GovCon Executive Slice

Why FCL Timelines Slip. And What High Performers Do Differently. ISI

Most FCL delays are not caused by the system. They are caused by how companies prepare for it. Small gaps in documentation, unclear internal ownership, and fragmented workflows create friction that compounds over time. By the time it becomes visible, timelines have already slipped and contract opportunities are at risk. 
In this episode, ⁠Cate Pearson⁠, President of FSO and Clearance Services at ISI, brings a front line view into where and why those breakdowns happen. Drawing on experience supporting hundreds of defense contractors, she unpacks what separates organizations that move through the FCL process with predictability from those that get stuck in cycles of delay and rework. 
The conversation also introduces a more structured approach to the problem. ISI’s TurboFCL solution is designed to reduce variability in the process by bringing consistency to how data, documentation, and ownership are managed from the start. Not as a shortcut, but as a way to eliminate the common failure points that slow companies down. 
This episode is built for executives, program leaders, FSOs, and operations teams who are navigating the clearance process or preparing to enter it. If you are responsible for timelines, eligibility, or growth in the federal space, this will give you a clearer lens on where risk actually shows up and how to stay ahead of it without overcomplicating your approach. 
To connect with Cate, follow her on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠.
Learn more about ISI by visiting their webpage ⁠here⁠.

Building Again: Scaling Inadev with Manish Agarwal

What happens when a proven builder steps back into the arena and puts his own conviction behind the bet?
Manish Agarwal has done it before. As a founding member and President of Attain, he helped build the company into one of the most respected firms in the GovCon market, driving significant growth and ultimately helping lead it through a successful acquisition in 2021.  Then he stepped away for more than five years.
Now he is back. Not just as CEO of Inadev, but as an investor in its future. A move that indicates more than a leadership change. It indicates belief.
Inadev has spent over a decade building a strong foundation. Delivering AI-driven, mission-focused solutions across federal and commercial markets. A company known for speed, technical depth, and customer-centric execution.
In this conversation, Manish shares why he chose to return, what he sees in Inadev that others might not, and how he plans to take that foundation and turn it into something bigger. He also offers a candid look at where the market is headed and the big bets he is making around AI and emerging technologies.
If you care to hear where this market is going from a leader who has a track record of winning big, and who is positioning to lead what comes next, this is a conversation worth your time.
To connect with Manish, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Inadev by visiting their webpage here.

Everyone Builds JVs. Few Win Like This. Inside Alpha Omega and OneZero’s $160M Coast Guard Cyber Award

Winning the recompete is one thing. Proving a joint venture can operate as one and earn the right to stay is something else entirely.
In this episode, we hear from two leaders who have seen firsthand what it actually takes to make that happen.
Just months removed from securing a $160 million U.S. Coast Guard IDIQ, a high-stakes recompete that reinforces both trust and performance at scale, Eric Laychock of Alpha Omega and Bob Burnett of OneZero Solutions pull back the curtain on how OneOmega operated as a truly integrated team when it mattered most.
They break down what changed operationally, from delivery discipline to governance to how teams execute day to day, and how those shifts translated into outcomes the Coast Guard could rely on.
We also get into what the government was really buying in this decision. Not just continuity, but reduced transition risk, proven performance, and a team ready to deliver from day one.
And then we go deeper into the work itself. What IA and RMF look like at enterprise scale in a maritime environment. How you stay audit-ready across shore, afloat, and deployable systems. And how you move security at mission tempo without slowing operators down.
Because the reality is, most joint ventures do not make it this far. This one did.
Let’s get into it.
To connect with Eric, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage here.
To connect with Bob, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about OneZero Solutions by visiting their webpage here.

CEO Perspectives: How GovCon Leaders Are Adapting with Leah Sanders, Naveen Krishnamurthy, and Tim Borchert

