GovCon Executive Slice

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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.

  1. From Octo and IBM to IDS. Why Sujey Edward Made the Move Now

    3d ago ·  Video

    From Octo and IBM to IDS. Why Sujey Edward Made the Move Now

    There are very few leaders in federal technology who have helped build, scale, and modernize organizations at the level Sujey Edward has over the last decade. From helping drive Octo’s extraordinary rise and eventual acquisition by IBM in a deal reportedly valued at approximately $1.2 billion, to serving as a Senior Partner at IBM, Sujey has operated at the center of some of the most important conversations shaping the future of government technology and innovation. So when he made the move earlier this year to become Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Integrated Data Services (IDS), people across the market took notice. In this conversation, David Blackburn sits down with Sujey to talk about why IDS, why now, and what drew him to an Arlington Capital-backed company that is quietly building serious momentum across the federal landscape. Known for its deep expertise supporting defense, aerospace, intelligence, space, and civilian agencies, IDS has built a reputation delivering software and mission-focused solutions designed to improve operational visibility, financial management, and efficiency, particularly within the Office of the CFO environment. With proven success supporting complex Department of War missions, the company is now positioning itself for its next phase of growth and expansion. This discussion dives into what IDS is building, where Sujey sees opportunity in today’s market, the kinds of partnerships the company is pursuing, and how technology, AI, automation, and modernization are reshaping expectations across government. To connect with Sujey, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Integrated Data Services (IDS) by visiting their webpage here.

    17 min
  2. Subject How Dave Zvenyach and MakeGov Are Simplifying Federal Contracting Data

    6d ago ·  Video

    Subject How Dave Zvenyach and MakeGov Are Simplifying Federal Contracting Data

    Government contracting runs on data. But for years, that data has been fragmented, difficult to access, and even harder to use effectively. In this episode, OrangeSlices’ CEO David Blackburn sits down with Dave Zvenyach, CEO and co-founder of MakeGov, to discuss how his team is working to simplify access to federal procurement data through Tango, a unified API connecting sources like SAM.gov, FPDS, USAspending, Grants.gov, and more. Drawing on his experience leading innovation efforts at 18F and the GSA Technology Transformation Services, Dave shares why he believes better data infrastructure will play a critical role in the future of GovCon, how AI is changing expectations around procurement intelligence, and what builders, contractors, and technology providers should be thinking about as the market evolves. Whether you're developing GovCon software, pursuing federal opportunities, or simply trying to understand where procurement technology is headed next, this conversation offers an insightful look at the data layer powering the future of government contracting. To connect with Dave, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about MakeGov by visiting their webpage here.

    28 min
  3. AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation. Insights from Easy Dynamics CEO Poupak Afshar and CivicActions CEO Henry Poole

    Jun 4 ·  Video

    AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation. Insights from Easy Dynamics CEO Poupak Afshar and CivicActions CEO Henry Poole

    The conversation around AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation has moved beyond what's possible and shifted squarely to what's practical. The leaders winning today are the ones figuring out how to turn innovation into measurable mission outcomes. In this episode of CEO Perspectives, we sit down with Poupak Afshar, CEO of Easy Dynamics, and Henry Poole, CEO and Co-Founder of CivicActions, for a candid discussion on how federal contractors and agencies are navigating the next phase of modernization. Easy Dynamics has built its reputation helping agencies secure, modernize, and optimize critical systems through cybersecurity, cloud computing, and information-sharing solutions. CivicActions has spent years helping government improve lives through open-source technologies, thoughtful digital experiences, and a commitment to making public services more accessible and effective. Moderating the discussion is Tyler Stewart, Partner and Retirement Plan Advisor at The Baldwin Group. The Baldwin Group is a cohesive group of experts in business insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, and all areas of private and personal insurance. At The Baldwin Group, they help provide the solutions clients need to have confidence and gain peace of mind as they pursue what's possible for themselves, their families, and their businesses. The conversation explores how technology leaders are thinking about AI adoption, digital transformation, cybersecurity, workforce strategy, and the realities of delivering innovation inside government. Along the way, Poupak and Henry share their perspectives on what agencies are getting right, where challenges remain, and what organizations must do to stay relevant as expectations around speed, efficiency, and mission delivery continue to rise. If you're interested in where federal technology is heading, how leading firms are approaching modernization, and what it takes to build organizations that can adapt to constant change, this is a conversation worth listening to. To connect with Poupak, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Easy Dynamics by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Henry, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about CivicActions by visiting their webpage here. Thank you to The Baldwin Group for sponsoring this podcast.

