Former Fed Friday

Bridging the Gap: Carol Sefret on Federal Acquisition and Vendor Relations

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire chats with Carol Sefret, a newly retired federal leader who spent 37 years at CMS, going all the way back to when it was HCFA. Carol reflects offers honest, practical advice for vendors hoping to work with the government. She explains why showing up unprepared is a nonstarter, what agencies are really looking for during meetings, and how vendors can stand out in today’s challenging environment. 
She talks candidly about the realities of the acquisition process — why there's no magic wand to make things move faster, and how much of the change has to start internally within agencies themselves. Carol shares how grace, preparation, and persistence can go a long way in bridging the gap between government and industry.
To connect with Carol visit her on LinkedIn here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.
Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity.

Patrick Eager on Career Courage, Contracting Challenges & the Rise of AI

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Hunter Gros sits down with Patrick Eager, a Marine Corps veteran turned government leader and business executive. He is currently the Executive Vice President at Rexley. Patrick’s career spans critical roles in WMD response, federal IT leadership, and business development, offering invaluable insights into navigating both government and private sectors.
 
From his time in the Marine Corps specializing in nuclear, biological, and chemical threats to his leadership at DHS, TSA, and FDIC, Patrick shares how aligning core values with career choices led him to make bold moves—including stepping away from government to build his own business. He discusses the evolving challenges of federal contracting, the rise of AI in business development, and the importance of mentorship in shaping successful careers.
To connect with Patrick visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Rexley here.
Thank you to our sponsor!To connect with Hunter Gros visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about vTech Solution by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Inside Emerald One: Former VA Exec Kai Miller Talks Strategy, Culture, and Real Talk

In this episode of the Former Fed Friday Podcast, Shelly McGuire sits down with Kai Miller, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of Emerald One, a woman-owned consulting firm serving federal agencies. With over 15 years in government service, spanning NASA to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Kai brings a rare blend of high-level federal insight and grounded leadership to her work.
Emerald One was born from three former federal executives and their shared thought of wishing they had access to consultants who truly understood the realities of government life. Today, Emerald One delivers strategic consulting tailored to agency culture, not cookie-cutter solutions. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” Kai reminds us, highlighting her team's focus on empathy, trust, and listening. Her leadership style is as grounded as her lifestyle: listen more, prepare often, and lead with intention.
Tune in to hear how Emerald One is redefining federal consulting, the role of culture in digital transformation, and why strong female partnerships are powering some of the most innovative work in the public sector today.
To connect with Kai, visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Emerald One here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.
Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution. Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity.

Sunny Hashmi on Navigating Federal Talent and Technology Transformation

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host David Blackburn talks with Sonny Hashmi, Head of Global Public Sector at Unqork, who highlights the unique value federal employees bring to private sector roles. They excel in deep user research, cross-functional project management, and financial analysis but often struggle to translate these skills clearly to employers. Sunny urges companies to engage with federal talent, identify skill gaps, and invest in their growth, noting their unmatched loyalty, ethics, and mission-driven mindset.
For federal workers transitioning to the private sector, Sonny advises being clear about role expectations, especially the balance between strategic work and business development, and investing in their professional network. He emphasizes patience during the challenging first six months, encouraging a full year to assess fit before making career decisions.
Sonny’s insights showcase how federal expertise, combined with tools like Unqork’s zero-code platform, can drive innovation and growth in today’s tech-driven market.
To connect with Sonny, visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Unqork here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Lessons in Government, Industry, and Agility with Traci Walker

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire sits down with Traci Walker, Executive Director of the Digital Services Coalition and founder of Awkward Walker Consulting. Traci brings a fascinating perspective as a former federal contracting officer turned industry bridge-builder, with experience spanning from GSA to the White House and the U.S. Digital Service.
She opens up about lessons learned from the healthcare.gov turnaround and shares insights on navigating the cultural shift from the public to private sector, misconceptions about industry, and how to stay mission-focused even after leaving government service. Traci helps break down barriers between government and industry—and reminds us that small wins and curious minds are key to driving meaningful change.
To connect with Traci, visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Digital Services Coalition here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.
Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution. Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity.

