Gregory Barbaccia serves as the United States Federal Chief Information Officer, overseeing the implementation of secure, reliable, and high-performing technology across the Federal government. Prior to joining the White House, Gregory served in multiple leadership positions in the commercial technology sector where he executed robust information security strategies and implemented advanced analytics and security solutions at scale. Gregory is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and is a US Army Intelligence Veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Alexis Bonnell is the Head of AI Adoption and Deployment at OpenAI focused on Government and Public Sector. Alexis previously served as a Federal Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Information Officer of the Air Force Research Laboratory, was the Emerging Technology Evangelist at Google, and was one of the first employees of the Internet Trade Association. Alexis has deployed more than 60 AI systems and solutions in Government. Alexis has introduced AI to over 700,000 public servants, and has led the most comprehensive AI Adoption Research program in US Government, specializing in AI Adoption Psychology, Living System Leadership, and Leading in an AI Age. She is an expert in human-machine teaming. She has won more than 15 Awards for her work in AI in government. She loves the opportunity to share the power of AI in helping people, teams and organizations reach their fullest potential. Alexis has developed and delivered technology solutions in war zones, fortune 500 companies, global emergencies, and in more than 50 countries. Alexis is an author and holds 2 masters and an honorary PHD, she recently became a grandmother and co-wrote her first children's book focused on introducing AI in a safe, fun way... and…she has really cool sneakers!

The Honorable Michael Duffey was sworn in as the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)) on June 5, 2025. In this role, he is responsible to the Secretary of War for all matters pertaining to acquisition; contract administration; logistics and materiel readiness; installations and environment; operational energy; nuclear deterrence, chemical, and biological defense; the acquisition workforce; and the defense industrial base.

Over the past two decades, Mr. Duffey has served in several senior roles throughout the Department of War, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of War, Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, as well as multiple positions in the former Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. Throughout his tenure in the Department, Mr. Duffey has led efforts to improve the application of systems engineering in the Department’s development and procurement of our most complex weapon systems, established a capability to prioritize and protect critical technologies from exfiltration by our adversaries, and led teams developing critical technologies that maintain U.S. technological advantage on the battlefield.

In addition to his leadership at the Department of War, Mr. Duffey served as the Program Associate Director for National Security at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he oversaw the entire $1+ trillion national security budget for the United States Government, including the Departments of War, State, Veterans Affairs, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, and several international economic agencies. In his role at OMB, Mr. Duffey worked with Department leadership to publish a robust 30-year shipbuilding strategy prioritizing U.S. maritime superiority, and led efforts to fund nuclear modernization and the standup of the U.S. Space Force.

Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Duffey is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.

Senator James C. Justice II was born on April 27, 1951, to James Conley Justice and Edna Ruth Justice. A lifelong West Virginian, he attended Raleigh County public schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969, and attended Greenbrier Military Academy as a post-graduate. Senator Justice went on to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he was captain of the golf team for two years before earning his undergraduate degree and a Masters in Business Administration.

Senator Justice’s remarkable career took off in 1976 when he joined his family’s business and established the Justice Family Farms in Monroe County, West Virginia. With over 50,000 acres of farmland across multiple states, his agricultural enterprise thrived. As the
largest farmer east of the Mississippi River and a seven-time national corn growing
champion, Senator Justice’s passion for nature extended to developing Stoney Brook Plantation, a sprawling 15,000-acre hunting and fishing preserve.

Following the passing of his father in 1993, Senator Justice assumed leadership as
President and CEO of Bluestone Industries, Inc. and Bluestone Coal Corporation. Over the next 15 years, he oversaw a substantial expansion of diverse businesses, including coal reserves, Christmas tree farms, cotton gins, turfgrass operations, golf courses, and land development projects. Prior to becoming Senator, he helmed 102 companies, demonstrating his expertise in job creation.

In 2008, Senator Justice orchestrated a multi-million dollar sale of Bluestone Industries, Inc. Senator Justice repurchased Bluestone in 2015, reopening its mines and generating over 200 new mining jobs.  In 2009, Senator Justice’s rescue efforts extended to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, which faced bankruptcy and workforce cuts. Determined to revitalize the resort, he reversed benefit reductions and made significant investments in renovations and expansions. His visionary leadership attracted prestigious events like the PGA Tour, LIV Golf Tournament, NFL and NBA training camps, and various high-profile acts and conferences to The Greenbrier.

As a successful business owner and former Governor of West Virginia, Senator Justice
possesses a deep understanding of job creation and economic growth. His extensive experience in these areas allows him to foster a business-friendly environment, attract investments, and create opportunities that drive prosperity for the state and its residents.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Senator Justice has dedicated more than three decades to supporting youth programs across West Virginia. He has served as President of Beckley Little League since 1992, fostering its growth to accommodate over 1,000 kids playing on 80 teams.

Additionally, he has actively coached basketball teams of all ages for 36 years, achieving significant milestones such as coaching his 1,000th career win in 2016. Senator Justice’s dedication to community service extends beyond sports, as he organizes the Mountain State Coal Classic Basketball Tournament, which provides substantial scholarships and support to participating schools.

