The Peel

The Future of Emergency Response Training: AI Meets Augmented Reality with Alton Robinson and Angela Leavell

What happens when AI, augmented reality, and emergency response training come together? On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Angela Leavell of APV and Alton Robinson of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to explore the future of firefighter and emergency response training.
Fresh off being recognized at the FXP event for their U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) | Fire & Emergency Services Certification Program, Angela and Alton share how their AR Incident Commander and AI Mentor project is transforming traditional learning into immersive, interactive experiences. Instead of “death by PowerPoint,” trainees step into realistic scenarios where AI acts as a responsive digital coach—guiding decisions, reinforcing concepts, and building confidence in high-stakes environments.
Alton reflects on his 35+ years as a firefighter and Air Force Chief, while Angela explains how emerging technologies are reshaping e-learning for today’s workforce. Together, they discuss how immersive training improves engagement, increases readiness, and reduces risk while preparing the next generation of emergency responders.
If you’re curious about the future of training, AI in government, or how technology is redefining mission readiness, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
To connect with Angela, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about AVP at their website here.
To connect with Alton, follow him on LinkedIn here.

Preparing for What’s Next: Strategy, Systems, and Financial Visibility with Ted Rose and Wally Angel

What does it really take to be financially ready in today’s unpredictable market?
In this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with Ted Rose (Founder & CEO of Rose Financial Solutions) and Wally Angel (Strategic CFO & CPA) to break down the real challenges facing government contractors and what leaders need to do now to stay ahead.
From navigating massive industry shifts and contract uncertainty to preparing for AI-driven finance and evolving compliance requirements, this conversation goes beyond theory into practical strategy. Ted and Wally share insights from decades of experience, including how companies can move from “survival mode” to growth, build true financial visibility, and position themselves for long-term success—or even a future exit.
They also preview the upcoming FaaS Conference, where leaders will dive deeper into financial readiness, data security, systems integration, and M&A strategy.
If you’re a CEO, CFO, or decision-maker in GovCon, this episode is your roadmap to making smarter, faster decisions in a changing landscape.
For more information and to register for the FaaS Conference on June 9, 2026, click here. 
To connect with Ted, follow him on LinkedIn here.To connect with Wally, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Rose Financial Solutions at their website here.

What to Expect at VETS 26: Access, Strategy, and Growth with Lauren Masters

What makes VETS26 one of the most impactful events in the veteran small business community? In this episode, Lauren Masters gives an inside look at how this year’s conference is evolving beyond traditional formats to deliver real business development outcomes. With more than 25 federal agencies, prime contractors, and industry leaders participating, attendees won’t just hear about opportunities; they’ll engage directly with the people who influence them.
Lauren shares how VETS 26 is shifting to a more dynamic, customizable experience, with new focus areas like commercial diversification, targeted matchmaking sessions, and content designed for every level of an organization. From entrepreneurs just entering the federal space to established firms looking to scale, this conference is built to meet businesses where they are and help them grow.
If you’re looking to build smarter relationships, understand where the market is headed, and walk away with actionable next steps, this episode gives you a preview of why VETS26 is worth the investment.
To learn more about the VETS26 and register, click here.
To connect with Lauren, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about NVSBC by visiting their website here.

Deliver What Matters: Rethinking Value in Government with Jimmie Butler

In this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with Jimmie Butler, founder of StrategiX and author of the upcoming book Deliver What Matters. Jimmy brings both creativity and candor to a conversation that challenges how government delivers digital services.
At the heart of the discussion is a powerful story of a single mother navigating a broken system that works on paper but fails in practice. Jimmy uses this story to unpack a bigger issue: government doesn’t just have a technology problem, it has a delivery and operating model problem.
He shares why Agile, UX, and modernization efforts alone aren’t enough, and introduces a product-led approach focused on outcomes, accountability, and rebuilding trust, both internally and with the public. 
To connect with Jimmie, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about StrategiX at their website here.

Cutting Through the Noise in Business Development with Ryan Rees

What does it take to move from delivery on the front lines to driving strategy and growth in GovCon? In this episode of The Peel, ⁠Ryan Rees⁠, Director of Federal Health Strategy, Tantus Technologies, Inc., shares his 25-year journey from hands-on technical roles to leading federal health strategy—and the mindset shift that made it possible. He dives into how understanding the full business lifecycle, leveraging data-driven decision making, and prioritizing the right opportunities can cut through the noise and increase your chances of winning. If you’re looking to sharpen your business development approach and think more strategically about growth, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 
 
To connect with Ryan, follow him on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠. Learn more about Tantus Technologies at their website ⁠here⁠.

