In this episode of The Peel Podcast, host Shelley McGuire sits down with Mike Finkel, CEO of Sparksoft, to talk about the real value and potential pitfalls of forming Joint Ventures under the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. From lessons learned in failed partnerships to advice on finding the right cultural and strategic fit, Mike pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make a JV work. Think of it as a business marriage - you’ll want to be sure you’re choosing the right partner before you say “I do.” Mike explains why SBA approval is critical for protecting small business status, how mentors can strengthen a small firm’s infrastructure and capabilities, and the misconceptions around “flipping” work or guaranteed awards. He also emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment, transparency, and building a solid operating plan from the start. Whether you’re a small business considering your first Mentor-Protégé relationship or a large firm looking to guide the next generation, this episode is packed with real-world advice you don’t want to miss. To connect with Mike, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Sparksoft by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Peel Podcast, host Shelley McGuire sits down with Natasha Williams, Chief Operating Officer, and Angela Cook, Program Director of Client Delivery, both from IntegrityM, to unpack one of today’s hottest (and most misunderstood) topics - Generative AI. Together, they explore what GenAI really is (and isn’t), why so many organizations get it wrong, and how to move beyond the “garbage in, garbage out” problem with better prompting, training, and culture change. Drawing from IntegrityM’s own adoption journey, Natasha and Angela share how they’ve successfully integrated AI into operations, from starting small with low-risk use cases to building confidence, power users, and measurable ROI. They discuss why AI isn’t replacing humans, but augmenting them, how to use it purposefully to solve real business challenges, and why understanding the human side of AI adoption is just as critical as the technology itself.  If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for your organization instead of against it, this episode delivers the clarity, context, and confidence you need to get started. To connect with Natasha, follow her on LinkedIn here.To connect with Angala, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about IntegrityM by visiting their webpage here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Cy Alba talks with Cesar Nader.  From U.S. Marine to GovCon CEO, Cesar Nader has steered X Corp Solutions (XCorp) through a bold evolution; starting with language services and expanding into intel, IT, cyber, and now AI and Disruptive Technologies. In this no-nonsense conversation with Cy Alba, he" keeps it real" and breaks down the three phases of federal contracting—startup, growth, and maturity—and the unique hurdles of each: cash flow, talent, and writing proposals that don’t just check boxes, but win with a compelling end state. Cesar pulls back the curtain on the strategy behind XCorp’s rise to one of the most successful small businesses of his time: a simple, repeatable formula powered by relentless networking and integrity with government partners. He dives into hot-button realities—“incumbinitis,” when to protest (or not), subcontracting vs. priming, and how JVs can accelerate growth. He shares the secret formula for small businesses to follow. But beyond the mechanics, he makes clear: culture and leadership are the real drivers of M&A value. Looking forward, Cesar is bullish on Disruptive Tech like blockchain, quantum, 5G, AI, and even space tech as the next frontiers; and his advice for entrepreneurs is timeless: stay curious, stay agile, and stay consistent. To connect with Cesar, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about X Corp by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Speedshift Ventures by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about PilieroMazza PLLC by visiting their webpage here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi and David Blackburn chat with Alex Duan, co-founder and CEO of Dynamo, who pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build and scale a government contracting company. From launching out of personal necessity with a newborn on the way, to navigating cash-flow crises, factoring, and the daunting leap from subcontractor to prime, Alex shares the unglamorous but essential realities of entrepreneurship. You’ll hear candid stories about the first lucky break that jump-started Dynamo, the philosophy of building a company you’d actually want to work for, and the tough choices required to move from hands-on coding to true leadership. Alex also breaks down why momentum matters in GovCon, how to handle setbacks like losing a major contract, and why AI presents a once-in-a-generation land-grab opportunity for federal tech. If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or anyone curious about the challenges (and rewards) of scaling in government consulting, this conversation delivers unfiltered lessons you won’t find in the glossy founder stories. For more information about the event on September 24th that Alex mentions in the podcast, click here. To connect with Alex, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Dynamo by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Speedshift Ventures by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Nicole Rockett, Chief Human Resources Officer at ERP International, to explore how a people-first culture fuels one of GovCon’s top workplaces. Nicole shares her own journey to ERP, what drew her to a high-growth, mission-driven organization, and how the company’s values of courage, trust, innovation, and community continue to shape its success. From navigating today’s competitive talent market to connecting employees with purpose, Nicole offers candid insights into building and sustaining culture in a rapidly evolving environment. She also discusses ERP’s forward-looking approach to AI and emerging technologies, and how the company balances innovation with its commitment to supporting federal missions across defense, healthcare, and civilian agencies. To connect with Nicole, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about ERP International by visiting their webpage here.