    27 min
  4. Proposals Don’t Win Contracts. With Krystn Macomber, Summit Strategy

    Jun 3 ·  Video

    Proposals Don’t Win Contracts. With Krystn Macomber, Summit Strategy

    GovCon has a proposal problem. Not because teams are not working hard, but because too many firms still believe the proposal is where the win happens. It is not. By the time you are writing, most of the outcome has already been decided. In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Krystn Macomber, Founder and CEO of Summit Strategy, a win studio built for growth-obsessed teams who want results. Summit Strategy focuses on helping organizations connect business development, capture, proposals, marketing, and training into one integrated system that actually drives wins. Not just submissions. With more than 20 years of experience, Krystn has built a reputation for challenging how GovCon companies approach growth. She gets inside organizations, exposes the gaps leaders do not see, and forces alignment across teams that are often operating in silos. The result is not just better proposals. It is better positioning, stronger capture, and a system that performs long before the RFP drops. This conversation takes on one of the biggest misconceptions in the market, where firms are getting growth wrong, what surprises leaders most when they bring in outside perspective, and what they should actually be doing right now to grow smarter. If you are still betting on proposals to carry the load, this one will reset how you think about winning. Most GovCon firms think they have a growth strategy. What they actually have is activity: Pipeline dashboards. Proposal volume. A lot of motion, with very little alignment behind it. To learn more about the Summit Win Academy™ click here. OrangeSlices member can use the code OSWIN at checkout to receive $1,000 off. The discount code expires 12/31/26. For more information about how you can WIN, visit our dedicated page here. To connect with Krystn, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Summit Strategy by visiting their webpage here.

    12 min
  5. iWorks CEO Kumar Gnanamurthy on the Collision of AI, Security Compliance, and Federal Acquisition Reform

    Jun 2 ·  Video

    iWorks CEO Kumar Gnanamurthy on the Collision of AI, Security Compliance, and Federal Acquisition Reform

    Federal contractors are being hit from every direction at once. Acquisition reform. AI acceleration. Zero trust mandates. Cloud modernization. CMMC 2.0. New compliance pressures. And for many mid-tier firms, the challenge is no longer just growth. It is figuring out how to adapt fast enough to stay competitive. In this episode of GovCon Executive Slice, Kumar Gnanamurthy, CEO of iWorks Corporation, joins the conversation to discuss how companies can navigate one of the most rapidly evolving federal markets in years. Founded in 2005, iWorks has built a reputation as a trusted federal partner across personnel security and vetting solutions, Agile, DevOps, DevSecOps, data analytics, and cloud services. With a continuous process improvement mindset, deep mission expertise, CMMI Level 4 appraisal, multiple ISO certifications, and recognition as a Washington Post Top Workplace, the company represents the type of disciplined, technically grounded organization agencies continue to rely on as modernization pressures increase. Kumar has spent more than two decades operating across both government and industry, helping architect and lead mission-critical systems and security initiatives. Under his leadership, iWorks continues to evolve alongside the market, balancing operational execution with emerging technology demands and changing acquisition realities. The conversation explores the changing acquisition landscape, including OTAs, software acquisition pathways, and evolving procurement models. It also digs into the growing pressure around AI adoption, IL5 and IL6 cloud migration, zero trust, and modernization priorities, alongside the operational realities contractors face with CMMC 2.0, DFARS requirements, SPRS scoring, and supply chain scrutiny. We also touch briefly on Kumar’s work around Tru-Vetting and the broader push to modernize security management and compliance operations in a more complex federal environment. For leaders trying to understand where the federal market is heading, and what experienced executives are doing to stay ahead of it, this is a timely conversation worth hearing. To connect with Kumar, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about iWorks Corporation by visiting their webpage here.