Senator Justice and his wife, Cathy, prioritize giving back to West Virginia’s children, including through their annual $1 million in gifts to families in need. His exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award, the City of Hope Medical Center’s “Spirit of Life” award, and the title of “West Virginian of the Year” by esteemed publications and organizations.

In 2010, he was named a “Distinguished West Virginian” by Joe Manchin, and in 2011, he was honored at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Blue Ridge Chapter “Dinner of Champions.” Senator Justice was also named West Virginian of the Year in 2023. Please see the updated paragraph below.

Senator Justice's passion and impact go far beyond his political and business pursuits. His dedication to coaching and mentoring has earned him several notable accolades, including Mountain Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year" and West Virginia High School  "Coach of the Year" in 2012. The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram also named him "West Virginian of the Year" in 2014, 2016, and 2023.

The Honorable Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the 11th Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Deputy Secretary Lawrence was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 27, 2025, and sworn in the following day by Secretary Doug Collins.

As VA Deputy Secretary, Dr Lawrence is the Department’s second-in-command and Chief Operating Officer directing policy and operations while ensuring coordinated action and compliance with the Secretary’s directives.

During President Trump’s first term, Deputy Secretary Lawrence served as VA’s 7th Under Secretary for Benefits, overseeing the delivery of more than $100 billion in direct benefits to millions of Veterans and their dependents. Since 2012, Dr Lawrence has been a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Service to the Citizen recognized him as a Champion of Change with their 2019 Government Executive of the Year Award, and Federal Computer Week has selected Deputy Secretary Lawrence three times as one of their top 100 public service leaders.

Outside of his government service, Dr. Lawrence is a businessman with 35 years of experience solving management problems in large, complex organizations and the author of several books on effective and efficient government. As a private sector executive, he was a consulting partner at two Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Lawrence served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, graduated from the Army’s Airborne School, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Economics from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

As Managing Director of GAO’s Contracting and National Security Acquisitions (CNSA) team, Tim oversees acquisition-related assessments at DOD, NASA and the Department of Homeland Security, among other issues. Within the DOD portfolio, CNSA focuses on technology development, weapons and space-related acquisitions, and program performance.

Prior to becoming Managing Director in 2022, Tim specialized on acquisition workforce and contract-related issues, including how federal agencies plan for and award contracts, the roles and functions performed by contractors, contractor management and oversight, the use of other transaction authority, and the use of strategic sourcing and category management approaches. Tim is the recipient of GAO’s Distinguished Service Award and two Meritorious Service Awards, among other recognitions.

Tim joined GAO in March 1986. He served as a detailed to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in 2007 and led GAO’s office at the U.S. Embassy, Baghdad, in 2009. Tim earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame in 1984.

Bonnie Evangelista is a seasoned acquisition leader with 17 years of experience modernizing federal acquisition and accelerating the delivery of innovative capabilities for civilian and defense agencies. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Acquisition Policy within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, where she focuses on reducing regulatory friction, removing barriers to entry for non-traditional vendors, and enabling faster access to industrial base capabilities.

Previously, Evangelista was one of the leaders in the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) campaign to rewrite federal acquisition regulations and transform federal procurement. She co-founded the Tradewinds initiative, pioneering a streamlined acquisition model for emerging technologies through the Tradewinds Marketplace and led the implementation of automated DevSecOps approaches to rapidly deploy capabilities for the Army’s Defensive Cyber Program. Evangelista is widely recognized for her expertise in rapid and creative acquisition pathways and her leadership in shaping forward-leaning procurement policy and practice. Bonnie is a DAU TEDx speaker and serves on the Board of Advisors for the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

Bonnie is widely recognized for her expertise in rapid and creative acquisition pathways and her leadership in shaping forward-leaning acquisition policy and practice.

Renee Haltom is Richmond regional executive and vice president of Research communications at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Her work involves engaging business, banking, and community leaders on national, regional, and local economic conditions to inform the monetary policymaking process, as well as sharing information about the Federal Reserve System. Haltom is based at the Richmond office and has responsibility for public outreach and engagement in Virginia, as well as oversees the Richmond Fed's Regional Executive, Research Communications, and Economic Education functions and its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. 
 
Haltom joined the Richmond Fed in 2009 as an economic writer in the Research department — often with a focus on monetary policy, economic theory, and the Federal Reserve — and served as editor of Econ Focus magazine from 2015 to 2018. She started her Fed career in 2005 at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, providing education on monetary policy and the Federal Reserve to a variety of audiences. 
 
Haltom has a bachelor's degree in economics from Michigan State University and a master's degree in economics from the University of San Francisco. 

John Harry joined the House Veterans Affairs Committee in 2019 where he serves as the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. Prior to that, he spent four years as the Project Coordinator for a public hospital’s electronic health record transition in Denver, Colorado. John also served as the Commander and Executive Director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ first post, VFW Post 1, in Denver, CO.

John served over ten years in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed at Fairchild AFB, WA and Beale AFB, CA. John has a Bachelors’ Degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Masters’ in Public Administration and Public Management from Arkansas State University.

Marvin L. Horne serves as NASA’s Acting Senior Procurement Executive, Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, and Assistant Administrator for the Office of Procurement. He provides executive leadership and oversight of the agency’s procurement policy, strategy, and operations.

