Former Fed Friday

Inside Federal IT Modernization with Larry Bafundo Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire sit down with Larry Bafundo, founder of Commonwealth Digital and a longtime leader in civic technology, government innovation, and digital service design. With more than a decade of experience across government, nonprofits, and the private sector, including roles as an SES-level leader, product leader at 18F and Code for America, and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, Larry brings deep expertise in digital strategy, human-centered design, and public-sector technology transformation. His career highlights include launching and designing Los Angeles County’s new voting system in 2016 and partnering with leading design firm IDEO on innovation initiatives.
Drawing on Larry's broad experience across federal, state, and civic technology ecosystems, the conversation explores several key questions shaping government modernization today. 
Larry weighs in on recent changes across the civic tech landscape, including the evolution of programs like 18F, USDS, and the IRS Direct File initiative, and what lessons the broader technology community should take away from those shifts. Finally, the conversation turns to his newest venture, Commonwealth Digital, where he is asked how organizations can become more outcome-driven in their technology investments and what challenges states and mission-driven organizations face as they navigate modernization with tighter funding and evolving policy environments.
To connect with Larry, 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. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.

Better Solutions Start with Better Questions with Merri-Ellen James Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire welcomes Merri-Ellen James, former CMS leader and now Client Relations Executive at RELI Group who shares insights shaped by more than two decades leading complex healthcare programs, technology initiatives, and fraud prevention efforts.
Drawing on her experience across government and industry, she unpacks how effective problem-solving starts with strong communication, deep understanding of the environment, and taking the time to identify what you don’t know before jumping to solutions. The conversation explores the shift from federal to industry perspectives, the importance of aligning solutions with real agency constraints, and how cross-program collaboration can unlock smarter, more scalable approaches.
From practical lessons on stakeholder alignment to the importance of continuously “checking back” on shared definitions and goals, this episode offers a grounded look at what it really takes to deliver mission-focused, sustainable solutions in today’s federal landscape.
To connect with Merri-Ellen visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about RELI Group by visiting their website 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.

The Hidden Mechanics of Federal Acquisition with Mahesh Choksi Sponsored by vTech Solution

Mahesh Choksi joins the Former Fed Friday podcast with Shelley McGuire to share insights from more than two decades of experience driving procurement transformation and technology modernization across federal health agencies, including FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS. Drawing on his time leading high-stakes initiatives and enterprise acquisition frameworks at HHS agencies, Mahesh discusses what contractors often misunderstand about how federal acquisition decisions are actually made—highlighting the internal processes, program office dynamics, and timing of engagement that shape opportunities long before an RFP is released.
The conversation explores emerging acquisition trends across federal health organizations and where the biggest opportunities may lie in the coming years. Mahesh examines shifts toward modular, cloud-native, and interoperable platforms, as well as the growing role of data infrastructure and AI across agencies like VA, CMS, FDA, NIH, and DHA. He also shares his perspective on how procurement strategies, contract vehicles, and small business dynamics are evolving in the current federal environment.
To connect with Mahesh 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. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.
 

Stop Chasing Shiny Objects: Winning in the New GovCon Era with Jaime Gracia Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire have a conversation with ⁠Jaime Gracia⁠, former Federal Procurement Executive at the Department of State and now director at The Wolverine Group. He offers a look at what’s really changing in federal acquisition.
With all the buzz around AI, FAR 2.0, and procurement reform, Jaime separates hype from reality. He explains why outcome-based contracting is gaining traction, but why most agencies won’t transform overnight. He dives into the gap between policy and execution, the continued influence of risk aversion, and the operational strain facing today’s acquisition workforce.
Jaime also delivers practical advice for industry: stop chasing shiny objects, focus on quantified past performance, strengthen subcontracting and teaming strategies, and deeply understand how your target agencies actually buy. As consolidation grows and small business pathways evolve, positioning yourself as a safe, innovative partner is more important than ever.
For companies navigating uncertainty in GovCon, this conversation provides grounded insight from someone who has led procurement from the inside and now helps shape its future.
To connect with Jaime visit him on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠. Learn more about The Wolverine Group by visiting their website ⁠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.

Still Serving the CMS Mission with Melissa Moreno Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire welcomes Melissa Moreno, co-founder and principal of Medicare Knowledge Partners (MKP) and a longtime former CMS leader. After more than 15 years at CMS, spanning regulatory work, plan engagement, and agency-wide communications and training, Melissa shares how her deep institutional knowledge shaped her decision to launch MKP and continue serving the CMS mission from outside government.
The conversation explores what it really means to transition from federal service into the contracting world, why former feds play a critical role in helping contractors navigate CMS programs, and how insider perspective can bridge gaps between policy intent and real-world execution. Melissa discusses the challenges contractors face when interpreting CMS priorities, the impact of recent organizational and leadership changes, and why the current environment presents a rare opportunity to leverage decades of institutional expertise now entering the private sector.
To connect with Melissa visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Medicare Knowledge Partners (MKP) by visiting their website here.

