BEST8A Podcast

Leslie Faircloth, former OSBP at Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and founder of Small GovCon Solutions, discusses her federal career joruney, her advocacy for small businesses and how AI is going to impact the GovCon process.

Government contracting is going to become less consistent across agencies. How will that impact BD? Keith Boyea, DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Director of Contracts and Awards, discusses how to diferentiate proposals, engage with contracting officers and the changes in government contracting regulations. Listen to the Best8(a) Podcast! -

Can a Contracting Officer help a small business with proposals? What?! Are you crazy?! Shauna Weatherly , president of FedSubK and former GSA senior procurement analyst, discusses her federal career journey, the challenges of starting a business while working for the government, and her advice for small businesses in the current GovCon upheaval.

GovCon rules are changing: How can small businesses navigate this moment? E. Darlene Bullock , former Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ' OSDBU, talks about her federal career journey, the emerging challenges in procurement processes and how small businesses can advocate for themselves.

How can federal agencies' work be made more efficient? Ann Dunkin, DOE CIO, discusses government efficiency challenges, the value of federal agencies' missions and working across the public-private divide. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! #podcast #govcon #cio #innovation #governmentcontracting #governmentprocurement #federalprocurement #8a #smallbusiness #8asmallbusin...

How do DHS S&T and industry help each other develop new technology? Tod Companion, Senior Advisor at DHS Science and Technology Directorate, discusses his career journey, inter-agency and industry collaboration and the development of technology readiness and innovation. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! #podcast #innovation #dhs #interview #smallbusiness #8a #8asmallbusines...

How can you earn your PM's trust? Monica Padron Harris, former Sr. Acquisition Advisor at USCIS and founder of The Procurement Pros, continues our discussion on the importance of building relationships, collaborating and sharing knowledge in the govcon space. Check out the latest episode od the Best8(a) podcast!

How can you make the most of one-on-one meetings with the government? Monica Padrón Harris , former Sr. Acquisition Advisor at USCIS and founder of The Procurement Pros, discusses her career journey, best practices for engaging with the federal government, and the importance of networking and perseverance. Check out the latest episode od the Best8(a) podcast! #podcast #govcon #governmentcontractin...

Can AI lighten the load of federal agents? John Bergin, Director at Microsoft and former DOD IT & Business System Reform Leader, continues our talk about his participation in AFCEA NOVA, cybersecurity and Microsoft productivity tools. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) Podcast! #podcast #govcon #governmentcontacting #dod #cybersecurity #leadership #bd #businessdevelopment #smallbusin...

How do you find the "cool new thing"? Alec Longarzo, VP of Growth at Aperio Global, LLC, and AFCEA NOVA Board Member, continues our discussion on small businesses' agility for innovation, relationship-building in the contracting space, and what changes may the new adminstration bring. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! - #podcast #businessdevelopment #bd #govcon #governmentcontr...

How will the new administration's promise to increase fed spending efficency affect GovCon industry? Alec Longarzo, VP of Growth at Aperio Global, LLC, and AFCEA NOVA Board Member, discusses his career journey, building relationships and understading costumer needs, and how to stay ahead in the technology field. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! - #podcast #businessdevelopment...

John Bergin, Director at Microsoft and former DOD IT & Business System Reform Leader, discusses leadership pholosophy, and the contrast between government and commercial sector operations. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) Podcast! #podcast #govcon #governmentcontacting #dod #cybersecurity #leadership #bd #businessdevelopment #smallbusiness #8a #8asmallbusiness

Can federal employees own a company? Tarrazzia Martin, HUD Senior Advisor of Enterprise Technology, Planning and Change Management, continues our discussion on the challenges of leadership, navigating power, and some of her career hihglights. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast #podcast #leadership #federalleadership #govcon #governmentcontracting #CEO #8a #smallbusiness #8asmallb...

Federal IT Careers: Going Solo or Thriving in a Team? Tarrazzia Martin, HUD Senior Advisor of Enterprise Technology, Planning and Change Management, discusses her journey working in the federal government, owning your technology, and what leadership and mentorship mean to her. Listen to the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast #podcast #leadership #federalleadership #govcon #governmentcontractin...

Reaching out to the governemnt: email or phone call? Jay Visconti, former CBP Director of STAT Division, talks about KO's challenges, the importance of enganging in industry days, and how telework has been transformational for interactions in the federal sector. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) Podcast! #podcast #smallbusiness #8a #8asmallbusiness #businessdevelopment #bd #federalcontr...

Can AI help us focus more on relationship building? Scott Simpson, digital transformation lead at DHS, continues our dicussion on the impact of AI in federal procurement and the importance of collaboration between the technical and the procurement teams. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) Podcast! #podcast #ai #artificialintelligence #smallbusiness #8a #8asmallbusiness #businessdevelopme...

Can GAO reports help with BD and relationship building? This is the final part of my talk with Bill Pratt, Executive Director of Customer Relations at RELI Inc. and former IT Director at DHS, where we discuss some of the persistant challenges in federal IT and what advice he'd give to federal employees transitioning into the private sector based on his own experience. Check out the latest epis...

How can professionals grow their careers in the federal government? Christian Macmillan, former Director of Staffing and Training Development at the US Marine Corps and Program Manager at the DHS, continues our discussion on personal and professional growth, the importance of networking and mentorship, and what industry leaders should do if they want to engage with DHS. 🎙️ Check out the latest epi...

You can't convince end users just by saying you have a great idea! Charlene Coon, president of the board of the directos of World Business Development Association, continues our discussion on relationship building, the importance of storytelling in proposals and how you can shape an opportunity through proactive conversations with end users. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast...

Sometimes federal employees don't realize the effort that goes into a proposal! Jay Visconti, former CBP Director of STAT Division, discusses the highlights of his career in the federal sector, his transition into industry, and what he learned on each side of the fence. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) Podcast! #podcast #newepisode #smallbusiness #8asmallbusiness #8a #sme #subjectm...

How is AI going to change the tech landscape in 10 years? Abigail Haddad, a machine learning engineering at DHS, discusses the impact of AI and ML, the career path for technical professionals who move between the private and public sector, and whether the government should be open to sharing their codes. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! #podcast #ai #artificialintelligence #ai...

How does the goverment ensure all GMEs are on equal footing? "Affordability and discovery!" Scott Simpson, digital transformation lead at DHS, discusses the need for more flexible federal procurement practices and what are the best approaches for Government Mission Enablers in their conversations with end users. Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast! #podcast #dhs #innovat...

Can intrusive leadership be a good thing? Christian Macmillan, former Director of Staffing and Training Development at the US Marine Corps and Program Manager at the DHS, discusses the different leaderships styles in the military and civil services, and the challanges federal employees might encounter on their career path. #podcast #smallbusiness #8asmallbusiness #govcon #governmentcontracting #fe...

Working at a large company can be exciting, but also isolating. John C. King, former USMC Senior Logistics Manager and CEO of King Global Enterprise Solutions, continues our discussion about what it can be like for federal employees to transition into industry, the contrast between big and small companies, and some of the challenges with recruiting cleared personnel. Check out the latest episode o...

If you want to increase your PWIN, you have to know what makes you different and better! Beth Capello, former DHS Deputy CIO, continues our talk about how to build relationships with key leaders, how to make the be more strategic during meetings, and what her plans for the future are. 🎙️ Check out the latest episode of the Best8(a) podcast!