The Geek Within

🎙️ In Episode #237 of The Geek Within, my guest is Andrew Powell. He is the Chief Growth Officer at Strongbridge and a graduate of the ACT-IAC Voyagers in 2025. It was through the ACT-IAC community where I met Andrew. 🔗 You can engage Andrew here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-powell-85620962/

🎙️ In Episode #236 of The Geek Within, my guest is Boomya Patan. She a Product Owner and Systems Analyst at Navy Federal Credit Union where she is part of the technology department in the lending division. Boomya and I talk about missed opportunities when promoting leaders based on presence versus capability. Thank you for joining me. 🔗 You can engage Boomya here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin....

🎙️ In Episode #235 of The Geek Within, my guest is Taylor Kelley. She is a Director of Business Development at GDIT, a graduate of both the ACT-IAC Associates and Voyagers program, and a proud mom. Taylor and I met during her Associates program and continue to run into each other at all the local networking events. We also took time to discuss the challenges caused by contract award protests and i...

🎙️ In Episode #234 of The Geek Within, my guest is Jade Pech. She is Director of Analytics at Scope Infotech, Inc, a software engineering company in the federal contracting space. Jade was previously a Data Scientist at the FAA, which is when we met. Jade and I discuss how people looking at the job situation today need to be willing to put the work in and make whatever changes are needed to get th...

🎙️ In Episode #233 of The Geek Within, my guest is Karen F Lee. She is a Co-founder and President of FedsForward, an organization committed to helping civil servants continue their service to the nation by moving forward into mission-driven careers across all sectors of the economy. They are a staunchly non-partisan organization focused on enabling mission-driven individuals to make an impact in f...

🎙️ In Episode #232 of The Geek Within, my guest is Brian Numainville. He is a Principal at The Feedback Group, President of NUMINSIGHT LLC, and an author of Feedback Rules!: 52 ways to listen to your stakeholders. Brian has deep expertise in public relations, content strategy, AI integration, and digital marketing, which he uses to bring his unique ability to turn complex data into compelling stor...

🎙️ In Episode #231 of The Geek Within, my guest is Rob Fawcett. He is the Founder and Principal Consultant of The Human CTO, where he provides leadership support for executives who need a strategic technology partner. Rob also focuses on product, data, AI, and software delivery alignment when execution isn't landing and with suppling fractional tech and transformation change roles when a team...

🎙️ In Episode #230 of The Geek Within, my guest is Mahdieh Ghalampoor, although she goes by Maddie. She is the Director of Service Delivery at Abaco Strategy, LLC. She is passionate about innovation and enthusiastic about helping other people grow. We chat a bit about how many organizational changes are made without consideration for the human element. Thank you for joining me. 🔗 You can engage M...

🎙️ In Episode #229 of The Geek Within, my guest is Lauren Wittenberg Weiner. She is the founder of WWC Global, a woman-owned government-focused management consulting firm that was founded to provide professional opportunities for military spouses, growing the business into 350+ person firm before selling in 2022. Lauren is the author of the National Bestseller UNRULY, which has the subtitle - Deco...

🎙️ In Episode #228 of The Geek Within, my guest is Wes Kussmaul. He is the CEO of The Authenticity Institute, which is an incubator that supports companies providing measurably reliable identities of individuals to their target markets in healthcare, finance, critical infrastructure protection, and others where reliable identity is important. Wes was the founder of Kussmaul Encyclopedia in 1981, w...

🎙️ In Episode #227 of The Geek Within, my guest is Erika Dinnie. She is a former GSA Associate CIO for Infrastructure & Operations and currently VP of Federal for MetTel. MetTel is a communications solutions provider offering a wide range of products and services to meet organizations' communications needs in data and voice. We talk a bit about how working for the government is not necessa...

🎙️ In episode #226 of The Geek Within, my guest is Mike Shanley. He is the Founder and CEO of GovDiscovery AI, a human-in-the-loop AI intel tool for DoD business development and capture teams. Mike is also the host of the GovDiscovery AI podcast. We talk a bit about federal procurement and the wide-ranging levels of quality with the forecasts that are released and its impact, and cost, on industry...