Continuing the Mission: Kelly Murray on Critical Infrastructure and Risk Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, hosts Hunter Gros sits down with Kelly Murray, former Associate Director for Chemical Security at the Department of Homeland Security and current President of Resilience and Risk Solutions, as well as a Principal at Deepwater Point & Associates. Kelly reflects on a career that spanned decades in homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, and public–private partnership, including her leadership of the globally recognized Chemical Facility Antiterrorism Standards program.
The conversation explores what drew Kelly into federal service, how her career evolved from the private sector into government leadership, and what motivated her recent transition back into industry. Hunter asks what excites her most about this new chapter, particularly as government priorities shift and long-standing partnership structures change.
Kelly also shares candid insights on navigating career transitions out of government, addressing common misconceptions about pace and workload, and reflecting on the emotional and professional challenges many former feds face when stepping away from public service. The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on rediscovering purpose, embracing change, and finding opportunity in uncertainty—all while continuing to serve the mission of protecting critical infrastructure and national security.
To connect with Kelly visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Deep Water Point & Associates by visiting their website 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.

Solitaire Carroll on Veteran Experience, IT Strategy, and Outcomes That Matter Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, hosts Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire welcome Solitaire Carroll, former Director of the Veteran Experience Services Portfolio at the VA and now a founder working at the intersection of government and industry. Drawing on her journey from contractor to federal leader and back to industry, Solitaire reflects on what motivated her to enter public service and how her perspective shifted as she moved across sectors.
The conversation explores the differences in mindset, scale, and responsibility between government and industry, asking how leadership changes when you move from building individual products to overseeing entire portfolios and billions in IT spend. Shelley and Hunter dig into how Solitaire approached high-stakes IT strategy at the VA, including how leaders can ensure they’re solving the right problems for veterans, not just improving systems for improvement’s sake.
The episode also examines what makes a strong government–industry partnership when tackling complex technology challenges, why shared outcomes matter more than competing priorities, and how transparency and prioritization shape trust across teams. 
To connect with Solitaire 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.

Greg Godbout on AI, the Federal Workforce, and the Leap Government Must Take Sponsored by vTech Solution

On this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire welcomes Greg Godbout, Chief AI Officer at Code360 and a longtime leader in federal technology innovation. With a career that includes serving as former CTO and U.S. Digital Services Lead at the EPA, co-founding and leading 18F, and working as a Presidential Innovation Fellow, Greg brings a rare, inside-outside perspective on how government adopts, and struggles with, new technology.
The conversation covers the pressing questions surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of the public-sector workforce. Greg discusses how AI is likely to transform roles across government, whether it truly represents a fundamental shift or just another wave of technology, and what lessons agencies should learn from industries like finance that have already undergone large-scale AI transitions.
The episode also explores why AI initiatives often fail when they’re developed in isolation, how experimentation needs to happen close to production to deliver real value, and what happens when agencies bet too heavily on massive, centralized data platforms.
Listen in as Greg challenges conventional approaches to AI adoption, governance, and platform strategy, offering a candid look at the questions government must answer now if it hopes to scale AI responsibly and effectively.
To connect with Greg visit him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Code360 by visiting their website 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.

How GovCon Can Win Smarter in a Changing Market with Meaghan Hakala Sponsored by vTech Solution

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire and Hunter Gros chat with Meaghan Hakala, Principal Consultant at Vericol LLC and a former GSA leader with nearly two decades of federal experience. Megan shares insights from her career spanning Public Buildings Service and GSA Assisted Acquisition Services, where she ultimately served as a division director overseeing a $2 billion portfolio of complex federal contracts.
The conversation explores how Meaghan’s experience managing contracts end-to-end—from acquisition strategy and evaluations to performance management and closeout—shapes the guidance she now provides to industry. She discusses what federal experience uniquely prepares professionals to bring into consulting roles, and why relationship-building and networking remain the most powerful tools for professionals transitioning from government to the private sector.
Looking ahead to 2026, Meaghan offers practical advice for government contractors navigating uncertainty, shifting agency priorities, and evolving acquisition policy. The discussion highlights the importance of strategic focus, disciplined bid decisions, understanding client pain points, and clearly articulating differentiators supported by real performance data and case stories. 
To connect with Meaghan visit her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Vericol LLC by visiting their website 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.
 

Why HR Matters More Than Ever in Government with Traci DiMartini Sponsored by vTech Solution

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire sits down with longtime federal HR leader Traci DiMartini for a candid look at what the past year has meant for the federal workforce. Their conversation digs into what Tracy sees as an unprecedented breakdown in protections for federal employees, what it would look like if similar upheaval happened in the private sector, and how agencies should be thinking about the real cost of treating workers as expendable.
They explore where automation and AI can actually help HR teams—and where human judgment will always be essential, as well as the long-term consequences of losing so much institutional knowledge across government. Tracy also shares her perspective on how contractors fit into the rebuilding effort, why strong fed–contractor relationships matter more than ever, and why HR must be treated as a strategic partner rather than a back-office function.
To connect with Traci 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.