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Daniel B. Abrahams
Founding Partner of Abrahams Wolf-Rodda, LLC
Mr. Abrahams is a founding partner of Abrahams Wolf-Rodda, LLC
, a boutique government contracts and wage & hour law firm in the Washington DC metropolitan area. See www.awrcounsel.com. The practice includes traditional government contracts work (bid protests, claims, compliance advice, prime-sub disputes, etc.) and a wage & hour practice (spanning the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, various Executive Orders, and state wage laws). In the latter, Mr. Abrahams represents mostly employers in class and collective actions, individual lawsuits, federal and state wage investigations, and self-audit compliance. At his new boutique law firm, Mr. Abrahams is now available to represent workers in their personal wage claims, including collective and class actions. Mr. Abrahams also has been retained to be an exemption classification consultant and expert witness in wage and hour disputes.
Mr. Abrahams was formerly a partner at Brown Rudnick LLP for almost 10 years and was at Epstein Becker & Green, PC for almost 25 years. He is the former Chairman of the American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section, Employment Safety & Labor Committee. He is also a former adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School where he taught a course called “Federal Labor Standards.”
Starting in 1985, Mr. Abrahams co-authored more than nine books in the fields of government contracts and wage and hour law. His wage & hour publications include the: Fair Labor Standards Handbook for State, Local Governments and Schools; Employer's Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act; FLSA Employer Exemption Handbook; and Public Employer's Guide to Payroll Administration. In 2011, Mr. Abrahams also co-authored three booklets: Smart Guide to FLSA Exemptions; Do I have to pay My Employees for This? FLSA Working Time Essentials; and FLSA Overtime Basics. In the government contracts field, Mr. Abrahams co-authored the: Government Contracts Compliance Guide; Public Official’s Guide to e-Government; and Government Contractor’s Guide to Employment Law Compliance. Overlapping the government contracts and wage & hour field, Mr. Abrahams co-authored two Federal Publications (now West) Briefing Papers: The Service Contract Act; and The Davis-Bacon Act.
Mr. Abrahams teaches regularly for Federal Publications Seminars on the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. He has been a continuous speaker at ThomsonReuter’s Year in Review Conference and its predecessors since the late 1980s.
Education
Mr. Abrahams has a Master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and later attended the George Washington University Law School where he was the Notes Editor of the George Washington Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.
Richard Agopsowicz
Executive Vice President, Business Expansion Consulting, CorVantage
“Rick A to Z” leads CORTAC’s Business Expansion Team supporting clients in establishing and achieving their Business Objectives through Market Analysis, Pipeline Development, Business Development, Capture, and Proposal Leadership, Negotiations, and Program Start-up & Execution within Government and Private sectors.
“A to Z” has over 45 years of Government and Industry experience in operations and acquisition across R&D and operational program development, complex program management, systems development engineering, Information Assurance, Information Operations/Cyber Development & Special Technical Operations, and business capture.
During his preceding 30-year career with the U.S. Air Force, he held positions from B-52 operational squadron level up to that of Director at the Air Force Information Warfare Center. He has spent 15+ years as an industry senior executive working with over 50 clients with winning and executing programs across 42 Federal Agencies and 17 State & Local Governments. He has worked in defense, homeland security, intelligence, energy, health and human services, biotechnology & life sciences, and IT/telecommunications.
Larry Allen
President, Allen Federal Business Partners
Larry Allen has over 20 years' experience in government acquisition. Larry has written or contributed to three books on government contracting, including Multiple Award Schedule Contracting (contributing author), The Secret of Schedules Sales Success> (primary author), and Business to Government (contributing author). He has written numerous articles on the state of federal acquisition in periodicals such as "Federal Computer Week" and "The Federal Times". He regularly teaches classes on government acquisition and has been a guest of the governments of South Korea, Canada, and Great Britain speaking on the topic of how foreign companies can do business in the US government marketplace.
Larry is an expert in GSA and VA Multiple Award/Federal Supply Schedule contracting, as well as GWAC and IDIQ contracts. He served as a member of the Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel and the "Federal Contracts Report" Board of Advisors. He has testified often before committees of the US Senate, House of Representatives, and several state legislatures. He hosts his own radio show on government procurement, "Off the Shelf" on Federal News Radio in Washington, DC.
Education
Emory University
Lori Allen
Director, CohnReznick
Lori Allen, CPA, is a director in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting Practice. She has more than 20 years of audit and industry experience. She is a former DCAA Supervisory Auditor who worked with DOD, DOE and FEMA to advise on cost allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and compliance. She is an expert in Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Lori is currently the audit manager for a variety of pre-award and post-award contract audits being conducted on behalf of several government agencies. In her current role, she also provides a wide-range of regulatory, business system and process improvement consultative advice to government contractors.
Education
Education
Strayer University, Bachelor and Master of Science, Accounting
Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Edmund Amorosi
Partner, Haynes Boone
Edmund Amorosi represents clients in the government contracts and construction industries. He has appeared on behalf of clients in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies and boards, and in alternative dispute resolution settings including mediation and arbitration, both domestic and international.
His practice also includes commercial litigation and counseling relating to the government contracts and construction industries, including disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors, teaming and confidentiality agreements, joint ventures, and non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.
Education
J.D., George Mason University School of Law, 2001
B.A., University of Colorado at Boulder, 1987
Sean Andrews
Lead Consultant, Forvis Mazars
Sean Andrews is a Lead Consultant at Forvis Mazars. He is an ethical hacker and AI enthusiast on the IT Risk and Compliance Cybersecurity Technical Team and performs penetration testing on a variety of systems, focusing on Web Applications, Internal Networks, and Azure Cloud Environments. He strives to help clients understand the findings and risks that are identified from this testing, and how to fix them moving forward. With the popularization of AI, Sean aims to help leaders in the business world understand what it is, where it can used, where it should be avoided, and how to securely implement these complex systems in a secure, transparent, and ethical manner. Sean has helped create the Forvis Mazars team that develops AI Governance strategy for clients and assists them in understanding how it will affect operations.
Giacomo Apadula
Principal, National Leader Government Contract Consulting, RSM
Giacomo is the National Leader of RSM’s Government Contract Consulting team which serves clients who operate in the Federal contracting and grantee market spaces on matters related to cost accounting, regulatory compliance, subcontract management, USG contract due diligence, ERP implementation design, and litigation/audit support. His clients span across multiple business sectors, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, construction, architecture & engineering, IT services, bio-tech, CROs, nonprofits, ANCs, FFRDCs, National Labs, and INGOs.
Specifically, Giacomo specializes in all aspects of the government contracting lifecycle and assists clients to establish cost accounting practices and indirect cost rate strategies as a means to meet the Organization’s strategic goals (e.g., maximize cost recovery, minimize administrative burden, reduce risk). Additionally, he consults clients on best practices for mitigating compliance risks; as well as, aiding in the design and implementation of internal controls - including those required to obtain government approved business systems (e.g., Accounting/billing, estimating, purchasing). Giacomo routinely works with executive teams to successfully integrate acquisitions or design Federal segments to recognize operational and cost efficiencies in a manner compliant with Federal regulations.
Giacomo supports companies in the strategic resolution of contract audit issues stemming from Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)/Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)/Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits - including addressing complex Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) compliance matters and other Federal contract administration matters.
Giacomo leads pricing teams to prepare responses to Government request for proposals - including strategic pricing considerations, drafting complete cost volumes, preparing CAS Board Disclosure Statements (CASB DS-1) for submission and successful negotiation.
Education
Masters of Accountancy, Rutgers University
B.B.A., Finance, James Madison University
Luis Arandia Jr.
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Luis F. Arandia, Jr. delivers responsive representation in a wide range of international trade matters, including customs and import compliance, export controls, economic sanctions, and trade remedies.
Education
EDUCATION
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M., international business and economic law, certificate in World Trade Organization studies, with distinction, Dean’s List , 2012
University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2011
Rice University, B.A., history, Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program, Dean Hugh Scott Cameron Service Award, Speros P. Martel Distinguished Service Award, 2006
Teddie Arnold
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Teddie Arnold is an Partner in the Government Contracts group in the Washington, D.C. office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
Mr. Arnold focuses his practice in all areas of government procurement, including bid protests, contract claims, procurement fraud, ethics & regulatory compliance, suspension & debarment, internal investigations, small business regulations, and contract drafting. Mr. Arnold regularly represents clients prime contractors and subcontractors in litigation before the Government Accountability Office, the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, and state and federal courts across the country. Mr. Arnold also has expertise in the False Claims Act, suspension & debarment proceedings, and other matters related to procurement fraud. He also routinely represents federal construction contractors in the defense and prosecution of claims against the Government.
Mr. Arnold is designated as a Next Generation Partner by Legal500®. He is currently pursuing is LLM in Government Procurement from George Washington University Law School.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Arnold served as law clerk to the Honorable Glen M. Williams in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia during the 2008-2009 term.
Education
EDUCATION
JD, Washington & Lee University School of Law
MA, Johns Hopkins University
BA, Washington & Lee University
Max Aulakh
Max Aulakh, CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform
Max Aulakh is the CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform. As a Data Security and Compliance Leader, he delivers DoD-tested security strategies and compliance that safeguard mission-critical IT operations. Having trained and excelled in The United States Air Force he maintained and tested the InfoSec and ComSec functions of network hardware, software, and IT infrastructure for global networks — both classified and unclassified.
After leaving the USAF, Max drove the Information Assurance (IA) programs for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
Max has founded Ignyte Assurance Platform, a leading cybersecurity company powered by transformative GRC software engine, in 2012, and its newest educational subsidiary, Ignyte Institute, to help accelerate CMMC adaptation among DoD prime and subcontractors.
Paul Bailey
Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Paul Bailey is a Partner for Capital Edge Consulting. Mr. Bailey has broad experience with federal procurement rules and regulation through combined industry and public accounting experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. Over the course of his 30-year career, Paul has provided expert advice and testimony for government contractors and their counsel, government agencies including Inspector General and the Department of Justice on the administration of contracts and resolution of complex government accounting and compliance disputes. While in public accounting, Paul was responsible for the Department of Energy’s outsourced contractor audits to KPMG, including Incurred Cost and Price Proposals, CAS compliance and Business System adequacy. Paul has conducted audits for and on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice and Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.
Paul joined Capital Edge Consulting from Harris Corporation in Melbourne, Florida where he was Vice President of Government Accounting and Compliance. In the accounting and compliance role, Paul was responsible for the oversight and approvals of the Business Systems to satisfy DCAA/DCMA surveillance and adequacy determinations. Paul orchestrated and directed an External Restructuring of CAS segments to align cost allocations and synergies following a major acquisition. Paul has been an industry leader in settlement of indirect rates based on past company experience foregoing the DCAA Incurred Cost Audit process. In addition to extensive accounting and compliance experience, he has held Vice President roles leading Contracts, Subcontract Administration, and Procurement functions.
Education
Mr. Bailey earned his B.B.A. – Finance degree from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Ohio and Virginia.
Elizabeth Bair
Senior Manager, Baker Tilly US, LLP
Liz is a senior manager in Baker Tilly US, LLP’s Government Contractor Solutions practice and has ten years of experience working with government contractors and their counsel to identify, quantity, and manage risk through regulatory and compliance consulting. She has worked with leading Department of Defense contractors helping them to navigate the complexities of flexibly priced contract administration. She has experience supporting clients in contract closeout efforts, developing plans to clear the backlog and use innovative tools to generate invoices. She has extensive experience helping contractors through the M&A process writing compliant disclosure statements and accompanying indirect rate structures. Liz also works with commercial item contractors assisting them with VA and GSA proposals, contract modifications, disclosures and False Claims Act investigation support.
Jonathan Baker
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Jonathan M. Baker
is a partner in Crowell & Moring's Washington, D.C. office. He practices in the Government Contracts Group.
Jon advises clients on a wide array of government contracts legal issues, including both federal and state bid protests, prime-sub disputes, government contracts due diligence and transactions, regulatory compliance, and contract terminations. Jon's practice has a notable emphasis on technology-related issues, including counseling clients in the areas of patent and data rights, responding to government challenges to technical data and computer software rights assertions, and litigating cases involving complex and cutting edge technologies. Jon also provides guidance on national security matters, such as National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual compliance and facility and security clearance matters. In addition, Jon has advised clients on local government contract negotiation, internal and government investigations regarding potential False Claims Act issues, and export violations. Jon is also actively involved in the firm's
pro bono
program, having litigated prisoner neglect, parental rights termination, and landlord-tenant matters.
Education
Vanderbilt University, B.E., biomedical engineering & electrical engineering
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, M.B.A., aviation
University of Maryland School of Law, J.D.,
cum laude
Katy Barker
Senior Associate, CohnReznick
Katy has worked as a Subcontract Administrator for over 7 year. Majority of Katy’s career has been spent supporting the DoD. She now provides guidance to companies who are in the process of setting up a federally compliant Business Systems. She also conducts review on company’s current Business Systems and provide insight on how to improve their current systems. She has extensive knowledge on Federal Acquisition Regulations and supporting both DCMA and DCAA audits. Katy went to college at Marymount University where she obtained her MBA.
Education
Marymount University: Master of Business Administration
John Bartlett
VP Professional Services, Integrify
John is Integrify’s VP of Professional Services and oversees all services and implementations of Integrify. He’s focused on planning and delivering effective process automation solutions for a wide variety of complex use cases using the Integrify platform. John has delivered hundreds of large-scale process automation solutions for customers around the world.
Ed Bassett
Chief Information Security Officer, NeoSystems
Mr. Bassett is a senior Cyber Security and Risk Management subject matter expert with over 32 years of experience in all aspects of security and privacy program architecture, design, management, and operations. His experience spans Government, Health Care, Financial Services and other industries and includes risk management, program planning, application and software security, security assessments and audits, and security operations.
He built and led a global security consulting practice specializing in security strategy, assessment and testing, and managed security services. He has been the principal advisor to many Fortune 500 and government clients on information systems security, responsible for securing their critical information assets for e-commerce transactions, sensitive health records, and classified military communication. Ed is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Clarkson University where he earned a degree in computer science.
Carol Beaumier
Senior Managing Director, Protiviti
Carol is a Senior Managing Director in the firm’s Risk and Compliance practice and oversees the firm’s Asia-Pac Financial Services Practice. Prior to joining Protiviti, Carol was a Partner with Arthur Andersen where she led the Global Regulatory Practice; a founding member of The Secura Group and leader of the firm’s Risk Management practice; and a regulator with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department. An experienced consultant with more than thirty years of experience, Carol has extensive experience with numerous regulatory issues that affect multiple industries. She is a frequent author and speaker on regulatory and other risk issues.
For the last several years, Carol has been a regular presenter at the Institute of International Bankers’ BSA/AML/OFAC Training Series. She is also a lecturer at the Boston University School of Law for which she has designed and is teaching an anti-money laundering course in the University’s Certificate in Financial Services Compliance program.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Colby College
Master of Arts (Hon), Colby College
Jeremy Becker Welts
Government Contracting Instructor
Jeremy Welts began the practice of law following graduation from William & Mary Law School in 1986. He initially worked as an associate attorney in commercial litigation for a law firm in New England until 1989, when he was hired by NASA Langley Research Center as an Attorney Advisor. At NASA Langley, his work included advising on general law issues (procurement, construction, FOIA, tort, and fraud) serving as counsel to source evaluation boards, source selection officials, negotiating Space Act Agreements, and litigation counsel in procurement- related activities and tort defense.
Jeremy left NASA in 1995 to join the department of Navy Office of General Counsel as a Senior Trial
Attorney. While at Navy, he served as a trial attorney with the joint Department of Navy/Department of Justice A-12 Litigation Team.
Following his time on the A-12 Litigation Team, Jeremy was appointed Senior Assistant General Counsel with the U. S. General Services Administration (GSA), beginning in 1998. He served primarily in the Real property Division, where he analyzed and defended construction and lease-related claims and provided counsel to high-profile ongoing construction projects and Agency Senior Management. During his tenure at GSA, Jeremy served as lead counsel on 51 cases with claims totaling overall $610,683,384. Additionally, he designed and implemented a pilot program to provide risk management support for ongoing major construction projects.
In 2006, Jeremy joined the nationally-ranked law firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP, as a Senior Attorney, where he provided direct consultation, analysis, training in government contracting, and assistance for clients and counsel relating to wide range of government procurement and construction issues. He also provided legal and factual analysis, strategic planning, and legal writing to firm counsel for the presentation and resolution of federal contractor claims before agencies, boards of contract appeals, and federal courts.
From January 2010 until his retirement in January 2014, Jeremy served as Assistant District Counsel for the Middle East District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was responsible for assisting the Corps in successfully awarding and administering construction contracts throughout the Middle East. During his time at the Corps, he was a key player in the solicitation, evaluation, source selection and awarding of a $3.8 billion multiple award task order program serving construction efforts throughout the entire Middle East. While at the Middle East District, he was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award Medal twice and was recognized as the Attorney of the Year for both 2011 and 2012.
Throughout his Federal career Jeremy provided training within his various agencies in all aspects of Federal contracting, presenting workshops and training sessions on such subjects as Negotiations; FAR Workshops; Source Selection; Construction Contracting, and Contract Management. In 2011 he joined the faculty of Federal Publications Seminars and has served primarily as an in-house trainer for them in both government and industry. He has presented over 200 training sessions for Federal Publications, including the topics of Negotiations; FAR Overview; FAR Workshops; Source Selection; and Construction Contracting, as well as for other educational companies and as an independent contractor. Typically, Jeremy tailors his training sessions to provide specific content relevant to client business lines, strategies, and goals. Since 2012, he has averaged 350 hours per year in direct classroom presentation time.
Education
__
Neal W. Beggan
Principal, Risk & Accounting Advisory Services, Cherry Bekaert
Neal has 21 years experience in the government contracts and technology industries. His focus at Cherry Bekaert is on cybersecurity, privacy and risk & compliance.
Education
B.B.A. in Finance, with a concentration in Computer Information Systems, James Madison University
Daryouche Behboudi
Director, Cybersecurity, Technology Risk and Privacy, Global Consulting Solutions
Daryouche is managing director in CohnReznick’s Cybersecurity and Privacy practice. He has more than 20 years of experience managing consulting engagements with top-tier firms focusing on IT strategy articulation, IT risk and security management, operations and organizational design, cost takeout, and vendor management and outsourcing giving him the edge when it comes to understanding the technology challenges these types of institutions are facing today.
Daryouche was a founding partner at CyTech Partners LLC specializing in cybersecurity advisory work primarily for financial services firms. Prior to that he was a managing director in BDO Consulting’s Technology Advisory Services practice focusing on IT risk and security management (FFIEC, NIST, DFS). As the former head of the North America CIO Advisory practice at Kurt Salmon, Daryouche led a highly profitable team to revenues of $10m per year. The focus of the team was to provide CIO advisory advice geared to financial services firms. He is an expert in planning and leading enterprise-wide programs including business continuity and disaster recovery planning, IT financial management, Enterprise Architecture and IT governance. Daryouche has helped clients save millions of dollars while implementing and streamlining efficient processes.
Daryouche was a managing director at BearingPoint’s financial services practice (previously KPMG Consulting) prior to joining Kurt Salmon. He was also employed by an IT services firm as a senior analyst and program manager. While studying at Lehigh University, he was also employed as a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Education
Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Lehigh University
M.S., Electrical Engineering, Lehigh University
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Lehigh University
Locke Bell
Associate, Morrison Foerster
Locke Bell advises government contractors in every facet of their businesses, with a particular focus on protecting intellectual property, licensing technical data and computer software, and navigating nontraditional acquisition agreements, such as other transaction agreements, or OTAs. In addition to counseling on a wide variety of matters, ranging from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to Federal data security standards, he also has successfully litigated bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and Court of Federal Claims, and claims disputes before the Court and boards of contract appeals.
Locke graduated from the University of Virginia, receiving a B.S. with high honors in mechanical engineering, and while in law school, he worked at the U.S Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner specializing in the mechanical arts. He earned his J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School, where he was a member of the Public Contract Law Journal and received the Patricia A. Tobin Government Contracts Award for excellence in the area of government contracts law. Locke went on to clerk for Judge Mary Ellen Coster Williams at the Court of Federal Claims.
Education
University of Virginia (B.S., 2011)
The George Washington University Law School (J.D., 2014)
Jon Bencivenga
Advisory, Director, CohnReznick LLP
Jon is a Director in the CohnReznick’s Government Contracting Industry practice. He has over 15 years of experience in Government Regulatory Compliance with a demonstrated history supporting the government services industry. He provides a range of advisory services for government contractors including FAR/CAS compliance, DFARS business systems, infrastructure and indirect cost rate structuring, and incurred cost proposals and forward pricing rate proposals. He also has extensive international experience including serving as an industry segment compliance manager in Seoul, South Korea and assisting clients onsite in the Middle East and South America.
Jon's areas of expertise are DFARS-Compliant Business System gap/readiness assessments and implementations, FAR & CAS compliance, Cost allowability, allocability and reasonableness, Incurred cost proposals, Cost estimating, Complex indirect rate structures, Requests for Equitable Adjustments, Accounting & Compliance Government Contracts Training.
Education
Jon graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting.
Ryan Berry
Managing Partner, Ward & Berry
Ryan Berry co-founded Ward & Berry with Dan Ward in 2017. Although Ryan is active in all of the firm’s practice areas, his current client work comprises investigations, corporate compliance, and general counsel representation of government contractors.
Before co-founding Ward & Berry, Ryan was an equity partner in one of the largest global law firms. He has successfully handled significant commercial litigation matters through trial for national security, technology, and sports and entertainment clients.
Ryan is experienced in handling international disputes and investigations for government contractors and multi-national corporations. His work in this area has been particularly focused on the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Ryan has skillfully guided clients through investigations brought by the Inspector General (IG) of federal agencies, Congressional investigations, suspensions and proposed debarments.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D. - Washington & Lee University School of Law
B.A. - United States Military Academy (West Point)
Graduate Certificate: Technical Program Management for Commercial Business -- Rensselaer Polytechnic University
David Berteau
CEO, Professional Services Council (PSC)
Mr. Berteau became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Services Council (PSC) on March 28, 2016. Prior to PSC, Mr. Berteau was confirmed in December 2014 as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness. He oversaw the management of the $170 billion in Department of Defense logistics funding.
Previously, Mr. Berteau served as Senior Vice President and Director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His research and analysis covered federal budgets, national security, management, contracting, logistics, acquisition, and industrial base issues.
Mr. Berteau is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and has also served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, a Director of the Procurement Round Table, and an Associate at the Robert S. Strauss Center at the University of Texas.
Education
Mr. Berteau graduated with a B.A. from Tulane University in 1971 and received his master's degree in 1981 from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.
He is a recipient of the 2020 Federal100 Award. The Federal 100 Awards are presented to government and industry leaders who have played a pivotal role in how the federal government acquires, develops, and manages IT.
Laura Bier
Project Manager, PLAN+WRITE+TRAIN+SOLVE
Laura is a project manager by profession, focused on implementing PM best practices, and deploying practical solutions that help get teams humming. She is judicious in selecting and implementing PMI advocated and Agile processes. She has twenty years consulting experience with 11 of those in Earned Value Management. She sets up and helps administer performance management and performance measurement processes using industry tools such as Atlassian Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Deltek Cobra, and others. She has a proven track record in helping businesses transform their project management approach to win work, identify process efficiencies and generate cost savings.
Greg Bingham
Partner, HKA
Greg is a forensic accounting and quantum expert with over 33 years of experience in the field of business consulting, primarily for Government and Construction Contractors.
Clients have included corporations, partnerships, and individuals; in-house and outside counsel. Greg has consulted with contractors to the U.S. government, including contractors to many different departments – Defense, Energy, State, Housing & Urban Development – as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency for International Development, the General Services Administration, National Institute of Health and others. Mr. Bingham’s assistance to clients has included presenting his findings in settlement negotiations, alternate dispute resolution proceedings, depositions, and trials.
Greg has worked on commissions throughout Europe, the Middle East, North and South America. He has experience in a variety of client sectors, including buildings, defense, industrial, infrastructure, oil and gas, power and utilities, and technology.
Education
Greg holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He is an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University where he teaches Pricing and Cost Issues in Government Contracts (GCON 6506), a graduate-level course in the Masters of Science in Government Contracts program.
Courtney Black
Principal, Ernst & Young LLP
Courtney Black is Principal in the Ernst & Young LLP Government Contract Services practice in the Dallas, TX office. Courtney has over 18 years of experience in government contracting with EY, advising clients on considerations spanning the government contracting lifecycle. She specializes in assisting clients in conducting business with the federal government, including determining compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, and contract-specific requirements. She also assists clients with developing cost accounting structures to optimize cost recovery, calculating indirect rates, preparing CASB disclosure statements, preparing incurred cost submissions, and documenting systems manuals along with policies and procedures. She provides technical advice to clients contracting with the General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies in the areas of proposal and equitable adjustment preparation, cost allocations and cost reporting. Courtney works across multiple industries including aerospace and defense, professional services, utilities, engineering and construction, healthcare and technology.
Education
Courtney earned a B.S. in Entrepreneurial Mangement and Finance from Texas Christian University
She is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Professional affiliations include: The American Bar Association, Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), Internal Audit Association (IAA), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and The National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
David Black
Partner, Holland & Knight
David S. Black is co-chair of the National Government Contracts Practice. He practices in the area of government contracts counseling and dispute resolution. His practice includes representing contractors in protests, claims under the Contract Disputes Act, responding to government investigations and audits, False Claims Act investigations and litigation, terminations for default and convenience, prime-subcontractor disputes, compliance programs, and counseling on a variety of contract administration and procurement issues.
After law school, he served as judicial clerk to Judge Larry G. Elder of the Court of Appeals of Virginia in Richmond.
Honors & Awards
Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Government: Government Contracts, 2011-2018
Legal Elite, Washington SmartCEO magazine, 2011
Rising Star, Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, 2007
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
University of Virginia, B.A.
Noah Bleicher
Special Counsel, Jenner & Block
Noah Bleicher is a skilled government contracts practitioner with extensive bid protest litigation experience. He is a special counsel in the firm’s Government Contracts Practice where he represents large and small government contractors in a wide array of complex government contracts issues. Mr. Bleicher draws upon his unique and valuable insights from his service as a senior bid protest hearing officer at the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to effectively resolve government contracts legal disputes and achieve the business objectives of his clients.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D., 2004; Associate Editor, Emory Law Journal
University of Florida, B.A., 2001, cum laude; B.S., 2001, cum laude; Florida Academic Scholar; Florida Blue Key (leadership honorary); recipient of numerous scholarships for leadership and achievement
Ryan Bonner
Compliance Consultant, Steel Root
Ryan Bonner is an independent compliance consultant, focusing on cybersecurity regulations for defense contractors. Ryan has been working with the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network since 2017, where he carries out NIST-funded grants to improve cyber resiliency for manufacturers in the defense industrial base.
Jacob Borgeson
Director of GovCon Product Marketing, Unanet
Jacob leads product marketing efforts for the GovCon industry at Unanet. Unanet creates software to help government contractors grow efficiently through automation, insight, and productivity solutions such as ERP, CRM, subcontractor management, manufacturing and more. With over 17 years of experience in software and a team of dedicated experts he helps produce research, content, and solutions for government contractors to scale efficiently.
Stacy Bostjanick
Chief Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity, Office of the DoD Chief Information Officer
Ms. Stacy Bostjanick is a member of the Senior Executive Service and serves as the Chief Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity (DCIO(CS)), Office of the Chief Information Officer. In this position, she serves as the focal point within the DoD CIO to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
As the CMMC Director, Ms. Bostjanick is responsible for shepherding this critical program though the Code of Federal Regulation System rulemaking process for both the CFR 32 and 48 and ultimately implementing the program across the more than 220,000 companies that make up the DIB. This includes collaborating across the Federal Government with partners such as the Department of Homeland Security and the other members of the Federal Acquisition Security Council, to standardize this process and truly federalize it. In this role, she also directs the Department’s efforts to educate DIB partners on programatic requirements and ensures that DoD implements risk information sharing though the program’s execution. Additionally, Ms. Bostjanick is responsible for ensuring the Defense Acquisition community is trained and capable of including these requirements in their Programs and Acquisitions.
Townsend Bourne
Partner, Sheppard Mullin
Townsend Bourne is a partner in the Governmental Practice at the Washington, D.C. office and leads the firm’s Government Business Group. She represents companies engaging with the Federal Government, including aerospace, defense, commercial, and cloud service providers. Townsend specializes in cybersecurity and data protection for government contractors, guiding clients through DoD and civilian agency security requirements, and handling subcontractor agreements and incident response. She also has extensive experience in complex litigation related to the Contract Disputes Act and False Claims Act, bid protests, claims litigation, internal investigations, and issues involving multiple award contract vehicles and procurement integrity.
Michael Bowsher
KC, Monckton Chambers
Michael Bowsher KC has a busy practice in public procurement, competition and commercial law, particularly in disputes concerning major public and public-private projects. He is particularly known for his unique practice in regulated procurement in the United Kingdom, Ireland, elsewhere in Europe and beyond.
Michael Bowsher KC has appeared as counsel in many of the major procurement cases over more than a decade. His contentious practice is complemented by a substantial practice in providing legal and strategic advice for bidders and purchasers throughout the procurement process.
Michael’s remains very active in competition law matters, having acted in a number of recent matters involving essential facilities, competition in payment systems and now acting as leading counsel in a number of collective proceedings brought in the CAT.
In recent years Michael has become increasingly involved in matters involving application and interpretation of investment treaties and trade agreements as well as a range of matters involving Outer Space law.
Michael is active in a range of dispute resolution arrangements. He has often been appointed as arbitrator, mediator and expert by CEDR, LCIA, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Technology and Construction Solicitor Association. Most of his appointments involve disputes concerning investments or long term contracts involving the public sector or utilities. He has recently been involved in a number procedures involving disputes in the operation of the NHS.
Michael is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London where he teaches EU Public Procurement on the LLM degree course and is Director of the Distance Learning Diploma and Masters in Public Procurement law. Each of these courses includes substantial components concerning procurement by international organisations beyond the EU.
Michael is a member of the Bar Library in Belfast and the Law Library in Dublin, and practises actively in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well as in England and Wales.
Michael is Leader of the European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales.
Education
BA (Oxon); FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator
Derek Boyd
Partner, Baker Tilly
Derek Boyd is a partner in the government contractor advisory services practice of Baker Tilly.
Derek has more than 15 years of experience working with and for government contractors in a variety of industries, including technology, professional services, aerospace and healthcare. Derek assists government contractors on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Derek was the director of government compliance for a major government contractor.
Education
James Madison University
Bachelors of Business Administration, Accountancy and Finance
Jamie Brabston
Senior Legal Consultant and Director, Redstone Government Consulting, Inc.
Jamie Brabston is a Senior Legal Consultant and Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. (Redstone GCI), specializing in Labor and Employment Law, with an emphasis on government contract law and compliance. Prior to joining Redstone GCI, Jamie was Senior Counsel with Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson, P.C., a boutique labor and employment law firm based in Birmingham, AL. Jamie assists employers with compliance, problem prevention, the analysis of complex employment law and contract related issues, and in conducting investigations to address employee complaints.
In addition, Jamie advises federal government contractors with contract specific requirements such as affirmative action compliance, Service Contract Act issues, CoBEC, the Drug Free Workplace Act, record keeping, and in performing mock compliance assessments and other issues specific to employers working with the federal government. Jamie is a proficient trainer and speaker and is a primary instructor for Federal Publications Seminars course, “HR for Government Contractors.” Additionally, Jamie regularly conducts training and education for individual employers and their employees on non-discrimination and anti-harassment, as well as training sessions for executive and non-executive management on a wide variety of overall management leadership skills, and government contract specific topics. Jamie also specializes and advises clients on a wide range of employee benefits issues including ERISA welfare benefit plans, HIPAA, wellness plans, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act, and other federal and state laws, including related reporting requirements. In addition, Jamie works with employers in responding to complaints filed with external agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor and the Department of Industrial Relations and provides litigation support as needed.
Education
Jamie received her undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Alabama. During law school, she served as editor of THE LAW & PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW and a member of the Order of the Barristers, the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board, and the Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team, where her team received the Dillard Award for Best Brief in the world.
Chad Braley
CEO and National Managing Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Chad Braley is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Since its inception, Capital Edge has grown into the country’s leading firm, focusing solely on serving both foreign and domestic contractors who do business with the US Government.
Chad’s areas of expertise include the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), agency supplement regulations, Contractor Accounting, Purchasing, Estimating, MMAS, and EVM Business Systems, Truth in Negotiations Act, government accounting requirements Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), DCAA Audits support and preparation, other regulatory non-compliance support, Terminations, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REA), ERP systems and risk mitigation.
Education
Chad graduated from the Williams School of Commerce at Washington and Lee University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, with a major in Business Administration.
Michael Brandt-Morrow
Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Michael Brandt-Morrow is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., and has over 20 years of experience designing and implementing reporting solutions to support a variety of business areas/functions including Finance, Marketing & Sales, Human Resources, Payroll, and Manufacturing. Michael excels at providing in depth analysis to understand client requirements to support their business objectives. Michael has the ability to identify synergies in process and systems resulting in delivery of solutions that increase revenue and build incremental revenue streams.
Education
Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Delta College B.B.A in Marketing and Management from Northwood University, Midland, MI campus
Steven Brewer
Senior Manager, CPA, Baker Tilly
Steven has more than eight years of experience providing specialized pricing, compliance, negotiation, audit and litigation support services to government contractors across a variety of industries. Steven has worked with a variety of contractors providing services related to Federal Supply Schedule contracts, including proposal preparation, option extensions, contract compliance, and audit and litigation support.
Terrence Brookie
Member, Frost Brown Todd LLC
Terry concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law and surety law. Terry is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers (past member of the Board of Governors). His practice includes contract review and negotiation, contract preparation, risk management, litigation, claims avoidance and general construction advice to all participants in the construction industry.
Terry is a frequent speaker for construction and commercial groups and has lectured and written numerous articles for several industry groups and professional organizations in the construction industry. Terry is also a mediator and arbitrator of construction cases.
Education
Law School
Indiana University School of Law, J.D., 1981
Undergraduate School
Denison University, B.A., 1978, Economics and English
Shauna Brookshier
Sr. Ethics Analyst, SAIC
Shauna is a Sr. Ethics Analyst at SAIC, a premier technology integrator serving the US Government. In this role, Ms. Brookshier is responsible for strategic engagement and the compliance-training program. She facilitates the Ethics Champion program working with Champions across the entire enterprise. She also manages the annual compliance-training program including the strategic development of non-traditional training resources and assessments. She has led or improved programs related to compliance-training, conflicts of interest, business integrity training and expanded the site visit process. Ms. Brookshier has earned the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance (LPEC). Prior to SAIC, she was Product Manager for an educational software company specializing in school improvement planning and compliance required by Title I funding regulations.
Ethan Brown
Associate, Duane Morris LLP
Ethan M. Brown focuses his practice on finding practical solutions to challenges facing government contractors. His extensive experience in the government contracts includes counseling clients in diverse industries on compliance, regulatory, and enforcement matters relating to a wide range of federal, state, and local procurement laws and regulations, including the FAR and DFARS.
His broad litigation background includes experience with bid protests before the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and state and local agencies; complex claims before the Boards of Contract Appeals; and other disputes before government agencies and various U.S. District Courts. In his counseling practice, Ethan regularly advises government contractors of all sizes on compliance with government regulations, including requirements concerning cybersecurity, GSA multiple award schedules, the Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts, supply chains, cost accounting, subcontracting, mandatory disclosures, and data rights. Ethan also has experience drafting and negotiating teaming agreements, non-disclosure agreements, subcontracts, and supplier agreements. His additional experience in conducting internal investigations ensures that clients are in full compliance with applicable regulations.
Ethan has extensive experience with both Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements and in advising parties regarding the acquisition of a government contractor. He routinely assists clients with issues regarding the SBA’s size standards, affiliation, subcontracting requirements, and socioeconomic programs, and he has successfully litigated size and socioeconomic status protests before the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals. He also has significant experience drafting joint venture agreements and corporate governance documents for small-business clients. For acquisitions involving government contractors, Ethan has conducted due diligence, drafted and negotiated key transaction documents, and advised the parties on unique regulatory issues that may arise during or after the transaction.
Education
EDUCATION
Ethan is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He frequents lectures and writes on a wide variety of government contracting topics.
Sheri Buchanan
Managing Human Resources Consultant, Redstone Government Consulting, Inc.
Sheri Buchanan is a Managing Human Resources Consultant with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., a premier consulting firm with the most senior industry veterans which provides a comprehensive suite of services for large and small government contractors including evaluation, education and training, monitoring and audit preparation. Through our consulting and training programs, government contractors develop and learn to maintain compliance processes that help them succeed by mitigating risk and maximizing profitability.
