Mr. Abrahams is a founding partner of Abrahams Wolf-Rodda, LLC, a boutique government contracts and wage & hour law firm in the Washington DC metropolitan area. See www.awrcounsel.com. The practice includes traditional government contracts work (bid protests, claims, compliance advice, prime-sub disputes, etc.) and a wage & hour practice (spanning the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, various Executive Orders, and state wage laws). In the latter, Mr. Abrahams represents mostly employers in class and collective actions, individual lawsuits, federal and state wage investigations, and self-audit compliance. At his new boutique law firm, Mr. Abrahams is now available to represent workers in their personal wage claims, including collective and class actions. Mr. Abrahams also has been retained to be an exemption classification consultant and expert witness in wage and hour disputes.

Mr. Abrahams was formerly a partner at Brown Rudnick LLP for almost 10 years and was at Epstein Becker & Green, PC for almost 25 years. He is the former Chairman of the American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section, Employment Safety & Labor Committee. He is also a former adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School where he taught a course called “Federal Labor Standards.”

Starting in 1985, Mr. Abrahams co-authored more than nine books in the fields of government contracts and wage and hour law. His wage & hour publications include the: Fair Labor Standards Handbook for State, Local Governments and Schools; Employer's Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act; FLSA Employer Exemption Handbook; and Public Employer's Guide to Payroll Administration. In 2011, Mr. Abrahams also co-authored three booklets: Smart Guide to FLSA Exemptions; Do I have to pay My Employees for This? FLSA Working Time Essentials; and FLSA Overtime Basics. In the government contracts field, Mr. Abrahams co-authored the: Government Contracts Compliance Guide; Public Official’s Guide to e-Government; and Government Contractor’s Guide to Employment Law Compliance. Overlapping the government contracts and wage & hour field, Mr. Abrahams co-authored two Federal Publications (now West) Briefing Papers: The Service Contract Act; and The Davis-Bacon Act.

Mr. Abrahams teaches regularly for Federal Publications Seminars on the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. He has been a continuous speaker at ThomsonReuter’s Year in Review Conference and its predecessors since the late 1980s.

“Rick A to Z” leads CORTAC’s Business Expansion Team supporting clients in establishing and achieving their Business Objectives through Market Analysis, Pipeline Development, Business Development, Capture, and Proposal Leadership, Negotiations, and Program Start-up & Execution within Government and Private sectors.

“A to Z” has over 45 years of Government and Industry experience in operations and acquisition across R&D and operational program development, complex program management, systems development engineering, Information Assurance, Information Operations/Cyber Development & Special Technical Operations, and business capture.

During his preceding 30-year career with the U.S. Air Force, he held positions from B-52 operational squadron level up to that of Director at the Air Force Information Warfare Center. He has spent 15+ years as an industry senior executive working with over 50 clients with winning and executing programs across 42 Federal Agencies and 17 State & Local Governments. He has worked in defense, homeland security, intelligence, energy, health and human services, biotechnology & life sciences, and IT/telecommunications.

Larry Allen has over 20 years' experience in government acquisition. Larry has written or contributed to three books on government contracting, including Multiple Award Schedule Contracting (contributing author), The Secret of Schedules Sales Success> (primary author), and Business to Government (contributing author). He has written numerous articles on the state of federal acquisition in periodicals such as "Federal Computer Week" and "The Federal Times". He regularly teaches classes on government acquisition and has been a guest of the governments of South Korea, Canada, and Great Britain speaking on the topic of how foreign companies can do business in the US government marketplace.

Larry is an expert in GSA and VA Multiple Award/Federal Supply Schedule contracting, as well as GWAC and IDIQ contracts. He served as a member of the Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel and the "Federal Contracts Report" Board of Advisors. He has testified often before committees of the US Senate, House of Representatives, and several state legislatures. He hosts his own radio show on government procurement, "Off the Shelf" on Federal News Radio in Washington, DC.

Edmund Amorosi represents clients in the government contracts and construction industries. He has appeared on behalf of clients in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies and boards, and in alternative dispute resolution settings including mediation and arbitration, both domestic and international.

His practice also includes commercial litigation and counseling relating to the government contracts and construction industries, including disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors, teaming and confidentiality agreements, joint ventures, and non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.

Giacomo is the National Leader of RSM’s Government Contract Consulting team which serves clients who operate in the Federal contracting and grantee market spaces on matters related to cost accounting, regulatory compliance, subcontract management, USG contract due diligence, ERP implementation design, and litigation/audit support. His clients span across multiple business sectors, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, construction, architecture & engineering, IT services, bio-tech, CROs, nonprofits, ANCs, FFRDCs, National Labs, and INGOs.

Specifically, Giacomo specializes in all aspects of the government contracting lifecycle and assists clients to establish cost accounting practices and indirect cost rate strategies as a means to meet the Organization’s strategic goals (e.g., maximize cost recovery, minimize administrative burden, reduce risk). Additionally, he consults clients on best practices for mitigating compliance risks; as well as, aiding in the design and implementation of internal controls - including those required to obtain government approved business systems (e.g., Accounting/billing, estimating, purchasing). Giacomo routinely works with executive teams to successfully integrate acquisitions or design Federal segments to recognize operational and cost efficiencies in a manner compliant with Federal regulations.

Giacomo supports companies in the strategic resolution of contract audit issues stemming from Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)/Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)/Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits - including addressing complex Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) compliance matters and other Federal contract administration matters.

Giacomo leads pricing teams to prepare responses to Government request for proposals - including strategic pricing considerations, drafting complete cost volumes, preparing CAS Board Disclosure Statements (CASB DS-1) for submission and successful negotiation.

Luis F. Arandia, Jr. delivers responsive representation in a wide range of international trade matters, including customs and import compliance, export controls, economic sanctions, and trade remedies.

Teddie Arnold is an Partner in the Government Contracts group in the Washington, D.C. office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

Mr. Arnold focuses his practice in all areas of government procurement, including bid protests, contract claims, procurement fraud, ethics & regulatory compliance, suspension & debarment, internal investigations, small business regulations, and contract drafting. Mr. Arnold regularly represents clients prime contractors and subcontractors in litigation before the Government Accountability Office, the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, and state and federal courts across the country. Mr. Arnold also has expertise in the False Claims Act, suspension & debarment proceedings, and other matters related to procurement fraud. He also routinely represents federal construction contractors in the defense and prosecution of claims against the Government.

Mr. Arnold is designated as a Next Generation Partner by Legal500®. He is currently pursuing is LLM in Government Procurement from George Washington University Law School.

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Arnold served as law clerk to the Honorable Glen M. Williams in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia during the 2008-2009 term.

Jonathan S. Aronie is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Government Contracts practice group, focusing on litigation, internal investigations, and Government Contracts. Jonathan is the co-author of Multiple Award Schedule Contracing (Xlibris 2002), and has extensive experience representing MAS vendors. He writes a monthly procurement column for Federal Computer Week and is a regular speaker at national procurement conferences, including the NCMA World Congress, GSA Expo, and the Coalition for Government Procurement's annual procurement meeting. Jonathan frequently represents clients in matters relating to national security.

Mr. Hank Askins has spent almost three decades in Federal Service and has had numerous positions in the Government procurement field. He has supported Federal clients primarily in the southeast, specifically Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. He has extensive experience in acquisition planning, government procurement, fiscal law, and source selection. He currently serves as Litigation Counsel for the Department of Veterans Affairs where he is responsible for representing the Agency before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. Additionally, Mr. Askins serves as a Logistics Officer for the United States Army Reserves.

Luis Avila is a Government Contracting Senior Analyst and Management Consulting Director with RSM US LLP. As an industry Senior Analyst, he focuses on understanding, forecasting, and communicating economic, business, and technology trends shaping government contractors. Luis has a deep technical knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Cost Accounting Standards, 2 CFR 200, and agency supplements. As a Management Consultant Director, he leverages his understanding of economic trends and technical knowledge to design and execute government contracts market strategy, assist during M&A transaction activities, and transform functional processes to be eligible to bid and win government contracts.

Paul Bailey is a Partner for Capital Edge Consulting. Mr. Bailey has broad experience with federal procurement rules and regulation through combined industry and public accounting experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. Over the course of his 30-year career, Paul has provided expert advice and testimony for government contractors and their counsel, government agencies including Inspector General and the Department of Justice on the administration of contracts and resolution of complex government accounting and compliance disputes. While in public accounting, Paul was responsible for the Department of Energy’s outsourced contractor audits to KPMG, including Incurred Cost and Price Proposals, CAS compliance and Business System adequacy. Paul has conducted audits for and on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice and Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.

Paul joined Capital Edge Consulting from Harris Corporation in Melbourne, Florida where he was Vice President of Government Accounting and Compliance. In the accounting and compliance role, Paul was responsible for the oversight and approvals of the Business Systems to satisfy DCAA/DCMA surveillance and adequacy determinations. Paul orchestrated and directed an External Restructuring of CAS segments to align cost allocations and synergies following a major acquisition. Paul has been an industry leader in settlement of indirect rates based on past company experience foregoing the DCAA Incurred Cost Audit process. In addition to extensive accounting and compliance experience, he has held Vice President roles leading Contracts, Subcontract Administration, and Procurement functions.

Jonathan M. Baker is a partner in Crowell & Moring's Washington, D.C. office. He practices in the Government Contracts Group.

Jon advises clients on a wide array of government contracts legal issues, including both federal and state bid protests, prime-sub disputes, government contracts due diligence and transactions, regulatory compliance, and contract terminations. Jon's practice has a notable emphasis on technology-related issues, including counseling clients in the areas of patent and data rights, responding to government challenges to technical data and computer software rights assertions, and litigating cases involving complex and cutting edge technologies. Jon also provides guidance on national security matters, such as National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual compliance and facility and security clearance matters. In addition, Jon has advised clients on local government contract negotiation, internal and government investigations regarding potential False Claims Act issues, and export violations. Jon is also actively involved in the firm's pro bono program, having litigated prisoner neglect, parental rights termination, and landlord-tenant matters.

Mr. Bassett is a senior Cyber Security and Risk Management subject matter expert with over 32 years of experience in all aspects of security and privacy program architecture, design, management, and operations. His experience spans Government, Health Care, Financial Services and other industries and includes risk management, program planning, application and software security, security assessments and audits, and security operations.

He built and led a global security consulting practice specializing in security strategy, assessment and testing, and managed security services. He has been the principal advisor to many Fortune 500 and government clients on information systems security, responsible for securing their critical information assets for e-commerce transactions, sensitive health records, and classified military communication. Ed is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Clarkson University where he earned a degree in computer science.

Laura is a project manager by profession, focused on implementing PM best practices, and deploying practical solutions that help get teams humming. She is judicious in selecting and implementing PMI advocated and Agile processes. She has twenty years consulting experience with 11 of those in Earned Value Management. She sets up and helps administer performance management and performance measurement processes using industry tools such as Atlassian Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Deltek Cobra, and others. She has a proven track record in helping businesses transform their project management approach to win work, identify process efficiencies and generate cost savings.

Greg is a forensic accounting and quantum expert with over 33 years of experience in the field of business consulting, primarily for Government and Construction Contractors.

Clients have included corporations, partnerships, and individuals; in-house and outside counsel. Greg has consulted with contractors to the U.S. government, including contractors to many different departments – Defense, Energy, State, Housing & Urban Development – as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency for International Development, the General Services Administration, National Institute of Health and others. Mr. Bingham’s assistance to clients has included presenting his findings in settlement negotiations, alternate dispute resolution proceedings, depositions, and trials.

Greg has worked on commissions throughout Europe, the Middle East, North and South America. He has experience in a variety of client sectors, including buildings, defense, industrial, infrastructure, oil and gas, power and utilities, and technology.

Courtney Black is Principal in the Ernst & Young LLP Government Contract Services practice in the Dallas, TX office. Courtney has over 18 years of experience in government contracting with EY, advising clients on considerations spanning the government contracting lifecycle. She specializes in assisting clients in conducting business with the federal government, including determining compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, and contract-specific requirements. She also assists clients with developing cost accounting structures to optimize cost recovery, calculating indirect rates, preparing CASB disclosure statements, preparing incurred cost submissions, and documenting systems manuals along with policies and procedures. She provides technical advice to clients contracting with the General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies in the areas of proposal and equitable adjustment preparation, cost allocations and cost reporting. Courtney works across multiple industries including aerospace and defense, professional services, utilities, engineering and construction, healthcare and technology.

Derek Boyd is a partner in the government contractor advisory services practice of Baker Tilly.

Derek has more than 15 years of experience working with and for government contractors in a variety of industries, including technology, professional services, aerospace and healthcare. Derek assists government contractors on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Derek was the director of government compliance for a major government contractor.

With over 10 years of experience in government contracting, Steve possesses a comprehensive understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS). He is capable of translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable policies and procedures. His industry experience in estimating, accounting, and procurement provides a unique perspective on end-to-end government contracting lifecycle, ensuring his clients successfully navigate their contractual obligations.

Jamie Brabston is a Senior Legal Consultant and Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. (Redstone GCI), specializing in Labor and Employment Law, with an emphasis on government contract law and compliance. Prior to joining Redstone GCI, Jamie was Senior Counsel with Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson, P.C., a boutique labor and employment law firm based in Birmingham, AL. Jamie assists employers with compliance, problem prevention, the analysis of complex employment law and contract related issues, and in conducting investigations to address employee complaints.