Since joining NASA in 2008, Mr. Horne has held multiple senior acquisition leadership roles, including Deputy Assistant Administrator for Procurement and Director of the Information Technology Procurement Office, where he oversaw more than 230 active contracts with annual obligations exceeding $730 million. He has led enterprise-wide acquisition programs, supported mission directorates on complex procurements, and driven large-scale organizational transformation across NASA’s procurement and small business offices.

Mr. Horne began his government career as an active-duty Airman in the U.S. Air Force and later served as a contracting Copper Cap Intern. He holds degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an MBA from William Carey University, and is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Managers in Government program. He holds FAC-C Level III, FAC-C-DS, and DAWIA certifications.

He is a committed mentor and frequent speaker and has received numerous honors, including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Silver Snoopy Award, and NASA Administrator’s Gears of Government Initiative Award.

Jeff Koses is recognized as an innovative leader in the field of acquisition. As Senior Procurement Executive for the General Services Administration, Jeff has three priorities: 1) strengthen the acquisition workforce, 2) smart and effective buying and 3) healthy and productive industry relationships. Jeff and his team are working to ensure an acquisition system that is modern, accessible, and streamlined. Jeff is a voting member of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council where he is a champion for acquisition reform. He also oversees the Federal Acquisition Institute which supports 180,000 members of the civilian acquisition workforce. Jeff also serves as the Chairperson of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the largest single source of employment, in the United States, for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. In his AbilityOne role, he emphasizes effective stewardship, prioritizing job growth, and engaging the Commissioners in the strategic direction of the program. Earlier in his career, Jeff created GSA’s premiere vehicle for integrated professional services, OASIS, and managed 25 multiple award schedules with annual sales of over $22 billion, supported emergency acquisition and oversaw acquisition for GSA Global Supply. In 2022, Jeff Koses won the prestigious Presidential Rank Distinguished Executive award recognizing him for his exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and dedication to civil service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He also holds a masters in Acquisition Management.

John McCanney is the Director –Transitions of the Department of War (DoW) Office for Small Business Innovation, within the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research & Engineering (OUSW R&E). He is responsible for accelerating Small Business Innovation Research and  Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) capability adoption across the Department. He ensures DoW components are cultivating capabilities that are aligned with the strategic interests of the Department and are focused on rapidly transitioning critical capabilities at scale to meet Warfighter needs.

Mr. McCanney previously served as AFWERX’s Chief of the Innovation Contracting, where he led contracting outreach and education in innovation activities, such as SBIR/STTR Phase III and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Strategic Funding Increase / Tactical Funding Increase (STRATFI/TACFI) programs. He worked with the DAF Specific Topic team and mission-partner contracting offices to rapidly execute a $400M annual portfolio, accelerated selection-to-award timing, and streamlined DAF contracting processes. Previously, he was the AFWERX Open Topic SBIR/STTR Contracting Sprints Lead, championing the execution of over $2B in contracts, also serving on the Air Force COVID-19 Task Force and leading the rapid execution of $300M+ in critical technologies during the pandemic.

Over his 17 years as a DoW civilian, Mr. McCanney has worked aggressively to reform contracting/acquisition policy and procedures, with a focus on applying speed and creativity; continuously improving the ability of the Department to develop and deliver capabilities. He is the recipient of the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal  and the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Innovation in Contracting award.

Mr. John M. Tenaglia serves as the Principal Director for Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy within the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), U.S. Department of War (DoW). In this role, he oversees pricing and contracting policies governing more than $450 billion in annual contract obligations.

As the functional leader of DoW’s workforce of over 35,000 contracting and purchasing professionals, Mr. Tenaglia is responsible for their career development and professional growth. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)), providing guidance on acquisition strategies and procurement negotiations for all major weapon systems.

He is responsible for assisting the USW(A&S) in the implementation of the Department’s operational priorities, including business reform initiatives to reduce operational costs and speed delivery to the warfighter. He serves as the DoW’s voting member on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council and he oversees business enterprise initiatives related to contract pricing, domestic, international, and contingency contract policy for DoW, and associated e-business solutions.
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Tenaglia served as the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). In this capacity, Mr. Tenaglia was responsible for the award and administration of all contracts to maintain a medically ready force and a ready medical force, with annual obligations valued at over $13 billion. Having previously served in DPC under its former name, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP), from 2008 to 2017, Mr. Tenaglia last served as Deputy Director for Contract Policy and International Contracting. In that role, Mr. Tenaglia was responsible for developing and improving innovative procurement policies for the Department of Defense by advancing the most efficient means to acquire supplies and services for the nation’s warfighters.

Mr. Tenaglia was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1988 and retired from active duty in 2008. His Air Force tours of duty include: Minuteman III Missile Launch Officer; Contracts Manager and Executive Officer to the Director of Contracting for Aeronautical Systems Center; Contracting Officer and Contracting Policy Staff Officer at the National
Reconnaissance Office; Commander of the 81st Contracting Squadron; Contracting Staff Officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (Contracting); Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Legislative Liaison; and Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Tenaglia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He earned a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. He has been admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2012. Mr. Tenaglia has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2014.