Sheri provides human resources consulting with expertise in the compliance requirements specific to government contractors. Sheri has a breadth of experience with focus on compliance with Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (EO 11246, Section 503, VEVRAA), Service Contract Act, contract transition/onboarding, labor category mapping and benchmarking, compensation planning and reasonable assessments and training. She spends much of her time “in the weeds” with clients in the development and implementation of compliant practices and policies. She assists clients with Department of Labor Wage and Hour and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. She stays abreast of the various requirements of the Department of Labor and, of great importance to government contractors, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, as well as other federal and state regulations impacting human resources.
Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., Sheri served in various roles in the HR arena in diverse industries, from government contracting to healthcare. Throughout her career, she has been involved in recruiting, affirmative action planning, contract proposal development, investigations and allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge and employee disputes, new employee orientation and training.
Education
Sheri received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and received the Professional in Human Resources Management certification in 1995.
Christopher M. Caiaccio
Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Chris Caiaccio has been practicing exclusively in the area of labor and employment his entire legal career. Chris has broad experience working with employers to assist with human resource issues including employment discrimination, non-compete agreements, employment contracts, sexual harassment, wage and hour issues, and independent contractor misclassification. He also regularly advises clients on labor relations matters such as union avoidance, unfair labor practice charges, secondary boycotts, collective bargaining, strike contingency planning, grievance and arbitration, and other matters involving the National Labor Relations Board. Chris counsels clients on labor law issues impacting employers in the construction industry including double-breasting, project labor agreements, and Davis Bacon Act compliance.
Education
Education
University of Tennessee College of Law J.D. (2002) magna cum laude
Florida State University B.S. (1999) International Business, magna cum laude
Alicia Caldwell
CPA, Baker Tilly
Alicia is a senior manager in Baker Tilly’s healthcare and not-for-profit practices. She has over 15 years of experience in public accounting and private industry. Alicia leads our COVID-19 advisory healthcare practice, providing CARES Act and FEMA funding expertise. She also serves the accounting, auditing and consulting needs of healthcare and not-for-profit clients and has experience with numerous types of financial and compliance audits including single audits.
Brent Calhoon
Partner, Baker Tilly
Brent has 25 years of government contract industry experience. He works with a broad array of public and private contractors and non-profit organizations providing consulting, accounting, auditing, and investigative services in a wide variety of industries including aerospace and defense, transportation/logistics, energy, healthcare & life sciences, international development, professional services, A&E, construction, and manufacturing.
Brent specializes in the complexities and nuances of the Cost Accounting Standards, FAR Part 31 and 2 CFR 200 Cost Principles, the Truth in Negotiations Act, contract terminations, Requests for Equitable Adjustments, Claims, and contractor business systems. Brent works with his clients to avoid or address DCAA audit findings and negotiate reasonable resolutions or settlements. He also works with outside counsel to investigate and resolve allegations of wrongdoing arising under the False Claims Act.
Dennis Callahan
Shareholder, RJO
Mr. Callahan represents government contractors on a broad range of litigation matters, including false claims investigations and actions in the defense, construction, and medical industries; bid protests and contract claims at the federal, state and local levels; and prime/subcontractor disputes in state and federal court, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Callahan also counsels government contractors and grantees regarding their compliance with contract and legal requirements, accounting standards and audit practices.
Mr. Callahan has significant experience in the government contracts and construction industries. He has prosecuted and defended bid protests of contract awards involving major civil and facilities construction projects. He has investigated, prepared, and litigated requests for equitable adjustment, termination settlement proposals, and other claims involving billions of dollars of costs whose cause is disputed. In these matters, Mr. Callahan often works closely with forensic accounting firms, and he counsels client leadership on the timing, framing, and tone of the submissions and legal filings, and on negotiation and litigation strategy.
Mr. Callahan frequently contributes to bar publications and scholarly journals. Among other publications, his articles have appeared in the Procurement Lawyer, A.B.A. false claims acts and construction books, William & Mary Law Review, Cardozo Law Review, The Government Contractor, Legal Times (Washington), New York Law Journal, and The Federal Lawyer.
Education
J.D., William & Mary Law School
M.B.A., William & Mary Graduate School of Business
B.A., University of New Hampshire
Jack Callahan
CPA, Partner, CohnReznick
Jack Callahan serves as CohnReznick’s Construction Industry Leader, overseeing a team of 200 professionals across the United States. Jack has served as a trusted advisor to contractors throughout their entire lifecycle, demonstrating exemplary client satisfaction and building a reputation as a results-oriented leader dedicated to driving company growth and transformation. Jack and his team have worked extensively with both private developers and public agencies to develop and implement fiscal and integrity monitoring programs to successfully mitigate the costs of fraud, waste, and abuse on large development projects. Jack was the lead partner for CohnReznick on the monitoring and investigative work performed at Ground Zero and continues to spearhead the ongoing initiatives at LaGuardia and O’Hare Airports. Jack has extensive knowledge, insights, and experience in accounting, corporate taxation, and business consulting matters within the construction community and values his well-earned role as trusted business advisor.
Education
BS, Accounting, St. Peter’s College
Todd Canni
Partner, BakerHostetler
As Co-Leader of the Government Contracts team and Law360 MVP in Government Contracts law, Todd Canni is entrusted by government contractors to resolve their most important “bet-the-company” government contracts matters and unexpected “crisis” events. He advises contractors throughout the life cycle of a government contract from award through closeout and everything in between, including bid protests, debarment matters, civil False Claims Act investigations, civil investigative demands, government disclosures, complex contract disputes and building and enhancing ethics and compliance programs. Todd is widely known as one of the nation’s preeminent suspension and debarment lawyers and one of only a few debarment lawyers who previously served as a Department of Defense debarring official.
Among his accomplishments: in 2022, Todd served as lead trial counsel in successfully challenging a DoD debarment in federal court, thus saving the client’s business – an outcome that contributed to his former firm receiving “Government Contracts Group of Year” honors by Law360. Due to Todd’s nearly two decades of experience in the government contracts and debarment spaces, including as a debarring official and as defense counsel, and his involvement in several dozen administrative agreements involving monitoring, he is well positioned to serve as an Independent Monitor under agency Administrative Agreements. Indeed, Todd authored the chapter on Administrative Agreements set forth in the ABA’s Practitioner’s Guide to Suspension and Debarment. In 2023, Todd was named a Law360 MVP for Government Contracts for his exemplary work in the field.
Education
LL.M., Government Procurement Law, The George Washington University Law School
with highest honors
J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
magna cum laude, Catholic University Law Review, Associate Editor on the Editorial Board
B.A., Hofstra University
Tara Cannon
Product Marketing Manager, Deltek
Tara Cannon is a Product Marketing Manager at Deltek for the Costpoint Product Line, Deltek’s flagship Enterprise Resource Planning tool for Government Contractors. She brings her 18 years of experience working for both small and large firms in the Aerospace and Defense Industry to Deltek’s Product Strategy organization. Tara works to further Costpoint’s mission of helping businesses navigate and succeed in the complex compliance landscape that is Government Contracting. She considers her work a success if she can help move the needle to ensure that customer and market needs continue to be met by Deltek’s Government Contracting software products.
Fredrick Carr
Deputy Assistant Secretary Financial Operations, U.S. Air Force
Mr. Fredrick E. Carr assumed the position of Assistant Director, Operations, Defense Contract
Audit Agency (DCAA) in April 2023. He strategically leads a workforce of 150 personnel who provide
management information system and data analytics support, investigative support services,financial
liaison advisory services, and quantitative methods policy to over 4000 auditors and support
personnel dispersed throughout 300 offices worldwide. He oversees and manages an annual
operating budget of approximately $30 million.
Prior to coming to DCAA, Mr. Carr was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial
Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller, Arlington,
Virginia. Mr. Carr served as the principal adviser to the Assistant Secretary and the Air Force senior
staff on all issues involving the amended Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and related financial
management reforms. He was responsible at the executive level for ensuring the Air Force complies
with legislative and executive financial management mandates leading to the effective and efficient
use of the Air Force resources. Additional responsibilities included the management of human
resources and technology solutions for Air Force financial management.
Education
Mr. Carr holds a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University, New York, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He is a graduate of the Army Comptrollership Program and the Air War College. He is a licensed Certified
Public Account, holds a Level III certification in the DoD Financial Management Certification, and is a Certified Defense Manager (Acquisition).
Matt Carter
Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Matt Carter is the co-leader of Pillsbury’ s Government Contracts & Disputes practice. His practice includes litigating bid protests, conducting internal investigations, representing companies and individuals in suspension and debarment proceedings, and providing regulatory and compliance advice.
Matt, the leader of Pillsbury’s Bid Protests team, has achieved successful results for his clients in more than 50 bid protests at the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Matt also is a leading suspension and debarment lawyer. He has successfully represented corporations and individuals before numerous civilian and defense suspension and debarment officials, including the Air Force, the Army, DLA, the EPA, and the Navy, to ensure their continued eligibility to participate in federal programs. Matt is active in the ABA’s Public Contracts section and has served as a vice-chair of that section’s Suspension and Debarment Committee. He has also successfully defended numerous defense contractors in False Claims Act litigation.
A former Division One athlete, Matt was named a 2022 “ Rising Star” in the government contracts field by Law360and was recognized as a 2023 “ Rising Star” in Government Contracts by Bloomberg Law. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for Government Contracts in 2016 – 2018 and 2023 – 2024.
Education
J.D.,
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles,
2011 cum laude
B.A.,
Loyola Marymount University
, 2008 cum laude
Mike Carter
Director, Capital Edge Consulting
Michael is a Director at Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. and a member of the firm’s CPSR Compliance Practice. He is an expert in the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) process.
Michael’s areas of expertise include contractor business systems compliance, with an emphasis in DCMA CPSR readiness, execution, and compliance. He is also versed in FAR and DFAR regulations, DCMA processes and procedures pertaining to purchasing system reviews and contract administration, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), proposal analysis and evaluation, cost modeling and estimating, forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR) and agreements (FPRA), and he is fluent in Spanish. Michael has experience conducting CPSR-related training to DCMA CPSR Group procurement analysts as well as to dozens of Federal contractors.
As a DCMA CPSR Procurement Analyst, Michael was the “Team lead” for nearly 15 DCMA CPSRs in the last 3 years and served as the procurement analyst in nearly 15 additional reviews during the same time period. Michael was one of the few procurement analysts with experience in reviewing small business concerns and Ability One contractors. His experience covers a complete spectrum of contractors from A&E service providers to foreign manufacturing firms.
During his tenure as a DCMA CPSR Group Procurement Analyst, Michael developed a tool for use by all CPSR Group procurement analysts (for all four CPSR Teams) in performing CPSRs. Also, Michael developed a tool that all DCMA Administrative Contracting Officers (ACO) are currently required to use in their annual surveillance of contractor purchasing systems responsibilities. Michael was personally selected by the DCMA CPSR Director to represent the Phoenix CPSR Team at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress (2015).
Prior to his time with the DCMA CPSR Group (Phoenix), he was a DCMA ACO and managed all activities related to Base Life Support on three US Military and US State Department installations in Iraq. Michael was responsible for approving or denying all work requests in accordance with US Government contracts, and managed all aspects of Government Prime Contract Administration with contracts in excess of $3.1 billion. He assisted DCMA Cost/Price Analysts in proposal analysis and evaluation cost modeling and estimating, forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR) and agreements (FPRA), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) allocation of allowable and accounting for unallowable costs, and administered contracts for DCMA with the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world.
Education
Michael graduated from Arizona State University, WP Carey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a certificate in International Business Studies. He also earned a Level II Career Field Certification in Contracting from the Defense Acquisition University.
Debbra Caw
Deputy Director, DCAA
Ms. Debbra M. Caw, a member of the Senior Executive Service since June 2015, assumed the position of Deputy Director, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in January 2023. She is responsible for assisting the Director, DCAA in leading the Agency’s over 4,000 personnel as they execute the Agency’s worldwide operations and managing an annual operating budget of approximately $650 million.
Ms. Caw was formerly the Assistant Director of Operations. In this role, she strategically led a workforce of 150 personnel providing data analytics support, investigative support services, financial liaison advisory services, and support to Agency Information Systems. A catalyst for change, she moved the Agency toward becoming a data centric organization by transforming existing data into dashboards to better manage the audit workload. She also championed the use of data analytic techniques to improve the efficiency of the audit process across the entire Agency.
Education
Ms. Caw holds a Masters of Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a licensed Certified Public Account in the State of Virginia. She obtained Level III certifications in the DoD Financial Management Certification and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) – Auditing. She has received numerous awards and recognition of excellence performance throughout her distinguished career with the Department of Defense.
Justin Chiarodo
Partner, BlankRome
Justin Chiarodo is Partner at BlankRome and is the Chair of the Government Contracts Practice Group. Justin focuses his practice on all aspects of federal, state, and local procurement law. He has spent his entire career helping leading and emerging government contractors successfully navigate high-stakes litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. Recent engagements include the successful defense of a $300 million sole-source award under a requirements contract for a major tactical wheeled vehicle program, managing the government contracts aspects of the $380 million sale of a defense electronic systems manufacturer, and defeating a $10 million False Claims Act suit based on the public disclosure bar.
Education
University of Virginia School of Law
, JD
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
, BA, summa cum laude
Jeffery M. Chiow
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP
Jeffery M. Chiow represents clients in litigation and government investigations related to government contracts, including federal and state bid protests and claims. Many of the bid protests that he litigates involve enterprise critical matters with billions of dollars at stake. Jeff has deep experience in the aerospace and defense sectors, as well as cybersecurity, technology services contracting, and schedule contracting. Prior to entering private practice, he was a U.S. Marine Corps weapons and sensors officer in the F/A-18D Hornet. This experience informs Jeff’s work with cutting-edge technology in the areas of space systems, cloud computing, weapons platforms and IT systems. Jeff also advises businesses on compliance matters, working with government contractors to develop tailored strategies for addressing complex business, legal, and regulatory issues. In particular, he is a recognized leader in the constantly-evolving area of cybersecurity, including compliance with DoD’s cyber and supply chain requirements and the CMMC initiative and related investigations and disclosures.
Jeff’s False Claims Act experience includes advising on alleged fraud involving federal grants, DOJ Civil Fraud investigations, and qui tam suits alleging hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. He conducts sensitive internal compliance investigations and counsels defense, health care, construction, and technology clients about potential civil and criminal liability as well as potential disclosure obligations.
Education
J.D., The George Washington University Law School
B.S., U.S. Naval Academy
Jeff Clayton
Principal, Baker Tilly
Jeff has been with Baker Tilly since 2005. He has over 20 years of industry and consulting experience in both government contracting and commercial environments, providing a broad range of pricing, contract compliance and dispute/litigation related services to government contractors and their legal counsel. He frequently works with clients to support their federal market goals, to include the preparation of GSA and VA Federal Supply Schedule proposals and option exercise packages, and guidance and assistance on several Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) programs, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, and other agency procurements. He assists his clients with audit package preparation, commercial item determinations and pricing support, contract claims, contractor self-disclosures, and to prepare economic damages analyses. Jeff has extensive experience working with contractors and their counsel during Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits, Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, and in defense of qui tam suits brought under the False Claims Act.
Amanda Cline
Senior Financial Liaison Advisor
Ms. Amanda Cline is the Small Business Program Manager at DCAA Headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In this capacity, she serves as the program manager and audit expert for the small business program with responsibility of providing assistance and consultation with regard to audit requirements and their application to small business.
Education
Ms. Cline graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, with a Master of Public Policy and from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, with Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting and Economics.
Ryan Connell
Director, DCMA
Ryan Connell is Director, DCMA.
Education
Webster University
MBA, Finance
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Bachelor's Degree, Business
University of Kassel Germany
Marketing, Business
Abigail Cotterill
Of Counsel, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Abby Cotterill is Of Counsel in Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s International Trade and National Security Practice Group in the Washington, D.C. office. Abby regularly provides legal advice to companies, financial institutions, and private equity sponsors on the regulatory and other risks of operating or investing across international borders.
Abby focuses her practice on international trade and anticorruption compliance and investigations. She has broad experience on matters involving the economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); the export controls administered under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) of the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) of the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC); and anticorruption compliance counseling in matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Anne Coviello
CPA, Manager, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
Anne Coviello is a Manager at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. Anne has over six years of government contract consulting experience working on a wide range of projects; including support for multiple Incurred Cost Proposals for both major and smaller government contractors. In addition, I have experience in conducting Accounting System Reviews according to the DFARS audit criteria, reviewing policies and procedures to ensure adequate compliance with government contracting standards, cost impact analyses, and overall compliance.
Education
Penn State University
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Jack Coviello
CPA, Baker Tilly
Jack Coviello, CPA, is a Senior Manager in Baker Tilly’s Government Contractor Advisory Services practice. Jack assists clients with a broad range of cost accounting and compliance issues, specializing in matters related to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), associated agency supplements, and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). He has worked extensively in indirect cost rate structuring and modeling, measuring cost impacts, and developing and reviewing contractor cost representations. He also works closely with clients to develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures and internal controls relative to the aforementioned compliance matters, more specifically in the accounting, estimating, and purchasing business systems. Jack is an alumnus of the Smeal College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Finance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Finance
Penn State University
Robert Craig
Director, Sikich
Bob’s clients benefit from his thirty-plus years of experience working with government contractors leading Accounting, IT, and Contract Management departments. All the situations he navigated and problems he solved have uniquely qualified him to help his clients solve technical accounting and regulatory reporting issues.
Bob is a leader in the Consulting practice at Saggar & Rosenberg and focuses on helping clients with government contracting regulatory topics and issues. Bob’s clients appreciate his practical approach when analyzing problems and proposing solutions. His clients rely on him to articulate complex topics in a simple and straightforward manner.
Bob’s clients include small, medium, and large businesses contracting with the U.S. Federal Government in a wide range of industries including aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, manufacturing, and professional services. He has also worked with numerous departments within the Federal government, including the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and many others.
Bob regularly teaches classes about Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, and current industry trends such as cost estimating and indirect rate structures. He is known for adding levity and humor to complicated rules and regulations.
You’ll likely find Bob on a golf course outside the office. He also enjoys time with his wife and three dogs, Woodford, Tinka, and Leo. His two bucket list trips include fly fishing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and exploring Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley of the Inca in Peru.
Education
Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in finance from La Salle University. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and has been involved in various professional organization, including the American Bar Association, Federal Publications Seminars, National Contract Management Association, Professional Services Council, Association of Government Accountants, National Defense Industry Association, and the Maryland Tech Council.
Eric Crusius
Partner, Holland & Knight
Eric, a Partner at Holland & Knight specializing in Government Contracts, Internet/Technology Law, and representing businesses of all shapes and sizes, was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star. This honor is only given to the top 2.5% of attorneys who meet certain criteria. Eric has appeared as a guest on Fox News, Government Matters, NPR, Federal News Radio and has been quoted in numerous publications including Newsweek, Washington Lawyer and the Washington Business Journal.
Eric is a proven trial attorney in state and federal court.
Aside from his recent accomplishments, Eric has extensive experience in litigating all stages of complex multi-million dollar matters in various state and federal courts from commencement through trial and verdict. In addition, Eric has successfully represented contractors before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC), the Department of Labor and various governmental boards. Eric has also briefed and argued appeals in state and federal court.
Eric frequently speaks to industry groups regarding government contract, business, and technology issues and related litigation and intellectual property issues.
Focus Areas: Government contracts litigation (including bid protests, subcontractor/prime contractor disputes, DOL litigation including Service Contract Act (SCA) & FLSA investigations), technology and Internet law, complex commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, employment litigation, and appellate law.
Education
EDUCATION
B.A., Social Science, Hofstra University
J.D., Law, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Barbara Cushing
Seasoned Government Contracting Professional
Barbara Cushing, a seasoned government contracting professional, previously consulted for Ernst & Young, LLP's Government Contracting Services (GCS) practice. With 29 years of experience, including roles at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the DOD Inspector General's Office, Barbara is well-versed in diverse aspects of government contracting. Her expertise spans proposal preparation, contract administration, indirect rate structures, incurred cost submissions, post-award audits, and business systems evaluation.
Matt Danner
Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Grant Thornton LLP
Matt has over 13 years of experience in identifying, quantifying, and managing risks for government contractors, including expertise in business system internal controls and compliance, government cost accounting, cost restructuring, and M&A due diligence. Prior to joining Grant Thornton Matt held positions serving government contracting clients at an international consulting and accounting firm, as well as internal government compliance positions at top A&D and A&E firms.
Brian A. Darst
Attorney, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman
Mr. Darst specializes in legal matters involving Government construction and service contract law and has extensive experience in the areas of contract formation and administration issues, bid protests, claims preparation and litigation, internal investigations, voluntary disclosures, procurement fraud investigations, various suspension and debarment proceedings, matters related to Small Business Administration, and other issues involving the award and administration of federal and state government contracts. Mr. Darst has represented clients in various matters before the Government Accountability Office, the Postal Service, Armed Services, and General Services Administration Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Office of Hearing and Appeals, and various agency-level proceedings. Mr. Darst's practice includes assisting clients with matters related to the sale and acquisition of firms involved in Government contracting, software licensing issues, other corporate governance matters, and civil litigation in Virginia and District of Columbia.
Mr. Darst is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Southern District of West Virginia.
Mr. Darst earned his B.A. from Marshall University and a J.D. from West Virginia University. After graduating from law school, Mr. Darst worked as an attorney with the United States Navy's Office of General Counsel and represented the Navy in matters involving the acquisition and administration of service and supply contracts for the Naval Sea Systems Command.
Education
Mr. Darst earned his B.A. from Marshall University and a J.D. from West Virginia University. After graduating from law school, Mr. Darst worked as an attorney with the United States Navy's Office of General Counsel and represented the Navy in matters involving the acquisition and administration of service and supply contracts for the Naval Sea Systems Command.
Scott Davidson
Managing Principal, GCO Consulting
Scott has more than 16 years of professional consulting and contracts management experience supporting Federal Government Contractors.
Scott is managing principal at GCO Consulting Group (GCO), a growing Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business that is focused on GSA Schedule Consulting, CVE certification, Federal Business Development Strategy, and Federal Contract Compliance Support to small and large businesses.
In his role at GCO, Scott provides specialized management consulting expertise in GSA Schedule Contracting Compliance, Federal Contract Management & Compliance services and Federal Proposal and Business Development support for all sizes of business from Small Businesses to Fortune 500 clients.
Scott has prepared, negotiated and had awarded over 500 GSA Schedules since starting the firm in 2009. Scott’s focus areas also include GSA Schedule audit and litigation support and has provided audit and data analysis support for GSA Schedules for clients responding to over 50 GSA Office of the Inspector General investigations in which the disposition of findings was favorable for clients.
Laura Davis
Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI)
Ms. Davis has over 25 years of experience supporting government contractors with accounting and compliance needs. Her focus has been system design, cost proposal support, incurred cost submission preparation, and general accounting compliance. Ms. Davis founded Strategic Consulting Solutions in 2004 after consulting with government contractors for several years. SCS was acquired by Premier Consulting & Integration, LLC in August 2021.
Merle M. DeLancey Jr.
Partner at Blank Rome LLP
Merle DeLancey’s practice focuses on a wide variety of government procurement law. He represents clients contracting with federal and state governments, with an emphasis in the healthcare industry. Merle has experience in a broad spectrum of government contracting issues and litigation.
Education
Furman University, BA
Wake Forest University School of Law, JD
Nick DelRosso
DIBCAC Director for the Defense Contract Management Agency
As the DIBCAC Director for the Defense Contract Management Agency, Nicholas (Nick) DelRosso Jr. oversees DCMA's cybersecurity assessments of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) based upon DFARS 252.204-7012. Prior to this position, he served as a Team Chief for the DIBCAC. In this capacity, he supervised a team which conducted cybersecurity assessments of the DIB. DelRosso has also served as Software Surveillance Specialist, Computer Engineer, and Support Program Integrator within DCMA. He has software development experience with a defense contractor and program experience as part of a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).
Education
DelRosso earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The University of Scranton and his Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Villanova University.
Jon DePerro
Vice President, FEDRAMP & Compliance Solutions Kaseya
CMMC Pro
An experienced leader and workforce developer, specializing in risk assessments, mitigation development, compliance, and security. I build bridges between information technology and business functions to identify and address risk while enabling critical business functions . With over 25 years managing teams and projects across three continents, I help leaders make informed risk decisions and ensure stake holders equity is protected.
(FedRAMP, CMMC, SOC, ISO 27001, PCI/DSS/ HIPAA, NISFT CSF, CIS, FTC Safeguards, Cyber Insurance)
C Safeguards, Cyber Insurance)
W. Jay DeVecchio
Senior of Counsel, Washington D.C.
Jay is a litigator and former Co-Chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Government Contracts and Public Procurement practice, with 46 years’ experience in the field. Clients from the aerospace, technology, and healthcare sectors seek his representation in all facets of government procurement law—from bid protests to complex claims and disputes through suspension and debarment. He also has an extensive practice in related issues, such as civil fraud and qui tam False Claims Act (“FCA”) actions. Quoting from a source, Chambers USA called Jay: “The best litigator in the country on government contracts and related matters.”
Mr. DeVecchio’s litigation successes include a defendant’s jury verdict in a $480 million FCA case in which he was trial counsel; prevailing in one of the largest defective pricing appeals tried to date; enjoining the Department of Defense for an improper debarment; winning the leading case on latent defects in government contracts; and achieving victory in the Eleventh Circuit's decision on false claims immunity for Medicare contractors. He has more than 50 reported decisions.
Since 2005, Jay has been named a leading national practitioner in Government Contract Law by Chambers USA. He similarly has been named a Top Washington Lawyer in Government Contracts by both The Washington Business Journal and The Washingtonian. Jay has been a guest instructor at the University of Virginia, the George Washington University Law School Government Contracts Program, and the American University Washington College of Law. He conducts seminars on diverse subjects including claims, disputes, terminations, and data rights and has written extensively on all these topics.
Education
Duke University
(B.A., 1974, cum laude)
The Catholic University School of Law
(J.D., 1978)
RANKINGS
Chambers USA 2020
Jay is widely acknowledged as “the premier government contracts attorney with respect to intellectual property and data rights.”
Chambers USA 2019
Clients describe Jay as “one of the most seasoned government contract advisors and litigators in the industry.”
Legal 500 US 2020
Recommended for Government Contracts
Linda Diaz
CMMC Registered Practitioner
Linda Diaz is a CMMC Registered Practitioner with 20+ years Functional and Technical hands-on experience in both GovCon and Commercial shared Accounting and IT Services which includes approximately 10+ years as a technical lead in Application Hosting and Cloud Services.
Cyndi Dunn
Senior Director at RSM US LLP
Cyndi currently serves her clients in the federal contracting and grantee spaces providing consulting on a vast range of issues including accounting systems design and compliance, contract management, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), FAR, CAS compliance, Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance and DCAA audit issues.
She has 30 years of experience in the government contracting industry, which includes executive management, internal audit and public accounting/consulting. Her clients span across multiple business sectors, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, bio-tech, large Pharma, professional services, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) and International NGOs).
Prior to joining, RSM, Cyndi was a Division Vice President/Controller for large Government contractors where she was responsible for managing the accounting (G/L, A/R, A/P, payroll and financial reporting), contracts, purchasing, human resources and compliance functions (DCAA and Sarbanes-Oxley). Cyndi also spent four years as the manager of Internal Audit for a large government contractor and six years as an auditor in public accounting.
Education
EDUCATION
Virginia Commonwealth University, Bachelor of Science, Accounting
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Global Management Accountant
Dan Durst
Managing Director, BDO
Dan Durst is a Managing Director in BDO’s Industry Specialty Services Group. He advises organizations on a wide range of accounting and compliance issues related to Federal government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. His areas of expertise include Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities (2 CFR 200/Uniform Guidance), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and Defense Grant and Agreement Regulatory System (DGARS). Dan is also well-versed in various levels of audit support including Business System Reviews, Single Audit, and Inspector General audits.
Dan’s industry experience includes Government Contracting, Nonprofit, and Education. Dan has assisted clients with Business Systems Compliance, Policy and Procedure Development, In-House Training, Indirect Cost Rate Proposal Development, Indirect Rate Structure Assessment, Subrecipient Monitoring Support, Audit Support and Risk Assessment, Audit Findings Remediation, Procurement System Compliance, Internal Controls Assessment, Forensic Investigations, and other regulatory compliance matters. Dan is also a frequent lecturer on Federal grants and contracts compliance for industry-recognized training organizations such as Federal Publications Seminars and Thompson Grants.
Dan was an audit supervisor and lead consultant for Clarke Leiper PLLC, a member of the AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center. Dan has previously held security clearances with the U.S. Department of Defense, including Secret Clearance. While contracted by the U.S. Department of State Dan conducted audits and analysis at the U.S. Embassies in 19 foreign countries. Dan has supervised and performed several Single Audits under both OMB A-133 and the new Uniform Guidance, Subpart F.
Education
Dan attended George Mason University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Information Technology, he later returned to George Mason University and earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
Ty Dusablon
Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Ty Dusablon is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., based in the company’s McLean, VA office. Ty has over a decade of experience in various government contract cost accounting and regulatory compliance issues related to Federal government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. Ty’s areas of expertise include Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, Audit Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities (Uniform Guidance), and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Ty is also well-versed in various levels of audit support including Business System Reviews, Single Audit, and Inspector General audits.
Ty is skilled at working with both government contractors and Federal award recipients of varying size and industry focus. Ty has assisted clients with DFARS Business Systems compliance, policy and procedure development, Internal Controls Assessments, and other regulatory compliance matters. Ty currently holds a Secret security clearance with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Prior to joining Capital Edge, Ty was an audit supervisor and lead consultant for an independent CPA firm. Ty was also contracted by the U.S. Department of State, where he conducted audits and analysis at the U.S. Embassies in over 25 foreign countries. Ty has supervised and performed several Single Audits under both OMB A-133 and the new Uniform Guidance, Subpart F.
Education
Ty graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Finance.
Aaron Dyer
Partner, Pillsbury Los Angeles
Aaron Dyer, Pillsbury’s Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice Group Co-Leader, is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney focusing on complex criminal and civil litigation and regulatory enforcement actions. In addition, Aaron represents individuals and corporations in internal investigations and intellectual property litigation, emphasizing securities, health care, the False Claims Act, and intellectual property theft and piracy. He also advises clients on corporate governance issues and the implementation of corporate compliance programs. Aaron spent almost seven years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. While in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, he tried numerous complex fraud cases, including securities, bank, tax, investment, and insurance fraud. In addition, he spearheaded the Internet and computer crime prosecutions for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, serving as the Computer and Telecommunications Crimes Coordinator. He also served as the acting chief and deputy chief of the Major Frauds Section. During that time, he handled numerous oral arguments in the Ninth Circuit.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1992
B.S., University of Southern California, 1989 Member of USC’s 1984-85
PAC-10 Champion basketball team and 1989 National Champion volleyball team
Joseph Dyer
Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw
Since 1989, Joseph has been practicing primarily in the areas of government contracts, export controls, and international law. Joseph has participated in litigation before the federal courts, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and other administrative tribunals and agencies. Joseph was one of 15 recipients nationwide of the Burton Legal Foundation Award for Legal Achievement for 2000 and is also an NCMA Fellow.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Joseph held a variety of legal and managerial positions with a major defense company.
Education
EDUCATION
JD, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Cum laude
International Trade Law Journal, associate research editor
BA, University of Maryland
Economics
Robert Eason
Division Chief for the Policy Accounting and Cost Principles (PAC) Division, DCAA Headquarters
Robert Eason has over 20 years of experience with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and has held a wide variety of positions in DCAA. He is currently the Division Chief for the Policy Accounting and Cost Principles (PAC) Division at DCAA Headquarters, and is responsible for audit policy for a number of program areas including contractor business systems and Cost Accounting Standards.
Susan Ebner
Partner, Stinson LLP
Susan is a thought leader in public contracting. Businesses, nonprofits and consortiums seek Susan’s sage advice and counsel on complex and emerging issues in government contracts, grants and agreements, compliance, audits, investigations and litigation.
Susan has vast experience advising and representing clients in government contracting matters. She has extensive experience handling bid protests, small business size protests and appeals, contract administration and compliance program issues, strategic alliances, security, audits and investigations, requests for equitable adjustment, claims and formal and informal dispute resolution. Clients seek her advice when confronted with difficult, unique or emerging issues, such as emerging cyber and supply chain risk compliance rules; non-standard federal research and development-related matters, including other transaction agreements, technology investment agreements, cooperative agreements, Small Business Innovation Research and grants; USAID/Host Nation, battlefield and contingencycontracting; state and local government contracts; grants and agreements.
Susan is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section. She is also an ABA PCLS Fellow, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and serves on the ABA Board of Governors Finance Committee-Investment Subcommittee. She also serves as Co-Chair of the National Defense Industrial Association’s Cyber Legal Regulatory Policy Committee and is an elected Director of The Procurement Round Table. Previously, she held positions as President of the Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association, National President of Women In Defense, member of the Board of Directors of the National Defense Industrial Association, Chair of the D.C. Bar Government Contracts and Litigation Section, and member of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council.
Education
Cornell Law School, J.D.
Cornell University College of Arts and
Sciences, B.A.
Courtney Edmonson
CPA, CEO, Redstone Government Consulting
Courtney has extensive experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance, evaluation and preparation of Cost Presentations, cost accounting systems setup and reviews, and policy and procedure preparation. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Courtney served as a financial statement auditor for large and mid-tier government contractors.
Courtney works with small and large contractors in pro-actively preparing contractors for government contracts challenges as well as resolving complex DCAA and government procurement issues. Courtney’s expertise includes establishing and/or evaluating job cost accounting structures; management and preparation of complex incurred cost and forward pricing rate proposals; evaluation of internal controls most often evaluated by DCAA to include billing and estimating systems; preparation/evaluation of policies and procedures; development of cost allowability evaluation programs, and; preparation of corrective action plans for overcoming DCAA audit findings.
Courtney is a lead instructor for the Federal Publication Seminars course, “Government Contractor Accounting System Compliance”, and provides class instruction for other compliance courses and webinars such as “Preparation of Incurred Cost Submissions”, “Cost Accounting Standards”, and “Cost and Price Analysis”.
Education
Ms. Edmonson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Jacksonville State University and obtained her Master of Accountancy Degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama.
John A. Ellis
Director for DCMA's Software Division
John A. Ellis is currently the Director for DCMA’s Software Division, responsible for the Policy, Training, and Tools used by the Agency’s software professionals in the conduct of their software surveillance activities, including the application of cybersecurity contract requirements and policies.
Mr. Ellis, a retired Army Colonel, served on active duty for more than 30 years. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery in May 1985 and becoming a member of the Army Acquisition Corps in 1995, he served in a variety of assignments until his retirement 1 June 2015.
John held assignments both stateside and abroad. Mr. Ellis’ DCMA experience began as the Commander of the Future Combat Systems (FCS)/Army Modernization Programs (AMP) contract management office in St. Louis, MO and he culminated his active duty career as DCMA’s Central Region Commander.
Education
John is a graduate of Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management and earned a Master of Science (MS) in Information Systems Management from AFIT and a MS in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. He is a graduate of the Advanced Program Management Course (APMC). Mr. Ellis is a Member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in 3 disciplines: Information Technology; Program Management; and Engineering. John is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
His significant military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters), and the Army Achievement Medal (with silver oak leaf cluster). As a civilian, John received DCMA’s 2019 Leadership Award.
Amanda Eubanks
Senior Consultant
Amanda Eubanks has more than more than 15 years of experience in various accounting, contracts and compliance issues related to government contracting. Amanda’s areas of expertise include financial forecasting, budgeting models, bid and proposal processes, analytical assessment of accounting structures, forensic accounting, Cost Accounting standards (CAS), cost allowability, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), forward pricing rate development, indirect rate structures, earned value management, Accounting System, Material Management and Account System (MMAS) and Deltek CostPoint.
Professional Experience: Prior to joining Capital Edge Consulting, Amanda spent more than 14 years in government contracting in both ship building and aerospace industries. She has experience in a wide range of roles including cost accounting manager, financial (project-level) manager, and contracts. Amanda has extensive knowledge in process improvement, financial models, contract negotiations, Earned Value Management, Sarbanes Oxley, DCAA audits, profit analysis, and implementation of Deltek Costpoint.
Specific areas of government contract consulting expertise include:
− Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
− Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
− Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA)
− Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Audit Support and Audit Defense
− Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS)
− Accounting
− Financial Models
− Forward Pricing Rates
− Forensic Accounting
− Accounting System
Education
Amanda graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and from the University of Phoenix with a Master in Business Administration.
Peter J. Eyre
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Peter J. Eyre
is a partner and co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group. He is also a member of the firm's Management Board. Peter was named to BTI Consulting Group’s list of "Client Service All-Stars" in 2016, 2017, and 2019 and has been named an Acritas Star,
Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers
(2016, 2017, 2019). He is nationally ranked by
Chambers USA
in Government Contracts since 2014. Peter was also named to
The National Law Journal
's list of "40 Under 40 Rising Stars" in 2014.
