Fresh out of federal service, Mark Canfield joins the Former Fed Friday podcast with Shelley McGuire to share his journey from Deputy Director at CMS to Founder & CEO of 5pointe. In this candid conversation, Mark talks about why he left after nine years at CMS, what it was like leading high-profile programs like hospital quality reporting and the CQP platform, and how he’s now helping organizations navigate federal challenges with clarity and precision. From building custom golf carts to building a new consulting firm, Mark brings humor, perspective, and practical insights on bridging the gap between government and contractors. If you’re curious about CMS, federal IT modernization, or the leap from public service to entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with real talk and inspiration. To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn profile here. If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.