The Peel

Beyond the Buzzwords: Practical AI for Federal Leaders with Empower AI’s Jennifer Sample

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI, to explore how this forward-leaning IT services company is helping federal agencies navigate, and operationalize the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Jennifer shares why she joined Empower AI, describing it as a rare blend of innovation and rigor, where deep tech meets mission-critical government work. From overcoming data silos and aligning internal stakeholders to choosing the right use cases and balancing tools with services, Jennifer offers practical advice for agencies looking to harness AI for meaningful outcomes. She emphasizes the need for human-centered design, strong data governance, and achievable quick wins to drive adoption. With a unique perspective rooted in both R&D and operational deployment, Jennifer paints a picture of Empower AI as not just embracing the AI future—but actively shaping it.
To connect with Jennifer, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Empower AI, visit their website here.
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Matthew Sweatt of DivIHN Integration on Career Longevity, AI Tools, and Why Culture Fit Still Matters

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley welcomes Matthew Sweatt, a standout leader with over 20 years of success in business development and government contracting and Vice President of Federal Solutions at DivIHN Integration. Known across the federal space for his high energy and extensive industry presence, Matt brings sharp insight into the evolving staffing landscape and what it means for both agencies and candidates today.
Matt dives into how AI is transforming job markets, why upskilling every 2.5 years is now essential, the key differences between federal and commercial staff augmentation, like speed vs. structure, and why cultural fit is often overlooked in government hiring. He also shares how DivIHN Integration is taking an innovative approach to reskilling talent, working with educational institutions and nonprofits to fill future-ready roles in cybersecurity and more.
To connect with Matthew, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about DivIHN Integration by visiting their webpage here.
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IntegrityM on Fighting AI-Powered Healthcare Fraud with Natasha Williams and Beverly Rohtert

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn speaks with Natasha Williams, COO, and Beverly Rohtert, VP at IntegrityM, an award-winning, woman-owned small business leading the charge in fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) prevention for nearly two decades. With deep expertise in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial healthcare, Natasha and Beverly detail how generative AI—voice cloning, deepfakes, and synthetic identities—is reshaping fraud in alarming ways. 
They explain how today’s fraud is faster, scalable, and harder to detect, demanding that integrity professionals rethink even what it means to be “proactive.” IntegrityM is adapting by pushing beyond rules-based systems to intelligence-led strategies that integrate prompt engineering awareness, advanced analytics, and cross-functional detection capabilities. 
As Beverly notes, fraud is no longer sloppy; it’s sophisticated, and staying ahead requires constant education, strategic thinking, and understanding how AI is evolving. With a clear passion for fighting fraud and protecting healthcare dollars, the IntegrityM team stands out as a trusted partner for agencies seeking real-time, cutting-edge fraud detection solutions.
To connect with Natasha, visit her LinkedIn page here.To connect with Beverly, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about IntegrityM, 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.

Robert Turner unveils RFQ Plus: Because You Don’t Have Time to Read 200 Solicitations

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Robert Turner, CEO of rTurner Consulting, to explore how federal contractors can finally cut through the noise of countless RFQs and task orders. Robert introduces RFQ Plus, an AI-powered solution built to streamline one of the most time-consuming challenges in GovCon: identifying which solicitations are actually worth your time.
Instead of spending hours manually reading and filtering through documents, RFQ Plus ingests and analyzes them instantly—scoring each against your company’s specific bid criteria and surfacing only the most relevant, high-fit opportunities. With explainable and customizable scoring, it helps teams focus faster, respond smarter, and avoid wasted effort. If you’re drowning in solicitations and unsure where to focus, RFQ Plus may be the clarity you’ve been missing.
To connect with Robert, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about rTurner Consulting, visit their website here.Learn more about RFQ Plus 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.

Army AOS, SEWP VI & OASIS+: Hot Takes from the GovCon Front Lines with Eric Nusbaum

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Eric Nusbaum, CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group, to cut through the noise and deliver a fast-paced, insight-packed breakdown of what’s happening right now across major GWAC and IDIQ programs.
They delve into the Army’s new AOS model, a streamlined approach to accessing innovative solutions, and provide key updates on ITES-4H, which is finally moving toward awarding contracts. They also tackle NASA SEWP VI’s current limbo, with NASA still leading the charge despite a possible GSA takeover, and unpack the ongoing delays and protests around CIOSP4.
Not all the news is good: DHS has officially canceled FirstSource III and PACS III, marking a major shift in how future contracts will be handled. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel, OASIS+ is rolling out new award waves, expanding into five new domains, and preparing for on-ramping opportunities later this year.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠. To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, 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.

Leading with Code: Flatter’s Brittany Chiang Bold Approach to GovCon

In this episode, David speaks with Brittany Chiang, CEO of Flatter Inc., a fast-growing federal contractor deeply committed to innovation and national security. Brittany shares how Flatter is leveraging AI and automation across its enterprise, training over 20 custom GPTs to enhance capture and proposal development, enabling less experienced team members to contribute meaningfully to data calls and opportunity analysis.
With a unique edge as a CEO who codes, Brittany explains how Flatter's technical capabilities allow them to bid faster and more frequently, even extending support to their mentor-protégé partners by provisioning internal tools to help them succeed on smaller contracts. The company is actively piloting AI tools in federal training environments and is fully committed to remaining in the federal market despite prior exploration of commercial applications.
She also highlights the opportunity for small businesses to thrive through speed, innovation, and responsiveness, especially given the lack of unsolicited proposals seen by agencies. Flatter Inc. sees this evolving environment as a moment of transformation, not hesitation, and Brittany offers a compelling, optimistic perspective on what’s next for government contracting.
To connect with Brittany, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Flatter  Inc., visit their website here.