Education
Williams College, B.A.,
magna cum laude
, Phi Beta Kappa
Harvard Law School, J.D. (2005)
cum laude
Sarah Featherstone
Product Marketing Manager, Deltek
As a Product Marketing Manager, Sarah supports the product strategy group at Deltek to ensure our project-based solutions align with the needs of government contractors. She brings more than a decade of experience in marketing and writing to support our customers through ongoing market analysis and the development of industry-specific thought leadership resources, including Deltek Clarity.
Don Featherstun
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Government contract clients comply with a myriad of complex statutory and regulatory requirements at the federal, state, and local levels of public procurement. Many also have to comply with complex cost requirements unique to government contracts. They also need training in a myriad of contractual programs required by both federal and state agencies.
Don helps clients at every step of the procurement process. He prepares proposals, negotiates contracts, files or defends protests, and advises and trains clients. Don also supports claim preparation, negotiation, and litigation at both the prime contract and subcontract level. He helps with terminations for convenience or default, and eventually contract close-out. Additionally, he assists on the numerous audits that the government conducts.
For more than 40 years, Don has practiced government contract law. He started at the Office of General Counsel, Department of the Navy where he handled litigation for the Navy at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in 1979. Don then went into private practice at a well-recognized government contract firm, where he worked on major claims for the top government contract companies for 13 years. He joined Seyfarth in San Francisco in 1995 and has been with the firm since that time. Throughout his career, Don has represented aerospace, construction, service, and information technology companies in major claims and litigation with either the government or other contractors. He has also helped prepare proposals on major procurements, negotiate the contract, and handle the audits and close-out procedures. Furthermore, he has advised government contractors on virtually all areas of government contract law, such as intellectual property, export control, mandatory disclosure requirements, cost-accounting matters, audits, bid protests, and training programs.
Throughout his practice, Don has committed himself to a wide range of matters and reached successful outcomes. He supported a client for 13 years in dispute with the DCMA over the proper charging of IR+D and capital costs on the development of a new radar system for the F/A-18 aircraft. The amounts in dispute cover more than a decade of indirect costs, the total of which was in excess of $700 million. Eventually, based on arguments he helped to develop, the government dropped the case with zero recovery. Besides litigation, he has counseled small, medium, and large contractors in multiple industries. For example, he helped a small, $20 million-a-year training contractor prepare its proposal on a six-month $100 million training contract for baggage handlers on bomb detection equipment. He also helped to negotiate the contract, helped to ensure proper performance, and supported audits and close-out efforts.
Don relies on Seyfarth's team of attorneys and professionals, as well as the firm's technology, to enhance his service and cut costs. He sold one of the first SeyfarthLean representations to a large client, an arrangement that has continued for more than 12 years. Don has used SeyfarthLean concepts to evaluate a contractor's export control processes between its headquarters in the US and subsidiaries in Canada. He has also used SeyfarthLean to evaluate a food manufacturer's government contract risks and helped to develop a training program for them, based on the risks identified. In addition, Don once teamed with the in-house counsel of a missile to try a case at the ASBCA. The in-house counsel served as associates to minimize costs and worked well with outside counsel throughout the trial.
Don enjoys having a fast-paced practice at Seyfarth with clients in different parts of the country, because he never knows what's coming in the door each day. He has always enjoyed the practice of government contract law, because it frequently involves complex technology, large procurements, and large-dollar disputes.
Education
BA, Columbia College
Economics
JD, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
International Moot Court team
Moot Court board
Scott Felder
Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
Scott helps clients identify, protect, manage, and enforce their intellectual property rights. His practice focuses on the complex intellectual property issues confronted by government contractors, including patent rights and rights in technical data and computer software, with emphasis on the aerospace, defense, and intelligence sectors. Scott routinely represents clients in intellectual property disputes and negotiations with the government.
As the head of the firm’s Patent Prosecution practice, Scott also represents clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
A frequent speaker and author on intellectual property issues, Scott is the co-instructor of the Federal Publications Seminars Government Contract Intellectual Property Workshop. He currently serves as a co-chair of the Intellectual Property and Technology Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Public Contract Law.
Education
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law; Order of the Coif
B.E., summa cum laude, Vanderbilt University
Law Journals
Executive Editor, Virginia Sports and
Entertainment Law Journal
Tomaz Fernandes
Managing Director, Arrative Consulting
Tomaz has over 15 years of experience working in the government contracting industry as an Auditor, CFO and Consultant. Tomaz has used his experience to assist contractors in implementing ERP systems, general accounting, compliance, planning and strategy.
Education
Tomaz earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, with a double major in Finance and Accounting.
Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Director, Baker Tilly
Pat Fitzgerald is a member of Baker Tilly’s government contractor advisory services group. He joined the firm in 2015, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in government auditing and acquisition, including expertise in enhancing the cost effectiveness of business operations, resolving compliance challenges, improving business system effectiveness, conducting internal investigations, preparing for negotiations, and improving relationships between contractors, auditors and contracting officers.
Pat is the former director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for the Department of Defense (DoD). There, he oversaw the agency’s $600 million budget and the 5,000 professionals providing contract audit and advisory services. His background also includes advising soldiers on effective and efficient mission completion practices, making recommendations to army leaders for resolving varied issues and directing the internal audit function as the U.S. Army’s auditor general reporting directly to the secretary of the Army. Pat possesses extensive knowledge of government contracting processes, including cost accounting standards. His experience includes serving on the five-person OMB Cost Accounting Standards Board representing the DoD. An exceptional communicator, having testified before members of congress on several occasions, Pat often advises clients on how to employ effective communication strategies to help resolve issues.
David Fix
Director, Redstone Government Consulting
David (Dave) Fix is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. He provides Government Contract Consulting services to our Government contractors primarily related to compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Cost Accounting Standards, equitable adjustment claims, and business systems. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Dave served in a number of capacities with DCAA for over 35 years. Upon his retirement, Dave was a Regional Audit Manager with DCAA.
Dave began his DCAA career in 1986 as an auditor-trainee with the General Electric Suboffice in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He progressed from auditor to DCAA management ranks serving in DCAA offices in Upstate New York, Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, North Carolina in audits of major and non-major contractors. Dave served DCAA in three overseas tours, all as Branch Manager, in Kuwait/Iraq (2007), Afghanistan (2010-2012) and Kuwait (2014). Dave was promoted to Regional Special Programs Manager (RSPM) in 2015 before ultimately becoming a Regional Audit Manager (RAM) in October 2019. While a RSPM, Dave worked with DCAA’s other three RSPMs with updating the Agency-wide audit planning process including assigning priorities and determining funded/unfunded audits that is currently being used by DCAA. While a RAM, Dave had overall management responsibility for audits performed by approximately 140 employees including one of DCAA’s largest shipyards. During his career, he served as guest instructor at DCAA’s Defense Contract Audit Institute (DCAI) bringing field perspective to “Advance Auditing Issues” and “Supervisors’ Course” as well as served as a DCAI adjunct instructor over DCAA auditors’ initial two-week training course prior to his retirement.
Dave served 36 years in the Air Force Reserve/Air National Guard in both enlisted and officer positions retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His last duty station was Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Headquarters, Robins Air Force Base, Inspector General Office serving as the Chief, Contracting Inspections leading inspections of AFRC’s 10 contracting offices as well as assisting in inspections of AFRC
finance offices.
Dave currently specializes in preparing clients for more complex DCAA audits, providing advice on FAR cost principles and contracts regulatory provisions and in assisting clients in anticipating and addressing audit.
Education
Dave earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Western New England College (now University). He is also a graduate of the Department of Defense’s Executive Leadership Development Program.
Jason Fleetwood
CPA, Partner
Jason Fleetwood is a partner in the CohnReznick’s Hospitality Industry Practice and also provides services to private enterprises. Based in the Bethesda office, he has more than 16 years of experience. His responsibilities include client development, engagement management and oversight, and quality assurance. Jason maintains a high level of personal involvement in all of his engagements, completing all areas of audit and tax engagements, maintaining day-to-day client relationships, and providing advice tailored to each client’s specific needs.
Jason’s clients include hotel owners, hospitality management companies, land developers, home builders, and other hospitality and real estate professionals. He serves these clients by developing annual financial budgets and cash flow projections, assisting with internal control matters and month-end and year-end accounting and closings, and preparing and reviewing corporate, individual, and partnership tax returns.
In addition to providing assurance and tax services, Jason has also provided consulting services on a long-term basis to an international hospitality industry company. These services have included forecasting and budgeting for hotel renovation and construction projects, assisting with project accruals and closings, applying agreed upon procedures to construction cost records, monitoring contract compliance within the procurement industry, and assisting in the determination of annual revenue.
Jason has served as a member of the Loudoun County Fiscal Impact Committee, focusing on the market and fiscal impact analysis of the Phase 2 Metrorail Extension to Loudoun County, Virginia.
Education
BS., Accounting, Universirty of Delaware
John Foley
Director, DCMA-AQSA, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) Group
Mr. John Foley has been with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) since 2008. He has been with the Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) Group since 2012. He has worked as Procurement Analyst, Team Supervisor and is currently in the role of Group Director at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Massachusetts.
Education
John received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.
Daniel Forman
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Dan's practice focuses on a wide variety of government procurement law, including bid protests, False Claims Act and qui tam litigation, investigations of potential civil and criminal matters, ethics and compliance, contract claims and disputes, GSA schedule contracting, and small disadvantaged business contracting. Dan is also experienced in negotiating and drafting teaming agreements and subcontracts, as well as providing counseling on the interpretation of FAR clauses and solicitations. Dan's practice also focuses on state and local procurement matters, including State False Claims Act issues, lobbying and contingency payment compliance. He has been involved in bid protest litigation in six states and the District of Columbia. Dan is ranked as a Band 1 ranked attorney by Chambers USA, listed as a two-time Law360 MVP (2015, 2020), was named to Legal 500’s “Hall of Fame” for Government Contracts in their 2020 Guide, is an Acritas Star and was previously named to BTI’s list of “Client Service All-Stars.
Education
Vassar College, B.A. political science (1994) Men's Varsity Soccer
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D. (1997) cum laude, Law Review, Order of the Coif
Kirk Foster
Assistant General Counsel, Huntington Ingalls Industries Mission Technologies
Kirk A. Foster is an Assistant General Counsel and the Director of Compliance and Privacy for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Mission
Technologies. In this capacity, he advises the President and senior leaders of HII Mission Technologies on compliance and legal matters,
and supports the HII Mission Technologies business operations counsel and compliance managers on legal, regulatory, and strategic issues. He also supports the HII Mission Technologies Chief Information Officer on cyber and technology matters.
Prior to joining the HII Law Department in 2019, Kirk served a 28-year career with the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he served in a variety of senior legal advisor and leadership positions in the Pentagon, and at various Navy and Joint commands, including two sea deployments and deployments to Iraq and Pakistan.
Education
Kirk earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from Villanova University School of Law, and a master’s degree in environmental law from the George Washington University School of Law. Kirk also supports various non-profit organizations, and serves as a volunteer official on the Board of Directors for Navy Federal Credit Union, where he also serves on the Planning, Risk, and Strategic Direction Committee.
Bar Admissions:
Pennsylvania and Virginia (Corporate)
Gerard (Jerry) Frech
Director, CohnReznick Advisory Group
Gerard (Jerry) Frech, JD, CCEP, a director with CohnReznick Advisory Group, has more than 25 years of experience in providing integrity monitoring, corruption prevention, fraud detection, and corporate investigation services. He is a pioneer in the integrity monitoring arena, having served as the project manager, in 1991, on the first integrity monitorship ever imposed on a construction company in the State of New York and on a number of high profile projects since. He has received Bar Admission in New York, New Jersey, the U.S. District Court – New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals – Third Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. As director, Jerry is responsible for managing the integrity monitoring of large-scale construction projects for fraud, waste, and abuse, and providing integrity monitoring and compliance services to government agencies and construction companies.
Calvin Freeman
Vice President, Enterprise Procurement and Supply Chain Management, ManTech
Calvin Freeman is VP, Enterprise Procurement and Supply Chain Management at ManTech. He is a Senior Manager with over 25 years of broad-based experience in Subcontracts Administration, General Procurement, and Supply Chain Management in the public and private sectors. Proven ability to engage cross-functionally and achieve results through collaboration with program business partners.
Education
Savannah State University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Business Administration and Management, General
Dr. Pascal Friton, L.L.M.
Partner, Public Procurement, and International Trade Law, Blomstein
Pascal Friton is a specialist lawyer for public procurement law (“Fachanwalt für Vergaberecht”) and an expert for international trade law. His public procurement law practice covers advice to both contracting authorities and bidders, in particular in the IT, defence and security, infrastructure, energy and healthcare sectors. In addition, he has longstanding experience in the field of procurement compliance (exclusion from public procurement procedures, corruption registers and self-cleaning). This also includes advising on sanctions imposed by the World Bank or other multilateral development banks.
In the area of international trade law Pascal regularly advises the export industry and financial institutes on economic sanctions of the EU, for example against Iran and Russia. Pascal’s practice also includes EU and German Blocking/Anti-Boycott Law as well as FDI applications to the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the German Foreign Trade and Payments Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz (AWG)).
Pascal is regularly ranked as one of the leading public procurement lawyers by Who’s Who Legal: Government Contracts and is also among Who’s Who Legal “Thought Leaders - Germany”. He is recommended by The Legal 500, listed in Chambers Europe for Public Procurement, and ranks also among Germany’s most renowned lawyers according to German business magazines “Wirtschaftswoche” and “Handelsblatt”. In the field of “International Trade” he is also listed as leading lawyer by Who’s Who Legal.
Pascal is admitted to the Bar in Germany (Rechtsanwalt) and is also a specialist lawyer for public procurement law (“Fachanwalt für Vergaberecht”).
Karl Fultz
Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Grant Thornton LLP
Karl has over 14 years of experience assisting companies with US government grants and contracts. Karl supports clients across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, software/IT services, aerospace and non-traditional companies expanding in the US marketplace.
Karl regularly assists growth orientated organizations with building compliance frameworks, re-designing existing control infrastructure and optimizing existing practices improve efficiencies. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Karl worked both inside and outside the US Government, which provides clients an insider perspective.
Nicholas Galbraith
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Nicholas Galbraith advises domestic and international clients on a wide range of complex trade law issues. No matter how rapidly changing the regulatory environment, Nick remains focused on identifying what is important and relevant to his clients and creating a legal strategy that realizes their objectives.
Education
EDUCATION
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2014
University of the District of Columbia, B.A., 2011
Brian Gallagher
Director, FORVIS Mazars
Brian Gallagher has over 15 years of experience providing professional services to government contractors in the areas of regulatory compliance, finance, accounting, and training. His experience includes support of Federal contractors ranging from small business to Fortune 500 companies across a wide variety of industries serving a multitude of Government agencies.
Brian’s expertise includes the design and implementation of processes, policies, and procedures for Contractor Business Systems with a primary focus in Accounting and Estimating. Utilizing expertise with the FAR, DFARS, CAS, and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data, his extensive experience includes the development of incurred cost submissions, CAS Disclosure Statements, related cost impact models, certified cost or pricing proposal data, Forward Pricing Rates, and support of DCAA audits.
Education
Brian graduated from Washington and Lee University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration and accounting.
Todd Garland
Partner, Haynes Boone
Todd Garland is a Partner in the Haynes Boone office in Tysons, Virginia. He is an experienced government contracts attorney and litigator focusing on contract claims and disputes with the federal government. His practice involves advising clients on legal issues arising from relationships with the federal government and private partners. Todd helps clients resolve contract disputes with the federal government, bid protests, and disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors in commercial litigation. Todd has an active practice representing contractors in bid protests at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Court of Federal Claims, agency level, and in state-level protests. He represents contractors in size protests before the Small Business Administration (SBA), including the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).
Education
J.D., University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, 2012, cum laude
B.A., College of William Mary, 2003
David Gebler
Sr Manager, Lockheed Martin
David has over 25 years’ experience advising global organizations such as Panasonic, General Dynamics, Staples, and Novartis, on how to reduce people-based risks while improving productivity and integrity. David is a pioneer in values-based culture assessment and training, utilizing creative elements such as Scott Adams’ DILBERT characters in developing groundbreaking training such as “The Ethics Challenge” produced for Lockheed-Martin in 1997.
Now David has completed the circle and has joined Lockheed Martin as the Senior Manager, Ethics Engagement and Integrated Education
A business lawyer by training, David received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis.
David has served as a Kallman Executive Fellow at the Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University and on the International Advisory Board of Suffolk University’s Graduate Program in Ethics and Public Policy.
David’s latest book is
The 3 Power Values: How Commitment, Integrity and Transparency Clear the Roadblocks to Performance,
published by Jossey-Bass/Wiley.
Education
J.D. from University of California, Davis
Matt Gilbert
Principal, Baker Tilly
Matt is a principal in Baker Tilly's risk advisory practice. Matt joined Baker Tilly in 2020 . He leads our Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and Government Contractor IT Risk suite of services. He has led IT audits and cybersecurity assessments for large primes down to smaller 8A contractors. Matt’s expertise includes internal auditing, SOX compliance, information technology controls, business process controls, and ERP risk and controls. Examples of these engagements include CMMC Readiness assessments, 800-171 implementation projects, 800-53 based ATO readiness reviews, IT Risk assessments, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, internal audit, pre- and post-implementation assessments, and privacy assessments for clients.
Matt is actively engaged in supporting government contractors, grant recipients, state and local governments and federal agencies navigate the CMMC requirements but has extensive experience supporting NIST 800-171 and 800-53 related assessments. Matt has also run fully co-sourced internal audit engagements for large clients (multi-billion dollars in revenues) in the government contracting industry.
Education
Bachelor of Science in decision information systems
Bachelor of Science in accounting
University of Maryland
Asa Gilliland
Director, Redstone Government Consulting
Asa is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. and provides contract compliance services to small and large companies contracting with the U.S. Government. Asa has assisted contractors all over the U.S., as well as worked with clients in Europe, Australia and the Middle East and specializes in DCAA audit compliance and accounting information systems. He frequently serves as a compliance resource to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, tribally-owned and other small business designation clients and has served as the technical lead in proposal cost-volume preparation, responses to DCAA audit issues and crafting of corrective action plans in response to government issues, and development of complex cost accounting structures.
Education
Education
Mr. Gilliland has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama-Huntsville along with a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
Mark Gilman
Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing Innovations
Mark has been with SMI since 2001 and is the lead SMI team member on defense manufacturing R&D, the Defense Production Act Title III program, defense industrial base, and education funding issues. Mark specializes in assisting companies throughout the entire process of securing R&D and DPA Title III funding from project development to contract award. Mark also is the lead at SMI in enacting legislative policy changes to assist the defense industrial base.
SMI is the leading government relations firm helping companies secure manufacturing scale up funding from the Defense Production Act Title III and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment programs. Nearly 40% of all DPA Title III awards since 2002 have gone to companies that SMI assisted. Recently, Congress has added $1 billion to the DPA Title III account to " to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally." SMI has assisted several companies secure coronavirus DPA Title III funding.
Prior to joining SMI, Mark worked on Capitol Hill for 12 years as Legislative Director and Military Legislative Assistant for three Members of Congress who served on the House Armed Services Committee.
Education
Mr. Gillman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University.
Kimberly Ginn
CIA, Baker Tilly
Kim is a principal and leader in Baker Tilly’s higher education and research institutions industry practice. She has more than 20 years of experience assisting organizations with enhancing their business processes, reducing costs, designing robust and compliant infrastructures and navigating myriad federal regulations that affect higher education, research institutions, academic medical centers, not-for-profit organizations and government contractors. She has been a frequent presenter at conferences for the Association of College and University Auditors, the National Council of University Research Administrators and the Society of Research Administrators, presenting on topics such as grants and contracts administration and compliance, the federal audit environment and practical approaches to compliance.
Theresa Gonzalez
Manager, CohnReznick
Theresa Gonzalez, MBA, MSM has over 12 years of experience in the government contracting industry and has supported various organizations ranging in revenue size from $15M to $13B. Her experience covers many areas including incurred cost submissions, indirect rates, budgeting, forecasting, estimating, and contract administration. One of her areas of expertise - cost estimating for strategic proposals - has been integral in helping Business Development teams determine the price to bid. She has advised on the allowability of indirect and direct costs and the allocability of indirect costs to final cost objectives in conformance with Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Throughout her career, Theresa has been a strategic consultant to C-Level executives providing the data and analysis to aid in both strategic and tactical decisions, regarding the overall financial health of the organization. She has also educated and trained Program Managers on how to understand the health of their respective programs, their gross margin and net profit, and the direct impact on the company’s financial statements. She accomplished this by developing price proposals, budgets, forecasts, and project financials for all levels of the organization. Her background and experience in Government contracting have allowed her the opportunity to evaluate impacts to changes in indirect rates.
Nick Goodman
Partner, CPA, Baker Tilly
Nick, a partner in our Tysons, Virginia office, has been with Baker Tilly since 2006. Nick specializes in financial statement attest and financial advisory engagements. He works with clients in numerous industries, including government contracting, assisting in matters pertaining to corporate financial accounting issues, U.S. GAAP reporting matters, key business processes and strategies to improve the design and effectiveness of internal controls.
Education
West Virginia University
Masters in Professional Accountancy
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance
Michael Greenman
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Deltek
Michael Greenman has worked in government and technology for over 20 years. At Deltek, Michael works in the Product Strategy team and is the evangelist for cybersecurity compliance and cloud. Prior to joining Deltek, he worked as a consultant for a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) conducting cybersecurity risk assessments for local government and advising government contractors on CMMC preparation.
Education
Michael holds Master’s Degrees in Cybersecurity and Public Administration.
Kate Growley
Certified Information Privacy, IAPP
Kate M. Growley (CIPP/US, CIPP/G) is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring. She is a member of the Steering Committee for the firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity Group, while working closely with the firm's Government Contracts and Litigation groups. Her practice covers a wide range of information security counseling and litigation engagements, including cybersecurity compliance, incident response, regulatory assessments and investigations, and disputes surrounding data breaches and trade secrets.
Kate is a Certified Information Privacy Professional for both the U.S. private and government sectors by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). She has been named a “Rising Star” by both Law360 (2018) and the American Bar Association's Science & Technology Section (2016). Kate serves as co-chair for both the ABA Public Contract Law Section’s Cybersecurity, Privacy, & Data Protection Committee; and the Science & Technology Section's Homeland Security Committee. Kate also sits on PubK Law’s Advisory Board, advising on cybersecurity issues for government contractors. Most recently, Kate was inducted as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Education
EDUCATION
Kate received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where her studies focused on national security. Prior to law school, she graduated first in her class from Florida State University, summa cum laude with honors.
Zack Hadzismajlovic
Partner, McCarter & English
Zlatko “Zack” Hadzismajlovic is a partner at McCarter & English. Zack’s practice focuses on international trade, export controls and customs matters as well as global mobility issues. Zack represents clients in a wide spectrum of controlled defense, dual-use (ITAR, EAR, OFAC) and purely commercial trade matters. In addition, Zack counsels client in navigating deals through the newly reformed review and submission requirements related to foreign direct investments (CFIUS, FOCI, BEA) as well as in the pre-transaction planning and diligence and post-transaction implementation of mitigation instruments.
Education
JD, New York School of Law
BA, Hunter College
J. Chris Haile
Partner, Crowell & Moring
J. Chris Haile
is a partner at Crowell & Moring with extensive experience in government procurement law. Mr. Haile litigates disputes and counsels clients in a broad range of government contract matters, with particular emphasis on the resolution of contract disputes. For example, Mr. Haile has represented clients in matters involving the government's breach of contract, claims for contract changes, termination for default, termination for convenience, Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) compliance and defective pricing, commercial-item procurement, contract negotiations, and bid protests. He also represents clients in other related matters, such as investigations and audits by government agencies or inspectors general (IGs), False Claims Act /
qui tam
relator suits, and disclosures to the U.S. Government.
Mr. Haile represents clients from many different industries, including aerospace, defense, health care, construction, telecommunications, information technology, and professional services. He also has experience involving agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of State, U.S. Postal Service, and the General Services Administration (GSA).
Mr. Haile has represented clients in litigation before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the District of Columbia Contract Appeals Board. He also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in a variety of forms, including arbitration, mediation, and other binding and non-binding ADR proceedings.
Education
Mr. Haile is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.A., cum laude) and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., cum laude), where he also served as editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy.
D.J. Halpaus
Experienced Manager, MBA, Baker Tilly
D.J. is a manager in the government contractor solutions practice of Baker Tilly. He has been working in government compliance and contracting for 12 years with expertise in monitoring contractor business systems, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), final incurred costs and forward pricing rate agreements. He has extensive experience as a warranted corporate and divisional administrative contracting officer and has developed numerous policies and procedures related to government compliance. Additionally, he works with federal auditors to resolve findings for all types of audits and has experience reviewing policies and procedures for government contractors of all sizes.
Education
Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business
Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Beau Hammond
MorganFranklin Aerospace & Defense Lead
Beau leads MorganFranklin’s efforts to support the missions of our global Aerospace & Defense (A&D) sector clients including aerospace; commercial aircraft; business and general aviation; space and ship building; and defense industries. His expertise includes leading clients through complicated operating model and technology transformations and completing successful transactions from spin-offs and divestitures to buy side acquisition integrations.
Lucas Hanback
Shareholder, RJO
Lucas Hanback is a shareholder in Rogers Joseph O’Donnell’s government contracts practice group. He litigates claims on behalf of government contractors and has extensive experience before the Court of Federal Claims, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and other federal and state courts and administrative forums. He has been named a “Rising Star” by Legal 500, and has also been recognized by SuperLawyers since 2013.
Gene Hansen
Senior Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Gene Hansen applies his 20+ years of commercial and government aerospace management and leadership experience to program managing large scale system implementations, process improvement efforts and change initiatives. He has led such assignments for airlines, turbine manufacturers, airframers, avionics manufacturers and MROs in both domestic and international government and commercial arrangements. Gene has experience with full-suite SAP and Deltek Costpoint implementations and combines his machining, manufacturing engineering, business and legal background into integrated process and systems development capability.
Education
AAS – CNC Machine Tool Technology, Weber State University
BS – Manufacturing Engineering, Weber State University
MBA – California Polytechnic State University
MSe – Engineering Management, California Polytechnic State University
JD – Santa Clara University
Licensed Attorney, State of Connecticut
Stephanie Harden
Partner, Blank Rome LLP
Stephanie M. Harden has extensive experience representing government contractors in a wide array of litigation and counseling matters, including:
Bid Protests: Stephanie has represented clients in dozens of bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) and U.S. Court of Federal Claims, including several complex multibillion dollar procurements. Two of Stephanie’s significant protest wins are Lockheed Martin Corp. v. United States, 124 Fed. Cl. 709 (2016) (successfully defeating preliminary injunction alleging a range of protest allegations in major defense procurement) and AllWorld Language Consultants, Inc. (2016 CPD ¶ 12) (sustained protest of GSA Schedule contract award where putative awardee’s FSS contract did not meet solicitation requirements).
Audits and Claims: Stephanie regularly counsels clients on responding to Government audits (including by DCAA, DCMA, and SIGAR), the submission of Requests for Equitable Adjustments and claims, and claims litigation. Stephanie has helped clients recover millions of dollars of costs in these matters.
False Claims Act (“FCA”) Litigation: Stephanie has extensive experience with FCA litigation, particularly cases involving complex government contracting principles.
Internal Investigations/Compliance: Stephanie has counseled clients on compliance matters and internal investigations involving all manner of federal regulatory requirements, including the mandatory disclosure rule, small business regulations, the Anti-Kickback Act, and gift and gratuity regulations.
Stephanie writes and speaks regularly about accounting, cost, and pricing issues of interest to government contractors. In 2018, Stephanie co-authored the chapter “History and Development of Suspension and Debarment” in The Practitioner’s Guide to Suspension and Debarment, Fourth Edition (ABA Book Publishing, 2018).
Stephanie previously served as a law clerk to Judge Victor J. Wolski on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. She also worked as a summer associate at the GAO. While in law school, she was an editor of the Harvard Journal on Legislation.
Education
American University, BA, summa cum laude
Harvard Law School, JD, cum laude
Matthew Haws
Partner, Jenner & Block
Matthew Haws is a partner in the Government Contracts Practice. He represents clients ranging from defense manufacturers to IT systems integrators on government contract and grant law issues, including claims, compliance, and investigations.
Mr. Haws guides contractors through complicated issues in their relationship with the government, including significant bid protests, Inspector General investigations, mandatory disclosures, False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, suspension/debarment proceedings, DCAA audits, and claims against the government. He conducts internal investigations, develops requests for equitable adjustment and claims, and provides guidance to contractors on their most complicated problems.
Education
Harvard Business School, 2015; Credential of Readiness (CORe), business analytics, financial accounting, economics for managers; with honors
George Washington University, JD, 2002
University of Florida, BA, 1998; cum laude
Eric Hayman
Director, Capital Edge Consulting
Eric Hayman has over 15 years of experience providing professional support to government contractors and government agencies in the areas of compliance, accounting and training. He specializes in the Federal Acquisitions Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, Government Audits and Contract’s Finance Management. He has worked closely with Chief Financial Officers, Controllers, Vice Presidents, and General Counsels among others, and brings experience from a wide range of engagements.
Eric has provided Government Contracting Services to a wide range of Industries, including Aerospace and Defense, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Sectors, Manufacturing and Professional Services. His clients range from small start-ups to large, publicly-held, multi-national organizations.
Education
Education
B.A. Accounting and Business Administration
Eric graduated from Flagler College, Magna Cum, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Accounting & Business Administration.
Ryan Heidorn
Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Steel Root
Ryan Heidorn is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Steel Root, where he leads the firm’s cybersecurity compliance practice. Ryan’s expertise includes helping government contractors implement and operationalize cybersecurity requirements under DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST SP 800-171.
Ryan teaches cybersecurity at Endicott College and serves on the board of directors of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) New England chapter.
Kim Herrington
Vice President, Government Finance at L3Harris Technologies
Kim Herrington is Vice President, Government Finance at L3Harris Technologies. In this role, Kim is responsible for providing strategic leadership to L3Harris business segments to optimize financial performance within the U.S. government contracting environment. This role enables enterprise performance by leveraging best-in-class defense government finance principles to improve organizational effectiveness and minimize risk. Areas of focus include wrap rate management, government compliance, strategic rate pool structure reviews, and integration of financial plans into the strategic plan.
Education
University of Southern California
MBA, Finance
UCLA
Bachelor's degree, Economics
John Hindman
Director, RSM US LLP
John is seasoned government contracting expert who assists contractors with regulatory compliance requirements throughout the government contract lifecycle. John works with government contract and grant recipients of all shapes and sizes and provides strategic advisory services to some of the largest US Federal Government contractors in the world. He works with contractors serving a wide-ranging customer base including Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), Health & Human Services (HHS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), various intelligence agencies, and many others. John brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to solving complex compliance challenges while keeping his clients’ unique business interests and needs at the forefront. John has an in-depth understanding of the federal compliance environment, procurement process, and implications to contractors. He has extensive, practical knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), other agency FAR supplements, and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Systems
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Insurance and Business Law – Corporate Finance
Darrell Hineman
Director, CohnReznick
Darrell M. Hineman, CPA, CFE, is a Director with CohnReznick’s Government Contracting Industry Practice. He has spent his career in accounting and federal government contracting arena, assisting clients in navigating through government contracting regulations, especially in researching and interpreting the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) cost principles, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and various other regulatory supplements. He has worked with many branches of the U.S. Government, such as the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to name a few.
Debbie Hofheimer
Sr. Principal Instructor for Cospoint, Deltek University
Debbie has worked at Deltek for over 25 years and has concentrated all of her time with Costpoint during her tenure. She is an expert in the People and Accounting modules. Projects, Billing, and Contracts would be secondary areas of expertise.
Jen Horner
Tecolote Research, Inc. supporting OUSD(A&S)/AAP
Jen is supporting OUSD(A&S)/AAP (EVM-CR Deputy Program Manager) for Tecolote Research.
Jerry Howe
Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Leidos
Jerald S. Howe, Jr. is a Leidos executive vice president and the company’s general counsel. Howe has responsibility for legal, contracts, corporate governance, environmental health and safety, and administrative oversight of the ethics and compliance and internal audit functions. He joined Leidos in July 2017 after serving as partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (Fried Frank) where he was a member of the firm’s government contracts, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and aerospace and defense practices.
Howe is an accomplished leader with nearly 35 years of experience advising and representing clients in government contracts litigation, investigations, and bid protests as well as in M&A and private equity transactions. His experience includes the aerospace, defense, intelligence, and government services sectors.
Education
Howe received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review; his honors M.A. in modern history and economics from Oxford University, where he was a Sachs Scholar; and his A.B. from Princeton University and its School of Public and International Affairs.
John Iannotti
Partner, CohnReznick
John Iannotti, CPA, has more than 25 years of experience as a tax executive, working in both public accounting and industry, and focusing on the state and local tax (SALT) issues that matter most to his clients. John is adept at coordinating the tax function with non-tax functions and leveraging tax as a strategic consideration in significant events such as a merger, acquisition, expansion, or divestiture. His industry experience includes manufacturing, technology, investment portfolio, and government contracting companies.
Education
BBA, Accounting – Emory University
Master of Taxation – Georgia State University
Alex Iftimie
Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP
Alex Iftimie is co-chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Global Risk and Crisis Management group and routinely advises Fortune 500 and high-growth clients on all aspects of breach preparedness and response, including counseling executives on cybersecurity governance and risk management, and responding to cyber incidents ranging from ransomware attacks to nation-state sponsored economic espionage. Drawing on his experience at the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Alex also advises global entities on legal obligations related to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA); foreign investment transactions before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); and laws related to material support to terrorism, sanctions, and export controls.
Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Alex held multiple senior positions at the DOJ, including Counselor to the Attorney General, Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. Throughout his time at DOJ, he advised the Department leadership on national security, intelligence and cyber matters, including policy and legal issues arising in the National Security Council process, CFIUS matters, complex issues involving FARA, and engagements with non-U.S. officials. He also represented the Department on the Export Control Reform Initiative that sought to strengthen national security and the competitiveness of key U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors, and before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on issues involving novel questions at the intersection of law and technology. Most recently, as a prosecutor in the National Security and Cybercrime Units of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alex brought the Department’s charges against Russian efforts to interfere in the 2018 midterm elections. During his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he also investigated, and/or prosecuted, federal crimes ranging from espionage, trade secret theft, and national security cyber matters, to fraud, firearm, and drug offenses.
Education
University of Southern California, B.A.
Yale University, J.D.
Gabrielle M. Irwin
Senior Associate Consultant, HKA
Gabrielle M. Irwin is a Senior Associate Consultant in the New York office of HKA Global, Inc. She has been with HKA for almost three years, and she is under HKA’s Government Contracts practice area. Her experience includes variance analysis, cost analysis, research, review of documents, and finalization of documents for expert testimony. She is from Northern California and studied International Business, French, and Studio Art at Georgetown University.
Gabrielle has supported clients and engagements that focus on cost, compliance, and damages. She has conducted analyses of cost, basis of estimate, and estimate at completion. She has assisted in accounting and financial analyses in multiple contexts, including potential overbillings. Gabrielle is interested in compliance and is currently specializing in compliance cases. She has familiarized herself with prevailing wage laws and FAR, and she has experience applying those regulations to develop cost accounting policies and best practices for monitoring compliance.
Stuart Itkin
Vice President, CMMC and FedRAMP Assurance
As Vice President of CMMC and FedRAMP Assurance at Coalfire Federal, Stuart Itkin has responsibility and oversight of the company’s CMMC RPO Advisory Services and C3PAO Assessment Services, and for its FedRAMP 3PAO Assessment Services for Federal. Stuart previously served as Vice President of Product Management at Exostar, a Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce formed joint venture company, where he had responsibility over the company’s compliance management, supply chain risk management, and secure collaboration platforms, and for establishing its CMMC practice area. Stuart has served in leadership roles with cybersecurity companies PivotPoint Risk Analytics, SAIFE, and ThreatTrack Security, as lead mentor at the Virginia State Government funded MACH37 cybersecurity product accelerator, and as an advisor and board member to several early and growth stage cybersecurity companies. Stuart was recruited to the Washington DC area by the Corporate Executive Board, now a subsidiary of Gartner, where he served as Global Chief Marketing Officer. Stuart earned a BA and an MA and is an ABD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Coalfire Federal has 20 years’ experience providing cybersecurity services to a wide range of government and commercial organizations enabling and protecting their mission-specific cyber objectives. As the leading FedRAMP 3PAO, one the first authorized CMMC C3PAOs and a CMMC RPO, the company is able to perform CMMC Assessments for OSCs and provide advisory services to organizations preparing for CMMC Certification. The company, in addition, also offers a full spectrum of cybersecurity services including cyber program management and operations, technical security assessments, cyber automation, engineering and orchestration, and security compliance and advisory services. For more information, visit:
www.coalfirefederal.com
.
Rachelle Jackson
Director, HKA
Rachelle Jackson has more than 10 years of experience working in government contract compliance, strategy and advisory.
Rachelle undertakes assessments of client accounting and finance practices, performs mock audits of business systems, implements remedial action plans and internal controls critical to managing compliance and financial risks. She also specializes in assisting contractors in responding to audit requests.