Welcome to this M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. In the final episode of the series, Dave Blackburn welcomes back Adam to unpack one of the most critical and often underestimated factors in GovCon transactions: stability. Adam breaks down why stability isn’t just about financial performance, but also about predictability, culture, and the people involved. From forecasting accuracy to win rates, customer relationships, and team continuity, he explains how demonstrating consistency can directly impact deal value, deal structure, and even whether a transaction closes at all. They also explore the hidden costs of instability, lower valuations, extended earn-outs, delayed closings, and post-transaction headaches that can echo for years. With real-world insights from private equity and strategic acquisitions alike, Adam shares what buyers are really looking for and how sellers can position themselves as a “well-oiled machine” that investors want to own, not overhaul. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi and Cy Alba sit down with Ganesh Natarajan, CEO of Ennoble First, to uncover the realities behind growing a government contracting company. Ganesh shares his journey from leaving a senior role at Lockheed Martin to bootstrapping his own firm, starting with zero, building trust, and landing that critical first customer. He reveals the five P’s for growth (People, Partners, Process, Performance, and Patience), the importance of staying in your lane, and why chasing shiny objects can sink your business. Along the way, he discusses challenges from finance to legal structure, moving from subcontractor to prime without losing your edge, building IP and valuation strategically, and why resilience, relationships, and advisory boards matter most. Packed with hard-earned advice, this conversation offers real-world lessons on scaling, strategy, and staying true to your core strengths—plus why courage and preparation are the greatest assets for any business leader. To connect with Ganesh, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Ennoble First by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Speedshift Ventures by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about PilieroMazza PLLC by visiting their webpage here.

Welcome to this M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. Listen to the sixth episode as David Blackburn and Adam tackle a critical question for any business anticipating a transaction: what investments create value, and which ones destroy it? Adam shares lessons from both the buy- and sell-side on how to evaluate spending decisions in people, facilities, platforms, and tools when an exit may be on the horizon.  From avoiding multi-year commitments that can tank valuation, to negotiating flexibility in leases and subscriptions, to distinguishing between true differentiators and “nice-to-haves,” this conversation offers practical guidance for leaders preparing to scale or sell. They also explore the dangers of vanity projects and commingled side businesses that can complicate or derail a deal, and how to unwind them before diligence begins. This episode helps leaders protect downside risk while positioning their companies for maximum upside. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.

On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire chats with Jon Lipsky, founder and CEO of J Michael Consulting (JMC), to celebrate the company’s 14th anniversary and talk about what it really takes to build a business that can thrive beyond its founder. Since its founding in 2011, JMC has made a mark on public health informatics, working with APHL, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health laboratories and agencies, while partnering with many leading health information technology firms. The company provides consulting and support in four main areas: Laboratory Informatics, Data Standards & Interoperability, Project and Program Management, and Surveillance Informatics – always with the goal of bringing science and technology together to impact patient and population health. With over two decades of IT consulting and project management experience – much of it in public health and informatics supporting CDC and the Association of Public Health Laboratories – Jon shares how a long-term mindset, the right hires, and a culture of shared ownership have fueled JMC’s growth. He opens up about lessons learned along the way: the power of hiring rock stars, the value of taking risks over circling the wagons, and why confidence in recovery is just as important as avoiding failure. Jon also reflects on navigating funding shifts, pivoting into new markets like private healthcare, and seizing today’s talent-rich environment to strengthen JMC for the future. To connect with Jon, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about J Michael Consulting by visiting their webpage here.  

