Shows
Humble BeginningsLessons from a Coal Mining Town: How Accenture Federal Services' Garland Garris Draws From His West Virginia RootsIn this episode of “Humble Beginnings,” we sit down with Garland Garris, Associate Director - Lead for Quantum Science, Zero Trust and Cloud Security at Accenture Federal Services, as he shares his journey from growing up in the coal mining town of Eccles, West Virginia, to finding a place in state and federal IT leadership.Through foraging with his dad, adopting a love of reading from his mom and learning an appreciation of faith from his grandmother, Garris built a growth mindset that reflected the strong work ethic of many in the tight-knit community where he grew up.2025-05-2021 minHumble BeginningsBuilding a Legacy: Brandy Durham Turns Passion for Tackling National Problems to Career Path in Data, AIIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Brandy Durham, vice president of Mantech's Data and AI Practice, as she shares of her upbringing in South Texas, and how her family's history of carpentry and military service instilled a strong work ethic and adaptability that shaped her career path. Growing up in a family of builders and as the first person in her family to go to college, Durham learned the value of creating something from nothing and supporting clients and employees alike. This eventually led her to a successful career in government contracting despite not taking...2025-02-2136 minHumble BeginningsShawn Purvis' Transformational Leadership Relies on Lifelong Values: 'Family, Faith, Hard Work and Doing Good to Others'In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Shawn Purvis, president and CEO of QinetiQ US, as she shares her upbringing in Northern Virginia under the values of "family, faith, hard work and doing good to others."Purvis' parents both worked for IBM, introducing her to computers and the world of technology around the age of 7. Outside of academics -- which came relatively easy for Purvis -- she talks about how she learned to be "comfortable being uncomfortable" as an introvert by joining the cheerleading squad and eventually serving as captain. It opened up a "...2024-12-1248 minHumble BeginningsSmall Town Values, a Strong Work Ethic and Career Turning Points: Rick Wagner's Rise to CEOIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Rick Wagner, CEO of Agile Defense, as he shares about his upbringing in a factory town in Pennsylvania surrounded by a large family, strong work ethic and small town values. And while Wagner appreciated his small town and worked in nearby factories throughout college (amongst many other odd jobs during his youth), he knew he'd need to leave to reach his full potential. Wagner excelled in high school and received a scholarship to attend university, but academic struggles in college led to their own financial and personal c...2024-11-2231 minHumble BeginningsWhen Paths Cross and Stay on Course: Federal CIOs Mittal Desai, Yemi Oshinnaiye on Family, Friendship and Public ServiceIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with two chief information officers in government who share their backgrounds, the lessons they learned early on and the impact their upbringings had on their current roles in public service. Mittal Desai ⏤ CIO of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ⏤ and Yemi Oshinnaiye ⏤ CIO of the Transportation Security Administration ⏤ moved up the federal space together and supported each other along the way. They’ve remained friends and champions of one another to this day.Tune in to this unique episode as Desai and Oshinnaiye, both the sons of immigrant parents wi...2024-09-3042 min
Voices of HRHow Veterans Can Close The Skills Gap In Your Workforce With Astrion CHRO Heather Wilson (#52)Individuals who have served in the armed forces can help close today's talent gap. To effectively leverage this mission-driven talent pool, we've called in HR expert Heather Wilson, Executive Vice President and CHRO of Astrion, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Highlights
[2:35] Why hire veterans?
[5:11] Proactive recruitment of veterans
[8:21] Resources for hiring veterans
[12:35] Supporting successful transitions to industry
[17:52] Challenges and recommendations for integration
[26:02] Veterans within your organization can help recruit military talent
[29:48] Supporting military families
[35:43] Paid le...2024-09-1847 minHumble BeginningsIntelliBridge's Cass Panciocco on His Unplanned Path to CEO: A Story of Family, Timing & Work EthicIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," Cass Panciocco, president and CEO of IntelliBridge, joins us to share a bit about his upbringing in working-class Boston, what it was like sharing a modest home with seven other family members, the work ethic values he learned at a young age helping his father at carpenter job sites, and more. Panciocco has worked most of his life ⏤ including through college, where he attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics despite some educational and financial obstacles. While struggling to find a job in the e...2024-09-1126 min
Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / ShowVid Desai - Chief Information Officer, Office of Digital Transformation, U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Unlocking Potential, Leading TransformationSend us a textVid Desai is Chief Information Officer, Office of Digital Transformation (ODT), at the U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA), where he sets and leads the agency’s Information Technology (IT) strategy, as well as the agency’s enterprise IT, data management, and cybersecurity. (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/vid-desai)The ODT oversees the overall FDA IT spend of close to $1Bn and a staff of around 2,500 employees and contractors. In this capacity, Mr. Desai was recently named to the Forbes CIO Next List 2023 and was the only federal CIO to r...2024-08-271h 04Humble BeginningsV2X' Jo Ann Bjornson Finds Her Passion for People After Self Guidance, Life Pivots & Hard WorkIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," Jo Ann Bjornson, chief human resources officer at V2X, joins us to discuss her upbringing in a 900-square-foot house in a low-income suburb of the greater Washington, D.C., area. The daughter of an immigrant and U.S. military veteran, Bjornson connects her experiences to her sense of independence, work ethic and passion for supporting the military.Bjornson's path wasn't always clear, either. She had to navigate many complex parts of her academic life by herself ⏤ as neither of her parents went to college ⏤ and strongly pivoted after experiencing an impa...2024-07-2253 min
