Get ready to dive into the world of federal procurement and innovation policy with Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina, a distinguished expert in public administration and federal contract management.

With a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy, an MBA, and certifications that include CFCM and NCMA Fellow, Dr. Kuchina-Musina brings over a decade of experience in federal, state, and international public procurement. As the CEO and Founder of REXOTA Solutions, LLC, she has shaped strategies and provided risk management support for complex federal contracts. In this episode, she’ll share insights on innovation policy, federal procurement reform, and her journey as a leader in the field.

Don’t miss this conversation packed with expertise, leadership stories, and valuable lessons for anyone navigating government contracting. Tune in to gain valuable insights that could transform your approach to public procurement and strategy.

Get ready to be inspired by Sarah MacDawutey, the Acting Deputy Director for Innovations in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and IT, Sarah’s journey is a masterclass in transformation and leadership.

Starting in healthcare roles back in 2002, she made a pivotal shift in 2012 to the world of Information Technology, diving into early machine learning projects focused on Natural Language Processing. From there, Sarah discovered her passion for Scrum, Agile coaching, and software development, quickly becoming a sought-after expert in government contracting.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah expanded her skill set even further, mastering Human-Centered Design (HCD) and product development. Her innovative mindset led to the creation of groundbreaking tools and initiatives that have transformed how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates. From building a DevSecOps community of practice to streamlining change releases with cutting-edge automation, her work continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Tune in to hear Sarah’s story of resilience, innovation, and leadership, and discover how she’s driving change in the VA and beyond. 🚀

Sarah MacDawutey
Acting Deputy Director - Innovations
Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Office of Information and Technology
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Sarah MacDawutey currently serves as the Acting Deputy Director – Innovations in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Residing in Northern Virginia, Sarah has been immersed in health care-related roles since 2002, bringing over two decades of experience to her work. In 2012, Sarah transitioned into the field of Information Technology. She began as a Subject Matter Expert, where she played a pivotal role in training early machine learning models in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and enhancing engine accuracy through curated rules. Her proficiency in these areas laid the foundation for her future endeavors in IT.

Sarah's journey into Scrum, Agile Coaching, and agile software development marked a significant turning point in her career. She discovered a passion for coaching, which led her to government contracting. Her expertise in agile methodologies has been instrumental in driving successful project outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic Sarah took the opportunity to further develop her skills in Human-Centered Design (HCD) and product development through additional course work. During this time, she expanded her role within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), launching several groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed the way the VA operates.

Notable achievements include the establishment of VA-wide tools and a DevSecOps community of practice. Sarah's innovative spirit is exemplified by her contributions to the automation of change releases, integrating systems such as Jira, GitHub, and ServiceNow. Her forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence continue to drive impactful changes within the VA and the broader IT community.

Get ready for an exciting conversation with Brian Lindholm, the founder and Managing Principal of FedSavvy Strategies, and a true expert in the world of market and competitive intelligence.

With a career spanning roles in capture, business development, and proposal management, Brian is renowned for designing and running Black Hat reviews—helping companies outmaneuver the competition in government contracting. In this episode, we’ll dive into his unique journey from a naval officer to building FedSavvy Strategies from the ground up, and how his deep expertise is transforming the way businesses approach intelligence in the federal marketplace. Plus, we'll explore his love for hiking, craft beers, and strategy games, and learn how he balances it all with family life. Tune in for insights, stories, and some fun along the way!


0:00 Intro
2:34 How Did You Get Here?
4:23 Highlights of Brian’s Government Contracting Career
6:24 Traditional Black Hat
8:48 How to Pull a List of Competitors if You Don’t Know Who They Are?
11:54 Effects of COVID
13:24 Strategic Market Intelligence
16:58 AI + Market Intelligence
20:36 Ghosting
20:52 You Can Do Everything Right and Still Loose
29:02 Win Themes
29:18 Building the Solution
35:21 Two Pieces of Advice
37:29 What is your Superpower?

Brian Lindholm is the founder and Managing Principal of FedSavvy Strategies. He guides the firm’s services and development and has done so since the founding in 2012. His career has spanned a myriad of roles from capture, business development, proposal management and all things market and competitive intelligence. The market and competitive intelligence career has also involved completely standing up corporation functions to do market and competitive intelligence work. He’s best known for designing and running Black Hat reviews. His career started as a naval officer (Supply Corps) with both sea and ashore assignments. He is a MBA graduate of George Mason University and he earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Brian loves hiking with his dogs, trying out craft beers and new foods (too much!), dabbling in strategy games (board and electronic) and spending time with his wife and son whenever possible.

David Zvenyach, or as we like to think of him..."The Batman of Government Contracting." Dave Z is a Principal at TandemGov, bringing unparalleled expertise in public sector innovation and technology transformation.

