GovCon Executive Slice

Welcome to GovCon Executive Slice, the podcast where we hear perspectives from leaders who’ve built, scaled, and delivered while shaping the future of government contracting. Each episode features candid conversations with those who share insights on their company’s growth, challenges they’ve overcome, and the personal milestones that drive their success. From innovation and strategy to leadership and legacy, we uncover the stories behind the titles.

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Episodes

Wednesday Oct 29, 2025

In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Joshua Skule, Founder and CEO of Bow Wave LLC, a HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business making its mark across the national security community. After a distinguished 21-year career with the FBI, where he rose to serve as Executive Assistant Director for Intelligence leading a global team of 5,000 and managing a $3 billion program, Joshua turned his focus to building something of his own.
At Bow Wave, he has brought together a team of experts in cybersecurity, counterintelligence, and data science who share his commitment to mission, innovation, and resilience. Together, they are helping government partners tackle complex national security challenges in a fast-changing world.
In their conversation, Joshua shares what inspired him to launch Bow Wave, how he defines success, where he sees the market heading, and how he balances short-term needs with a long-term vision for impact.
If you want a front-row look at how one of the nation’s top intelligence leaders is shaping the future of national security from the private sector, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
To connect with Joshua, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Bow Wave by visiting their webpage here.

Monday Sep 29, 2025

David Blackburn, CEO of OrangeSlices, sat down with Eric Laychock, the newly recruited Chief Operating Officer at Alpha Omega. With more than 17 years in consulting, including his leadership as a Managing Director at KPMG, Eric brings the kind of experience and vision that match Alpha Omega’s rapid rise as one of the fastest-growing firms in the federal sector.
Alpha Omega isn’t just scaling - it’s investing in the future. From digital modernization and AI to cybersecurity, the company is pushing transformation that delivers real impact across national security, federal finance, space and science, and healthcare missions. With Eric onboard, the company is doubling down on building solutions, culture, and innovation that will shape how federal agencies meet tomorrow’s challenges.
In this conversation, we explore:
What it means for Alpha Omega to evolve into a true solutions firm.
How people-focused initiatives like staff councils and coaching playbooks strengthen talent and customer outcomes.
Why building incubators for IP and accelerators is central to long-term innovation.
How Alpha Omega is delivering ROI through proprietary tools like DELTA AI - and what sets it apart in a crowded marketplace.
To connect with Eric, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage here.

Tuesday Sep 16, 2025

Welcome to GovCon Executive Slice, the podcast where we explore the personal paths and pivotal decisions of leaders driving the future of government contracting.
Nine months ago, one of the biggest headlines in federal health IT dropped: Tria Federal acquired Softrams. The deal combined two rising players and positioned Tria and its leadership team as one of the powerhouse companies shaping the future of federal health
On this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Tim Borchert, CEO of Tria Federal, and Atchut Kanthamani, President of Tria Federal to look at what’s happened since.
Under their leadership, Tria has returned billions of dollars in savings and recoveries to Medicare and the VA, while expanding expertise in AI, cloud, data, and human-centered digital services. That push is strengthened by Tria Labs, the company’s technology innovation group led by engineers, developers, and technologists who proactively test emerging solutions for some of the government’s toughest problems – from applying AI and intelligent automation to low-code development and cybersecurity.
At its heart, the company is focused on bridging capability gaps and helping government move with more focus, agility, and impact. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a company built on service and innovation is preparing to tackle the government’s toughest challenges in health and public safety.
Tune in to learn how Tria is reshaping federal health IT, leading with mission, and driving innovation at scale.
To connect with Tim, follow him on LinkedIn here.To connect with Atchut, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Tria Federal by visiting their webpage here.

Tuesday Sep 02, 2025

Welcome to GovCon Executive Slice, the podcast where we explore the personal paths and pivotal decisions of leaders driving the future of government contracting.
Listen in as David Blackburn sits down with Katrina and Chris Koomey, CEO and COO of Thorben Consulting, an SBA-certified woman-owned small business that has been a trusted SAP and ERP partner to the federal government for more than two decades. Thorben helped lead the Department of Interior’s pioneering FBMS project, the first federal SAP implementation, and has since supported major modernization efforts at USDA, NASA, the Army, and many other agencies.
In this conversation, Katrina and Chris reflect on how Thorben has evolved from an SAP integration firm to a leader in cloud-based ERP and AI-driven enterprise performance. They discuss the challenges agencies face in modernizing legacy systems, the opportunities ahead for leveraging proven technology and enterprise AI, and why their trademarked approach, Mastering Innovation Together®, continues to guide the company’s work with both government and industry partners.
With a track record of delivering on some of the government’s most ambitious ERP initiatives, Thorben remains a passionate advocate for helping agencies think bigger, move faster, and unlock new value through modern enterprise solutions.
To connect with Katrina, follow her on LinkedIn here.To connect with Chris, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Thorben Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Monday Aug 25, 2025

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Welcome to GovCon Executive Slice, the podcast where we explore the personal paths and pivotal decisions of leaders driving the future of government contracting. This episode features Jena Jones, CEO of PGT Solutions, a woman-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned IT and strategic modernization partner serving government agencies and healthcare organizations. From her early career as a U.S. Army psychological operations specialist to leading enterprise modernization initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jena’s journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a relentless focus on mission success.
Under her leadership, PGT Solutions quickly grew from tactical training roots into a trusted IT and enterprise architecture prime contractor for the VA, known for delivering measurable impact for veterans and beyond. Jena shares how her path—marked by early risks, rapid maturity as a prime, and a commitment to culture and quality—shaped the company’s values and long-term vision.
Outside of government contracting, Jena’s passion for animal welfare has led her to serve on multiple sanctuary boards and launch a new foundation dedicated to giving back. With 2025 ahead, she discusses how PGT is positioning itself for growth, opportunity, and continued service to its clients and community.
To connect with Jena, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about PGT Solutions by visiting their webpage here.

Monday Aug 04, 2025

Welcome to GovCon Executive Slice, the podcast where we explore the personal paths and pivotal decisions of leaders driving the future of government contracting. In this episode, host David Blackburn sits down with Gurpreet Singh, CEO of Infotrend, to unpack the journey that led him to helm a company at the intersection of mission, innovation, and public service. With a background that spans both government and industry, Gurpreet offers perspective on what it takes to build a meaningful career in GovCon—and how a people-first mindset can shape not just leadership, but legacy.
The discussion moves into the realities of growth, as Infotrend’s evolution over the past several years sets the stage for a conversation about culture, scaling with intention, and staying rooted in core values while adapting to new demands. David and Gurpreet explore how client service models shift as organizations mature, and what it looks like to build systems, teams, and relationships that can scale without losing their soul.
Finally, the two dig into what it means to stay competitive in a shifting landscape. With a new administration and fresh federal priorities on the horizon, the conversation turns to strategy, innovation, and differentiation. Gurpreet introduces CoreSuite AI, Infotrend’s proprietary platform aimed at transforming data management and e-discovery through early validation and automation—highlighting the kind of forward-leaning capability that defines companies preparing not just for the moment, but for what’s next.
Listen below to hear why Gurpreet’s people-first approach, cross-sector experience, and forward-thinking leadership make him a standout voice for anyone navigating the future of GovCon.
To connect with Gurpreet, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Infotrend by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

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