T-Minus Space DailyNASA takes a bite out of VIPER.NASA has announced its intent to discontinue development of its VIPER project. Firefly Aerospace’s Board of Directors have announced that Bill Weber is no longer serving as CEO of the company, effective immediately. Astra Space has announced the successful closing of its take-private transaction, and more.Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram.T-Minus GuestOu...2024-07-1829 minHumble BeginningsULTRA Intelligence & Communications' Mladen Brkic on Resilience, Relationships and Well-Rounded LeadershipThe Bosnian War, which began in 1992, lasted nearly four years and displaced over 2 million people. In this episode of Humble Beginnings, WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with guest Mladen Brkic, who came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1996 from Bosnia at 18 years old. Today, Brkic is chief financial officer and senior vice president of ULTRA Intelligence & Communications, but prior, his career journey took him around the globe. Tune in as Brkic shares a bit about his childhood, resilience, willingness to take on tough jobs, and how the different positions he's held throughout his career prepared h...2024-07-1040 minHumble BeginningsLeidos' JR Williamson Emerges from Life's Instabilities to Succeed, Supporting Himself and Others Along the WayWashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with guest JR Williamson as he shares his unique ⏤ and at times challenging ⏤ upbringing, as he moved nearly 21 times by the age of 15, largely due to his family dynamic. Still, the senior vice president and chief information security officer at Leidos considers himself a native Northern Virginian.He candidly discusses the role his mother played in his and his siblings' lives, working multiple jobs to provide while struggling with mental illness. Williamson and his siblings supported each other, while he stayed on top of athletics, academics and work. It wasn't always easy, and...2024-06-1947 minHumble BeginningsKion's Brian Price Journeys 'Across the Bridge' to Solve Problems with SoftwareWashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Brian Price, CEO and co-founder of Kion, as he shares his upbringing in the 2,000-person small shore town of Crisfield, Maryland, "still stuck in the 1970s." Price, an only child, gained early work experience and people skills at his uncle's coffee shop in high school. Gordon’s Confectionery, 100 years old and still running today, served about a third of the town daily and was Crisfield's gossip center. After graduating as Valedictorian of his class, Price knew he wanted to expand his horizons "across the bridge," as there were very few technology opp...2024-05-1742 min
Tech in the Right DirectionRight Words can Open DoorsJoin the conversation as Jennifer Didier and Kristie Grinnell talk about how important the words are you use for yourself and in speaking to those around. These words can open or close doors of opportunity.
Kristie Grinnell Bio:
Kristie was recently named a top CIO to watch in 2022 by WashingtonExec, is a member of the CIO Executive Council, and she serves as chair of the Capital CIO Advisory Board and is a member of STEMforHER Advisory Board. A strong supporter of academic STEM programs for young women, she is a recipient of the 2018 Women in Te...2024-04-2336 min
IMPACT Podcast SeriesMaking an Impact in a Digital Landscape with Tahera ZamanzadaSend us a textGuiding teams through the digital landscape and planning for an amazing future with the ever impactful Tahera Zamanzada.Tahera Zamanzada, Vice President of Digital Transformation, ICF Tahera has 15 years of experience in helping organizations and federal agencies keep up with a rapidly evolving digital landscape and improve the digital customer experience through the adoption of cloud platforms. As a thought leader and digital advisor, Tahera consults on the challenges surrounding digital transformation, cloud adoption, and technology modernization. She has a passion for multi-cloud strategies, human-centered design, and...2024-04-1608 min
The bluEPrint by Executive PlatformsCynthia Kaiser of the FBI — Updates on the Evolving Cyber LandscapeIn preparation for the upcoming North American Information Security Summit taking place this June 16-18 in Denver, we spoke with Cynthia Kaiser, a Deputy Assistant Director with the FBI’s Cyber Division who leads the FBI’s cyber threat intelligence, cyber policy, and cyber partner engagement efforts. She offers an overview of how the FBI works with companies to address cybersecurity threats, updates relevant to Chief Information Security Officers, and also offers a preview of some of the content she plans to talk about in her presentation at NAISS24. Don’t miss this episode! Cynthia Kaiser2024-04-0413 minHumble BeginningsFrom Family Business to 'Fixer-Upper:' LMI's CEO Doug Wagoner Isn't Afraid of the Hard JobsWashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Doug Wagoner, CEO of LMI, to discuss his upbringing in Alexandria, Virginia, and ultimate progression to the corner office. Wagoner, an only child, grew up in and around his parents' family business. He learned the meaning of hard work at an early age, spending every summer working at the family business till his freshmen year of college. In this episode, Wagoner shares why getting his business degree was important to him (and his family), how he snagged his f...2024-03-3045 minHumble BeginningsA Story of People, Events and Moments that Changed the Course of Gil Smith's LifeIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Gil Smith, senior director of Government Health Program Development at Philips (and a rancher), about his upbringing as a latchkey kid in a broken home in Rhode Island. Always the "new kid," Smith attended nearly nine different schools growing up before settling in a welcoming high school while living with his grandparents in Pittsburgh. His story is a unique one, navigating different family dynamics and ways of life, while harvesting bits and pieces of each experience, and fatherly and grandfatherly advice and guidance. Smith would enroll in university...2024-03-041h 00Humble BeginningsWorking Through Life's Challenges: CEO Jon Rucker's Story is 'About the Journey, Not the Endgame'WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Jon Rucker as he shares a bit about his upbringing in Northern Virginia as the son of a teacher and electrical engineer, and how these experiences impacted him. Rucker, CEO of Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also discusses the life lessons he carries with him, from his father’s work ethic to his mother’s approach to finding solutions to life’s problems rather than dwelling on them. He tells us why he decided to pursue the hardest degree in college...2024-02-0656 min