In addition, Jamie advises federal government contractors with contract specific requirements such as affirmative action compliance, Service Contract Act issues, CoBEC, the Drug Free Workplace Act, record keeping, and in performing mock compliance assessments and other issues specific to employers working with the federal government. Jamie is a proficient trainer and speaker and is a primary instructor for Federal Publications Seminars course, “HR for Government Contractors.” Additionally, Jamie regularly conducts training and education for individual employers and their employees on non-discrimination and anti-harassment, as well as training sessions for executive and non-executive management on a wide variety of overall management leadership skills, and government contract specific topics. Jamie also specializes and advises clients on a wide range of employee benefits issues including ERISA welfare benefit plans, HIPAA, wellness plans, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act, and other federal and state laws, including related reporting requirements. In addition, Jamie works with employers in responding to complaints filed with external agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor and the Department of Industrial Relations and provides litigation support as needed.

Chad Braley is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Since its inception, Capital Edge has grown into the country’s leading firm, focusing solely on serving both foreign and domestic contractors who do business with the US Government.

Chad’s areas of expertise include the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), agency supplement regulations, Contractor Accounting, Purchasing, Estimating, MMAS, and EVM Business Systems, Truth in Negotiations Act, government accounting requirements Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), DCAA Audits support and preparation, other regulatory non-compliance support, Terminations, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REA), ERP systems and risk mitigation.

Terry concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law and surety law. Terry is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers (past member of the Board of Governors). His practice includes contract review and negotiation, contract preparation, risk management, litigation, claims avoidance and general construction advice to all participants in the construction industry.

Terry is a frequent speaker for construction and commercial groups and has lectured and written numerous articles for several industry groups and professional organizations in the construction industry. Terry is also a mediator and arbitrator of construction cases.

Sheri Buchanan is a Managing Human Resources Consultant with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., a premier consulting firm with the most senior industry veterans which provides a comprehensive suite of services for large and small government contractors including evaluation, education and training, monitoring and audit preparation. Through our consulting and training programs, government contractors develop and learn to maintain compliance processes that help them succeed by mitigating risk and maximizing profitability.
Sheri provides human resources consulting with expertise in the compliance requirements specific to government contractors. Sheri has a breadth of experience with focus on compliance with Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (EO 11246, Section 503, VEVRAA), Service Contract Act, contract transition/onboarding, labor category mapping and benchmarking, compensation planning and reasonable assessments and training. She spends much of her time “in the weeds” with clients in the development and implementation of compliant practices and policies. She assists clients with Department of Labor Wage and Hour and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. She stays abreast of the various requirements of the Department of Labor and, of great importance to government contractors, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, as well as other federal and state regulations impacting human resources.

Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., Sheri served in various roles in the HR arena in diverse industries, from government contracting to healthcare. Throughout her career, she has been involved in recruiting, affirmative action planning, contract proposal development, investigations and allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge and employee disputes, new employee orientation and training.

As Co-Leader of the Government Contracts team and Law360 MVP in Government Contracts law, Todd Canni is entrusted by government contractors to resolve their most important “bet-the-company” government contracts matters and unexpected “crisis” events. He advises contractors throughout the life cycle of a government contract from award through closeout and everything in between, including bid protests, debarment matters, civil False Claims Act investigations, civil investigative demands, government disclosures, complex contract disputes and building and enhancing ethics and compliance programs. Todd is widely known as one of the nation’s preeminent suspension and debarment lawyers and one of only a few debarment lawyers who previously served as a Department of Defense debarring official.

Among his accomplishments: in 2022, Todd served as lead trial counsel in successfully challenging a DoD debarment in federal court, thus saving the client’s business – an outcome that contributed to his former firm receiving “Government Contracts Group of Year” honors by Law360. Due to Todd’s nearly two decades of experience in the government contracts and debarment spaces, including as a debarring official and as defense counsel, and his involvement in several dozen administrative agreements involving monitoring, he is well positioned to serve as an Independent Monitor under agency Administrative Agreements. Indeed, Todd authored the chapter on Administrative Agreements set forth in the ABA’s Practitioner’s Guide to Suspension and Debarment. In 2023, Todd was named a Law360 MVP for Government Contracts for his exemplary work in the field.

Ki Capitano is a consultant with Capitano Consulting providing consultation, advice, assistance, and training on government contract financial and other regulatory compliance matters.

Ki began his career in government contracting in 1976, working as a contract auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). While with the DCAA, he performed a full range of contract audits of government contractors and contract audit functions. He worked as an instructor at DCAA’s contract audit institute in Memphis, TN designing, developing, and delivering training courses to DCAA auditors and managers in both technical and managerial subjects, as well as supporting briefings to industry and other government agencies, and worked at DCAA headquarters as program manager, responsible for a variety of audit initiatives. Ki also worked for KPMG Peat Marwick as a manager responsible for designing, developing, and delivering training courses and providing expert advice to clients regarding government contract regulatory compliance issues in a wide variety of areas.

David provides tailored information security program consulting for clients across a wide cross section of industries, attacked by varying level of skilled attackers, and falling under a variety of regulatory frameworks such as PCI, HIPAA, and FISMA. He designs programs and solutions that focus on finding and addressing information security risks. He schedules, scopes and manages security tests with outside vendors and works with internal teams to remediation findings, and maintains strong documentation for auditors.

Michael is a Director at Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. and a member of the firm’s CPSR Compliance Practice. He is an expert in the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) process.

Michael’s areas of expertise include contractor business systems compliance, with an emphasis in DCMA CPSR readiness, execution, and compliance. He is also versed in FAR and DFAR regulations, DCMA processes and procedures pertaining to purchasing system reviews and contract administration, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), proposal analysis and evaluation, cost modeling and estimating, forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR) and agreements (FPRA), and he is fluent in Spanish. Michael has experience conducting CPSR-related training to DCMA CPSR Group procurement analysts as well as to dozens of Federal contractors.
As a DCMA CPSR Procurement Analyst, Michael was the “Team lead” for nearly 15 DCMA CPSRs in the last 3 years and served as the procurement analyst in nearly 15 additional reviews during the same time period. Michael was one of the few procurement analysts with experience in reviewing small business concerns and Ability One contractors. His experience covers a complete spectrum of contractors from A&E service providers to foreign manufacturing firms.

During his tenure as a DCMA CPSR Group Procurement Analyst, Michael developed a tool for use by all CPSR Group procurement analysts (for all four CPSR Teams) in performing CPSRs. Also, Michael developed a tool that all DCMA Administrative Contracting Officers (ACO) are currently required to use in their annual surveillance of contractor purchasing systems responsibilities. Michael was personally selected by the DCMA CPSR Director to represent the Phoenix CPSR Team at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress (2015).

Prior to his time with the DCMA CPSR Group (Phoenix), he was a DCMA ACO and managed all activities related to Base Life Support on three US Military and US State Department installations in Iraq. Michael was responsible for approving or denying all work requests in accordance with US Government contracts, and managed all aspects of Government Prime Contract Administration with contracts in excess of $3.1 billion. He assisted DCMA Cost/Price Analysts in proposal analysis and evaluation cost modeling and estimating, forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR) and agreements (FPRA), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) allocation of allowable and accounting for unallowable costs, and administered contracts for DCMA with the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world.

Justin Chiarodo is Partner at BlankRome and is the Chair of the Government Contracts Practice Group. Justin focuses his practice on all aspects of federal, state, and local procurement law. He has spent his entire career helping leading and emerging government contractors successfully navigate high-stakes litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. Recent engagements include the successful defense of a $300 million sole-source award under a requirements contract for a major tactical wheeled vehicle program, managing the government contracts aspects of the $380 million sale of a defense electronic systems manufacturer, and defeating a $10 million False Claims Act suit based on the public disclosure bar.

Jeffery M. Chiow represents clients in litigation and government investigations related to government contracts, including federal and state bid protests and claims. Many of the bid protests that he litigates involve enterprise critical matters with billions of dollars at stake. Jeff has deep experience in the aerospace and defense sectors, as well as cybersecurity, technology services contracting, and schedule contracting. Prior to entering private practice, he was a U.S. Marine Corps weapons and sensors officer in the F/A-18D Hornet. This experience informs Jeff’s work with cutting-edge technology in the areas of space systems, cloud computing, weapons platforms and IT systems. Jeff also advises businesses on compliance matters, working with government contractors to develop tailored strategies for addressing complex business, legal, and regulatory issues. In particular, he is a recognized leader in the constantly-evolving area of cybersecurity, including compliance with DoD’s cyber and supply chain requirements and the CMMC initiative and related investigations and disclosures.

Jeff’s False Claims Act experience includes advising on alleged fraud involving federal grants, DOJ Civil Fraud investigations, and qui tam suits alleging hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. He conducts sensitive internal compliance investigations and counsels defense, health care, construction, and technology clients about potential civil and criminal liability as well as potential disclosure obligations.

Ryan Connell is Director, Northeast Pricing Team, for DCMA Commercial Item Group. He is one of three pricing leaders to champion the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) stand up of the "cadre of experts" who were given the DoD responsibility for commercial item recommendations, price analysis and market research.

Bob’s clients benefit from his thirty-plus years of experience working with government contractors leading Accounting, IT, and Contract Management departments. All the situations he navigated and problems he solved have uniquely qualified him to help his clients solve technical accounting and regulatory reporting issues.

Bob is a leader in the Consulting practice at Saggar & Rosenberg and focuses on helping clients with government contracting regulatory topics and issues. Bob’s clients appreciate his practical approach when analyzing problems and proposing solutions. His clients rely on him to articulate complex topics in a simple and straightforward manner.

Bob’s clients include small, medium, and large businesses contracting with the U.S. Federal Government in a wide range of industries including aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, manufacturing, and professional services. He has also worked with numerous departments within the Federal government, including the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and many others.

Bob regularly teaches classes about Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, and current industry trends such as cost estimating and indirect rate structures. He is known for adding levity and humor to complicated rules and regulations.

You’ll likely find Bob on a golf course outside the office. He also enjoys time with his wife and three dogs, Woodford, Tinka, and Leo. His two bucket list trips include fly fishing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and exploring Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley of the Inca in Peru.

Eric, a Partner at Holland & Knight specializing in Government Contracts, Internet/Technology Law, and representing businesses of all shapes and sizes, was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star. This honor is only given to the top 2.5% of attorneys who meet certain criteria. Eric has appeared as a guest on Fox News, Government Matters, NPR, Federal News Radio and has been quoted in numerous publications including Newsweek, Washington Lawyer and the Washington Business Journal.

Eric is a proven trial attorney in state and federal court.

Aside from his recent accomplishments, Eric has extensive experience in litigating all stages of complex multi-million dollar matters in various state and federal courts from commencement through trial and verdict. In addition, Eric has successfully represented contractors before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC), the Department of Labor and various governmental boards. Eric has also briefed and argued appeals in state and federal court.

Eric frequently speaks to industry groups regarding government contract, business, and technology issues and related litigation and intellectual property issues.

Focus Areas: Government contracts litigation (including bid protests, subcontractor/prime contractor disputes, DOL litigation including Service Contract Act (SCA) & FLSA investigations), technology and Internet law, complex commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, employment litigation, and appellate law.

Robert M. D’Onofrio, PE, CEng, is President of Capital Project Management, Inc. (CPMI) an independent consulting firm that specializes in the analysis, resolution, and prevention of complex construction disputes. Rob is widely regarded as the leading authority on schedule delay and disruption claims in North America.

Rob co-wrote Construction Schedule Delays, a comprehensive 1,200-page book on schedule delay law and analysis, which is published by Thomson Reuters and updated annually. He has also written or co-written more than 30 articles and presented more than 100 lectures on construction management, scheduling, and claims. Prior to joining CPMI, Rob spent five years on-site at the World Trade Center construction project in New York where he was responsible for analyzing schedule delay and disruption disputes. In total, Rob has evaluated over $6 billion in construction claims. He has testified as an expert in state court, board of contract appeals, federal court, domestic arbitration, and international arbitration, and his publications have been cited dozens of times in legal treatises, state court, federal district court, and the United States Court of Federal Claims decisions.

He is a faculty member for Federal Publications Seminars, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), past-President of the ASCE Construction Institute, chair of the industry standard committee on Schedule Delay Analysis, ANSI/ASCE/CI 67-17, vice-chair of the industry standard committee on Identifying, Quantifying, and Proving Loss of Productivity, ASCE 71-21, and Chancellor of Fellows of the PM College of Scheduling. Rob is a licensed professional engineer in Florida, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.

W. Stephen Dale is a Senior Vice President and serves as the General Counsel for WSP│Parsons Brinckerhoff for the US, Caribbean and Latin America region. He was formerly a partner with the law firm of Smith Pachter McWhorter, PLC, a construction and public contract boutique located in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Mr. Dale is co-author of Construction Schedule Delays, an 1100-page treatise on construction schedule delay law and analysis published by Thomson Reuters and updated annually.

Mr. Darst specializes in legal matters involving Government construction and service contract law and has extensive experience in the areas of contract formation and administration issues, bid protests, claims preparation and litigation, internal investigations, voluntary disclosures, procurement fraud investigations, various suspension and debarment proceedings, matters related to Small Business Administration, and other issues involving the award and administration of federal and state government contracts. Mr. Darst has represented clients in various matters before the Government Accountability Office, the Postal Service, Armed Services, and General Services Administration Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Office of Hearing and Appeals, and various agency-level proceedings. Mr. Darst's practice includes assisting clients with matters related to the sale and acquisition of firms involved in Government contracting, software licensing issues, other corporate governance matters, and civil litigation in Virginia and District of Columbia.

Mr. Darst is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Southern District of West Virginia.

Mr. Darst earned his B.A. from Marshall University and a J.D. from West Virginia University. After graduating from law school, Mr. Darst worked as an attorney with the United States Navy's Office of General Counsel and represented the Navy in matters involving the acquisition and administration of service and supply contracts for the Naval Sea Systems Command.

