Have you noticed our promotional video?
The Mason GovCon video continues to attract interest, engagement, and support as the Initiative works toward full Center status under the School of Business.
All of the Marks of Excellence have been initiated. The Initiative's financial support enabled the creation of the "Go GovCon Hiring" component of the School's Career Services. It is making an impact for the government and business to hire students as interns and employees. Industry exploration is growing with conferences co-sponsored by Mason GovCon, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Live Oak Bank. The appointment of affiliated faculty, the launch of the GovCon Case Study Series, and plans to add a GovCon academic component to the School's business curriculum will prove to be hallmarks of a Center on Government Contracting.
Here is the link to our video. Please pass it along and bring more people to the effort. Join us as the program seeks to create a more efficient and effective market for the public good.
Jerry McGinn Appointed as Executive Director of George Mason Government Contracting Initiative
Maury Peiperl, dean of the School of Business at George Mason University, announced the appointment of John G. (Jerry) McGinn, Ph.D. as executive director of the school’s Government Contacting Initiative, effective June 11, 2018.
This appointment continues the School of Business’s investment developing a distinctive academic competency in the GovCon sector. “The GovCon Initiative will serve as a model for aiding in student success in this leading local industry; in leading faculty engagement with government, industry, alumni, and other stakeholders; and raising awareness of our thought leadership in the field of government contracting,” said Peiperl.
As executive director of the Government Contracting Initiative, McGinn will be responsible for developing and expanding the GovCon initiative to full center status within the school. “I am very excited to be joining the George Mason School of Business” said McGinn in an interview with GovConDaily. “This is a great opportunity to establish a first-in-the-nation university center for research, teaching and collaboration on the issues facing the GovCon community. I very much look forward to working with George Mason faculty and students, as well as industry and government stakeholders, on this important effort.” [Announcement]
Exploration & Solutions
Defense and Silicon Valley: Don't let Google's folly set the tone
Mason GovCon Executive Director Jerry McGinn and Chairman John Hillen have written a thought provoking commentary in Defense News that is proving to be very popular. Using the backdrop of Google's decision to discontinue work on artificial intelligence for the Department of Defense under Project Maven, the author's promote the value of adopting an innovation ecosystem for companies to grow a sustainable competitive advantage. Enjoy the read. [link]
Exploration & Solutions
The Project 38 Podcast: The future of government contracting
Nick Wakeman, Washington Technology Editor in Chief, has prepared a fasinating podcast series for government contractors to prepare for what the market will look like in 20 years — 2038? As Nick says, "It's not quite as far off as it sounds, and things are rapidly evolving." He has also assembled a stellar group of GovCon participants to explore these topics: From Stan Soloway on the "Market at the Crossroads," to John Hillen on the "Maturity of the Market, and the latest with David Kriegman on "Managing Through Disruption." Here is the link for Project 38. It has our highest recommendation.
Mason GovCon Alumni Happy Hour Huge Success
Our thanks to the 100+ alumni who joined us at Chef Geoff's for the ever-popular GovCon Happy Hour. It is a chance for alumni to share thoughts and experience, to network with alumni and members of the Mason GovCon Advisory Board, and to hear the latest news from Chairman John Hillen. This event also provided a nice surprise for attendees: the opportunity to meet Jerry McGinn, our new Executive Director. And as shared by John, the door is open for alumni to engage in creating a one-of-a-kind center of excellence at the School, befitting the $500 billion GovCon industry largely headquartered in this region. To the 8,000-10,000 Mason alumni working on both sides of the industry, government and business, this is a great opportunity to join our network.