That Tech PodWhy Ethics, Regulations And Guardrails Are Needed to Shape Responsible AI with Booz Allen Hamilton's CTO Susan Penfield and Credo AI's CEO Navrina SinghToday Laura and Kevin are joined by Booz Allen Hamilton's CTO Susan Penfield and Credo AI's CEO Navrina Singh to talk about responsible AI. We chat about their partnership, the origins of AI, who the early and late adaptors of AI are, the differences between public and private models and so, so much more! You don't want to miss this amazing conversation.Susan Penfield is Booz Allen’s chief technology officer and a member of the Leadership Team. Susan accelerates growth through mission-centric innovation and infrastructure through incubating and exploring technology innovation, driving adoption of reusable solutions an...2024-02-0639 minHumble BeginningsBehind Sev1Tech CEO Bob Lohfeld's Reputation for 'Running Towards the Fire'In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Sev1Tech CEO Robert (Bob) E. Lohfeld Jr., as he shares tidbits about his upbringing in Maryland, the influence his grandmother had on his life and his foundational interest in all things international. Lohfeld talks about the impact transferring from a big university to a private liberal arts college had on his education, his urge to move to Spain after college and his ultimate start in international logistics. Tune in to hear how he transitioned through different parts of the industry gaining an eclectic professional experience, his m...2024-01-2449 minHumble BeginningsSPA's Richard Sawchak Shares Generations of 'Humble Beginnings': A Story of Mentorship, Giving Back & FamilyIn this episode of Humble Beginnings, we chat with Richard Sawchak, CEO of Systems Planning and Analysis, about his upbringing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, his very first job as a paperboy, and mentors who influenced his life.Rich also shares the "humble beginning" of his father, who was a banker without a college degree and ended up retiring as the CEO of a small regional bank. He also shares the story of his grandparents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine and settled in Northern Pennsylvania. Rich, of course, shares his own story, like the l...2024-01-1738 minHumble BeginningsFrom Apartheid South Africa to Stateside CEO: Aarish Gokaldas' Unpredictable Path to Leading with PurposeIn this episode of Humble Beginnings, we speak with Highlight CEO Aarish Gokaldas about his family history and upbringing in South Africa during the apartheid. We hear how Gokaldas' family immigrated to North Africa from India and eventually made their way south, and what it was like growing up in a racially segregated country. Eventually, Gokaldas and his family would move to the States, starting a new life in a new country ⏤ but without its minor setbacks, restarts and transformations. Together, we discuss the resiliency and adaptability of immigrant families. Gokaldas would also grow to love international affa...2023-12-1147 minHumble BeginningsPaul Smith's Big Family Roots Fuel a Strong Work Ethic and Focus on ConnectionIn this episode of Humble Beginnings, we chat with Rancher Government Solutions' CEO Paul Smith about his Baltimore, Maryland, upbringing, and ultimate rise to leadership. Smith and his seven siblings all worked their way through high school and college after attending Catholic parochial school as children for its values, proximity and affordability. While Smith's first job after graduating from Loyola College with a Business Administration degree was with Exxon Office Systems, he spent time in his youth cutting lawns and serving papers. These experiences taught him the value of hard work at a young age, and he'd later categorize...2023-11-1625 minHumble Beginnings'I Can Survive Cancer, I Can Go Learn How to Run a Business': John Ustica on Unknowns and OpportunitiesFor John Ustica, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, his story starts with a medical scare on a soccer field in the first grade. An abdominal pain later proved to be a tumor on his kidney, and he'd spend 65 weeks in chemotherapy, endure several surgeries and visit doctors for years to come for checkups. Ustica fully recovered, but this experience (and the restrictions that came with it) taught him a thing or two about saying "why not" to life opportunities. Tune in to hear how Ustica's life progressed thereafter, from academic challenges to landing in the e...2023-10-1744 minHumble BeginningsExposure, Loss, Opportunity & Diligence: The Making of Acentra Health's CEO Todd StottlemyerWashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Todd Stottlemyer as he shares what it was like growing up in a duplex just outside New York City as the son of a U.S. Foreign Service member and stay at home mom. Stottlemyer is the CEO of Acentra Health, and his perspective is heavily influenced by his family's emphasis on education, mental health and civil rights; his exposure to the world; his appreciation for different cultures; and the importance of family and hard work. Each of t...2023-10-1136 minHumble BeginningsDCS Corp.'s Jack Jackson's Journey from Naval Ships and Small Towns to People-First LeadershipDCS Corp.'s Jack Jackson was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, as one of nine kids and the son of a local sports journalist. While Jackson and his siblings all attended Catholic school growing up, he chose a different path when it came time for college. Rather than head to a state university, Jackson chose to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. This would be the start of his professional journey.In this episode, Jackson shares stories of his six years in the Navy including three years on a ship and two working for NATO, what he learned...2023-10-0425 min
Tech TransformsUnmasking the Specter: Mr. Egts' Journey into the Impact of Generative AI on Government Transformation | Halloween Series Part IIn the first episode of our 3-part Halloween series, Dave Egts, Mulesoft Public Sector Field CTO at Salesforce, details what's scaring the public sector most and how Salesforce is utilizing - and securing - AI to improve customer experience with their Einstein Trust Layer. Additionally, Carolyn and Dave dive into the spooky worlds of brain cell chips, mind-reading AI and more.Key Topics[02:17] Starting the Dave & Gunnar Show[04:14] Dave's Role At Salesforce[05:18] What's Scaring the Public Sector Most?[10:22] Ways Agencies are Attracting Talent[13:56] How Agencies Are Handling Legacy Systems[15:45] What MuleSoft Does & Generative AI's Role[22:44] Salesforce's E...2023-10-0449 min
Tech TransformsEpisode 71: Unmasking the Specter: Mr. Egts' Journey into the Impact of Generative AI on Government Transformation | Halloween Series Part IIn the first episode of our 3-part Halloween series, Dave Egts, Mulesoft Public Sector Field CTO at Salesforce, details what's scaring the public sector most and how Salesforce is utilizing - and securing - AI to improve customer experience with their Einstein Trust Layer. Additionally, Carolyn and Dave dive into the spooky worlds of brain cell chips, mind-reading AI and more.Key Topics[02:17] Starting the Dave & Gunnar Show[04:14] Dave's Role At Salesforce[05:18] What's Scaring the Public Sector Most?[10:22] Ways Agencies are Attracting Talent[13:56] How Agencies Are Handling Legacy Systems[15:45] What MuleSoft Does & Generative AI's Role[22:44] S...2023-10-0449 min
