Former Fed Friday

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.

Planning Your Exit: Retirement, Ethics & Industry Transitions with Monica Padron Harris

Thinking about retiring from federal service? Wondering how to transition smoothly into the private sector? On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire sits down with Monica Padron Harris, a former DHS acquisition expert turned entrepreneur. With over 30 years of experience, Monica shares her journey from government service to launching her own consulting firm, Procurement Pros.
From financial planning and ethics considerations to navigating industry lingo and setting up a business, Monica offers candid insights and practical advice for federal employees contemplating their next move. Plus, hear her take on the current state of government workforce reductions and how to prepare for the unexpected.
To connect with Monica visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Procurement Pros 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.

Bill Ashton’s Lifelong Commitment to Service

From the depths of the ocean aboard a Navy submarine to the halls of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bill Ashton’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. After 23 years in the Navy and 21 years in federal service, Bill dedicated himself to one final mission—ensuring that veterans have access to the benefits and opportunities they deserve.
In this episode, Bill shares his unexpected path from military service to government leadership, his drive to reform veteran support programs, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. With his signature humor and straight-shooting honesty, Bill reveals how he turned a career in service into a passion for advocacy—proving that retirement is just another chapter in the mission. 
To connect with William, visit him 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.

Life, Business & Giving Back After Government with Mike McGuire

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire sits down with Mike McGuire, Director Capture/Business Development - Federal with vTech Solution. From his 30-year career in federal service to embracing the transition into retirement, Mike shares invaluable insights on planning ahead, staying active, and navigating post-retirement finances. Plus, hear about his unique school bus-turned-food truck and how he’s using it to give back to the community.
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.

Transitioning from Government to Tech with Darryl Peek

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Hunter Gros chats with Darryl Peek, Senior Director for U.S. Public Sector Partnerships at Elastic, to uncover the lessons, challenges, and strategies behind his journey from engineering at Lockheed Martin to pivotal leadership roles at DHS, Salesforce, Google, and beyond.
Darryl shares how he leveraged his government experience, navigated the world of public-private partnerships, and made bold career moves—all while staying true to his mission of driving innovation. 
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.
 

Succeeding in IT and Business Development with Shannon Dillon

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire sits down with Shannon Dillon, Senior Business Development Manager at Leidos and a former federal employee at HHS and FDA, to discuss her 25+ years of experience in IT project management, federal procurement, and business development.
Shannon shares her inspiring journey from managing federal infrastructure budgets to thriving in IT sales and business development. She opens up about the unique challenges women face in the GovCon IT space and offers insightful advice on overcoming them. As a single mom and leader in tech, she reflects on balancing career ambitions with personal life and how flexibility and determination played a key role in her success.
 
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.

From Service to CEO: Mika Cross on Career Reinvention

In this episode, Hunter Gross, Director of Marketing at VTechSolution, explores the incredible career journey of Mika Cross, CEO of Strategy@Work, from military service to federal leadership and finally to entrepreneurship. She shares how she balanced government work with personal ventures, the moment she took the leap into business ownership, and the financial and career strategies that made it possible. Mika discusses the cultural shifts between government and private industry, the assumptions she had to unlearn, and the resources that helped her succeed.
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.

From Federal Service to Independent Success: Insights from Frank Konieczny

In this episode of Former Fed Fridays, host Mike Pereira dives into an engaging conversation with Frank Konieczny, a retired Chief Technology Officer for the United States Air Force. With over 40 years of expertise spanning both the military and civilian sectors, Frank shares his journey, challenges, and key insights on transitioning from federal work to private entrepreneurship. 
From navigating bureaucracy to launching an independent consulting career, this episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone considering the move.
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.