GovCon Executive Slice

Latest Episodes:

From Federal CIO to ServiceNow Federal CTO: Jonathan Alboum on What’s Next for AI and Cybersecurity Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Government isn't short on AI ideas, pilots, or investment. The bigger challenge now is turning all of that momentum into measurable mission impact, without creating a whole new set of risks along the way.

OrangeSlices CEO David Blackburn recently sat down with Jonathan Alboum, Federal CTO at ServiceNow, for a wide-ranging conversation about where federal AI really stands today, where agencies are beginning to find success, and what could change over the next 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Jonathan brings a perspective that few technology leaders can. Before joining ServiceNow, he served as CIO of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helping lead modernization across a roughly $3 billion annual technology environment. He also held senior technology and acquisition leadership roles at GSA and served as CIO of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

In other words, Jonathan hasn't just watched federal modernization happen. He's been responsible for making it happen. He's navigated the technology, acquisition, workforce, governance, risk, and mission considerations that come with trying to drive meaningful change inside government. Today, from his role at ServiceNow, he gets to look at many of those same challenges from the other side of the table.

And that makes this conversation particularly interesting.

Jonathan shares what he's seeing across the federal landscape, where agencies are finding traction with AI today, how the technology is beginning to change government operations and constituent experiences, and where he believes the biggest opportunities are still ahead. He also offers some bold predictions about what the next two years could bring as agencies move beyond experimentation and begin thinking much more seriously about AI at enterprise scale.

The conversation also gets into an increasingly important challenge: visibility. As agencies deploy more AI, how do leaders know what's actually operating across their environment, where it's being used, whether it's delivering value, and where risk may be accumulating? Jonathan discusses the concept of an AI control tower and how greater enterprise-level oversight can give leaders a clearer view of their AI environment and help them make better decisions around investment, governance, performance, and risk.

If you're a GovCon growth executive, technology leader, or government decision-maker trying to understand where federal AI is going rather than simply where it is today, this is one worth making time for. Jonathan has been inside government, he's now seeing the market from industry, and he brings a grounded perspective on what's working, what's coming next, and what leaders on both sides of the table should be preparing for now.

To connect with Jonathan, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about ServiceNow by visiting their webpage here.

CEO Perspectives: When the Playbook Changes. MKS2 Technologies CEO Brendan Mullen and STS CEO Adrian Rich on Leading Through Disruption Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Change isn't coming to the federal market. It's already here. And for CEOs, the bigger question isn't how to get through the latest round of disruption. It's how to build a company capable of adapting, performing, and growing when constant change becomes the new normal.

OrangeSlices recently had the opportunity to explore that challenge with two accomplished founders who have spent years building successful federal technology companies: Brendan Mullen, Founder and CEO of MKS2 Technologies, and Adrian Rich, Founder and CEO of Simple Technology Solutions (STS).

Brendan brings a remarkable builder's perspective. A West Point graduate and Army combat veteran, he has spent 18 years growing MKS2 into a global federal technology and services company supporting defense, intelligence, civilian, and commercial customers. Eight Inc. 5000 appearances demonstrate the consistency of that growth, while building MKS2 debt-free from inception speaks to the discipline behind it.

Adrian has built an equally compelling story at STS. He founded the company around a belief that complex government technology can, and should, be made simpler. That philosophy has helped turn STS into a nationally recognized federal technology company, earning recognition for rapid growth and as a great place to work while helping government customers navigate cloud, Agile, DevOps, and enterprise transformation.

Leading the conversation is Eric Mothershead, Senior Partner at The Baldwin Group, who advises hundreds of scaling federal contractors and brings a valuable perspective on the workforce, cost, benefits, and organizational decisions that inevitably accompany growth and change.

And that's where this conversation gets especially interesting.

Brendan and Adrian look back at the lessons accumulated over years of building their companies, how those lessons have been tested by the extraordinary pace of change over the past two years, and what they're doing now to prepare MKS2 and STS for what comes next. They get into leadership, people, technology, execution, growth, and how CEOs make decisions when yesterday's playbook may no longer be enough.

If you're leading or growing a GovCon business and wondering what experienced CEOs are changing, protecting, investing in, and preparing for as they attack this new normal, make time for this conversation.