In episode #225 of The Geek Within, my guest is Sabrina Amjad. She is a Founder and Senior Advisor for Vanbri Consulting, which is focused on transformation and change leadership, especially helping to drive AI adoption, behavior change, and enterprise strategy. We talk a bit about challenges women still have in their careers, both from themselves and others. 🔊 Listen to episode 225: Spotify - ht...

In episode #224 of The Geek Within, my guest is Brett Bearce. He is currently unemployed, as many are with the changes in the Federal government space. Brett was previous at the Millennium Challenge Corporation for nineteen years where his last role was as the Creative Services Director. Brett and I met when I was working at MCC and have a shared history associated with New Mexico. We talk a bit a...

In episode #223 of The Geek Within, my guest is Rajiv D'Cruz. He is a Data Analyst at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Rajiv is an expert in streamlining processes to achieve efficiencies, which is how we met as we both seek creative ways to improve mission outcomes. Rajiv and I talk about how important it is to have a flexible mindset when it comes to your career and the choices y...

In episode #222 of The Geek Within, my guest is Matt Hargenrader. He is a Software Developer for SilverEdge Government Solutions. Matt and I connected on LinkedIn, and I am looking forward to hearing about his career journey. We talked about the importance of building your network, especially in your early career. Then we dive into how businesses need to better leverage social media, both from a m...

Today's guest is Nicole Waddell. She is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Link LLC, which is a small IT management consulting business. Nicole is also a published author of the books "Ladies in Tech, Volume III", "Get Back Up… And Do It Again", and "A Relentless Journey with God: Devotional Prayer Journal". She has over 25 years of experience transforming organizatio...

Today's guest is Neil Twa. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Voltage Holdings, a company specializing in launching, consulting, selling, and acquiring brands with a focus on the e-commerce channels such as Amazon FBA, which means Fulfillment by Amazon, and multi-channel. Neil has more than fifteen years of experience selling private label products on Amazon. Neil is also the co-author, along wit...

Today's guest is Amy Corcoran. She is the Director of Business Development and previously led Marketing and Communications at Alpha Omega. Amy is a problem solver with fifteen years of experience in Strategic Communications and Government Relations, both domestically and internationally. And a very proud mother of three. Amy and discuss the continuing challenge of interacting with companies wh...

Today's guest is Donald Gabbin. He is the Chief Operating Officer for PKH Enterprises, which is focused on insider threat, zero trust, and cybersecurity. Donald and I talk about how do we get beyond how business development has always been done and incorporate modern concepts and methods. You can engage Donald here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-gabbin-ms-mpa-pmp-spc-sdp-csm-it...

Today's guest is Nate Chamberlain. He is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Nate Chamberlain LLC. Nate specializes in Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and SharePoint solutions and is well known as a technical trainer, speaker, and author of 11 books! He is a five time Microsoft MVP awardee before joining the Postal Regulatory Commission where he is a Technical Business Analyst with high hop...

Today's guest is Kisha Powell. She is the Chief Experience Officer at ACT-IAC, a nonprofit bringing government and industry together to solve government problems. Kisha is also the CEO and Owner of Designer Event Concepts, LLC focusing on project management, events, marketing, and social media management. Kisha and I have known each other for many years through my interactions with ACT-IAC. We...

Today's guest is Lea Bowman. She is a Data Scientist at Metric5. Lea and I met through work she was doing for another organization at the SEC. Lea and I talk a bit about the job search process and the challenge of getting employers to value our experience over specific education. You can engage Lea here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leabowman38/ List of past episodes: https://www.thegeek...

Today's guest is Gabrielle Sease. She is the Founder of Spatial Research LLC, which specializes in advanced research, consulting, and technology services related to AI, Metaverse, scientific innovation, and internet technologies. Gabrielle and spoke a bit about how politics are casting a shadow over how we all relate in a business context and how it causes a distraction. You can engage Gabriel...

Today's guest is Shauna Weatherly. She is the President and Founder of Federal Subcontract Solutions LLC (FedSubK). Shauna retired from federal service with almost 36 years of experience across military and civilian agencies. With all the changes in government, Shauna has shared numerous posts to help both industry and government understand the actions and impacts. We chatted about how importa...