Month: July 2024

In our latest episode, we are thrilled to welcome Kenneth Kelly, the dynamic founder, President, and CEO of Strativia. Since its inception in 2006, Kenneth has led Strativia to become a powerhouse in the technology, consulting, and services sectors. Under his visionary leadership, the company has expanded to over 300 employees and operates across 19 states in the U.S. and several countries worldwide.

Kenneth is a pivotal force behind Strativia’s strategic planning, business development, and marketing initiatives, earning him features in prominent publications such as Inc Magazine, Black Enterprise, American Express Open, Huffington Post, Washington Post, and Rolling Out.

Before launching Strativia, Kenneth built a formidable career in the hospitality technology sector. He spent over a decade at Visual One Systems Corporation (now Agilysys, Inc), where he managed enterprise software implementation projects for hotels and resorts globally. His expertise further expanded at Micros Systems Inc (now Oracle Micros POS Systems), where he led large cross-functional teams in implementing property management and financial software solutions for major hotel chains like Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott, and Wyndham.

Kenneth’s outstanding professional achievements and dedication to community service have earned him national and local recognition. Black Enterprise magazine highlighted his swift ascent in the Federal Government contracting industry. Join us as Kenneth shares his incredible journey, insights into scaling a business in the competitive tech industry, and his strategies for sustaining growth and innovation in a rapidly evolving market.

Website: https://www.strativia.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/strativia

LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strativia

LinkedIn corporate: https://linkedin.com/company/strativia

Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/strativia

In this episode, we bring back a remarkable guest, Kizzy Parks, joining us from Tulum, Mexico. Kizzy Parks has been a shining star in the federal contracting realm and a successful YouTuber, offering invaluable insights to help small businesses win government contracts. Over the past few years, Kizzy has built an impressive following both online and offline, establishing herself as a giant in her own right.

Listen to our insightful conversation that goes beyond the usual government contracting discussions. We delve into the exciting and adventurous lifestyle of a digital nomad, with Kizzy sharing her experience of living in Tulum for the past two months and planning to stay for at least a year. This episode highlights how businesses can thrive anywhere, even from one of the safest parts of Mexico.

You are in for a treat as Kizzy unpacks her treasure trove of wisdom on manifesting success and the tactical maneuvers of government contracting. She shares her innovative formula for ensuring every contract meets stringent criteria, maintaining excellence, and balancing work commitments with a laid-back lifestyle. The episode offers strategies for leveraging local resources and networks to foster business growth, practical tips for newcomers in the government contracting space, and how manifesting goals can directly influence business outcomes.

Prepare to be inspired by stories of adaptation and success, showcasing the limitless possibilities in today’s business world. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. Sit back, relax, and join us as they explore these insightful topics and much more on this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KizzyParks/featured

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kizzymparks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzy

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kizzymparks

Website: https://www.govconwinners.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/KizzyKPC

In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we sit down with Mark Masters, the dynamic Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chloeta. Mark brings over twenty years of industry experience to the table, and his journey from a federal wildland firefighter to the helm of a multi-faceted national service provider is nothing short of inspirational.

Mark is a proud tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. His career began in the rugged and demanding field of federal wildland firefighting. Over eight years, he served in various capacities, including as an aerially delivered firefighter, also known as a heli-rappeller.

His tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs National Interagency Fire Center (BIA-NIFC) honed his skills in crisis management and incident response.

In 2009, Mark transitioned from his federal role to entrepreneurship, founding Chloeta from very humble beginnings. Under his leadership, Chloeta has expanded significantly, becoming a national service provider across multiple domains: emergency management, environmental consulting, healthcare, security, aviation, and wildland fire management.

Mark’s expertise and insights have made him a highly sought-after public speaker and media commentator. He has shared keynote stages with prominent figures like Congressman Tom Cole and has been featured in live interviews on major networks including CNN Newsroom, CNN Money, and The Weather Channel.

Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit and achievements have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2012, he was honored with the National Young Entrepreneur of the Year award by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, he received the National American Indian Center for Enterprise Development (NCAIED) “40 Under 40” award. His contributions to entrepreneurship were further acknowledged when he served as a panelist on President Obama’s Subcommittee on Small Business, Young Entrepreneurship Series (YES), an event broadcasted live on WhiteHouse.gov.

Join us as Mark Masters shares his incredible journey, the challenges he faced, and the strategies that led to his success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, emergency management, and the power of resilience and determination.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamChloeta/

LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdallasmasters/

LinkedIn corporate: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chloeta/

Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/teamchloeta/

Twitter handle: https://x.com/teamchloeta

Website: https://www.chloeta.com/

In today’s episode, we have a special guest returning to the show—Peter Gibbs, President and CEO of Foundation, Surety, and Insurance Solutions. Since his last appearance, Peter’s company has achieved groundbreaking status as the only African American-owned surety agency with a national license in all 50 states.

Today, he shares the latest advancements at Foundation Surety and Insurance Solutions that can help small businesses better understand and navigate the often intimidating world of surety bonds. With industry experts like his wife, Nakia, a former F-35 fighter jet program worker, joining his team, Peter’s insights are richer than ever.

Peter and I discuss the evolution of his team and how strategic hiring can dramatically improve business operations and financial health. You’ll discover essential steps to building a trustworthy reputation in federal contracting, learn about the critical importance of financial integrity, and get straightforward advice on how to handle business growth responsibly. For those who missed Peter’s first episode, he has an extensive background with the SBA, where he led their bonding program. His experience there, which included maintaining an extremely low default rate on bonds, provides him with a unique perspective that he now brings to the private sector to help people like you and me.

This conversation is packed with practical steps for small businesses to protect themselves from unscrupulous characters in the industry and make informed decisions that can help grow, sustain, and build their business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, understanding bonding can transform your approach to business growth in the competitive world of federal contracting.

So, tune in to this episode to gain valuable lessons and actionable tips from Peter Gibbs. Let’s learn how to make decisions that best help grow, sustain, and build our businesses. Thank you for listening, and please join me in welcoming Peter Gibbs, our next giant, to the stage.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-gibbs-0a9a9a31

Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundation-surety/

Website: https://foundationsurety.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundationSurety

Email: info@foundationsurety.com

Contact: 240-835-0865

In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we are honored to welcome Robert Schroder, the founder of SteerBridge. With a distinguished background that spans both military and private sectors, Rob’s journey is a testament to the value of veteran leadership in federal projects. As a retired Marine Corps Harrier pilot, Rob has seamlessly transitioned his extensive operational, congressional, and acquisition experience into the private sector, founding SteerBridge with a mission to elevate the role of veterans.

Rob’s leadership extends beyond his company. He has served two terms as the Finance Chairman for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, showcasing his dedication to supporting the educational pursuits of Marines and their families. His commitment to the military community is further reflected in his roles on the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association board and the USAA advisory group.

Rob’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a B.S. from the Naval Academy and M.S. degrees from both the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Marine Corps University. Adding to his robust educational background, Rob earned his M.B.A. from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a Global Supply Chain Management Certificate from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Flagler School of Business.

Join us as Rob shares his insights on integrating veteran expertise into federal projects, the importance of leadership in both military and civilian spheres, and his vision for the future of SteerBridge. This episode is a deep dive into the experiences and strategies that have shaped a remarkable career dedicated to service and excellence.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robschroder/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerbridge-strategies/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true

Company Website:  https://www.steerbridge.com