To connect with Brendan, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about MKS2 Technologies by visiting their webpage here.

To connect with Adrian, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Simple Technology Solutions (STS) by visiting their webpage here.

CEO Perspectives: Building Companies That Adapt, Execute, and Deliver with IBR’s David Chafin, South River Federal’s Matthew Tarjick, and Tech2i’s Par Rachakonda Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Technology moves fast. Building a great company is harder. In today’s federal market, the leaders separating themselves aren’t simply adopting AI, cloud, and data. They’re building the teams, culture, and discipline to turn those capabilities into mission results.

OrangeSlices recently brought together three accomplished CEOs for a CEO Perspectives conversation: David Chafin, CEO of Imagine Believe Realize (IBR); Matthew Tarjick, CEO and Managing Director of South River Federal Solutions; and Parvathi “Par” Rachakonda, CEO of Tech2i.

David has helped grow IBR from a one-person startup into an established federal technology company known for strong teams, exceptional customer performance, and modern capabilities spanning digital transformation, DevSecOps, cloud, low-code, and AI. Matthew brings more than two decades of military leadership to South River Federal, a mission-driven SDVOSB supporting healthcare, readiness, and transformation across the federal landscape. And Par brings deep technical and operational experience to Tech2i, applying a career built around data, technology, and large-scale delivery to practical cloud, data, and Salesforce solutions.

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 gets into what CEOs are wrestling with right now: building high-performing teams, investing intelligently in technology, protecting culture while growing, and staying disciplined as the federal market changes around them.

If you want to hear how three very different company builders are thinking about leadership, growth, technology, and what it takes to stay relevant and deliver in today’s federal market, this is a conversation worth listening to.

To connect with David, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Imagine Believe Realize (IBR) by visiting their webpage here.

To connect with Par, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Tech2i by visiting their webpage here.

To connect with Matthew, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about South River Federal Solutions by visiting their webpage here.

Thank you to The Baldwin Group for sponsoring this podcast.

Taking On the Hard Problems. MAJUS CEO Sean Brijbasi and Bracari CEO Melissa Sharp Britton on Technology, Teams, and Execution Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

There is no shortage of new technology entering the federal market. The harder challenge is building the companies, teams, and solutions capable of turning that technology into something agencies can actually use to solve difficult mission problems.

In this latest CEO Perspectives conversation, OrangeSlices connected with Sean Brijbasi, Founder and CEO of MAJUS Consulting, and Melissa Sharp Britton, CEO of Bracari, two accomplished company builders bringing distinct perspectives on leadership, innovation, growth, and execution.

Sean has spent more than 15 years building high-performing teams and shaping business and technology strategy. At MAJUS, he's building an AI-driven federal technology company around technical excellence, agility, and practical innovation, focused on applying emerging technology where it can make a meaningful difference for government customers.

Melissa brings more than 20 years of experience building companies, taking products to market, and helping customers succeed. At Bracari, she's built a culture around a refreshingly direct philosophy: It's fun to do hard things. Her team combines engineering, software, and creative problem-solving with strong execution and a relentless focus on the customer's mission.

Moderating the discussion is Eric Mothershead, Senior Partner at The Baldwin Group, where he advises hundreds of scaling federal contractors on employee benefits strategy, benchmarking, regulatory compliance, M&A due diligence, and payroll and HCM strategy.

Together, Sean, Melissa, and Eric dig into what it takes to build great teams, invest intelligently in emerging technology, manage growth, and create companies prepared for what's next.

If you want to hear how successful company builders are thinking about technology, culture, growth, and execution in today's federal market, this conversation is worth your time.

To connect with Sean, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about MAJUS Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

To connect with Melissa, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Bracari by visiting their webpage here.

Thank you to The Baldwin Group for sponsoring this podcast.

Forum One CEO Elisabeth Bradley on Why Digital Trust Has Become Government's Most Valuable Asset Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Trust has become one of government's most valuable assets. Increasingly, it's earned, or lost, through a digital experience.

For nearly three decades, Forum One has helped government agencies and mission-driven organizations navigate that reality, combining strategy, design, data, and technology to create digital experiences that strengthen public trust, improve engagement, and help organizations deliver greater mission impact. As digital expectations continue to evolve and artificial intelligence reshapes the way organizations think about service delivery, the need for thoughtful, mission-first digital strategy has never been greater.