From CMS to Optum: Amy Giardina on Fraud, Funding, and the Future of Medicare

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire welcomes Amy Giardina, former Director at the CMS Division of Payment Models and now VP of Business Development at Optum. Amy brings a rich background from both the public and private sectors, having shaped bundled payment policy at CMS and led geriatric care at Johns Hopkins.
Amy dives into the key healthcare priorities of the current administration—tackling fraud and abuse, increasing drug affordability, and improving beneficiary education and tools for care. She also shares valuable insights from her time at CMMI, discussing the success of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) and the future of value-based care.
Amy breaks down the complexities of payment model innovation and paints a powerful picture of how better coordination, access, and compassion can transform patient care—especially for our aging and disabled populations.
To connect with Amy visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Optum here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Bill Pratt’s Journey Through IT Innovation

In this episode of Former Fed Fridays, Hunter Gross interviews Bill Pratt, an experienced IT leader who shares his journey from the Navy to leading IT transformations at DHS. Bill emphasizes the need for young professionals to enter government roles, learn from retiring employees, and take on leadership positions. 
Bill also highlights the necessity of AI in government solutions, particularly at DHS, which has fully embraced AI integration. He plans to focus on AI-driven automation in governance compliance and business development, stressing that AI is key to securing government contracts and driving future innovation.
To connect with Bill visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about GovITWorks here.
Thank you to our sponsor!To connect with Hunter Gros visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about vTech Solution by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Breaking Out of the Fed Bubble: Career Transitions with Mike Holmes

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros chats with Mike Holmes, an executive recruiter specializing in helping senior civil servants, military personnel, and federal law enforcement officers transition into the corporate world. Mike shares his personal journey, from retiring as a lieutenant colonel in Army Military Intelligence to founding his own concierge recruiting firm.
Mike breaks down the challenges federal employees face when leaving government service, including identity shifts, unexpected career hurdles, and the importance of realistic expectations. He also offers invaluable advice on preparing for the transition, from starting early and crafting the right resume to embracing new career possibilities beyond the obvious paths.

Navigating Careers Between Government and Industry with Ratima Kataria

Making the leap from government to industry—and sometimes back again—can be a complex journey. In this episode of Former Fed Friday, David Blackburn talks with Ratima Kataria, a seasoned growth leader who has navigated both worlds with remarkable success. From her time as Deputy CIO at HRSA to her current role driving strategy for ICF’s Federal Health, Ratima shares invaluable insights on transitioning careers, building a powerful network, and making an impact in both federal and private sectors. 
Ratima suggests getting involved with groups like ACT-IAC, AFCEA, and PSC. Whether you're considering a career move or looking to strengthen public-private collaborations, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.
To connect with Ratima visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about ICF here.
Thank you to our sponsor!Learn more about vTech Solution by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Beyond Government: Reinventing Your Career with Robert Leahy

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Mike Pereira sits down with Robert Leahy, a retired federal executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in IT strategy, modernization, and operations at major government agencies like NASA, the IRS, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Now a Strategic Executive Advisor at Accenture Federal Services, Robert shares insights on navigating career transitions, the importance of networking, and how federal employees can prepare for changes in the workforce.
From managing large-scale technology transformations to adjusting to life after government service, Robert offers practical advice for former feds looking to transition into the private sector. He also shares how to stay ahead of the curve with AI, career stability strategies, and the importance of setting personal goals in retirement.
Whether you're actively exploring new opportunities or simply want to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways, real-world experience, and inspiration for the next step in your professional journey.
To connect with Robert, visit him on LinkedIn here.
Thank you to our sponsor!To connect with Mike Pereira visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about vTech Solution by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.