Katie Lopez, Director of Military and Workforce Development for the Tampa Bay Chamber, speaks about the importance of veteran and military spouse hiring. She discusses the importance of advocacy and quality of life issues both in the local and defense communities.

We reconnect with Iron EagleX CEO Michael Grochol as he celebrates his company’s 2021 win as Tampa’s fastest growing company. He provides an update to last year’s podcast interview on how his team has changed, learning from their losses and his advice for other small businesses.

Listen to the first podcast here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-892965027/small-business-bootcamp-iron-eaglex-inc?si=66c9c00b0eef400dbe73a57507d3f2a9

Carlos Salvat, CEO of security firm Defense Elevated, shares his motivations and strategy as a new small business working to win their first contract. A first generation American and intelligence officer supporting Defense Intelligence Agency at USCENTCOM, Carlos is identifying ways to utilize his passion for public service and his background in counterterrorism to provide the government with contracting solutions.

Mike Jones, U.S. Army Major General (Retired) and a Senior Strategist at WWC Global, details the skills involved in becoming an effective leader. Based on his learned leadership at both the junior and senior levels, he describes the key components necessary to inspire a positive professional culture such as a shared common set of values, an ethical focus, and the importance of doing what is best for the organization.

We recently learned about the untimely passing of Greg Pellegrino, former executive at Deloitte. Prior to his death, we had recorded this episode focused on the importance of incremental thinking in entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and consulting. As someone who dedicated much of his career to mentorship, we publish it in his honor today.

Haley Uthlaut is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, a former Army officer with deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, a Gold Star spouse, and the current spouse of an active duty Army officer. Haley worked with Lauren and Donna to found InGear Career, now a part of the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network, one of the first non-profit organizations aimed at supporting professional military spouses across the career spectrum. In this episode, the women discuss the adversities they faced both in their personal and professional lives as military-connected spouses.

Will Goodman, acquisition policy expert and former Policy Director at NDIA of the NDIA, discusses new legislation aimed at supporting small businesses moving into mid-level size. With expertise in business and government regulations, Will provides details on a new ESOP policy that will help businesses as they bridge the gap out of 8(a) status.

As retired deputy commander of USSOCOM, Sean Pybus ensured the readiness of joint forces and conducted operations worldwide. During this time, he was supported by 5,000+ contractors each year. In this episode, Sean relays his perspective and ideas on how best to support government contracting clients.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Colonel Rachel McCaffrey (Ret, USAF), Vice President of Membership and Chapters for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and the Executive Director of Women in Defense (WID), discusses how leaders can confront gender and racial bias to build more diverse, inclusive teams. With applicable advice for both the government and private sector, Rachel encourages managers to “make the room bigger” and hire people who deserve the opportunity -- not just those applicants who fit 100% of the requirements.

From her time as an Executive Vice President at MSNBC through her multiple appointments in the White House, Rosemary Williams, Specialist Executive at Deloitte Consulting, provides insight into gaining a political appointment and approaching these contacts as a federal contracting firm.