In this episode, Teresa speaks with Farooq Mitha. Farooq is President and CEO of Imbue Group Inc which empowers businesses in the national security and technology industrial base to compete, win, and lead in an ever-evolving landscape. During their time together, Farooq share his background through government and industry and how both have influenced his current work. He also shares some of the accomplishments he's most proud of from his time at DoD. He shares the secrets on what are some programs from DoD that industry can leverage to break in and compete as well as how the DoD is looking to bring more innovation into DoD and attract more commercial companies.

They also discuss cyber security readiness, specifically how to help non-traditional and small businesses with barriers that come with compliance. Finally, they conclude with a discussion on the importance of talking to Congress about programs he's currently working, how to navigate cuts that are happening, and the benefits of elevating issues to legislators.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:38 Guest Introduction: Farooq Mitha
01:14 Farooq's Background and Experience
03:50 Challenges and Accomplishments at the DOD
08:03 Programs and Resources for Small Businesses
16:01 Innovation and Commercial Engagement
21:27 Cybersecurity Readiness and Compliance
24:36 Advocacy and Legislative Engagement
27:09 Conclusion and Farewell

Connect with Farooq Mitha on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/farooqmitha

Imbue Group Inc Website:

www.imbuegroup.com

In this episode, Teresa welcomes Mac Liu, CEO and Noura Bashshur, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Communications at Vultron. Vultron is a generative AI company, backed by Craft and Long Journey Ventures, bringing AI to federal proposal development process. During their time, they discuss how Vultron differentiating themselves from others in the industry with regard to “copilots and search functions”

They also share the most common bottlenecks you see for federal contractors, and how does Vultron actually help these teams scale. Also discussed is how Vultrons start in the industry shaped its approach and how is this is beneficial for the contractors they service. Mac and Noura also walk listeners through an example of how a client has used Vultron to make a meaningful impact, what changed for them, and what does that say about where the market is heading.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:38 Meet the Guests: Mac Liu and Noura Bashshur
00:59 Personal Introductions and Backgrounds
03:10 Vultron's Innovative Approach to AI in GovCon
08:30 Challenges in Federal Contracting and Vultron's Solutions
17:23 Real-World Impact and Client Success Stories
21:07 Future Prospects and Closing Remarks

Connect with Mac Liu and Noura Bashshur on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/macliu1

linkedin.com/in/nourabashshur

www.vultron.ai

In this episode, Teresa chats with friend of the show with GovCon experts Chelsea Meggitt and new friend David Neal. Chelsea and David talk about their collaboration on their new book, "Hey GovCon, Get Help!: The Federal Contracting Guide You Didn't Know You Needed", an essential guide for all businesses navigating the complex world of federal contracting. During their time, they talk about the inspirations behind the book, myths and misconceptions of the industry that your book highlights and important is it to have trusted resources amongst other topics related to the book.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast00:40 Meet the Guests: Chelsea Meggitt and David Neal01:16 Chelsea's Background and Recent Book02:23 David's Background and Unique Facts03:38 Diving into the New Book: Hey GovCon, Get Help08:23 Myths and Misconceptions in Government Contracting14:01 Managing Contract Vehicles14:54 The Importance of Trusted Resources17:41 Beware of Charlatans and Grifters22:02 Common Challenges in GovCon Lifecycle25:47 Personal and Professional Milestones27:21 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Purchase "Hey GovCon, Get Help!: The Federal Contracting Guide You Didn't Know You Needed" on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3VLZGLJ?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ARZP1621BWZKHHXJDZ35&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ARZP1621BWZKHHXJDZ35&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ARZP1621BWZKHHXJDZ35&bestFormat=true&previewDoh=1

Connect with Chelsea Roberts (Meggitt) on LinkedIn:

⁠linkedin.com/in/chelseadroberts⁠

Connect with David Neal on LinkedIn:

⁠linkedin.com/in/david-neal-13b4bb2⁠

In this episode, Teresa welcomes guest Austin Boyd. Austin is CEO at Synovix, Inc, a startup company providing business consulting services to defense and aerospace businesses, colleges, non-profits, and economic development agencies. During their time, Austin share his expertise on a number of topics such as what it mean to pursue the “job left undone” and how the philosophy of “never give up” played a role in his life. He also speaks to why it's important to measure what you do and he leaves business leaders advice on building out their teams.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:39 Meet Austin Boyd: A Journey from Aspiration to Achievement
04:46 The Philosophy of Pursuing the Job Left Undone
08:55 The Power of Never Giving Up
18:29 Measuring Success: The Importance of Metrics
24:39 Building a Strong Team: Hiring for Heart
30:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Austin Boyd on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/austin-boyd-a4261712

