Month: August 2023

184: From Military Service to Entrepreneurial Triumph: Unveiling the Journey of LTC Gabriel Ruiz (Ret) towards Success, Resilience, and Community Impact (Repost)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In this episode, LTC Gabriel Ruiz (Ret) brings us an incredible story of success through hard work, perseverance, learning and giving back.

LTC Gabriel Ruiz is President and CEO of Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. (AITC), was recently awarded the 2017 North Florida Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Ruiz was also recognized as the 2016 North Florida District Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year.

Gabriel Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico, he served in the U.S. Army for 26 years as a Communications and Technology Acquisition Officer. In 2006 he proudly retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. This is when he then launched his business with the guidance of his mentor.

Since 2013 AITC has delivered $70M+ programs. The company is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and currently 8a certified.

After this powerful episode I promise you will walk away with lots of ideas, advice and guidance to become your own success story.

183: From Military Service to Business Triumph: Unveiling the Journey of Raymond Jardine Jr., Chairman and Founder of Kina’ole Foundation

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Today’s show is an absolute powerhouse of insights and inspiration as we sit down with the remarkable Raymond Jardine Jr., an incredible entrepreneur, leader, and military veteran. Raymond Jardine Jr., a true titan in the business world, sharing his extraordinary journey from a distinguished 33-year career in the Army to becoming the Chairman and CEO at Kina’ole Foundation. Notably, he recently earned the prestigious distinction of being named Second Runner-up for the US Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Person of the Year Award.

During his military tenure, Raymond showcased his unwavering dedication and commitment by serving in various capacities, from an enlisted soldier to retiring as a Colonel. His multifaceted experience equipped him with a wealth of leadership skills that he seamlessly transitioned into the world of entrepreneurship.

Raymond’s involvement extends beyond the boardroom. His outstanding business acumen is evident through a string of accolades including the Asian Enterprise Entrepreneur of the Year, Pacific Edge Business Executive of the Year, SBA Small Business Person of the Year, SBA Veterans Small Business of the Year, SBA 8(a) Graduate Business of the Year, and SBA Veterans Business Champion, to name just a few.

His dedication to community service is truly commendable, having received the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Leadership and Community Service Award, the Gordon H. Mansfield National Veterans Advocated award, and the FBI Director’s Community Leadership award. Raymond’s influence reaches far beyond the business realm, as he has served as an appointee to Presidents Bush and Obama, Secretary Shinseki of the VA, and Governors Abercrombie and Ige.

Education is another corner of his impressive repertoire, with Raymond holding multiple degrees including a BA, MA, MSS, MBA, and Ph.D. These academic achievements mirror his continuous pursuit of excellence in all facets of his life.

In this episode, we dive deep into Raymond’s journey, his strategies for success in both business and life, and the invaluable insights he’s gained from his incredible experiences. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone who simply appreciates stories of triumph, Raymond Jardine Jr.’s interview is one you won’t want to miss. So, join us as we unravel the layers of wisdom and inspiration this remarkable guest brings to the table. Let’s welcome our next giant, Raymond Jardine Jr.

182: Mastering Financial Compliance with a Government Contracting Advisory Expert, Jeff Shapiro, CPA

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In this episode of The Govcon Giants podcast, Randie Ward sits down with Jeff Shapiro, a distinguished figure in the world of government contracting financial management. With over two decades of experience, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge as a CPA and MBA specializing in Government Contracting Advisory and Regulatory Assurance.

In this enlightening conversation, Jeff draws upon his extensive background, which spans from his tenure in the Federal Government to his roles in the commercial sector. He sheds light on his experiences with financial statement audits, federal contract and systems audits, compliance audits, and internal audits, both domestically and internationally.

Jeff’s insights into leading system implementations, corporate office development, and process enhancement projects provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted landscape of government contracting.

Tune in as Jeff Shapiro and Randie Ward delve into the intricacies of financial management within the government contracting industry, sharing valuable insights, lessons learned, and expert advice for those navigating the complexities of compliance, audit, and advisory services.

Whether you’re a seasoned industry professional or just embarking on your government contracting journey, this episode offers a deep dive into the strategies and practices that drive success in this dynamic field. Let’s welcome our next Giant, Jeff Shapiro.

181: Small Business Programs and the Affirmative Action Challenge (YouTube Live)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This episode of Govcon Giants is a recent YouTube Live session focused on the intriguing topic of “Small Business Programs being Challenged by Affirmative Action.” Exploring the landscape, I discuss the significance of government programs supporting small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses in securing government contracts.

I also delve into the role of affirmative action within these programs, examining whether its intentions align with the goals of fostering inclusivity. We highlight recent challenges and controversies arising from this intersection, including legal battles and fairness concerns. Through data analysis, the impact of affirmative action on diversity in government contracts is scrutinized. Voices from the field, including small business owners, officials, legal experts, and diversity advocates, provide real-world insights.

Looking ahead, the episode explores innovative solutions to harmonize affirmative action with the objectives of small business programs. This episode encourages ongoing dialogue and action for a more inclusive government contracting community. Tune in to this episode now for this thought-provoking discussion!

180: How VRBC Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Close a Deal With The Navy – Darcella Craven (Repost)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

With more than 18 million veterans in the US, either you or someone you know will be able to benefit from the information we share in this upcoming episode.

Darcella Craven is the Chief Fear Conqueror and President of the Veteran Resource Business Center (VRBC), the nonprofit economic development agency assessing challenges and developing solutions to grow successful veteran-owned businesses and also immediate family members of veterans. Her organization services the areas of Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa region, but they’re part of a larger nationwide network of veteran business outreach centers known as VBOC.

Before becoming part of the Veteran Resource Business Center (VRBC), Darcella Craven was an army veteran who later worked in different private entities for various administrative roles while also working as a faculty at Sanford Brown College. She also started her business but it failed, which made her pay the Internal Revenue Service a significant amount of money.

She didn’t want that to happen to other veterans. So, when an opportunity in helping  veterans came, she accepted it. She also volunteers on various nonprofit events that aim to promote entrepreneurship, provide job opportunities, and celebrate small business successes.