OrangeSlices recently hosted a new episode in our CEO Perspectives podcast series, bringing together three exceptional leaders from across the GovCon community for a candid conversation about what it takes to compete and lead in today’s evolving federal market.
Joining the discussion were ⁠Leah Sanders⁠, CEO of D&G Solutions, ⁠Naveen Krishnamurthy⁠, CEO of RIVA Solutions, and ⁠Tim Borchert⁠, CEO of Tria Federal. Each of these organizations was recently recognized as a 2026 Elev8[X] finalist, emerging from a pool of more than 1,200 companies nominated and evaluated across the federal contracting ecosystem.
These are companies that have built strong reputations supporting some of the government’s most critical missions. D&G Solutions continues to distinguish itself as a people-first, mission-driven logistics and supply chain partner supporting defense and homeland security customers. RIVA Solutions has earned recognition as a leader in digital transformation, helping agencies modernize through DevSecOps, cloud, data and analytics, and cybersecurity across federal civilian, national security, and health markets. And Tria Federal, with nearly two decades of mission support experience, remains a trusted partner delivering digital services and technology solutions that help agencies better serve veterans, service members, and civilians.
The conversation was moderated by ⁠Eric Mothershead⁠, Senior Partner at The Baldwin Group, whose questions helped spark a thoughtful exchange among the CEOs as they unpacked some of the most timely issues facing federal contractors today.
During the session, the leaders shared how they are adapting their organizations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving GovCon market. The conversation touched on operational shifts, changing expectations for leadership and workforce performance as efficiency pressures grow, how companies are balancing innovation investments such as AI and automation with stronger margin discipline, and the harder shifts federal contractors will need to make over the next few years that the industry is not yet talking about enough.
Throughout the discussion, Sanders, Krishnamurty, and Borchert offered practical insights drawn from leading organizations that support complex missions across defense, homeland security, federal civilian, and health sectors. The exchange included thoughtful perspectives, honest reflections on current market pressures, and a bit of lively back and forth as the group explored where the market may be headed next.
For CEOs, founders, and growth-minded executives across the GovCon community, this episode offers a chance to hear directly from leaders who are building successful organizations while navigating many of the same challenges others in the market are facing today. If you are looking for real-world perspective from peers who are shaping the market while keeping it honest about the opportunities and headwinds ahead, this is an episode well worth the listen. 🎙️
Connect with our guests and moderator: ⁠Leah Sanders⁠ | ⁠D&G Solutions⁠ ⁠Naveen Krishnamurthy⁠ | ⁠RIVA Solutions⁠ ⁠Tim Borchert⁠ | ⁠Tria Federal⁠ ⁠Eric Mothershead⁠ | ⁠The Baldwin Group⁠

CEO Perspectives: How GovCon Leaders Are Adapting

OrangeSlices recently hosted a new episode in our CEO Perspectives podcast series, bringing together three exceptional leaders from across the GovCon community for a candid conversation about what it takes to compete and lead in today’s evolving federal market.
Joining the discussion were Leah Sanders, CEO of D&G Solutions, Naveen Krishnamurthy, CEO of RIVA Solutions, and Tim Borchert, CEO of Tria Federal. Each of these organizations was recently recognized as a 2026 Elev8[X] finalist, emerging from a pool of more than 1,200 companies nominated and evaluated across the federal contracting ecosystem.
These are companies that have built strong reputations supporting some of the government’s most critical missions. D&G Solutions continues to distinguish itself as a people-first, mission-driven logistics and supply chain partner supporting defense and homeland security customers. RIVA Solutions has earned recognition as a leader in digital transformation, helping agencies modernize through DevSecOps, cloud, data and analytics, and cybersecurity across federal civilian, national security, and health markets. And Tria Federal, with nearly two decades of mission support experience, remains a trusted partner delivering digital services and technology solutions that help agencies better serve veterans, service members, and civilians.
The conversation was moderated by Eric Mothershead, Senior Partner at The Baldwin Group, whose questions helped spark a thoughtful exchange among the CEOs as they unpacked some of the most timely issues facing federal contractors today.
During the session, the leaders shared how they are adapting their organizations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving GovCon market. The conversation touched on operational shifts, changing expectations for leadership and workforce performance as efficiency pressures grow, how companies are balancing innovation investments such as AI and automation with stronger margin discipline, and the harder shifts federal contractors will need to make over the next few years that the industry is not yet talking about enough.
Throughout the discussion, Sanders, Krishnamurty, and Borchert offered practical insights drawn from leading organizations that support complex missions across defense, homeland security, federal civilian, and health sectors. The exchange included thoughtful perspectives, honest reflections on current market pressures, and a bit of lively back and forth as the group explored where the market may be headed next.
For CEOs, founders, and growth-minded executives across the GovCon community, this episode offers a chance to hear directly from leaders who are building successful organizations while navigating many of the same challenges others in the market are facing today. If you are looking for real-world perspective from peers who are shaping the market while keeping it honest about the opportunities and headwinds ahead, this is an episode well worth the listen. 🎙️
Connect with our guests and moderator:Leah Sanders | D&G SolutionsNaveen Krishnamurthy | RIVA SolutionsTim Borchert | Tria FederalEric Mothershead | The Baldwin Group

GovDash, Agentic AI, and the Bold Future of GovCon. A Conversation with Sean Doherty