W. Jay DeVecchio is a litigator and former Co-Chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Government Contracts and Public Procurement practice. Clients from the aerospace, technology, and health care sectors seek his representation in all facets of government procurement law, from bid protests to complex claims and disputes through suspension and debarment. He also represents clients in related issues such as criminal and civil fraud, qui tam actions, and internal investigations

Jay’s litigation successes include defeating a major qui tam action in a jury trial, prevailing in one of the largest defective pricing appeals tried to date, enjoining the Department of Defense for an improper debarment, winning the leading case on latent defects in government contracts, and achieving victory in the Eleventh Circuit's decision on false claims immunity for Medicare contractors.

He has been a guest instructor at the University of Virginia and the George Washington University Law School Government Contracts Program, and the American University Washington College of Law. Jay also conducts seminars on diverse subjects including claims, disputes, terminations, and data rights.

Cyndi currently serves her clients in the federal contracting and grantee spaces providing consulting on a vast range of issues including accounting systems design and compliance, contract management, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), FAR, CAS compliance, Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance and DCAA audit issues.

She has 30 years of experience in the government contracting industry, which includes executive management, internal audit and public accounting/consulting. Her clients span across multiple business sectors, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, bio-tech, large Pharma, professional services, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) and International NGOs).

Prior to joining, RSM, Cyndi was a Division Vice President/Controller for large Government contractors where she was responsible for managing the accounting (G/L, A/R, A/P, payroll and financial reporting), contracts, purchasing, human resources and compliance functions (DCAA and Sarbanes-Oxley). Cyndi also spent four years as the manager of Internal Audit for a large government contractor and six years as an auditor in public accounting.

Since 1989, Joseph has been practicing primarily in the areas of government contracts, export controls, and international law. Joseph has participated in litigation before the federal courts, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and other administrative tribunals and agencies. Joseph was one of 15 recipients nationwide of the Burton Legal Foundation Award for Legal Achievement for 2000 and is also an NCMA Fellow.

Prior to joining Seyfarth, Joseph held a variety of legal and managerial positions with a major defense company.

Courtney has extensive experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance, evaluation and preparation of Cost Presentations, cost accounting systems setup and reviews, and policy and procedure preparation. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Courtney served as a financial statement auditor for large and mid-tier government contractors.

Courtney works with small and large contractors in pro-actively preparing contractors for government contracts challenges as well as resolving complex DCAA and government procurement issues. Courtney’s expertise includes establishing and/or evaluating job cost accounting structures; management and preparation of complex incurred cost and forward pricing rate proposals; evaluation of internal controls most often evaluated by DCAA to include billing and estimating systems; preparation/evaluation of policies and procedures; development of cost allowability evaluation programs, and; preparation of corrective action plans for overcoming DCAA audit findings.

Courtney is a lead instructor for the Federal Publication Seminars course, “Government Contractor Accounting System Compliance”, and provides class instruction for other compliance courses and webinars such as “Preparation of Incurred Cost Submissions”, “Cost Accounting Standards”, and “Cost and Price Analysis”.

Jerod Elliott, PMP has over ten years’ experience in Program Control, Pricing, Government Contracting, and Project Management. Jerod brings expertise in working with large, medium, and small organizations to help finance, operations, and functional groups within achieve organizational efficiency and clarity in financial control and pricing. As a Senior Consultant, Jerod provides clients with compliant pricing and Government proposal strategies, program control, and project management. His background also includes quantitative analysis and strategic planning and execution.

Peter J. Eyre is a partner and co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group. He is also a member of the firm's Management Board. Peter was named to BTI Consulting Group’s list of "Client Service All-Stars" in 2016, 2017, and 2019 and has been named an Acritas Star, Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers (2016, 2017, 2019). He is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts since 2014. Peter was also named to The National Law Journal's list of "40 Under 40 Rising Stars" in 2014.

Scott helps clients identify, protect, manage, and enforce their intellectual property rights. His practice focuses on the complex intellectual property issues confronted by government contractors, including patent rights and rights in technical data and computer software, with emphasis on the aerospace, defense, and intelligence sectors. Scott routinely represents clients in intellectual property disputes and negotiations with the government.

As the head of the firm’s Patent Prosecution practice, Scott also represents clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

A frequent speaker and author on intellectual property issues, Scott is the co-instructor of the Federal Publications Seminars Government Contract Intellectual Property Workshop. He currently serves as a co-chair of the Intellectual Property and Technology Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Public Contract Law.

Pat Fitzgerald is a member of Baker Tilly’s government contractor advisory services group. He joined the firm in 2015, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in government auditing and acquisition, including expertise in enhancing the cost effectiveness of business operations, resolving compliance challenges, improving business system effectiveness, conducting internal investigations, preparing for negotiations, and improving relationships between contractors, auditors and contracting officers.

Pat is the former director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for the Department of Defense (DoD). There, he oversaw the agency’s $600 million budget and the 5,000 professionals providing contract audit and advisory services. His background also includes advising soldiers on effective and efficient mission completion practices, making recommendations to army leaders for resolving varied issues and directing the internal audit function as the U.S. Army’s auditor general reporting directly to the secretary of the Army. Pat possesses extensive knowledge of government contracting processes, including cost accounting standards. His experience includes serving on the five-person OMB Cost Accounting Standards Board representing the DoD. An exceptional communicator, having testified before members of congress on several occasions, Pat often advises clients on how to employ effective communication strategies to help resolve issues.

Nicholas Galbraith advises domestic and international clients on a wide range of complex trade law issues. No matter how rapidly changing the regulatory environment, Nick remains focused on identifying what is important and relevant to his clients and creating a legal strategy that realizes their objectives.

Mr. Gallacher's practice involves counseling companies – both large and small, in the defense and civilian markets, doing business in both the U.S. and international markets – regarding the complexities of federal procurement laws and the difficulties inherent in doing business with the U.S. Government. He has extensive experience on a wide range of issues including, among other things, teaming agreements, subcontract administration and flowdown requirements, prime/subcontractor relationships, country of origin preferences, export controls, commercial item exceptions, merger and acquisition due diligence, cost accounting, suspension and debarment, and small business requirements. He also has broad based litigation experience relating to defending False Claims Act cases in the U.S. District Courts, prosecuting claims before the Boards of Contract Appeals, pursuing bid protests before the GAO, and litigating in numerous other administrative settings.

He regularly assists companies by conducting internal reviews relating any number of federal compliance issues, allowing companies to implement internal controls as well as assisting companies in making disclosures to the appropriate government authorities, when appropriate. In 2007, he successfully arbitrated a dispute between two prominent government contractors relating to the validity and interpretation of a teaming agreement and its proprietary data provisions. He is a prolific writer and can be followed at www.governmentcontractslawblog.com.

Marisa brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, auditing, risk management, and financial management and serves as a financial reporting leader and trusted advisor for her clients. Marisa provides extensive support to the Office of the CFO. This includes preparing companies for a planned IPO, implementing IFRS, providing technical advice on complex accounting topics, assisting companies in adopting the new revenue recognition and lease accounting standards, performing financial due diligence on strategic acquisitions, and assisting clients with corporate performance management.

John Gault is a manager in Ernst & Young LLP’s (EY) Government Contract Services practice. He has more than 10 years of experience performing government contractor advisory services, merger and acquisition due diligence services and performance audit services on behalf of the U.S. Government primarily focused on the interpretation and application of U.S. Government contract regulations and associated supplementary requirements. John also has experience performing financial statement audit services of multinational public and nonpublic entities. John works primarily with clients across the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), Aerospace and Defense (A&D), engineering and construction, utilities and financial services industries.

Michael Greenman has worked in government and technology for over 20 years. At Deltek, Michael works in the Product Strategy group and is the evangelist for cybersecurity compliance and cloud services. Prior to joining Deltek in 2021, he worked for a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) assisting with cybersecurity risk assessments for government offices and also consulted with government contractors on their CMMC preparation.

Efrain Gutierrez is a manager in Ernst & Young, LLP’s Government Contract Services practice in the Irvine, CA office. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Efrain spent approximately 10 years in industry specializing in the Government contract proposal process, where he held analyst positions in major subcontract & general procurement cost/price analysis, labor and material estimating, contracts & pricing, and Estimate-at-Completion (EAC) integration. He also has extensive experience in contract and subcontract price negotiations. At EY, Efrain specializes in internal audit, compliance mock audits, the development of compliant proposals, validation of overhead rate structures, government contracting/acquisition process, and determining system and procedural compliance with Government procurement regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) for clients primarily in the Aerospace & Defense (A&D), Architect & Engineering (A&E), Manufacturing, and Utilities industries.

Zlatko “Zack” Hadzismajlovic is a partner at McCarter & English. Zack’s practice focuses on international trade, export controls and customs matters as well as global mobility issues. Zack represents clients in a wide spectrum of controlled defense, dual-use (ITAR, EAR, OFAC) and purely commercial trade matters. In addition, Zack counsels client in navigating deals through the newly reformed review and submission requirements related to foreign direct investments (CFIUS, FOCI, BEA) as well as in the pre-transaction planning and diligence and post-transaction implementation of mitigation instruments.

J. Chris Haile is a partner at Crowell & Moring with extensive experience in government procurement law. Mr. Haile litigates disputes and counsels clients in a broad range of government contract matters, with particular emphasis on the resolution of contract disputes. For example, Mr. Haile has represented clients in matters involving the government's breach of contract, claims for contract changes, termination for default, termination for convenience, Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) compliance and defective pricing, commercial-item procurement, contract negotiations, and bid protests. He also represents clients in other related matters, such as investigations and audits by government agencies or inspectors general (IGs), False Claims Act / qui tam relator suits, and disclosures to the U.S. Government.

Mr. Haile represents clients from many different industries, including aerospace, defense, health care, construction, telecommunications, information technology, and professional services. He also has experience involving agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of State, U.S. Postal Service, and the General Services Administration (GSA).

Mr. Haile has represented clients in litigation before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the District of Columbia Contract Appeals Board. He also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in a variety of forms, including arbitration, mediation, and other binding and non-binding ADR proceedings.

Matthew Haws is a partner in the Government Contracts Practice. He represents clients ranging from defense manufacturers to IT systems integrators on government contract and grant law issues, including claims, compliance, and investigations.

Mr. Haws guides contractors through complicated issues in their relationship with the government, including significant bid protests, Inspector General investigations, mandatory disclosures, False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, suspension/debarment proceedings, DCAA audits, and claims against the government. He conducts internal investigations, develops requests for equitable adjustment and claims, and provides guidance to contractors on their most complicated problems.

Eric Hayman has over 15 years of experience providing professional support to government contractors and government agencies in the areas of compliance, accounting and training. He specializes in the Federal Acquisitions Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, Government Audits and Contract’s Finance Management. He has worked closely with Chief Financial Officers, Controllers, Vice Presidents, and General Counsels among others, and brings experience from a wide range of engagements.

Eric has provided Government Contracting Services to a wide range of Industries, including Aerospace and Defense, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Sectors, Manufacturing and Professional Services. His clients range from small start-ups to large, publicly-held, multi-national organizations.

Tim is recognized as a leading expert in all matters pertaining to the Service Contract Act (SCA), the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), and other prevailing wage laws. Tim began his career with the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) as an investigator in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania district office. In 1989, he was transferred to WHD’s national office where he served as the Director of Government Contracts Enforcement. He was responsible for the enforcement and compliance assistance programs for government contracts, including the SCA and the DBA. In 2009, he led WHD in the revitalization of the government contracts enforcement and compliance assistance programs, ensuring that workers on projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act received the wages and benefits to which they were entitled. He oversaw the increase of DBA investigations from a low of 300 per year in 2008 to more than 1,800 investigations per year. He was the recipient of the Department of Labor’s Distinguished Career Service Award and retired from the Department of Labor in February 2015 after more than 33 years of government service. He now provides government contractors with compliance advice and support services as a consultant at BDO.

John is seasoned government contracting expert who assists contractors with regulatory compliance requirements throughout the government contract lifecycle. John works with government contract and grant recipients of all shapes and sizes and provides strategic advisory services to some of the largest US Federal Government contractors in the world. He works with contractors serving a wide-ranging customer base including Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), Health & Human Services (HHS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), various intelligence agencies, and many others. John brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to solving complex compliance challenges while keeping his clients’ unique business interests and needs at the forefront. John has an in-depth understanding of the federal compliance environment, procurement process, and implications to contractors. He has extensive, practical knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), other agency FAR supplements, and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Will B. Jeffers is a Senior Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. He provides expert-level support in the areas of strategic sourcing, Price-to-Win strategies, Mentor-Protégé formulation and strategy, Indian Incentive Program utilization and small business strategic partnering.

Will was previously the Director of Procurement Governance & Control for Leidos which was the highest procurement position within their corporate offices located in Reston, Virginia. In this role, he was responsible across the entire enterprise for the Strategic Sourcing Department, the Strategic Proposal Team, compliance, training and the Small Business Liaison Office. Will was responsible for the overall structured and programmatic approach to managing all third-party spend ($2.6 billion annually) within Leidos to ensure the full economic benefit of that spend. Prior to this role, Will was the Sector Procurement Director for the National Security Sector at Leidos for over 15 years. With 11,000 employees, this Sector was the fastest growing line organization within Leidos (previously known as SAIC) and one of the largest support organizations in the intelligence community. He was responsible for all procurement-related activities within this organization and managed over 120 procurement professionals including five Vice Presidents with annual expenditures that exceeded $1 billion.

