Former Fed Friday

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.

Rebranding Yourself After Government with Mark Wigginton

To connect with Mark, visit him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Focusing on Results by visiting their webpage here.
Check out the ebook mentioned at the end of the episode 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.

Keys to Career Change: Insights for Federal Leaders with Sean Kelley

Transitioning from government to industry? Join David Blackburn as he chats with Sean Kelley, Principal and Health Portfolio Executive at Connsci, about navigating the journey from public service to the private sector. With experience as a former CISO at EPA and Deputy CIO at the VA, Sean shares invaluable advice for federal leaders considering a career change. From building community connections to balancing patience with ambition, Sean reveals the keys to a successful transition—and the pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're eyeing a big firm, a small business, or even consulting, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make your "next act" a success.
Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.
To connect with Sean, visit him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Connsci by visiting their webpage here.Click here for a look at the blog post referenced during the interview.

Modernizing government: AI, data, and leadership in 2025 with Jose Arrieta

Step into the world of innovation, disruption, and transformation with this episode of Former Fed Friday. Host Shelley McGuire sits down with Jose Arrieta, former HHS CIO and founder of Imagineeer, to discuss the intersection of technology, data, and the future of government operations. Jose shares his perspective on AI’s transformative potential in procurement, the priorities of a new administration, and what the future holds for public service and tech modernization.