Rachelle’s career has focused on Federal labor compliance including the Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis Bacon Act (DBA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) prevailing wage and apprenticeship programs. She conducts detailed back pay calculations and implements best-practice controls within business processes.
Rachelle has in-depth knowledge of the regulations contained within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS), and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). She supports federal government contractors in preparing strategic and compliant proposal price estimates when responding to Federal Requests for Proposals (RFP), reviewing forward pricing rate proposals (FPRP), incurred cost proposals (ICP), and negotiating indirect cost rate agreements (NICRA). She has also assisted with strategic cost accounting restructures, cost accounting non-compliances and changes which includes preparing general dollar magnitude (GDM) or detailed cost impacts (DCI).
Education
Rachelle has a bachelor’s of business administration in finance and is a member of the Young Professionals Committee for the Colorado’s Judicial Institute.
Stephanie James
Compliance Consultant, PCI
Stephanie is an experienced compliance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the defense contract industry. As a former, DCAA auditor, Stephanie has a strong accounting background skilled in Internal audit, external audit, financial statement preparation, and full cycle accounting.
Will Jeffers
Senior Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Will B. Jeffers is a Senior Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. He provides expert-level support in the areas of strategic sourcing, Price-to-Win strategies, Mentor-Protégé formulation and strategy, Indian Incentive Program utilization and small business strategic partnering.
Will was previously the Director of Procurement Governance & Control for Leidos which was the highest procurement position within their corporate offices located in Reston, Virginia. In this role, he was responsible across the entire enterprise for the Strategic Sourcing Department, the Strategic Proposal Team, compliance, training and the Small Business Liaison Office. Will was responsible for the overall structured and programmatic approach to managing all third-party spend ($2.6 billion annually) within Leidos to ensure the full economic benefit of that spend. Prior to this role, Will was the Sector Procurement Director for the National Security Sector at Leidos for over 15 years. With 11,000 employees, this Sector was the fastest growing line organization within Leidos (previously known as SAIC) and one of the largest support organizations in the intelligence community. He was responsible for all procurement-related activities within this organization and managed over 120 procurement professionals including five Vice Presidents with annual expenditures that exceeded $1 billion.
Will has an in-depth understanding of the interplay between contracts, procurement, pricing and finance. He was recognized at Leidos as one of the best proposal practitioners as well as one of the most effective negotiators within the corporation, and as such was usually afforded the opportunity of leading many of the largest, most complex and critical proposals within the company. During his 28 years at Leidos/SAIC Will displayed an intense ability to rapidly comprehend complex problems and instantly create solutions to allow for strategic and tactical decisions to be applied in the most effective and expeditious manner. Before joining SAIC, Will spent 7 years at M/A-Com Government Systems and Racal Communications. Will previously held a Top Secret (TS/SCI) clearance.
Education
Will graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He also received an MBA in International Business and Finance from The American University.
Darren Jones
CIA, Baker Tilly
Darren is a risk management professional focused on the unique challenges of the life sciences industry by leveraging a 20-year career in audit, compliance and consulting, where he supported a diverse global portfolio of clients spanning all stages of maturity. Darren is currently a principal in Baker Tilly’s life sciences practice. Previously, he served as the Commercial Compliance Global Consulting Practice Leader at a global life science consulting firm, overseeing a multinational team of compliance professionals and supporting more than 150 clients. His multidisciplinary practice supported clients in designing and implementing effective commercial and medical affairs strategies with specific consideration to the global legal and regulatory environment.
Mark Jones
CPRC Pricing Division Director at Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
Mark Jones is CPRC Pricing Division Director at the DCMA.
Eric Junker
CFO of IT Concepts, CFORising
Eric Junker is one of the founders of CFO Rising, a 501c3 dedicated to providing mentoring and guidance to rising financial leaders, and the Chief Financial Officer at IT Concepts, a trusted global technology services company driven to deliver end-to-end solutions for the private and government sector. He has over 30 years of experience in the federal contracting marketplace managing financial teams in all sizes and types of companies, from private to public. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.
Steve Karp
Chief Innovation Officer, Unanet
As Unanet’s Chief Innovation Officer, Steve Karp leads the strategic assessment and Go-to-Market execution of a broad portfolio of solutions for Unanet customers to access through the company’s ERP & CRM platforms, including AI-powered workflow tools and embedded financial automation solutions. In this role, he champions the continued adoption and use of emerging technologies to develop products helping Unanet customers achieve better business outcomes.
With more than 30 years of strategic and operating experience in the SaaS, Financial Technology & Payments industries, Steve has held senior leadership roles in Strategy, Product, Sales, Finance, and Operations over his career. Prior to joining Unanet in December 2022, he served as Chief Product Officer at OSG, a leading B2B provider of print and digital solutions to consumer billers across a wide range of verticals. Previously, Steve has held executive leadership positions at Upserve, Cardtronics, Worldpay, Truist, and Allpoint. Throughout his career, he’s remained dedicated to embracing innovative, groundbreaking solutions to deliver products that fulfill customer needs.
Education
Steve holds a BA in Economics from The University of Vermont.
Shlomo Katz
Counsel, Brown Rudnick
Mr. Katz is a Counsel in Brown Rudnick’s Washington, DC office where he is a member of the Wage and Hour Group, a practice spanning the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, and state wage laws. He represents mostly employers in class and collective actions, individual lawsuits, federal and state wage investigations, and self-audit compliance. Mr. Katz also has been retained to be an exemption classification consultant.
Mr. Katz is fluent in Hebrew.
Education
George Washington University Law School – J.D., 1990
University of Maryland School of Architecture – B.S., 1986
Perry Keating
Managing Director and President, Protiviti Government Services (Pro Gov)
Perry Keating is the Managing Director and President of Protiviti Government Services (Pro Gov), with over 30 years of experience in business and service with the government and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
Perry’s technical expertise includes protecting government data, systems, and networks from cybersecurity assessments, policy development, and remediation through incident response for compliance with a variety of frameworks (FAR 52.204-21, DFARS 252.204-7012, FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST RMF, NIST 800-53; NIST 800-171, CMMC).
His experience gives him unique industry insight into the Aerospace & Defense (A&D), Government Contractors (GovCon), Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and Public Sector (US Federal, State & Local) as well as the Telecommunications and High-Tech industries.
Perry earned his MBA from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Tulane University. He proudly served as a Commissioned Officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers.
He is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM); the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA); the Army Engineer Association (AEA); the Association of the United States Army (AUSA); the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA); and the Reserve Officers Association (ROA)
Education
EDUCATION
BS in Computer Science from Tulane University
MBA from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
Rebecca Kehoe
Manager, CohnReznick
As a Manager in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting and Technology Group, Ms. Kehoe has more than 30 years of experience addressing compliance issues for government contractors. She consults with small and medium-sized businesses providing all aspects of federal contract compliance, including implementation and audit of Purchasing, Estimating and Property Business Systems, Conflicts of Interest audits, Service Contract Act Labor Audits, and Contract/Subcontract administration reviews.
Her background as legal counsel for the General Services Administration provides insight into what the federal government regulations require and what the federal contractor can expect from an outside review of its compliance programs. Ms. Kehoe also teaches several classes from our GovCon Academy which provides practical business training on financial and compliance requirements for federal government contracts.
Education
University of Maryland: Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Washington College of Law at The American University: Juris Doctor
U.S. Army: Judge Advocate General’s School: Labor Law and Government Contracts
U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers: General Inspection Training
Richard Kessler
Director, Protiviti
Richard leads artificial intelligence governance and risk management at Protiviti. During his three-decade career, he’s advised clients on technology strategy, cyber security strategy and governance, data and information governance, Infonomics, eDiscovery, and operational risk management. Rich has designed, implemented, and run global governance functions for large financial services institutions, working closely with business leaders as well as risk management, compliance, and audit to develop and execute enterprise-wide programs, policies, guidelines, and standards covering data and information risk.
Poh Lin Khoo
CEO, Khoo Consulting LLC
Poh Lin Khoo founded Khoo Consulting LLC in 2020 with 20+ years of marketing and communications experience
with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices
to solve community and business problems. Her experience also includes working as an Art Director in an international advertising agency in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Prior to Khoo Consulting, Poh Lin directed the marketing and communications efforts at a higher education institution with more than 40 percent of multicultural students to successfully generate year-over-year multicultural enrollment growth and retention, collaborated with the sales and senior leadership teams of an organization that focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being and inspiring action in and across communities to generate an excess of $50M in membership revenue from 22 locations in the Twin Cities, led the rebranding effort that changed the face of a 40-year-old nonprofit, and cultivated partnerships with corporations from across the country to collaborate on business plans, and generating revenue by marketing products and services at a Fortune 500 corporation.
Education
Poh Lin Khoo has a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from the University of Minnesota, a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and a master’s degree in Advocacy & Political Leadership.
Michael Killham
Experienced Corporate Counsel
Michael A. Killham is a California attorney specializing in U.S. Government procurement and subcontracting support. He provides legal advice, training, and assistance concerning all aspects of federal and commercial contracting and fiscal law, including but not limited to subjects relating to Contract Formation and Administration, Legal Compliance, Subcontracting, Negotiations, Bid Protests, Contract Disputes, Commercial Item Contracting, Contract Terminations, Export/Import Compliance, and Source Selection.
Mr. Killham served as corporate counsel for major U.S. government contractors following his military career as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate. These assignments included Director, Legal Operations, for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Advanced Development Programs (a.k.a. “Skunkworks”) in Palmdale, California; General Counsel for a U.S./French joint venture - Thales-Raytheon Systems Company, LLC - and MD Helicopters, Inc., in Fullerton, California and Mesa, Arizona, respectively; Senior Business Counsel for Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems in El Segundo, California; and Division Counsel for two operating divisions of Litton Industries, Inc. While in these positions, he was responsible for identifying, advising on, and resolving a wide variety of legal and business-related issues, including those relating to government and commercial contracting and subcontracting, export/import compliance, corporate governance, labor/employment law, government cost accounting, intellectual property rights, litigation management, and more.
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point - Bachelor of Science degree
Notre Dame Law School - Juris Doctor degree
The Judge Advocate General's School - Master of Laws degree
Anthony Kim
VP, Government Compliance, CACI International Inc.
Anthony Kim has more than 20 years of experience in various cost accounting and compliance issues related to government contracts. Specifically, he is knowledgeable in the areas of government contract procurement regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, OMB Uniform Guidance, Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
Anthony’s industry experience includes architecture and engineering, aerospace and defense, construction, manufacturing, information technology, not-for-profits, and higher education. He has assisted clients with complex cost accounting matters, cost representations, business system implementations, expert testimonials, proposal assistance, audit support, and other regulatory compliance matters.
Prior to joining CACI International, Mr. Kim was a director at BDO USA, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Navigant Consulting and Partner at Capital Edge Consulting. He has also worked for KPMG as a manager for over seven years. Recently, he assisted in developing an annual DCAA conference seminar, conducted numerous training for Federal Publication Seminars, held webinars with clients and prospects on various government contract compliance matters, and served as a member of the National Defense Industry Association Contract Finance Committee in charge of regulatory and legislative updates.
He has assisted contractors and their outside counsel to resolve disputes arising under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Cost Accounting Standards, Truth in Negotiations Act, and other accounting-related rules and regulations, and conducted independent forensic accounting investigations to evaluate allegations of fraud, accounting errors and irregularities, cost mischarging and defective pricing.
In addition, Anthony is a nationally recognized speaker who teaches classes through Federal Publication Seminars, National Contract Management Association, Virginia Society of CPAs. He has lectured on a number of topics, including Government Contract Accounting, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, Cost & Price Analysis, Incurred Cost Submissions, Introduction to Government Contracting, and Government Contractor Business Systems Compliance. He is a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).
Education
Anthony Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from George Mason University.
Andy King
President, Federal Publications Seminars
I am the co-owner of FPS and I have served as its president since Rob Hafiz and I purchased FPS from Thomson Reuters in August 2014. I bring more than 20 years of leadership experience with a background in corporate learning, training, online education, and events. I’m particularly interested in the business impact that can be generated from all forms of talent development and training.
I believe that corporate learning—the true development of human capital—has only just begun to be a lever for business growth. Leading organizations are starting to measure the business impact generated from learning to ensure the dollars invested are turning into growth and operational efficiency.
At the overall FPS business level, I oversee the development and implementation of the company strategy, and FPS is excited and proud to support the evolution of the training and development field.
Education
University of St. Thomas, B.A. in Communications and Sociology
Chris Knight
Vice President, Product Management, Deltek
As Vice President of Product Management, Chris Knight leads Deltek’s Cloud product strategy. With over 20 years of experience in the development, management, and growth of SaaS solutions, Chris is focused all aspects of the Deltek Cloud to provide a smooth, secure, and compliant end to end experience for Deltek’s customers.
Stephen Knight
Senior Counsel, Haynes Boone
Stephen Knight has practiced government contract law for more than 40 years, counseling and litigating on behalf of clients in all aspects of that practice. He has significant experience in claims and disputes, with special emphasis on costing and pricing issues involving cost allocability and allowability, Cost Accounting Standards, defective pricing under the Truth in Negotiations Act, and government audits. Stephen has substantial experience in compliance issues pertaining to government contractors and frequently assists clients in evaluating the requirement and manner of making disclosures to the government. He has conducted compliance reviews for clients, assisting in reviewing and evaluating internal controls, conducting training and evaluating specific compliance issues such as business systems and socio-economic requirements in government contracts. Stephen represents prime contractors as well as subcontractors in the manufacturing and services sectors and is experienced in ascertaining the necessary government contract requirements for inclusion in subcontracts.
Education
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1978
B.A., University of Virginia, 1975, with honors
Ryan Koenitzer
CPA, President, RKI
Ryan Koenitzer, CPA, leads RKI, a U.S. Government Contracts practice and CPA firm dedicated to assisting U.S. Government contractors with their accounting and compliance needs. Mr. Koenitzer has over 14 years experience in government contract cost accounting, pricing, interpretation and application of federal contract regulatory compliance requirements including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), USG business system design and implementation, and internal audit services. He advises clients on a wide range of financial and compliance risks and other regulatory requirements related to U. S. government contracts. He has served clients in the aerospace and defense, architectural and engineering, construction, manufacturing, energy, transportation and technology industries across various Government agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, etc.).
Education
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Bachelor, Accounting
Jonathan Kosarin
DoD, IWTSD
Jonathan H. Kosarin, Associate Counsel, Special Projects Division, is assigned to the Department of Defense Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate. He has over 42 years’ experience in acquisition, government contracting, and fiscal law. Mr. Kosarin previously served as Assistant General Counsel at the National Reconnaissance Office; Deputy Counsel, Special Projects Division; and, Associate Counsel, Naval Supply Systems Command. While on active duty as a JAG with the Army, he served as European Trial Attorney and Attorney Advisor at the U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and as Trial Attorney, U.S. Army Contract Appeals Division.
As an Army Reserve JAG, Mr. Kosarin served as Adjunct Professor of Contract Law/Chairman Contract and Fiscal Law Department at the Army Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, VA; Acting Chief, Contract Law Division, U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg Germany, and as Deputy General Counsel, Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Colonel.
Mr. Kosarin is an Adjunct Instructor of Procurement and Contracting at the University of Virginia and also teaches at the joint UVA/Virginia State Police’s National Criminal Justice Command College. He is an instructor with Federal Publication Seminars teaching courses in contracting, procurement and negotiations.
Education
Mr. Kosarin received his Bachelor of Arts degree (History), magna cum laude, from Syracuse University; his Juris Doctor degree, from Brooklyn Law School; and his Master of Laws degree in Government Procurement Law, from the George Washington National Law Center. Mr. Kosarin is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He is licensed to practice in New York and the District of Columbia.
Mr. Kosarin serves as a Volunteer Information Specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. He is a certified football referee and has officiated high school football games for 48 years, including 3 Virginia High School League State Finals. Mr. Kosarin volunteers at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. He is a volunteer at the National Museum of the United States Army at Ft. Belvoir Virginia. Mr. Kosarin is married to Gayle Kosarin, a retired special education teacher and resides in Reston, VA.
Kim Koster
VP, Product Marketing, Unanet
Kim is currently the VP of Industry Marketing for Unanet. She concentrates on thought leadership and market positioning specifically in the areas of project management, accounting and government contracting. She started her career working for Raytheon where she held multiple management positions such as the Javelin Joint Venture Controller and Product Line Business Manager. Her love of Earned Value Management (EVM) developed in the early years of her career and today still enjoys talking about it and providing direction on best practices. After 17 years at Raytheon she joined ATK where she held the positions of Director of Business Systems, EVM Focal Point, and Finance Director.
Over the years Kim led multiple large ERP system implementations. She has been a trainer in her organizations and has provided guidance to many project and executive teams.
Education
Education
University of North Texas - BBA, Finance
Stephanie Kostro
Executive Vice President for Policy, Professional Services Council
Stephanie Kostro is Executive Vice President for Policy at the Professional Services Council, where she leads a strong policy team that is committed 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.
Education
Kostro holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cornell University.
Carl Kumpf
CPA, NeoSystems Consultant, Co-founder of Integral Financial Group
Carl Kumpf is Integral Financial Group’s co-founder. Mr. Kumpf is a seasoned financial executive with specific industry
experience in high tech, telecommunications, financial services and media. With more than 20 years of professional experience
in public accounting and industry, his areas of expertise includes internal and external audit, accounting operations and
financial reporting, including SEC compliance, budgeting, internal controls, mergers and acquisitions and liquidations.
As a principal of Integral Financial Group, Mr. Kumpf led a 45 member team cross-disciplinary team of consultants and
employees in the security cost basis subledger successful restatement effort of Fannie Mae. Areas of restatement included
FIN46, FAS115, 99-20 Impairments, Amortization and Resecuritization. Mr. Kumpf also oversaw the successful first year
Sarbanes Oxley implementation of a large local government contractor and has served as interim CFO/Controller for several
local private high tech companies.
Mr. Kumpf was most recently the Chief Accounting Officer at InPhonic, Inc. He had full responsibility of corporate
accounting, technical accounting, general ledger accounting, operational accounting, accounts payable, inventory, payroll,
billing operations, SEC reporting and Sarbanes Oxley implementation functions of a recently public $300 million e-Commerce
company
Education
Mr. Kumpf holds a B.B.A in Accounting from the College of William and Mary. He is a CPA in the State of Virginia.
Stephen "Chase" Kunk
Managing Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Stephen “Chase” Kunk is a Managing Partner Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Chase specializes in U.S. Government contract and subcontract negotiations, administration, management and purchasing system compliance. His expertise stems from his legal education, former certification as a National Football League contract advisor to professional athletes, and in-depth experience as a contracts and procurement administration manager for an international contractor serving Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC) and civilian agency customers. Chase’s support to Capital Edge Consulting clients is predominantly in the areas of contract and subcontract administration, purchasing system compliance and Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) readiness and risk mitigation. He also leads all contract and subcontract negotiation and administration for Capital Edge Consulting’s internal business operations.
Education
Stephen holds a B.A in Communications from Purdue University and a J.D. (cum laude) from Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Lindy Kyzer
Director of Content, ClearanceJobs.com
Lindy Kyzer is the director of content of ClearanceJobs.com, the largest career site for individuals with an active federal security clearance. ClearanceJobs has registered more than 1 million candidates with an active federal security clearance and has been helping government contractors find cleared talent since 2002. As senior editor Lindy covers the defense industry, intelligence community, government and contracting trends for the ClearanceJobs news site, newsletters and media partners. She also manages ClearanceJobs’ social media. Prior to working for ClearanceJobs, Lindy was a Department of Army employee at the Pentagon and the U.S. Army’s first social media manager (she credits teaching hundreds of Army senior leaders to Facebook and Tweet as one of her claims to fame).
Education
Lindy graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs with a Concentration in Conflict and Security and a minor in Creative Writing.
Paul Lalonde
Partner, Dentons
Paul Lalonde is a partner and lead of the Regulatory practice group. He focuses on government contracting law, international trade, anti-corruption and international arbitration. Mr. Lalonde is a recognized expert on government procurement and international trade law, with deep experience in anti-dumping and countervail investigations, customs, appeals, import and export controls, international sanctions, anti-corruption compliance and investigations, and international business. He regularly advises clients on Canada’s international investment treaty commitments and has played a key role in some of Canada’s highest profile trade disputes and negotiations including those on softwood lumber, steel and agricultural products.
His government procurement practice encompasses all aspects of the procurement lifecycle, from pre-tender activities, the bidding process and contract award, through contract administration and termination and the inevitable disputes that occasionally arise. His track record of appearances in bid protest procedures before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the courts is second to none in Canada.
Mr. Lalonde has received numerous accolades for his expertise in international trade and government procurement law including from Lexpert, Chambers Global (Band 1 for government procurement, Band 2 for trade law), the Legal 500, Who’s Who, the Guide to the World's Leading Lawyers (Legal Media Group / Euromoney Institutional Investor) and The Best Lawyers in Canada (Woodward/White). The Who’s Who Legal Government Contracts recognized Mr. Lalonde as a Global Thought Leader for North America. He also received in 2020 a global Client Choice Award in Government Contracts for Canada.
Mr. Lalonde has been involved in the area of anti-corruption law since Canada adopted the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act in the 90’s and was counsel on the first court-approved Remediation Agreement on charges under the CFPOA. He has assisted clients with respect to anti-corruption compliance through the entire spectrum of issues in this area, including developing compliance policies and programs, advising on business conduct issues, anti-corruption due diligence in transactions, internal investigations related to employee and third party conduct, RCMP and other enforcement authority investigations, dawn raids and negotiations. He has been involved in extensive thought leadership in this area including on topics such as whistle blower protections, victim reparations, deferred prosecution agreements, beneficial ownership transparency, money laundering, failure to prevent offences and facilitation payments.
Mr. Lalonde was appointed panelist on the fourth and fifth dispute resolution panels created under the Agreement on Internal Trade (now the Canadian Free Trade Agreement). He is also a listed arbitrator on the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Canada Panel of Arbitrators and has been involved in several arbitrations, both as counsel and party-appointed arbitration.
Mr. Lalonde has held numerous leadership positions in the Bar, including as chair of various committees of the International Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, and the American Bar Association International Law Section. Mr. Lalonde is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, has been named a Trustee of the International Bar Association Foundation and is former Chair and President of Transparency International - Canada. Mr. Lalonde has been nominated to a number of industry advisory committees and corporate boards, including TVOntario, TFO, la télévision éducative et culturelle de l’Ontario français, and was former Secretary and Legal Counsel of I.E. Canada, the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters.
Fernand Lavallee
Partner, Jones Day
Fernand Lavallee's practice focuses on litigation of, and counseling on, public procurements, and he is a recognized leader in intellectual property rights in government contracts. Fern is a trusted advisor on the public procurement of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI enhanced or augmented products and services, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, contract and subcontract formation, administration, compliance, cybersecurity, suspension and debarment, due diligence, internal investigations, rights in patents (Bayh-Dole Act), rights in technical data and computer software, and dispute matters to clients in the aerospace, high-technology, information technology, and life sciences sectors. He litigates government contracts cases and prime contractor/subcontractor disputes before federal and state courts and brings, or intervenes and defends against bid protests before federal agencies, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Court of Federal Claims (COFC). Fern also brings claims before the Civilian and Defense Boards of Contract Appeals and COFC and size protests before the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Fern's clients engage in R&D and provide products and services to federal civilian and defense agencies, including the intelligence community, under contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements.
Fern has taught, written, and spoken on government contracts topics including Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) issues and due diligence in M&As involving government contractors. He presented a paper on socio-economic programs in U.S. federal procurements at the 1st Interdisciplinary Symposium on Public Procurement held in Italy and co-sponsored by the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Faculty of Law of the University of Copenhagen. He is a vice chair of the ABA's Public Contract Law Section's IP Committee.
Education
The College of William & Mary (J.D. 1988; Law Review)
Georgetown University (A.B. 1985)
Philip Lee
Associate, McCarter & English, LLP
Philip Lee represents government contractors in a broad range of industries including professional services, information technology, and aerospace in bid protests, investigations, contract claims, including terminations for convenience and default, and disputes between subcontractors and prime contractors. He leverages his legal experience and practical knowledge to assist companies with the review and analysis of federal and state solicitations, compliance with federal procurement regulations and related statutes, including small business regulations and issues, and the preparation and negotiation of teaming agreements, joint venture agreements, and subcontracts.
Prior to joining the firm, Philip was an attorney-advisor for the Department of Homeland Security where he provided legal advice and recommendations on a variety of procurement matters including research and development, tests, and evaluation activities performed by public and private sector entities. He also previously served as a contracting officer with the Department of the Interior and was responsible for ensuring contracts, modifications, and both government and contractor performance were compliant with statutory law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and appropriations law.
Philip’s previous experience as both a government attorney and contracting officer provides a unique government contracts perspective to government contractors. This includes real-world experience in all aspects of the procurement cycle, from pre-solicitation to contract award and administration. Philip’s practical experience in federal procurement was further augmented while serving as an attorney-advisor where he counseled contracting officers with solicitation and pre-award reviews as well as defending bid protests before the Government Accountability Office. Philip’s unique insight provides a valuable perspective to government contractors and their procurement issues.
Education
George Washington University Law SchoolLLM Government Procurement, 2023
American University Washington College of LawJD,
cum laude
, 2007
University of PittsburghBA Political Science, 2004
Loralee LeFleur
Principal Director Supply Chain at The Aerospace Corporation
LoraLee LeFleur is the Principal Director, Supply Chain, at The Aerospace Corporation.
Education
California State University, Long Beach
B.A., Accounting and Business Management
UC Irvine
MBA
Noah Leiden
Partner, CPA, Baker Tilly
Noah Leiden has been with Baker Tilly since 2010. He has worked in government contracting consulting since 1991 serving manufacturing, engineering, professional services, information and communications, healthcare, higher education, and not-for-profit organizations. Noah has extensive experience providing a range of government contract accounting, pricing, business system and internal control oversight, and regulatory and contract compliance to his clients.
Education
The Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Judy (Jake) Leishman
Attorney
Jake Leishman is an experienced government contracts attorney who develops and delivers instruction, legal consultation on legal, contract administration, acquisitions, policy implementation, and compliance issues.
Jake began as a social worker then moved to education, serving as the Director of Continuing Education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. In addition to continuing education, Jake taught graduate and undergraduate courses in social policy and social administration.
After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland, Jake spent a few years in private practice but made the decision that corporate law, focusing on government contracts was her preferred arena. She worked at Federal Data Corporation as Corporate Counsel and at Electronic Data Systems (now HP Enterprise Services) as Senior Counsel for EDS’ Contracts with the United States Government. In addition Jake developed and delivered training to all EDS contract professionals who handled federal procurement, subcontracts under the FAR, and state and local contracts.
Jake's instructional approach focuses on two elements; the need for common sense and a good sense of humor when addressing problem solving, policy analysis and implementation, all aspects of contracting, and working in the Federal arena.
Education
Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland
Evan Lesser
Co-Founder, President, ClearanceJobs.com
Evan H. Lesser is the Co-Founder and President of ClearanceJobs.com. He started with DHI in 2004 after selling ClearanceJobs. Before founding ClearanceJobs, Lesser managed technical projects with CACI for the U.S. Navy's Science and Technology directorate at the Pentagon, and for the Joint Technology Panel on Electronic Warfare. Previously, he worked for Boeing on its Reserve Component Automation System program for the U.S. Army in metro Washington, DC. Lesser has a degree in Philosophy from the University of Georgia in Athens, and lives and works in the Atlanta metropolitan area. When he’s not working, he’s usually spending time with his family, writing songs, playing games, or daydreaming of travel to faraway lands.
Russell Leu
Senior Partner, Kingsfield Law Office
Russell Leu is Senior Partner for International Investments at Kingsfield Law Office. He leads the US-China Practice at the firm.
Mr. Russell Leu is a member of the Hawaii State Bar and is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Hawaii and the federal court of the District of Hawaii. Leu has resided and worked full-time in Beijing, China for the past 20 years. His previous China law practice has included serving as Special Counsel with the Beijing representative offices of the U.S. law firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP in the firm's China Corporate Practice Group. Prior to joining the Sheppard Mullin law firm, Mr. Leu established and served as the managing attorney and Chief Representative of the Beijing representative office of the U.S. law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister where he focused on a broad corporate China practice. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco Law School in 1984, Russell Leu had served as the attorney Law Clerk to two federal bankruptcy judges including the Honorable Lloyd King, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in San Francisco, California and the Honorable Cameron J. Wolfe, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Oakland, California.
Anthony Lewis
Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
Anthony Lewis is co-head of S&C’s National Security practice, a member of the Firm’s Criminal Defense and Investigations Group, and co-head of the Firm’s Cybersecurity practice. His practice focuses on international and government investigations and on cybersecurity incident response and advice. A former supervisor in the National Security Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Mr. Lewis has particular expertise with matters involving economic and financial crime, sanctions, technology transfer, and export controls, cryptocurrencies, cybercrime, counterintelligence and other areas that implicate national security concerns for corporate clients and financial institutions.
Mr. Lewis has represented clients in internal investigations and regulatory enforcement proceedings, including with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and financial regulators. He has advised clients in various sectors, including technology, industrials, financial services, and consumer goods.
Education
EDUCATION
Stanford Law School, J.D., 2003
Yale University, B.S., 2000
Drew Lewis
CPA, CFE, Director, Baker Tilly
Drew is a director in Baker Tilly’s Government Contractor Solutions practice. He has been with the firm since early 2012 and began his career with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) working primarily with a multibillion-dollar contractor and providing various types of audit functions throughout the contracting lifecycle. He also has broad knowledge of rules and regulations surrounding the FAR, DFARS, CAS, and TINA. Drew is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a licensed Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Liberty University
Marsha Lindquist
President, CPP APMP Fellow, NCMA Fellow, Granite Leadership Strategies
Marsha Lindquist is an experienced price proposal manager & contracts professional. She is an expert in cost proposal management, development & pricing strategy. Marsha has built a tradition of quality consulting to Government contractors for over 30 years. She has wide-ranging experience with Government contracting firms–mostly scientific & high technology companies. Marsha is adept in persuasive pricing that wins & is masterful in authoring customer-focused winning pricing strategies. Marsha works with her clients on concepts that help people cut through the irrelevant, zero in on the things that distinguish, and create value. She is described by clients as tenacious and a true pro. Ms. Lindquist has achieved the distinguished titles of NCMA Fellow, APMP Fellows & APMP Practitioner. Marsha can be often seen hiking with her dog Ziva - a young Australian Shepherd with lots of energy.
Social Media Info
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshalindquist1/
Website: www.GraniteLeadershipStrategies.com
Education
EDUCATION
Frostburg State University,
MBA Finance
The American University - Kogod School of Business,
BS Marketing, Accounting
The American University,
Bachelor of Business Administration
Victoria Little
Senior Program Manager and Federal Contracts Lead, NVIDIA
Victoria Little, PgMP, PMP, CPCM is a certified project/program and contracts manager with 20 years of experience leading the successful strategy and execution of many high-end projects and programs in IT and technology development industries. She started her career with the Air Force Research Lab as an R&D contractor, then moved into IT where she held positions at Silicon Graphics, HP, and now NVIDIA. At NVIDIA Victoria works as a Senior Program Manager and Federal Contracts Lead. Victoria is also a US Navy veteran.
Andrea Little Limbago
Vice President, Research and Analysis at Interos Inc
Andrea Little Limbago is a computational social scientist specializing in the intersection of emerging technology, national security, and information security. As the Vice President of Research and Analysis at Interos, Andrea leads the company’s computational modeling and methodology regarding global supply chain risk. Andrea is also a Co-Program Director for the Emerging Tech and Cybersecurity Program at the National Security Institute at George Mason, an industry advisory board member for the data science program at George Washington University, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center, and a board member for the Washington, DC chapter of Women in Security and Privacy (WISP). She has presented extensively at a range of academic, government, and industry conferences such as Black Hat, RSA, SXSW, SOCOM’s Global Synch, BSidesLV, and Enigma.
Her writing has been featured in numerous outlets, including Politico, the Hill, Business Insider, War on the Rocks, and Forbes. Prior to Interos, Andrea was the Chief Social Scientist at Virtru, Endgame, and Berico Technologies. She also taught in academia and was a technical lead at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, where she earned the Command’s top award for technical excellence.
Education
Andrea earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a BA from Bowdoin College.
Christine Livingston
Managing Director, Artificial Intelligence, Protiviti
Christine Livingston is a Managing Director and global leader of Protiviti’s Artificial Intelligence practice. She has spent over 18 years in technology consulting and applies her engineering background with advances in technology to unlock enterprise innovation. With over a decade of experience in AI-ML deployment, she has delivered hundreds of successful AI solutions, including numerous first-in-class AI-enabled applications. She has helped many Fortune 500 clients develop practical strategies for enterprise adoption of AI, and has won several awards for AI solutions delivered for clients.
Dismas Locaria
Partner, Venable LLP
Dismas (Diz) Locaria is a member of the firm's Government Contracts Group. Mr. Locaria's practice focuses on assisting government contractors in all aspects of working with the Federal government. Mr. Locaria has extensive experience assisting clients with regulatory and contract/grant term counseling, compliance (including ethics and integrity compliance), responsibility matters, such as suspension, debarment and other contracting/grant exclusions, small business matters and GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracting. Mr. Locaria also represents and counsel’s clients with the peculiarities of the Homeland Security Act, including obtaining and maintaining SAFETY Act protections. Government Contract and Grant Counseling and Compliance: Mr. Locaria has a wealth of knowledge regarding applicable contract (e.g., the Federal Acquisition Regulation) and grant (e.g., OMB Circular A-110 and A-122) regulations, including the application of these regulations to both prime contractors/grant recipients and subcontractors/subgrantees.
Kristin Lovejoy
Global Cybersecurity Leader, EY
Kris leads EY’s Global Cybersecurity practice in Advisory.
Kris has over 20 years of experience serving large, diversified organizations implementing managed and professional security services. She is leading EY’s work with clients in corporate security and risk management. In previous roles, Kris was responsible for development and delivery of managed professional security services and for managing, monitoring and testing corporate resiliency functions globally at a global information technology company.
Kris is a recognized expert in the field on security, risk, compliance and governance with appearances at RSA, InfoSec, InterOp, CyberTech, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), SecTor, and Hack-in-the-Box as well as appearances in Fortune, the Christian Science Monitor, and USA Today. Within the past few years, she has been recognized by Washington Business Journal as a Top 25 Woman in Business, EWF as Entrepreneur of the Year, SC Magazine as one of Top 5 Managers in the Security Industry (Reboot 25 quarter century retrospective) and Top Woman in Security, as CSO Compass award in reflection of demonstrated excellence, achievement and leadership in the security field, as a Top 25 CTO by InfoWorld, Top 25 Most Influential Security Executive by Security Magazine, and as Top Woman in Security by eWeek. Kris holds U.S. and EU patents for Object Oriented Risk Management Models and Methods.
Mary Lukeski
Manger, Baker Tilly US, LLP
Mary is a Manager in Baker Tilly US, LLP’s Government Contractor Solutions practice. Mary brings more than 7 years of experience to the practice and assists clients with a broad range of government contract matters, including cost accounting and compliance issues. She has worked extensively in indirect cost rate structuring and modeling, Incurred Cost Proposal preparation and audit support, price proposal support, contract closeout, policy and procedure review, and reviewing contractor business systems for compliance with regulatory criteria. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Mary worked for a major government contractor, primarily supporting their regulatory compliance and indirect rates organizations.
Lenee Lyte
Principal, CPA, Withum
Based in our Washington, DC office, Lenee is a Principal in the firm’s Government Contractors group. She has over 18 years of experience in Accounting. She services clients across a broad range of industries such as Government Contracting, Banking and Financial Services, and Manufacturing industries.
Lenee’s role includes Internal Audit, SOX Compliance, FAR/DFARS Compliance, General Ledger Accounting, and SEC Financial Reporting responsibilities. She has implemented ERP and Financial Systems using SDLC best practices which included documenting business and data requirements, system integration testing, and user acceptance testing.
Education
BS, Accounting & Finance, University at Buffalo
MBA, International Finance, Canisius College
Krystn Macomber
CP APMP Fellow, LEED AP, Founder & CEO, Summit Strategy
Krystn is a true powerhouse in engaging and empowering audiences with her dynamic speaking skills and deliberate facilitation. With a rare and coveted ability to bring big-picture ideas (and the actionable takeaways to get there) to life, she weaves wisdom, and humor together into a winning combination that captivates diverse audiences. As a former Division I college athlete, Krystn's competitive spirit and drive are evident in everything she does. She is no stranger to facing challenges head-on with a growth mindset to achieve success — an energy that shines through in her speaking engagements, inspiring with expert insight and strategy that spans industries.
As the founder + CEO of Summit Strategy, a game-changing integrated marketing + proposal consulting firm, Krystn is instrumental in helping B2G + B2B organizations achieve their goals through strategic planning, branding, proposal development, and training. With over 20 years of experience in the marketing + proposal profession, she has earned a reputation as an expert at assembling high-performing teams that deliver significant, demonstrable sales growth and improved win rates.