CEOs You Should Know: Washington DCAli Reza Manouchehri, CEO, MetroStarAli Reza ManouchehriMetroStar is a leading digital information technology (IT) services and solutions provider for the public sector. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ali Reza Manouchehri co-founded MetroStar as a student at George Mason University in 1999. Studying philosophy, he developed a passion for people, design, and technology.The unique culture at MetroStar is rooted in Ali’s unwavering quest to put his people first, and he has built a team of curious go-getters. Through his vision for MetroStar, the company has earned respect in the industry and grown from a small team to over 400 people.2023-09-2827 min
The Revenue-Driven CMOApplying Nunchi Throughout Your Marketing with Sarah KimThis incredible guest has nearly two decades of experience in government technology marketing leadership across multiple verticals. They were recently recognized as WashingtonExec's 2023 Chief Officer Award finalist for CMO of the year. Sarah Kim is the Chief Marketing Officer at Iron Bow Technologies and a Federal Partner Advisory Board Member at Dell Technologies. Sarah joins Host Chris Mechanic to share the five keys to nunchi, how to use emotional intelligence to improve your marketing campaigns, and the importance of spending time in person with your customers. Takeaways: Nunchi is a Korean word that r...2023-09-0640 minHumble BeginningsThe Future for XLA CEO Gary Slack Wasn't Always Clear, but Business Made it BrightXLA CEO Gary Slack is no stranger to entrepreneurship and working for what you want. In fact, he got the business bug around the age of 8, and it stuck with him ever since. In this episode of Humble Beginnings, the Northern Virginia native shares a bit about his family ⏤ his father who didn't graduate high school and worked at a nearby naval research center, and his mother who worked in retail ⏤ and how his upbringing shaped him. Slack's family was comfortable, as his parents worked hard to provide what they needed. Still, Slack decided to start working for those "extr...2023-09-0126 minHumble BeginningsDreams Redefined: Luwanda Jones on Finding Purpose, Education & LeadershipIn this episode, Camille Tuutti is joined by Luwanda Jones, the deputy chief information officer in the Office of Strategic Sourcing at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Luwanda's story takes us on a fascinating journey marked by unexpected twists, transformative moments and turning points. 2023-08-1424 minHumble BeginningsPizzerias, Roofing and ROTC: Ed Swallow's Resourceful Ride to Management and MentorshipIf you look up the definition of "resourcefulness," you may find Ed Swallow's story. Today, he's senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer/treasurer of The Aerospace Corp.; yet the White Plains, New York native didn't have a clearly defined path. It's largely the reason why he's adamant about mentorship and provides early career advice to students at universities.Tune in to hear how Swallow's country club upbringing shifted after his parent's divorce and the recession of 1972. He began helping his family financially at the age of 15, working at pizzerias, gas stations and even...2023-07-1832 minHumble BeginningsFrom Sharecropper's Son to SVP: Stan Sims' Story of Ambition, Work Ethic and PerspectiveFor the first time publicly, Stan Sims, senior vice president and chief security officer at CGI, shares his story of growing up in the rural south as an African American during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The son of sharecroppers in Arkansas, Sims began working and helping his family by the time he was elementary school-aged. In fact, he has worked most of his life. During his adolescence, Sims asked his father ⏤ who had never graduated from high school ⏤ what he needed to do to get off the farm and do something else. "He said: 'Son...2023-06-2750 minHumble BeginningsLawn Care to Leadership: Andy Maner’s Midwestern Journey to White House and CEO SuccessWhile many recognize him as the former CEO of Avantus Federal, few may know Andy Maner’s early beginnings in Lansing, Michigan. From running his own lawn care service to working in a cherry processing plant, Andy learned the importance of hard work and determination from an early age. Although he didn't have a clear vision during college, an internship in Washington, D.C., ignited his passion for politics and public affairs. This led him to the White House, where he worked alongside President George H.W. Bush. Throughout his career, Andy embraced risks, seized opportunities and pri...2023-06-1527 minHumble BeginningsFormer Airman and Accenture Federal Services’ Rick Driggers Shares Candid Story of Loss, Resilience, Pivotal Life MomentsIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Rick Driggers, Accenture Federal Services' cyber practice lead, as he candidly shares his personal and emotional story of family, loss, resilience and pivotal experiences. Driggers talks about his upbringing in Florida, admittedly from an at times difficult family. In his early teens, he spent most of his time working on a cattle ranch for his grandfather for $1.00 an hour. This strong work ethic would later manifest in resilience and perseverance. Driggers joined the U.S. Air Force right out of high school and was selected into the special f...2023-06-0737 minHumble BeginningsFrom Social Work to CEO: Magellan Federal’s Anna Sever Has Focused on Mission-Oriented Hard Work Since Age 14In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Anna Sever, president and CEO of Magellan Federal, about her upbringing in North Carolina, and how losing her father at a young age changed her family dynamic and outlook on life. Her mom now working to support the family, Sever decided at the age of 14 that she could, too. She shares stories about her first job teaching swim lessons to police officers in a public swimming system that still had vestiges of segregated pools; and how this experience taught her the meaning of participatory leadership. Later, Sever became a...2023-05-1529 min