Will has an in-depth understanding of the interplay between contracts, procurement, pricing and finance. He was recognized at Leidos as one of the best proposal practitioners as well as one of the most effective negotiators within the corporation, and as such was usually afforded the opportunity of leading many of the largest, most complex and critical proposals within the company. During his 28 years at Leidos/SAIC Will displayed an intense ability to rapidly comprehend complex problems and instantly create solutions to allow for strategic and tactical decisions to be applied in the most effective and expeditious manner. Before joining SAIC, Will spent 7 years at M/A-Com Government Systems and Racal Communications. Will previously held a Top Secret (TS/SCI) clearance.

Mr. Katz is a Counsel in Brown Rudnick’s Washington, DC office where he is a member of the Wage and Hour Group, a practice spanning the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, and state wage laws. He represents mostly employers in class and collective actions, individual lawsuits, federal and state wage investigations, and self-audit compliance. Mr. Katz also has been retained to be an exemption classification consultant.

Mr. Katz is fluent in Hebrew.

Perry Keating is the President at Protiviti, a global consulting firm in areas of analytics, financial audit and advisory, risk and compliance, technology and performance improvement.

Mr. Keating was previously the COO and partner of Blue Canopy until its acquisition by Jacobs Engineering. He also was the VP of Services for Avaya Government Solutions, among other companies.

As a Manager in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting and Technology Group, Ms. Kehoe has more than 30 years of experience addressing compliance issues for government contractors. She consults with small and medium-sized businesses providing all aspects of federal contract compliance, including implementation and audit of Purchasing, Estimating and Property Business Systems, Conflicts of Interest audits, Service Contract Act Labor Audits, and Contract/Subcontract administration reviews.

Her background as legal counsel for the General Services Administration provides insight into what the federal government regulations require and what the federal contractor can expect from an outside review of its compliance programs. Ms. Kehoe also teaches several classes from our GovCon Academy which provides practical business training on financial and compliance requirements for federal government contracts.

Dan Kelly is a partner at McCarter & English. He brings over 30 years of experience to the firm’s government contracts group, combining both counseling and acting as an advocate on behalf of clients doing business in the government marketplace. Dan’s practice extends to a broad spectrum of industries and federal and state authorities for whom they supply research, products, and services, including emerging and established businesses working under prime and subcontracts, SBIRs, CRADAs, OTAs, and grants for DoD and civilian agencies.

Dan serves on the Board of Directors for the Boston Chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and as vice president for the New England Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and is a frequent speaker Dan is a frequent lecturer for Federal Publications on U.S. domestic preference statutes, regulations and executive orders as they apply to the U.S. Government supply chain.

Michael A. Killham is a California attorney specializing in U.S. Government procurement and subcontracting support. He provides legal advice, training, and assistance concerning all aspects of federal and commercial contracting and fiscal law, including but not limited to subjects relating to Contract Formation and Administration, Legal Compliance, Subcontracting, Negotiations, Bid Protests, Contract Disputes, Commercial Item Contracting, Contract Terminations, Export/Import Compliance, and Source Selection.

Mr. Killham served as corporate counsel for major U.S. government contractors following his military career as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate. These assignments included Director, Legal Operations, for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Advanced Development Programs (a.k.a. “Skunkworks”) in Palmdale, California; General Counsel for a U.S./French joint venture - Thales-Raytheon Systems Company, LLC - and MD Helicopters, Inc., in Fullerton, California and Mesa, Arizona, respectively; Senior Business Counsel for Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems in El Segundo, California; and Division Counsel for two operating divisions of Litton Industries, Inc. While in these positions, he was responsible for identifying, advising on, and resolving a wide variety of legal and business-related issues, including those relating to government and commercial contracting and subcontracting, export/import compliance, corporate governance, labor/employment law, government cost accounting, intellectual property rights, litigation management, and more.

Anthony Kim has more than 20 years of experience in various cost accounting and compliance issues related to government contracts. Specifically, he is knowledgeable in the areas of government contract procurement regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, OMB Uniform Guidance, Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.

Anthony’s industry experience includes architecture and engineering, aerospace and defense, construction, manufacturing, information technology, not-for-profits, and higher education. He has assisted clients with complex cost accounting matters, cost representations, business system implementations, expert testimonials, proposal assistance, audit support, and other regulatory compliance matters.

Prior to joining CACI International, Mr. Kim was a director at BDO USA, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Navigant Consulting and Partner at Capital Edge Consulting. He has also worked for KPMG as a manager for over seven years. Recently, he assisted in developing an annual DCAA conference seminar, conducted numerous training for Federal Publication Seminars, held webinars with clients and prospects on various government contract compliance matters, and served as a member of the National Defense Industry Association Contract Finance Committee in charge of regulatory and legislative updates.

He has assisted contractors and their outside counsel to resolve disputes arising under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Cost Accounting Standards, Truth in Negotiations Act, and other accounting-related rules and regulations, and conducted independent forensic accounting investigations to evaluate allegations of fraud, accounting errors and irregularities, cost mischarging and defective pricing.

In addition, Anthony is a nationally recognized speaker who teaches classes through Federal Publication Seminars, National Contract Management Association, Virginia Society of CPAs. He has lectured on a number of topics, including Government Contract Accounting, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, Cost & Price Analysis, Incurred Cost Submissions, Introduction to Government Contracting, and Government Contractor Business Systems Compliance. He is a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).

Stephen Knight has practiced government contract law for more than 40 years, counseling and litigating on behalf of clients in all aspects of that practice. He has significant experience in claims and disputes, with special emphasis on costing and pricing issues involving cost allocability and allowability, Cost Accounting Standards, defective pricing under the Truth in Negotiations Act, and government audits. Stephen has substantial experience in compliance issues pertaining to government contractors and frequently assists clients in evaluating the requirement and manner of making disclosures to the government. He has conducted compliance reviews for clients, assisting in reviewing and evaluating internal controls, conducting training and evaluating specific compliance issues such as business systems and socio-economic requirements in government contracts. Stephen represents prime contractors as well as subcontractors in the manufacturing and services sectors and is experienced in ascertaining the necessary government contract requirements for inclusion in subcontracts.

Ryan Koenitzer, CPA, leads RKI, a U.S. Government Contracts practice and CPA firm dedicated to assisting U.S. Government contractors with their accounting and compliance needs. Mr. Koenitzer has over 14 years experience in government contract cost accounting, pricing, interpretation and application of federal contract regulatory compliance requirements including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), USG business system design and implementation, and internal audit services. He advises clients on a wide range of financial and compliance risks and other regulatory requirements related to U. S. government contracts. He has served clients in the aerospace and defense, architectural and engineering, construction, manufacturing, energy, transportation and technology industries across various Government agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, etc.).

Jonathan H. Kosarin, Associate Counsel, Special Projects Division, is assigned to the Department of Defense Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate. He has over 42 years’ experience in acquisition, government contracting, and fiscal law. Mr. Kosarin previously served as Assistant General Counsel at the National Reconnaissance Office; Deputy Counsel, Special Projects Division; and, Associate Counsel, Naval Supply Systems Command. While on active duty as a JAG with the Army, he served as European Trial Attorney and Attorney Advisor at the U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and as Trial Attorney, U.S. Army Contract Appeals Division.

As an Army Reserve JAG, Mr. Kosarin served as Adjunct Professor of Contract Law/Chairman Contract and Fiscal Law Department at the Army Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, VA; Acting Chief, Contract Law Division, U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg Germany, and as Deputy General Counsel, Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Colonel.

Mr. Kosarin is an Adjunct Instructor of Procurement and Contracting at the University of Virginia and also teaches at the joint UVA/Virginia State Police’s National Criminal Justice Command College. He is an instructor with Federal Publication Seminars teaching courses in contracting, procurement and negotiations.

Kim is currently the VP of Industry Marketing for Unanet. She concentrates on thought leadership and market positioning specifically in the areas of project management, accounting and government contracting. She started her career working for Raytheon where she held multiple management positions such as the Javelin Joint Venture Controller and Product Line Business Manager. Her love of Earned Value Management (EVM) developed in the early years of her career and today still enjoys talking about it and providing direction on best practices. After 17 years at Raytheon she joined ATK where she held the positions of Director of Business Systems, EVM Focal Point, and Finance Director.

Over the years Kim led multiple large ERP system implementations. She has been a trainer in her organizations and has provided guidance to many project and executive teams.

Kristen McCannon Krishnamurthy has a comprehensive understanding of U.S. trade policy and the regulatory process, having worked in both the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Stephen “Chase” Kunk is a Managing Partner Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Chase specializes in U.S. Government contract and subcontract negotiations, administration, management and purchasing system compliance. His expertise stems from his legal education, former certification as a National Football League contract advisor to professional athletes, and in-depth experience as a contracts and procurement administration manager for an international contractor serving Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC) and civilian agency customers. Chase’s support to Capital Edge Consulting clients is predominantly in the areas of contract and subcontract administration, purchasing system compliance and Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) readiness and risk mitigation. He also leads all contract and subcontract negotiation and administration for Capital Edge Consulting’s internal business operations.

Peter is a partner at Baker Tilly where he is responsible for the leadership of the firm’s Business Information Systems Consulting practice. His focus is on information systems planning, financial system design, software selection and implementation, and technology and business process integration. Peter has over 25 years of professional and industry experience in the areas of management and systems consulting, public accounting and financial management. Specifically, Peter has extensive experience leading business process transformation initiatives and organizational change management in connection with system implementations and IT initiatives. His particular focus is on organizations that have complex project accounting and management needs. He has led numerous large scale implementations of financial system applications across a wide variety of industries and he has assisted his clients with designing effective business processes to meet key operational objectives.
Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Peter was a Director at Arthur Andersen and he began his career in the audit practice at KPMG Peat Marwick. In addition to his consulting experience, Peter has held key industry positions including chief financial officer and director of finance. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in accounting from Guilford College and is a Certified Public Accountant. Peter is active in a number of business and charitable organizations nationally and in the Greater Washington DC metropolitan area and is a frequent speaker on industry and technical subjects.

Noah Leiden has been with Baker Tilly since 2010. He has worked in government contracting consulting since 1991 serving manufacturing, engineering, professional services, information and communications, healthcare, higher education, and not-for-profit organizations. Noah has extensive experience providing a range of government contract accounting, pricing, business system and internal control oversight, and regulatory and contract compliance to his clients.

Jake Leishman is an experienced government contracts attorney who develops and delivers instruction, legal consultation on legal, contract administration, acquisitions, policy implementation, and compliance issues.

Jake began as a social worker then moved to education, serving as the Director of Continuing Education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. In addition to continuing education, Jake taught graduate and undergraduate courses in social policy and social administration.

After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland, Jake spent a few years in private practice but made the decision that corporate law, focusing on government contracts was her preferred arena. She worked at Federal Data Corporation as Corporate Counsel and at Electronic Data Systems (now HP Enterprise Services) as Senior Counsel for EDS’ Contracts with the United States Government. In addition Jake developed and delivered training to all EDS contract professionals who handled federal procurement, subcontracts under the FAR, and state and local contracts.

Jake's instructional approach focuses on two elements; the need for common sense and a good sense of humor when addressing problem solving, policy analysis and implementation, all aspects of contracting, and working in the Federal arena.

Drew is a director in Baker Tilly’s Government Contractor Solutions practice. He has been with the firm since early 2012 and began his career with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) working primarily with a multibillion-dollar contractor and providing various types of audit functions throughout the contracting lifecycle. He also has broad knowledge of rules and regulations surrounding the FAR, DFARS, CAS, and TINA. Drew is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a licensed Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Mary is a Manager in Baker Tilly US, LLP’s Government Contractor Solutions practice. Mary brings more than 7 years of experience to the practice and assists clients with a broad range of government contract matters, including cost accounting and compliance issues. She has worked extensively in indirect cost rate structuring and modeling, Incurred Cost Proposal preparation and audit support, price proposal support, contract closeout, policy and procedure review, and reviewing contractor business systems for compliance with regulatory criteria. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Mary worked for a major government contractor, primarily supporting their regulatory compliance and indirect rates organizations.

Mr. Major is a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group. Mr. Major focuses his practice on federal procurement, cybersecurity liability and risk management, and litigation. A prolific author and thought leader in the area of cybersecurity, his professional experience involves a wide variety of litigation and counseling matters dealing with procurement laws and federal regulations and standards . His diverse experience includes complex litigation in federal court under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and bid protest actions. He counsels all sizes of companies on issues relating to compliance with government regulations including, among other things, cybersecurity (NIST, FIPS, FedRAMP, and DFARS) requirements, multiple award schedule compliance, Section 508 issues, country of origin requirements under the Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts, cost accounting, and small business requirements. He also regularly conducts internal investigations to assist companies ensure that they are in full compliance with the law.

Mr. Major is a retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and remains a U.S. Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer for the state of Maryland.

Sajeev is a Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, leading the Forensics Government Contracts Services Practice in the Washington, DC area. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Sajeev has taken the lead on numerous high-profile government contract issues, including pricing, compliance, accounting, and financing. His expertise covers a wide range of areas, such as the False Claims Act, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data, Cost Accounting Standards, the Service Contract Act, Procurement Integrity, and the Anti-Kickback Act.

Heading a team of professionals nationwide, Sajeev guides clients through internal investigations, audits, mandatory disclosures, and directs forensic accounting analysis. He also prepares expert reports for matters involving alleged fraud, contractor claims, arbitrations, and government investigations, and has led several bid protest matters focusing on price reasonableness and cost realism.

Sajeev offers advisory services to clients across various sectors to enhance their understanding and compliance with government award regulations and statutory requirements. He specializes in designing and implementing business processes and internal controls to meet these standards, with deep expertise in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, and other federal procurement regulations and guidance.


Sajeev leads a team of professionals across the country in assisting clients with performing internal investigations, audits and mandatory disclosures and directing forensic accounting analysis and preparing expert reports in matters related to alleged fraud, contractor claims, arbitrations, and government investigations. In addition, he has lead several bid protest matters related to price reasonableness and cost realism.
Sajeev provides advisory services to the firm’s clients, across all sectors, to help improve their understanding and compliance with regulatory and statutory government award requirements. This includes designing and implementing business process and internal control enhancements to address these requirements.