Listen in as David Blackburn has a conversation with Katrina and Chris Koomey, CEO and COO of Thorben Consulting, who share the origin story and evolution of their company, a 100% woman-owned small business helping government agencies transform enterprise systems. From Yellowstone family road trips to two decades of federal IT modernization, they dive into Thorben’s early SAP projects, the company’s shift to cloud and AI solutions, and how they’ve stayed ahead in a rapidly changing technology landscape. They also open up about the challenges and opportunities of federal digital transformation, the art of the possible with AI, and why mastering innovation together is more than a tagline - it’s their way of doing business. 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.

Welcome to this M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. The fifth episode in this series features a conversation with David Blackburn and Adam as they dive into one of the least glamorous, but most critical, parts of mergers and acquisitions - compliance. From labor category audits and security clearances to tax exposure, HR policies, and even state-specific benefits laws, Adam shares real-world examples of how overlooked details can derail deals, drain valuation, and rack up legal bills. With practical steps for getting ahead of risks and building trust with buyers, this conversation is a must-listen for leaders preparing to buy, sell, or scale in the GovCon space. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.

In the third episode of The Real Deal: Winning, Growing, and Exiting in GovCon, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn sit down with Gary Daigle from RealmOne to unpack the real playbook behind sustained growth, strategic acquisitions, and seamless integrations in the federal contracting space. Gary shares RealmOne’s journey from a lean startup in 2005 to a thriving middle-market powerhouse backed by Enlightenment Capital, revealing how culture, creativity, and calculated risks fueled their momentum. From breaking into prime contracts, to using M&A for smart—not just big—growth, to building a workplace that attracts top talent, Gary dives deep into the art and science of scaling.   Along the way, he offers candid advice for CEOs of $20–$30M GovCon firms: know your why, prioritize intangibles like culture and leadership, and be ready to pivot when mission priorities shift. Whether you’re eyeing your first acquisition or planning your exit, this conversation delivers the unfiltered insights you need to navigate today’s GovCon market with confidence. To connect with Gary, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about RealmOne by visiting their webpage here. To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Speedshift Ventures by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Dee Bowden,  author and creator of Collect the Cash, to talk about the often-overlooked world of accounts receivable and government contract closeouts. Dee shares her story of recovering $6 million in 60 days for a small IT firm to building a proven four-step framework that helps small and medium-sized businesses solve cash flow problems, recover outstanding invoices, and preserve client relationships. With humor, relatable stories, and real-world examples, Dee explains why the sale is not complete until the money’s in the bank and how mastering problem-solving, customer service, gratitude, and relationship-building can be the difference between thriving and closing your doors. Whether you’re in government contracting, managing corporate accounts, or just want to make sure you get paid for your hard work, this episode delivers actionable insights with a dose of personality. To connect with Dee, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about IntelliDyne by visiting their webpage here.

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. The fourth episode in this series features a conversation with David Blackburn and Adam to unpack what truly drives value in an acquisition. From the ‘sweet spot’ of delivery maturity to the critical artifacts that prove performance, they explore how leadership structures, resourcing, and customer relationships impact valuation—and why avoiding last-minute ‘coat of paint’ fixes is key. Packed with practical insights, this conversation is a must-listen for any business leader preparing to buy or sell. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Eric Nusbaum, CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group, to to unpack three of the hottest topics in the GovCon world right now. Eric shares the latest timelines and urgency behind CMMC—why October 2025 could be a game-changing deadline for defense contractors. He then dives into MDA Shield, a $151 billion, 10-year IDIQ born from the President’s Golden Dome initiative, with an unusually low barrier to entry. Finally, they discuss the upcoming on-ramping and new domain opportunities for OASIS+, why fall 2025 could be a pivotal time to prepare, and how companies can position themselves to win. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or looking to pivot into new federal opportunities, this conversation provides insider insights, practical timelines, and clear next steps you can take now. To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. Thinking about selling your company or growing through acquisition? This third episode lays the groundwork for presenting your business effectively during a transaction. David Blackburn sits down with GovCon expert Adam McNair to unpack what matters to buyers—beyond just financials. They explore how to confidently present your pipeline, articulate your value in partnerships, and show maturity in operations that build trust with investors. Whether you're preparing to exit or simply leveling up your business, this is the kind of strategic insight you can’t afford to miss. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here. 