Built by a Seller, for Sellers: The Story Behind Subhoo with Mark Flournoy

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Mark Flournoy, a Marine Corps veteran and the founder of Subhoo, which is redefining how federal sales and BD teams uncover teaming relationships across the government contracting landscape. Drawing from two decades of experience, both as a government insider and a commercial seller with companies like Amazon, Red Hat, and F5, Mark created Subhoo to solve a very personal pain point: the frustrating lack of clear, actionable insight into prime-subcontractor dynamics.
Mark shares how he’s personally building and refining the tool based on real-world feedback, what’s next on his roadmap (think: better search, burn rate insights, and smarter filters), and why honest critique is the key to creating something genuinely useful in the GovCon space.
Whether you’re a federal seller trying to break into a new agency, a BD leader managing up and across, or just someone tired of paying big bucks for complex tools you rarely use, this conversation might just change how you approach the market.
To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Subhoo, visit their website here.

How RELI Group is poised to take next BIG steps at CMS with Ken Hofgesang

n the latest episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Ken Hofgesang, VP of Health at RELI Group, to talk about growth, partnerships, and what it really takes to move from small business status to mid-tier success in the federal space, specifically within CMS.
Ken shares stories from his 25+ year journey in health IT, from being employee #1 at a startup to helping steer RELI Group through its “adolescent” growth phase. He reflects on what’s driven RELI’s recent success, including a major CMS contract win, and the importance of building deep, mission-aligned relationships within a single agency.
If you’re a small business eyeing your next stage or graduating from 8(a), Ken offers clear, honest advice. It’s about planning early, adjusting your internal infrastructure, and evolving your partnership strategy with both smalls and larges as your business matures.
To connect with Ken, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about RELI Group by visiting their website here.

Dr. Bob Frey Talks Project 2025, DoD Transformation, and Strategic Pivots for CEOs

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Dr. Bob Frey, renowned author, educator, and Co-Owner of Successful Proposal Strategies, to connect the dots between what’s happening inside today’s federal acquisition landscape and what GovCon leaders need to be doing right now to align.
 
Dr. Bob, whose clients have won over $8B in federal contracts, brings a rare depth of expertise shaped by nearly two decades of proposal strategy, six editions of his seminal book Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Businesses, and experience training more than 4,000 professionals across industry and government.
 
Fresh off the DoD Vanguard 250 event featuring insights from the Air Force, Navy, and the Chief Digital and AI Office, David and Dr. Bob unpack the striking alignment between current DoD priorities and the directional cues outlined in Project 2025, recent Executive Orders, and Cabinet-level policy signals.
 
You’ll hear how companies can and should interpret the acquisition keywords embedded in Project 2025, but not without also understanding how those map to Section M of a FAR-based RFP. This isn’t about theory. It’s about how CEOs and proposal teams pivot with precision and meet the moment.
 
For those navigating the changing tides of Federal acquisition, this conversation offers a timely and pragmatic lens into how to stay relevant, smart, and competitive.
 
Listen in for:
A recap of the DoD Vanguard 250’s most telling signals
How Project 2025 and recent Executive Orders are reshaping proposal strategy
Tactical tips for aligning your capture and proposal approach in 2025
What GovCon CEOs should be doing right now to future-proof their strategy
This is a must-listen for leaders who want to move from reactive to ready.
Reach out to Dr. Bob directly via email to receive PDF files of his analyses of Project 2025, signed Executive Orders (EOs) from 2025 thus far, and updated websites for Federal Cabinet-levels agencies. Email: rfrey@proposal23.com
Forum attendees and participants may purchase his latest proposal book, Successful Proposal Strategies On-the-Go! at Amazon: Successful Proposal Strategies On-the-go!: Frey, Robert: 9781685690137: Amazon.com: Books
Companies may also purchase this book directly through the publisher, Artech House, Inc., in Boston and London here. The price is lower at Artech House compared to Amazon.
 

Chasing Program Integrity: Inside Healthcare Audits with Advize Health’s CEO Jeanmarie Loria

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire welcomes Jeanmarie Loria, CEO of Advize Health LLC, a trailblazer in healthcare audit and compliance. With over a decade of leadership and a background at KPMG, Jeanmarie has built a powerhouse firm that just landed its first prime contract with CMS—a major milestone in the commercial healthcare space.
Jeanmarie dives into the biggest challenges facing program integrity, from fragmented vendor oversight to the growing influence of AI in fraud detection, and the need for human expertise to keep systems in check. She also unpacks the complex relationships between plans and providers, debunks common myths about healthcare fraud, and shares how her team brings federal-level audit standards to the commercial sector. Listen in and take a look behind the curtain of healthcare audits.
To connect with Jeanmarie, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Advize Health 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.