    29 min
  6. How Proven Leader Len Discenza Built Vericol Around What High Performers Do Differently

    May 27 ·  Video

    How Proven Leader Len Discenza Built Vericol Around What High Performers Do Differently

    Most GovCon firms still think the proposal is where the win happens. It is not. By the time teams are writing, the outcome is often already set. That gap, between effort and actual win probability, is where Len Discenza has built his career. With more than 25 years in the federal market, Len has operated inside growth, capture, and delivery roles at some of the most recognized firms in the space. He has seen firsthand what separates teams that consistently win from those that are always reacting: Not just better writing, better alignment, better systems, and better execution long before the RFP hits. As President and CEO of Vericol LLC, Len has turned that experience into a company designed to step directly into the work. Vericol helps government contractors rethink how they approach business development, capture, and proposals; not as isolated functions, but as a connected system built to drive outcomes. From reshaping BD organizations to supporting high-stakes recompetes to embedding directly into proposal teams, the focus is simple: Help clients win and become the kind of partner they want to bring back again. In this conversation, Len breaks down how he views the proposal process today, what is actually missing in how most firms approach growth, and where the market is creating real pressure on teams. He also shares hard-earned perspective on leadership in a people-driven business, including what works, what does not, and where leaders often get it wrong. If you are responsible for growth, capture, or delivery. Or if you are trying to understand why your team is working harder but not winning more. This is a conversation worth your time. To connect with Len, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Vericol by visiting their webpage here.

    36 min
  7. AI, Efficiency, and the Next Federal Market Shift. Insights from Infotrend’s Gurpreet Singh and Evans’ Bob Etris

    May 21 ·  Video

    AI, Efficiency, and the Next Federal Market Shift. Insights from Infotrend’s Gurpreet Singh and Evans’ Bob Etris

    As agencies push harder on efficiency, modernization, and measurable mission outcomes, federal contractors are being forced to rethink how they scale, invest, and compete. In this episode of CEO Perspectives, we sit down with two leaders operating directly at the center of that shift. Gurpreet Singh, CEO of Infotrend, and Bob Etris, Managing Partner at Evans, share how their organizations are approaching AI, automation, data, modernization, and sustainable operational growth in a market that is demanding more with less. Infotrend continues to advance mission-focused AI/ML, investigative, and emerging technology capabilities for government clients through its rapidly evolving CoreSuite ecosystem, helping agencies transform complex data into actionable mission intelligence. Evans is helping organizations deploy technology solutions that not only modernize systems but create long-term operational impact through human-centered implementation and measurable execution. Moderating the discussion is Ryan Reiskin, Partner at The Baldwin Group. The Baldwin Group is a cohesive group of experts in business insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, and all areas of private and personal insurance. At The Baldwin Group, they help provide the solutions clients need to have confidence and gain peace of mind as they pursue what’s possible for themselves, their families, and their businesses. The conversation explores how leaders are adapting to a tighter and more scrutinized market, balancing investment in AI and innovation against operational discipline, redefining leadership expectations, and reevaluating what strong strategic partnerships look like in today’s federal landscape. The group also tackles a forward-looking question many in the market are thinking about, but not discussing enough. What hard shifts will federal contractors need to make over the next two years to remain competitive? If you are trying to understand where federal technology, modernization, and operational strategy are heading next, this is a conversation worth your time. To connect with Bob, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Evans by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Gurpreet, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about CVP by visiting their webpage here. Thank you to The Baldwin Group for sponsoring this podcast.

    47 min
  8. The Win System. Why Most GovCons Don’t Actually Have One. With Krystn Macomber, Summit Strategy

    May 13 ·  Video

    The Win System. Why Most GovCons Don’t Actually Have One. With Krystn Macomber, Summit Strategy

    Most GovCon firms think they have a growth strategy. What they actually have is activity. Pipeline dashboards. Proposal volume. A lot of motion, with very little alignment behind it. In this first episode, David Blackburn sits down with Krystn Macomber, Founder and CEO of Summit Strategy, a win studio built for growth-obsessed teams who want results. Summit Strategy is not a traditional consulting firm. It is designed to help organizations connect business development, capture, proposals, marketing, and training into one integrated system that drives revenue. The focus is not on checking boxes. It is on building a repeatable way to win. Krystn has spent more than 20 years working across startups to enterprise organizations, helping teams identify the gaps most miss and turning disconnected efforts into disciplined execution. Through Summit Strategy, she has built a model that challenges how GovCon companies think about growth, pushing them to move beyond siloed functions and into true alignment. This conversation gets into why misalignment is the real growth killer, what it actually looks like day to day, and why so many leaders fail to see it. They also dig into the Summit Win System™, where firms tend to fall short, and the mindset shift required to stop outsourcing pieces of growth and start owning the outcome. If your pipeline is full but your win rate is not moving, this is worth your time. To learn more about the Summit Win Academy™ click here. To connect with Krystn, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Summit Strategy by visiting their webpage here. For more information about how you can WIN, visit our dedicated page here.

    10 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    orangeslices
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    GovCon Executive Slice