The Peel

Decoding the GSA's Moves: Katey Grogan on Industry Impact and Opportunities

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Katey Grogan, President of K&G Enterprises, a leading government business development firm specializing in federal and state procurement strategies.
With over two decades of experience navigating the complex world of government contracting, Katie offers a sharp, no-nonsense breakdown of the current landscape—including GSA’s procurement consolidation, the evolving definition of “merit-based contracting,” and the implications of the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) rewrite. She provides insider insights into what contractors need to know, how to stay ahead, and why direct industry feedback is more critical than ever.
Whether you're a small business or a large prime, Katie’s expert guidance will help you understand how to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing federal marketplace.
To connect with Katey visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about K&G Enterprisses by visiting their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Inside Oddball’s Rise in GovTech Without the Suit & Tie with Travis Sorensen and Rob Wilkinson

In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Travis Sorensen, CEO, and Rob Wilkinson, CTO of Oddball—the “strangely human” digital agency making major waves in federal IT. Oddball partners with federal agencies like VA, CMS, and others to deliver modern, scalable software solutions that are intuitive, secure, and citizen-focused. Their work helps modernize critical services—from health benefits to digital accessibility—by blending thoughtful UX, agile delivery, and deep mission alignment.
Travis and Rob share the story behind the Oddball name, how their remote-first culture fuels innovation, and why understanding the why behind every federal project sets their team apart. They also dive into the future of AI in government, the importance of company culture, and what it takes for newer digital firms to succeed in an increasingly complex GovCon space.
To connect with Travis, visit his LinkedIn page here.To connect with Rob, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Oddball, visit their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Podcast Flashback: What It Really Takes to Win in Federal Health with Nichol Case and Matt Smith

In July 2024, OrangeSlices hosted a Lunch & Learn session. Listen in on this panel as two of the sharpest minds in federal health business development—Nichol Case, CEO of Insight Advisors Federal Consulting, and Matt Smith, President and Owner of Business Acumen Consulting Group—joined me on Orange Slices to break down what it really takes to succeed at CMS.
Nichol brings over 25 years of strategic experience in client engagement, capture, teaming, and one of the most overlooked differentiators in federal contracting - orals coaching. Her expertise in CMS-specific strategies and program alignment is unmatched. Matt contributes more than 30 years of leadership in both commercial and federal health, with a specialty in payer systems and a deep understanding of the outsourced operational model that drives CMS.
Together, they offer a candid, experience-backed look at how CMS differs from other health agencies like VA and DHA—not just in what they buy, but in how and why they buy it. From their thoughts on risk tolerance and modernization to practical guidance on BD alignment and cultural fit, Nicole and Matt don’t hold back.
To connect with Nichol, visit her LinkedIn page here.To connect with Matt, visit his LinkedIn page here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Innovation That Listens: Building with Empathy with Infocap AI’s Dan Keldsen

n this episode of The Peel, host Shelley McGuire sits down with Dan Keldsen, Chief Innovation Officer at Infocap AI. From his roots in enterprise IT to revolutionizing call center experiences, Dan brings a refreshing, deeply human take on designing systems that work for the people using them, whether they're customers or employees. Dan shares insights on the power of collaboration, planning for real human behavior, and how poor design in customer service systems (especially call centers) costs companies more than they realize. 
They explore how mining real user questions and applying modern tools like generative AI can vastly improve customer and employee experiences. His core message: observe, listen, simplify. Ultimately, investing in making the customer and employee experience simple and enjoyable naturally translates to better customer service, creating a ripple effect.
To connect with Dan, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Infocap AI by visiting their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Deal or No Deal? Navigating the New Landscape of GovCon M&A with Adam McNair

In this episode of the Peel, David Blackburn sits down with seasoned GovCon executive and operations expert Adam McNair to explore how operational adaptability is becoming essential in today’s shifting federal marketplace. The two discuss the increasing value of community among similarly situated businesses, especially for smaller firms seeking peer support and strategic insight.
Jason shares why collaborating through forward-thinking venues can spark innovation and collective growth, noting that not all great ideas come from within your own walls. Additionally, he unpacks emerging trends around small business and socioeconomic program dynamics, including the unpredictable future of 8(a) contracts under the current administration.
To connect with Adam, visit him on LinkedIn here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Beyond the Screen: Investing in People in a Remote World with Leann Adams