Mr. Asta is a Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Aerospace, Defense & Government practice. He possesses nearly two decades of investment banking experience focused primarily on the government technology and services industry. During his career, Mr. Asta has advised on more than 40 M&A, financing, and equity-raising transactions worth a collective $8 billion+ for a variety of public and private clients. He has worked with some of the largest strategic acquirers in the sector, including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Leidos, Serco, and CACI, as well as private equity groups such as Macquarie, Permira, Veritas Capital, Arlington Capital Partners, and HIG. Mr. Asta is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.

Mr. Asta is regularly quoted in industry publications, such as Washington Technology and Washington Business Journal, and is featured as an expert on industry-focused panels and events. He also serves on the boards of several companies in the defense and government services ecosystem.

Previously, Mr. Asta was a Vice President at Bluestone Capital Partners. Prior to that, he was an Analyst in Oppenheimer & Co.’s Investment Banking division. While there, Mr. Asta worked on numerous M&A transactions, equity raises, and debt financing engagements.

Mr. Asta holds a dual B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the Kogod School of Business at American University.

Robert A. Burton is a partner in the Government Contracts Group at the Crowell & Moring law firm in Washington, DC. He is a nationally-recognized leader in federal procurement who assists government contractors with the complex and rule-driven procurement process and their compliance programs. He also assists contractors with their marketing strategies for selling to the federal agencies, provides expert witness testimony in arbitration and federal court cases, works with senior agency procurement officials to resolve contract issues, and represents contractors and non-profit associations seeking procurement policy changes in Congress.

A forty-year veteran of procurement law and policy development, Rob served in the Executive Office of the President as the Acting and Deputy Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), the nation's top career federal procurement official. At OFPP, he prepared policy positions and worked with House and Senate committees on the development of acquisition legislation. He also served as the principal spokesperson for government-wide acquisition initiatives and chaired the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council and Chief Acquisition Officers (CAO) Council. Prior to joining OFPP, Rob spent more than twenty years as a senior acquisition attorney with the Department of Defense, negotiating the resolution of high-profile contract disputes and procurement fraud cases.

Rob is a Director of the Procurement Round Table, a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and the National Academy of Public Administration, a former NCMA Board Director, a current NCMA Board of Advisors member and a member of the George Mason University Center for Government Contracting Advisory Board. He also served as Executive Director of the Defense Industry Initiative (DII) and as a Council member of the ABA Public Contract Law Section. Rob is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia School of Law.

As CEO of Jefferson, Janet Clement epitomizes leadership with her dynamic approach, exemplifying over 30 years of expertise in spearheading growth, change, and innovation. Her tenure is marked by an unwavering commitment to customer-focused solutions. Under her stewardship, Jefferson has flourished, both in market reputation and internal strategy cohesion. Janet’s belief in the transformative power of a people-centric culture has been pivotal in creating an innovative workplace. Her hands-on leadership style fosters collaboration across executive and senior management teams, driving solutions that address government challenges with client-centricity and high-impact results.

Before her current role, Janet oversaw a small business’s growth from $20M to $50M as the Chief Operating Officer. Her strategic vision and execution led to the establishment of a Shared Services Business Unit and the significant win of the Department of Commerce HR Shared Services contract. Her previous positions include Senior Director at ASI Government and a nine-year tenure at Unisys Federal, where she developed a Human Capital Practice and managed strategic accounts across various federal agencies. Janet’s roots in the public sector include significant roles at the U.S. Mint and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Her active involvement in industry organizations further strengthens her leadership. She is a member of the Executive Committee for Professional Services Council and for the Industry Advisory Council for ACT-IAC.

Babs Doherty is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member of Solerity, Inc., a leading provider of technology solutions and consulting services specializing in the government contracting and information technology sectors. With over two decades of experience, Babs is a proven leader known for her ability to drive change, create operational efficiency, and establish long-term business growth in the technology space.
Babs was the founder, CEO, President, and Board Member of Eagle Ray, Inc established in 2002.  In 2019, she was the principal negotiator in the merger of Eagle Ray with PSS Federal Services.  After the merger, she was selected as President and CEO, where she immediately executed a re-branding campaign resulting in the Solerity name.  Babs has overseen significant company-wide transformation, building a reputation for delivering high-quality services to a diverse government client base. Under her leadership, Solerity has refined its capabilities to focus on high impact mission focused services, helping clients solve complex, technology-driven challenges.  She has served on the Solerity Board of Directors since the merger with Eagle Ray in 2019, where she has provided strategic oversight in the areas of corporate governance, technology development, and business strategy.

Jennifer Felix is the President and CEO of ASRC Federal, leading a family of companies that serve a diverse portfolio of federal government customers. Felix has more than 30 years of industry experience in finance, business operations, P&L leadership, organizational change management, as well as M&A due diligence, integration and strategy, primarily in public and private equity-backed enterprises. Since joining ASRC Federal in 2019, Felix has spearheaded tremendous organic and inorganic growth, more than doubling earnings. Recognized for her leadership, she has earned accolades like the NVTC Tech 100 Executives, the WashingtonExec CEO Award and the inaugural March of Dimes Legacy Heroine Award, celebrating her commitment to purposeful leadership and strengthening communities across the Capital region. In 2025, she was appointed to the Executive Committee of Professional Services Council (PSC).