Timothy is a Senior Manager on the Government Contracts Solutions team at EY (Ernst & Young). He has been with EY for over 15 years and helps clients understand a host of government accounting and compliance issues. This has ranged from understanding requirements related to FAR, CAS, and 2 CFR 200 to understanding Other Transactions (OTs), trade compliance rules, and cybersecurity requirements (NIST 800-171). He have executed a variety of proactive and reactive projects to assess, develop, and implement controls, systems, and processes. He have significant experience related to business systems, cost & price analysis, cost accounting, and a variety of other topics that affect government contractors from a variety of sectors supporting different agencies and departments of the Federal government. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Rex Marks is an accomplished, professional law enforcement leader with over 30 years’ experience in public sector leadership, having served in municipalities across the country at various ranks including Chief of Police. Prior to his current appointment as Chief of Police for the City of Pilot Point, TX in March of 2022, Chief Marks also served as Director of Norwich University’s Leadership & Change Institute as well as Program Director and Professor for the Master of Science in Leadership programs. His specialties include leadership development and team building, effective problem- solving and decision-making processes, project/fiscal management, emergency management and disaster preparedness, strategic communications, and organizational development. In addition, Mr. Marks provides consultant services for national and international organizations to extend opportunities for lifelong learning and progressive change management practices.

Michelle Massarini is the VP of Finance for Capital Edge Consulting, Inc. Her focus is on providing full contract lifecycle professional support to government contractors and government agencies in the areas of compliance, accounting, contracts, and training. Michelle’s areas of expertise include Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), DCAA compliance and audit support, government cost accounting requirements, and Deltek Costpoint.

Since joining Capital Edge in 2010, Michelle has provided guidance to companies in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, the creation and preparation of incurred cost submissions, forward pricing models, the development and maintenance of CAS Disclosure Statements, cost impact studies as required for making changes to cost accounting practices, booked to billed reconciliations, contract closeouts, and contractor business system reviews, including but not limited to Accounting, Estimating, & Purchasing. Michelle has designed reports in Deltek Cognos and Impromptu to support booked to billed reconciliations, incurred cost submissions and related audits as required by DCAA. She has initiated and assisted in the implementation of policies and procedures, and provided recommendations that allow for efficiency and precision in day-to-day activities for various levels of accounting, purchasing, estimating, and contracting personnel. Michelle has also served as a subject matter expert in the design and implementation of Deltek Costpoint.

Prior to joining Capital Edge Consulting, Michelle spent 12 years in government contracting in both the environmental engineering and software development/IT support industries. She has experience in a wide range of roles including cost accounting manager, financial (project-level) manager, and procurement specialist. Michelle has extensive knowledge in the compilation of incurred cost submissions, analysis of various financial margins and metrics, designing indirect rate structures, and end-user functionality of Deltek Costpoint.

Joseph is a partner in the government contractor advisory services practice of Baker Tilly. Joseph has more than 15 years of experience advising and supporting government contractors. Joseph has advised clients in the aerospace, healthcare, construction, security services, manufacturing, technology and professional services industries on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters, specializing in contract accounting & pricing, claims, internal controls & business systems and other regulatory compliance matters.

John E. McCarthy, Jr. is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring and member of the firm's Government Contracts Group. John has spent more than thirty years litigating all forms of government contracts cases for both large and small government contractors, with a particular emphasis on bid protests. Because of John's strong engineering background, he has particular experience in technology related issues, including litigation regarding complex technology and data rights, patent and other intellectual property issues.

John has litigated hundreds of bid protests at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Administration, and other U.S. government agencies as well as numerous state and local forums. John has also litigated and provided counseling on the full range of government contracts issues, including contract formation, organizational conflict of interest, patent and data rights, small business and other socioeconomic concerns, contract claims, prime/sub disputes, as well as issues relating to non-procurement vehicles, such as grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions. John has also provided counseling and defended clients in connection with allegations of fraud and false claims, including actual or threatened suspension/debarment and qui tam litigation.

Gary McDonald has more than 30 years of experience working in government contracting in the aerospace and defense (A&D), manufacturing, construction and professional services industries. He provided advisory services to clients at two of the Big Four accounting firms for more than 20 years. Gary’s experience includes managing government contracting and compliance operations for a large professional services firm, including proposal development and pricing, contract management, finance and contract compliance and risk management. Additionally, he has more than 12 years of experience in the A&D industry as a flight hardware development engineer and program manager on NASA scientific missions.

Gary has worked extensively in providing practical guidance and assistance to manage and improve his clients’ government contracting compliance and operations. He helps clients comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), business system requirements, including the complex Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), and other government contract regulations and requirements. Gary successfully helps clients mitigate compliance risks, develop competitive rate structures, recover costs and develop or enhance compliance capabilities.

Gary is a leading industry resource in government contractor mergers and acquisitions. He provides sell-side preparation and diligence support, acquisition target contract and compliance risk analysis/due diligence, post-close integration, value capture and contract cost recovery support to his clients, having supported nearly 100 transactions over the last several years.

Matthew McKelvey has over twenty-five years’ experience in Finance/Accounting, Government Contracting, Business Valuations, Process Optimization, and Training. Matt is President and CEO of The McKelvey Group and is widely respected as a subject matter expert in both commercial and Federal marketplaces. He brings his extensive experience working with large, medium, and small companies to help his clients achieve the growth objectives of their owners.

As a consultant and CFO, he is well known for his expertise in working with organizations as they seek to create or improve their relationships with the Federal Government through price and proposal strategies, compliance, accounting, and training. In addition to direct client consulting in these areas, Matt demonstrates his comprehensive expertise through various speaking engagements and the Government contracting courses he instructs, including Cost/Price Proposal Workshops, DCAA Audit Preparation, Earned Value Management Systems, and Incurred Cost Submissions. Matt teaches his courses through several venues including training companies, conferences, and for individual clients. The McKelvey Group is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) recognized Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program sponsor providing CPE credits in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

Blake McKelvy is a Senior Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., and has over 5 years of experience providing professional support to government contractors. His areas of expertise include: Financial models (especially those utilized for Budgeting and Estimating purposes), Indirect Cost Rate structures, Forward Pricing Rate packages, Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), cost impact analysis’, Termination analysis’, Business Systems compliance reviews, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance, DCAA Audit support and preparation, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) compliance and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance.

Blake excels in financial modeling, extensive analysis of complex data sets and complicated forensic analysis. He has implemented numerous improvements to various clients’ financial models through simplification and automation. He has successfully navigated and analyzed data sets containing millions of line items worth billions of dollars. He has performed granular analysis delivering big picture results for both retrospective and prospective issues at hand.

Mr. Meadows has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Auburn University, a Juris Doctor Degree from Mercer University and Masters of Laws Degree in Government Contracts with an emphasis in Environment Law from George Washington University. 

Ms. Meagher concentrates in the areas of government contracts, litigation and construction law. Her practice includes counseling both prime contractors and subcontractors in a wide variety of procurement matters, including commercial item acquisitions, technical data rights, submission of claims, bid protests, small business issues, terminations, teaming agreements and joint ventures. She also represents firms involved with performing state and local public works projects and has particular expertise in protests, claims and payment disputes. Her practice includes providing strategic legal advice to federal grant recipients. In addition, Ms. Meagher advises clients on compliance issues and conducts internal investigations.

Bob Metzger heads the Washington, D.C. office of Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, PC, a firm that has specialized in government contracts for over 40 years. Chambers USA 2022 placed RJO in “Band 2,” among the “Elite” group of government contracts law firms nationwide. Chambers describes RJO as:
Well-respected government contracting boutique capable of handling a diverse array of federal, state and local procurement mandates on behalf of domestic and foreign clients. Notable litigation and regulatory capabilities, which include internal investigations, false claims proceedings and bid protests. Possesses particular expertise in technology matters, regularly representing clients in this space.

Chambers USA 2022 ranked Bob in Band 2 for Government Contracts – Nationwide and said that he is “routinely called upon by clients in cybersecurity matters, assisting clients with high-stakes contract procurements, qui tam litigation and compliance issues.” The Legal 500 (2022) describes him as a “key contact for data rights and cybersecurity issues, as well as procurement fraud and national security matters.” Who’s Who Legal (2022) again identifies Bob as among “Global Leaders” in Government Contracts, and in 2021 commented on his “wide-ranging” expertise in government contracting and technological issues.”

Bob was Counsel of Record for Microsoft in the 2019-2021 litigation at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims defending the protest brought by Amazon Web Services to the DoD award of the “JEDI” cloud services contract to Microsoft. He also was lead counsel in the successful 2021 GAO protest brought by Microsoft to the award by the National Security Agency of the “WildandStormy” cloud services contract to AWS.

Bob is recognized for subject area leadership in cyber, supply chain and related security matters. As a Special Government Employee of the Department of Defense, Bob was on the Defense Science Board task force that produced the “Cyber Supply Chain Report” (April 2017) which subsequently received the SANS Institute “Difference Maker” award. He is a co-author of August 2018 MITRE “Deliver Uncompromised” Report that is widely credited with significant influence on a broad range of security initiatives of the Department of Defense and federal civilian agencies. The Report team received a “Program Recognition Award” from MITRE in 2019. Bob has participated in several other MITRE projects on national security and public policy subjects, with subjects including ransomware, digital asset crimes and cyber insurance. He was named a 2016 “Federal 100” awardee by Federal Computer Week which cited his “ability to integrate policy, regulation and technology” and said of him: “In 2015, he was at the forefront of the convergence of the supply chain and cybersecurity, and his work continues to influence the strategies of federal entities and companies alike.”

Ed Morley is a Principal in the Government Contact Services Practice at Ernst & Young LLP based out of Boston. Ed has over 15 years of experience supporting our clients on a variety of services offered by Ernst & Young to assist clients in contracting with the Federal Government in the areas of accounting and contract compliance. He has extensive experience assisting A&D clients globally as they build organizational frameworks and strategies to pursue business with the US government and improve operations to maximize existing opportunities. He assist clients prepare compliance strategies, develop growth road maps, and address evolving industry trends. Edward have extensive experience with assessing regulatory and operational business systems, program management and supply chain improvements.

Lindsey has over fifteen years experience in government contracting, including three years at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Since joining Ernst & Young in 2016, Lindsey has assisted organizations in a broad spectrum of government compliance issues, including performance of compliance health assessments, rate restructuring and cost impact analysis, incurred cost proposal preparation & review, contract bid proposals review, damage analysis, claims disputes and supporting internal audits of US Government contractors. More recently, Lindsey has performed the key role of USG contracting compliance monitoring on a large internal federal contract. This role included establishing a internal government compliance assessment matrix, which allows the program manager to determine and track what federal contracting terms applied, and what additional reporting requirements must be addressed throughout performance of the contract.

In addition to these services Lindsey has assisted clients in interpreting, implementing, and complying with federal procurement regulations and contractual requirements, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), FAR supplements and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). She has a focus on organizations that contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) and military customers, performing diagnostic audits, and reviewing and assessing internal control processes.

Kathryn (Katie) Griffin represents contractors across a range of industries on federal, state, and private projects involving construction, government contracts, and white collar issues. She has experience in representing construction, engineering, and technology firms in resolving contract claims and disputes with the federal government and prime-subcontractor disputes on federal and federally-funded projects.

Katie works with national and international construction and engineering firms on major contracting issues including defective specifications, differing site conditions, constructive changes, contractor performance evaluations, and liquidated damages. Clients rely on her depth of experience in claim analysis and presentation and effectiveness in working with technical experts, scheduling experts, and cost and pricing experts.

Sanjay J. Mullick is a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC. Mr. Mullick advises companies, sponsors and investors on export controls and sanctions risk assessment in conjunction with investments, offerings and mergers and acquisitions. He also conducts internal investigations, handles voluntary self-disclosures, and designs and implements trade controls compliance programs. Mr. Mullick assists companies with navigating the export control aspects of software deployment, including global encryption controls, cloud computing, and offshore outsourcing. In addition, he counsels companies and financial institutions on compliance with economic sanctions, including considerations for market entry and implementation of corporate policies and procedures.

James Newland is a partner in Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, a licensed architect, and his law practice focuses on major construction and public works projects and includes a mix of non-contentious and contentious matters. He is ranked by Chambers USA which describes him as “very well versed in construction law and construction related issues.” He began practice in 1998.

In his practice, James drafts and negotiates construction contracts and procurement documents and helps clients resolve major complex claims involving construction and design issues on domestic and international projects. He represents national and international contractors and project owners in transactional work, mediation, arbitration and litigation. He has significant experience in vertical construction, power and heavy civil contracting and claims, as well as in design-build, P3, alliance contracting and traditional design-bid build delivery formats. Government construction contracting is a major focus of his work.

Prior to practicing law, James practiced architecture and worked as a project manager on development projects. Given this experience, James is frequently called upon to counsel clients on risk management and allocation, advising on troubled projects during the construction phase, project work-outs and project closeout strategies.

Deborah Nixon, is a nationally recognized trainer, licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and career dedicated Government contracts practitioner with over 30 years of experience. Deborah is the founder of Crosshair Advisors, and a retired Partner with Ernst & Young’s Government Contract Services practice where she worked for 25 years. Before joining EY, she held management positions with both large and emerging growth contractors including Motorola and General Dynamics.