David Blackburn recently sat down with Elisabeth Bradley, CEO of Forum One, for a conversation about what nearly 30 years of helping organizations modernize has taught the firm about digital transformation, public trust, and the future of government technology.

Elisabeth's leadership journey mirrors Forum One's own evolution. After helping shape the firm's strategy through a series of executive leadership roles, she now leads one of the industry's most respected digital consultancies serving government agencies and mission-driven organizations. Her perspective is informed by years spent helping organizations align strategy, technology, communications, and human-centered design to create measurable outcomes that matter.

Throughout the conversation, David and Elisabeth explore why digital trust has become inseparable from public trust, how agencies can think differently about creating meaningful digital experiences, and why successful AI adoption has far less to do with chasing the latest technology than it does with solving real mission challenges. They also reflect on what has changed, and what hasn't, across nearly three decades of supporting organizations working to improve lives, strengthen communities, and deliver on some of government's most important missions.

Whether you're a government leader, GovCon executive, digital strategist, technologist, or simply interested in how thoughtful innovation can create lasting impact, this conversation offers practical insights from a leader whose career has been dedicated to helping organizations turn ideas into meaningful results.

To connect with Elisabeth, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Forum One by visiting their webpage here.

DecisionPoint CEO Brian Flood and Prescient Edge CEO Alexander Granados on Leading Through Change, Innovation, and National Security Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

The next generation of federal leaders won't be defined by the technology they adopt. They'll be defined by how effectively they help government solve increasingly complex mission and national security challenges.

OrangeSlices recently had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Flood, Founder and CEO of DecisionPoint Corporation, and Alex Granados, CEO of Prescient Edge, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, growth, and what it takes to build organizations that consistently deliver in today's evolving federal market.

Brian has spent his career helping organizations anticipate change and turn complexity into opportunity, building DecisionPoint into a trusted innovation partner delivering enterprise IT, modernization, and mission support solutions that strengthen government performance. Under Alex's leadership, Prescient Edge has emerged as one of the federal market's premier intelligence and national security partners, combining operational expertise with advanced technologies to help the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies stay ahead of rapidly evolving mission challenges.

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.

Throughout the discussion, these leaders share candid perspectives on leading through change, investing in innovation without losing operational discipline, building organizations prepared for what's next, and the leadership decisions they believe will define the next generation of successful federal contractors.

If you're interested in how respected GovCon CEOs are thinking about growth, mission execution, national security, and long-term competitive advantage, this is a conversation well worth your time.

To connect with Brian, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about DecisionPoint Corporation by visiting their webpage here.

To connect with Alex, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Prescient Edge by visiting their webpage here.

Thank you to The Baldwin Group for sponsoring this podcast.

OmniTrust CEO David Sequino on Why Digital Trust Is Becoming the Next Cybersecurity Battleground Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest cybersecurity challenge facing government and industry isn't stopping the next attack, but proving who, or what, can actually be trusted?

As AI, connected devices, software supply chains, and machine identities continue to expand, trust has become one of the most strategic issues organizations face. The organizations that can establish and govern trust across these increasingly complex ecosystems will be far better positioned to manage risk, accelerate innovation, and prepare for what's next.

David Blackburn recently sat down with David Sequino, Co-Founder and CEO of OmniTrust, to discuss why digital trust is rapidly becoming a boardroom issue. With decades of experience securing more than two billion connected devices and enabling more than three billion secure software updates annually, David shares how OmniTrust has evolved from securing embedded systems to delivering Trust Lifecycle Management across devices, cloud environments, digital identities, cryptographic assets, software supply chains, and emerging AI ecosystems.

During the conversation, they explore why post-quantum security timelines are far more urgent than many executives realize, the technical realities of migrating to quantum-safe cryptography, and why traditional security models struggle in a future where autonomous AI agents are making decisions at machine speed.

If you're responsible for cybersecurity, technology strategy, digital transformation, AI, or enterprise risk, this conversation provides a practical look at where digital trust is headed and what leaders should be thinking about today. It's a timely discussion for executives who want to understand not just the technology, but the strategic decisions that will shape the next generation of secure systems.

To connect with David, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about OmniTrust by visiting their webpage here.