Bio coming soon...

Damon Griggs is the CEO and Chairman of  Revolutional, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the U.S. Federal Government. Prior to Harmonia, Griggs was Executive Partner at Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), a leading private equity investment firm, where he focused on the Technology and Government Services sector.

Before joining MDP Griggs led Dovel Technologies through a period of exceptional growth, first as President/COO in 2016, and then CEO in 2019, as the company transitioned from $70mm with 300 employees in early 2016 to $450mm with over 2,000 employees by the end of 2021, when it was acquired by Guidehouse. Dovel received numerous industry awards and recognition under Griggs’ leadership, including the Greater Washington GovCon Contractor of the Year in 2020 (by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Professional Services Council), the Growth Company of the Year for companies over $250mm in 2021 (by the Association for Corporate Growth), and Washington Post Top Workplace in 2021. Griggs was also named an Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Mid-Atlantic Award winner and a finalist for the Greater Washington GovCon Executive of the Year 2021 for companies over $300M.

Before Dovel, Griggs held leadership positions with several technology services providers including President and COO of InScope International, Inc., Senior Vice President at Alion Science and Technology, and Managing Principal at Washington Consulting, Inc. Griggs started his career at Arthur Andersen in the Business Consulting practice. Griggs has extensive buy and sell-side M&A experience and has led multiple successful acquisitions, integrations, and exits over his career.

Griggs serves on several industry boards including the Professional Services Council (PSC), Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), and he volunteers with American Corporate Partners (ACP) to mentor veterans transitioning to the private sector.

Griggs received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with Beta Gamma Sigma honors.

John Heller is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the board of directors of Amentum, a global leader in advanced engineering and technology solutions to the U.S. federal government and allies. His responsibilities include planning and administering the company strategy and directing the operating activities for all 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries around the world. Under John’s leadership, Amentum has become a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability.

Prior to leading the transformative Amentum-Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions business merger, John was the chief executive officer of the legacy Amentum company. Under his leadership, he integrated two multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and transformed Amentum into an industry-leading provider of engineering, system integration, and project management services to the U.S. government and partners.

Before his role at Amentum, John served as chief executive officer and president at PAE and led its efforts to become publicly traded. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Engility Corporation after the company was spun off from L-3 Communications. John also held several leadership positions at Harris Corporation, including president of Harris IT Services, and served as CEO of Netco, Inc., a Cerberus Capital Management portfolio company, eventually overseeing its sale to Harris Corp.

John started his career in the U.S. Army serving in various leadership positions as a logistics officer. He then attended graduate business school and joined Deloitte Consulting. Following a decade in the consulting field, John attained his first CEO position at Rentport, Inc., a portfolio company of Catterton Partners (now L Catterton), a venture capital and private equity firm.

John graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Today, he serves on the University of Pittsburgh Councellor’s Advisory Council and on the Pitt Business Board of Visitors, an advisory board to the Dean of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration. In recognition of his achievements and contributions in the field of business, John was also named the university’s Katz Graduate School Distinguished Alumni Honoree.

As a leader in the government services industry, John also serves as the Chair for the Professional Services Council board of directors and executive committee. He is a well-recognized leader in the government contracting industry being awarded 2024 CEO of the Year by WashingtonExec and 2024 Association for Corporate Growth CEO of the Year. He has been in the Washington100 list of top executives multiple times over his career.

Sam Hussain is Head of the U.S. Defense Sector at Capgemini Government Solutions, where he leads strategy, growth, and mission delivery supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. He brings extensive experience at the intersection of federal modernization, cybersecurity, acquisition reform, and Defense Industrial Base resilience. Sam focuses on enabling secure adoption of commercial innovation—including cloud, DevSecOps, artificial intelligence, and data platforms—while strengthening compliance, supply‑chain integrity, and the cleared workforce required to sustain mission readiness. He is an active contributor to industry policy discussions shaping the future of government contracting. 

 Mr. Kavanaugh has served as KBR’s President, Defense, Intel and Space since May 2025. In this role, he oversees KBR’s Science and Space (S&S), National Security Solutions (NSS) and Defense and Technology Solutions (DTS) portfolios under the Mission Technology Solutions business segment. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr. Kavanaugh served as KBR’s Senior Vice President, DTS. Before that, he served as vice president of the Acquisition Engineering division of KBR’s Engineering Group. Mr. Kavanaugh joined KBR in December 2016. 

Dennis Kelly, Tyto’s Chief Executive Officer, brings over 30 years of executive experience in the defense and intelligence industry and a proven record of advancing growth, business development, and operational excellence.

A visionary and strategic leader, U.S. Navy veteran, and a prominent and respected active contributor to the government contracting industry and community, Dennis has held offices such as chief executive officer and president and served in chief operating officer roles in several businesses where he developed strategic plans that successfully led enterprises towards enhanced profitability and unprecedented growth.

Throughout his career, Dennis has served as an executive leader for several fast-growing companies in the government technology and national security sectors.