Stop Signing That: The Truth About GovCon Contracts with Monica Randall

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Monica Randall, founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to unpack one of the most overlooked and risky areas of government contracting: contracts themselves. Drawing on decades of experience, Monica shares where small businesses get into trouble, from skipping NDAs to signing subcontracts they don’t fully understand, and why relationships don’t replace protection once money is on the table.
The conversation dives into common pitfalls like “pay when paid” clauses, missing teaming agreements, and one-sided terms from large primes, while highlighting when growing companies need real contract expertise. It’s a candid look at how the right, or wrong, agreement can make or break a business in GovCon.
To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about The Randall Group at their website here.

MAPS Draft RFP #5: Key Questions Every Contractor Should Be Asking with Eric Nusbaum

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire welcomes back Eric Nusbaum, CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group to unpack the latest developments around the Army’s MAPS draft RFP #5. 
The discussion opens by stepping back to clarify what MAPS actually is, who should be paying attention, and how this massive, no-ceiling IDIQ reshapes opportunities across the Army and broader DOW landscape. From there, the focus shifts quickly to what’s changed in draft #5, with questions centered on how updates to evaluation criteria, scoring, and eligibility could impact competitiveness and who is best positioned to win.
Eric provides insight into what’s realistic, what might shift, and how industry should interpret recent activity like listening sessions, surveys, and acquisition strategy releases. Finally, he zeroes in on the most pressing question for listeners: what should companies be doing right now to prepare, qualify, and stay competitive before the final RFP drops.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.

Why State & Local Is the Next Frontier in GovCon with John Foster

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with John Foster, Chief Impact Officer at Fearless and one of the company’s earliest team members, to explore how his 15+ years of experience in digital services and mission-driven growth are shaping real outcomes across government.
The conversation dives into the growing shift toward state and local work, where tighter budgets and rising expectations are forcing agencies to rethink how they prioritize, modernize, and deliver services. John shares his perspective on where states are getting it right, where they struggle, and why truly understanding constituent needs is the foundation for any successful transformation.
From common pitfalls in modernization efforts to what effective collaboration between government and industry actually looks like, this episode highlights a consistent theme: success isn’t just about technology, it’s about alignment. Clear outcomes, shared decision-making, and strong communication across stakeholders ultimately determine whether projects succeed or stall.
This episode is a practical and honest look at how digital transformation really happens at the state level, and why people, more than technology, are often the biggest factor in getting it right.
To connect with John, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Fearless at their website here.

How AI Is Changing Digital Marketing with Janet Waring

Janet Waring, Partner and CEO of ArtForm Agency, joins Shelley McGuire on The Peel to discuss how marketing, user experience, and AI-driven search are reshaping how organizations—especially government agencies and GovCon companies—connect with their audiences. With nearly three decades of experience in advertising and marketing strategy, Janet shares insights from her work helping nonprofits, enterprises, government contractors, and federal agencies better target and engage their markets.
The conversation explores common user experience challenges on government websites, where complex navigation and information overload often create barriers for users. Janet shares a real-world example of how simplifying a government web journey—from eleven clicks down to one—dramatically improved engagement and increased form submissions by 800 percent, demonstrating how thoughtful UX design can directly impact outreach success.
Shelley and Janet also dive into the evolving search landscape, where AI platforms and zero-click searches are changing how organizations are discovered online. Janet explains how agencies and contractors must rethink traditional SEO strategies to ensure their content is structured for AI retrieval and visibility. They discuss practical approaches to improving discoverability, maintaining credibility, and adapting content for how large language models surface information.
To connect with Janet, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about ArtForm Agency at their website here.

Behind the Curtain at NOAA: The Real Acquisition Process with Andrea Wilson

On this episode of The Peel Podcast, host Shelley McGuire catches up with Andrea Wilson, Chief of Business Operations at NOAA, who brings more than 20 years of federal acquisition experience to a candid conversation about what really happens inside a contracts office.
With a career spanning the CIA, DHS, CMS, and now NOAA, Andrea has seen acquisition from nearly every angle—Contract Specialist, Contracting Officer, Procurement Analyst, COR, and now senior leadership overseeing HR, facilities, budget, and contracts. She shares how her perspective has evolved from being transactional, focused on deadlines and documentation, to becoming a strategic acquisition leader who understands culture, mission alignment, and where teams struggle most.
Andrea offers insight into what industry often misunderstands about federal acquisition decisions, including the layers of scrutiny, policy constraints, and approvals that shape even the simplest action. She explains why urgency doesn’t always translate to speed in government and why transparency and patience matter more than many realize.
The conversation also dives into leadership. Andrea outlines what she would fix first if she walked into a chaotic contracts office: creating visibility through tracking systems, enforcing individual accountability, and establishing a consistent cadence of communication across teams. Her approach is practical, grounded, and rooted in real experience, stabilizing and strengthening acquisition operations.
To connect with Andrea, follow her on LinkedIn here.