OrangeSlices Winning Series

Winning work at VA is one thing. Building a sustainable business there is another.

OrangeSlices recently brought together industry and former federal leaders Angela Billups, Todd Van Haaren, Mike Vogel, Enrique Gomez, and John Choe for a candid conversation moderated by Greg Giddens on what it takes to compete, build credibility, and grow in the VA marketplace.

The 40-minute discussion explored the realities of doing business at VA, including how companies establish relationships, differentiate themselves in a competitive market, understand evolving priorities, and position themselves for long-term success. The conversation also addressed the role of reputation, delivery, teaming, and knowing when an opportunity is—or isn't—the right fit.

The recorded discussion was followed by 20 minutes of live audience Q&A.

For GovCon executives, growth leaders, and capture professionals looking to better understand the VA market, this is an opportunity to hear perspectives from leaders who know the environment and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Missed the conversation? Listen to the 40-minute recording.

Greg Giddens (Moderator) - Partner, Potomac Ridge Consulting, LLC

Angela Billups (Panelist) - Acquisition Consultant, Just Accurate Acquisition Management, LLC; Executive Director (Former Fed), Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Veteran Affairs

Todd Van Haaren (Panelist) - VP of Civilian Customer Engagement, PingWind Inc.

Mike Vogel (Panelist) - Senior Client Executive, Credence

Enrique Gomez (Panelist) - Chief Digital Experience Officer (CDXO), Technatomy Corporation

John Choe (Panelist) - Sr. Vice President, Growth, Trilogy Federal

As fraud schemes become more sophisticated and technology changes what is possible on both sides of the equation, federal agencies and the companies that support them must think differently about how they protect programs, taxpayer dollars, and mission outcomes.

Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) and Program Integrity have long been critical to that mission. Today, data analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies are changing how government approaches prevention and detection, while creating new opportunities for the companies that support these missions.

For GovCon leaders, the question is: What does it take to win?

That was at the heart of the latest OrangeSlices Federal Winning Series conversation.

OrangeSlices brought together Matt Smith, Natasha Williams, Linda Miller, and Howard Apple to discuss the past, present, and future of FWA and Program Integrity, and what companies need to understand to compete, grow, and deliver in this evolving market.

Collectively, the panel brought decades of experience from nearly every side of the Program Integrity mission. Matt brought more than 30 years of healthcare benefits, operational, and business growth leadership, including building organizations and winning in highly competitive markets. Natasha brought an executive perspective shaped by years of leading healthcare FWA and payment integrity efforts. Linda, a former Olympian who has built a career at the forefront of fraud prevention, detection, and risk management, brought a unique perspective on how the challenge continues to evolve. Howard brought decades of experience investigating fraud with the FBI before going on to build one of CMS’s largest Program Integrity contractors.

Together, they explored what agencies are prioritizing, how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping prevention and detection, where new opportunities may emerge, and what companies need to do to position themselves for what comes next.

One message came through clearly: technology alone is not enough. Success requires understanding the mission, demonstrating relevant experience, building the right partnerships, staying ahead of evolving threats, and showing agencies how your capabilities translate into measurable outcomes.

And the challenge keeps moving. Fraud is evolving alongside the technology designed to detect it. The organizations positioned to succeed will be those that continue to adapt, innovate, collaborate, and anticipate what agencies will need next.

A huge thank you to Matt, Natasha, Linda, and Howard for sharing their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned.

Who should listen? GovCon executives, growth and capture leaders, technology providers, and Program Integrity professionals who want to understand where this market is headed, what agencies will need next, and where opportunities may emerge.

Listen to the full OrangeSlices Federal Winning podcast for a practical look at the future of FWA and Program Integrity and what it will take to compete and win.

Huntsville is one of the most important defense and technology markets in the country.

From space and missile defense to AI, cyber, digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation mission technologies, Huntsville remains at the center of where government priorities, industry capability, and mission need come together.

For GovCon growth leaders, the opportunity is clear. The harder question is how to engage the market the right way.

Huntsville is not a community companies simply parachute into. It is built on relationships, trust, consistency, and long-term participation. That is what made the Huntsville Flyover such a valuable conversation.

OrangeSlices AI brought together leaders from the organizations helping shape and connect this ecosystem, including AFCEA Huntsville, NDIA Tennessee Valley, Cyber Huntsville, Women in Defense Tennessee Valley, the Space Force Association, AI Huntsville, the National Space Club Huntsville, and the Huntsville Aerospace Marketing Association.

Together, they shared perspective on where the market is headed, what mission needs and technologies are driving activity, and what companies should understand if they want to build meaningful relationships and position themselves for long-term success.

The biggest takeaway may be the energy. These leaders did not just talk about Huntsville as a market. They spoke about it as a mission community with real momentum, real opportunity, and real passion behind where it is headed.

For companies already in Huntsville, this conversation offers perspective on how the ecosystem is evolving. For companies looking at Huntsville and asking how to become part of it, this is a great place to start.

Thank you to the leaders and organizations who gave their time, experience, and vision. They brought tremendous energy to this discussion and offered a practical look at what it takes to engage one of the nation’s most dynamic GovCon growth markets.

Listen to the full Huntsville Flyover podcast to hear directly from the people helping shape what comes next.

Connect with the speakers.