In this interview, we dive deep into his journey from serving as Deputy Commissioner of the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service to leading groundbreaking tech initiatives at the Technology Transformation Services. Dave's unique ability to blend law, technology, and strategy has made him a true superhero in modernizing government operations. Don't miss this chance to hear from the man who’s been at the forefront of transforming how government agencies build, buy, and share technology.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a public sector professional, or just curious about how innovation happens at the highest levels, this episode is for you! Tune in to discover what drives "The Batman of Government Contracting" and his mission to make government tech smarter, faster, and more efficient.

0:00 Introduction
3:28 Your Journey: Who Are You and How Did You Get Here?
7:28 Continued Involvement in Acquisition Innovation Conversations?
7:56 Childhood Dreams: What Did You Want to Be at Age 5?
9:05 Career Milestones
11:13 Current Role and Responsibilities
12:32 LinkedIn Adventures
17:55 Leadership with Humor
19:35 Insights on AI
24:36 Best and Worst Parts of Building Something
25:55 Advice for Companies
26:51 Innovations Behind FBO and Sam.gov
31:36 Two Key Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Professionals
34:01 Dave Z’s Superpower

David Zvenyach, also known as "Dave Z," currently serves as a Principal at TandemGov, where he brings a wealth of experience and expertise in public sector innovation and technology transformation. Prior to this role, Dave held several senior leadership positions in government, most notably as the Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) and the Director of Technology Transformation Services (TTS). In this capacity, Dave oversaw key initiatives aimed at modernizing government technology, including the management of the Presidential Innovation Fellows, 18F, and various other digital services.

Throughout his career, Dave has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the public sector through technology. Before his tenure at TTS, he served as a Senior Technical Advisor and Assistant Commissioner for the GSA’s Office of Systems Management, and as the Executive Director of 18F. His diverse roles have also included time as an independent consultant, Director of Product at Hangar, and General Counsel to the DC Council. His contributions have been recognized across the industry, earning him accolades such as Fed 100 and FastCase 50.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dave is an accomplished author, educator, and strategist. He has written extensively on legal and technical subjects, including the book Coding for Lawyers. Dave has also served as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University Law School and contributed to various legal education programs. A graduate of George Washington University Law School with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Dave lives with his family in Oregon, WI, and remains an active figure in both the legal and technology communities.

In our next episode, we’re thrilled to bring you a conversation with Madiha Latif, the Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. With over 20 years of experience in intelligence, consulting, and financial services, Madiha is a dynamic senior operations executive within the federal government. She’s a trusted advisor responsible for strategy, governance, compliance, and more—driving innovation and growth with a people-first, customer-centric approach.

Join us as we explore Madiha’s journey as a woman leader, veteran, and person of color in the financial management industry. She’s a recognized culture influencer and passionate advocate for program development, leading diverse teams, and fostering connections. With an MBA and an executive leadership certification from Harvard Kennedy School, Madiha is not just a leader but a lifelong learner, known for being a proactive change agent.

Don’t miss this insightful discussion on leadership, innovation, and the power of connection with Madiha Latif.

0:00 Intro
3:35 Being a Veteran
6:16 Proud Woman of Color
8:14 How I Got Here?
12:38 Blacklight Zuma with Alexa and Madiha
17:50 Innovation
25:26 What Does the Future Hold?
30:53 Contractor Pet Peeves
34:49 Two Pieces of Advice
38:31 Madiha’s Superpower

Ever wondered how a small fish can become a big shark in the government contracting pond? Well, grab your flippers and dive in with us!

In our upcoming episode, we're chatting with Gautam Ijoor, the captain steering the good ship Alpha Omega. He's not just any old sailor - he's mastered the art of navigating the choppy waters of federal contracting using the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) compass.

If you've read "Traction" (and if you haven't, no worries, we won't make you walk the plank), you know EOS is making waves in the business world. Gautam's going to spill the beans on how he used this nifty system to transform Alpha Omega from a dinghy to a yacht - we're talking from under $1 million in 2016 to a cool $50+ million by 2020. Talk about making it rain... er, ocean spray!

But wait, there's more! Gautam's got over 20 years of sea legs in this industry, and he's not just about staying afloat. He's built a crew that's so customer-focused, they've sailed right into the Inc. 5000, Washington Technology's Fast 50, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Fantastic 50.

So, if you're curious about how to chart a course for business growth, develop a treasure map for scaling companies, or just want to hear some salty tales from the high seas of federal contracting, drop anchor and tune in. Gautam's insights might just be the wind in your sails!

Gautam Ijoor
President & CEO
Gautam Ijoor brings an impressive track record of more than two decades of experience in the federal contracting arena to Alpha Omega. As an entrepreneurial-minded business leader, Gautam has achieved consistent success not only in building and growing firms, but also in improving their profitability, performance, and value. He has a demonstrated history of helping businesses expand their presence in the federal market, while exceeding growth and profit objectives. At Alpha Omega, Gautam built an effective and innovative leadership team, helping the company grow from less than $1 million/year in summer 2016 to more than $50 million/year by summer 2020. In placing an emphasis on their customers, building a strong culture, and refining their capabilities, Alpha Omega created a foundation for growth that has consistently propelled them into the Inc. 5000, Washington Technology’s Fast 50, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Fantastic 50 in recent years.