Krystn's passion for forging powerful connections that bridge organizational gaps and align goals has earned her widespread respect in the industry. As the former board chair for the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), she led an 11,000-member, $2.5M professional association to one of its most profitable years in 2021.
Currently, Krystn is an advisory board member of the UC-Irvine Customer Experience Program and the UC-Riverside Transformative Leadership in Disruptive Times Program. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and achievements, Krystn was named one of the 20 Most Inspiring Women Leaders by Women Leaders Magazine in 2022 and one the 10 Most Dynamic CEOs Making Waves in the Business World in 2023 by the CIO Business World.
Alexander Major
Partner, McCarter & English, LLP
Mr. Major is a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group. Mr. Major focuses his practice on federal procurement, cybersecurity liability and risk management, and litigation. A prolific author and thought leader in the area of cybersecurity, his professional experience involves a wide variety of litigation and counseling matters dealing with procurement laws and federal regulations and standards . His diverse experience includes complex litigation in federal court under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and bid protest actions. He counsels all sizes of companies on issues relating to compliance with government regulations including, among other things, cybersecurity (NIST, FIPS, FedRAMP, and DFARS) requirements, multiple award schedule compliance, Section 508 issues, country of origin requirements under the Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts, cost accounting, and small business requirements. He also regularly conducts internal investigations to assist companies ensure that they are in full compliance with the law.
Mr. Major is a retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and remains a U.S. Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer for the state of Maryland.
Education
J.D., Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, cum laude
B.S., Montana State University
Sajeev Malaveetil
Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Sajeev is a Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, leading the Forensics Government Contracts Services Practice in the Washington, DC area. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Sajeev has taken the lead on numerous high-profile government contract issues, including pricing, compliance, accounting, and financing. His expertise covers a wide range of areas, such as the False Claims Act, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data, Cost Accounting Standards, the Service Contract Act, Procurement Integrity, and the Anti-Kickback Act.
Heading a team of professionals nationwide, Sajeev guides clients through internal investigations, audits, mandatory disclosures, and directs forensic accounting analysis. He also prepares expert reports for matters involving alleged fraud, contractor claims, arbitrations, and government investigations, and has led several bid protest matters focusing on price reasonableness and cost realism.
Sajeev offers advisory services to clients across various sectors to enhance their understanding and compliance with government award regulations and statutory requirements. He specializes in designing and implementing business processes and internal controls to meet these standards, with deep expertise in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, and other federal procurement regulations and guidance.
Sajeev leads a team of professionals across the country in assisting clients with performing internal investigations, audits and mandatory disclosures and directing forensic accounting analysis and preparing expert reports in matters related to alleged fraud, contractor claims, arbitrations, and government investigations. In addition, he has lead several bid protest matters related to price reasonableness and cost realism.
Sajeev provides advisory services to the firm’s clients, across all sectors, to help improve their understanding and compliance with regulatory and statutory government award requirements. This includes designing and implementing business process and internal control enhancements to address these requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, George Mason University
Certified Public Accountant, Commonwealth of Virginia
Mario Mancuso
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Mario Mancuso is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis and leads the firm’s International Trade and National Security practice. A former member of the President’s national security team, he specializes in counselling clients on international trade and national security matters, guiding clients through the CFIUS process, and resolving crises involving economic sanctions and export control-related investigations by the U.S. government.
Since his return to private practice, Mario has been consistently recognized as a leading international practitioner by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Named an “International Trade MVP” by Law360, he is a leading advisor on matters involving the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), economic sanctions (OFAC), export controls (ITAR, EAR), and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), earning praise from boards, CEOs and senior executives for his holistic and "very strategic" approach.
Timothy Manning
Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
Timothy is a Senior Manager on the Government Contracts Solutions team at EY (Ernst & Young). He has been with EY for over 15 years and helps clients understand a host of government accounting and compliance issues. This has ranged from understanding requirements related to FAR, CAS, and 2 CFR 200 to understanding Other Transactions (OTs), trade compliance rules, and cybersecurity requirements (NIST 800-171). He have executed a variety of proactive and reactive projects to assess, develop, and implement controls, systems, and processes. He have significant experience related to business systems, cost & price analysis, cost accounting, and a variety of other topics that affect government contractors from a variety of sectors supporting different agencies and departments of the Federal government. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Education
Bachelor of Science Finance and Accounting, Western New England College
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Blair Marks
VP of Business & Ethics Conduct, Lockheed Martin
Blair Marks is responsible for ensuring the application of Lockheed Martin’s values in all aspects of operations. She leads a team of ethics professionals who support the enterprise by providing education and guidance; promoting open communication; assisting in the prevention, identification and resolution of issues; and investigating allegations of misconduct.
Previously, Ms. Marks led Lockheed Martin’s ethics awareness and business conduct compliance education, implementation of the ethics program for Lockheed Martin’s international elements, and external engagement including suppliers, colleges and universities. Earlier in her career, she managed both the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program and the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Programs in support of the United States Air Force’s fleet of Galaxy airlifters. She also was Plant Manager of the company’s composites and adhesive bonding facility in Charleston SC, and both Deputy Director of Engineering and Marietta GA Site Director for the F-22 Raptor Program.
Ms. Marks holds a bachelor of ceramic engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, a master of science in materials engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Georgia State University. She holds certifications as a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional and a Leading Professional in Ethics and Compliance.
Ms. Marks represents Lockheed Martin on the Working Group of the Defense Industry Initiative on Business Ethics and Conduct as well as the board of the American Red Cross, National Capital Region. She is a Fellow of the Ethics and Compliance Initiative. She has served on Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering and Women in Engineering advisory boards and is a graduate of Leadership Cobb. She is the immediate past president of Women of Reform Judaism, and she serves on the boards of the Union for Reform Judaism and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She previously served on the board of the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers. She has received the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Leadership Award.
Education
MS, Engineering Materials
University of Michigan
MBA, Management
Georgia State University
Rex Marks
Chief of Police, Public Sector Leadership
Rex Marks is an accomplished, professional law enforcement leader with over 30 years’ experience in public sector leadership, having served in municipalities across the country at various ranks including Chief of Police. Prior to his most recent appointment as Chief of Police in Texas, Chief Marks also served as Director of Norwich University’s Leadership & Change Institute as well as Program Director and Professor for the Master of Science in Leadership programs. His specialties include leadership development and team building, effective problem- solving and decision-making processes, project/fiscal management, emergency management and disaster preparedness, strategic communications, and organizational development. In addition, Mr. Marks provides consultant services for national and international organizations to extend opportunities for lifelong learning and progressive change management practices.
Education
Chief Marks holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Disaster Management. He is currently completing his doctoral degree in Public Policy Administration with a concentration in Leadership, Community Sustainability, and Terrorism. His Dissertation addresses the causal factors of violence and violent crime in young adult males.
Sophia Marshall
Job Development Specialist, Government Contracting - George Mason University
Sophia Marshall, MHR, BCC is the Employer Relations Manager, GovCon Associate, and Adjunct Faculty for George Mason University’s School of Business. She conducts outreach to employers in the Northern VA area, linking them to opportunities to interface with undergraduate and graduate students. She also delivers career guidance focused on federal and GovCon industries. Sophia’s background is in higher education, workforce training and development, and instructional design. She serves as the Co-Chair of Dulles Chamber’s Workforce and Education committee and is a member of Reston Chamber’s GovCon committee.
Prior to her work at George Mason University, Sophia provided consulting services, helping hundreds of job seekers make successful career transitions from military service into the civilian sector. She is a published author with work found in Military Spouse Magazine, the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, Modernize Your Resume, and Modernize Your Job Search Letters.
About George Mason University: George Mason University’s School of Business creates career-ready business graduates through rigorous, stimulating business programs based on a global perspective, industry demand, and leadership. Dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, we prepare the next generation of business leaders through a range of innovative academic degree programs, executive education programs, and international alliances.
Education
University of Oklahoma, Master of Human Relations (MHR) - Field Of Study: Multicultural & Diversity Studies
University of Wisconsin-Stout - Field Of Study: Instructional Design
Ursinus College, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Field Of Study: English & Japanese Activities and Societies - International House, Community Service
Yolimar Martinez-Nadal
CPA, MST, Tax Partner, CohnReznick
Yolimar Martinez-Nadal, CPA, MST, is a Tax Partner in CohnReznick’s Tysons office. With 20 years of experience in tax consulting, Yoli has helped clients save significantly on taxes by maximizing available tax credits and incentives.
Yoli has managed complex corporate and partnership tax returns, including companies with international operations. Her clients include middle market, venture capital and private equity backed, publicly traded, and privately owned companies, and other high-profile corporate clients. Her areas of expertise include ASC 740 financial reporting, business combination, corporate tax, due diligence, international tax, mergers and acquisitions, tax compliance and planning, and tax controversy.
Yoli currently serves as a Board Member of Women in Technology, a professional association dedicated to providing programs and resources to advance women in the technology industry.
Education
B.S., Accounting, American University
M.S., Taxation, American University
Joseph Mason
Sr. Manager of Estimating and Pricing at United Launch Alliance, LLC
He began his career in government contracting in 1973 as a government auditor performing regulatory compliance and operational audits. He transitioned into the private sector in 1980 as a member of negotiation teams representing major government contractors such as United Technologies, Ford Motor Company, and other Fortune 500 companies. He has spent 24 years as a government contract negotiator working on major weapon systems and negotiating multi-million dollar contracts. He retired from government service in 2003 as the Reserve Deputy Director of Contracting at Ogden Air Logistics Center. Mr. Mason has also been in private practice providing consulting services to small to medium size government contractors in the areas of contract compliance, proposal estimation, and contract pricing and negotiations.
Mr. Mason’s 39-year career includes positions as an Adjunct Professor of Government Procurement and Negotiations at Webster University where he instructs contract pricing and negotiation courses and as an Associate Professor of management, ethics, and critical thinking courses with University of Phoenix. He is currently a member of the National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) and is a retired Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). He holds a current Certified information Systems Auditor (CISA) from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
Education
He received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and holds a masters degree from University of Oklahoma.
Michelle Massarini
VP of Finance
Michelle Massarini is the VP of Finance for Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Her focus is on providing full contract lifecycle professional support to government contractors and government agencies in the areas of compliance, accounting, contracts, and training. Michelle’s areas of expertise include Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), DCAA compliance and audit support, government cost accounting requirements, and Deltek Costpoint.
Since joining Capital Edge in 2010, Michelle has provided guidance to companies in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, the creation and preparation of incurred cost submissions, forward pricing models, the development and maintenance of CAS Disclosure Statements, cost impact studies as required for making changes to cost accounting practices, booked to billed reconciliations, contract closeouts, and contractor business system reviews, including but not limited to Accounting, Estimating, & Purchasing. Michelle has designed reports in Deltek Cognos and Impromptu to support booked to billed reconciliations, incurred cost submissions and related audits as required by DCAA. She has initiated and assisted in the implementation of policies and procedures, and provided recommendations that allow for efficiency and precision in day-to-day activities for various levels of accounting, purchasing, estimating, and contracting personnel. Michelle has also served as a subject matter expert in the design and implementation of Deltek Costpoint.
Prior to joining Capital Edge Consulting, Michelle spent 12 years in government contracting in both the environmental engineering and software development/IT support industries. She has experience in a wide range of roles including cost accounting manager, financial (project-level) manager, and procurement specialist. Michelle has extensive knowledge in the compilation of incurred cost submissions, analysis of various financial margins and metrics, designing indirect rate structures, and end-user functionality of Deltek Costpoint.
Education
Michelle graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.
Sachin Mathur
PMP, CSM - Vytal Solutions, Inc.
Sachin Mathur has 20+ years of project management and software development expertise. Sachin is a practicing professional and the President of Vytal Solutions, Inc.
Sachin started leading technical teams in various industries and settings in partnership with public and private sector clients, such as CMS, NIH, NASA, US Navy, Boeing, Medtronic, and more.
He prefers to utilize a mix of traditional and agile management frameworks in a practical setting. Sachin considers the practicalities of the organization’s culture and the project environment. His clients have seen results such as a 50%+ reduction in decision-making time, a 25%+ productivity improvement, and additional government investment for contract expansion.
Shingai Mavengere
Director, CFE, Baker Tilly
As a member of Baker Tilly’s Government Contractor Advisory Services team, Shingai provides the practice with another level of expertise not only in government contracting, but also in the healthcare industry, where he focuses a large portion of his time. Shingai has extensive knowledge of government contract accounting and compliance matters. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, he worked as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans, where he focused on all aspects of the financial forecasting and reporting, accounting, estimating and procurement business systems.
Joseph McCaffrey
Partner, Baker Tilly
Joseph is a partner in the government contractor advisory services practice of Baker Tilly. Joseph has more than 15 years of experience advising and supporting government contractors. Joseph has advised clients in the aerospace, healthcare, construction, security services, manufacturing, technology and professional services industries on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters, specializing in contract accounting & pricing, claims, internal controls & business systems and other regulatory compliance matters.
Education
Education
Wake Forest University
Master of Science in accountancy
Bachelor of Science in accountancy
Gary McDonald
Managing Director, Great Falls Management Advisors, LLC
Gary McDonald has more than 30 years of experience working in government contracting in the aerospace and defense (A&D), manufacturing, construction and professional services industries. He provided advisory services to clients at two of the Big Four accounting firms for more than 20 years. Gary’s experience includes managing government contracting and compliance operations for a large professional services firm, including proposal development and pricing, contract management, finance and contract compliance and risk management. Additionally, he has more than 12 years of experience in the A&D industry as a flight hardware development engineer and program manager on NASA scientific missions.
Gary has worked extensively in providing practical guidance and assistance to manage and improve his clients’ government contracting compliance and operations. He helps clients comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), business system requirements, including the complex Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), and other government contract regulations and requirements. Gary successfully helps clients mitigate compliance risks, develop competitive rate structures, recover costs and develop or enhance compliance capabilities.
Gary is a leading industry resource in government contractor mergers and acquisitions. He provides sell-side preparation and diligence support, acquisition target contract and compliance risk analysis/due diligence, post-close integration, value capture and contract cost recovery support to his clients, having supported nearly 100 transactions over the last several years.
Education
Lehigh University, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The George Washington University, Master of Business Administration - Finance
John McGahan
EVM-CR Program Manager, Tecolote Research, Inc.
John is EVM-CR Program Manager, at Tecolote Research, Inc.
Education
SUNY at Fredonia
Mathematics & Computer Science, BS
Dartmouth College
Mathematics, Master's Degree
Michael McGill
Partner, Arnold & Porter
Michael McGill represents clients across virtually all industry sectors that do business with government customers (including aerospace and defense, technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and professional consulting) and in nearly all aspects of procurement and contracting law. He has experience handling some of the most complex litigation and transactional matters in this area.
Mr. McGill regularly litigates high-stakes bid protests, contract claims against government agencies, prime-subcontractor and teaming disputes, and other contentious matters related to government contracting at the federal and state levels. He has litigated before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), US Court of Federal Claims (COFC), Armed Services and Civil Boards of Contract Appeals, and the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA), among other forums, achieving favorable results for clients through various forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in addition to litigation.
Mr. McGill also frequently advises clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other transactions involving government contractors. He counsels clients on the unique issues associated with buying, selling, and merging such companies, including small business preference programs, mitigation of foreign ownership and control (FOCI), allocation of intellectual property rights, and the novation and post-transaction integration processes.
Mr. McGill defends clients facing allegations of fraud and misconduct, and helps clients navigate Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, Department of Justice (DOJ) and agency Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations, and suspension and debarment actions. He counsels clients on a wide spectrum of compliance and regulatory issues associated with competing for and performing government contracts (e.g., False Claims Act, Procurement Integrity Act, mandatory disclosures, Multiple Award Schedule contracting, sourcing preferences, fiscal law, terminations, organizational conflicts of interest, "revolving door" rules, and ethical standards that apply to federal agencies and employees).
He has been recognized for his accomplishments in Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Washington, DC Super Lawyers, and named to Law360's Government Contracts MVPs list.
Education
JD, Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2002, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
BA, Pennsylvania State University, 1999, cum laude
Matthew McKelvey
President, McKelvey Group
Matthew McKelvey has over twenty-five years’ experience in Finance/Accounting, Government Contracting, Business Valuations, Process Optimization, and Training. Matt is President and CEO of The McKelvey Group and is widely respected as a subject matter expert in both commercial and Federal marketplaces. He brings his extensive experience working with large, medium, and small companies to help his clients achieve the growth objectives of their owners.
As a consultant and CFO, he is well known for his expertise in working with organizations as they seek to create or improve their relationships with the Federal Government through price and proposal strategies, compliance, accounting, and training. In addition to direct client consulting in these areas, Matt demonstrates his comprehensive expertise through various speaking engagements and the Government contracting courses he instructs, including Cost/Price Proposal Workshops, DCAA Audit Preparation, Earned Value Management Systems, and Incurred Cost Submissions. Matt teaches his courses through several venues including training companies, conferences, and for individual clients. The McKelvey Group is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) recognized Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program sponsor providing CPE credits in accordance with nationally recognized standards.
Education
EDUCATION
Matt holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing and a BS in Finance. He is a Six Sigma Certified Black Belt, a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA).
University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business,
MBA Marketing & Finance
Penn State University,
BS Finance
Michael McLaughlin
Cyber Counterintelligence, Department of Defense
Lieutenant Commander Michael McLaughlin is the former Senior Counterintelligence Advisor for United States Cyber Command, where he managed all counterintelligence activities and support to DoD cyberspace operations worldwide. He presently serves as a Research Affiliate for the University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security. His work focuses on the intersection of military and intelligence cyberspace operations, domestic and international law, and defense industrial base security. LCDR McLaughlin routinely advises senior Department of Defense officials on cyberspace and counterintelligence operations and policy.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D. Candidate, University of Maryland School of Law, 2022
B.S., United States Naval Academy, 2010
Richard Meene
Principal, CohnReznick Government Contracting Practice
Richard Meene is a principal in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting practice. He has 20 years of experience working with recipients of government funds, helping to assess and implement accounting and compliance systems, manage disputes and investigations, and optimize recovery for contracts and grants.
Rich advises government contractors and commercial clients across many industries on ways to successfully win opportunities and maintain compliance within the unique regulatory and accounting environment for local, state, and federal government procurement. He specializes in helping clients address the Federal Acquisition Regulation; Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act; Cost Accounting Standards; General Services Administration Schedule compliance, and disaster recovery funds compliance (e.g. COVID-19 Funds, FEMA, and US Army Corps of Engineers). Within this scope, he assists contractors with business proposals, requests for equitable adjustment, claims for termination, and government audits.
Bobby Melvin
Former Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Attorney, General Counsel
Bobby is a former Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorney where specialized in federal procurement law and contract litigation. After leaving the military, he served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Vice President for several small businesses in Texas and Virginia. He enjoys working with start-ups and entrepreneurs – helping them realize commercial success in both the commercial and government sector. He has a unique understanding of the practical aspects of federal procurement, having helped build and successfully operate three software companies, two DoD manufacturing, and technical services companies, a research company, and an internet-based logis¬tics/supply company – all centered around new technology arising out of public and/or private research pro¬grams. His extensive background in federal and commercial contracting (both domestic and international), regulatory compliance, and IP portfolio management enables him to present complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. He currently resides in College Station, Texas where he continues to assist entrepreneurs and researchers to build technology-based companies.
Education
U.S. Military Academy
Bachelor of Science, General Studies
University of Cincinnati
Doctor of Law
Caleb Merriman
Vice President & CISO, Deltek
As Deltek's Information Security Officer (CISO), Caleb Merriman is responsible for leading Deltek's global information security team in support of providing the best software and solutions for project-focused businesses around the world.
Caleb is an accomplished security professional with an extensive background in the software industry. He joins Deltek from Guidewire Software, where he managed the company's enterprise security program. Prior to Guidewire, Caleb held leadership positions at various companies, including BBVA Compass, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Target, serving as CISO at several. In addition to Caleb's security experience, he spent over 20 years as a pilot in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Education
Caleb is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Engineering Sciences and received his Masters' degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.
Geoff Merritt
Industry Specialty Services, Principal, BDO
Geoff Merritt is a Principal in the Industry Specialty Services Group at BDO with a focus on Government Contracts. This group of more than 100 professionals provides unique business solutions to organizations across a wide array of industries including government contracting, life sciences, not-for-profit, manufacturing, technology, and construction, among others.
He has over 16 years of professional finance experience with focus on Government Finance & Compliance in the Aerospace & Defense sectors. Geoff has held management positions with small and mid-sized divisions of large corporations, bringing extensive hands-on experience with compliance matters relating to Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, TINA, and Government Business System controls.
Geoff has extensive experience in corporate restructuring focusing on government contracting aspects, including disclosure statement development, cost accounting changes, and external restructuring proposal development. Additionally, Geoff has developed and delivered training programs for small operations entering into new compliance requirements to FAR and CAS.
He has also led various government contracting business processes including development of direct and indirect rate structures, forward pricing rate proposals, proposal cost volumes, DFARS business system descriptions, Estimate at Complete (EACs), and cost-type and progress payment invoicing.
Education
M.B.A., Bentley University
M.S., Accountancy, Bentley University
B.S.B.A., Finance, Minor in Statistics, University of Vermont
Robert Metzger
Shareholder, RJO
Bob Metzger heads the Washington, D.C. office of Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, PC, a firm that has specialized in government contracts for over 40 years. Chambers USA 2022 placed RJO in “Band 2,” among the “Elite” group of government contracts law firms nationwide. Chambers describes RJO as:
Well-respected government contracting boutique capable of handling a diverse array of federal, state and local procurement mandates on behalf of domestic and foreign clients. Notable litigation and regulatory capabilities, which include internal investigations, false claims proceedings and bid protests. Possesses particular expertise in technology matters, regularly representing clients in this space.
Chambers USA 2022 ranked Bob in Band 2 for Government Contracts – Nationwide and said that he is “routinely called upon by clients in cybersecurity matters, assisting clients with high-stakes contract procurements, qui tam litigation and compliance issues.” The Legal 500 (2022) describes him as a “key contact for data rights and cybersecurity issues, as well as procurement fraud and national security matters.” Who’s Who Legal (2022) again identifies Bob as among “Global Leaders” in Government Contracts, and in 2021 commented on his “wide-ranging” expertise in government contracting and technological issues.”
Bob was Counsel of Record for Microsoft in the 2019-2021 litigation at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims defending the protest brought by Amazon Web Services to the DoD award of the “JEDI” cloud services contract to Microsoft. He also was lead counsel in the successful 2021 GAO protest brought by Microsoft to the award by the National Security Agency of the “WildandStormy” cloud services contract to AWS.
Bob is recognized for subject area leadership in cyber, supply chain and related security matters. As a Special Government Employee of the Department of Defense, Bob was on the Defense Science Board task force that produced the “Cyber Supply Chain Report” (April 2017) which subsequently received the SANS Institute “Difference Maker” award. He is a co-author of August 2018 MITRE “Deliver Uncompromised” Report that is widely credited with significant influence on a broad range of security initiatives of the Department of Defense and federal civilian agencies. The Report team received a “Program Recognition Award” from MITRE in 2019. Bob has participated in several other MITRE projects on national security and public policy subjects, with subjects including ransomware, digital asset crimes and cyber insurance. He was named a 2016 “Federal 100” awardee by Federal Computer Week which cited his “ability to integrate policy, regulation and technology” and said of him: “In 2015, he was at the forefront of the convergence of the supply chain and cybersecurity, and his work continues to influence the strategies of federal entities and companies alike.”
Education
Bob graduated from Georgetown University Law Center where he was an Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. After graduation from law school, he was a Research Fellow at the Center for Science & International Affairs (presently, “Belfer Center”) at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he focused on European security.
Alex Mikhelson
Director, Baker Tilly
Alex Mikhelson is a director with Baker Tilly’s risk advisory practice. As a member of the firm’s government contractor solutions team, Alex supports clients with their numerous challenges from DFARS business systems reviews to audit support to one-off unique issues, he brings over 15 years of experience to the practice. Alex sets clients up for success by assisting with a wide spectrum of government contracting and grant compliance challenges from business system reviews, contract pricing, termination for convenience proposals, indirect rate structuring to audit and investigation support and resolution.
Alex has expertise in government property and related challenges. His background includes financial improvement and audit readiness, government property management, business process re-engineering, managers’ internal control program (OMB A-123), DoD acquisition and logistics, and forensic auditing. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Alex worked as a management consultant contractor to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a task lead responsible for the agency’s asset management program, financial audit support and business process analyses. He was also a lead auditor for Army Audit Agency planning and managing complex acquisition and logistics audits as well as forensic audit work to detect and identify fraud.
Education
Bachelor of Science in accounting
Pennsylvania State University
Michael Miller
Vice President, Compliance, Health Net Federal Services
Michael A. Miller is the vice president at Health Net Federal Services.
Ray Monroe
Principal, Miles & Stockbridge
Ray Monroe, a principal at Miles & Stockbridge, has 35+ years of experience representing national and multi-national businesses and quasi-public entities on litigation, ADR, and counseling matters in a broad array of industries from aerospace to utilities relating to public procurement and grants. His experience includes: bid protests; claims; compliance programs; construction; corporate governance; cybersecurity; disaster response and hazard mitigation grants; False Claims Act; internal and external investigations; mandatory disclosures; suspension and debarment; and white collar matters. He has appeared before federal bid protest forums, federal Boards of Contract Appeals, and federal and state courts. He has also participated in arbitrations as both an advocate and a party arbitrator.
Ray is Co-Leader of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group, which includes the Corporate, Tax, Health Care and Government Contracts practices. He leads a multidisciplinary team that draws on all of the resources of Miles & Stockbridge to meet each client’s specific needs.
Education
Education
Duke University School of Law
JD, with distinction, Executive Editor of the Duke Law Journal
Hobart College
BA, Physics and History, Phi Beta Kappa
Alexander H.E. Morawa
Partner, Kingsfield Law Office
Alexander H.E. Morawa specializes in international law and procedure as well as comparative constitutional law.
Morawa combines international and transnational legal scholarship and practice in a career that spans multiple continents. A dual citizen of the U.S.A. and Austria, he holds a faculty appointment at American University Washington College of Law, Washington, DC,. His work in practice includes the representation of petitioners in various international courts and tribunals established by the United Nations and the Council of Europe. He has also been of counsel to several international organizations (including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the OSCE, and the UNDP) and the U.S. government and represents and advises parties in proceedings before international tribunals. Morawa is a visiting professor of law at China University of Political Science and Law, the leading law school in China.
Robert Moss
Principal, National Director of Government Affairs
Bob Moss leads CohnReznick’s federal and state government relations efforts with a focus on the affordable housing industry. In this capacity, he helps to protect client interests in the affordable housing industry through the legislative process. Bob operates out of CohnReznick’s Boston and DC-metro offices.
Bob has 30 years of affordable, multifamily housing experience that includes syndication, preservation and development, debt financing, tax credit applications, and property management. He currently serves as Vice President of the National Leased Housing Association, an organization serving both public and private organizations in the affordable multifamily rental housing field. He is also active with the Council of Independent State Housing Associations (CISHA), the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, and the ACTION Rental Housing Campaign. His extensive industry and government experience includes serving as the Chairman of the non-partisan Housing Advisory Group which is active in preserving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program in Congress. He has also served as the Federal Legislative Subcommittee Chair for the Housing Credit Group of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Bob also serves as chairman of the National Leased Housing Association.
Bob has testified before the full House Ways and Means Committee on tax credit reform and residential real estate hearings, as well as Senate and House Subcommittees on affordable housing issues. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Affordable Housing Hall of Fame by
Affordable Housing Finance
magazine. In addition, he was honored with the Daniel M. Grady Memorial Award by NAHB for his commitment to advocacy. Prior to joining the Firm, Bob was Senior Vice President and Director of Origination, Affordable Housing, for Boston Capital.
Education
B.A., New Hampshire College
Lindsey Moyer
Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
Lindsey has over fifteen years experience in government contracting, including three years at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Since joining Ernst & Young in 2016, Lindsey has assisted organizations in a broad spectrum of government compliance issues, including performance of compliance health assessments, rate restructuring and cost impact analysis, incurred cost proposal preparation & review, contract bid proposals review, damage analysis, claims disputes and supporting internal audits of US Government contractors. More recently, Lindsey has performed the key role of USG contracting compliance monitoring on a large internal federal contract. This role included establishing a internal government compliance assessment matrix, which allows the program manager to determine and track what federal contracting terms applied, and what additional reporting requirements must be addressed throughout performance of the contract.
In addition to these services Lindsey has assisted clients in interpreting, implementing, and complying with federal procurement regulations and contractual requirements, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), FAR supplements and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). She has a focus on organizations that contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) and military customers, performing diagnostic audits, and reviewing and assessing internal control processes.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Cedar Crest College
Masters in Business Administration, John’s Hopkins University Carey Business School
Certified Public Accountant, Commonwealth of Virginia
Kathryn T. Muldoon Griffin
Partner, Haynes Boone
Kathryn (Katie) Griffin represents contractors across a range of industries on federal, state, and private projects involving construction, government contracts, and white collar issues. She has experience in representing construction, engineering, and technology firms in resolving contract claims and disputes with the federal government and prime-subcontractor disputes on federal and federally-funded projects.
Katie works with national and international construction and engineering firms on major contracting issues including defective specifications, differing site conditions, constructive changes, contractor performance evaluations, and liquidated damages. Clients rely on her depth of experience in claim analysis and presentation and effectiveness in working with technical experts, scheduling experts, and cost and pricing experts.
Education
J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law, 2006
B.S., University of Virginia, 2002
Sanjay Mullick
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Sanjay J. Mullick is a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC. Mr. Mullick advises companies, sponsors and investors on export controls and sanctions risk assessment in conjunction with investments, offerings and mergers and acquisitions. He also conducts internal investigations, handles voluntary self-disclosures, and designs and implements trade controls compliance programs. Mr. Mullick assists companies with navigating the export control aspects of software deployment, including global encryption controls, cloud computing, and offshore outsourcing. In addition, he counsels companies and financial institutions on compliance with economic sanctions, including considerations for market entry and implementation of corporate policies and procedures.
Lynne Nalley
Director, Redstone Government Consulting, Inc.
Lynne is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. providing government contract consulting services to our clients primarily related to Commercial Items, Cost Accounting Standards, DFARS Business System Audits, Proposals, and Incurred Cost. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Lynne served in several capacities with DCAA and DCMA for over 35 years.
Education
Lynne earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.
Adele Navarrete
Senior Corporate Counsel, LMI
Adele Navarrete is Senior Corporate Counsel at LMI.
Adele has over ten years combined experience in law firm and in-house practice with a focus on government contracts.
LMI has almost 60 years experience providing government management consulting helping the federal government solve its toughest problems.
Education
Adele received her law degree from University of Michigan Law School.
James Newland
Partner, Dentons US LLP
James Newland is a partner in Dentons US LLP, a licensed architect, and his law practice focuses on major construction and public works projects and includes a mix of non-contentious and contentious matters. He is ranked by Chambers USA which describes him as “very well versed in construction law and construction related issues.” He began practice in 1998.
In his practice, James drafts and negotiates construction contracts and procurement documents and helps clients resolve major complex claims involving construction and design issues on domestic and international projects. He represents national and international contractors and project owners in transactional work, mediation, arbitration and litigation. He has significant experience in vertical construction, power and heavy civil contracting and claims, as well as in design-build, P3, alliance contracting and traditional design-bid build delivery formats. Government construction contracting is a major focus of his work.
Prior to practicing law, James practiced architecture and worked as a project manager on development projects. Given this experience, James is frequently called upon to counsel clients on risk management and allocation, advising on troubled projects during the construction phase, project work-outs and project closeout strategies.
Education
James received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and earned his JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Jacob Nix
vCISO, JAMIS Software Corporation
Jacob Nix is the founder and Chief Executive Officer at RISCPoint Advisory Group (RISCPoint), an industry leader for custom-tailored risk management, cybersecurity and compliance services. In late 2020, JAMIS formed a strategic partnership with RISCPoint, and Jake now serves as JAMIS’ virtual Chief Information Security Officer. JAMIS and RISCPoint have a shared focus on security and compliance excellence.
Jake’s vision for RISCPoint was born from his experience at multiple "Big Four" accounting firms, including serving as a national subject matter expert for PwC in the audit innovation practice, and building EY Controls 2.0, including its go-to-market strategy.
Nix reflects on his time at these firms and focuses on building a team of experts that help organizations build a balanced environment that is tailored to their regulatory and compliance requirements while also achieving their business goals efficiently.
Deborah Nixon
Founder & Managing Officer, Crosshair Advisors
Deborah Nixon, is a nationally recognized trainer, licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and career dedicated Government contracts practitioner with over 30 years of experience. Deborah is the founder of Crosshair Advisors, and a retired Partner with Ernst & Young’s Government Contract Services practice where she worked for 25 years. Before joining EY, she held management positions with both large and emerging growth contractors including Motorola and General Dynamics.
Education
EDUCATION
Masters of Business Administration in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from University of North Carolina’s Kennan-Flagler Business School
Honor student inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance and Economics from University of Maryland
Attended
American University’s Graduate Accountancy Program
Holds a
Certificate in Corporate Governance and Board Effectiveness from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
Jeffrey Noolas
President & CEO, JAMIS Software Corporation
Jeff Noolas began his tenure at JAMIS as Vice President of Client Development in 2003, and became President shortly after in 2004. Then in 2006, with a growing government contractor market and strong leadership within JAMIS, alongside Executive Vice President Naomi May, it was time that JAMIS took hold of its destiny as a market leader. Mr. Noolas and Ms. May took a leap of faith into the promise and success of JAMIS to take the company under private ownership and forge ahead. It was then that JAMIS began building up a talented staff and investing everything in the product line with the goal of ultimately being the best software solution on the market for government contractors. In March of 2013, JAMIS announced the release of JAMIS Prime ERP. This web-based software application provided government contractors with a compelling option for financial management, business performance management, and DCAA compliance in today’s competitive environment.
Jeff brings 30 years of experience in market development, management, and sales in ERP, CRM, and labor management, targeting the small to mid-size market all the way up through the Fortune 500 enterprise. Jeff leads company strategy and vision for JAMIS, with the ultimate goal of its flagship product JAMIS Prime becoming the premier ERP solution for government contractors and delivering the very best end-user experience for it's customers.
Deborah Norris Rodin
Attorney, RJO
Deborah Norris Rodin is an attorney in RJO’s Washington, D.C. office, specializing in government contracts. She represents clients in a range of industries in high-stakes bid protests, complex contract claims and disputes, and internal and government investigations. She has significant experience litigating before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Boards of Contract Appeals, among other venues. Ms. Rodin also counsels clients on a variety of compliance issues affecting government contractors, with a focus on cybersecurity and supply chain law and regulations.
Rogers Joseph O’Donnell is a boutique law firm that has specialized in public contract matters for 36 years and is ranked in “Band 2” by Chambers USA – the only boutique in Band 1 or 2. RJO was listed among the top six government contracts firms globally by Legal 500®. Free from the bureaucratic and economic burdens of a supersize law firm, we can listen to our clients more attentively, think more creatively and act more nimbly.
Sean O'Connor
Managing Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Sean O’Connor is a Managing Partner with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Sean’s areas of expertise include Uniform Guidance and subrecipient monitoring, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) readiness assessments and preparation, Federal Supply Schedule contracts, Accounting Systems, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Estimating Systems, audits of incurred cost and Cost Accounting Standards and Disclosure Statements. Sean is also experienced in procurement file audit and remediation with an emphasis in price analysis review and augmentation as well as purchasing system redesign and implementation. He is well versed with General Services Administration (GSA) contract compliance and with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), DCAA internal controls, and identification of regulatory and cost accounting practice changes.
With over 15 years of experience working with the Government as well as a number of large Department of Defense contractors, Sean has worked closely with Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Vice Presidents, General Counsels and Outside Counsel and Controllers, bringing experience from a wide range of engagements. He has instructed numerous federal grant recipients, both for and not-for-profit organizations, through assessments of compliance and implementation of corrective action under 2 CFR 200. Sean has led multiple projects implementing and performing compliance gap analyses of Earned Value Management Systems at all EVMS tier levels, for contracts issued by both the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. Sean has represented multiple clients in settlements with the Office of the Inspector General in disputes regarding GSA contracts and provided litigation support to clients in matters with the Department of Justice, United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Air Force. He has assisted in preparing cost proposals including direct labor, indirect overhead, ODC and G&A rate development, facilities capital cost of money and profit analysis. Sean also has considerable experience working with Internal Audit teams reengineering business processes, Sarbanes Oxley compliance, performing risk assessments, aligning process gaps to risks, determining current levels of compliance and identifying requirements to achieving compliance.
Sean is a member of the Professional Services Council (PSC), The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and is an Associate Member of the American Bar Association (ABA).
Education
Sean graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Finance.
Daniel O'Shea
Partner, CohnReznick
Dan O’Shea is a partner in CohnReznick’s Bethesda office and a member of the Firm’s Not-For-Profit and Education Industry Practice with more than 35 years of experience in public accounting, primarily in performing audit and other attestation services. His current responsibilities include engagement administration, team management, and practice development.