Dayton continues to emerge as one of the most important defense, research, manufacturing, and innovation ecosystems anywhere in the country, but for many companies looking to engage in the region, the biggest question is often simple:

Where do you start?

This special one-hour discussion hosted by OrangeSlices AI was designed to help answer exactly that.

Featuring leaders from several of the organizations helping shape and strengthen the broader Dayton ecosystem, this fast-moving conversation serves as a practical flyover of the market, the missions, the organizations, and the relationships helping drive momentum across the region today.

Anchored by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supported by organizations like Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Dayton market sits at the center of major conversations around AI, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, cybersecurity, logistics modernization, and mission acceleration.

In this discussion, we hear directly from leaders representing organizations across the ecosystem as they share:

Whether you are already operating in Dayton, considering expansion into the region, or simply trying to understand where defense innovation and investment are accelerating, this conversation offers a valuable starting point.

More importantly, it provides direct access to the perspectives of leaders who are actively helping connect government, industry, academia, manufacturers, innovators, and mission-focused companies throughout this ecosystem every single day.

If you are looking to better understand which organizations align with your goals, where you should be investing your time, and how to more quickly engage in this market, this conversation is absolutely worth your time.

And hopefully, it also encourages you to reach out, get involved, support these organizations, and become part of one of the most dynamic defense ecosystems in the country.

Connect with the speakers.

Connect with the speakers.

Richard Green

David Hart

Rachel McClain Maki

Yvonne Vermillion

David Dunn

Shanna Staten

Carl “Shof” Shofner

Dan Prindle

Jim Masonbrink

John Nolan — Sponsor

What are the firms at the top of the GovCon market doing differently — and why are they still winning while others stall?

Welcome to Vanguard 250 GovCon Gamechangers — the fast, candid conversation you cannot afford to miss.

On the heels of the 2026 Vanguard 250 announcement (highlighting the 250 companies consistently winning in today’s federal IT and consulting market), this episode goes beyond the list. We sit down with the advisors working behind the scenes with many of those top-performing firms — the leaders who see trends early, anticipate market shifts, and understand what truly separates sustained winners from the rest of the pack.

In this rapid-fire, high-impact conversation, you’ll gain cross-cutting insights you simply can’t get from inside a single company. We unpack the real data signals shaping the market, where leading firms are placing bets right now, and how successful GovCon leaders are positioning for 2026 — and already aligning for 2027.

If you care about growth, positioning, pipeline, and staying competitive in a shifting federal landscape, this isn’t just another webinar replay.

It’s the most valuable hour you can spend understanding how the best are actually winning — and what that means for your strategy next.

This session brings together a group of seasoned industry leaders who will share their take on the tasks expected to be competed over the next year. the shifts in priorities and mission needs that are starting to shape the landscape. and the acquisition trends that matter for anyone focused on being ready for what comes next. They will also offer perspective for those looking to get out in front of the work and be better positioned to support the mission in 2026.

OrangeSlices Insiders are invited to join as a virtual audience in our podcast studio for this action packed one hour recording. The session will be interactive and will include time to connect. network. and ask questions. The Q and A portion will not be recorded which allows for open and honest conversation about the topics driving the mission today.

Hear from the following speakers:

Enrique Gomez, Chief Digital Experience Officer, Technatomy

Eric Gonzales, Sr. Director, Client Growth & Strategy, Ad Hoc

Melinda Pitchford, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Connected Logistics

Ned Struzziero, Vice President of Growth, Sprezzatura Management Consulting

Todd Van Haaren, Sr. Director of Customer Engagement, Pingwind

Mike Vogel, Senior Client Executive, Credence Management Solutions

This session brings together a group of seasoned industry leaders who will share their take on the tasks expected to be competed over the next year. the shifts in priorities and mission needs that are starting to shape the landscape. and the acquisition trends that matter for anyone focused on being ready for what comes next. They will also offer perspective for those looking to get out in front of the work and be better positioned to support the mission in 2026.

OrangeSlices Insiders are invited to join as a virtual audience in our podcast studio for this action packed one hour recording. The session will be interactive and will include time to connect. network. and ask questions. The Q and A portion will not be recorded which allows for open and honest conversation about the topics driving the mission today.

You'll hear from the following speakers:

John Binks, Senior Director of Business Development Federal/Civilian Sector, Titan Technologies

Monica Padron Harris, Founder, The Procurement Pros

Bill Pratt, President, GovITWorks LLC

Roman Udin, Vice President of Growth, DT Professional Services

This session brings together a group of seasoned industry leaders who will share their take on the tasks expected to be competed over the next year. the shifts in priorities and mission needs that are starting to shape the landscape. and the acquisition trends that matter for anyone focused on being ready for what comes next. They will also offer perspective for those looking to get out in front of the work and be better positioned to support the mission in 2026.

OrangeSlices Insiders are invited to join as a virtual audience in our podcast studio for this action packed one hour recording. The session will be interactive and will include time to connect. network. and ask questions. The Q and A portion will not be recorded which allows for open and honest conversation about the topics driving the mission today.

Hear from the following speakers:

Jason Cullum, Vice President of Digital Services, Element

Robert Hicks, Jr., Transform IT Strategic Growth Services / Strategic Growth Executive

JR Glass, President, GovCon Growth Solutions

Mike Sacca, Principal Consultant & Founder, Sacca Healthcare Consulting, LLC