Neil has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading Government Contracts lawyers in the prestigious Chambers ranking and has represented major clients in important matters in Courts and Boards and at the Government Accountability Office. Mr. O’Donnell is a longtime member of the American Bar Association’s Public Contract Law Section and served on the Governing Committee of the Public Law Section of the California State Bar. He lectures on a variety of procurement issues for business and professional associations, including speaking on Terminations for Default at West’s Annual Developments in Government Contracts Conference. Mr. O’Donnell received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Williams College; and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School, where he served as an Editor of the Yale Law Journal.

Mr. Ostiller is a Managing Director and leads Navigant’s accounting investigations practice area as well as its Palo Alto office. He joined the company in 2004. Rick has provided forensic accounting and litigation consulting services to attorneys and corporate clients in numerous industries for over 30 years. He has extensive experience with high profile investigative projects, lost profits and other damages analyses, cost analysis studies, and has provided expert witness testimony in several venues. Rick is a Certified Public Accountant in California, and is Certified in Financial Forensics. His government contracts consulting experience includes termination claims, indirect cost studies, contract claims, compliance reviews, and pricing analyses. Before joining Navigant Consulting, Rick was a Vice-President at TUCKER ALAN, INC. from 2002 to 2004. Prior to that, he was a partner in Andersen’s financial consulting services practice. Rick started his professional career with a high technology manufacturing company, serving in multiple finance positions.

Adetayo “Tayo” Osuntogun advises business and institutional clients on international trade law, including export controls, economic sanctions, trade remedies, trade policy and customs and import regulations. He helps clients realize their distinct objectives surrounding their global commerce initiatives by working regularly, on their behalf, with government agencies that regulate international trade.

Nicole Owren-Wiest is a partner with Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and leads the Group's cost accounting practice. Nicole is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts and a recognized leader in accounting, cost, and pricing. With over 20 years’ experience, Nicole focuses on helping clients navigate the government’s complex cost and pricing rules, including the FAR Part 31 cost principles, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Truth in Negotiations Act/Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (defective pricing).

Recognition
Listed by Chambers USA as one of “Americas Leading Lawyers for Business” in Government Contracts (2014-2020), particularly recognized for her skills in the area of cost accounting, and “Americas Leading Lawyers for Business - Up and Coming” (2011-2013)
Named by The Legal 500 US as a “recommended lawyer” in Government Contracts (2015-2017)
Acritas Star, Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers (2019-present)

Maria L. Panichelli, Esq. is a partner in McCarter & English LLP’s Government Contracts and Global Trade group. Maria’s practice includes: bid protest litigation; contract interpretation and performance counseling; the preparation and negotiation of REAs and CDA claims, as well as related litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit; statutory and regulatory compliance counseling; federal subcontracting (including the negotiation of FAR-compliant subcontracts, liquidating agreements, and the litigation of pass-through claims, Miller Act claims, and sub/prime disputes); contract terminations; and suspension and debarment. Having acquired substantial experience with the government’s small business programs in particular, Maria provides effective assistance to clients applying for small business certification, or competing for small business program set-aside contracts. She routinely assists clients with eligibility analyses and size and status protests, and has considerable experience drafting teaming and joint venture agreements, as well as helping clients navigate the SBA Mentor-protégé program. Maria also has substantial experience with issues particular to infrastructure contracts, such as defective designs and specifications, express and constructive changes, differing site conditions, delays and disruption; suspensions; and liquidated damages. Her clients include both prime and subcontractors, performing work for a variety of federal agencies, across a wide breath of industries, all over the nation and abroad. Maria is active in a number of industry-related professional associations is a frequent lecturer and author on government contracting and small business procurement topics.

Ms. Perry concentrates in the areas of Government Contracts law and litigation and is a lecturer and author in the area. Her broad experience in Government Contracts includes, for example: bid protests before the U.S. General Accounting Office, and the United States Court of Federal Claims; complex litigation in connection with the False Claims Act; claims litigation before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and the General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals; counseling and litigation in the areas of: software and technical; data rights cost allowability and cost allocability; mergers and acquisitions; subcontracts and teaming agreements; Foreign Military Sales and Foreign Military Financing; Truth In Negotiations Act and defective pricing; suspension/debarment; appropriations and socioeconomic programs.

Before entering private practice, Ms. Perry worked for the U.S. General Accounting Office handling bid protests.

Gene Pickarz has spent over three decades as a contracting professional with assignments in both Government and Industry. He has served in contracting and acquisition positions in both the US and Europe with extensive experience in acquisition planning, government procurement, intellectual property, international contracting, fiscal law, and source selection. He currently serves as a senior contracting officer and Deputy Director at the NRO's Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE) implementing acquisition innovation and streamlining across NRO Acquisitions as well as comprehensive acquisition training for the NRO Acquisition workforce.

He has also served as an adjunct professor of contacting and logistics management for Sinclair Community College and Park College in Dayton Ohio and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in the US and Europe. In addition, he has 18 year’s experience developing and presenting acquisition and contracting courses for the Intelligence Community while assigned to the NRO.

Chris Pogue is the Director of Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) for CyberCX in the Americas and is a member of the global DFIR leadership team.

Over his 25-year career, Chris has led multiple professional security and services organizations to investigate data breaches, secure corporate computing assets and critical value data, implement wide-scale compliance regimes, and help executives and boards of directors both qualify and quantify security risks.

His extensive experience is drawn from careers as a cybercrimes investigator, ethical hacker, military officer, law enforcement and military instructor, university professor, business executive, and board advisor.

Chris served in the United States Army as a Signal Corps Warrant Officer, participating in multiple joint task force missions is support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terror. He distinguished himself as an Honor Graduate from a variety of Army Academies and Schools and received multiple awards and commendations for excellence.

Chris was also an active member of the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force in multiple field offices as well as the Headquarters Division. He has also been the recipient of multiple Secret Service Certificates of Appreciation.

John Polcari is Director in HKA’s Government Contracts practice with more than 13 years of experience in the U.S. government contracts compliance industry. John assists clients with various government contracting regulatory compliance issues. His clients range from start-up businesses to multi-billion-dollar organizations operating in industries such as consulting, engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, construction/infrastructure, and healthcare.

In addition to dealing with contractor issues related to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance, John has extensive experience with CAS-required Disclosure Statements, Incurred Cost Proposal (ICP) submissions, and cost impact analyses. He is also well versed in the general design and maintenance of compliant contractor indirect cost allocation structures.

Aaron Raddock is the National Co-Leader of BDO’s Government Contracts Practice. He focuses in the area of advisory services working with government contractors in virtually every industry on a wide range of business issues and regulatory compliance matters. Aaron regularly assists federal contractors with the development of REAs, Claims, and Termination Settlement proposals and frequently support clients in other areas involving complex cost accounting, audits, investigations and disputes.

Daniel Ramish’s practice encompasses government contracts, construction, and white collar matters. He works with a multitude of issues unique to doing business with the federal government, including subspecialties such as cost and pricing, data rights, and small business and socioeconomic programs. Daniel has a particular focus on contract claims and disputes with the federal government, and disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors. He has extensive experience with federal government construction disputes, including constructive changes, differing site conditions, Spearin design liability, and Eichleay unabsorbed overhead claims.

Daniel also represents contractors in white collar matters relating to government contracting, including the False Claims Act. He has worked on large and complex subcontracting transactions and disputes, including matters relating to construction and performance-based remediation subcontracts, on behalf of both prime contractors and subcontractors. He served as a team lead for the ABA Guide to Services Subcontract Terms and Conditions, which included overseeing the FAR Part 27 intellectual property clauses and corresponding DFARS clauses.

Erin Rankin is counsel in the Government Contracts Group and is experienced in resolving government contract disputes with a particular focus on cost allowability, cost accounting issues, and DCAA audit findings. Erin also advises clients on all aspects of FAR and DFARS compliance in connection with the administration, performance, and closing out of government contracts. Erin has extensive experience representing government contractors before the Boards of Contract Appeals, defending companies against False Claims Act allegations, conducting internal investigations, and advocating for clients in mandatory disclosures and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Avani Rao is a Manager in HKA's Washington, D.C. office, with a focus on the government contracts practice. Avani has performed accounting, financial, and economic analyses in a variety of matters that center around cost, schedule, and damages analyses, as well as other dispute and compliance related issues, often within the context of the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR"). Avani has supported the calculation and evaluation of damages claims ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to over $1 billion.

Anthony leads Blank Rome’s National Security team. A dual U.S./UK-qualified practitioner with on-the-ground experience spanning four continents, he counsels companies and private equity sponsors regarding cross-border trade, operations, investments, and geopolitical strategic planning.

Anthony has been recognized as a leading practitioner by the Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and Global Investigations Review. A former member of the Law360 International Trade Editorial Advisory Board, he is a trusted advisor to clients on matters involving economic sanctions, export controls, and investment screening involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS").

Anthony has advised clients across a broad range of industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, automotive, aviation and aviation-adjacent, technology/software, semiconductors, telecommunications, maritime, financial, shipping, freight forwarding and logistics, and energy.

Ms. Reed’s practice focuses on advising domestic and international clients on all aspects of government contracting law, including prime contracts, subcontracts and other related agreements, drafting requests for equitable adjustments and claims; drafting Contractor Performance Assessment Report System responses; reviewing, drafting, evaluating and revising ethics compliance programs; evaluation and submission of Mandatory Disclosures; Cost Accounting Standards and accounting systems/cost principles; contract and solicitation review and risk assessment; protection of intellectual property rights related to government contracts; Organizational Conflicts of Interests issues and mitigation plans; Freedom of Information Act requests and defenses; export controls compliance and training programs; and cyber security issues. She is experienced and skilled in negotiating both international and domestic contracts including subcontracts, teaming agreements, intellectual property licenses, agent agreements, and proprietary information agreements for numerous million- and billion-dollar programs. She has represented clients of all sizes in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims.

Ms. Reed lectures for Federal Publications Seminars on Data Rights in Government Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, CRADAs, Other Transaction Agreements, the FAR, DFARS, Cyber Security and Government Cloud Computing initiatives.

Ms. Reed is a “second-career” lawyer who brings together over twenty years of experience as an attorney with over 15 years of experience as a Business Finance Manager at a major defense contractor and as a Contracts Manager at several defense contractors. She also worked under a contract with the FAA to provide contracts management support.

Tom Reynolds is a Partner in HKA’s Government Contracts Practice in Washington, D.C. Tom is a forensic accountant and CPA with 20 years of experience helping government contractors navigate the complex government contracting compliance rules and regulations. Tom has provided government contract accounting, auditing and advisory support to government contractors across numerous industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, engineering, and professional services. Tom has presented contractors’ positions and facilitated negotiations with contracting officers, DCAA, DCMA, and other regulatory bodies.

Tom has supported government contractors in connection with business systems compliance assessments, DCAA/DCMA audit support, False Claims Act disputes, merger and acquisition due diligence and post-merger integration, and indirect rate modelling and analysis. Tom deals extensively with critical government contracting regulations and requirements, including the FAR, DFARS, and CAS.

Ms. Katelyn Rigle is the Operations Audit Liaison Small Business Coordinator for DCAA, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. Ms. Rigle has been with the agency since 2009 and currently acts as the agency’s small business liaison, offering education, guidance and support to small and medium businesses working in the Federal contracting realm. Ms. Rigle also coordinates training through the Small Business Administration, APEX Accelerators, and federal consulting firms.

Michael Rizzo, Pillsbury’s Government Contracts & Disputes practice co-leader, has represented defense contractors, design/build firms, transportation and technology companies in multimillion-dollar, precedent-setting cases.

A government contracts lawyer in Los Angeles, Michael prepares Contract Disputes Act certified claims; resolves contract disputes before the ASBCA, the CBCA, California federal and state courts, and in arbitration; and handles termination disputes at the federal, state and local government levels. He defends lawsuits filed under the Civil False Claims Act. He crafts comprehensive government contracts compliance programs designed to reduce clients' future exposure and legal expenditures. Additionally, Michael is experienced in handling internal investigations into quality assurance and pricing issues.

David B. Robbins is a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice. Mr. Robbins is an experienced litigator, investigations lawyer, and strategic business counselor with a broad skillset focused on ethics, compliance, M&A/diligence, investigations, crisis management, and enforcement defense for government contractors, grant recipients, and regulated industries.

Mr. Robbins advises clients on a range of litigation matters, including civil False Claims Act defense, parallel civil and criminal fraud enforcement proceedings, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, whistleblower reprisal defense, and prime/sub disputes. He also handles matters involving high-stakes, complex internal investigations, mandatory disclosures, claims, trade secrets litigation, ethics/compliance, conflicts of interest, fraud and public corruption defense, bid protests, General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contracting, Procurement Integrity Act, Anti-Kickback Act, and suspension and debarment.

As a trusted business advisor, Mr. Robbins provides strategic advice to executives and in-house counsel on their most pressing business needs, including M&A due diligence, mitigating issues found during diligence, and post-merger integration. Mr. Robbins actively counsels companies concerning COVID-19 incident response and the provision of COVID-19 countermeasures such as vaccines and PPE to the US government. Mr. Robbins has represented audit committees and special board committees in high stakes, government-facing matters. In Chambers USA, clients describe him as a “[c]reative strategic thinker,” emphasizing that “he finds opportunities where other lawyers have given up.” These attributes cause clients to turn to Mr. Robbins to achieve global resolutions in their most complex civil and criminal fraud matters.

Mr. Robbins is a former Air Force General Counsel’s office senior lawyer, where he ran the global Air Force’s Procurement Fraud Remedies Office and served as acting Suspending and Debarring Official and Deputy General Counsel (Contractor Responsibility). Mr. Robbins advised Air Force, Defense, and Intelligence Community senior leaders on a wide range of acquisition issues. During his tenure, he and his teams were responsible for thousands of civil False Claims Act matters, criminal fraud cases, and suspension/debarment exclusion proceedings. Mr. Robbins also co-ran the Department of Defense Procurement Fraud Working Group, a collection of agents, lawyers, auditors, and acquisition officials who gathered monthly to discuss best practices and set standards, with an intense focus on False Claims Act matters. He was also a member of the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee. These two committees coordinated the operations of the government’s procurement and grant fraud organization, setting practices that remain in use today.

