Former Fed Friday

Listen in as hosts Mike Pereira, Hunter Gros, Shelley McGuire, or David Blackburn, this podcast explores the journeys, challenges, and successes of transitioning from the federal workforce to the private sector.

Former Fed Friday is a government podcast hosted by OrangeSlices, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

OrangeSlices hosts Former Fed Friday, a government show with 65 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #61

  Modernization Isn’t the Mission - Outcomes Are with Marc Richardson. Former Fed Friday Sponsored by vTech Solution

  Sep 25, 202621 min

  After 28 years in federal service, Marc Richardson may have moved to the industry side, but his focus hasn’t changed: the mission still comes first. On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire sits down with Marc, Executive Vice President at USA InfoTech and former CMS Senior Executive Director, to talk about the lessons he carried from a career spanning Social Security, VA, and CMS—and how those experiences continue to shape the way he approaches federal health IT today. Marc shares why technology modernization should never be about technology for technology’s sake. Whether helping someone navigate Social Security benefits or leading systems supporting HealthCare.gov, the real measure of success is whether the programs work for the people who depend on them. Now in industry, he’s seeing the same mission from a different vantage point—and finding opportunities to bring greater speed, flexibility, AI, automation, and modern testing to government challenges. Looking ahead, Marc explores where CMS and federal health IT are headed, including digital-first services, data interoperability, program integrity, AI and advanced analytics, system reliability, and stronger partnerships with states. The takeaway? Modernization isn’t the end goal. Better outcomes are. It’s about connecting policy, technology, and operations to build services people can rely on when they need them most. To connect with Marc visit him on LinkedIn here . Learn more about USA InfoTech by visiting their website here .

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  Episode #60

  In Federal Contracting, Relationships Inform. Positioning Wins. A Conversation with Katrina Brisbon.

  Sep 11, 202625 min

  On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire sit down with Katrina Brisbon , CEO of Columbia Alliance and former HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Senior Procurement Executive, to challenge one of GovCon’s most common assumptions: that access equals advantage. Drawing on more than 27 years of federal experience, Katrina explains why relationships can provide valuable insight into an agency’s mission, pain points and priorities—but positioning is what ultimately wins. Katrina breaks down the four types of intelligence companies should be gathering long before an opportunity hits the street: market, opportunity, competitive and engagement intelligence. From tracking budget movements and contract expirations to understanding incumbents, competitors, vehicles and changing procurement strategies, she shares what companies should be watching to make smarter bid, teaming and investment decisions. The conversation also explores why industry days should validate your research—not begin it—and why listening may be far more valuable than walking into a meeting ready to deliver your capabilities pitch. The takeaway? If your strategy starts when the opportunity is posted, you’re already behind. The companies positioned to win are watching the market, following the breadcrumbs and building their strategy years before everyone else sees the opportunity. To connect with Katrina visit her on LinkedIn here . Learn more about Columbia Alliance by visiting their website here .

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  Episode #57

  Lee Ann Crochunis on How to Bridge the Government-Industry Gap Sponsored by vTech Solution

  Jul 31, 202620 min

  On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire welcome Lee Ann Crochunis , former CMS Deputy Director of the Office of Information Technology and now Technology Account Lead focused on CMS at Guidehouse, for a candid conversation about the realities of government, industry, and what it takes to successfully bridge the two. Drawing from more than 24 years at CMS and leadership roles in both government and industry, Leanne shares why empathy—not assumptions—is one of the most valuable skills anyone working in the federal market can develop. She explores the unseen pressures driving both federal employees and contractors, why commercial solutions often require more adaptation than companies expect, and what industry frequently gets wrong when trying to build relationships with government leaders. Rather than focusing on the next sales pitch, Leanne challenges listeners to rethink how they engage with federal customers by listening more deeply, understanding context, and building genuine trust before offering solutions. Whether you're new to GovCon or a seasoned federal contractor, this episode offers practical lessons on navigating change, translating commercial innovation into government, and creating partnerships that last. To connect with Lee Ann visit her on LinkedIn here . Learn more about Guidehouse by visiting their website here .

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  Episode #56

  AI Governance Beyond Compliance with Robert Wood Sponsored by vTech Solution

  Jul 17, 202622 min

  On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire sits down with Robert Wood , former Chief Information Security Officer at CMS and founder of Sidekick Security, to discuss what it really takes to secure AI adoption in federal agencies and the companies that support them. Drawing on his experience leading cybersecurity programs in government and advising organizations today, Robert explains why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to AI governance and how organizations can avoid the most common security blind spots. The conversation explores the difference between traditional compliance and operational AI governance, why understanding your organization's AI use cases should come before investing in new tools, and how contractors can make smarter cybersecurity investments as AI capabilities continue to evolve. Robert also shares why governance isn't a one-time exercise, but an ongoing process of adapting to new features, new risks, and new ways AI is being used across the enterprise. Whether you're a federal leader, GovCon executive, cybersecurity professional, or AI strategist, this episode offers practical insights for protecting innovation while enabling responsible AI adoption. To connect with Robert visit him on LinkedIn here . Learn more about Sidekick Security by visiting their website here . Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity. Learn more about vTech Solution here .

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  Episode #55

  Former Fed Friday The Human Side of Cybersecurity Leadership with Hemant Baidwan Sponsored by vTech Solution

  Jun 26, 202625 min

  On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros sits down with Hemant Baidwan , former DHS Chief Information Security Officer and Acting Deputy CIO, and current Chief Information Security Officer with Knox Systems, Inc. to discuss leadership, career growth, cybersecurity, and the transition from public service to industry. Hemant reflects on the experiences that shaped his 26-year career, the importance of building a strong personal brand, and why successful leaders never stop rolling up their sleeves to help their teams. The conversation explores lessons learned leading cybersecurity efforts across the Department of Homeland Security, how trust and empowerment drive success in large organizations, and what professionals can do today to prepare for future leadership opportunities. Hemant also shares his perspective on moving from government to the private sector, the realities of managing cyber risk in both environments, and why adaptability remains one of the most valuable skills in technology and security. To connect with Hemant visit him on LinkedIn here . Learn more about Knox Systems, Inc. by visiting their website here . Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity. Learn more about vTech Solution here.

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