Prior to Tyto Athene, Dennis served as CEO of Eqlipse Technologies, where he led the development and execution of a growth strategy to expand the company into new Department of Defense and Intelligence Community mission areas. He also led Eqlipse through seven strategic acquisitions and associated integrations over eighteen months. Prior to Eqlipse, Dennis served as President and COO of CenTauri, a space, directed energy, cyber, and intelligence solutions firm. At CenTauri, he led a team responsible for doubling the size of the business in less than eighteen months and built a BD team capable of embracing new opportunities that expanded the pipeline to over $4B in qualified opportunities and realized an average sixty-percent win rate.

Dennis’s career as an executive leader also includes firms such as Buchanan & Edwards, Inc., IOMAXIS, LLC, A-T Solutions, PAE, Tech Team Government Solutions, and Anteon International, Inc.​

Dennis has served as co-chair of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce GovCon committee and an adjunct professor in the George Mason University Executive MBA program. Previously, Dennis has been a member of the Board of the Professional Services Council, the USO of Metropolitan Washington–Baltimore, and the executive committee for the Annual D.C. Walk fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Dennis holds a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University with a major in industrial engineering technology and a minor in computer technology. Dennis also earned an executive MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

Chris Nagel is a government contracts (GovCon) attorney based in Holland & Knight's Tysons office whose practice is focused on litigation and compliance matters. Mr. Nagel advises businesses on a broad range of legal issues involving their relationship with the government. His work includes a particular focus on companies that contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), as well as other aspects and matters that involve national security.

Mr. Nagel represents clients in bid protests, contract claims, suspension/debarment, False Claims Act (FCA) matters and disputes between contractors. He regularly guides corporations through compliance issues, including internal investigations and employee training.

Mr. Nagel served for 12 years on active duty and as a reservist in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). While on active duty, he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he adjudicated claims against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the U.S. government. His previous tours include stints as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, officer-in-charge of the Quantico Legal Assistance Office and as a military prosecutor.

Prior to his service in the Marines, Mr. Nagel worked as a staffer to a member of Congress and as a writer at the White House.

Tess is a Managing Director and Head of Capstone’s Aerospace, Defense, Government, and Security (ADGS) Group with over 25 years of experience across the ADGS industry, government policy arena, and financial services sector. Tess holds deep domain knowledge and has closed transactions in high-growth markets of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), and Air/Land/Sea/Space (ALSS) Systems.

Prior to joining Capstone, Tess founded the Aerospace and Defense practice at a middle market boutique investment bank, focusing on private and public corporate clients with diverse products such as command and control software for aerial drones, satellite-based force tracking systems, and electronic warfare devices used in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She has also served as Global Head of Equities Strategy at Lehman Brothers—responsible for strategy development leveraging competitive intelligence, market analysis, and acquisitions across Americas, Europe, and Asia—and Director of Corporate Development and Strategy at Raytheon. Prior to joining the industry, she served in the Reagan White House, U.S. Department of State, and NATO Headquarters.

Tess has spoken at the Satellite Show, MILSAT Symposium, Thompson Reuters’ A&D Summit, Int’l AUVSI Conferences, New York Capital Roundtable, and appeared on ABC’s Government Matters. She serves on the Board of the National Medal of Honor Leadership & Education Center, the U.S. Navy League – Connecticut Council, and holds the rank of Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve (ret.)

Raj Raghavan focuses on serving clients in the defense industry, federal contractors serving the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and companies selling goods and services to the federal government. Raj brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in cloud security and cybersecurity compliance to his role. He is passionate about connecting technology and business needs and making complex technical terms understandable for clients.

Raj’s career spans more than three decades, with significant roles at Port2Web, which was acquired by Fiserv; Siegeworks, which was acquired by Optiv; and Securitybricks, where he served as CEO. Raj has a proven track record of providing advisory and assurance services to his clients, emphasizing regulatory compliance. He has played a pivotal role in expanding audit* services to include technical regulations, transitioning clients from traditional CPA audits to software and technical audits. Raj’s approach to growth strategy blends automation with human proficiency, meeting clients’ increasing demand for comprehensive advisory solutions.

Raj earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Akron. He currently owns a patent in contactless payments

Rich Sawchak is the Chief Executive Officer of Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., leading the company’s global team of 3,000 exceptionally skilled professionals working in the national defense, security, and advanced technologies communities. To continually enhance SPA’s reputation for quality and dedication to customer mission, Rich emphasizes teamwork, integrity, and diversity of thought. Bringing nearly 30 years of business acumen to the position, Rich’s commitment to excellence underpins strong corporate development and growth-oriented outcomes.

In previous roles, Rich served as Chief Financial Officer of Hypori, where he was responsible for finance, controllership, treasury, legal and business affairs, human resources, recruiting, and sales operations; he also served as the Corporate Secretary. Rich has a proven record of driving technology companies to succeed through financial scalability, operational excellence, and people-first culture.