Mr. Robbins frequently speaks and publishes on government contracts topics, including in Thomson Reuters Government Contracts Year in Review. He is the primary author and editor of the ABA Publications peer-reviewed book The Procurement Fraud Guidebook: System, Stakeholders, and Response Strategies.

Zach Rockwood provides Government audit assistance and consultation services to a variety of Government contracting entities. Zach has over 12 years’ experience in Government contracting including: Government Audit, Compliance Leader (medium and large contractors), Head of Internal Audit and Government Contract Consulting.

In his current role, Zach delivers advice and consultation regarding DFARS Business Systems, Indirect Rates and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Bill has significant Cost Accounting Standards (“CAS”) experience gained through positions held in both the public and private sectors, including being the industry representative to the CAS Board.

Most recently, Bill was a CAS specialist with the Defense Contract Management Agency. He developed CAS training modules that he then used to train the Agency’s Cognizant Federal Agency Officials (“CFAOs”). He also served the role as an advisor to the CFAOs on their specific CAS issues.

Previously, Bill was an Industry leader in Federal procurement issues, while holding various positions at The Boeing Company. He has significant experience with earnings improvement and business process reengineering initiatives, with in-depth experience in cost accounting, variance analysis, performance improvement, budgeting, and forecasting. While at Boeing he also developed robust internal control processes in general, with a focus in the area of International Business Compliance.

Prior to starting his almost twenty-eight year career at Boeing, Bill was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica.

Rob focuses his practice on export controls and government contracts. Rob conducts internal
corporate investigations and audits, drafts compliance plans, and counsels clients through
all stages of involvement in complex export transactions, from mandatory registrations,
technology release issues, and strategies for licenses and Commodity Jurisdiction
Determinations and Commodity Classification Requests, to preparation and submission of
voluntary disclosures.

His representation includes: investigations and voluntary disclosures for public and private
companies; advising on license strategies; compliance reviews; and development of internal
control and compliance plans for export controls and international transactions involving the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations
(EAR), and sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Dave is a Principal and co-founder of C&S Consulting. He has more than 25 years of experience with both government and commercial customers in the implementation of systems and methodologies to improve management processes. He has worked with organizations in highly regulated industries such as aerospace and defense, government contracting, and natural resources to implement project controls systems that ensure mission-critical projects are completed on time and within budget.

Dave has extensive experience designing, implementing, and supporting compliant Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) for both the U.S. Government and government contractors. In addition, he has provided EVMS assurance services supporting government contractors' EVMS compliance with the ANSI/EIA 748 standard. He provides a unique perspective gained through his experience directly supporting Federal Agency and Department of Defense (DOD) programs surveillance of contractors EVM reporting and EVM Systems.

He actively supports several government and industry associations that are developing improved project controls processes and surveillance of project controls systems. He frequently presents at conferences and training workshops on a variety of related industry topics.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Earned Value Management Practitioners’ Forum (Founder) National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Integrated Program Management Division Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) Project Delivery Working Group College of Performance Management (CPM)

Laura A. Semple serves as Assistant General Counsel for Amentum, where she provides advice on Government contracting, employment, and corporate law issues. Ms. Semple previously worked as an associate at Smith Pachter McWhorter, PLC, where she counseled Government contractors on cost and pricing issues and resolved claims relating to disallowed costs, CAS noncompliances, and accounting change cost impacts. Ms. Semple counseled Government contractors on compliance with mandatory disclosure obligations, incurred cost submissions, and other Government reporting requirements. Ms. Semple co-teaches the Cost & Pricing Course for the Masters in Procurement Law Program at the George Washington University Law School. She is an active member of the ABA Section of Public Contract Law and currently serves as Vice-Chair for the ABA Accounting, Cost, and Pricing Committee. Ms. Semple also serves as President of the Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association.

Jay works in RSM’s national government contracting consulting practice, leveraging over 12 years of hands-on aerospace and defense industry experience to support a wide array of clients. Specifically, Jay brings over seven years of experience as a defense contract audit agent (DCAA), auditor/supervisory auditor, where he was responsible for performing and supervising audits of government contractors for DOD and other federal agencies to ensure compliance with FAR, CAS and other applicable regulations. His DCAA experience includes executing most audits programs performed by DCAA, including incurred costs, DFARS business systems (e.g., accounting, estimating, purchasing), pricing proposals, forward pricing rates, disclosure statement/CAS compliance, and post-award (defective pricing). In this role, Jay audited a wide variety of contractors, from multi-billion-dollar corporations to small companies with less than 10 employees.

Jay also brings over five years of experience working in the private industry with a large and a mid-size federal contractor, where he served as a senior level government compliance lead responsible for all aspects of compliance on federal awards, operating across multiple continents. His areas of expertise include DFARS business systems, internal control design/implementation, incurred cost preparation, DCAA/DCMA audit support and negotiations, indirect rate structures design strategies, policies and procedures preparation, cost allowability, and cost accounting standards. He serves clients by providing management strategic advice for achieving business objectives in a compliant manner, while maximizing costs recovered on government contracts and maintaining approved business systems.

Catherine O. Shames is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Group. Catherine’s government contracts practice focuses on contract claims/disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), prime-sub disputes, transactional due diligence, internal investigations, and disclosures under the Mandatory Disclosure Rule. She also assists contractors with cost allowability issues and responding to DCAA audits.

Derek Shaw is a Director in the Government Contractor Advisory Services practice and brings to BDO more than 27 years of Finance experience with focus on Government Finance & Compliance in the Aerospace & Defense sectors. This includes a broad range of Government contracting & compliance matters, including Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, TINA, Government Business Systems controls, and Restructuring. Derek has held senior management positions with large corporations, and also has extensive hands-on experience with small and mid-sized contractors, including SDB/8a firms.

Derek has extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions focusing on government contracting aspects, including restructuring proposal development. Derek has also been a frequent speaker at training conferences and has developed and delivered training programs covering various government contracting topics.

Mr. Shelby has over nineteen years of Government Contracting experience at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

With a focus on Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) for the last thirteen years, Randy conducted CPSR's as a procurement analyst, managed CPSR teams, and oversaw hundreds of CPSR's as a supervisory procurement analyst.

While at DCMA, Shelby worked as Team Lead to develop policies, standard operating procedures, templates, and data collection tools used in every CPSR conducted by the agency.

Randy co-created the “New CPSR Process” which encourages contractors to correct their deficiencies in the early stages of the purchasing system process. DCMA considered Randy a leading CPSR expert and relied on him to share knowledge at government industry events and other DoD agencies.

As a noted guest speaker, Randy shared expertise at NCMA's World Congress, SubCon, and Government Contract Symposiums. Randy also delivered CPSR presentations for Federal Publications Seminars (FPS), NAVSEA, the Army, and the Air Force.

John is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. providing government contract consulting services to our clients primarily related to the DFARS business systems, CAS Disclosure Statements, and DCAA/DCMA compliance preparation, advisory, and defense. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, John served in a number of capacities with DCAA/DCMA for more than 30 years. Upon his retirement, he was based in Texas as an SES-level Corporate Audit Director for DCAA, managing a staff of 300 auditors at one of the largest DOD programs.
John began his career in the late 80s working in the Clearwater, FL audit office and over the next three decades he progressed through a number of positions within both DCAA and DCMA with career highlights as DCAA Program Manager at Ft. Belvoir, Chief of Technical Programs Division, Deputy Assistant Director-Policy, Director of the DCMA Cost and Pricing Center, the SES-level Lockheed Martin Corporate Audit Director, and Director of Integrity and Quality Assurance.
John’s three decades of experience in performing and leading DCAA auditors and DCMA reviewers provides a wealth of expertise to our clients. John’s role, not only in the performance of audits, but also in the development of audit policy affords him unique insights into the defense of audit findings and the linkage of audit program steps to the underlying regulatory framework. He is an expert in FAR, DFARS, and other agency acquisition regulation, as well as a subject matter expert in the Cost Accounting Standards having reviewed and provided audit feedback on many of the largest and most complex cost accounting practices during his tenure with the DCAA.

John’s tenure with DCAA and DCMA came at a critical time during each agency’s history where a number of changes were occurring such as the response to the ICS backlog, development of audit approaches to the DFARS Business Systems and implementation of new audit initiatives as a result of Congressional oversight through the NDAA process. John’s leadership at the DCMA Cost & Pricing center saw oversight of all major DOD pricing actions, leadership of should cost review teams, the Commercial Pricing group and many other areas of strategic value to our clients. His involvement in these and other Agency initiatives is of great value to our clients due to his in depth understanding of DCAA and DCMA’s internal policy directives.

Aaron P. Silberman is a Partner in the San Francisco office of Rogers Joseph O’Donnell where he concentrates on government contracts and construction matters. Mr. Silberman counsels contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the construction, defense, technology, and service industries on contracts for federal, state and local public entities; helps clients evaluate, negotiate and draft solicitations, proposals and bids; negotiates and evaluates proposed contract terms, litigates bid protests of public contract awards; investigates and litigates claims for delay, disruption, payment, defects, and fraud or false claims; and advises and represents clients in disabled access issues. He is a frequent lecturer on government contracts and construction law subjects, including false claims, terminations, prime subcontractor payment issues, Building Information Modeling (BIM), green building, IT procurements abandonment/cardinal change claims, disabled access, and licensing. Currently, he is the Chair Elect of the ABA Public Contract Law Section and will serve as Chair in 2017-2018. He has previously chaired committees devoted to subcontracting, procurement fraud, construction and state and local government procurement.

In May 2020, Stephanie was selected as a senior analyst in RSM’s cutting-edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions influencing middle market leaders. Stephanie’s focus is government contracting.

Stephanie has ten years of experience serving clients across the country by providing industry-specific insights and thought leadership that allows them to stay at the forefront of the changes within their industry while also providing valuation and advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, tax reporting and strategic planning.

Stephanie has worked with a variety of publicly and privately held clients in the business and professional services industry, with a specialized focus on government contracting and private equity-backed portfolio companies. Stephanie has performed and reviewed hundreds of valuations of business enterprises, intangible assets, intellectual property and complex equity securities. Stephanie’s primary focus is on delivering timely, relevant information to her clients while also providing high-quality valuation services and market insight. This industry-specific focus has allowed Stephanie to bring her clients valuable information relevant to their business, which also allows her to work with them in a strategic and impactful manner.

As a first generation American, Christine Sohar Henter exemplifies a passionate commitment to the practice of international trade law. She represents trade associations, governments, and corporate clients on international trade matters including import trade remedies, customs compliance, export controls and international business transactions, based on her public and private sector experience.

Jose Soto is a Director with MorganFranklin Consulting and is a Government Contracts compliance subject matter expert with over 24 years of progressive experience which includes over six years with DCAA and over seventeen years in Industry including working for some of the largest Government Contractors. His vast experience includes preparation incurred cost submissions, Disclosure Statements, Forward Pricing Rates Proposals and Internal Controls design and implementation, as well as preparation of Gross Dollar Magnitudes and Detailed Cost Impact Proposals and assisting in position negotiations.

Specialties include interpretation CAS, FAR, and FAR supplements. Jose poses expertise in developing compliant policies and procedures and developing Strategies around Future State Indirect Rates Structure utilizing Industry Best practices to remain competitive and maximize profit.

David M. Spooner is a partner in the Corporate Department and Co-Chair of the International Trade Practice Group. David represents governments, trade associations, and corporate clients on international trade matters, including trade remedies, trade policy and customs issues. He uses his past experience as a high-level political appointee in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill to assist clients with their advocacy efforts before both branches of government, as well as before foreign governments.

Craig Stetson has over 25 years of direct experience in government contract accounting, pricing, subcontract management, regulatory and federal contract compliance, business system implementation, and internal control oversight. His industry experience includes aerospace and defense, manufacturing, construction, architecture and engineering, information and communications, higher education, and not-for-profits. Mr. Stetson is experienced in a wide range of cost accounting and regulatory compliance matters related to government contracts and grants, including claims preparation and negotiation; cost allowability; application of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and OMB Circular requirements; accounting and business systems assessment related to government contract compliance requirements, internal control sufficiency and overall self-governance; cost estimating, accounting and auditing of federal contracts and grants; and, application and interpretation of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Joe is a Manager in the Baker Tilly GCS Practice with over 6 years of experience, specializing in -financial modeling of rate structures, conducting reviews and implementation of contractor business systems, and documentation of functional policy and procedures for compliance with government regulation.

Mr. Sweeney is a partner in the law firm of Jones Walker LLP. He practices exclusively in the area of construction law and public contracts, with further concentration in large public works projects. He has extensive experience in various forms of construction Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) techniques, including dispute review boards, mediation and structured negotiation. Mr. Sweeney has handled claims, litigation, and arbitration involving many federal agencies.

Keith R. Szeliga is a partner and Co-Practice Group Leader in the Government Contracts, Investigations, and International Trade Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Szeliga represents clients ranging from small businesses to the nation's largest defense contractors in a broad range of government contracts matters. His practice includes bid protests, compliance reviews and counseling, audits and investigations, mergers and acquisitions, subcontracts and teaming agreements, and claims and appeals.
Mr. Szeliga advises clients regarding the full spectrum of statutes and regulations applicable to government contractors. With regard to government contracts intellectual property in particular, his experience includes counseling clients regarding standard intellectual property clauses, negotiating licenses, customizing end user license agreements, developing intellectual property protection strategies, implementing policies and procedures, conducting internal reviews, and supporting claims. Mr. Szeliga also has specialized expertise in the areas of government contracts cost and pricing, ethics and compliance, personal and organizational conflicts of interest, revolving door restrictions, mandatory disclosures, and small business issues relevant to mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Szeliga publishes and lectures frequently on these and other topics of interest to the government contracts community. His full bio and publications are available at http://www.sheppardmullin.com/kszeliga.