Visit the Whitespace Innovations website:

https://www.whitespaceinnovations.com/

In this episode, Teresa talks with Chris Griesedieck, Government Contract Counsel at Venable LLP. During their time together, Chris shares his personal journey into government contracts as well as his legal expertise on the importance of legal representation in GovCon and the termination of contracts for government convenience. They also dive into termination settlement proposals, executive order on FAR overhaul, and preference for commercial solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:40 Meet the Guest: Chris Griesedieck
01:08 Chris's Journey into Government Contracts
02:00 Importance of Legal Representation in GovCon
03:38 Contract Terminations for Government's Convenience
07:05 Termination Settlement Proposals
15:24 Executive Order on FAR Overhaul
23:24 Preference for Commercial Solutions
27:35 Conclusion and Future Insights

Connect with Chris Griesedieck on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/chris-griesedieck-jr-4226b544

Visit the Venable LLP Website:

https://www.venable.com/

In this episode, Teresa sits down for a discussion with Michael Sanders, Founder & CEO, Interactive Government Holdings, Inc. During their time, Michael shares what it was like to have the growth to scale from 5-150 employees overnight. He also share the impact and challenges from that growth. After recovering from losing in recompete, he provides listeners with lessons learned and how things have changed today including the good, bad, and in between.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:39 Meet Michael Sanders
01:36 Michael's Journey into Federal Contracting
03:13 Scaling Up: From 5 to 150 Employees
06:01 Leadership and Employee Well-being
11:12 Navigating Government Disruptions
13:16 Acquisition Strategy During Chaos
17:27 Challenges of Recompeting Contracts
20:56 Advice for Small Business Owners
22:59 Conclusion and Future Insights

Connect with Michael Sanders on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/michaelvaldezsanders

Interactive Government Holdings, Inc.

interactivegov.com 

In this episode, Teresa talks with Angela Dingle, CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). During their conversation, Angela talks all things WIPP including the organizations mission, what programs WIPP offers, as well as how it works together and differentiate from other organizations that support women in business. Angela shares with Teresa the challenges she sees WOSBs facing and ways that WIPP can support. They also touch on the recent advocacy advancements WIPP has led the charge on and achieved, what can small and large businesses do to support WIPP, and where WIPP can be found in the year ahead?

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:40 Guest Introduction: Angela Dingle
02:17 Angela's Background and Journey
05:02 WIPP's Mission and Differentiation
09:59 Challenges for Women-Owned Small Businesses
13:21 New Programs and Initiatives
18:13 Advocacy and Recent Achievements
20:37 How to Get Involved with WIPP
23:10 Upcoming Events and Conclusion

Connect with Angela Dingle on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/angeladingle

Visit the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Website:

www.wipp.org

In this episode, Teresa chats with Alissa Roath, Chief Executive Officer at National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), and Warren Sponsler, Chief Operating Officer at National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC). During their time together, they discuss the background and important mission of NAMC as well as the project award opportunities NAMC has throughout the course of a fiscal year. They also share the importance of government partners to NAMC, who makes a good member, and what benefits they receive. Alissa and Warren also give a sneak preview to their upcoming exclusive networking event, "Defense on Tap", taking place in Orlando on April 15th 2025.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:39 Meet the Guests: Alissa Roath and Waren Sponsler
01:39 Background and Mission of NAMC
04:30 Project Awards and Member Benefits
08:31 Understanding OTAs and Their Importance
13:18 Government Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
17:14 Membership Fit and Opportunities
20:43 Upcoming Event in Orlando
23:17 Conclusion and Farewell

Connect with Alissa Roath on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/alissaroath

Connect with Warren Sponsler on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/warren-sponsler28

National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) website:

NAMConsortium.org 

In this episode, Teresa welcomes back friend of the show and "GovCon Godfather", Mark Amtower. During their time together, they discuss the power of LinkedIn for government contractors, account bases marketing (ABM) strategies , navigating LinkedIn etiquette and best practices, and the importance of neutrality on LinkedIn. Mark also shares important upcoming engagements where listeners can meet him in person.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:38 Guest Introduction: Mark Amtower
00:58 Celebrating Podcast Milestones
02:20 The Power of LinkedIn for Government Contractors
05:23 Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Strategies
11:44 Navigating LinkedIn Etiquette and Best Practices
17:32 The Importance of Neutrality on LinkedIn
22:14 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

For more information on Mark Amtower:

linkedin.com/in/markamtower

https://markamtower.net/

In this episode, Teresa joins guest Kindra Dionne in celebration of HUBZone Contractors National Council. During their time they discuss the HUBZone Council, its background, and achievements in recent years. Kindra shares recent changes to the conference, what can we see more of, how can people get engaged and registered to attend. They also discuss the advocacy perspective from the Council in the year ahead. The ladies conclude their conversation with how to find HUBZone, ways listeners can get involved and the greatest benefit of being a becoming a member and/or sponsor of the HUBZone council.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:40 Meet Kindra Dionne
01:58 Kindra's Background and Passion
04:09 Understanding the HUBZone Council
07:46 Achievements and Legislative Wins
13:20 Upcoming HUBZone Conference
19:36 Advocacy and Community Engagement
24:54 Call to Action and Sponsorship
27:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more information on Kindra Dionne and HUBZone:

linkedin.com/in/kindradionne

http://www.hubzonecouncil.org