The Peel

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of  The Peel Podcast Shelley McGuire sits down with Lauren Wingate, VP of Strategic Development & Partnerships at TJFACT. With over 18 years in the government contracting world, Lauren is a powerhouse of positivity and strategy. The two dive into the realities of navigating the ever-evolving federal landscape including high-stakes challenges of capture management, GSA schedules, BD, and building lasting industry relationships.
She dives into how consistency, collaboration, and a strong internal team are key to success — especially when facing budget delays, procurement shifts, and a rapidly evolving federal landscape. Lauren also talks candidly about learning the full acquisition life cycle, the importance of relationships in government contracting, and how your network can become your greatest asset.

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn interviews Sukumar Iyer, CEO, Brillient Corporation. He explores his perspective on patience when working with the federal government and the importance of focusing on outcomes. Sukumar also discusses how an entrepreneurial itch led him to launch Brillient, how the company has evolved through seven versions over 19 years, and why continual reinvention is essential for success. He dives deep into the creation of ArtificiaL Intelligence Cognitive Engines (ALICE®), an AI-driven platform reshaping government efficiency, and explains how Brillient is helping agencies streamline operations, reduce costs, and embrace digital transformation. 
To connect with Sukumar, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Brillient, visit their website here.

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn chats with Lucy Martin, Vice President of Growth at PingWind, a fast-growing, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business with a unique name, inspiring mission, and impressive track record.
Lucy shares how she transitioned from large firms to helping build PingWind from the ground up—growing the company through smart acquisitions, a rock-solid mentor-protégé relationship, and a people-first culture rooted in continuous learning. Discover the story behind the company’s quirky name, their strategic leap into DOD and VA spaces, and their plan for staying true to their values as they scale into mid-tier and large business territory.
To connect with Lucy, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about PingWind, 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.