Month: March 2022

Today I want to introduce you to a company that I admire greatly, End to End Computing.

The company amongst a host of other things specializes in Application Development (DevSecOps), Cybersecurity (continuous defense detection and responses, Cloud & IT (engineering, integration & modernization) as well as Emerging Tech.

Leading the company at the C suite are two amazing founders, Esteve mede and Carlton Harris.

Esteve is a former Federal Chief Information Security Officer with over 17 years of experience delivering results to both the private and public sector. Esteve is a dynamic Information Technology executive with a broad technology, cyber security, operations, and business background in diverse types of organizations.

Carlton has over 12 years of experience in the information security and cybersecurity field supporting a vast number of government agencies including the US Navy, National Security Agency, US Army Intelligence command, and Department of State. Carlton’s technology proficiencies are in SOC implementation, Incident Response, and Cloud Security architecture and design.

There are two reasons why I am excited for you to hear this podcast:

1. EEC has developed a centralized Security Operation Center (SOC) platform call Singularity to continuously monitor and improve the security of an organization while preventing, detecting, analyzing and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
2. EEC has created a team within their organization that brings blockchain solutions to the government space. With the launch of my new NFT on the ERC-20 I have now familiarized myself with all things blockchain. I am also seeing the potential it has to solve most of the needs that federal agencies incur.

For small businesses who may also have technical founders, listen to the portion of the interview where we discuss their change in strategy to start winning opportunities.

For IT companies wanting to model EEC success we share initial struggles, how to show the government or client they need what you are selling, also the partnership opportunities in working with EEC.

If you are serving a government client or federal agency throughout the interview We discuss how their solution is solving government client problems right now.

Lastly we meet the founders here about their backgrounds and take a few questions from the audience. This was a live interview that we did last year at the American Cyber League Grand Opening @ Quantico Cyber Hub.

Oh and by the way, they are 8a, SDVOSB, primes on Stars III, Navy Seaport, GSA Schedule 70 amongst other alphabets in the government soup mix.

Warning: It does get really technical in the middle but stick with us throughout (non technical) we do get to the good stuff after the technical piece.

Let’s welcome our next Giant, End to End Computing.

Today’s guest, Nichelle Early of Breakforth solutions previously episode #44 was recently awarded the coveted 8(a) STARS III contract after being in business for just a 8 years.

We decided to bring back her episode because we thought it super important to honor women during this time but also showcase the journey of an entrepreneur as they progress in their business.

For those who are not aware, 8(a) STARS III GWAC (Government Wide Acquisition Contract). This fourth-generation IT solutions GWAC includes a focus on emerging technologies with a contract ceiling of $50 billion.

According to GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Associate Administrator, Exodie C. Roe, III. “More than $18 billion has been awarded through GSA’s 8(a) GWACs, and many successful firms have graduated from the SBA’s 8(a) Program to compete on a larger scale.

Nichelle, the CEO of BreakForth Solutions, is a results-focused provider of technical and professional services. Through the knowledge and expertise of their personnel, they execute innovative services within the spheres of Engineering and Integration, Data and Analytics Services, IT Business Solutions, and Professional Services.

Hope you enjoy today’s episode with our next Giant, Nichelle Early.

Today’s guest Mr. Austin Tsosie is the CEO of Diné Development Corporation, a firm that advances the missions of government agencies and commercial firms by delivering IT, professional, and environmental solutions to elevate the Navajo Nation and its People.

The corporation comprises 4 subsidiaries that specialize in IT (Nova, BRIC, Dine Source, DDC IT), 2 environmental companies (DDC 4C, BRIC) , an Aerospace company (Red Canyon) and R&D company (Seventh Emergence).

Austin is an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of experience in the technology and project and portfolio management (PPM) sectors. With a background in software engineering and network administration, he worked as a project manager and analyst in managing large-scale teams across the world.

Great story, how I came to meet Austin was through Diné Development Corporation. I met the Capture specialist Tashina Atine and president Calista Pinnecoose at the 8a conference in

Florida. We connected from there and the rest is history. What makes this interview unique is that Mr. Tsosie is part of the Navajo tribe.

As a Principal Consultant, he directed IT portfolio development for global organizations spanning technology, engineering, and outsourcing industries such as American Express, Boeing, Disney, Epson, and Bank of America. In the interview we discussed: abandoned uranium mines, competitive strategy before exiting the 8a program, architecting a $100 million dollar a year federal company, the difficulty of tribes accessing capital, meeting the new SBA administrator Isabell Guzman and his journey from technologist to CEO and finding his way back to the nation.

Tune in to this episode and welcome our next Giant, Mr. Austin Tsosie.

Today’s guest, Ronnette Meyers president/CEO of JLAN solutions was recently awarded the coveted 8(a) STARS III contract.

On 2/23/22 GSA issue the notice to proceed for the second cohort of 8(a) STARS III GWAC (government wide acquisition contract). This fourth-generation IT solutions GWAC includes a focus on emerging technologies as well as performance outside of the continental United States (OCONUS). The STARS III contract has a ceiling of $50 billion.

According to GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Associate Administrator, Exodie C. Roe, III. “More than $18 billion has been awarded through GSA’s 8(a) GWACs, and many successful firms have graduated from the SBA’s 8(a) Program to compete on a larger scale.

Four of our PAL members also made the cut. Congratulations to them and if you want to get close to awardees like this and more visit our website govconedu.com/courses to find out how you can become a member of our PAL program.

I decided to bring her episode back because I thought it was important to highlight the mindset of where she was at in 2020 and what she has achieved today.

We have the luxury and privilege of having interviewed her back in 2020 just two years earlier before COVID and before the prestigious award.

Hope you enjoy this episode with our next giant, Ronnette Meyers.

Just a few days before this recording Russia invades Ukraine. Within moments I was scouring my contacts to search for someone to discuss the story. All of my experts who worked previously overseas were activated to help provide expertise to our Government on the matter.

Fortunately for me I met a charismatic guy at the 8a conference who knew a few of my podcast guests had some great stories of Ransomware cases and wanted to talk about Cyber security. Unbeknownst to me he was the former DoD Cyber Crime Director Jeffery Stutzman. His new company Trusted Internet is helping keep small business computers safe from hackers and attackers.

I believe that this episode is a must listen to by all SMB. I was always on the fence about CMMC and NIST but after engaging with Jeff for 90 minutes my mindset has completely changed. Just look up the website “shodan.io “ and click under Filters Sheet Sheet on “Hacked Websites” and you will see what I mean.

If you think like me that Cyber is like insurance Jeff will explain why that thought process is wrong. Insurance only pays out money after something has happened: it does not restore your system, bring back your data or build customer trust in your company. One of Jeff clients testified to Congress last year on the prohibitive cost of CMMC for small businesses. Jeff and I discuss both DIY and paid for you affordable solution for small firms to stay protected and work towards compliance.

He (along with DC insides) believe that Russia is about to up the anti on Cyber and Ransomware attacks on American firms. Learn how to protect yourself in today’s episode. Don’t forget to tune in until the end to hear our govcon history fact of the day.

Go grab your notepad and welcome our next Giant, Jefferey Stutzman.