Education
BS, Accounting, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Adetayo Osuntogun
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Adetayo “Tayo” Osuntogun advises business and institutional clients on international trade law, including export controls, economic sanctions, trade remedies, trade policy and customs and import regulations. He helps clients realize their distinct objectives surrounding their global commerce initiatives by working regularly, on their behalf, with government agencies that regulate international trade.
Education
EDUCATION
George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2014
University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., legal studies, 2010
Cameron Over
Partner, Cross Country Consulting
Cameron Over leads the Cyber & Privacy service line. Cameron has significant experience advising organizations with transforming their cybersecurity and privacy programs. Her team offers a full suite of services to deliver both policy and governance support as well as deep technical cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) support to industries including financial services (banking, broker dealer, fintech, pre-IPO, M&A), critical infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education, and non-profit, among others.
Cameron has been in the field of information security since the late 90’s. From mid-high school, she was exposed to early network discovery techniques while interning with DoD agencies, and held a Top Secret security clearance for more than 15 years. She grew her career assisting countless agencies with their most pressing security challenges, including specialized skills and expertise in Unix and Linux operating systems, Domain Name Services (DNS), Cross-Domain systems handling highly classified data, and web server and application security.
Cameron now leads a team at CrossCountry comprised of cyber risk management, privacy and data protection, cloud security, security architecture and engineering, and advanced cyber risk, including threat intelligence, threat modeling, and advanced attack emulation. The team has developed a Cyber Fusion Lab, proprietary to the firm, as a highly secure environment with which to conduct assessments, testing, and analysis.
Prior to joining CrossCountry Consulting, Cameron served as a Senior Associate for Booz Allen Hamilton in the Washington DC Metro area. Prior to joining Booz Allen, Cameron was a Unix Security Engineer with Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
Education
Cameron holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The University of Mary Washington. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and regularly blogs and speaks at events including RSA Conference, Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), ISC2, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and other events.
Katarina Overberg
Associate, McCarter & English, LLP
Katarina is an intellectual property lawyer focusing on patent preparation and prosecution relating to technologies involving physics, and mechanical and electrical engineering. Katarina has experience in matters involving medical device technology, control systems, and computer software. She is also a member of our Data Privacy team where she is engaged in legal issues surrounding data collection, use, retention, selling and sharing. Katarina earned her JD The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where she was Notes Editor for IDEA: The Law Review of the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property and active in the UNH Patent Law Forum.
Education
Prior to attending law school, Katarina received her BA in Physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and served as a judicial extern to the Honorable William G. Young, whom she assisted with civil and criminal matters, including Markman hearings and arbitration agreements.
Nicole Owren-Wiest
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Nicole Owren-Wiest is a partner with Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and leads the Group's cost accounting practice. Nicole is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts and a recognized leader in accounting, cost, and pricing. With over 20 years’ experience, Nicole focuses on helping clients navigate the government’s complex cost and pricing rules, including the FAR Part 31 cost principles, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Truth in Negotiations Act/Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (defective pricing).
Recognition
Listed by Chambers USA as one of “Americas Leading Lawyers for Business” in Government Contracts (2014-2020), particularly recognized for her skills in the area of cost accounting, and “Americas Leading Lawyers for Business - Up and Coming” (2011-2013)
Named by The Legal 500 US as a “recommended lawyer” in Government Contracts (2015-2017)
Acritas Star, Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers (2019-present)
Education
EDUCATION
Minnesota State University, Bachelor of Science
Willamette University College of Law, J.D.
Mauricio Paez
Partner, Jones Day
Mauricio Paez advises Fortune 100 companies on legal issues related to digital transformations, virtual data services, global e-commerce, digital marketing, data protection, cybersecurity, technology sourcing and outsourcing, and emerging technology matters, such as IoT (Internet of Things), AI, blockchain and Web3, the industrial internet, and autonomous machines. A regular speaker and publisher, he is a recognized leader in these fields.
Mauricio assists clients with legal issues impacting their digital business, including industrial internet applications, consumer IoT protections, cloud services, big data analytics, AI and cognitive technologies, terrestrial and space-based commercial data services, data privacy, cybersecurity breach response and investigations, and global compliance. He helps clients develop and implement worldwide B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) digital strategies; compliance programs for addressing new legal risks; strategies and programs for generating and safeguarding digital assets; cross-border data transfers; and cybersecurity risk management. He also helps clients address these issues in commercial agreements and corporate transactions, such as joint ventures, contractual ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and investments.
In addition, Mauricio assists clients with data breach response and conducts data privacy assessments, information security compliance audits, and cyber investigations on a worldwide scale, including overseeing third-party forensic investigations. He defends clients against state and federal governmental agency cybersecurity and data protection compliance enforcement and investigations.
Mauricio's clients are in a variety of industries, such as the internet, technology, retail, financial services, communications, health care, utilities, automotive, aviation, satellite, and marketing.
He is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the American Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association.
Education
Rutgers University (J.D. 1996; School of Planning and Public Policy 1993; B.A. 1992)
Nathaniel Palmer
VP, CTO, and Author; BPM
Rated as the #1 Most Influential Thought Leader in Business Process Management (BPM) by independent research, Nathaniel Palmer has the led the design for some of the industry’s largest-scale and most complex process automation and digital transformation initiatives, involving investments of $500 Million or more. Today he is the Chief Architect for Serco, Inc. as well as the Executive Director of the Workflow Management Coalition (since 2006). Previously he had been the BPM Practice Director of SRA International, and prior to that Director, Business Consulting for Perot Systems Corp, as well as spent over a decade with Delphi Group serving as Vice President and CTO.
He frequently tops the lists of the most recognized names in his field, and was the first individual named as Laureate in Workflow. He is a regular speaker at leading forums and industry user groups, and has authored or co-authored over a dozen books on process automation and digital transformation including “BPM Anywhere” (2016), “Intelligent BPM” (2013), “How Knowledge Workers Get Things Done” (2012), “Social BPM” (2011), “Mastering the Unpredictable” (2008) which reached #2 on the Amazon.com Best Seller’s List, “Excellence in Practice (2007), “Encyclopedia of Database Systems” (2007) and “The X-Economy” (2001).
Education
Education
Bentley University
BS CIS, Information Systems, Business Management
Babson College
MBA
Maria Panichelli
Partner, McCarter & English LLP
Maria L. Panichelli, Esq. is a partner in McCarter & English LLP’s Government Contracts and Global Trade group. Maria’s practice includes: bid protest litigation; contract interpretation and performance counseling; the preparation and negotiation of REAs and CDA claims, as well as related litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit; statutory and regulatory compliance counseling; federal subcontracting (including the negotiation of FAR-compliant subcontracts, liquidating agreements, and the litigation of pass-through claims, Miller Act claims, and sub/prime disputes); contract terminations; and suspension and debarment. Having acquired substantial experience with the government’s small business programs in particular, Maria provides effective assistance to clients applying for small business certification, or competing for small business program set-aside contracts. She routinely assists clients with eligibility analyses and size and status protests, and has considerable experience drafting teaming and joint venture agreements, as well as helping clients navigate the SBA Mentor-protégé program. Maria also has substantial experience with issues particular to infrastructure contracts, such as defective designs and specifications, express and constructive changes, differing site conditions, delays and disruption; suspensions; and liquidated damages. Her clients include both prime and subcontractors, performing work for a variety of federal agencies, across a wide breath of industries, all over the nation and abroad. Maria is active in a number of industry-related professional associations is a frequent lecturer and author on government contracting and small business procurement topics.
Education
B.A., International Relations, Lehigh University, 2003
J.D., cum laude, Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2007
Anthony J. Perfilio
Of Counsel with Rendigs, Fry, Kiely & Dennis, L.L.P.
Mr. Perfilio concentrates his practice in government, public, and business contracts and dispute resolution. His principal practice areas include contract solicitation and proposal requirements, competition, award selections and bid protests, contract technical data and intellectual property matters, organizational conflicts of interest, contract interpretation, dispute resolution, and terminations for convenience and default. A retired member of the Senior Executive Service, he has over 31 years of practice experience as an attorney and legal services manager for the Department of the Air Force. Prior to retiring as Director, Air Force Materiel Command Law Office, he supervised all Air Force contract dispute resolution before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and all legal services in connection with acquisition of major weapon systems by the Aeronautical Systems Center, research and development by the Air Force Research Laboratory, and foreign military sales by the Air Force Security Assistance Center.
Mr. Perfilio is admitted to practice in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as before the U. S. Supreme Court and several Federal trial and appellate courts. He is an active member of the Federal Bar Association, having served as past president of the Association's Dayton, Ohio Chapter and serving currently as a Council Member of the Federal Bar Association's Government Contracts Section. Also active in the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, Mr. Perfilio serves on the Board of Directors of the association's Dayton-Wright Chapter, and is a past Chairman of the Board. Mr. Perfilio is a Fellow of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association.
Education
Mr. Perfilio holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University and Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He is a member of the Order of the Coif. Mr. Perfilio also completed the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.
Erica Petersohn
Senior Manager
Erica has more than 25 years of experience working in the Government pricing area, in industry and in consulting roles, for Alliance LS, Deloitte (CIS), and KPMG. She has worked with and for branded and generic manufacturers of all sizes. Erica has negotiated several pharmaceutical FSS agreements and worked with medical device companies to assess their compliance. Erica has also worked on GTN and FSS strategy for large, multi-national companies, and has prepared go-to-market strategies for a variety of clients. She is leading the Government Pricing MS efforts for pharmaceuticals and biotech for Baker Tilly.
Marques Peterson
Managing Partner, Pillsbury Firm Washington, DC Office
Marques Peterson is the managing partner of the firm’s Washington, DC office. His practice focuses on counseling and representing aerospace/defense and civil contractors in both federal procurement and international defense sales.
Marques has significant experience in bid protests and contract performance disputes before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Boards of Contract Appeals. He also regularly counsels clients on a wide array of government contract compliance issues, including contracting with the General Services Administration (GSA), pricing issues, and mandatory disclosure requirements.
Prior to entering private practice, Marques served on active duty in the Air Force Office of General Counsel at the Pentagon, where he counseled senior leaders on numerous acquisition-related matters including services contracting and space acquisitions.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2004
B.A., University of Kansas, 2001
Gregory Petkoff
Partner, Jenner & Block
Gregory H. Petkoff is a partner in the Government Contracts Practice. He represents large and small businesses and institutions on government contract matters involving defense and civilian agencies. He has recorded more than 200 reported decisions in bid protests and has resolved major claims against the government using ADR processes in both the government and private practice. He also has extensive experience in False Claims Act litigation, investigations by agency inspectors general, mandatory disclosures and related enforcement actions.
Michael Phipps
Principal, GCO
Michael Phipps has over 20 years of commercial and public sector experience with a strong background in government contracting and has directed operations for corporations with onsite management in the United States, Middle East & Asia.
Mr. Phipps has proven experience managing business operations for international corporations, working in over 20 countries. During his career Mr. Phipps has worked on a variety of prime and subcontracts with experience in Project Management, Base Operations Support, Language Services, Logistics and Information Technology. Mr. Phipps has managed complex international programs and has led successful operations into some of the most volatile areas of the world.
Mr. Phipps served nine years in the U.S. Army Reserves and Active Duty and is a former US Army Ranger.
Mr. Phipps currently is the Chairman of the SBA’s Veteran Small Business Affairs Advisory Committee. Mr. Phipps also is a founding member of the American Legion’s Small Advisory Task Force, formed to educate The White House, Congress and The Legion Posts about Veteran’s business issues while developing methods and tools to assist veteran-owned small businesses.
Education
University of Maryland University College
Master's Degree, Computer Systems Management
West Virginia University
Bachelor's Degree, Business
Adey Pierce
Director, BDO
Adey Pierce is a Director with BDO’s Industry Specialty Services-Biodefense and Government Contracting team.
Adey has over 23 years of experience in the biodefense industry, serving most recently as the Director of the Division of Nonclinical Development for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, Adey led the division responsible for model development and non-clinical support and development of medical countermeasures (MCM) against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, influenza and emerging infectious diseases. Adey directed a team responsible for BARDA’s nonclinical development task orders and managed a portfolio of contractors executing on multiple indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts supporting MCM development. Adey originally joined BARDA as a CBRN project officer and was later promoted to Branch Chief of the Nonclinical Development Network (NDN) Program, where she was responsible for oversight and management of the NDN as a component of BARDA’s Core Services and served as a Level III Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) for all contracts within the Network.
Education
M.S., Biotechnology Management, University of Maryland University College
B.S., Biology, Grambling State University
P.M.P., Project Management Institute
Six Sigma Greenbelt
Kevin Plexico
SVP, Information Solutions at Deltek
As Senior Vice President of Information Solutions at Deltek, Kevin Plexico is responsible for overseeing research, analysis and specification creation for customers in the Government Contracting and Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industries.
Kevin manages the delivery of GovWin – Deltek's industry-leading government market research and information solution providing essential intelligence to over 5,000 clients. He has responsibility for leading the industry's largest team of analysts focused on the government contracting industry. He also provides thought leadership and expert opinion to industry executives and is a recognized expert on the public sector market.
Education
Kevin earned an MBA in Information Systems from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and his BBA in Economics from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. For four years running, Kevin has been honored as a recipient of the Wash100 Award, which recognizes the Top 100 most influential leaders in the government contracting industry.
Chris Pockney
Independent Consultant
Chris Pockney has over 35 years of experience in Government contracts, primarily in the areas of contract pricing, accounting and administration. He provides advisory and training services to clients, primarily in the areas of contract pricing, cost accounting, contract administration and compliance.
He is a long time instructor for Federal Publications on their Cost Accounting Standards and Masters in Contracting courses, and co-developed and co-presents the Advanced Cost Impact Analysis Workshop for them.
He is a retired partner of Ernst & Young’s (now EY) Government Contract Services practice where he spent 24 years leading teams advising clients in a broad range of industries both domestically and internationally on pricing, cost accounting, compliance and contract administration issues including claims and Government investigations. While at EY he was a frequent speaker at public events and a highly rated instructor providing courses to companies and for Federal Publications. He has been admitted as an expert on contract pricing, accounting and claims matters in a variety of forums, including the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, state and local courts, arbitration and mediation procedures. He also has extensive experience in presenting analysis and findings to US Attorneys and Agency Inspectors General in settlement proceedings.
Prior to joining EY he spent 8 years in the Aerospace and Electronics industries in Financial Analysis and Financial Management positions involving US Government and International contracts.
Education
Chris has a bachelor’s degree in law and economics from Cambridge University in England and a master’s degree in economics from San Francisco University.
Christopher Pogue
Director, Digital Forensics and Incident Response, CyberCX
Chris Pogue is the Director of Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) for CyberCX in the Americas and is a member of the global DFIR leadership team.
Over his 25-year career, Chris has led multiple professional security and services organizations to investigate data breaches, secure corporate computing assets and critical value data, implement wide-scale compliance regimes, and help executives and boards of directors both qualify and quantify security risks.
His extensive experience is drawn from careers as a cybercrimes investigator, ethical hacker, military officer, law enforcement and military instructor, university professor, business executive, and board advisor.
Chris served in the United States Army as a Signal Corps Warrant Officer, participating in multiple joint task force missions is support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terror. He distinguished himself as an Honor Graduate from a variety of Army Academies and Schools and received multiple awards and commendations for excellence.
Chris was also an active member of the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force in multiple field offices as well as the Headquarters Division. He has also been the recipient of multiple Secret Service Certificates of Appreciation.
John Polcari
Director, HKA
John Polcari is Director in HKA’s Government Contracts practice with more than 13 years of experience in the U.S. government contracts compliance industry. John assists clients with various government contracting regulatory compliance issues. His clients range from start-up businesses to multi-billion-dollar organizations operating in industries such as consulting, engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, construction/infrastructure, and healthcare.
In addition to dealing with contractor issues related to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance, John has extensive experience with CAS-required Disclosure Statements, Incurred Cost Proposal (ICP) submissions, and cost impact analyses. He is also well versed in the general design and maintenance of compliant contractor indirect cost allocation structures.
Education
BS, Accounting and Finance, Salisbury University
Paul Pompeo
Partner, Arnold & Porter
Paul Pompeo counsels a wide range of companies in contract formation, performance, and compliance. Much of his practice focuses on accounting, cost and pricing: Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act (formerly TINA), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) cost principles, and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits. He also represents clients in dispute resolution: claims, appeals (before the ASBCA, CBCA, and Court of Federal Claims), and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as well as bid protests and Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) overrides. He has successfully represented contractors in precedent-setting CAS cases, many involving benefits issues, litigated a seminal Limitation of Cost clause case, and litigated a series of cases establishing law fundamental to the statute of limitations. He also has experience with Foreign Military Sales (FMS), counsels clients on mergers and acquisitions, financing, appropriations, and contract negotiations, and advises research universities, educational institutions and FFRDCs on compliance with issues stemming from grants and agreements. In addition, Paul handles various fraud matters and internal investigations. He is included in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Government Contracts.
Paul served as vice president and general counsel, Government Division of Johnson Controls, Inc., and as Ethics Officer. Accordingly, he has an acute sense of clients' needs and how outside counsel can best serve its customer. Paul is a member of the firm's Hiring Committee, and is a past-chair of the firm's LGBT affinity group.
Education
LLM, George Washington University Law School, 1991
JD, Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 1988
BS, State University of New York at Albany, 1985, magna cum laude
Matt Popham
Sr. VP Government Compliance, Leidos
Matt Popham is Sr. Vice President, Government Compliance Director, Leidos.
Education
Wright State University
Bachelor's Degree, double major in Accounting and Finance
Chris Porter
President and CMO, FCE Benefit Administrators
As the President and Chief Marketing Officer, Chris leads the firm’s sales and marketing effort. In this capacity he oversees new product creation, communication with existing clients and new account formation. His efforts directly support the happiness and well-being of the clients he serves through the entire life cycle of onboarding new clients to maintaining ongoing administration.
Chris began his career as a junior sales associate at FCE in 2006. He increasingly took on more responsibility by expanding his clientele. Chris has extensive experience working with Service Contract and Davis-Bacon Acts.
Lynda Porter
Costpoint Subject Matter, Deltek
Lynda Porter has been with Deltek for over 16 years and has worked with Costpoint as: An Accounting & Finance Consultant, a designer in Costpoint Engineering, and currently - creating training and instructing for Deltek University.
Lynda lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with her husband, two dogs and two horses.
Ashley Powers
Counsel, Miller & Chevalier
Ashley Powers* advises a broad range of government clients on compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and FAR supplement requirements, with specific expertise in supply chain and cybersecurity. She regularly advises clients on complex data rights issues, with a focus on clients in the new and emerging technology space. In addition to her counseling practice, Ms. Powers maintains an active government contracts litigation practice, representing clients in investigations, bid protests, and contract claims.
Ms. Powers has extensive government experience, having most recently served as Senior Counsel in the Contract Law Division, Office of General Counsel, at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In that role, she developed CIA-wide supply chain and cybersecurity compliance programs and served as the agency's legal expert on these issues, including Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Ms. Powers was also the primary legal advisor with regard to the CIA's relationship with In-Q-Tel (IQT) and the agency's relationships with new and emerging technology companies more generally. Her practice included regularly advising on all aspects of the federal procurement process, focusing on data rights, organizational conflicts of interest, and Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations. Finally, Ms. Powers served as lead counsel defending the CIA in bid protests and contract claims before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Court of Federal Claims (COFC), and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA). She also spent several years as an Attorney-Advisor in the Contract Law Division of the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Commerce (DOC) where she represented the Department in all aspects of government contracts-related litigation, assisted in the redevelopment of the Department's Suspension and Debarment program, and served as a legal advisor to the Department's Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO).
Education
J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law 2007
B.A., Colgate University 2004
Zachary D. Prince
Partner, Haynes Boone
Zach Prince’s practice encompasses all areas of government contract law. Zach counsels domestic and international clients on a wide range of issues, including compliance with federal and state regulations and statutes, bid protests, contract and subcontract drafting and negotiations, contract changes, claim preparation and disputes, cost allowability and cost accounting standards, price and cost reasonableness, export controls, government audits, subcontractor management and disputes, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, grants and cooperative agreements, and protecting intellectual property rights when contracting with the government. His clients range from the largest traditional defense contractors, to small businesses, to non-traditional government contractors including commercial technology companies.
Zach is regularly engaged to support acquisitions. He has conducted diligence relating to Federal, state, and international government contracts, export controls, and national security risks in support of a variety of transactions. Such acquisitions include technology companies, service-providers, electronics manufacturers, and aerospace companies. The size of these deals has ranged from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars and include public companies.
Education
J.D., George Washington University Law School, 2013, with honors
Bachelor of Talmudic Law, Yeshiva College of the Nation's Capital, 2010
Zhenhong Qu
Senior Partner, Beijing Huayi Law Firm
Zhenhong Qu is a nationally renowned litigator in administrative law and commercial law in China. She also represents leading Chinese media outlets on freedom of the press matters. Qu is currently a Senior Partner at Beijing Huayi Law Firm, a prestigious law firm in China. Prior to this role, she was an associate attorney at Beijing Daohe Law Firm. Before full-time law practice, she served as Director of Enterprise Administration (Chief Operation Officer and General Counsel) at Beijing Metal Structures Co. Ltd. Ms. Qu is originally from Hebei Province, China. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of International Economics and Business, a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Wuzi University, and an associate degree in law.
Aaron Raddock
Partner, BDO
Aaron Raddock is the National Co-Leader of BDO’s Government Contracts Practice. He focuses in the area of advisory services working with government contractors in virtually every industry on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters. Aaron regularly assists federal contractors with the development of REAs, Claims, and Termination Settlement proposals and frequently support clients in other areas involving complex cost accounting, audits, investigations and disputes.
Education
B.S., Commerce, University of Virginia
Stephen Ramaley
Counsel, Miles & Stockbridge
Steve Ramaley, a counsel at Miles & Stockbridge, is a government contracts and grants lawyer. Steve assists public and private entities with government contracts and grants compliance; government audits and fraud investigations; bid protests; small business preference programs; domestic preference rules (Buy American Act/Trade Adjustment Assistance); subcontractor and teaming agreements; and other matters relating to domestic and international public contracts and grants.
Steve frequently writes and speaks on challenges facing the Government contracts and grants communities, and has given testimony as a subject matter expert before the United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce.
Education
Education
American University, Washington College of Law
JD, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Editor-in-Chief of the International Law Review.
University of Virginia
BA, Foreign Affairs; Arabic Language
Daniel Ramish
Counsel, Haynes Boone
Daniel Ramish’s practice encompasses government contracts, construction, and white collar matters. He works with a multitude of issues unique to doing business with the federal government, including subspecialties such as cost and pricing, data rights, and small business and socioeconomic programs. Daniel has a particular focus on contract claims and disputes with the federal government, and disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors. He has extensive experience with federal government construction disputes, including constructive changes, differing site conditions, Spearin design liability, and Eichleay unabsorbed overhead claims.
Daniel also represents contractors in white collar matters relating to government contracting, including the False Claims Act. He has worked on large and complex subcontracting transactions and disputes, including matters relating to construction and performance-based remediation subcontracts, on behalf of both prime contractors and subcontractors. He served as a team lead for the ABA Guide to Services Subcontract Terms and Conditions, which included overseeing the FAR Part 27 intellectual property clauses and corresponding DFARS clauses.
Education
LL.M., Government Procurement Law, George Washington University Law School
J.D., William & Mary Law School, 2006
B.S., University of Virginia, 2002
Erin Rankin
Counsel, Crowell & Moring
Erin Rankin is counsel in the Government Contracts Group and is experienced in resolving government contract disputes with a particular focus on cost allowability, cost accounting issues, and DCAA audit findings. Erin also advises clients on all aspects of FAR and DFARS compliance in connection with the administration, performance, and closing out of government contracts. Erin has extensive experience representing government contractors before the Boards of Contract Appeals, defending companies against False Claims Act allegations, conducting internal investigations, and advocating for clients in mandatory disclosures and suspension and debarment proceedings.
Education
The Ohio State University, B.A. magna cum laude
The George Washington University Law School, J.D. with honors
Avani Rao
Manager, HKA
Avani Rao is a Manager in HKA's Washington, D.C. office, with a focus on the government contracts practice. Avani has performed accounting, financial, and economic analyses in a variety of matters that center around cost, schedule, and damages analyses, as well as other dispute and compliance related issues, often within the context of the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR"). Avani has supported the calculation and evaluation of damages claims ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to over $1 billion.
Anthony Rapa
Partner, Blank Rome LLP
Anthony Rapa co-chairs Blank Rome’s International Trade group, with a focus on economic sanctions, export controls, and foreign investment review. A U.S./UK-qualified practitioner, he advises clients across various industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductors, software, telecommunications, and freight forwarding. A former member of the Law360 International Trade Editorial Board, he has been recognized as a leading practitioner by Global Investigations Review and Who's Who Legal, and frequently writes and speaks on economic statecraft matters. Anthony loves baseball, classic rock, and Italian cooking, and he and his wife live on a farm in Virginia with their son and their corgi-lab mix.
Education
Drew University, BA, summa cum laude
Seton Hall University School of Law, JD, summa cum laude
Johana "Jody" Reed
Partner, Reston Law Group, LLP
Ms. Reed’s practice focuses on advising domestic and international clients on all aspects of government contracting law, including prime contracts, subcontracts and other related agreements, drafting requests for equitable adjustments and claims; drafting Contractor Performance Assessment Report System responses; reviewing, drafting, evaluating and revising ethics compliance programs; evaluation and submission of Mandatory Disclosures; Cost Accounting Standards and accounting systems/cost principles; contract and solicitation review and risk assessment; protection of intellectual property rights related to government contracts; Organizational Conflicts of Interests issues and mitigation plans; Freedom of Information Act requests and defenses; export controls compliance and training programs; and cyber security issues. She is experienced and skilled in negotiating both international and domestic contracts including subcontracts, teaming agreements, intellectual property licenses, agent agreements, and proprietary information agreements for numerous million- and billion-dollar programs. She has represented clients of all sizes in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims.
Ms. Reed lectures for Federal Publications Seminars on Data Rights in Government Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, CRADAs, Other Transaction Agreements, the FAR, DFARS, Cyber Security and Government Cloud Computing initiatives.
Ms. Reed is a “second-career” lawyer who brings together over twenty years of experience as an attorney with over 15 years of experience as a Business Finance Manager at a major defense contractor and as a Contracts Manager at several defense contractors. She also worked under a contract with the FAA to provide contracts management support.
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C., 1997
Juris Doctor
Kean Reilly
Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Kean Reilly is a Senior Manager in CohnReznick's Government Contracting Advisory Practice. In this role, Kean focuses on advising clients on the management and use of government funding as well as leading the analysis of cost incurred and invoiced on government projects. Kean performs analyses of client performance on government awards to advise on improvements related to business systems and internal control processes, project management, reporting functions, and cost recovery optimization through indirect rates in line with criteria such as Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Uniform Administrative Guidance (2 CFR 200). He also provides a range of other advisory services including, budgeting and estimating, business system implementations, Claims, Terminations, Request for Equitable Adjustment, Investigations, and contract administration.
Tina Reynolds
Partner, Morrison Foerster LLP
Tina Reynolds is a partner in Morrison & Foerster’s Government Contracts practice. She represents a wide variety of government contractors including information technology, defense, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, with a focus on general contract counseling, compliance, and litigation.
Tina counsels contractors on compliance with federal acquisition and ethics regulations. She has been involved with numerous internal investigations and compliance reviews, and with voluntary disclosures to agency Inspectors General. Tina routinely advises clients concerning prime-subcontractor relationships, sources of supply, price reductions and price reporting issues, organizational conflicts of interest, the safeguarding of intellectual property and other proprietary interests, licensing and data rights issues, the handling of classified materials, and agency suspension and debarment proceedings. She also assists clients with due diligence and other activities related to the acquisition of government contracting concerns, and with the drafting and negotiation of teaming agreements, subcontracts, licensing agreements, and cooperative research and development agreements.
Education
American University (B.A., 1992)
University of North Carolina (J.D., 1995)
Tom Reynolds
Partner, HKA
Tom Reynolds is a Partner in HKA’s Government Contracts Practice in Washington, D.C. Tom is a forensic accountant and CPA with 20 years of experience helping government contractors navigate the complex government contracting compliance rules and regulations. Tom has provided government contract accounting, auditing and advisory support to government contractors across numerous industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, engineering, and professional services. Tom has presented contractors’ positions and facilitated negotiations with contracting officers, DCAA, DCMA, and other regulatory bodies.
Tom has supported government contractors in connection with business systems compliance assessments, DCAA/DCMA audit support, False Claims Act disputes, merger and acquisition due diligence and post-merger integration, and indirect rate modelling and analysis. Tom deals extensively with critical government contracting regulations and requirements, including the FAR, DFARS, and CAS.
Education
BS, Business Administration (Accounting), Spring Hill College
MS, Accountancy, University of Notre Dame
Shannon Ridge
Manager, Baker Tilly
Shannon Ridge is a Manager in Baker Tilly’s Government Contract Advisory Services practice and has been with the firm since 2016. Shannon assists clients with a broad range of government contract matters, from Federal Supply Schedule contracting to cost accounting and compliance issues. She has worked extensively in indirect cost rate structuring and modeling, measuring cost impacts under the Cost Accounting Standards, preparing external restructuring proposals and reviewing contractor business systems for compliance with regulatory criteria.
Education
Shannon is an alumnus of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland College Park with a BS in Finance and Marketing.
Katelyn Rigle
DCAA Financial Liaison Advisor, Small Business Outreach Team, DCAA
Ms. Katelyn Rigle is the Operations Audit Liaison Small Business Coordinator for DCAA, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. Ms. Rigle has been with the agency since 2009 and currently acts as the agency’s small business liaison, offering education, guidance and support to small and medium businesses working in the Federal contracting realm. Ms. Rigle also coordinates training through the Small Business Administration, APEX Accelerators, and federal consulting firms.
Education
Ms. Rigle graduated from King’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting as well as Strayer University with a Master of Business Administration, concentrating in Government Acquisition.
Kimberly Rinder
Senior Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Kimberly specializes in U.S. Government contract and subcontract management, purchasing, and estimating system compliance. With over 30 years of experience, she excels in optimizing processes across contracts and procurement, enhancing communication, efficiency, and
compliance. Her expertise spans proposal development, domestic and international subcontract negotiations, supply chain risk management, and purchasing system compliance.
Prior to Capital Edge, Kimberly was Senior Director of Contracts & Procurement Operations for a large aerospace firm, where she led contract compliance, price/cost analysis, and business process improvements. She successfully led Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) and supported audits conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Kimberly also led corporate negotiations with federal customers and served as the primary interface with the U.S. Air Force’s Contracting Innovation Group.
Education
Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Master’s in International Business from the University of San Diego. She also completed the University of California Los Angeles Anderson Graduate School of Management’s Advanced Management Program.
Michael Rizzo
Partner, Pillsbury Law
Michael Rizzo, Pillsbury’s Government Contracts & Disputes practice co-leader, has represented defense contractors, design/build firms, transportation and technology companies in multimillion-dollar, precedent-setting cases.
A government contracts lawyer in Los Angeles, Michael prepares Contract Disputes Act certified claims; resolves contract disputes before the ASBCA, the CBCA, California federal and state courts, and in arbitration; and handles termination disputes at the federal, state and local government levels. He defends lawsuits filed under the Civil False Claims Act. He crafts comprehensive government contracts compliance programs designed to reduce clients' future exposure and legal expenditures. Additionally, Michael is experienced in handling internal investigations into quality assurance and pricing issues.
David Robbins
Partner, Jenner & Block
David B. Robbins is a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice. Mr. Robbins is an experienced litigator, investigations lawyer, and strategic business counselor with a broad skillset focused on ethics, compliance, M&A/diligence, investigations, crisis management, and enforcement defense for government contractors, grant recipients, and regulated industries.
Mr. Robbins advises clients on a range of litigation matters, including civil False Claims Act defense, parallel civil and criminal fraud enforcement proceedings, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, whistleblower reprisal defense, and prime/sub disputes. He also handles matters involving high-stakes, complex internal investigations, mandatory disclosures, claims, trade secrets litigation, ethics/compliance, conflicts of interest, fraud and public corruption defense, bid protests, General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contracting, Procurement Integrity Act, Anti-Kickback Act, and suspension and debarment.
As a trusted business advisor, Mr. Robbins provides strategic advice to executives and in-house counsel on their most pressing business needs, including M&A due diligence, mitigating issues found during diligence, and post-merger integration. Mr. Robbins actively counsels companies concerning COVID-19 incident response and the provision of COVID-19 countermeasures such as vaccines and PPE to the US government. Mr. Robbins has represented audit committees and special board committees in high stakes, government-facing matters. In Chambers USA, clients describe him as a “[c]reative strategic thinker,” emphasizing that “he finds opportunities where other lawyers have given up.” These attributes cause clients to turn to Mr. Robbins to achieve global resolutions in their most complex civil and criminal fraud matters.
Mr. Robbins is a former Air Force General Counsel’s office senior lawyer, where he ran the global Air Force’s Procurement Fraud Remedies Office and served as acting Suspending and Debarring Official and Deputy General Counsel (Contractor Responsibility). Mr. Robbins advised Air Force, Defense, and Intelligence Community senior leaders on a wide range of acquisition issues. During his tenure, he and his teams were responsible for thousands of civil False Claims Act matters, criminal fraud cases, and suspension/debarment exclusion proceedings. Mr. Robbins also co-ran the Department of Defense Procurement Fraud Working Group, a collection of agents, lawyers, auditors, and acquisition officials who gathered monthly to discuss best practices and set standards, with an intense focus on False Claims Act matters. He was also a member of the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee. These two committees coordinated the operations of the government’s procurement and grant fraud organization, setting practices that remain in use today.
Mr. Robbins frequently speaks and publishes on government contracts topics, including in Thomson Reuters Government Contracts Year in Review. He is the primary author and editor of the ABA Publications peer-reviewed book The Procurement Fraud Guidebook: System, Stakeholders, and Response Strategies.
Education
Mr. Robbins earned his BA from Yale University and received his JD and MBA from the University of Maryland.
Ryan Roberts
Partner, Sheppard Mullin
Ryan Roberts is a partner in the Governmental Practice in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He is also a member of the firm's Aerospace and Defense and Retail Industry Teams.
Areas of Expertise
Ryan regularly represents government contractors ranging from small businesses to the largest defense contractors in matters that include: Civil False Claims Act litigation defense Internal investigations Civil and criminal subpoena responses to both federal and state enforcement agencies Mandatory disclosures to the Department of Defense and General Services Administration (GSA) Offices of Inspector General Audits, including GSA pre- and post-award audits and defense contract audit agency audits Compliance programs, including drafting policies and implementing comprehensive compliance programs Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claims and appeals before the Boards of Contract Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims Bid protests before the Government Accountability Office Subcontracts, teaming agreements, joint ventures, and related disputes Small business issues under the Small Business Administration regulations Labor qualifications under service contracts Bribery, gratuities, and kickbacks Trade Agreements Act compliance Personal and organizational conflicts of interest Revolving door and other post-government employment restrictions Procurement Integrity Act Compliance As part of his internal investigation practice, Ryan serves as a member of the team appointed in 2013 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana as the federal monitor over the New Orleans Police Department responsible for reviewing, assessing, and reporting publicly on the department’s compliance with a far-reaching Consent Decree.
Education
J.D.,
The George Washington University Law School,
2010, Editor-in-Chief, Public Contract Law Journal, Roger Boyd Scholar
B.A.,
University at Albany, State University of New York,
2006, summa cum laude
Zach Rockwood
Manager, RSM US LLP
Zach Rockwood provides Government audit assistance and consultation services to a variety of Government contracting entities. Zach has over 12 years’ experience in Government contracting including: Government Audit, Compliance Leader (medium and large contractors), Head of Internal Audit and Government Contract Consulting.
In his current role, Zach delivers advice and consultation regarding DFARS Business Systems, Indirect Rates and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
Education
Master of Business Administration, University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Indiana University
Deborah Rodin
Associate, RJO
Ms. Rodin has broad experience with government contracts counseling and dispute resolution for clients in a diverse range of industries. She has experience litigating bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and has worked on contract disputes and defense of claims brought against contractors under the False Claims Act. She has also advised clients on internal and government investigations and a variety of compliance issues affecting government contractors.
Ms. Rodin graduated with honors from The George Washington University Law School, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Public Contract Law Journal and was the first-place awardee in the 2014 Public Contract Law Writing Competition held by the ABA Public Contract Law Section. While in law school, Ms. Rodin served as a student attorney for the Family Justice Litigation Clinic and gained valuable legal experience from internships at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.
Education
J.D., The George Washington University Law School
With Honors
Editor-in-Chief, Public Contract Law Journal
M.Sc., London School of Economics and Political Science
With Distinction
B.A., Wellesley College
Cum laude
Bill Romenius
Independent Consultant
Bill has significant Cost Accounting Standards (“CAS”) experience gained through positions held in both the public and private sectors, including being the industry representative to the CAS Board.