Before joining Hypori, Rich was the CFO of Novetta for nine years until the successful sale of the company to Accenture Federal Services. He was previously employed by Schafer Corporation, where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO. Before that, Mr. Sawchak served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Paradigm Solutions until the successful sale of the company to CACI International. He has extensive experience in business operations, corporate finance, and the execution and integration of acquisitions for public and private equity-backed companies.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Mr. Sawchak also holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Cost Management from the Olin Graduate School of Management at Babson College. Rich is married to his high school sweetheart of 30 years. In his spare time, he practices taekwondo as a third degree blackbelt, acts as a board member or advisor to four other organizations, and he is active in health and mental wellness charities.

 Mary is an expert in data-informed digital strategies with more than 20 years of experience guiding programs across government and federal sectors. As a digital strategist and marketing technologist, she leads federal digital and engagement practices, helping clients define goals, map user journeys, and optimize programs through iterative, data-driven approaches. Her work leverages deep analytics to tailor experiences, improve efficiency, and drive measurable, lasting impact. 

Jeff Shen, Executive Chair at Red Team Consulting, brings over 25 years of leadership and expertise in federal contracting, corporate strategy, and business development. Since joining Red Team in 2006, he has driven the company’s corporate growth strategy while providing federal contracting guidance to hundreds of government contractors annually. Jeff is deeply involved with clients, building strategic partnerships to align their capabilities and needs with Red Team’s services.

Prior to Red Team, Jeff delivered business strategy and technology solutions to the U.S. Federal Government and Fortune 500 companies on contracts totaling over $50 billion. As Vice President of Sales for a small business, he grew company revenue nearly 300% in two years, achieving $250 M in recognized revenues over three years.

Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree from George Mason University, where he serves on the Honors College Advisory Board. He also sits on the Greater Washington Advisory Board for Truist Bank. A sought-after speaker at industry events, including APMP, SAME, NCMA, and ACT-IAC, Jeff trains on capture strategy, proposal best practices, and business growth.

Outside of work, he enjoys relaxing with his wife, keeping up with his three kids, and staying active.

Max Shier is a results-driven cybersecurity executive with over 28 years of security experience across several disciplines and has a demonstrated history of building high-performing teams and security programs, both within the government and in industry. He is also a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, where he served as a security forces flight chief, cybersecurity test lead, and cyber operations lead.

As vice president and chief information security officer for Amentum, Shier is responsible for leading enterprise cybersecurity strategy, cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance efforts, and cybersecurity operations for Amentum.

Shier joined Amentum from Optiv Security, where he was their CISO, earning the Cybersecurity Excellency Awards CISO of the Year for 2025, was featured in several IT and Cyber-related publications and webinars, including SC Media, Security Weekly, and the National Cybersecurity Center, and was the Executive Sponsor for their Veterans Employee Resource Group. Previous to Optiv, he worked at Lockheed Martin, where he was the cybersecurity director for the Lockheed Martin Space business area, leading the cybersecurity efforts for several critical national security programs. 

In addition to a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Colorado Technical University, Shier holds certifications from ISC² and EC Council. He is also an avid Ironman triathlete and cyclist.

Roger is a managing director within Deloitte’s Government & Public Services practice.  He serves as the firm’s Executive Branch Affairs leader and as the lead partner to the White House.

Roger started his now 30 year consulting career in the DC office of Andersen Consulting after graduating from The George Washington University’s School of Business and Public Management with a MBA in International Business in 1995.  He earned his BA in Economics from Bates College in 1991, where he played football for the Fighting Bobcats on what the NY Times once called “the worst football program in the country”.

Roger is a native Marylander and lives in Potomac, less than 2 miles from the house he grew up in.  He attended Georgetown Prep for high school and counts two Supreme Court justices, the founder of Under Armour, the GM of the Yankees and the owner of the Arizona Cardinals among his far more accomplished contemporaries there.  An avid golfer and pickleball player, Roger and his wife Lisa are enjoying empty nester life and spending their kids’ inheritance.

Dave Vennergrund is a Data Scientist and Vice President at GDIT. He leads the GDIT AI and Center of Excellence, with a focus on Generative AI, AI at the Edge, Machine Learning, and Data Management solutions. Dave is a recognized industry thought leader, known for his expertise in Generative AI, ML, and Fraud Detection. Dave's teams have successfully developed the GDIT Luna AI Digital Accelerator and deployed mission critical AI and Data solutions across Federal missions in defense, intelligence, homeland security, health, and public sectors.

