The Peel

In the second episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn have a conversation with Gautam Ijoor, CEO of Alpha Omega, to uncover the strategic blueprint behind the company's meteoric rise—from a startup to a $226M powerhouse in less than nine years. Gautam shares the internal building blocks that made Alpha Omega’s growth sustainable, including redefining company values, getting the right people in the right roles, and leading with a passionate "why." He dives into how visionary planning, both for the present and the future, fuels enterprise value, drives culture, and prepares the business for bold moves like acquisitions and private equity partnerships.
With candid insights on market headwinds, strategic M&A, and how CEOs can (and should) be ambassadors for their company’s mission, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and intentional leadership in the federal contracting space.
To connect with Gautam, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire sits down with Omari Teel, Vice President of Public Sector at Publicis Sapient, a digital consulting powerhouse known for driving transformative change in both government and commercial sectors.
Omari leads a team that helps federal agencies tackle big, complex challenges, from modernizing legacy systems to enhancing public service delivery through human-centered design. His approach to customer experience (CX) is deeply rooted in data, community engagement, and outcomes, not just aesthetics. Under his leadership, Publicis Sapient has delivered impactful work across agencies like HRSA and USDA, improving equity in rural healthcare and driving policy-informed CX strategies at scale.
With a background that bridges the best of both commercial and federal practices, Omari is championing agile, fail-fast, and feedback-driven CX frameworks that lead to measurable impact, not just flashy interfaces. He emphasizes how real CX is about creating services that work efficiently, reflect real community needs, and evolve with continuous input, not just look good on the surface.
From building digital journeys that help rural doctors stay in underserved areas, to integrating commercial insights that actually resonate with federal users, Omari and his team are proving that CX done right can drive operational efficiency, equity, and satisfaction—all while reducing friction across government services.
To connect with Omari, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Publicis Sapient by visiting their webpage here.

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey featuring Adam McNair. 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 this second episode of Mastering the Business Exit Journey, host David Blackburn sits down with GovCon veteran ⁠Adam McNair⁠ to discuss the topic of Your Identity – How do you explain the value of your organization as a purchase? They unpack what really matters when preparing your company for growth, acquisition, or exit. From crafting your company story to understanding buyer profiles and valuation drivers, Adam shares decades of experience navigating both buy-side and sell-side transactions.
If you’re thinking about selling—or simply want to build a more valuable company—this episode should be a key part of your roadmap.
To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.
 

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn chats with Mandy Peckham, CEO and Founder of BSR Consulting, who brings a bold and strategic perspective to the world of emerging tech and federal contracting. As the head of a woman-owned consulting firm that helps federal agencies and innovative tech companies connect and collaborate, Mandy is on the front lines of market shifts. She’s also a venture partner in photonics and quantum technologies and CEO of an emerging healthcare tech startup, making her one of the most plugged-in voices on what’s next.
In this conversation, Mandy shares why transformation isn’t just about technology, it’s about people and trust. She delves deeply into the trends shaping government and industry, from the surge in automation and AI use cases in healthcare to the emergence of quantum and photonics innovations. Her insights on “hot fraud summer,” consolidation of federal purchasing, and the push for explainable AI highlight the urgent need for companies to adapt their strategies. Mandy emphasizes that success in today’s market requires collaboration, transparency, and knowing exactly where you fit in the mission, not just selling tech, but building trust.
She also offers a candid look at what the next 12 to 24 months could hold: increased product buying, ecosystem partnerships, GSA consolidation, and a growing demand for outcome-driven solutions. Whether you’re a product innovator or a services provider, Mandy makes it clear, the opportunity is massive, but only if you play smart, stay agile, and become a trusted partner.
To connect with Mandy, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about BSR Consulting, 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 this energizing episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire dives into the rising star of the defense contracting world—Huntsville, Alabama—with two of its most influential insiders, Allison Rhen and Jessica Washburn, with the AFCEA Huntsville chapter.
With deep roots in the community and decades of combined experience in federal contracting and workforce development, Allison and Jessica offer a front-row view into why Huntsville is becoming a serious competitor to traditional hubs like the DC area. From its growing role as a home for major defense agencies like NASA, FBI, and Redstone Arsenal to its strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and small business support, Huntsville is more than just “Rocket City”—it’s a launchpad for careers, contracts, and connections.
Allison, a key player at Torch Technologies and current president of HASBAT, champions workforce initiatives and small business access. Jessica, who leads SmartBits Consulting and heads up the local AFCEA chapter, is a driving force behind business growth and tech engagement in the region. Together, they paint a compelling picture of a city powered by leadership, accessibility, and a future-forward approach to industry.
To connect with Allison, follow her on LinkedIn here.To connect with Jessica, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about the AFCEA Huntsville chapter 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.