Most recently, Bill was a CAS specialist with the Defense Contract Management Agency. He developed CAS training modules that he then used to train the Agency’s Cognizant Federal Agency Officials (“CFAOs”). He also served the role as an advisor to the CFAOs on their specific CAS issues.
Previously, Bill was an Industry leader in Federal procurement issues, while holding various positions at The Boeing Company. He has significant experience with earnings improvement and business process reengineering initiatives, with in-depth experience in cost accounting, variance analysis, performance improvement, budgeting, and forecasting. While at Boeing he also developed robust internal control processes in general, with a focus in the area of International Business Compliance.
Prior to starting his almost twenty-eight year career at Boeing, Bill was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica.
Education
He gained Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Business Administration degrees at Wichita State University and completed the Yale Executive Management Program.
Peter Rosenbaum
Partner, Jenner & Block
Peter H. Rosenbaum concentrates in corporate transactions and counseling, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and securities compliance and reporting. In the area of mergers and acquisitions, he has represented public and private companies as buyers and sellers in a wide range of industries and an array of transaction structures. His securities practice centers on securities compliance matters and capital raising transactions.
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2005; magna cum laude, CALI Awards for highest grade in Civil Procedure and Legal Writing
University of Michigan, B.A., 1994
Robert Rothwell
Partner, Little, Rothwell and Vander Lugt, PLLC
Rob focuses his practice on export controls and government contracts. Rob conducts internal
corporate investigations and audits, drafts compliance plans, and counsels clients through
all stages of involvement in complex export transactions, from mandatory registrations,
technology release issues, and strategies for licenses and Commodity Jurisdiction
Determinations and Commodity Classification Requests, to preparation and submission of
voluntary disclosures.
His representation includes: investigations and voluntary disclosures for public and private
companies; advising on license strategies; compliance reviews; and development of internal
control and compliance plans for export controls and international transactions involving the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations
(EAR), and sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Education
Catholic University, J.D., magna cum laude, 1994 (Law Review)
James Madison University, B.B.A. Business Administration, 1984
Admitted to practice: Virginia & District of Columbia
Scott Roybal
Partner, SheppardMullin
Scott practices business litigation in federal and state courts and before arbitration and administrative tribunals. He has extensive experience handling government contract disputes and defending individuals and corporations in a wide range of civil and criminal fraud investigations. He has more than 30 years of experience investigating and litigating qui tam False Claims Act cases and related whistleblower actions. Scott has handled dozens of corporate internal investigations involving diverse industries such as aerospace and defense, healthcare, financial institutions, electronics, high technologies, transportation, construction, and telecommunications, among others that conduct business with the government. He provides compliance program advice and counsel and conducts investigations concerning the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Mr. Roybal utilizes his extensive experience to assist clients with early resolutions of potential disputes.
Education
J.D., Columbia University, 1986
B.A., University of Utah, 1983, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Marie Salamone
Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Marie is a Partner at Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Marie’s areas of expertise include: Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rate proposals, contract terminations, business system compliance reviews, policies and procedures development, indirect rate structure reviews, disclosure statements, cost impact models, DCAA audit support, cost engineering, construction-related claims, and litigation support.
Marie has more than 29 years of government contract cost accounting and compliance consulting as well as cost engineering, construction claims analysis and litigation experience in an array of industries that include pharmaceutical, defense, manufacturing, service, energy, and waste management.
Education
Marie earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from LaSalle University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University.
Dave Sample
CRO, JAMIS Software Corporation
David Sample has worked with government contracting ERP systems for over 25 years in leadership roles spanning product marketing, product management, professional services, and sales at companies including Deltek, Monster Government Solutions, and Baker Tilly.
In 2016 he joined JAMIS where, in his Chief Revenue Officer capacity, he is focused on aligning teams, operations, processes, systems and data to support JAMIS’ go-to-market strategies. David also maintains an active CPA and has a SPHR certification.
Jeff Sarlouis
CISSP and GSEC Certified
Jeff Sarlouis is CISSP and GSEC certified with 23+ years in Information Technology with experience in IT Security, vulnerability management, network management and audit. He also has 5 years of defense contracting experience with a focus on creating System Security Plans (SSP) and working with DCSA to obtain and maintain Authorizations to Operate (ATO).
Alex Sarria
Member, Miller & Chevalier
Alex Sarria is an experienced litigator and counselor with wide-ranging expertise in government contracts law. He represents government contractors in contract disputes, bid protests, False Claims Act lawsuits, and complex civil litigation arising from military operations, national security programs, and environmental remediation projects.
Named one of the "Top Lawyers Under 40" by the Hispanic National Bar Association in 2020, leading government contractors also turn to Mr. Sarria to investigate allegations of procurement fraud, prepare mandatory disclosures, and defend against government audits and investigations. In his counseling practice, Mr. Sarria advises clients on a wide range of federal procurement matters including cost allowability and cost accounting, defective pricing, Buy American Act (BAA)/Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance, intellectual property and data rights, supply chain (Section 889) and cybersecurity regulations (CMMC), subcontract pricing and flowdowns, commercial items and General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contracting, organizational conflicts of interest (OCIs), and business ethics and conduct requirements.
He also is recognized for his unique experience helping companies identify and mitigate their exposure to potential civil and tort liability and has worked with clients in numerous industries to secure liability protection and indemnification under the SAFETY Act, Public Law 85-804, the Price Anderson Act, the Defense Base Act (DBA), and FAR 52.228-7 (Insurance-Liability to Third Persons).
Mr. Sarria began his career in the highly-regarded government contracts group of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, where he practiced for seven years.
Education
J.D.The George Washington University Law School
B.S.University of Floridahigh honors
Michael Schaengold
Shareholder, GreenbergTraurig
Michael J. Schaengold focuses his practice on government contracts litigation, investigations and counseling, and on litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. From 2014 to 2024, he was Chair or Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Government Contracts Group.
Mike's substantial government contracts dispute and bid protest experience includes litigation of major cases before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Court of Federal Claims, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Boards of Contract Appeals. He has represented clients in disputes involving most major departments and agencies of the U.S. government and, in recent years, has focused on procurements involving the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of State, among others. He has substantial experience in False Claims Act (including qui tam) and Inspector General investigations and litigation, including negotiating Settlement and Administrative Agreements related thereto; suspension and debarment matters; and drafting and implementing compliance programs.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law B.A., summa cum laude, Dickinson College, Phi Beta Kappa
Carrie Schroll
Attorney, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Carrie Schroll is an associate in the International Trade and National Security Practice in the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Carrie focuses her practice in the areas of export controls (including the ITAR and EAR), trade and economic sanctions, national security reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, customs, and anti-corruption laws. Carrie assists clients with large-scale, global internal investigations related to compliance with economic sanctions and export controls and with interfacing with regulators during the course of investigations. She also routinely counsels clients on compliance with export controls and economic sanctions, including assisting with license applications, export classification analyses, ITAR registrations and notices, and the development of compliance programs. In addition, Carrie advises clients on international trade and anti-corruption due diligence in connection with corporate transactions. Carrie represents a diverse range of clients, including those in the technology, software, telecommunications, consumer goods, and transportation industries.
Education
EDUCATION
Carrie graduated from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary. She is admitted to practice in both the District of Columbia and Virginia.
Grant Schweikert
Associate Counsel, Jenner & Block LLP
Grant B. Schweikert is an associate in the firm’s Government Contracts Practice. He represents buyers and sellers in all aspects related to acquisitions and divestitures of government contractor businesses. He also counsels government contractor clients in contract negotiations, contract disputes, Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance
Education
The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2014
Naval Postgraduate School, EMBA, 2011
United States Naval Academy, B.S., 2003
Dave Scott
Principal & Co-Founder, C&S Consulting - Adaptive Project Controls
Dave is a Principal and co-founder of C&S Consulting. He has more than 25 years of experience with both government and commercial customers in the implementation of systems and methodologies to improve management processes. He has worked with organizations in highly regulated industries such as aerospace and defense, government contracting, and natural resources to implement project controls systems that ensure mission-critical projects are completed on time and within budget.
Dave has extensive experience designing, implementing, and supporting compliant Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) for both the U.S. Government and government contractors. In addition, he has provided EVMS assurance services supporting government contractors' EVMS compliance with the ANSI/EIA 748 standard. He provides a unique perspective gained through his experience directly supporting Federal Agency and Department of Defense (DOD) programs surveillance of contractors EVM reporting and EVM Systems.
He actively supports several government and industry associations that are developing improved project controls processes and surveillance of project controls systems. He frequently presents at conferences and training workshops on a variety of related industry topics.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Earned Value Management Practitioners’ Forum (Founder) National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Integrated Program Management Division Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) Project Delivery Working Group College of Performance Management (CPM)
Education
Education
B.B.A, Finance, Loyola Marymount University
Tim Scott
Agile Professional certified as a Scrum Master and a Product Owner, Vytal Solutions, Inc.
Tim Scott has 25 years of experience in the software industry with a concerted focus in Agile implementations during the last 10 years. Tim serves Vytal Solutions, Inc as a Scrum Master coach and agile specialist.
Tim started his IT career as a software developer and has progressed through multiple roles including quality assurance manager, java instructor, database architect, and IT manager. Tim became an agile proponent upon seeing the benefits agile reaped upon organizations where he was involved in software development. During the last several years, he has focused on helping organizations implement agile methodologies in active development production environments, guiding them through real day-to-day activities into an agile process that works for their environment. Tim has worked for clients such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and the Department of Defense.
Phillip Seckman
Partner, Dentons
Phillip Seckman represents clients concerning government and commercial contract matters. His practice spans a broad range of subjects related to federal procurement law, state and local procurement law, and complex federal regulatory issues. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial item acquisitions, GSA schedule contracting, cybersecurity, compliance, internal investigations, and bid protests (both federal and state). A significant component of his practice involves government contract cost allowability, proper cost accounting, and contract cost and pricing issues.
Phil has significant experience in the assessment, presentation, and litigation of complex contract claims. He also has significant experience assisting clients in establishing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with government contract requirements. When potential non-compliances have been identified, Phil has assisted in the internal review and assessment of these issues and has aided clients in the preparation of appropriate disclosures when required. He frequently assists DOD contractor clients regarding business systems issues, including preparing for, responding to, and remediating issues associated with reviews conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
Phil frequently writes and lectures regarding commercial item acquisitions, GSA schedule contracting, cybersecurity, business systems, FAR Mandatory Disclosure Rule, and cost accounting issues.
Phil was recently named a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association. Phil also has been repeatedly recognized as a "Rising Star" by Colorado Super Lawyers.
Education
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2004, JD, Order of St. Ives
University of Colorado, 2000, BA
Benjamin Sedelmeier
B.A., Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Benjamin Sedelmeier is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., based in the company’s Pittsburgh, PA office. Ben is experienced in addressing various cost accounting and regulatory compliance issues related to Federal government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. Ben’s expertise includes Cost Proposal Support, Financial Modeling, Contract Administration, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities (Uniform Guidance).
Ben is well experienced working with both government contractors and Federal award recipients of varying size and industry focus. Ben has also supported clients with the development of indirect rate structures and forensic investigative analyses. He has assisted clients with Business Systems Compliance, Policy and Procedure Development, Indirect Cost Rate Proposal Development, Indirect Rate Structure Assessment, Subrecipient Monitoring Support, Audit Support, and Risk Assessment, Audit Findings Remediation, Procurement System Compliance, Internal Controls Assessment, and other regulatory compliance matters.
Ben is also a lecturer on Federal grants and contracts compliance for the industry-recognized training organization Thompson Information Services.
Education
Ben graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing.
Laura Semple
Assistant General Counsel for Amentum
Laura A. Semple serves as Assistant General Counsel for Amentum, where she provides advice on Government contracting, employment, and corporate law issues. Ms. Semple previously worked as an associate at Smith Pachter McWhorter, PLC, where she counseled Government contractors on cost and pricing issues and resolved claims relating to disallowed costs, CAS noncompliances, and accounting change cost impacts. Ms. Semple counseled Government contractors on compliance with mandatory disclosure obligations, incurred cost submissions, and other Government reporting requirements. Ms. Semple co-teaches the Cost & Pricing Course for the Masters in Procurement Law Program at the George Washington University Law School. She is an active member of the ABA Section of Public Contract Law and currently serves as Vice-Chair for the ABA Accounting, Cost, and Pricing Committee. Ms. Semple also serves as President of the Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association.
Scott Semple
Founder/Managing Partner, NewTHINK Solutions
GovCon Growth & Federal Procurement Advisor | M&A & Transaction Advisory Services | Veteran & Small Business Set-Aside Programs Specialist | Corporate Development
Scott is Founder and Managing Partner at NewTHINK Solutions, a DC Metro based small business growth consulting and M&A advisory firm. Scott brings 25+ years of knowledge and experience in business strategy and operations in the Federal government marketplace.
Scott has served as a senior business executive, entrepreneur, technologist, and strategic advisor to Federal and commercial clients globally. Scott also envisioned and led the founding of the nation’s largest not for profit organization dedicated to advancing business opportunities for Veteran entrepreneurs serving as federal government contractors.
Education
He received a BS from Cornell University and an MS in Finance from Johns Hopkins University where he served as Faculty Member and Board Advisor for over 20 years.
Jonathan Shaffer
Partner, Haynes Boone
Jonathan Shaffer is a Partner in the Haynes Boone office in Tysons, Virginia. He is a government contracts lawyer with a nationwide practice. Jonathan has more than 30 years of experience litigating high-stakes bid protests and procurement disputes in the GAO, US Court of Federal Claims, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, numerous federal agencies, and the SBA. He has represented government contractors in hundreds of procurement protests. He also represents contractors in disputes at the federal, state, and local levels. Jonathan’s practice also includes FOIA litigation, commercial litigation relating to the Government contracts industry, and federal grant issues.
Education
Jonathan received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and received his J.D. magna cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, where he was a member of the Honor Society.
Jeff Shapiro
Partner, CohnReznick
Jeffrey Shapiro, CPA, is a partner in CohnReznick's Government Contracting Industry Practice. He provides an extensive range of advisory services for government contractors, including FAR/CAS compliance, indirect cost rate structuring, cost reporting, and final incurred cost proposal compliance.
Jeff currently works on behalf of several government agencies to conduct a variety of pre-award and post-award contract audits, to include business systems reviews, incurred cost audits and support for competitive source selection procurements. In addition, he also advises government contractors on creating and enhancing internal controls related to business systems and preparing for incurred cost and other government (DCAA/DCMA) audits. He is an expert in Deltek GCS Premier and is well versed in Costpoint, Unanet, and Quickbooks.
Education
Education
B.S., Business Management and Economics, Cornell University
M.B.A., International Business, George Mason University
Derek Shaw
Director, BDO
Derek Shaw is a Director
in the Government Contractor Advisory Services practice and brings to BDO more than 27 years of Finance experience with focus on Government Finance & Compliance in the Aerospace & Defense sectors. This includes a broad range of Government contracting & compliance matters, including Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, TINA, Government Business Systems controls, and Restructuring. Derek has held senior management positions with large corporations, and also has extensive hands-on experience with small and mid-sized contractors, including SDB/8a firms.
Derek has extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions focusing on government contracting aspects, including restructuring proposal development. Derek has also been a frequent speaker at training conferences and has developed and delivered training programs covering various government contracting topics.
Education
Graduate Certificate in Executive Management, University of California Los Angeles
B.S., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Randy Shelby
VP of Customer Success, J.A. White & Associates
Mr. Shelby has over nineteen years of Government Contracting experience at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).
With a focus on Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) for the last thirteen years, Randy conducted CPSR's as a procurement analyst, managed CPSR teams, and oversaw hundreds of CPSR's as a supervisory procurement analyst.
While at DCMA, Shelby worked as Team Lead to develop policies, standard operating procedures, templates, and data collection tools used in every CPSR conducted by the agency.
Randy co-created the “New CPSR Process” which encourages contractors to correct their deficiencies in the early stages of the purchasing system process. DCMA considered Randy a leading CPSR expert and relied on him to share knowledge at government industry events and other DoD agencies.
As a noted guest speaker, Randy shared expertise at NCMA's World Congress, SubCon, and Government Contract Symposiums. Randy also delivered CPSR presentations for Federal Publications Seminars (FPS), NAVSEA, the Army, and the Air Force.
John C. Shire
Director, Redstone Government Consulting, Inc.
John is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. providing government contract consulting services to our clients primarily related to the DFARS business systems, CAS Disclosure Statements, and DCAA/DCMA compliance preparation, advisory, and defense. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, John served in a number of capacities with DCAA/DCMA for more than 30 years. Upon his retirement, he was based in Texas as an SES-level Corporate Audit Director for DCAA, managing a staff of 300 auditors at one of the largest DOD programs.
John began his career in the late 80s working in the Clearwater, FL audit office and over the next three decades he progressed through a number of positions within both DCAA and DCMA with career highlights as DCAA Program Manager at Ft. Belvoir, Chief of Technical Programs Division, Deputy Assistant Director-Policy, Director of the DCMA Cost and Pricing Center, the SES-level Lockheed Martin Corporate Audit Director, and Director of Integrity and Quality Assurance.
John’s three decades of experience in performing and leading DCAA auditors and DCMA reviewers provides a wealth of expertise to our clients. John’s role, not only in the performance of audits, but also in the development of audit policy affords him unique insights into the defense of audit findings and the linkage of audit program steps to the underlying regulatory framework. He is an expert in FAR, DFARS, and other agency acquisition regulation, as well as a subject matter expert in the Cost Accounting Standards having reviewed and provided audit feedback on many of the largest and most complex cost accounting practices during his tenure with the DCAA.
John’s tenure with DCAA and DCMA came at a critical time during each agency’s history where a number of changes were occurring such as the response to the ICS backlog, development of audit approaches to the DFARS Business Systems and implementation of new audit initiatives as a result of Congressional oversight through the NDAA process. John’s leadership at the DCMA Cost & Pricing center saw oversight of all major DOD pricing actions, leadership of should cost review teams, the Commercial Pricing group and many other areas of strategic value to our clients. His involvement in these and other Agency initiatives is of great value to our clients due to his in depth understanding of DCAA and DCMA’s internal policy directives.
Education
John holds a Master of Business Administration and a B.A. in Accounting from the University of South Florida.
Certifications
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Cecilia Showalter
JD, CCEP Director, Ethics & Compliance - Aerojet Rocketdyne
Cecilia Showalter is the enterprise leader for Ethics & Compliance at Aerojet Rocketdyne. Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD) is a world-class developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion and energetics systems for space, missile defense, strategic, tactical missile, and armaments for customers in the United States and abroad.
Prior to joining AR in 2018, Ms. Showalter practiced law in Washington, DC, where her focus was in government investigations, litigation, and white collar defense. She is admitted to practice in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Alabama, and is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional.
Education
BA in English
University of Pennsylvania
Juris Doctor
American University's Washington College of Law
Matt Sigmund
Director, BDO
Manages teams providing financial management and US government contract compliance services for clients with HHS-BARDA and NIH, and DOD-DTRA and MCDC contracts and OTA's with a current funding portfolio of approximately $300m. These clients range in size from small biotech startups to large global pharmaceutical companies.
Completed Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) assessments and developed Disclosure Statements for submission to US government auditors.
Conducted assessments for US government prime and subcontractors to ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Larissa Simkovich
CPA, Baker Tilly
Larissa has been with the firm since 2013. She assists large government contractors with a wide range of compliance matters including incurred cost proposal preparation and audit support, policy and procedure review, proposal support, contract review, indirect rate restructure, cost impact analysis, and ERP system implementation support. She has worked with clients of varying sizes across many specialties such as professional services, defense monitoring and detection systems, manufacturing, and non-profit organizations.
Benjamin Smith
Senior Consultant, Capital Edge Consulting
Benjamin Smith is a Senior Consultant with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., located in McLean, VA. He has experience providing professional support to government contractors and Federal grant recipients in the areas of regulatory compliance, and government contract cost accounting. Benjamin is skilled in the areas of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Benjamin has supported a multitude of clients with Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), Forward-Pricing Rate Proposals (FPRP), Cost Impact Analyses, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), Disclosure Statements, Accounting System Policies and Procedures, financial modeling, various internal audit exercises, and complicated forensic analyses. He is also skilled in supporting clients in developing indirect cost rate structures.
Education
Benjamin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics.
D. Joe Smith
Partner, Jenner & Block
D. Joe Smith is chair of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice. He has represented large and small companies in a wide variety of government contract matters. With more than 40 years of experience, he has been lead counsel for a wide range of defense contractors in both the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims as well as in numerous federal district courts. He has also been involved in some of the largest transactions in the defense industry.
Education
Yale Law School, J.D., 1974; S&H Foundation Fellow
Yale University, M.A., Political Science, 1974; Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellow and a National Science Foundation Fellow
Anderson College, B.A., 1970; magna cum laude; National Merit Scholar
Stephanie Smith
GovCon Senior Analyst and Director, Valuation Services, RSM
In May 2020, Stephanie was selected as a senior analyst in RSM’s cutting-edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions influencing middle market leaders. Stephanie’s focus is government contracting.
Stephanie has ten years of experience serving clients across the country by providing industry-specific insights and thought leadership that allows them to stay at the forefront of the changes within their industry while also providing valuation and advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, tax reporting and strategic planning.
Stephanie has worked with a variety of publicly and privately held clients in the business and professional services industry, with a specialized focus on government contracting and private equity-backed portfolio companies. Stephanie has performed and reviewed hundreds of valuations of business enterprises, intangible assets, intellectual property and complex equity securities. Stephanie’s primary focus is on delivering timely, relevant information to her clients while also providing high-quality valuation services and market insight. This industry-specific focus has allowed Stephanie to bring her clients valuable information relevant to their business, which also allows her to work with them in a strategic and impactful manner.
Education
University of Maryland - College Park, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance & Supply Chain Management
Christine Sohar Henter
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
As a first generation American, Christine Sohar Henter exemplifies a passionate commitment to the practice of international trade law. She represents trade associations, governments, and corporate clients on international trade matters including import trade remedies, customs compliance, export controls and international business transactions, based on her public and private sector experience.
Education
EDUCATION
University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies, M.A.
Miami University, B.A.
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D.
Kristen Soles
Kristen Soles, CPA, Partner and Government Contracting Practice Leader, CohnReznick LLP
Kristen Soles serves as CohnReznick's Government Contracting Industry Leader. Based in the Tysons office, she manages the day-to-day business operations of the practice group including scheduling, hiring, and marketing services. She provides a range of advisory services for government contractors including FAR/CAS compliance, indirect cost rate structuring, cost reporting, and final incurred cost proposal compliance. Through her prior experience as a management-level contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), she acquired working knowledge of DoD compliance, allocability and allowability issues, disclosure statement requirements, GSA schedules, and DCAA audits.
Education
B.S, Accounting, Mary Washington University
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute for Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Jose Soto
Director, MorganFranklin Consulting
Jose Soto is a Director with MorganFranklin Consulting and is a Government Contracts compliance subject matter expert with over 24 years of progressive experience which includes over six years with DCAA and over seventeen years in Industry including working for some of the largest Government Contractors. His vast experience includes preparation incurred cost submissions, Disclosure Statements, Forward Pricing Rates Proposals and Internal Controls design and implementation, as well as preparation of Gross Dollar Magnitudes and Detailed Cost Impact Proposals and assisting in position negotiations.
Specialties include interpretation CAS, FAR, and FAR supplements. Jose poses expertise in developing compliant policies and procedures and developing Strategies around Future State Indirect Rates Structure utilizing Industry Best practices to remain competitive and maximize profit.
David Spooner
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
David M. Spooner is a partner in the Corporate Department and Co-Chair of the International Trade Practice Group. David represents governments, trade associations, and corporate clients on international trade matters, including trade remedies, trade policy and customs issues. He uses his past experience as a high-level political appointee in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill to assist clients with their advocacy efforts before both branches of government, as well as before foreign governments.
Education
EDUCATION
University of Virginia, B.A.
College of William and Mary Law School, J.D.
Lonnie Springirth
Solutions Engineer, JAMIS Software Corporation
Lonnie Springirth is a Solutions Engineer at JAMIS Software Corporation with over 13 years of government contract accounting and compliance experience. Lonnie has spent much of his career evaluating and implementing business systems solutions across multiple industries, including defense, professional services, and technology providers to various US Federal Departments and other agencies.
Education
Education
Old Dominion University
Dr. Roland M. Stein, LL.M. Eur
Partner, Trade & National Security, BLOMSTEIN
Roland M. Stein
is an international trade law and national security expert and one of the founding partners of the leading law boutique BLOMSTEIN in Berlin, Germany. He is regularly listed as one of the leading lawyers for “Trade and Customs”, “International Sanctions” and “Foreign Investment Review” in various rankings, such as Lexology/Who’s Who Legal and The Legal 500.
Roland has many years of experience in advising national and international clients on all matters relating to international trade law. In particular, he has handled a large number of complex foreign investment control proceedings in recent years and represented clients in export control and sanctions procedures and investigations (in particular with regard to the export of software, technology and know-how as well as sensitive products). Roland also advises clients regarding tender procedures, mainly in the defence and security sectors.
Roland is a Director of the CELIS Institute and co-leader of the defence and security division of forum vergabe. He is co-editor of Recht der Investitionskontrolle (commentary on investment control law) and co-author of the Commentary on the German Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG) in Dorsch.
Roland is half German and half Brazilian and grew up in São Paulo. He has close relationships to Brazilian law firms and regularly gives speeches on issues affecting Brazil and the EU.
Bruce Stout
Director of Government Compliance, Battelle
Bruce Stout is the Director of Compliance at Battelle.
Education
University of Arizona
BSBA, Accounting and MIS
Arizona State University
MBA
Leslie Stout-Tabackman
Managing Director, BDO
Leslie Stout-Tabackman regularly counsels and represents clients with matters before the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Wage and Hour Division, including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) issues and prevailing wage and benefits issues arising under the Service Contract Act (SCA), the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), and requirements under related Executive Orders and the FAR. Her prevailing wage practice includes counseling federal contractors and providing comprehensive training on SCA and DBA prevailing wages and benefits requirements, coverage, exemption and worker classification issues, and related contracting procedures from the solicitation and bid stage through completion of the contract. Conducting voluntary FLSA compliance audits. She regularly works with contractors to conduct internal compliance audits and provides education and training
sessions for clients on these topics. Her practice also includes prevailing wage and related laws and Executive Orders due diligence reviews in buy/sell transactions. She is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences on wage and hour and prevailing wage law matters, including presentations for the AGC of America, the National Contractor Management Association, the Practicing Law Institute, the Power & Communications Contractors Association, and LCPTracker.
Education
J.D., summa cum laude, American University Washington, College of Law
B.A., International Relations/Political Science, Colgate University
Lauren Sujeeth
Shareholder, RJO
A seasoned trial attorney, Ms. Sujeeth's practice focuses on litigation from the start through verdict. She is a member of the firm's Government Contracts, Complex Commercial Litigation, White Collar Criminal Defense, Attorney Liability and Conduct, and Construction Practice Groups. She also serves as the Chair of the RJO COVID-19 Task Force. From 2016 through present, she was listed as a “Rising Star” among government contracts attorneys in Northern California by SuperLawyer®.
Education
J.D., The University of Chicago, The Law School
Ann Watson Barber Outstanding Service Award
B.A., Stanford University
With Honors
Andrea Sundstrand
Ass. Professor in Public Law, Faculty of Law, Stockholm University
Andrea Sundstrand is a lecturer in public law with a special focus on public procurement law and she is the course director of the advanced courses on public procurement law at the Faculty of Law. She also teaches public procurement law at Uppsala university, at Lund university, at George Washington University in Washington, at Tartu university in Tallin and for six years at King´s Collage in London.
Andrea conducts her research mainly on EU public procurement rules. She has been working full time with the EU directives on public procurement since 1994 and was in the negotiations for the 2004 EU Directives. Andrea previously worked 11 years at the Swedish surveillance authotity for public procurement. She has also worked in several project to assist new Member States with implementing the EU Directives on public procurement. Andrea was a member of the The Swedish Bar Association for over 20 years and has worked for several larger law firms in Sweden and in New York.
Andrea is chairman and the responsible publisher for the Swedish Procurement Law Journal (UrT,
www.urt.cc
).
Samantha Sutherland
Senior Manager, Baker Tilly
Samantha is a Senior Manager in Baker Tilly's Healthcare Life Sciences practice in New York City. Samantha has over nine years of experience assisting clients in financial, regulatory, and contract compliance related matters.
Ace Swerling
Director, Security Solutions, CORTAC Group
Ace Swerling has over 30 years of security experience and has helped many of the largest organizations in the world to expand and protect their business by taking a balanced approach. Starting at a large US Defense contractor, he learned that while security is critical to defending the country, complying with regulations, and resisting attack; it is also critical to facilitating collaboration and ensuring economical results. He is dedicated to security and collaboration as business enablers by identifying business needs, defining processes, mapping to technical requirements, selecting vendors, and implementing quality solutions while managing risk and ensuring compliance.
Jamie Sybert
Principal; Government Contracts Practice Leader, Grant Thornton
Jamie leads Grant Thornton’s Government Contracts Practice. She has over twenty years of experience dedicated to Government contract cost accounting, pricing, business system compliance and administration. This experience includes working with a variety of clients in a wide range of industries, including construction, technology, energy, healthcare, professional services and aerospace and defense. Her clients include public, private contractors and non-profit organizations of all sizes. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Jamie held positions in industry and international consulting and accounting firms serving government contracting clients.
Education
Master’s in business Administration Duquesne University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management University of Pittsburgh
Gunjan Talati
Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Gunjan Talati is an experienced government contracts practitioner who regularly represents contractors in a variety of sectors, including aerospace and defense, health care, and technology. Gunjan’s practice is a mix of regulatory compliance, transactional, and litigation matters.
Gunjan’s regulatory compliance experience includes advising government contractors on complying with various Federal Acquisition Regulations, navigating small business and socioeconomic regulations and matters, addressing GSA and Federal Supply Schedule issues, and meeting ethics and compliance requirements. Gunjan also has significant experience in helping contractors navigate federal cybersecurity regulations and requirements.
Education
Education
Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, J.D. (2006)
Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S. (2003)
with honors
Heather Teed
Founding Partner, President & Managing Member, EOP Consulting
Heather is an industry expert in business, cost, and price strategy with more than 30 years of experience. As leader of EOP, Heather is responsible for client success, strategic growth initiatives, and establishing corporate policies and practices that help our team best service our client's needs.
Chad Theriot
Partner, Jones Walker LLP
Chad V. Theriot is a member of the firm’s board of directors. He is also co-leader of the firm’s Construction Industry Team. He focuses on major public and commercial construction and infrastructure projects.
Chad advises domestic and international clients across a broad spectrum of construction, contracting, and procurement activities. He represents owners, commercial and government contractors, major subcontractors, and original equipment manufacturers in contract negotiation, construction litigation and construction claims avoidance.
Chad currently represents US, UK, Austrian, German, South African, and Saudi Arabian companies spanning the globe in the energy, construction, aviation, defense, and shipping sectors. He currently is negotiating multiple billion dollar construction contracts and has disputes before the ICC and the LCIA involving international disputes. He also currently represents domestic clients before the AAA and various state and federal courts.
Education
Tulane University Law School
JD, 2001
University of South Alabama
MBA, 1998
Spring Hill College
BS, Economics and Finance, 1994
James W. Thomas
Partner, Global Sector Lead, HKA
James W Thomas (Jim)
is a forensic accountant with 35 years of experience providing consulting and dispute resolution services to government contractors. He has been retained as an expert on more than 50 occasions.
Jim has testified as an expert in proceedings before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services Board of Contract Appeals, District Court and in arbitration. He has served as a neutral accountant in purchase price disputes involving government contract accounting issues.
In addition to his expertise in aerospace and defense, Jim serves many industries including technology, engineering and professional services, industrial products, construction, retail products and healthcare. Prior to joining HKA, he was a forensic services partner specializing in government contracts with PwC.
Jim specializes in cost and pricing matters including government audit issues, False Claims Act damages, defective pricing, labor charging, Cost Accounting Standards, cost allowability, record keeping requirements, Federal Supply Schedule contracts, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, terminations and prime/subcontractor disputes.
Education
He earned his BS in accounting from Penn State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Jim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and associate member of the American Bar Association. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has published many articles on government contract cost and pricing matters.
MJ Thomas
Director of Security, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
MaryJo “MJ” Thomas is Director of Security at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. She is responsible for overseeing all BIW Security functions including supply chain vetting, cyber security, industrial and physical plant security programs. She manages day-to-day activities and ensures compliance with all programmatic, regulatory, legal and contractual requirements for these areas. She has extensive experience in matters concerning national security and the protection of defense weapons and technology, with specific expertise in crisis and change management and investigative leadership.
Ms. Thomas spent much of her professional career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Her most recent Pentagon assignment was as FBI Senior Advisor to the Department of Defense for the FBI National Security branch. Ms. Thomas served as primary interface between the FBI and the Office of Secretary Defense on national security investigations involving counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cyber and weapons of mass destruction matters. Her previous roles include Section Chief of the Counterproliferation Center in the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division.
Ms. Thomas joined the FBI as a special agent in 2000 after serving as a law enforcement officer in Rhode Island. Ms. Thomas also has served as a Security Forces Officer and Logistician in the Air Force, active duty and reserve.
Education
Ms. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree from Providence College, graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy and the Academy of Military Science.
Steven Tomanelli
J.D., LL.M.
Steven N. Tomanelli is the owner of Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates and is an attorney specializing in government contract law in the Washington DC area. Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates provide legal services, training and consulting services in all aspects of government contracting and federal appropriations law. Courses include: COR Certification, COR Refresher, Buy American & Trade Agreements Acts, Cost Realism, Justifications & Approvals, Intellectual Property, How to Avoid Bid Protests, Negotiating Software Licenses, Performance-Based Contracting, Small Business Contracting, IDIQ Contracting, Source Selection, FAR Workshop, Advanced FAR Workshop, FAR Update, Contract Disputes and Terminations, Introduction to Government Contracting, Procurement Ethics, Past Performance Evaluations, Federal Appropriations Law, Commercial Item Acquisition, as well as courses tailored for the specific customer.
Mr. Tomanelli is a retired Air Force Judge Advocate and has held numerous high-level procurement law positions, including Chief of Acquisition and Fiscal Law for the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command and Senior DoD Counsel for the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. He has provided consulting services and legal advice in support of highly classified major system acquisitions and has been a member of many source selection boards, advisory councils and “red teams.” He served as a Professor of Contract and Fiscal Law at the Army Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, Virginia. While in the Air Force, he was selected as “The Outstanding Career Judge Advocate of the Air Force.”
Mr. Tomanelli received his B.A. and J.D. at Hofstra University, and his Master of Laws in Federal Procurement Law at George Washington University. While earning his Master of Laws degree, Mr. Tomanelli worked as an Intern at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
Since 1995, Mr. Tomanelli has consistently been one of the highest rated acquisition trainers in the country according to student evaluations. He has authored over forty course books and written numerous articles on federal procurement and fiscal law topics. Mr. Tomanelli authored a comprehensive textbook titled, A Practical Guide to Federal Appropriations Law (MCI); is currently the Lead Editor of the FAR and the Annotated FAR for Thomson-West Publishing Company; and has received “Small Business Achievement Awards” for two consecutive years from the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Tomanelli is an attorney in good standing of the Virginia Bar; and serves on the Advisory Board of the Government Contractor (West Publishing). He has been retained as an expert witness in numerous federal, state and international court cases on federal procurement law matters. Mr. Tomanelli has a current TS/SCI security clearance.
Education
Mr. Tomanelli received his B.A. and J.D. at Hofstra University, and his Master of Laws in Federal Procurement Law at George Washington University. While earning his Master of Laws degree, Mr. Tomanelli worked as an Intern at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
Alex Tomaszczuk
Partner, Pillsbury Law
Alex Tomaszczuk, a Pillsbury Government Contracts & Disputes partner, is repeatedly recognized by Chambers USA as an authority on government contracts and disputes litigation.
Alex litigates high-dollar value government contract claims and bid protests, helps clients challenge adverse CPARS ratings and conducts internal investigations related to a wide range of compliance issues. He represents a diverse set of clients, including utilities, aerospace manufacturers, real estate developers and service contractors in actions before the GAO, the Court of Federal Claims and other federal forums. Alex has secured important victories in procurement and contractual disputes with the DOE, DOD, Justice Department, the GSA and other agencies.
Brynn Tomlinson
CPA, CFE, Baker Tilly
Brynn is a manager in Baker Tilly’s higher education risk, internal audit and cybersecurity practice with over nine years of experience. She specializes in internal audit, internal controls, quality assessment reviews, substantive analytical testing and sponsored research compliance.