Prior to joining Alpha Omega, Gautam was the COO of C3 Systems, where he led the company from startup to $16M per year in revenue, and from 1 to 110 employees in four years. Prior to C3 Systems, he served as VP of Operations, Business Development and Capture Strategy at QSSI, where he helped grow the firm through three acquisitions and increased his division’s revenue by more than 300% in eight years. Gautam earned an M.S. from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and is a certified Project Management Professional.

In our next episode, we're thrilled to have an exclusive interview with Lester L. Ingol, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for the Resilience Office of Business Management (OBM). Since stepping into this pivotal role in August 2023, Mr. Ingol has been at the helm of FEMA's Resilience operations, managing a $10 billion annual budget and overseeing critical areas such as budget operations, human resources, procurement, and asset management.

With a career that spans leadership positions in FEMA and a distinguished 10-year service in the US Marine Corps, Mr. Ingol brings unparalleled expertise in crisis management and disaster response. He has led major mission support initiatives across Resilience, steered FEMA's security programs, and played a crucial role in managing acquisitions during significant disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as the COVID-19 response.

Tune in to hear Mr. Ingol share his insights on managing large-scale disaster operations, ensuring FEMA's readiness, and his journey from the Marine Corps to a leading role in national resilience.

00:00 Intro
03:28 - Career Journey: How Did You Get Here?
09:35 - Understanding FEMA's Mission
13:11 - Perspectives: Contractor & Fed
17:23 - Balancing Tech Solutions and Budget at FEMA
20:44 - The Future of Proposals with AI
25:18 - The Toughest Decision Made
29:04 - Favorite Bourbon
30:17 - Characteristics of a Good Vendor
35:03 - Career Highlight
38:52 - Two Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Leaders
43:16 - Lester’s Superpower


Lester L. Ingol is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for the Resilience Office of Business Management (OBM). He entered this position in August 2023. In this position, Mr. Ingol leads the Resilience-wide portfolio on budget operations, human resources, procurement and asset management, workforce/employee development, and Resilience employee readiness. Mr. Ingol ensures Resilience accountability for an approximately $10 billion annual budget and guides Resilience through the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process that includes annual resource allocation planning development, the President’s Budget Request, and Congressional appropriations matters. He also provides enterprise-wide direction on major mission support initiatives across Resilience.

Prior to this position, Mr. Ingol served as the Acting Chief Security Officer from January 2023 to August 2023. He was responsible for directing the development and execution of FEMA’s security programs, including the security of classified information and programs, the protection of FEMA facilities including regional, field and outlying installations/offices, investigations of security concerns, enforcement of security requirements, development of security policies, identification of security initiatives, and establishing and ensuring compliance with security standards for the Agency.

Previously, Mr. Ingol served as FEMA’s Deputy Head of the Contracting Activity within the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. He was responsible for the management and oversight of acquisition operations, policy, and programs totaling approximately $3.76B and 9,800 transactions, annually.

Join us on #GovCom Unfiltered as we explore the remarkable career of Julie Vida, VP of Defense Growth at ManTech. Julie leads teams in delivering advanced technology solutions for military and defense clients.

With 24 years of service in the US Navy, Julie retired as a Commander, earning the Navy Air Medal for her bravery during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. She transitioned to the tech sector, taking on key roles at Splunk and Gartner, and ending her military career as the Navy’s Deputy CIO at the Pentagon.

Julie shares her experiences transitioning from the military to tech, mentoring veterans, and advocating for women in STEM.

Tune in to #GovCom Unfiltered for an inspiring episode with Julie Vida, filled with insights and stories from her distinguished career.

Julie Vida
Julie Vida is a technology and business executive specializing in the government and public sector space. She is the VP, Defense Growth at ManTech, leading teams who expand opportunities to deliver high end technology and engineering solutions for military Services and defense agency clients. Prior to joining ManTech, she held VP roles in advisory and consultative selling at both Splunk and Gartner, targeting executive engagement with federal government Chief Information Officers (CIO) and IT senior leaders. She served honorably for 24 years in the US Navy, retiring as a Commander in 2012 before her career pivot to technology in the private sector. Initially an Enlisted Russian linguist, she switched tracks to the Officer community and earned her commission from the US Naval Academy in 1994. She served as both a Surface Warfare Officer and Naval Aviator (helicopter pilot) in various combatant ships and helicopter squadrons. Her highest military award is the Navy Air Medal, recognizing her superior airmanship and bravery in armed conflict, earned during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Her final role in government
was the Navy’s Deputy Chief Information Officer in the Pentagon.
Julie regularly mentors and guides transitioning veterans as they leave the service. She is passionate about supporting and encouraging women and girls in technology, speaking at events to encourage pursuing STEM career fields, building confidence, and learning through setbacks.
A lover of word puzzles and trivia games, she is a former champion of two televised game shows, “The Weakest Link” and “Wheel of Fortune.”