In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa welcomes Dr. Kathryn Rudloff, Executive Director of weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, for an inspiring conversation about empowering entrepreneurs, building scalable businesses, and creating pathways to success in government contracting. Dr. Rudloff shares her professional journey and the mission behind weVENTURE, highlighting how Women's Business Centers serve as critical resources for entrepreneurs seeking education, mentorship, and long-term business growth.

We explore the power of local partnerships, the impact of the IGNITE 360® program, and practical strategies for developing scalable teams and cultivating a growth mindset. Dr. Rudloff also offers valuable networking advice for government contractors, discusses specialized programs supporting veterans and entrepreneurs through partnerships like Verizon, and explains how business owners can connect with weVENTURE to access coaching, training, and community resources.

Whether you're launching a new venture or preparing to scale your business in the federal marketplace, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you grow with confidence and purpose.

00:00 Welcome and Mission

00:42 Meet Dr. Rudloff

01:14 Kathryn Rudloff's Career Journey

04:14 What is weVENTURE

04:45 Why WBCs Matter

06:15 Local Partnership Model

08:12 IGNITE 360® Overview

11:02 Building Scalable Teams

15:23 Growth Mindset Secrets

17:30 GovCon Networking Tips

22:07 Veteran and Verizon Programs

26:49 How to Get Involved

28:44 Closing, Thanks, and Wrap

Connect with Dr. Kathryn Rudloff on LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/kathryn-rudloff

Visit the weVenture website: https://weventure.fit.edu/

Visit the VSBDR Learning Platform: https://weventure.fit.edu/programs-services/vsbdr/   

Visit the AWBC website: https://awbc.org/

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa sits down with Dondre Lawson, CEO of Emerald Technical Solutions, to explore his journey from the U.S. Army to entrepreneurship and his mission to improve outcomes for veterans transitioning into civilian careers. Dondre shares the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, the lessons he learned while building Emerald Technical Solutions, and why surrounding yourself with the right mentors is essential for long-term success.

The conversation dives into the persistent challenges veterans face when entering the workforce, including transition gaps, pay transparency, and the realities of being undervalued in the hiring process. Dondre also introduces MilRes, an innovative platform designed to connect military talent with meaningful career opportunities while helping employers better understand the value veterans bring to their organizations. He explains how the platform works, discusses pilot programs, pricing, and accessibility, and shares his vision for fixing broken workforce systems through technology, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.

Whether you're a veteran, hiring manager, government contractor, or business leader committed to developing talent, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership, innovation, and creating pathways that help both people and organizations succeed.

00:00 Welcome to GovCon Tea

00:41 Meet Dondre Lawson

01:52 Army to IT Career Path

03:46 Starting Emerald Technical

06:15 Stacking Mentors Leadership

11:31 Veteran Transition Gaps

14:21 Pay Transparency Lowballs

19:04 MilRes Platform Overview

21:53 How MilRes Works

25:28 Pilots Pricing and Access

32:03 Fixing Broken Systems

34:29 Closing and Next Steps

Connect with Dondre Lawson on LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/dondrelawson

Visit the Emerald Technical Solutions website:  https:\\emeraldsolutions.tech

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa welcomes Carol Ann Logue, Executive Director of the Florida Photonics Cluster, for an illuminating conversation about one of the most important technologies shaping the future of defense, space, and advanced manufacturing. Carol Ann shares her unique career journey into the world of photonics and breaks down this highly technical field into practical, easy-to-understand concepts, helping listeners understand why photonics is at the center of so many emerging innovations.

They explore the growing role of photonics in defense and space applications, from advanced sensing and communications to next-generation technologies that support national security missions. Carol Ann also discusses the importance of industry collaboration and how organizations like the Florida Photonics Cluster bring together businesses, researchers, government agencies, and innovators to accelerate growth and technological advancement.

Listeners will learn about the resources, networking opportunities, and support available through the Cluster, including how companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs can get involved. Carol Ann also shares details on upcoming 2026 events, webinars, and engagement opportunities designed to foster collaboration and innovation across the photonics ecosystem. Whether you're new to photonics or looking to expand your network in advanced technology sectors, this episode offers valuable insights into an industry that is helping shape the future.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Spilling the Tea on GovCon
00:41 Meet Carol Ann Logue
01:35 Career Path to Photonics
04:06 Photonics Explained Simply
07:38 Defense Space Applications
14:00 Why Clusters Need Collaboration
17:56 What Florida Photonics Cluster Does
24:10 How to Join and Engage
25:51 2026 Events and Webinars
28:51 Final Thanks and Sign Off

Connect with Carol Ann Logue on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/carol-ann-dykes-logue-48540

Visit the Florida Photonics Innovation Hub website:

floridaphotonics.org

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa sits down with Sue Tellier, President of JetCo Federal, for an insightful discussion on the realities of government contracting, defense supply chains, and what it takes for small businesses to succeed in today’s evolving federal marketplace. Sue shares how JetCo Federal supports the defense supply chain and reflects on the significant shifts she has witnessed across GovCon, including supply chain disruptions, manufacturing challenges, policy changes, and increasing compliance requirements.