Academic Expertise
Not Just a Job: 7 Tips for New Grads with New Jobs
Exploration & Solutions
John Hillen offers his best advice for new graduates starting new jobs but there also is something in here for all of us. [Washington Technology]
Opinion: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Could Use a Chief Philosophy Officer
John Hillen and Mark Nevins have written a fascinating book, "What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You." The foundation for the book explores the following scenario: Few leaders will admit it, but again and again the growth of their organizations outruns their skills. If you’re one of those leaders, you know the result: as the job grows bigger than you are, you get disoriented by a world of unfamiliar challenges. You then hit a wall of ineffectiveness, a stall point. Why won’t doubling down on the managerial and technical building blocks that have worked before help you out of a stall? Because you invariably neglect the new political, personal, strategic, and interpersonal skills needed to manage yourself and others. Predictable and inevitable, your stall then escalates into a crisis. And the crisis escalates faster the higher you go, since challenges of sophistication dwarf those of complexity at higher organizational levels.
The recent experience for Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook presents an interesting case in point. How will Zuckerberg and Facebook meet challenges that are not technical in nature? For more, see the link to the article in MarketWatch. For more on the book, see the following link to Amazon. John Hillen is a leadership and strategy professor in the School of Business at George Mason University, a former public company CEO and a former U.S. assistant secretary of state. Mark Nevins is president of Nevins Consulting.
Academic Expertise
Managing Change in an Organization: Getting Ahead of the Curve to Sustain Profitability
Written by Jennifer Anzaldi on March 12th, 2018
Imagine if managers could tailor their management style for each individual employee to give them the exact tool they need to accept change with open arms, eliminating any decrease in productivity or profitability during change. With new research, we may just be that much closer to implementing this goal.
Imagine if managers could tailor their management style for each individual employee to give them the exact tool they need to accept change with open arms, eliminating any decrease in productivity or profitability during change. With new research, we may just be that much closer to implementing this goal.
Victoria M. Grady, assistant professor of management and director of the MBA and MS in Management graduate programs at George Mason University School of Business, has been studying various aspects of change in organizations for more than 12 years. Her latest research is focused on understanding attachment styles in organizational change.
Grady says, “There’s an anomaly in nature that baffles scientists: Parrot Fish. Parrot fish change shape and size numerous times throughout their lifecycle in response to their environment. Wouldn’t it be great if people were like Parrot Fish? Changing their shape or color to indicate to managers what was going on for them internally? The need for more training? More support? More details for change? Less details?” [more]
Exploration & Solutions
Women at the Top of Government Contracting
Working with the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Initiative co-sponsored this May 4, 2018 conference. The panelists provided insights into starting and growing a business in government contracting. The discussion covered workforce development, recruiting and retention, change management and company culture, the value of mentoring relationships—and how to correctly use this benefit, and being aware of where the company is now and where it is going. A link to the Chamber is provided here.
Academic Expertise
GovCon in the Classroom
MBA 797: Strategic & Business Issues in GovCon
Prof John Hillen provides a curriculum oriented on the unique strategic and operational aspects of the industry, plus discussions led by top government officials & GovCon leaders
MBA 796: Organizational Culture and Change in the NoVA GovCon Community
Prof Mandy O’Neill leads two graduate students through applying organizational culture theory to GovCon, working with us to open a fertile ground for Case Study topics
And in the EMBA program, GovCon Board Member Craig Reed is teaching two courses:
EMBA 741: Introduction to National Security
Possible topics include: National Defense Commercial Strategy, Competing Internationally in National Defense Sector, Small Business and National Defense
EMBA 743: Advanced Topics in National Security
Students will be provided an in-depth look at the strategy side of the National Security industry and will learn how security business position and re-position themselves in this changing market place. The process that firms go through to determine their overall strategy will be explored.
Academic Expertise
Graduate Certificate in Government Accounting
The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Government Accounting in partnership with Kearney & Company is taught at George Mason University's Arlington campus and provides an opportunity for students to acquire education in the field of government accounting with a federal government emphasis. George Mason is uniquely situated in the federal government space. Additionally, courses in the certificate program will also help prepare students to sit for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) exams sponsored by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA). Certificate courses begin Fall 2018. A link to the certificate is here.
Exploration & Solutions
2018 GovCon Symposium: A New Wave: Industry Consolidation in the GovCon Market
The Initiative cosponsored the annual GovCon Symposium of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Held April 18, 2018, the program provided a Keynote Address by Frank Kendall, and two panels offering insights into GovCon Leadership and Mergers and Acquisitions. The complete agenda can be found on this link.
