The Peel

Mastering the Business Exit Journey with Adam McNair: What Does a Successful Exit Look Like for You?

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey featuring Adam McNair. Episodes will focus on Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting. The series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you're just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance.
In the first episode, David Blackburn talks with ⁠Adam McNair⁠ about a critical question every business owner must face: What does a successful exit look like for you? From maximizing profits and preserving legacy to ensuring team continuity and simplifying handoffs, this episode unpacks the diverse goals and complex emotions tied to exiting a business. With real-world examples and expert advice, it emphasizes the importance of early, ongoing conversations and tailored preparation based on your exit goals. Whether you're years away or thinking about selling soon, this episode offers essential guidance to help you plan strategically and avoid common pitfalls.
To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To view all of our podcast series, visit our ⁠podcast page⁠.

From Low-Code to Local AI: How APV is Driving the Next Wave of Digital Transformation with Manuel Miranda

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Manuel Miranda, Chief AI and Growth Officer at APV, a mission-focused tech company that’s quietly revolutionizing government and enterprise services through cutting-edge solutions. From low-code/no-code development to scalable AI and Agile DevSecOps, APV’s work is having a real-world impact, including recent contract wins at HHS.
Manuel brings deep technical expertise and visionary thinking as he unpacks the rise of on-device AI, exploring its growing importance for privacy, power efficiency, and low-latency use cases in defense, healthcare, education, and government services. He also discusses how smaller, more efficient LLMs and better hardware are unlocking new frontiers, like AI mentors for lifelong learning and local AI-driven diagnostics in rural communities.
From government automation to personalized education and even the ethics of AI dependency, Manuel offers insights that will resonate with tech leaders, federal innovators, and anyone navigating the future of intelligent systems.
To connect with Manuel, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about APV, 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.

Mathtech’s Frank Nestore on AI, Data, and Doing More with Less in Government

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Frank Nestore, Vice President of Mathtech, a 50-year-old employee-owned consulting firm making a strategic move into the federal space after decades of success with state governments and commercial clients.
Frank discusses how Mathtech is bringing proven modernization strategies, pragmatic AI adoption frameworks, and data-driven insights to agencies navigating increased demands, shrinking budgets, and rapidly evolving technology. From human services and taxation to transportation and fraud prevention, Mathtech’s focus is on use-case-first transformation, where AI isn’t just a buzzword, but a carefully aligned tool used to solve real, mission-critical problems.
With a strong emphasis on clean data as the on-ramp to AI, agile pilots, stakeholder engagement, and aligning tech efforts with measurable outcomes, Frank shares how Mathtech helps agencies modernize without losing sight of the human element. He also explores how AI can address rampant fraud and identity abuse and why fostering a culture of alignment and accountability is just as important as the tools themselves.
To connect with Frank, visit his LinkedIn page here.
To learn more about Mathtech, visit their website here.

Cybersecurity, Contracts and Culture: De-risking Your Deal Before You Sell with Sarah Djamshidi and Cy Alba

The Real Deal is a new Peel series created by Speedshift Ventures and PilieroMazza PLLC. Episodes will explore the fast-evolving world of M&A in the government contracting space. This series dives deep into the realities facing buyers, sellers, advisors, and operators—unpacking the trends, risks, and decisions behind successful (and sometimes failed) deals. In this premiere episode, Sarah Djamshidi, President and Managing Partner at Speedshift Ventures and Cy Alba, Partner at PilieroMazza PLLC unravel the complex dynamics shaping mergers and acquisitions in government contracting today.
Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, is a licensed investment banker with over two decades of experience advising more than 300 government contractors. She shares invaluable insight into what makes a business truly ready to sell in 2025—from strong margins and pipeline visibility to key positions on vehicles like GSA and OASIS+. Sarah also walks through the biggest deal-breakers she sees, including due diligence blind spots, integration missteps, cultural mismatches, and overreliance on founder relationships. Her approach emphasizes strategic preparation and risk awareness, helping sellers avoid costly surprises.
Cy Alba, a partner at PilieroMazza, offers deep legal perspective on the evolving regulatory landscape. He breaks down the rising importance of 800-171 and CMMC compliance, sharing why early transparency and risk mitigation are critical in preserving deal value. Sai explains how AI usage in federal proposals is becoming less controversial under the current administration, and how OTAs and teaming with OEMs are boosting valuation potential. He also addresses how contractors should respond when facing a de-scoping modification or a termination for convenience, laying out legal protections, proactive strategies, and real-world examples of how to protect your interests.
This episode is packed with insights and actionable guidance for government contractors navigating the buy-sell landscape in a year defined by scrutiny, compliance, and opportunity. Whether you’re preparing to exit or preparing to buy, you’ll walk away better equipped to evaluate readiness, manage risk, and close with confidence.
To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.
Learn more about Speedshift Advisors by visiting their webpage here.To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about PilieroMazza PLLC by visiting their webpage here.
To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Partner First, Protect Always: Lessons from Scott Hopper’s Playbook

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Scott Hopper, President of Hopper Consulting and a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with over 27 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management. With a distinguished military career that included war planning, IT modernization, and serving as executive officer to top-level defense leaders, Scott brings a deep understanding of national security and the resilience of critical infrastructure.
Since retiring from the Air Force, Scott has worked with major government contracting firms before launching his own consultancy, aiming to transform how government and industry approach supply chain security. He shares candid insights into the growing threat of foreign interference, specifically China’s efforts to disrupt U.S. logistics through strategies like “Volt Typhoon”, and how small businesses and local governments can better defend against cyber and supply chain vulnerabilities.
To connect with Scott, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Hopper Consulting by visiting their webpage 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.

Reimagining Government Services with Larry Buffondo of MO

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn welcomes Larry Bafundo, the newly appointed President of MO, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business making major waves in the federal and commercial innovation spaces. With a background spanning federal agencies, including the Department of Labor and the GSA’s Technology Modernization Fund, Larry brings a rare dual perspective from both inside and outside government.
He shares how MO is leveraging human-centered design, agile development, and modular system architecture to help agencies like VA, USDA, CMS, and the Air Force modernize services and transform digital experiences. Larry also dives into how MO is reimagining service design for the AI era and building plug-and-play solutions that reduce complexity, drive outcomes, and enable governments to do more with less.
With AI transformation accelerating, shrinking budgets, and increasing pressure on state and federal systems, Larry explains how MO is evolving from a services-first model to one that includes repeatable, scalable product solutions, all while keeping the human experience at the core. Expect insights on what’s next in public sector innovation, how to build for resilience, and why understanding problems, not just pitching tech, is still the key to driving change.
To connect with Larry, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about MO, 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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.