Sue breaks down why some small businesses consistently win while others struggle to gain traction, offering practical advice for new entrants looking to build past performance, establish credibility, and avoid common mistakes. She also explains the importance of advocacy organizations such as WIPP and WID, the role of the Rule of Two in protecting small business opportunities, and how contractors can strategically leverage Offices of Small Business Programs (OSBPs) to create meaningful connections and growth opportunities.

As the conversation turns toward the future, Sue discusses emerging priorities around cybersecurity, compliance, funding, and market shifts that contractors should be preparing for today. Packed with actionable insights and hard-earned lessons, this episode provides a roadmap for contractors seeking to remain competitive, compliant, and connected in an increasingly complex GovCon environment.

Timestamps:

00:00: GovCon Kickoff: Supply Chain, Funding & Small Business Realities
01:36: What JetCo Federal Actually Does in the Defense Supply Chain
03:30: How GovCon Has Shifted: Supply Chain Risk, Manufacturing, Policy Swings
07:18: Why Some Small Businesses Win And Why Others Don’t
11:42: New Entrants: How to Stand Out, Build Past Performance & Avoid Pitfalls
16:37: Why Advocacy Groups (WIPP, WID) Matter for Federal Contractors
21:42: The Rule of Two Explained: Why It Protects Small Business Competition
27:15: How OSBPs Can Help & How to Actually Use Them Strategically
29:23: Preparing for What’s Next: Cyber, Compliance & Market Shifts
31:42: Final Takeaways: Focus, Funding, Compliance & Community

Connect with Sue Tellier on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/suetellier

Visit the JetCo Federal website:

jetcosolutions.com

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa welcomes back friends of the show, Tan Wilson, President of Entellect, LLC, and Jeff Shapiro, Partner at CohnReznick LLP, for a candid and strategic conversation about the realities of winning, funding, and sustaining growth in government contracting. From the opening moments, Tan and Jeff make one thing clear, capture strategy starts long before the RFP drops. They unpack why waiting for the solicitation is already too late and how successful contractors align business development, pricing, contracts, and finance from the very beginning.

The conversation dives into the pricing and compliance traps that derail proposals, how auditors evaluate cost volumes and risk, and the red flags that can expose contractors to trouble—from subcontractor oversight to labor category and T&M concerns. Tan and Jeff challenge common GovCon habits, including chasing contracts instead of customers, pursuing IDIQ vehicles without a strategy, and relying on unsustainable “buy-in” bids or single-contract revenue streams.

Listeners will also gain practical insight into bid discipline, budgeting, execution readiness, and pricing transparency, along with a thoughtful discussion on commission-based business development and building accountability across teams. With perspectives grounded in both capture strategy and federal audit expertise, this episode delivers actionable guidance on how to win smarter, scale responsibly, and stay compliant in today’s increasingly competitive federal marketplace.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 GovCon Live Kickoff: Pricing, Compliance & Funding Realities
01:22 Guest Intros (Tan Wilson and Jeff Shapiro): Capture Strategy + Federal Audit Expertise
01:38 Why Capture Strategy Starts Before the RFP Drops
03:09 How Auditors Evaluate Pricing, Cost Volumes & Risk
04:36 RFP Compliance Traps That Kill Proposals Early
08:49 Funding the Domino Effect: Why BD Must Talk to Finance
09:43 Audit Red Flags: Subcontractor Risk & T&M Labor Category Exposure
13:32 Top BD Mistakes: Chasing Contracts Instead of Customers
20:00 Why Seeing the RFP First Is Already Too Late
23:26 IDIQ FOMO: The Hidden Cost of “Just Getting On the Vehicle”
25:48 How to Align BD, Pricing, Contracts & Finance Early
29:15 Speaking a Common Language Across Capture, Pricing & Compliance
31:09 Pricing Transparency: Building Trust With the Government
32:38 Commission‑Based BD: Accountability vs. Chaos
33:29 Unsustainable Growth: Red Flags Contractors Ignore
34:06 The Danger of “Buy‑In” Bids That Lose Money
36:00 The One‑Contract Trap: Why Overreliance Kills Companies
37:11 Diversify Your Pipeline Without Randomly Pivoting
38:16 Bid Discipline: Budgeting, Gate Reviews & Saying No
41:17 Execution Readiness: Targets, Resourcing & Realistic Planning
44:27 Budgeting With Stakeholders: What Mature GovCon Teams Do
47:31 Commercial Buying Trends That Are Shaping Federal Expectations
49:49 Price Realism, Past Performance & What Evaluators Actually Look For
51:32 Final Advice: How to Win, Scale & Stay Compliant

Connect with Tan Wilson on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/tanvwilson

Connect with Jeff Shapiro on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/jeffshapirocpa

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa welcomes John Shoraka and Trevor Skelly of Gov Contract Pros, for a timely and tactical conversation on the evolving government contracting landscape. From acquisition reform and the potential impacts of a FAR overhaul to growing concerns around socioeconomic program headwinds, John and Trevor break down the policy and compliance shifts contractors need to watch closely.