Kristin Torcasi
Vice President of Gov't Compliance, CACI International
Kristin Torcasi is the Vice President of Government Compliance for CACI International Inc headquartered in Arlington, VA. Kristin is responsible for ensuring compliance with Government contract requirements and serves as the company’s liaison for Government inquires and audits. Kristin has a wide range of experience in government contract accounting, including business system compliance; preparation of incurred cost proposals and forward pricing rates; application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS); CASB Disclosure Statement preparation; cost allowability matters; cost accounting structure evaluation; and cost impact preparation.
Kristin is a CPA in the state of Virginia.
Education
Elon University
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Business Management
Timothy Trickett
Chief Technology Officer, Public Sector, BDO
Tim Trickett is the CTO of BDO Public Sector and leads Public Sector’s Technology Office. He is responsible for the overall strategic and technological management of BDO Public Sector. He is also responsible for BDO Public Sector’s IT infrastructure which support Federal, State, Local, and Non-Profit organizations. Tim is a service-disabled veteran with seventeen years of specialized experience in cybersecurity, information technology, compliance, and risk management.
Prior to joining BDO Tim was a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer for the U.S. Army’s Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) Information Technology Laboratory. While at ERDC Tim was a Team Lead for ERDC’s Security Control Assessor-Validator (SCA-V) Team and conducted Risk Management Framework based assessments for the Department of Defense and Federal Government.
In addition to his work with ERDC, Tim served as a Principal Consultant and Subject Matter Expert on many projects and programs throughout the Federal Government. Prior to working in cybersecurity, Tim was a Human Intelligence Collector, Counterintelligence Agent, and Electronic Warfare Instructor in the U.S. Army.
Kevin Tupper
AI Evangelist, Microsoft supporting government leaders
Kevin Tupper has over 20 years of experience in technology, spanning various sectors including startups, corporate businesses, and federal agencies. His focus is on making technology usable and effective for organizations, a principle he applies in his current role as Microsoft's Federal GenAI Evangelist. In this capacity, Kevin educates federal agencies on the practical applications of Generative AI and supports them in implementing this technology.
Prior to this, Kevin led a team of Cloud Solution Architects at Microsoft, focusing on providing federal customers with secure and efficient cloud solutions. He also worked directly with several strategic U.S. Federal agencies helping them leverage data and AI for optimal results.
Kevin holds a record of bringing value in his previous roles as well, including serving as Chief Technology Officer for multiple companies. Whether it's enabling millions of golfers to reserve tee times online or creating data warehouses capable of handling billions of responses, Kevin's expertise has proven beneficial across diverse applications.
Kevin's talks are known for their straightforward approach, providing audiences with actionable insights on complex topics, all without the fluff.
Franklin Turner
Partner, McCarter & English
Mr. Turner is a Partner and Co-Leader of the Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group. He is an innovative business lawyer with significant experience resolving complex government contracts issues for a broad array of companies – ranging from multinational Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and small businesses. Mr. Turner routinely represents clients in the aerospace, defense, information technology, health care and industrial supply sectors.
Mr. Turner is a prolific author and lecturer and is routinely called upon by national and international news organizations to offer his insight regarding developments in the federal procurement industry.
Education
EDUCATION
J.D., William & Mary Law School, 2008
B.A., University of Virginia, Foreign Affairs, 2005
Mary Turri
Platinum Subcontractor
Mary joined Lexell Blue in June 2016 as a Platinum Subcontractor Team Member and has over 15 years of experience in Government Contracts. She was introduced to Deltek products as the customer, working with the Deltek Implementation Team. Together, they successfully designed, configured and implemented Costpoint People and Deltek Time Collection. This experience led Mary to an interest in ERP systems. Mary later had the opportunity to work for Deltek, as an HCM Consultant and later as a Principal HCM Customer Care Analyst. With her wide range of experience, Mary can see all angles of customer ideas and issues, and provide logical solutions. Mary specializes in Costpoint People, Deltek Time Collection and Employee Self Service.
Prior to joining the Lexell Blue team, Mary worked as an HCM Independent Consultant, managing, training and implementing ERP systems.
Education
Mary graduated from California State University, Chico. She is based in Novato, California with her husband and two small boys.
Dr. Najam UI Hassan
Department Chair of Computer Science at Capitol Technology University
Dr. Najam Hassan is the Department Chair of Computer Science at Capitol Technology University and a professor. He has been in the IT field for about 35 years. He has a Ph.D. in Business Analytics & Decision Sciences from Capitol Technology University, a dual Master (MBA/MIM) from University of Maryland University College and a master’s in computer science from John Hopkins University. He earned his bachelor's in computer science from the University of Houston Clear Lake.
Dr. Hassan is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), has a 6-Sigma Greenbelt certification, and is a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA). His industry experience includes working at several well-known organizations such as IBM, Verizon, Geico, and Dell in various roles including solutions architect and IT portfolio manager. He has 15 years of teaching experience. He has taught at many higher education institutions including University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), University of Maryland University College (UMUC), University of Phoenix Online. With Capitol Tech, he teaches Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Platforms, Software and Hardware Concepts, Management Information Systems, Project Management, System Analysis.
Current advancements in his field include:
Data Science: Unveiling Insights from Data
The power of data has transcended mere statistics, becoming a catalyst for informed decision-making across disciplines. From predictive analytics that guide critical healthcare decisions to optimizing supply chains for maximum efficiency, efforts in data science are propelling society towards smarter, more informed choices.
Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Human-Machine Interaction
The rise of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of human-computer interaction. This transformation is delving into the realms of machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. From virtual assistants that understand and respond to human speech to autonomous vehicles that navigate complex environments, the impact of AI is reshaping the boundaries of possibility.
Quantum Computing: Pioneering the Unthinkable
At the intersection of science and computation, quantum computing stands as a disruptive force with limitless potential. Unrelenting research is unraveling the mysteries of quantum algorithms, exploring their applications in cryptography, optimization, and problem-solving. The era of quantum supremacy is dawning, and as we advance our understanding of this revolutionary technology, we're paving the way for solutions to challenges that were once deemed insurmountable. Quantum computing is not just a leap in processing power; it's a quantum leap in how we approach complex problems.
Education
Ph.D. in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences, Capitol Technology University
MBA/Master’s in International Management, University of Maryland University College
MS in Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University
BS in Computer Science, University of Houston - Clear Lake
AA in Mathematics, San Jacinto College
2-year Diploma in Advanced Computer Training, Petroman
Bhavesh Vadhani
Principal, Cybersecurity, Technology Risk and Privacy Leader, CohnReznick Global Consulting Solution
Bhavesh Vadhani is a principal and the national leader of the Cybersecurity, Technology Risk, and Privacy Practice with over 20 years of experience in the field of information risk management, security consulting and privacy advisory services. He has led and managed such engagements as privacy assessments, information technology (IT) controls assessments, vendor security assessments, SSAE 16/SOC 1 and SOC 2 attestations, IT risk assessments, information security consulting, information assurance, IT strategy, IT portfolio management, and project management and quality assurance reviews. Bhavesh is intimately familiar with regulatory requirements and standards, including, but not limited to, GDPR, CMMC, NYDFS, DFARS, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 (SOX), OMB A-123, PCI-DSS, 201-CMR 17, Red Flags, FedRAMP and FISMA.
In his current role, Bhavesh works with organizations in different industry verticals including consumer product and retail, financial services, health care, government contracting, manufacturing and distribution, and technology. He helps organizations adopt industry best practices and frameworks to improve efficiencies in day-to-day processes and identifies IT governance initiatives that help corporations and organizations enhance their existing IT environment. He assists IT department executives with their information assurance, IT strategy, and information security initiatives.
Education
Education
MBA, Management Information Systems, University of Baltimore
B.S., Electronics Engineering, University of Mumbai
Bryan Van Brunt
Founder of Van Brunt Law Firm
Bryan Van Brunt is the Founder of Van Brunt Law Firm, P.A. which serves clients in the areas of Government Contracts, General Business Law, and Commercial Transactions. He also serves as a General Counsel and COO for small and medium sized businesses in the defense industry. Previously, he served as the Deputy General Counsel for a division of General Dynamics for over 13 years where his focus was on government contracts and general business law matters. He started his legal career as an attorney (JAG) in the United States Air Force. Bryan brings companies into compliance with the many requirements of being a government contractor, including CMMC and other cybersecurity compliance matters.
Sarah Van Fossen
Manager, PwC
Sarah is a manager in PwC’s Advisory Forensic Services practice. She provides in-depth analyses and advice to government contractors and commercial clients across various industries to assist in dealing with compliance issues in regulatory, accounting and government contract environments. She has experience providing accounting services to law firms in litigation matters and legal proceedings involving government contract disputes as well as forensic investigations.
Education
University at Albany, SUNY
MS, Forensic Accounting
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden
BS, Accounting, Finance
Bob Vander Lugt
Partner, Little, Rothwell and Vander Lugt, PLLC
Bob’s law practice focuses on the application of international trade, government procurement and national security law and regulations. He regularly advises both U.S. and foreign clients on international trade matters including: the application of export controls such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the sanctions regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and U.S. and foreign anti-corruption controls including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
In the government contracts area, Bob advises and assists clients in the defense, aerospace, technology, software, telecommunications, health care, energy, and manufacturing sectors with claims, bid protests, and counselling. In his national security law practice, Bob leverages experience as a retired naval intelligence officer (with command and combat experience) to assist U.S. and foreign clients with reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as well as security clearances and compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), nuclear and naval nuclear technology controls, and the DoD technology release processes.
Education
University of Virginia School of Law, JD 1991
Oral Roberts University, BA History & Government 1987
Eddie Velez
Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Eddie Velez is a Senior Manager, with CohnReznick's Disaster Response and Recovery Advisory team. Previously, he worked with FEMA Region 6 for more than 13 years where he served in the roles of: Response Division Operational Planner, Planning Section Chief for FEMA Region 6 Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT), and a Preparedness Analyst for the National Preparedness Division. In his last position, he managed the Regional Threat and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment process and supported synchronizing preparedness efforts with local, state, tribes, and federal partners.
David Visi
Associate, Strategic Marketing Innovations
Dr. Visi is a part of SMI’s life sciences team. Prior to joining SMI, Dr. Visi served as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Threat Reduction and Arms Control (TRAC). Within TRAC, Dr. Visi provided oversight and program governance on the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP), which focused on enhancing partner states’ biosecurity, biosafety, and biosurveillance capacity. He had previously worked on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Antibiotic Resistance Project on research and policies to advance antibacterial discovery and development, including an analysis of the global development pipeline of antibiotics and nontraditional approaches, BARDA reauthorization, and domestic and global antibiotic regulatory structure. Dr. Visi also served as a policy advisor on health and agriculture for Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter.
Education
Dr. Visi has a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of North Texas.
Wolf Von Kumberg
Arbitrator & Mediator, International Arbitration Centre
Wolf is a leading internationally recognized arbitrator and mediator with over 30 years’ experience in International legal business. Before establishing his ADR practice he served as Legal Director and Assistant General Counsel to Northrop Grumman Corporation and before that to Litton Industries Inc. During his international career being located in their Toronto, Zurich and London offices.
Through his practice for Northrop he engaged with Governments and State Agencies in 52 countries dealing with trade, security and investment matters, and responsible for all international disputes including mediation, adjudication and arbitration.
Wolf is particularly knowledgeable in disputes related to the Aviation & Aerospace, Defence, Compliance, IP, Cyber Security and High Tech Industries. His Practice involved most regions of the World and includes commercial, government and state entities. He is now applying this accumulated knowledge to the field of global commercial conflict avoidance and resolution.
His expert analysis has covered all types of dispute management and resolution boards, adjudication systems, ADR guidelines and Model Clauses, ADR policies and procedures, Global conflict compliance and governance programs, arbitration programs, government procurement and supply chain dispute management.
Education
1974 - 1977 York University, Toronto, Ontario - B.A. History and Political Science
1977 - 1980 Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario - LL.B. Bachelor of Law
1981 - 1982 Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, Ontario Bar Admission Course Barrister and Solicitor - April, 1982
1984 - 1985 University of Cambridge, United Kingdom - LL.M. Master of Law International Commercial Law
1989 Solicitor's Final Examination - The Law Society England and Wales
JB Wakefield
Compliance Officer, Military Systems - GE Aviation
JB is the business compliance leader for GE Aviation’s Military Systems Operation and GE Additive (additive manufacturing business). GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of military aircraft engines, systems, services and components. In his role, JB provides support and guidance to the leadership team and organization on creating and maintaining compliance processes and procedures to navigate through the evolving regulatory environment of the U.S. Government and GE’s international business development.
JB joined GE in 2009 in GE Aviation’s Government Contracts organization where he was the primary contracts focal for the U.S. Army contracts. He then gained international experience through managing and executing GE Aviation’s offset and industrial participation requirements in Europe and Turkey before taking the role of business compliance leader.
Prior to joining GE, JB practiced as an attorney in Dayton, Ohio. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Dayton. JB is a member of the state bar of Ohio and admitted to practice in two federal district courts.
JB earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Kenyon College.
Education
BA in Neuroscience
Kenyon College
JD
Univsersity of Dayton
Cobina Walkland
B.B.A, Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Cobina Walkland is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Cobina has over 7 years of experience in providing professional support to government contractors and Federal grant awardees in the areas of regulatory compliance, purchasing system compliance and training. Cobina’s expertise includes Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) readiness, Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DEARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), Davis-Bacon Act compliance, and Procurement Evaluation and Re-Engineering Team (PERT) reviews.
Education
Cobina earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing/Management from Robert Morris University.
Bill Walter
Managing Director (CPA), Forvis Mazars
Bill has four decades of experience in the government contracting industry. Prior to joining the firm, Bill was an auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency and also held executive-level positions with ono of the largest service providers to the U.S. Department of Defense. Bill’s extensive background is in the application and interpretation of rules, regulations, and standards applicable to government contractors including the Federal Acquisition Regulation, individual agency supplements, and the Cost Accounting Standards. Bill’s work includes helping clients understand the requirements associated with development and implementing pricing strategies, indirect cost allocation solutions, developing accounting, estimating, procurement, project management, and integrated system requirements for clients in various industries including aerospace and defense, contingency contracting, logistics, oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and professional services.
He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, National Contract Management Association, Professional Services Council, and National Defense Industrial Association Procurement Committee. He is an associate member of The American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law.
Education
Bill is a graduate of The Pennsylvania Statement University, with a B.S. degree in accounting.
Chang Wang
Partner, Kingsfield Law Office
Chang Wang is a partner at Kingsfield Law Office. He specializes in immigration law and due diligence research.
Wang has been admitted to law practice in New York, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and federal courts. Wang is the second Chinese ever elected to the prestigious American Law Institute (ALI). He holds associate, visiting, and adjunct professorships at ten law schools and business schools in the US, China, Austria, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil. In 2017, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed Wang as a trustee of the Minnesota Zoological Board. In 2018, Chief Justice Lorie Gildea of the Minnesota Supreme Court appointed Wang as a member of the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education. Wang has published six books and numerous essays and academic papers on comparative law and U.S.-China relations.
Mark Warnecki
Senior Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Mark is a Senior Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. His areas of expertise include U.S. government contract and subcontract negotiations, management and administration, Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (FAR/DFARS) compliance, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) readiness through recovery, contract risk analysis, and small business subcontracting plan development. Mark has served in progressive management roles for large government contractors throughout his career, most recently leading a team of more than 50 members supporting CONUS and OCONUS operations.
Caleb Weber
Caleb Weber, CPA, Manager, Government Contracting Practice, CohnReznick LLP
Caleb Weber, CPA, is a manager with CohnReznick with 8 years of experience in government contract audit. His experience includes managing audit teams, producing solutions for complex audit issues, providing technical guidance, understanding complicated indirect rate structures, analyzing computerized information, and the review and analysis of documentary evidence.
Linda Weinberg
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Linda Weinberg provides practical advice to business and institutional clients on international trade law, including export controls, foreign assets control and customs. She works regularly with the U.S. and foreign government agencies that regulate international trade to help clients realize their distinct objectives surrounding their global commerce initiatives.
Education
EDUCATION
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, (J.D.), 1987, member of Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review
University of California, Irvine, (B.A.), 1983
Carla Weiss
Patner, Jenner & Block
Carla Weiss advises large and small clients on a range of high-stakes government contract issues. She is a well-known bid protest practitioner, with successful matters before the Government Accountability Office, Court of Federal Claims, SBA Office of Hearing and Appeals, and FAA Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition. In partnership with clients, she provides strategic legal guidance throughout the acquisition process, and ultimately represents protesters challenging contract decisions—and intervenors defending their awards.
Carla also has significant experience handling internal investigations for government contractors and representing contractors and subcontractors in claims litigation against the government. In addition, she counsels clients on a variety of federal statutes, regulations and government contract-related compliance matters, including FAR and DFARS interpretation, SBA small business and socioeconomic programs and eligibility, and foreign sourcing requirements. Through multiple secondments, Carla has seen first-hand the pressures and demands facing government contractors, and she brings that in-house perspective when advising clients.
Prior to joining the firm, Carla served as a law clerk to former United States Senator Arlen Specter at the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee and interned with the White House Office of Public Liaison.
Education
University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2010
Wellesley College, B.A., 2003; cum laude
Nancy M Weiss
CPP, Managing Consultant
Nancy, a software implementation expert, has a strong knowledge of finance, payroll, and human capital management. Her expertise includes delivering projects on or ahead of schedule at planned or below cost for software, consulting, finance, retail, and wholesale companies. She facilitates organizational transformation, increasing revenue/profitability.
Jeffery White
CEO and Founder, J.A. White & Associates
Jeffery White is Founder and CEO of J.A. White & Associates Inc. A leading industry firm in Federal Contracting and Compliance consulting offering a tailored line of advisory services to clients.
With over 38 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, White's expertise has led his firm to have an unprecedented 100% approval rate of Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) and other Business System assessments.
The design of document automation, CPSR ProDocs, was spearheaded by visionary, Jeffery White. Used by small and large government contractors, the software streamlines the Procurement workflow process by leveraging a company’s existing enterprise platform and automates compliance-related Procurement file documentation. A company's benefits may include cost savings, 100% accuracy, increased CPSR success, error reduction and lead time reduction. White’s clients currently include government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Education
White is a noted U.S. and International speaker for the Institute for Supply Management (formerly NAPM), the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and other Procurement organizations.
Asela Wijesiri
Managing Director, MorganFranklin Consulting
Asela leads our Government Contracting Advisory Services practice and has over 20 years of experience assisting government contractors across a variety of industries including technology, aerospace, service providers, and manufacturing on regulatory compliance matters relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR); Cost Accounting Standards (CAS); 2 CFR 200; and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Alexandria Wilhite
Senior Government Contracts Compliance Consultant, Premier Consulting & Integration
Alexandria Wilhite is a Senior Government Contracts Compliance Consultant at Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI) with over 12 years of public sector experience. Known for her exceptional attention to detail, Alexandria excels at multi-tasking and adapting to achieve tasks efficiently. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades for her time management skills, work ethic, and ability to implement effective procedures. Alexandria is a team player who consistently contributes to the success of projects from start to finish.
Charlie Williams
President, CWilliams LLC
As President of CWilliams LLC, Charlie Williams provides strategic advice and support to the defense industry and government officials in all matters of acquisition planning, contract formation and general contract management processes. Additionally, Mr. Williams lends support to the industry in ways that helps industry leaders maneuver their way through the complexities of the defense acquisition system. Mr. Williams serves on the National Contract Management Association's Board of Directors and is a Director on the Procurement Roundtable.
Prior to establishing CWilliams LLC, Mr. Charlie E. Williams, Jr. served as the Director, of the Defense Contract Management Agency. As Director, Mr. Williams was responsible for leading a Department of Defense Agency that consisted of more than 12,000 civilians and military personnel who execute worldwide contract management responsibilities, covering more than 18,000 contractors and $200 billion in unliquidated contract obligations.
Education
Mr. Williams is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in Contracting. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, and a Master's Degree from Tennessee State University, Nashville. He is also a 1996 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, where he earned a second Master's Degree in national resource management.
His awards and recognitions include a Special Service Award, Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Exceptional Civilian Service Award, Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award and the DoD Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service.
Andrew T. Williamson
Associate, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Drew Williamson dedicates his practice to labor and employment litigation and counseling. Drew has represented and counseled employers across various industries, including financial services, hospitality, healthcare, transportation and labor unions, on a wide range of matters, including: Litigation of restrictive covenant, trade secret, and other complex business litigation; Employment discrimination, retaliation, and harassment under federal, state, and local law; Personnel decisions, wage and hour compliance, pay equity assessments, and other compliance issues; and Workplace privacy and data security, including cyber incident responses.
Education
Education
Mississippi College School of Law J.D. (2016) magna cum laude, American Jurisprudence Awards for the highest grade in Constitutional Law, Employment Law, Trial Practice, Appellate Advocacy, Immigration Law, Agency, and Removal
LaGrange College B.A., Political Science (2013)
Christine Williamson
CPA, PMP, Partner, CohnReznick
Christine Williamson, CPA, PMP, is a Partner in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting Industry Practice which she led for 15 years. She provides financial and accounting consulting services that offer solutions to such complex issues as indirect rate structure development, executive compensation analysis, and mergers & acquisitions. Christine has a deep breadth of knowledge in GAAP, FAR, CAS, DCAA and DCMA. Additionally, she advises government contractors with their tax strategies and operational issues, including: financial statement reporting, disclosures, incurred cost submissions, proposals, forward pricing rates, and federal and state tax preparation.
Education
B.S., Accounting, University of Maryland
Stephanie Wilson
Partner and Director of Government Contracts, Berenzweig Leonard LLP
Stephanie Wilson represents government contractors of all sizes in bid protest and claims litigation, counseling, transactional matters, and contractor compliance. As a former law clerk in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Stephanie has been recognized in Government Contracts by Super Lawyers magazine for the last ten years.
Stephanie has significant experience prosecuting and defending bid protests before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Government Accountability Office, as well as litigating contract claims and disputes. Stephanie advises government contractors on various matters such as subcontracting and teaming issues, small business requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) compliance, and federal government-contracts-specific labor and employment laws, including the Service Contract Labor Standards. On the transactional side, Stephanie helps government contractors negotiate and draft joint venture agreements, mentor-protégé agreements, teaming agreements, subcontracts, and other corporate documents. Stephanie advises corporate clients and executives on various business and employment-related matters, including prime-sub disputes, non-compete disputes, breach of contract claims, and labor and employment compliance.
Education
EDUCATION
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2005
Union College, B.S., 2002
Jeff Witt
Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Jeff Witt, CPA, CIA, CFE, is a senior manager at CohnReznick and a member of the Firm’s Government Contracting Industry Practice with over 25 years of experience in the areas of federal contract compliance. He has extensive knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standard Requirements (CAS); indirect rate design; direct and indirect cost charging/billing practices; various cost and estimate analysis; and federal regulations and requirements on cost allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. Jeff has worked as a DCAA auditor, a Controller for a government contractor, and while working as a CPA, as both an auditor and consultant to government contractors.
Howard Wolf-Rodda
Founding Partner, Abrahams Wolf-Rodda, LLC
Howard Wolf-Rodda is a founding partner of Abrahams Wolf-Rodda, LLC, a boutique government contracts and wage and hour law firm in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The practice includes traditional government contracts work (bid protests, claims, compliance advice, prime-sub disputes, etc.) and a wage & hour practice (spanning the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, various Executive Orders, and state wage laws).
Mr. Wolf-Rodda represents organizations and individuals that do business with federal, state and local governments. Mr. Wolf-Rodda regularly describes himself as a general practitioner who guides his clients in all aspects of their operations in the highly-regulated world of government contracting.
Mr. Wolf-Rodda is admitted to practice in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the bars of the US Courts of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Federal Circuit. He also is admitted to practice before the US Court of Federal Claims as well as the US District Courts for the District of Columbia and Maryland. Mr. Wolf-Rodda has litigated cases in state and federal trial courts throughout the National Capital region. In addition, he has litigated in state and federal courts in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York and Washington. Mr. Wolf-Rodda also has filed briefs and/or appeared before the US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Court of Appeals and Court of Special Appeals of Maryland.
Education
University of Maryland School of Law, J.D. with Honors, Order of the Coif, May 1993
American University, B.A. in International Studies, cum laude, May 1985
Evan Wolff
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Evan D. Wolff is a partner in Crowell & Moring's Washington, D.C. office where he is co-chair of the firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity Group and a member of the Government Contracts Group. Evan has a national reputation for his deep technical background and understanding of complex cybersecurity legal and policy issues. Calling upon his experiences as a scientist, program manager, and lawyer, Evan takes an innovative approach to developing blended legal, technical, and governance mechanisms to prepare companies with rapid and comprehensive responses to rapidly evolving cybersecurity risks and threats. Evan has conducted training and incident simulations, developed response plans, led privileged investigations, and advised on hundreds of data breaches where he works closely with forensic investigators. Evan also counsels businesses on both domestic and international privacy compliance matters, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Representing a broad range of companies across multiple sectors including government contractors, the defense industrial base, transportation, energy, health care, insurance, hospitality, education, and non-profit, Evan's legal practice has a focus on regulatory compliance including Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Privacy Shield, the SAFETY Act, and the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act (CFATS). Evan also advises companies on computer network security, general security issues, investigation coordination after intrusions, data breaches, and insurance-related issues.
Prior to entering private practice, Evan served as an advisor to the senior leadership at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Previously, he held the position of principal homeland security policy analyst/project manager to The MITRE Corporation and also served as general counsel and senior geospatial analyst for isciences LLC; vice president and principal of Environmental Protection International; and senior geologist at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Adding to his credentials, Evan was inducted into the Council on Foreign Relations in 2017 joining other thought leaders, including top government officials, global business leaders, members of the intelligence and foreign policy community, journalists, and prominent lawyers, to help shape foreign policy. Evan serves on the Sandia National Lab External Advisory Board, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Security Task Force, as a panel member on the Defense Science Board at the Department of Defense, and as a senior adviser at the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council. Evan is currently the co-chair of the ABA Homeland Security Law Institute, as well as a senior adviser to the ABA Committee on Law and National Security. In 2011, Evan was invited to serve as a member of the Aspen Institute's Homeland Security Group. Evan also serves as a senior associate (non-resident), Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).
In 2014, Evan co-authored an ABA Section of Criminal Justice article titled, "Industry Collaborations on Cybersecurity: Protecting Against Antitrust Violations," which was selected as one of the "Best Articles" for the Business category, Anticompetitive Practice section at the 2015 Antitrust Writing Awards in Washington, D.C.
Evan is currently teaching a class on Cybersecurity at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and has previously been an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law, a global fellow with the Wilson Center, and a senior advisor to The Chertoff Group, a global security advisory firm based in Washington, D.C.
Bill Wootton
Chief Revenue Officer, C3 Integrated Solutions
Bill Wootton is the Founder and President of C3 Integrated Solutions, a full-service IT provider that specializes in securing our nation’s Defense Industrial Base through cloud-based solutions and industry leading partners. C3 is a provider of Microsoft Government Cloud solutions including Microsoft 365 GCC, GCC High and AzureGov, and specializes in helping clients achieve CMMC and NIST 800-171 compliance by providing MSP, security and Microsoft 365 integration services. With over 100 migrations to GCC High already completed, C3 offers an award-winning, tailored approach to helping DoD clients move to the GCC High cloud.
Tony Worick
Partner, Capital Edge Consulting
Tony Worick is a Partner at Capital Edge Consulting, where he specializes in helping businesses navigate and succeed in working with the United States Government. With extensive experience with large aerospace and defense contractors and aiding commercial companies in establishing public sector ventures, Tony leverages his expertise in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to drive business growth and compliance.
Tony's comprehensive approach includes establishing robust internal control frameworks, continuous risk and control monitoring, and providing actionable recommendations to ensure compliance and business continuity. His clients span various industries, including aerospace, biotech, defense, energy, healthcare, IT, intelligence, and manufacturing. Tony's in-depth knowledge of DCAA audit methodologies has contributed to numerous successful government business system audits. Additionally, he supports clients through large-scale transformations, deals due diligence, and integration plans, ensuring seamless operations and compliance throughout acquisitions involving government contracts.
Education
Tony graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting.
Jason Workmaster
Member, Miller & Chevalier
Jason Workmaster focuses his practice on government contracts-related litigation, including contract claims and disputes, bid protests, and civil False Claims Act (FCA) cases. He has represented a host of clients in these types of cases before the boards of contract appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and U.S. District Court. He also routinely assists clients in responding to government audits and investigations.
A former partner in the highly-regarded McKenna Long & Aldridge government contracts practice, Mr. Workmaster is recognized as an expert on a wide range of government contracting issues – including contracting on the battlefield, cost allowability, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), contract funding, requests for equitable adjustment, the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules program, and the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). He also is a recognized leader on FCA issues and has appeared on NBC's The TODAY Show and Canadian TV's National News to discuss the highly publicized FCA case against the cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Education
J.D., Regent University School of Law, summa cum laude, 2000
B.A., University of Florida, magna cum laude, 1997
Cara Wulf
Partner, McCarter & English
Cara Wulf is a partner in the Government Contracts & Global Trade practice group at McCarter & English. She focuses her practice on government contracts and regulations. She has extensive experience counseling clients regarding compliance with federal, state, and local public procurement requirements. She also assists in litigation involving bid protests, claims, and other disputes before federal agencies, courts and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Cara is a frequent lecturer for Federal Publications on U.S. domestic preference statutes, regulations and executive orders as they apply to the U.S. Government supply chain.
Education
MBA, Babson College
JD, University of Michigan Law School
BA, University of Michigan
Gina Yakone
Senior Cybersecurity Consultant & vCISO at Agio
Gina Yacone is a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant & vCISO with Agio’s Raleigh, NC office. Gina is an information security strategist and speaker with a unique technical vision and business acumen. She is responsible for educating organizations about the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape and helping them build a dynamic cybersecurity and privacy programs. She loves focusing on the unique challenges today’s organizations face.
Gina is a designated CompTIA Subject Matter Expert and holds certifications from ISACA as a Certified Data Privacy Solution Engineer (CDPSE), (ISC) 2 as a Systems Security Certified Practitioner, CompTIA in Security Plus (Sec+), as well as the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) as a Certified CSF Practitioner (CCSFP) and a Certified HITRUST Quality Professional (CHQP).
Prior to her work in information security, Gina was a licensed private investigator for Barry A. Cohen, P.A., in Tampa, FL. While there, she specialized in high-profile, complex litigation.
Education
Gina holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Miami, Miami, FL., and is pursuing her master’s degree in cybersecurity from the University of New Hampshire.
Carl A. Young
CEO, Consilium Solutions, LLC
Carl Young is a United States Army Colonel retiring in 2021 with over 27 years of experience as a Signal, Information Systems Engineering, and Cyberspace Operations officer. Carl founded Consilium Solutions, LLC in 2020 with the aim of enabling partners to best leverage their data as strategic resources and supporting business operations with a resilient, protected, and agile data ecosystem.
Carl has nearly three decades’ experience in information technology systems design, engineering, security, and operations.
Theresa Youngblood
Counsel, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Theresa Youngblood has significant international trade compliance and regulatory law experience and advises domestic and international entities in the public and private sectors on building successful strategies and on dispute resolution. She offers her clients the right mix of dedicated and driven, smart and savvy, and knowledgeable and approachable – gained over the course of the last 20 years.
She has extensive experience in providing tailored counsel for matters involving export control and compliance, particularly with regard to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Customs and Border Protection regulations, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions regulations. Theresa also guides clients through U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regulations, in particular as export and import regulations impact her client’s the Foreign Military Sales contracts.
Theresa advises clients on these complex compliance issues and creates and launches internal compliance programs tailored to entities large, medium and small. She works with and on behalf of her clients regarding virtually all aspects of export and import transactions, including all affected corporate functions, to address transactional, operational, policy and compliance considerations. She is intimately aware of the issues affecting clients in the areas of export-import control, licensing compliance, commodity jurisdiction and classification determinations; reporting and compliance requirements for licenses, agreements and exemptions and exceptions; coordination with forwarders, brokers, agents, and third parties; and drafting and filing necessary documentation for tangible and intangible shipments and transfers.
Additionally, Theresa is well-versed across the international trade spectrum and handles internal and external audit activities. She briefs and advises senior leadership on metrics as to various trade control matters touching all business operations, from executive management and business development to engineering, research and development, finance, supply chain and procurement, and information technology.
Education
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, (J.D.)
Erin Baines Jones International Academic Scholarship Recipient, 1993
Northwestern University, (B.A.), political science, 1986
Clinton Yu
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Clinton Yu advises clients on compliance with U.S. trade and investment laws, including customs and import regulations, export controls (ITAR & EAR), economic sanctions (OFAC), and CFIUS.
Education
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 2006
University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2009
Christopher Yukins
Lynn David Research Professor in Government Procurement Law
Lynn David Research Professor in Government Procurement Law, George Washington University Law School
Christopher R. Yukins has many decades of experience in public procurement law. He writes and speaks regularly internationally on issues of environmentally sustainable public procurement.
He teaches on U.S. (federal and state) and foreign public procurement law, and focuses on emerging public policy questions in public procurement around the world.
He is an active member of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association, and previously served as the president of the Tysons Corner Chapter of the National Contract Management Association.
He is a faculty advisor to the Public Contract Law Journal, and has contributed pieces on procurement reform, international procurement, electronic commerce and information technology to a broad range of journals, including Washington Technology, Government Contractor, Legal Times, and Federal Computer Week. He has published on procurement reform in scholarly journals, including the Georgetown Journal of International Law, and Public Procurement Law Review (United Kingdom).
Together with his colleagues at the George Washington University Law School, Steven Schooner and Jessica Tillipman, he runs a popular colloquium series on procurement developments in the United States and internationally.
In private practice, Chris Yukins has been an associate, partner, and of counsel at leading national firms; he is currently counsel to the firm of Arnold & Porter LLP. He served as an advisor to the U.S. delegation to the working group on reform of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Procurement Law, and he teaches and speaks often on issues of comparative and international procurement law. He previously served for several years as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled trials and appeals involving bid challenges and contract claims against the U.S. government.
Further background on his work is available on his blog,
www.publicprocurementinternational.com
.
Education
EDUCATION
BA, Harvard University; JD, University of Virginia
Katherine Zablonski
Manager, Government Contracting Advisory, CohnReznick
Katherine Zablonski, MBA, is a Manager in CohnReznick’s Global Consulting Solutions practice, focusing on the Government Contracting industry. She has over thirteen years of combined experience in Government Contracting, Finance and Accounting Operations Management, Financial Compliance and Controls, Travel and Expense Financial Management, Forensic Accounting, Government Due Diligence, Human Capital, and Recruiting.
Throughout her career, Katherine has been a strategic consultant to C-level executives, providing the data and analysis to aid in strategic and tactical decision-making. Her experience covers many areas, including preparation and review of incurred cost submissions, government contractors' policies and procedures documentation, government invoicing, disaster recovery support for government contractors, compliance in government travel and expense financial management, supporting government contractors through government audits, including major government business systems, assistance in forensic reviews, litigation support for expert witness testimony, revenue recognition for 606 compliance, and government compliance for due diligence efforts.
Education
Liberty University: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
George Mason University: Bachelor of Arts
M Yuan Zhou
Of Counsel, Crowell & Moring
M. Yuan Zhou is a counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm's Government Contracts Group.
Yuan’s practice includes a wide range of investigatory, counseling, and transactional capabilities, including: internal investigations related to the False Claims Act, the Procurement Integrity Act, and other civil and criminal matters; compliance reviews and enhancing contractor compliance programs; representing clients in suspension and debarment proceedings; counseling on data rights issues, challenges, and disputes; mandatory disclosures; and providing government contracts due diligence in transactional matters. As part of the firm’s State and Local Practice, Yuan also counsels clients on state and local procurement issues, ranging from bid protests to contract negotiations with state agencies, and advises prime contractors and subcontractors on a variety of issues, including prime/sub contract formation, disputes, and other government contracts issues.
Prior to law school, Yuan was a special assistant at the White House and a White House intern for the Obama Administration.
Education
Zhou received her J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School, where she was a Dean's Fellow, notes editor of the Public Contract Law Journal, and a member of the Moot Court Board.
Levi Zielinski
CPA, Manager, Capital Edge Consulting
Levi Zielinski is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., based in the company’s Pittsburgh, PA office. Levi has over a decade of experience in addressing various accounting and compliance issues related to Federal government grants, and internal control assessments. Levi’s expertise includes Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), FAR Cost Principles, and Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities (2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance).
Levi is well experienced in working with government contractors and Federal award recipients of varying size, complexity, and industry focus in the areas of accounting and internal controls. Levi has also supported clients with Business Systems Compliance, including risk assessment and Policy and Procedure Development. He has also assisted clients with Subrecipient Monitoring, Audit Support, Audit Findings Resolution, and other regulatory compliance matters.
Prior to joining Capital Edge, Levi was an audit manager for Maher Duessel, CPAs, a member of the AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center. While at Maher Duessel, CPAs, Levi supervised and performed audits over both not-for-profit and governmental entities, including Single Audits under both OMB Circular A-133 and Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200, Subpart F (Single Audit).
Levi is a registered CPA with the Pennsylvania Board of Accountancy. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Education
Levi attended Grove City College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.