Keeping IT BriefBreaking Down The Current State of Federal Technology and Digital ModernizationIn this episode, ICF’s Chief Technology Executive, Mark Lee, and Chief Technology Officer, Kyle Tuberson, discuss the current state of federal technology and digital modernization initiatives, and predictions on where efforts will evolve in the near future. To inform the discussion, Mark and Kyle share findings from a recent report published by ICF that uncovers common pain points throughout the modernization process, and how agencies can overcome them, tapping into trends such as upskilling, product management, the role of a Chief Data Officer, and the power of unified communication, among other key topics.Mark Lee...2023-04-0613 minHumble BeginningsFrom Job Rejections to NASA, the Savli Group and Beyond: Vishal Desai’s Path of Personal Investment & PerseveranceIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Vishal Desai, a president and board member at SilverEdge Government Solutions, about how the experiences throughout his life have help shape his perspective and the type of leader he is today. Desai takes us through key moments and memories; like growing up in India, moving to the U.S. at the age of 15, assimilating to American culture in New York and what led him to study engineering at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.Overcoming cultural, financial and personal barriers ⏤ including receiving over 300 job rejections af...2023-03-3155 minHumble BeginningsFrom Small Mountain Town to Jacobs HQ: Shannon Miller’s Global Quest to StewardshipIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Shannon Miller, an executive vice president and president of the global Divergent Solutions business at Jacobs, about her upbringing in a small town in western Colorado and how her surroundings and father's geologist career influenced her. Eventually, Miller made her way to the Colorado School of Mines, found a love for chemistry and thermal dynamics (as well as other extracurriculars that rounded out her college experience), and landed at Jacobs right after college at the local Coors Factory.Jacobs ⏤ and Miller's own curiosities and willingness to take on ne...2023-03-1039 minHumble BeginningsA Modern Renaissance Man: The Stories, Passions & Perspectives that Led Michael Jung to ICFIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with ICF's Michael Jung about the unpredictable path he took to executive director of the company's climate center. Jung, born in Korea, shares the story of the first American his father met and how it influenced him to pursue medicine. When Jung and his family came to the States, they landed in Appalachia Kentucky after a few extreme climate-related incidents moved them out of other areas.Eventually, Jung went to Yale and studied environmental science and East Asian studies. His passion and interest in the environment stems from many...2023-03-0527 minHumble BeginningsGetting Unstuck and Uncomfortable: CGI Federal’s Stephanie Mango Takes the Trail Less Traveled to LeadershipIn this episode of "Humble Beginnings," Stephanie Mango, president of CGI Federal, takes us through her journey as a DMV-native and daughter of two hardworking parents as she navigates changing academic interests, uncertainties and focus area pivots. From math to accounting to IT, she found her speciality with the help of mentors, a trusted professor, a willingness to try new things and a healthy dose of stubbornness. Amidst her winding path to leadership, Mango shares how a short-time move to California fulfilled personal aspirations, and how she got "unstuck" by raising her hand for new opportunities and a...2023-02-2226 minHumble BeginningsCIA Brat to CEO: Arcfield’s Kevin Kelly’s Journey to the C-suiteIn this inaugural episode of "Humble Beginnings," Kevin Kelly, chairmen and CEO of Arcfield, takes us through the experiences, both professional and personal, that have shaped the leader he is today and ultimately landed him at Arcfield. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised overseas before returning to Northern Virginia for high school, Kelly gained a unique perspective on life and culture. His inherit curiosity for how things worked had him taking tools a part in his parent's garage at a young age and dabbling with woodshop classes before pursuing engineering. Plus, hear about Kelly's true first jobs, like mowing...2023-02-1630 min
Givers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Praescient Analytics' Jeremy Fremin on Hurricane Ian Relief and Recovery EffortsIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Jeremy Fremin, CEO of Praescient Analytics, who is involved with clean up, repair and recovery activities in Southwest Florida following Hurricane Ian. Ian made landfall on Sept. 28 with 150 mph sustained winds as a strong Category 4 hurricane, and caused major flooding, damage, destruction and unfortunately, even loss of life. Fremin sits on the community board for a barrier island in SW Florida where he is closely and personally connected.He shares with us first-hand accounts of the damages in the area, the challenges barrier islands faced right after...2022-10-2524 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Arcfield's Trish Manghelli on Giving Back to the Military Community and Volunteering for Disaster ResponseIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Trish Manghelli, senior contracts negotiator for Arcfield’s space and mission engineering sector, about her personal passions for giving back to the military community and those impacted by disasters. A former Marine herself, Manghelli volunteers with Honor Flight Chicago, the United Service Organization, the Marine Corps Museum and Team Rubicon. Tune in to hear about her various work with these organizations, and heartfelt stories of volunteerism that have stuck with her for years. 2022-09-3026 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: LMI's Christine Cocrane on Creating Community, Networking Opportunities for Young LeadersIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Christine "Chrissy" Cocrane, vice president of management consulting at LMI, about her involvements on the Junior Achievement of Greater Washington Associate Leadership Council and the George C. Marshall Center Business Council. Cocrane talks about the importance of networking in your career and how these organizations provide a sense of community and networking opportunities. She also shares her passion for bringing leadership and entrepreneurial teachings to youth early on. 2022-07-2607 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: ICF's Anne Choate is Passionate About Climate and ConservationIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Anne Choate, executive vice president of energy, environment and infrastructure at ICF, and head of ICF's climate and environmental work. Choate shares why she's so passionate about climate change awareness and conservation, and the work she's doing with The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania) board and the National Academies of Science/Transportation Research Board. Choate also mentions a Nature Conservancy graphic of the “biodiversity superhighway” and how the species will need to adapt along corridors of protected land as they respond to changes in climate. The graphic shows the NE co...2022-07-1927 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Accenture Federal Services’ Shawn Roman and Boulder Crest Foundation's Ken FalkeIn this timely installment of "Givers of GovCon" as