Shohei Takagi is a Senior Manager in EY’s Government Contract Services practice, with over a decade of experience providing business advisory services to organizations who operate in the federal government contracts and grants market spaces. His specific focus is helping clients design and implement strategic initiatives to maximize profitability, cost recovery and process efficiencies, while minimizing compliance risk exposure. Shohei's clients span across multiple business sectors including Aerospace & Defense, Life Sciences, Energy, Power & Utilities, Engineering, Technology, Construction, and Nonprofit.

Shohei has in-depth experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS), HHS Acquisition Regulations (HHSAR), Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR), Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), 2 CFR 200, and other federal government procurement regulations and guidance.

Gunjan Talati is an experienced government contracts practitioner who regularly represents contractors in a variety of sectors, including aerospace and defense, health care, and technology. Gunjan’s practice is a mix of regulatory compliance, transactional, and litigation matters.

Gunjan’s regulatory compliance experience includes advising government contractors on complying with various Federal Acquisition Regulations, navigating small business and socioeconomic regulations and matters, addressing GSA and Federal Supply Schedule issues, and meeting ethics and compliance requirements. Gunjan also has significant experience in helping contractors navigate federal cybersecurity regulations and requirements.

Chad V. Theriot is a member of the firm’s board of directors. He is also co-leader of the firm’s Construction Industry Team. He focuses on major public and commercial construction and infrastructure projects.

Chad advises domestic and international clients across a broad spectrum of construction, contracting, and procurement activities. He represents owners, commercial and government contractors, major subcontractors, and original equipment manufacturers in contract negotiation, construction litigation and construction claims avoidance.

Chad currently represents US, UK, Austrian, German, South African, and Saudi Arabian companies spanning the globe in the energy, construction, aviation, defense, and shipping sectors. He currently is negotiating multiple billion dollar construction contracts and has disputes before the ICC and the LCIA involving international disputes. He also currently represents domestic clients before the AAA and various state and federal courts.

James W Thomas (Jim) is a forensic accountant with 35 years of experience providing consulting and dispute resolution services to government contractors. He has been retained as an expert on more than 50 occasions.

Jim has testified as an expert in proceedings before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services Board of Contract Appeals, District Court and in arbitration. He has served as a neutral accountant in purchase price disputes involving government contract accounting issues.

In addition to his expertise in aerospace and defense, Jim serves many industries including technology, engineering and professional services, industrial products, construction, retail products and healthcare. Prior to joining HKA, he was a forensic services partner specializing in government contracts with PwC.

Jim specializes in cost and pricing matters including government audit issues, False Claims Act damages, defective pricing, labor charging, Cost Accounting Standards, cost allowability, record keeping requirements, Federal Supply Schedule contracts, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, terminations and prime/subcontractor disputes.

Steven N. Tomanelli is the owner of Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates and is an attorney specializing in government contract law in the Washington DC area. Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates provide legal services, training and consulting services in all aspects of government contracting and federal appropriations law. Courses include: COR Certification, COR Refresher, Buy American & Trade Agreements Acts, Cost Realism, Justifications & Approvals, Intellectual Property, How to Avoid Bid Protests, Negotiating Software Licenses, Performance-Based Contracting, Small Business Contracting, IDIQ Contracting, Source Selection, FAR Workshop, Advanced FAR Workshop, FAR Update, Contract Disputes and Terminations, Introduction to Government Contracting, Procurement Ethics, Past Performance Evaluations, Federal Appropriations Law, Commercial Item Acquisition, as well as courses tailored for the specific customer.

Mr. Tomanelli is a retired Air Force Judge Advocate and has held numerous high-level procurement law positions, including Chief of Acquisition and Fiscal Law for the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command and Senior DoD Counsel for the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. He has provided consulting services and legal advice in support of highly classified major system acquisitions and has been a member of many source selection boards, advisory councils and “red teams.” He served as a Professor of Contract and Fiscal Law at the Army Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, Virginia. While in the Air Force, he was selected as “The Outstanding Career Judge Advocate of the Air Force.”

Mr. Tomanelli received his B.A. and J.D. at Hofstra University, and his Master of Laws in Federal Procurement Law at George Washington University. While earning his Master of Laws degree, Mr. Tomanelli worked as an Intern at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

Since 1995, Mr. Tomanelli has consistently been one of the highest rated acquisition trainers in the country according to student evaluations. He has authored over forty course books and written numerous articles on federal procurement and fiscal law topics. Mr. Tomanelli authored a comprehensive textbook titled, A Practical Guide to Federal Appropriations Law (MCI); is currently the Lead Editor of the FAR and the Annotated FAR for Thomson-West Publishing Company; and has received “Small Business Achievement Awards” for two consecutive years from the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Tomanelli is an attorney in good standing of the Virginia Bar; and serves on the Advisory Board of the Government Contractor (West Publishing). He has been retained as an expert witness in numerous federal, state and international court cases on federal procurement law matters. Mr. Tomanelli has a current TS/SCI security clearance.

Alex Tomaszczuk, a Pillsbury Government Contracts & Disputes partner, is repeatedly recognized by Chambers USA as an authority on government contracts and disputes litigation.

Alex litigates high-dollar value government contract claims and bid protests, helps clients challenge adverse CPARS ratings and conducts internal investigations related to a wide range of compliance issues. He represents a diverse set of clients, including utilities, aerospace manufacturers, real estate developers and service contractors in actions before the GAO, the Court of Federal Claims and other federal forums. Alex has secured important victories in procurement and contractual disputes with the DOE, DOD, Justice Department, the GSA and other agencies.

Kristin Torcasi is the Vice President of Government Compliance for CACI International Inc headquartered in Arlington, VA. Kristin is responsible for ensuring compliance with Government contract requirements and serves as the company’s liaison for Government inquires and audits. Kristin has a wide range of experience in government contract accounting, including business system compliance; preparation of incurred cost proposals and forward pricing rates; application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS); CASB Disclosure Statement preparation; cost allowability matters; cost accounting structure evaluation; and cost impact preparation.

Kristin is a CPA in the state of Virginia.

Mr. Turner is a Partner and Co-Leader of the Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group. He is an innovative business lawyer with significant experience resolving complex government contracts issues for a broad array of companies – ranging from multinational Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and small businesses. Mr. Turner routinely represents clients in the aerospace, defense, information technology, health care and industrial supply sectors.

Mr. Turner is a prolific author and lecturer and is routinely called upon by national and international news organizations to offer his insight regarding developments in the federal procurement industry.

Bob’s law practice focuses on the application of international trade, government procurement and national security law and regulations. He regularly advises both U.S. and foreign clients on international trade matters including: the application of export controls such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the sanctions regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and U.S. and foreign anti-corruption controls including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

In the government contracts area, Bob advises and assists clients in the defense, aerospace, technology, software, telecommunications, health care, energy, and manufacturing sectors with claims, bid protests, and counselling. In his national security law practice, Bob leverages experience as a retired naval intelligence officer (with command and combat experience) to assist U.S. and foreign clients with reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as well as security clearances and compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), nuclear and naval nuclear technology controls, and the DoD technology release processes.

Patrick Vint is a partner in the firm’s Omaha office and focuses his practice on construction law and
commercial litigation. He is experienced in all aspects of litigation, including dispute resolution through
arbitration and mediation. Patrick represents owners, contractors, and subcontractors in constructionrelated
claims and disputes. He also advises clients on how to manage risk and prevent future litigation.

His experience includes litigation in the areas of business, real estate, contracts, insurance coverage,
and labor & employment.

Patrick was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022: Ones to
Watch for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation-Construction.

Todd W. Weidemann, Partner, Woods & Aitken LLP

Linda Weinberg provides practical advice to business and institutional clients on international trade law, including export controls, foreign assets control and customs. She works regularly with the U.S. and foreign government agencies that regulate international trade to help clients realize their distinct objectives surrounding their global commerce initiatives.

Jeffery White is Founder and CEO of J.A. White & Associates Inc. A leading industry firm in Federal Contracting and Compliance consulting offering a tailored line of advisory services to clients.

With over 38 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, White's expertise has led his firm to have an unprecedented 100% approval rate of Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) and other Business System assessments.

The design of document automation, CPSR ProDocs, was spearheaded by visionary, Jeffery White. Used by small and large government contractors, the software streamlines the Procurement workflow process by leveraging a company’s existing enterprise platform and automates compliance-related Procurement file documentation. A company's benefits may include cost savings, 100% accuracy, increased CPSR success, error reduction and lead time reduction. White’s clients currently include government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Jason Workmaster focuses his practice on government contracts-related litigation, including contract claims and disputes, bid protests, and civil False Claims Act (FCA) cases. He has represented a host of clients in these types of cases before the boards of contract appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and U.S. District Court. He also routinely assists clients in responding to government audits and investigations.

A former partner in the highly-regarded McKenna Long & Aldridge government contracts practice, Mr. Workmaster is recognized as an expert on a wide range of government contracting issues – including contracting on the battlefield, cost allowability, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), contract funding, requests for equitable adjustment, the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules program, and the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). He also is a recognized leader on FCA issues and has appeared on NBC's The TODAY Show and Canadian TV's National News to discuss the highly publicized FCA case against the cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Cara Wulf is a partner in the Government Contracts & Global Trade practice group at McCarter & English. She focuses her practice on government contracts and regulations. She has extensive experience counseling clients regarding compliance with federal, state, and local public procurement requirements. She also assists in litigation involving bid protests, claims, and other disputes before federal agencies, courts and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Cara is a frequent lecturer for Federal Publications on U.S. domestic preference statutes, regulations and executive orders as they apply to the U.S. Government supply chain.

Theresa Youngblood has significant international trade compliance and regulatory law experience and advises domestic and international entities in the public and private sectors on building successful strategies and on dispute resolution. She offers her clients the right mix of dedicated and driven, smart and savvy, and knowledgeable and approachable – gained over the course of the last 20 years.

She has extensive experience in providing tailored counsel for matters involving export control and compliance, particularly with regard to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Customs and Border Protection regulations, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions regulations. Theresa also guides clients through U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regulations, in particular as export and import regulations impact her client’s the Foreign Military Sales contracts.

Theresa advises clients on these complex compliance issues and creates and launches internal compliance programs tailored to entities large, medium and small. She works with and on behalf of her clients regarding virtually all aspects of export and import transactions, including all affected corporate functions, to address transactional, operational, policy and compliance considerations. She is intimately aware of the issues affecting clients in the areas of export-import control, licensing compliance, commodity jurisdiction and classification determinations; reporting and compliance requirements for licenses, agreements and exemptions and exceptions; coordination with forwarders, brokers, agents, and third parties; and drafting and filing necessary documentation for tangible and intangible shipments and transfers.

Additionally, Theresa is well-versed across the international trade spectrum and handles internal and external audit activities. She briefs and advises senior leadership on metrics as to various trade control matters touching all business operations, from executive management and business development to engineering, research and development, finance, supply chain and procurement, and information technology.

Clinton Yu advises clients on compliance with U.S. trade and investment laws, including customs and import regulations, export controls (ITAR & EAR), economic sanctions (OFAC), and CFIUS.

M. Yuan Zhou is a counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm's Government Contracts Group.

Yuan’s practice includes a wide range of investigatory, counseling, and transactional capabilities, including: internal investigations related to the False Claims Act, the Procurement Integrity Act, and other civil and criminal matters; compliance reviews and enhancing contractor compliance programs; representing clients in suspension and debarment proceedings; counseling on data rights issues, challenges, and disputes; mandatory disclosures; and providing government contracts due diligence in transactional matters. As part of the firm’s State and Local Practice, Yuan also counsels clients on state and local procurement issues, ranging from bid protests to contract negotiations with state agencies, and advises prime contractors and subcontractors on a variety of issues, including prime/sub contract formation, disputes, and other government contracts issues.

Prior to law school, Yuan was a special assistant at the White House and a White House intern for the Obama Administration.

Levi Zielinski is a Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., based in the company’s Pittsburgh, PA office. Levi has over a decade of experience in addressing various accounting and compliance issues related to Federal government grants, and internal control assessments. Levi’s expertise includes Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), FAR Cost Principles, and Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities (2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance).

Levi is well experienced in working with government contractors and Federal award recipients of varying size, complexity, and industry focus in the areas of accounting and internal controls. Levi has also supported clients with Business Systems Compliance, including risk assessment and Policy and Procedure Development. He has also assisted clients with Subrecipient Monitoring, Audit Support, Audit Findings Resolution, and other regulatory compliance matters.

Prior to joining Capital Edge, Levi was an audit manager for Maher Duessel, CPAs, a member of the AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center. While at Maher Duessel, CPAs, Levi supervised and performed audits over both not-for-profit and governmental entities, including Single Audits under both OMB Circular A-133 and Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200, Subpart F (Single Audit).

Levi is a registered CPA with the Pennsylvania Board of Accountancy. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Mustafa Zuwawa is a Senior Manager in Ernst & Young LLP’s Government Contract Services practice (GCS), located in the Irvine, CA office. He has been with the firm for over 9 years, providing over 10 years of experience in the government contracting environment to the GCS practice. Prior to joining Government Contract Services, Mustafa has spent 4 years as a consultant working at defense contractors. His experience relates to incurred cost submissions, accounting and estimating system reviews, proposals, and cost and price analysis.