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Todd Margules, Senior VP and Chief Growth Officer at IntelliDyne, a company delivering cutting-edge IT services and solutions to the federal government. With over 20 years of cross-industry leadership, Todd is a client-focused growth strategist, mentor, and team builder, leading the charge in securing new business and ensuring excellence in service delivery. Todd shares his deep insights into the evolving world of government contracting, from the shift between performance-based and solution-based service models to the increasing demand for innovation and value beyond “butts in seats.” He also unpacks IntelliDyne’s strategic approach to positioning in a competitive market, the importance of partnerships, and how the company is reinventing itself to meet customer needs with advanced tools, agile delivery, and mission-driven service. Whether you’re a GovCon executive, small business owner, or aspiring BD leader, Todd’s perspective offers both practical takeaways and high-level industry foresight. To connect with Todd, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about IntelliDyne by visiting their webpage here.

In the second episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn have a conversation with Gautam Ijoor, CEO of Alpha Omega, to uncover the strategic blueprint behind the company's meteoric rise—from a startup to a $226M powerhouse in less than nine years. Gautam shares the internal building blocks that made Alpha Omega’s growth sustainable, including redefining company values, getting the right people in the right roles, and leading with a passionate "why." He dives into how visionary planning, both for the present and the future, fuels enterprise value, drives culture, and prepares the business for bold moves like acquisitions and private equity partnerships. With candid insights on market headwinds, strategic M&A, and how CEOs can (and should) be ambassadors for their company’s mission, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and intentional leadership in the federal contracting space. To connect with Gautam, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire sits down with Omari Teel, Vice President of Public Sector at Publicis Sapient, a digital consulting powerhouse known for driving transformative change in both government and commercial sectors. Omari leads a team that helps federal agencies tackle big, complex challenges, from modernizing legacy systems to enhancing public service delivery through human-centered design. His approach to customer experience (CX) is deeply rooted in data, community engagement, and outcomes, not just aesthetics. Under his leadership, Publicis Sapient has delivered impactful work across agencies like HRSA and USDA, improving equity in rural healthcare and driving policy-informed CX strategies at scale. With a background that bridges the best of both commercial and federal practices, Omari is championing agile, fail-fast, and feedback-driven CX frameworks that lead to measurable impact, not just flashy interfaces. He emphasizes how real CX is about creating services that work efficiently, reflect real community needs, and evolve with continuous input, not just look good on the surface. From building digital journeys that help rural doctors stay in underserved areas, to integrating commercial insights that actually resonate with federal users, Omari and his team are proving that CX done right can drive operational efficiency, equity, and satisfaction—all while reducing friction across government services. To connect with Omari, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Publicis Sapient by visiting their webpage here.

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance. In this second episode of Mastering the Business Exit Journey, host David Blackburn sits down with GovCon veteran ⁠Adam McNair⁠ to discuss the topic of Your Identity – How do you explain the value of your organization as a purchase? They unpack what really matters when preparing your company for growth, acquisition, or exit. From crafting your company story to understanding buyer profiles and valuation drivers, Adam shares decades of experience navigating both buy-side and sell-side transactions. If you’re thinking about selling—or simply want to build a more valuable company—this episode should be a key part of your roadmap. To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.