May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we chat with Accenture Federal Services’ Shawn Roman about his involvement with the Boulder Crest Foundation, why he feels strongly about supporting the wellness of veterans and their families, and how it relates to his work at Accenture. We're also joined by the foundation's founder and chairman Ken Falke, who shares more about the mission behind Boulder Crest and his personal passion for spreading awareness on PTSD and other emotional wounds veterans face. 2022-05-1813 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: ICF's Mark Lee on Family-founded Nonprofit that Helps Youth with Mental and Physical Health NeedsThis week, Camille Tuutti talks with ICF's Mark Lee about his family's North Carolina-based nonprofit HeartWorks. The organization works to provide a better base for children growing up in Pamlico County, through after-school programs, affordable daycare, grants and other initiatives. Lee also shares about the scholarship program he and his wife set up for graduate students focused on maternal and child health, to honor Lee's mother who has always been passionate about work in this area.2022-05-1221 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: SOSi's Julian Setian on Investing in Veteran EntrepreneursIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Julian Setian, president and CEO of SOSi, about the company's philanthropic program and the various organizations it supports. Setian is personally heavily invested in and involved with the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneurship program, and with SOSi, is providing mentorship for veteran entrepreneurs and connecting them with potential investors. Plus, hear how SOSi is sponsoring Fight for Children Honors. 2022-05-0311 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Avantus Federal's Kirk Windmueller on Advocating for Transitioning Military MemberIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Kirk Windmueller, senior manager for business development for Avantus Federal, and retired Green Beret and Army veteran with over 22 years of service. Windmueller shares the challenges veterans face when transitioning out of service, why he volunteers for Project Transition USA and how he helped find Operation Recover. Plus, learn about how Avantus Federal is supporting the cause with a very important moving showing and charity event. 2022-04-2818 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Deloitte and Seán Morris are Fighting Human TraffickingIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Seán Morris, chief operating officer with Deloitte, as he leads the company's efforts to raise awareness around human trafficking. Morris feels strongly about supporting the eradication of forced labor and modern-day slavery, and together with Deloitte, is working with anti-human trafficking nonprofits, hosting awareness events and more. Tune in to hear more about the background behind these efforts, and how Deloitte has been selected to participate in SXSW to discuss anti-human trafficking and the future of work. 2022-03-0820 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: NTT DATA's Tammy McChain Talks Her Work with The Children's Inn and Love for Rescue DogsIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Camille Tuutti sits down with Tammy McChain, senior vice president of federal health and civilian at NTT DATA, who shares her work with The Children's Inn at NIH and how her grandmother's lending hand influenced McChain's desire to give back. McChain also chats about her love for rescue dogs — and how a small terrier from a shelter healed her heartbreak.2022-03-0213 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: ManTech's Brian McHugh Shares the Story of an Employee-Led $2M Grass Roots Charitable Giving InitiativeIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Brian McHugh, ManTech’s senior vice president for external affairs and chief of staff to ManTech's president and CEO. McHugh is heavily involved in ManTech’s philanthropic efforts and leads the company's Community Services Committee, which fosters a culture of servant leadership. Tune in to hear how employees came together during the pandemic to launch a grass roots charitable giving effort that turned into a $2 million charitable giving and matching program. 2022-02-2410 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Terrianne Lord on Accenture Federal Services' Commitment to Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Terrianne Lord, a managing director with Accenture Federal Services and a Howard University alumni, about how the company is doubling down on its commitment to HBCUs and partnering with Howard University. Tune in to learn how AFS is equipping the next generation of talent with future-ready skills. And in honor of Black History Month, watch AFS' Power Your Purpose video on the Howard University Hackathon.2022-02-1708 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: For Red Hat's David Egts, 'Creating Environments Where People Have a Seat at the Table That are Different from Me is Really Important'In this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Camille Tuutti chats with David Egts, chief technologist for public sector at Red Hat, about the scholarship program he and his wife founded for young women pursuing computer science degrees. Egts also shares why it's important to support women in tech, the biggest challenge for young men and women alike in this industry, and how he helped cultivate his daughter Lauren's passion and interest for technology.2022-02-0920 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: ID Technologies' Chris Oliver on Supporting Wounded Veterans Through the Catch A Lift FundIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Chris Oliver, CEO of ID Technologies, to learn about the company's partnership with the non-profit Catch A Lift Fund and the impact it has on the veteran community and employees. The organization helps combat wounded veterans regain their mental and physical health, and ID Technologies feels believes strongly in its mission and giving back to those who serve. 2022-02-0215 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Amentum's Fog Hahn on Supporting Military Families with Make-A-WishIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Fog Hahn, executive vice president of the strategic growth organization at Amentum. Hahn talks about Amentum’s partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic and Operation Dream Maker, and how they're granting dreams to children of military families with medical conditions. As a veteran himself, Hahn shares how the regular stresses of military life are amplified by a serious illness in the family, and why this effort is particularly important. 