All Things of Interest to the Government Contracting Community
Winter Showcase Speakers - Scroll Down for Speaker Schedule and Topics
Vice Admiral Lou Crenshaw, CDFM United States Navy (Retired)
VADM Crenshaw was also the driving force behind two significant industry surveys, the annual survey of Defense Department financial officials and the annual National Government Contractors survey. Both surveys are recognized within their respective industries as one of the most insightful and comprehensive studies available during the year. He also continues to serve the American Society of Military Comptrollers at the program chair of the highly successful Washington Regional Professional Development Institute, the premier training event for the Washington area defense financial management workforce.
Prior to Grant Thornton, VADM Crenshaw served 32 years in the U.S. Navy in a variety of leadership roles, commanding at the squadron, carrier air wing and carrier battle group level, as well as shore command of all Navy bases in Europe. His last assignment in the U.S. Navy was as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Requirements, Resources and Assessments, where he was responsible for planning, developing and executing the Navy’s annual budget of over $130 Billion. He was also the senior requirements official for the Navy and oversaw its Operations Analysis activities. VADM Crenshaw is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served as a test flight engineer before returning to the school as an instructor.
In recognition for his outstanding public service, he was elected a fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration in 2011, one of only a few members of the Armed Services to be inducted. VADM Crenshaw attended the U.S. Naval Academy and has a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM). VADM Crenshaw continues his public service as the Chairman of the Board of the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving wounded and injured Sailors and Coastguardsmen. He also serves on the Board of the Association of the U.S. Navy and is the Chairman of TECHAMERICA’s Defense Committee.
Emily Harmon
Director, Office of Small Business Programs Department of the Navy Ms. Emily Harman is the Director, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the Department of the Navy (DON) serving as chief advisor to the Secretary on all small business matters. She is responsible for small business acquisition policy and strategic initiatives.
Ms. Harman joined the Secretary of the Navy Staff as member of the Senior Executive Service in August 2015 and has over 30 years of federal service. Prior to receiving this appointment she served as Associate Director of the Naval Aviation Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) OSBP from November 2005 to August 2015.
Ms. Harman’s previous experience includes serving as a Division Director in the Major Weapons System for Air-Antisubmarine Warfare, Assault, Special Mission Programs Contracts Department and as the Multi-Mission Helicopters Program Office’s (PMA-299) Contracting Officer. Ms. Harman has NAVAIR experience as a Services Contracting Officer, as well as Contracting Officer for the AV-8B Weapon Systems Program Office (PMA-257).
Prior to joining NAVAIR in 1997, Ms. Harman served as a Contracting Officer for the Naval Supply Systems Command’s (NAVSUP) Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC), Norfolk Detachment Washington. Ms. Harman served as a Supply Corps Officer in the Navy from 1985- 1992 and retired from the Naval Reserves. She served onboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) and earned the Supply Corps Surface Warfare pin. Her other duty stations include: Supreme Allied Command Atlantic, Commander in Chief U. S. Atlantic Fleet, United States Naval Academy, and FISC Norfolk Detachment Washington.
Ms. Harman is a member of the DoD Acquisition Professional Community and is Level III certified in Contracting. A Certified Professional Contracts Manager through the National Contract Management Association, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy, and a Master’s degree in Management/Acquisition and Contract Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Ms. Harman is a member of Leadership Southern Maryland’s Class of 2010.
Ms. Harman is a graduate of NAVSUP’s Corporate Management Development Program, NAVAIR’s Senior Executive Leadership Development Program, and the Federal Executive Institute. Ms. Harman has a number or personal and command decorations including the DON’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, DON’s FY2010 Acquisition Excellence Award, and the 2015 Public Servant Award from the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce.
George P. Sigalos
George P. Sigalosholds significant experience in both the private and public sector. He is a trained attorney and communications professional who now serves as a government affairs, strategic communications and international business consultant and advisor in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Sigalos has served in all three branches of the US federal Government and subsequently has held top positions in American private industry.
Mr. Sigalos served in government affairs for the former Halliburton - KBR in Washington, DC, and functioned as the firm's political & external affairs liaison and sometimes spokesman, acting in a strategic role to help guide the company's national and international posture in the legislative and political arenas. Mr. Sigalos maintained an active rapport with the U.S. Congress and executive agencies, with ambassadors, diplomatic corps, and other leaders of governments. He also served as the primary liaison to think-tanks, associations, universities and other non-governmental institutions for purposes of government and external affairs related matters.
Mr. Sigalos is the former Counselor to the President and Director of Public Affairs for the former federal contractor organization, Contract Services Association of America of Washington, DC, which represented over 500 companies doing business in the US federal and international marketplaces.
Prior to that, Mr. Sigalos served as Counselor and Director of Communications for the Vice-Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. His previous federal experience includes serving as an extern law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and in press affairs in the offices of three members of the presidential cabinet.
William L. Blumberg, Federal Contract Solutions, DFAS Ombudsman (Ret.) – Contract Management and Payment
Mr. Blumberg is principal of the consulting firm Federal Contract Solutions, which specializes in helping Federal government contractors resolve payment problems and related contract administration issues. After an extensive Federal career he was a vice president of LESCO, a logistics contractor, leading their Washington D.C. office. Prior to joining LESCO he had almost 31 years of Federal service. His last government position was at the Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) Headquarters Contract Pay Directorate staff. Areas of activity included Prompt Pay compliance, re-engineering of the Defense Commissary Agency payment procedures, mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) implementation and related items such as Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and 1099 MISC reporting compliance. He served as the DOD ombudsman for contractors with payment problems. Mr. Blumberg was also a member of the interagency Federal Contractor Tax Compliance Taskforce and the Contract Finance Committee, which writes the contract payment sections of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). He came to DFAS in April 1991 after serving on the Corporate Information Management (CIM) study. His CIM participation involved developing a complete inventory and assessment of DOD accounting systems and their related functionality and interfaces. Prior to the CIM he was on the Office of Secretary of Defense Comptroller staff for 13 years. There he also worked on Prompt Pay issues, as well as cash management and program oversight of the overseas contract banking program. He started government service with the Navy Accounting & Finance Center. He is a graduate of the George Washington University.
Speaker Schedule:
9:30 AM: Opening Remarks - Richard Lewis – Financial Engineering Counselors, Ltd
10:00 AM: Introduction - Bill Blumberg - Federal Contract Solutions, DFAS Ombudsman (Ret.)
10:30 AM: Emily Harmon - Director, Office of Small Business Programs for the Department of the Navy - "Doing Business with the Navy".
11:00 AM: Vice Admiral Lou Crenshaw (Ret.) - Crenshaw Consulting Associates - "Navigation 101. A short course in staying on course for small businesses."
11:30 AM: 12:00 PM: George P. Sigalos - Professional Services Assistance for Contractors - "The time is now, more than ever, to protect and expand your markets..."