Joseph (Joe) Wassel is the Founding CEO of Zero Nine Thirty-Seven, LLC, Consulting and concurrently a Principal Consultant with Deep Water Point and Associates, specializing in leadership in crisis, strategic leadership in national security communications, and all cyberspace operations.  He is retired from Federal Service at the rank of Tier 3, Senior Executive Service, as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority. He was responsible for overall management of all FirstNet Authority operations and the organization’s strategic direction, including its unique public-private partnership with AT&T. He led a 25-year, $40 billion contract to deploy and enhance the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network for the United States, its Territories, and the District of Columbia. FirstNet was the final promise kept to our Nation’s First Responders and closed out the last open recommendation of the 9-11 Commission Report. 
Prior to joining the FirstNet Authority, Mr. Wassel served for 35 years within the Department of Defense, succeeding in a myriad of leadership roles and responsibilities. As the Executive for the Cyberspace Operations Directorate within the Defense Information Systems Agency, he led the day-to-day operations of the DOD Network and a global workforce over 2,600 people. He is also the former Director of C4 Resilience & Mission Assurance in the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer’s office. He was also the founder and chair of DoD’s Public Safety Communications Working Group, where he led the Services, Joint Staff, National Guard, NORTHCOM, and other DoD partner activities for the Department’s public safety communications efforts, including Next-Generation Public Safety Wireless capabilities, Next-Generation 9-1-1 implementation, and Enterprise Mass Warning and Notification capabilities for DoD. Prior to assuming his former positions, Mr. Wassel served as the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Communications, directly reporting to four Secretaries of Defense (Perry, Cohen, Rumsfeld, and Gates) over a 13-year period. Concurrently, he served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Finally, he is also a retired Air Force Officer with 28 years of active and reserve service. He commanded troops during several tours in the United States and overseas and deployed as a reservist in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Chief of Command and Control Operations for the International Security Assistance Force at the Combined Joint Operations Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Wassel Joined the Senior Executive Service (SES) Corps in 2019 and rose to the rank of SES Tier 3. His military and civilian decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious and Exceptional Civilian Service Medals. 
He was decorated for his actions during the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

Sara Weston, PMP, ENP is a public safety professional and the visionary founder and executive director of 911der Women, Inc. (pronounced nine-one-wonder women), a nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift, and equip women working in public safety roles across the nation. With over 20 years of experience driving innovation in 911 technology, Sara is also the CEO of Sara Weston Consulting, LLC, where she works on projects that bring the future of emergency response technology to life. Her work has impacted 911 centers coast to coast, transforming the way communities stay safe.

The Hon. Jim Carroll became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Professional Services Council (PSC) on May 19, 2025.

As CEO, Jim is responsible for advocating for the interests of companies that provide cutting-edge solutions and services to the government. Under his leadership, PSC is shaping public policy, leading strategic coalitions, and establishing communications between government and industry — all with a focus on best outcomes and results for the government and the American taxpayers.

Carroll brings over 30 years of relevant government and industry experience, including service across multiple federal departments and agencies, and a Fortune 25 corporation. He has been appointed by two U.S. Presidents to senior positions and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

Jim is widely recognized as a trusted leader with a well-documented track record of bipartisan collaboration and strategic policy influence. He is an active member of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington-based think tank that fosters cross-party dialogue and develops pragmatic policy solutions to address national challenges.

Prior to joining PSC, Jim Carroll was a Partner at the law firm Frost Brown Todd (FBT) in Washington, D.C., and served as a Principal at CivicPoint, FBT’s public affairs subsidiary. He advised clients on a wide range of government enforcement and compliance matters, from internal reviews to high-profile investigations.

From 2018-2021, Jim served as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), leading efforts to address the national opioid crisis. Under his leadership, the United States recorded its first year-over-year decrease in overdose deaths in three decades. He oversaw the coordination of a $35 billion annual budget across 16 federal agencies.

A seasoned policy strategist, Jim Carroll has testified before Congress multiple times, successfully securing funding and driving policy advancements in areas such as public health, law enforcement, and federal procurement. He is widely respected for his ability to navigate complex legal frameworks and government regulatory issues.

Carroll’s deep relationships with senior decision-makers across federal agencies, the White House, and Capitol Hill uniquely position him to help influence and shape policies. His ability to foster bipartisan dialogue and deliver meaningful results has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career.

From 2016 to 2018, Jim held several high-profile roles at the White House, including Principal Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy White House Counsel, and General Counsel of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Earlier in his career, during the George W. Bush Administration, Jim held various senior roles, including Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to the President before becoming the Deputy General Counsel and Acting General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Treasury. He also held key positions within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.

In the private sector, Carroll spent a decade with the Ford Motor Company, where he served as Washington Counsel and Global Director of Compliance. Under his leadership, Ford was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for three consecutive years. He also served as General Counsel for the Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm. A team builder and servant leader, Jim is known for cultivating high-performing teams that prioritize stakeholder needs and deliver results.

Stephanie Kostro became President of the Professional Services Council (PSC) on June 11, 2025, where she guides PSC’s strategic direction, advocacy, and member engagement efforts across growing federal industry priorities.

Previously, she served as Executive Vice President for Policy, leading PSC's policy team in its commitment to advocating for and supporting productive collaboration between the federal government and services industry. As a recognized executive, on-air commentator, and policy expert with more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. Government and industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge in federal procurement policy and acquisition regulations, government processes and programs, and public-private partnerships.

Prior to joining PSC in 2021, Kostro was a Principal at a government relations and consulting firm where she developed and implemented policy, funding, and business development strategies for a global client base. She worked extensively with civilian, defense, diplomatic, and intelligence officials, as well as with federal departments’ oversight committees in Congress.

From 2010-2015, she was a senior fellow and director of the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prominent national security think tank. Kostro served as a State Department contractor at U.S. Embassy Baghdad for one year, and from 2005-2008, she was a senior professional staff member and policy director on the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee. At the Pentagon from 1998-2005, she worked in a variety of offices within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, on the Joint Staff, and in embassies and missions overseas.