The episode features historian and leadership educator Jared Peatman discussing his book A Hell of a Regiment, a 10+ year research project on the 20th Maine and its pivotal role at Gettysburg as a story of ordinary civilians rapidly becoming an effective unit under national stakes. Peatman explains his lifelong interest in Civil War history, why the 20th Maine’s rank-and-file stories matter, and how training under West Point–trained Adelbert Ames, motivation to build a reputation back home, and trust enabled performance. He highlights Joshua Chamberlain’s transferable skills, communication, empathy, and lifelong learning, along with his handling of the Second Maine mutineers, persuading most to reengage and providing crucial manpower at Gettysburg. The conversation covers Little Round Top’s tactical significance, the bayonet charge decision under time pressure, and the veterans’ postwar hardships, memory-making, and commemoration. Peatman also promotes a June 3rd ACT-IAC “Small Bites” event tied to the book release.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

ACT-IAC’s 2026 Health Innovation Summit featured a panel on mission-critical AI decision-making across CMS, FDA, and NCI. Panelists described AI’s growing day-to-day role, including secure NIH-wide tools, productivity gains (reported time savings), and reducing administrative friction like performance reviews, emphasizing impact occurs when AI is embedded in workflows with “human in the lead.” The session closed with vendor guidance: show products via video, be future-focused, lead with data-sharing and tool strengths, and bring a “total package.”

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

Proud to have Gary Washington on today's show. He is a former Air Force member, longtime federal IT leader, and former USDA CIO (eight years), now Chief Strategy Officer at ACT-IAC. Washington recounts his career across agencies including Treasury, HHS, FDA, OMB, and USDA, and explains how military discipline shaped his emphasis on documented plans, accountability, and trust. He discusses common resistance to change in large organizations, USDA’s shift from decentralization toward centralization, and implementing the White House-driven IT Modernization Centers of Excellence through inclusive, business-driven governance, performance measurement, workforce education, RPA training, and results such as deactivating 37 data centers and consolidating networks and end-user support.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

A panel discussion from CX Summit event, on unifying customer data to deliver seamless service across channels. Panelists describe diverse customers and the consequences of siloed data, including repeated identity verification, poor experiences, and high stakes errors like incorrect benefit payments or misdirected medications.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

CX Summit panel discussion on the role of humans in AI-driven service delivery, defining “human in the loop” (active review in workflows) versus “human on the loop” (oversight and intervention when flagged). Panelist also discuss adoption approaches, emphasizing employee trust, governance, readiness, and change management.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

Stephanie Hubka, founder of Protos Learning, who has spent 20 years designing human-centered learning strategies and has trained leaders in 50+ countries, is working with ACT-IAC on the business value of AI training for non-technical leaders. Hubka argues organizations often treat AI as either a magic fix or an existential threat, when it is better understood as a capability amplifier that requires humans in the loop. She emphasizes anchoring AI training to real work and quick wins, using everyday language instead of jargon, and building data literacy without turning everyone into analysts. Successful adoption depends on psychological safety, experimentation, and trust, with learning teams acting as strategic partners who understand the business. She shares how ChatGPT quickly drafted an outline but failed to create a quality, human training experience, reinforcing that transformation is ultimately about people. Stephanie's passion for training is equaled only by her love of exploring the globe; an avid traveler, she has visited all 7 continents, 70 countries, and all 50 US states.

AI Training Series: From Turing to ChatGPT: The Evolution of AI | ACT-IAC

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

Shak McCants, the newly appointed 2027 Voyagers Chair and CEO of MacMore. Shak shares her inspiring journey from a part-time office manager to CEO, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, hard work, and a commitment to people. She discusses her vision for the Voyagers program, her career growth, and valuable insights into building lasting government and industry relationships. Shak's candid perspective on maintaining company culture, flexible leadership, and creating job opportunities makes for an enlightening discussion perfect for anyone navigating the GovCon space. As she prepares to lead the new Voyagers class, Shak aims to instill the qualities of being a flexible change agent in upcoming leaders.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

This episode features a panel discussion from ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC event focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The session emphasizes aligning AI initiatives with mission objectives, rigorous testing, and governance to ensure public trust and operational success.

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

In this episode, we continue our series on the Associates Program with a guest appearance from Jason Pan, a business development analyst at Dev Technology Group. Jason shares his journey from recently graduating college to working full-time in government contracting, and his experiences going through the Associates Program. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced, the influence of mentors, and the pivotal moments that defined his professional growth. Jason also highlights the value of networking and collaboration within the program, and his key takeaways that have influenced his career. The episode concludes with a fun game of 'Acronym Wars' and insights into the supportive community within ACT-IAC.

Professional Development | ACT-IAC

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

This episode features a panel discussion from ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC event focused on GSA's One Gov initiative, aiming to modernize and centralize IT procurement across the federal government. One Gov aims to eliminate waste, ensure better value, and enhance cybersecurity by unifying the government’s IT procurement process. The session also covers practical aspects such as the role of the Multiple Award Schedule, the tiered engagement model for vendors, and the roadmap for future expansion. 

A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
 
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)