Exited Founder Alex Cohen on Why Statecraft Is Reimagining the Future of Government Work Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

For decades, we've tried to make government work better by adding more people, more processes, and more technology. But what if the next breakthrough isn't another software platform. What if it's a fundamentally different way of thinking about work itself?

David Blackburn recently connected with Alex Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO of Statecraft.

Alex is an exited founder who has spent years building technology for government and other highly regulated environments. After successfully building and selling his previous company, he's back with a new venture focused on a bold vision for the future of government work.

Statecraft is building what it calls an AI workforce, helping agencies automate the work that slows organizations down so public servants can spend more time focused on the mission. Rather than simply making individual tasks more efficient, the company's vision is to rethink how government work gets accomplished from end to end.

In this conversation, Alex shares what inspired him to launch Statecraft, why he believes the timing is right for this next evolution of AI, and how emerging technologies such as AI agents could reshape the way agencies operate. Whether you're a government leader, technology executive, or GovCon innovator, you'll come away with a better understanding of where AI is headed, what challenges still need to be solved, and why this may be one of the most important conversations taking place in the federal market today.

To connect with Alex, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Statecraft by visiting their webpage here.

Why Most SBIR Technologies Never Reach Phase III. Nicole Tripputi of Bidwell Solutions Explains Why Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Most SBIR companies know how to win research funding. Far fewer know how to turn that success into a funded Phase III contract.

In a recent conversation with OrangeSlices Founder David Blackburn, Nicole Tripputi, Founder of Bidwell Solutions and former Air Force Contracting Officer with an unlimited warrant, pulled back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood challenges in the federal market: transitioning innovative technologies from SBIR success to operational adoption.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience across contracting, program offices, and industry, Nicole shares what she learned from sitting on the government side of the table, where promising technologies often stall, why contracting teams and industry frequently struggle to align, and what agencies risk when they wait too long to engage with innovative companies.

The discussion goes beyond theory, exploring the realities of Phase III execution, stakeholder engagement, acquisition strategy, and the decisions that ultimately determine whether a technology becomes a funded capability or remains a successful prototype.

For SBIR awardees, technology innovators, growth leaders, and companies trying to understand how government actually buys innovation, this conversation offers an inside look at the challenges and opportunities that exist between a successful Phase I or Phase II award and a signed Phase III contract.

If you've ever asked, "We have the technology, so why isn't this moving forward?" this is a podcast you'll want to hear.

To connect with Nicole, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Bidwell Solutions by visiting their webpage here.

After 15 Years Driving Acquisition Innovation in Government, Britteny Chappell Brings Her Perspective to Alpha Omega Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Federal acquisition is changing fast, and few people have had a front-row seat to that transformation quite like Britteny Chappell.

David Blackburn recently sat down with ⁠Britteny Chappell⁠, Vice President of Capture at Alpha Omega, to discuss the evolving landscape of federal acquisition, technology modernization, and mission delivery.

Many across government and industry know Britteny from her work inside federal agencies, where she spent more than 15 years helping shape acquisition strategy and procurement innovation at organizations including NASA, GSA's Technology Transformation Services, FEDSIM, the Department of Transportation, and the Executive Office of the President. Throughout her career, she has been at the forefront of efforts to modernize procurement practices, strengthen supplier engagement, and leverage emerging technologies to improve outcomes across government.

Today, Britteny brings that experience to Alpha Omega, where she is helping organizations navigate an increasingly dynamic federal market. As a company focused on digital modernization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and mission transformation, Alpha Omega continues to support agencies as they pursue new approaches to delivering capabilities faster and more effectively.

In this conversation, David and Britteny explore how the federal acquisition environment continues to evolve, what recent innovation efforts may mean for agencies and contractors alike, and how organizations can better position themselves to capitalize on changing priorities and emerging opportunities.

For government leaders, industry executives, capture professionals, and anyone interested in the future of federal acquisition, this discussion offers valuable perspective from someone who has successfully navigated both sides of the federal marketplace. Listeners can expect practical insights on modernization, acquisition innovation, technology adoption, and the changing relationship between government and industry as agencies work to deliver mission outcomes in an increasingly complex environment.

To connect with Britteny, follow her on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠.
Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage ⁠here⁠.

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