Fresh off a breakout year and a $30M Series B raise, Sean Doherty joins David Blackburn for a timely conversation about the future of AI in government contracting.
As CEO of GovDash, Sean has helped scale the company from an AI native business development tool into a full scale, AI driven platform supporting capture, proposal, pricing, and contract workflows across nearly 200 contractors, including firms inside the top 100 federal market. Revenue surged 16x. The team expanded rapidly. FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency was achieved. And customers collectively won more than $5B in contracts in 2025.
In this episode, Sean shares what is really happening behind that growth and where GovDash is heading next.
We dig into:
The launch of a new Pricer product and how it could reshape pricing strategy and competitive positioning• A major upgrade to GovDash’s opportunity identification algorithm, built to surface true good fit pursuits faster• Expanded agentic capabilities inside Dash, enabling teams to spin up and automate complex workflows across the business• One bold prediction about where GovCon AI platforms are heading and what the broader federal market could look like in 2027
If you want to understand how one of the fastest growing AI platforms in GovCon is thinking about scale, product evolution, and the next phase of the market, this is a conversation worth your time.
To connect with Sean, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about GovDash by visiting their webpage here.

The Discipline Behind FHAS with Jim Bobeck

On this episode of GovCon Executive Slice, Shelley McGuire chats with Jim Bobeck, CEO of FHAS Inc., shares how a 30-year-old company has remained a trusted small business in the federal healthcare space while navigating constant change in government contracting.
An attorney by background and a longtime leader at FHAS, Jim explains how the company built its reputation around a clear niche, medical legal reviews and coverage determinations, and a disciplined, repeatable process that delivers measurable outcomes. In today’s environment, where agencies face increased scrutiny, regulatory complexity, and a shift toward firm-fixed-price contracts, he emphasizes that the government isn’t buying hours anymore; it’s buying operational peace of mind.
Jim also discusses how FHAS is adapting to evolving requirements around interoperability, security, and AI-enabled services. After decades of primarily operating as a subcontractor, the company is expanding its footprint and investing in a health intelligence platform designed to turn medical coverage data into actionable insights for federal programs.
The conversation highlights what it takes to stay relevant in FedHealth: focus on your niche, build trust through outcomes, form the right partnerships, and continuously evolve without losing sight of who you are.
To connect with Jim, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about FHAS by visiting their webpage here.

Showing Up With Intention to GovCon Events with Stacey Piper

On this episode of GovCon Executive Slice, David Blackburn welcomes Stacey Piper, Founder and CEO Piper Strategies and host of the Branding the Beltway podcast, to talk about what it really takes to stand out at GovCon events. The conversation digs into how companies show up, get noticed, and leave a lasting impression in crowded rooms.
Stacey challenges the idea that branding at events starts and ends with logoed shirts and booths, emphasizing that personal presence is often the most powerful brand touchpoint. The discussion explores how intentional details, individuality, and coordination across teams can elevate visibility, start conversations, and create memorability, whether at large-scale conferences or smaller networking gatherings.
The episode offers a fresh perspective on event branding, highlighting why thoughtful, human-centered brand expression matters just as much as traditional marketing tactics in the GovCon space.
To connect with Stacey, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Piper Strategies by visiting their webpage here.

Running the Full-Court Press on Growth with Krystn Macomber of Summit Strategy

In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Krystn Macomber, Founder and CEO of Summit Strategy and one of the most respected voices in GovCon growth. Krystn has spent more than twenty years transforming marketing, business development, and proposal teams into true revenue engines. She has partnered with companies from early stage to global scale, building the systems, processes, and brand alignment they need to stop reacting and start winning. She leads Summit Strategy’s work as a win studio for growth-obsessed teams while giving back as a mentor and industry leader across major organizations. Krystn is also a 2026 Engage 150 honoree and a former Division I basketball player for the University of Richmond Spiders.
 
Today we will dig into the fundamentals she wishes every new GovCon-curious business owner understood, how to approach proposal improvement when you do not know where to start, and the patterns she has seen across hundreds of companies that either fuel growth or hold teams back.
 
Click here to watch The Great Proposal Bake Off: AI Edition referenced during the interview.
 
To connect with Krystn, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Summit Strategy by visiting their webpage here.

A New Chapter at Red Team Consulting. Blake Harvey on Where GovCon Is Headed

In this conversation, David Blackburn is joined by Blake Harvey, the newly announced President of Red Team Consulting, one of the most trusted institutions in the GovCon market. Blake has been with Red Team since 2018, rising through the ranks and helping shape how contractors approach business development, capture, and long-term growth.
Red Team Consulting has been a steady, respected voice in the federal sector for more than two decades and was recently named a 2026 Elevate GovCon honoree. In his new role, Blake is leading day-to-day execution while helping guide the firm’s strategic direction at a moment when the federal market is changing fast.
This episode dives into Red Team’s leadership transition, what Blake is seeing across the GovCon landscape right now, and how contractors should be thinking about growth, resilience, and positioning as we head deeper into 2026. If you want perspective grounded in experience and real market exposure, this is a conversation worth your time.
To connect with Blake, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Red Team Consulting by visiting their webpage here.