In this episode of The Peel,  Shelley McGuire sits down with Leann Adams, Director of Service Delivery at Armavel, for a conversation about people-first leadership in the government contracting space. With a background spanning higher education, events, and program management, Leann shares how Armavel, built remote-first from the start, prioritizes intentional team development, creative hiring practices, and leadership growth at every level. She offers real-world strategies for cultivating connection, mentoring remotely, and breaking the robotic mold in workforce development. 
To connect with Leann, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Armavel by visiting their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

How Relationships and Solutions Set Us Apart with Chris Arbore and JJ Cooney

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Chris Arbore, President of Disruptive Solutions, and JJ Cooney, Vice President, for a conversation about the company's bold new directions. Known for their cybersecurity expertise, Disruptive Solutions is expanding its impact by launching an OEM Solutions division, a move designed to deepen their trusted relationships with clients and bring cutting-edge technology solutions into focus.
Chris and JJ share how Disruptive’s roots in cyber defense continue to anchor their growth, but the company is pushing boundaries into AI, quantum technology, and infrastructure optimization. They explain how cybersecurity isn’t just a specialty but also it’s the foundation for everything from cloud solutions to future-ready IT infrastructure. The new division isn’t about selling just any technology but carefully curating innovative solutions that reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and drive down costs for government and commercial clients.
The discussion dives deep into how the Disruptive team is staying ahead of rapid technological shifts, new government initiatives around AI and cybersecurity, and evolving acquisition strategies. Chris and JJ highlight how Disruptive’s focus on education, trusted advisory services, and proactive planning ensures their clients aren’t just reacting to change — they're staying ahead of it.
To connect with Chris, visit his LinkedIn page here.To connect with JJ, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Disruptive Solutions, visit their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Opportunity in the Eye of the Storm: A BD Game Plan with Eric Nusbaum and Blake Phillips

This episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire talks with Eric Nusbaum, CEO and Blake Phillips, COO of ENcompass Consulting Group for a timely and tactical discussion on how federal contractors can survive, and even thrive, amid the ongoing DOGE-driven disruption in the government contracting space.
Eric explores how companies can weather the storm, offering practical strategies for cutting costs and managing overhead in the short term. Meanwhile, Blake dives into how businesses can steer into the storm, leveraging disruption as opportunity by pivoting into new scopes, agencies, and vehicles.
Listen in and walk away with clear takeaways on navigating federal budget shifts, choosing the right contract vehicles, and exploring new markets like DoD or SLED. Whether your business is bracing for impact or ready to charge forward, this episode offers guidance from two seasoned experts who have seen both sides of the storm.
To connect with Eric visit him on LinkedIn here.To connect with Blake visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group visit their website here.

The Truth About AI in Proposal Writing with GovEagle’s Akash Mandavilli

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn chats with Akash Mandavilli, co-founder of GovEagle, an AI-powered proposal platform built for government contractors. GovEagle acts as a force multiplier, integrating with tools like Salesforce and playing well with “best-of-breed” solutions, rather than trying to be everything. Akash highlights common misconceptions around AI, including the idea that it can fully automate proposals or that training a custom model will outperform foundation models. He encourages teams to start small with tools like ChatGPT or Copilot before leveling up to advanced platforms, and always to request a real-world bake-off to see what the tech can do.
To connect with Akash, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about GovEagle, visit their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

CMS Secrets to Success with Raghu Akkapeddi, Bil Westerfield, and Robert Hicks

In July 2024, OrangeSlices hosted a  Lunch & Learn session. Listen in on this panel as three prominent voices in the CMS contracting space - Raghu Akkapeddi, CEO, Index Analytics, Bil Westerfield, President, Magpie Health Analytics, and moderator Robert Hicks, Principal, TransformIT, share their origin stories, hard-won lessons, and the keys to thriving in one of the most competitive federal markets. From the importance of trust-based partnerships to mission-first delivery, this candid conversation delivers valuable takeaways for any GovCon business aiming to break into or grow within CMS.
Whether you're an emerging contractor or a seasoned player, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how authentic collaboration and customer-focused service pave the way for long-term success.
To connect with Raghu, visit his LinkedIn page here.To connect with Bil, visit his LinkedIn page here.To connect with Robert, visit his LinkedIn page here.