formidable enterprise and compelling journey, Roberta delves deep into the intricacies of federal contracting, sharing her experiences and the challenges she faced. From her leap into entrepreneurship after leaving a secure federal job to battling legal skirmishes, Roberta's story is a powerful testament to resilience and tenacity. Roberta shares her transitio...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 219
In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, Randie Ward sits down with Shauna Weatherly, President and Founder of Federal Subcontract Solutions LLC, to delve into Weatherly's extensive experience in Federal acquisition. With over 35 years of hands-on experience and a career spanning various crucial roles within the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and more, Weatherly brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Th...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 218
Today we delve into the intricate world of federal contracting with our esteemed guest, Katelyn Rigle. As the Operations Audit Liaison Small Business Coordinator for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Katelyn brings a wealth of experience and insight into the dynamics of government contracting, particularly for small businesses. Katelyn serves as the Operations Audit Liaison Small Business Coordinator for DCAA, stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. With over a decade of experience, Katelyn has b...
May 15, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 217
Today, we had the privilege of hosting Adam Austin, the Cybersecurity Lead at Totem.Tech, a minority veteran-owned Prime DoD contractor. With a decade of experience safeguarding classified, unclassified, and HIPAA-environment US Government IT systems, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prestigious institutions like NASA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), and all branches of the Department of Defense. Adam holds a Master's in...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 216
Today, we had the honor of welcoming back a true trailblazer in the IT industry, Narjis Ali. With over thirty years of progressive experience in IT research and development, strategy consulting, and managing startups, Narjis brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Currently serving as the President and CEO of Sure Secure Solutions, Narjis leads a company dedicated to providing targeted end-to-end IT solutions, Cloud Services, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, and Content Management for both gov...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 215
In today's episode, we're diving deep into the strategic insights of a true powerhouse in the realm of defense and business, Darren Whiddon of DKW Consulting LLC. You might remember last year's episode with Gene Moran, where we delved into the importance of early engagement with government customers. Well, following that episode, Gene invited me to speak at his event, the Ringmaster, where I had the pleasure of connecting with Darren. What makes Darren's story fascinating is his journey from bei...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 214
In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Corliss Udoema back on the show. Corliss is the CEO of Contract Solutions, Inc. (CSI), an organization dedicated to excellence in service provision. With a focus on stability, growth, and expansion, CSI offers acquisition support, training, and staff augmentation services to its clients. Corliss, a recipient of two Congressional awards for her work in small business development, brings her innovative and results-oriented leadership to the forefront. She...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 213
Today, we have the honor of hosting Frank Spencer III, President at Aztec Contractors, a true titan in the realm of small business and entrepreneurship. Frank's journey from his roots in West Texas to his current role as a serial entrepreneur and mentor is nothing short of inspiring. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Frank embarked on a journey that led him to acquire Aztec Contractors, Inc. in 2006. With a humble investment of a thousand dollars, Frank's prudence and fortitude tra...
Apr 03, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 212
In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming a returning guest, Wade B. Watts, the University Program Director (UPD) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). With over 20 years of experience as an Air Force Officer and subsequent roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Wade brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, we delved deeper into the workings of NSIN, a Department of Defense program office under the Defense Innovation Unit...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 211
In today’s episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with the remarkable Vanessa Savas, a retired Air Force Colonel with an impressive 29 years of Department of Defense experience. Her extensive and distinguished career reached its pinnacle as a Congressional and Government Relations expert for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Over the course of 12 years, Vanessa played a pivotal role in advising and collaborating with senior officials in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the U....
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 210
In this episode, we are honored to have a powerhouse guest, Shalaya Morissette, who is making waves as the Chief of the Minority Business and Workforce Division in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), stationed within the Office of Energy Justice and Equity. Shalaya is a highly sought-after collaborator in the clean technology space, bringing a wealth of experience from her recent role in the utility sector, focusing on safety and compliance. We talked about remarkable opportunities in clean ene...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 209
Today we had the privilege of hosting Pete Ragone, an esteemed Audit Director at SC&H Group. Pete has been a vital member of the SC&H team since 2015, bringing with him a wealth of experience in public accounting dating back to 1990. Throughout his career, Pete has emerged as a leader in financial statement audits, reviews, and compilations for a diverse range of domestic and international organizations. His clientele spans certified small businesses, including those participating in the...
Feb 15, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 208
In our latest episode, Randie Ward had the privilege of interviewing Giacomo Apadula, an authority in government contract and grant administration. Giacomo's extensive expertise lies in cost accounting, regulatory compliance, and business process improvement/system design. Throughout the episode, Giacomo shared his wealth of knowledge, drawing on his experience serving clients in the government contracting and grantee sectors, spanning both profit and non-profit organizations. His clientele incl...
Feb 07, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 207
In today’s episode we have a true expert in the field, Ryan C. Bradel. Ryan is a seasoned attorney representing government contractors in a myriad of federal, state, and local procurement matters. With a cross-industry practice, Ryan has become a go-to authority for companies in defense, intelligence, contingency operations, private security, weapons manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and more. His extensive experience includes bid protests, contract disputes, FAR counseling, and...
Feb 01, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 206
In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Angie Martinez, an executive professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in federal construction, business development, and facilities management. Angie's impressive career spans various facets of the industry, including construction management, contracting, and facilities planning. Her commitment to guiding teams toward a common vision and developing practical solutions to complex problems makes her a true proble...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 205
In today's episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Solution Engineer Peter Lierni, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in designing and developing winning solutions in the federal, state, local, and international market spaces. Peter Lierni's expertise lies in the intricate world of government contracting, a field that demands strategic thinking and meticulous planning for success. During the episode, Peter shared invaluable insights into the critical role that...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Let’s talk about the basics. In this episode, I talk about and discuss the critical balance between intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional quotient (EQ) in achieving success, sharing anecdotes that underscored the vital role of emotional intelligence in professional settings. From my experience, success isn't just about technical skills but also about how we communicate, respond to challenges, and collaborate with others. We dived deep into various aspects, including conflict resolution, effec...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Season 1Ep. 203
In this episode, we delved into the remarkable journey of Merry Korn, a seasoned clinical social worker turned entrepreneur, who shared her insights and experiences in building a unique social enterprise. With over 30 years of expertise and a background rooted in clinical social work from Ohio State University, Merry's trajectory from Wellness Systems to American Health Holding, Inc. offered a rich foundation for her eventual groundbreaking venture. Merry Korn’s brainchild, Pearl Interactive Net...
Jan 03, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 202