2022-01-2614 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Leidos' Melissa Dueñas on STEM, NatSec, Wellness and LeadershipIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," we chat with Melissa Dueñas, who serves as senior vice president of marketing and communications at Leidos and oversees all of Leidos’ community and charitable efforts. Dueñas dives into Leidos' four key supporting areas of STEM education, national security personnel, basic needs and wellness, and ethics and leadership. Plus, she shares the stories of why and how Leidos got involved with certain organizations. 2022-01-1913 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: LMI's Karen Britton on Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy EngagementsIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Karen Britton, vice president of communications and marketing and chief digital officer for LMI, shares why she's passionate about giving back and her role overseeing all of LMI’s philanthropic efforts. Tune in to learn about the four pillars of LMI’s corporate citizenship and philanthropy engagements, and how the company is supporting community-based missions. 2022-01-1213 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Peraton’s Rocky Thurston and the American Heart AssociationIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Rocky Thurston, president of Peraton’s Citizen Security and Public Services sector, shares why he's passionate about sitting on the leadership of the American Heart Association’s Greater Washington Region Heart Walk. Tune in to learn how employees are also getting involved, and why others should join Peraton in supporting healthy living. 2022-01-0711 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: SAP NS2's Mark Testoni on Expanding Youth STEM OpportunitiesIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Mark Testoni, CEO of SAP National Security Services, shares how the company is scaling its STEM outreach initiative, NS2 Inspires, to bring more opportunities to kids in lower socioeconomic communities. Plus, he talks about NS2 Serves, the company's post-9/11 veteran IT training and employment program.2022-01-0415 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Former ARRAY CEO Sumeet Shrivastava is Passionate About STEM EducationIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," former president and CEO of ARRAY and longtime industry executive Sumeet Shrivastava shares his personal passion for and dedication to STEM education. Shrivastava sits on the board of the Northern Virginia Children’s Science Center, and holds various engagements with his alma mater, George Mason University. Tune in to learn how Shrivastava's upbringing drives him to create educational pathways for people who might not otherwise have access to them.2021-12-1521 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: The Maximus Foundation with Bruce Caswell and John BoyerIn this episode of "Givers of GovCon," Bruce Caswell, president and CEO of Maximus, and John Boyer, a longtime Maximus member and current chairman of the Maximus Foundation Board of Directors, discuss how the company gives back to the communities it serves. Tune in to learn all about the Maximus Foundation, its partners, and the support it provides to nonprofit organizations and charities near and far. 2021-12-0721 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Booz Allen Hamilton’s Nancy Laben on DE&I and Resiliency EffortsIn this episode of Givers of GovCon, we sit down with Nancy Laben, Booz Allen Hamilton’s chief legal officer who is spearheading the Booz Allen Foundation and the company's philanthropic giving efforts. Tune in to learn about Laben's personal passion for giving back, and how Booz Allen's efforts in DE&I and resiliency are impacting communities around the nation.2021-11-3013 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Dun & Bradstreet's Tim Solms and the Veterans Airlift CommandIn this episode of Givers of GovCon, we sit down with Tim Solms, general manager of government solutions at Dun & Bradstreet, as he shares why he flies for the Veterans Airlift Command. The organization provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded veterans and their families for medical and other purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. Solms, a former Army pilot, shares the personal story and passion behind his involvement.2021-11-1719 minGivers of GovConGivers of GovCon: Siemens' Tina Dolph and Hope for the Warriors' Robin KelleherIn this inaugural episode of Givers of GovCon, we sit down with Tina Dolph, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, and Robin Kelleher, cofounder, president and CEO of Hope for the Warriors. Dolph shares Siemens' involvement with Hope for the Warriors, what drew the company to supporting veterans and the work Siemens has done with the organization thus far. Also, Kelleher tells us about the important work Hope for the Warriors does, and the pressing needs in the veteran community right now.2021-11-1020 min
Executive Perspective: Behind the BusinessMeet Bill Wootton, President & Founder, C3 Integrated SolutionsIn this episode we sit down with Bill Wootton, President & Founder, C3 Integrated Solutions, a full-service IT provider that specializes in securing our nation’s Defense Industrial Base through cloud-based solutions and industry leading partners. Bill breaks down what CMMC is, why it's important for contractors and how your firm can get into compliance and the implications if you are not in compliance. 2020-04-0118 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessMeet Doug London, Former CIA 30+ year veteran and Mid-East ExpertIn this episode, JD Kathuria sits down with Retired 34-year CIA Veteran Doug London to talk all thing foreign policy with regards to Afghanistan. London is known for his expertise in counterterrorism and intelligence in the Middle East and now works as an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies teaching writing in intelligence to graduate students in the DC area. London speaks on the current relationship between our presidential administration and the intelligence community and how this affects operations. Is there a future for the United States that does not involve military action in th...2020-03-2419 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEveryone Matters: Healthcare in the US with Anne Altman and Dan PelinoIn this episode of Executive Perspective, JD Kathuria sits down with first time author Dan Pelino and his wife, Anne Altman, to talk about the release of his book, Trusted Healers: Paul Grundy and the Global Healthcare Crusade. They discuss the importance of creating a culture of wellness in the United States and the impact that their social impact enterprise, Everything Matters, Inc., is having on the global conversation of access to care for all and emphasized awareness of integrated care models. Both Dan and Anne have been featured in a number of esteemed publications including The Washington Post...2020-03-1732 