The discussion dives deep into the most common post-award compliance mistakes, risk management strategies, and how businesses can avoid costly terminations. They also explore growth pathways through joint ventures, mentor-protégé relationships, and strategic partnerships, while offering practical guidance on preparing for year-end opportunities and navigating the 8(a) timeline. Packed with real-world insight, live audience Q&A, and actionable advice, this episode is essential listening for contractors looking to grow smarter and stay compliant in an increasingly complex GovCon environment.

00:00 Welcome and Mission
01:04 Meet the Guests
01:37 Why Government Contract Pros
05:13 Acquisition Reform Watch
12:24 FAR Overhaul Impacts
16:37 Socioeconomic Program Headwinds
21:22 Post Award Compliance Mistakes
25:14 Risk Management and Terminations
32:34 Growth Paths JVs and MP
40:06 Preparing for Year End
44:41 Live Q&A and 8A Timeline
49:11 Conferences Networking and Wrap

Connect with John Shoraka on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/johnshoraka

Connect with Trevor Skelly on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/trevor-skelly-919267175

Visit the Gov Contract Pros website:

govcontractpros.com

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa sits down with Drew DiSilvestro Jr., CEO of AmeriTech Contracting, for a high-energy conversation on what it takes to build and scale in the federal construction space. From lessons learned during deployment to the unexpected influence of his punk rock roots, Drew shares how discipline, mindset, and structure have shaped his approach to leadership and growth.

We dive into the importance of systems and processes, balancing relentless leadership with people-first thinking, and how Drew has scaled his company by investing in the right team. He also breaks down what it takes to break into federal construction, offering real-world insight for contractors looking to enter or expand in the space. Drew closes with the daily principles that keep him grounded and focused, making this episode a must-listen for anyone serious about growth, grit, and building something that lasts.

00:00 Welcome and Mission
00:38 Drew Joins the Show
01:46 Deployment Lesson on Systems
05:43 Punk Rock Roots
09:10 AmeriTech Growth Mindset
11:26 Relentless Leadership Balance
15:25 Scaling Fast with People
20:08 Breaking Into Federal Construction
24:12 Daily Principles and Wrap Up
27:47 Final Thanks and Sign Off

Connect with Drew DiSilvestro Jr. on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/andrewdisilvestro

Visit the AmeriTech Contracting Website:

AmeriTechContracting.com

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa sits down with John Barnes, CEO of Pendleton Street Business Advisors, to break down what it really means to treat your business like an asset, not just a job. John shares practical insights on financial hygiene basics, why cash flow timing can make or break your operations, and how smart financial discipline lays the groundwork for long-term value.

They dive into the key drivers of business valuation, how to make intentional profit allocation decisions, and the most common exit planning mistakes that business owners make. Whether you’re planning to scale, sustain, or eventually sell, John provides a clear roadmap to help you build a stronger, more valuable business from the inside out. This episode is packed with actionable guidance for GovCon leaders ready to think beyond today and plan for what’s next.

In this episode, Teresa Moon speaks with Shauna Weatherly, President and Founder of Fed Sub-K, about the intricacies of government contracting. Shauna shares her extensive experience in the federal marketplace, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, understanding contract consolidation, and navigating GSA schedules. The conversation highlights key strategies for small businesses to succeed in the federal marketplace, including the necessity of building relationships with contracting officers and conducting thorough market research. Shauna also discusses compliance requirements and the significance of contractor team agreements. This episode serves as a valuable resource for small businesses looking to thrive in the GovCon space.

00:00 Welcome to GovCon Tea

01:15 Meet Shauna Weatherly

02:52 Why FedSub K Exists

05:33 Finding Real Mentors

10:18 Contract Consolidation Explained

15:23 Do Relationships Still Matter

17:16 Three GSA Schedule Must Knows

21:35 Quick GSA Go No Go Tips

24:24 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up

28:52 Final Thanks and Outro

Connect with Shauna Weatherly on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/shauna-weatherly

Visit the FedSubK website:  fedsubk.com

In this episode, Teresa Moon welcomes back government contracts legal expert Chris Griesedieck, Jr , Partner at Venable LLP, to discuss recent developments in federal procurement, commercial solutions, and navigating the complexities of government contracting for small and commercial vendors.

00:00 Welcome and Mission
01:22 Meet Chris at Venable
03:25 Commercial Buying Push
04:23 NDAA Threshold Changes
08:03 GSA Consolidation and Schedules
10:38 Will Reforms Actually Work
14:19 Termination and Compliance Risks
18:24 Barriers for New Vendors
21:28 Supply Chain and DEI Uncertainty
25:32 Pros/Cons for a Diligent Compliant Company and Closing.

Connect with Chris Griesedieck Jr on LinkedIn:

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

Visit the Venable LLP website:

www.venable.com