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessExecutive Perspective: Meet Jon Scholl, President, LeidosIn this episode, Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Jonathan Scholl, president of the Health Group at Leidos, as he explains how he leads thousands of employees providing Health IT services and solutions to defense agencies, and how his path from the U.S. Naval Academy led him there. Scholl shares his experiences stationed on a submarine at the end of the Cold War; how the marriage between his engineering education, Naval career and MBA forged a path to industry and the healthcare services; and why he feels so passionate about the work he does now serving and standing up...2020-03-1026 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessExecutive Perspective: Meet Steve Orrin, Federal CTO, Intel CorporationIn this segment, Doug Russell sits down with Steve Orrin Federal CTO of Intel Corporation to discuss all things AI. Orrin touches on the all-encompassing nature of new AI executive order, the importance of collaboration in artificial intelligence between government, university researchers, and industry. What are the key areas in which AI is being applied today? What are the challenges faced by the government in adopting these strategies? Find out on this episode of Executive Perspective.2020-03-1021 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 10: Executive Perspective: M&A Lessons Learned from John SuttonIn this episode of Executive Perspective we sit down with John Sutton, a GovCon Industry Executive that has been a part of over $4 Billion in transactions since starting in this industry in 1986. His most recent role was COO of KEYW which he helped successfully sell to JACOBs in 2019. He shares how he got into this business and the many lessons he's learned in all of the successful M&A transactions he has executed.2020-01-1722 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 9 | Wayne Lewandowski, SVP & GM at HyTrustIn this episode we sit down with Wayne Lewandowski, SVP & GM, of HyTrust a Cyber Security Solution provider to talk about what traits he looks for to build a successful technology sales teams, the early days of cold calling, his favorite vacation spots and his current reading list. 2019-11-2126 min
A Dose of Your FutureBuilding a Media Company from the Ground Up with JD KathuriaJD Kathuria, President and CEO of WashingtonExec, joined us to discuss how he built a niche media company from the ground up. JD saw the opportunity in the GovCon Tech market as it was rapidly growing and created an engaged offline and online community of executives in the DC Metro Region. WashingtonExec's readership encompasses the area’s top entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders. 2019-11-2023 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 8 | Executive Perspective: Meet Bill SullivanBill Sullivan has been leading Public Sector focused Software organizations for almost 20 years. As the leading Vice President for companies ranging from Tivoli/IBM, PeopleSoft, SAP and Informatica organizations under his leadership have delivered almost $2 billion dollars of license revenue. At each of these companies he's been awarded the Number one Vice President for percentage growth and revenue attainment. Usually called in when a division of a company, or a company needs to be turned around prior to an IPO or as a result of a significant revenue mix, today -- and for the first time -- Bill discusses his...2019-11-1225 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 7 | Meet Nicolas Chaillan, Chief Software Officer for the U.S. Air ForceNicolas Chaillan is the chief software officer for the U.S. Air Force and one of France’s youngest entrepreneurs, having started his CEO career at 15. He's also a technology entrepreneur, software developer, cyber expert, inventor and pioneer of the computer language PHP. In this episode of Executive Perspective, Chaillan covers all of that and more, including why he decided to move to the U.S. and later join the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, how he has managed to create and sell over 180 software products to 45 Fortune 500 companies, and what exactly it means to be a chief so...2019-11-0948 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 6 | Meet Matt Jones - President of SAP NS2 Mission SolutionsIn this episode we talk to Matt Jones President of SAP NS2 Mission Solutions and TMA, we talk about a range of topics from when to sell your company, to integrating company cultures to coaching his girls soccer team. 2019-10-2023 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 5 | An interview with Alan Thomas, Commissioner, FAS, GSAExecutive Perspective | Episode 5In this episode, WashingtonExec Senior Writer, Amanda Ziadeh, is your host on Executive Perspective and sits down with Alan Thomas, Commissioner, of the Federal Acquisition Service of GSA to talk about the latest acquisition trends happening at GSA and the Federal Government at large.2019-09-0529 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 4 | Rick Dansey, TeraThinkRick Dansey discusses his time in the Navy, living underwater, his growth and management strategies, and how to maintain a work-life balance.2019-08-1222 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 1 | Sumeet Shrivastava, ArrayGet to know Sumeet Shrivastava, president and CEO of Array as he discusses his path to success, navigating the 8A program, market trends, philanthropy, literature, and his family legacy.2019-07-2927 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 3 | Ed Swallow, The Aerospace CorporationEd Swallow, senior vice president of the Civil Systems Group at the Aerospace Corporation and passionate STEM advocate discusses the future of tech and our role in it.2019-07-2625 minExecutive Perspective: Behind the BusinessEP. 2 | Marc Marlin, KippsDeSantoMarc Marlin, managing director at KippsDeSanto, the largest investment bank exclusively focused on the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors. Marc discusses his background, war stories, the intricacies of the market, and his union days.2019-07-2628 min
SOAR (SCN) PodcastEP31 - Bob LondonMali Phonpadith interviews Bob London of Chief Listening Officers.Bob London, founder and CEO of Chief Listening Officers, helps companies develop marketing strategies that start with learning the customer’s true perspective. Chief Listening Officers serves emerging to mid-size B2B technology and professional services firms across the software, SaaS, data, financial services and healthcare sectors. Bob pioneered the Outsourced Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) concept in 2003 when he founded London, Ink, a B2B marketing consultancy. He has worked with, advised and mentored dozens of small- and mid-size companies on their marketing strategy and execution, serving as an interim or pa...2017-03-2946 min