Career Advancement
Sophia Marshall Connects with Congressman Rob Wittman
On Tuesday, March 13, Sophia Marshall, the Career Center's Mason GovCon Job Development Specialist, attended a GovCon breakfast at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. The topic of the discussion was the "National Defense Authorization Act—What’s Coming?" New rules and regulations for government contractors, with a look at revamping the entire bid process, were discussed. Congressman Rob Wittman spoke to government contractors for about one hour. This session also provided the opportunity for Sophia to meet potential employers of business students and to introduce the School's GovCon Initiative to Congressman Wittman.
Exploration & Solutions
John Hillen Selected as a Top 25 GovCon Exec To Watch in 2018
For his insight and drive to create the Mason GovCon Initiative – building an academic competency in the business of government and government contracting, to benefit of both sides of the industry; for his EMBA and MBA courses in leadership and strategy that receive high praise from students, many of whom are currently working in this market; and for his willingness and effort to promote the industry through engagement and writing; the recognition is well deserved. [more]
Career Advancement
Ask the Professionals: GovCon — The Industry Shares Job Advice with Students
The Career Center of the School of Business is hereby congratulated on holding an excellent GovCon industry panel on November 28. Moderated by Sophia Marshall, the Center's GovCon Job Development Specialist, the panel provided insights from a broad spectrum of industry, by size of company and their focus. Scott Hoge, with CGI Federal; Tabetha Chadler, CEO of Green Cyber Group; Deb Beckworth, with Decisive Point Consulting Group; Sarh Shuey, with KPMG; and Erin Ogburn, with Kearney & Co. had much to share in a well attended forum.
The biggest takeaway for the students was a description of the GovCon industry and the potential employment opportunities it offers. Here it is: industries in GovCon provide goods and services for the federal government in support of the government agency's operation. This means that all aspects of business are open for employment; from supply chain management to finance and resource management. There are no limits when starting a career in government or business.
Exploration & Solutions
ERM: Important Now More than Ever
Conference Sponsor: Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM)
November 1–2, 2017
Mason GovCon is pleased to continue to work with AFERM as a co-sponsor of their annual Enterprise Risk Management Summit. The 2017 summit theme is "ERM: Important Now More than Ever." All organizations face uncertainties and opportunities as they work to preserve and enhance value for their stakeholders. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has evolved over the last 20 years to help organizations achieve those goals. The Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM) believes that ERM is more important now than ever for federal agencies to identify and manage the risks and opportunities they face as the new Administration adjusts policies, strategies, and program objectives across government. [link to AFERM]
Exploration & Solutions
Maximize Your Government Contracting Exit: A Conference for Small Business Owners
The Mason GovCon Initiative and Live Oak Bank are co-hosting a conference that will provide invaluable information on an important option for small businesses to consider. Industry experts will share insights and knowledge for business owners who are interested in selling a business or want to to understand how selling fits into their plans for small business graduation.
The conference will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 from 7:15 am to 12:30 pm, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Complete information is provided on this website. Here is a link to govconregistration.
Exploration and Solutions
Chamber Hosts C-Level Luncheon
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted C-Level Luncheon sponsored by BNY Mellon Wealth Management on September 22nd. The Honorable Dr. John Hillen, Executive in Residence at the George Mason University School of Business, facilitated an engaging discussion on “The Evolution and Future of the National Capital Region’s Business Environment: Fifty Years of Government Contracting.” Executives from leading organizations were in attendance.
Exploration and Solutions
Northern Virginia Chamber and George Mason University Celebrate 1-Year Anniversary of Strategic Partnership
At the Northern Virginia Chamber’s September board meeting, the Chamber and George Mason University celebrated the 1-year anniversary of their strategic partnership. Guests from Mason discussed the efforts on which the two organizations have worked including workforce development, government contracting, innovation, policy, and industry thought leadership.
Exploration and Solutions
How to lead a business through non-business challenges
John Hillen's latest Commentary in Washington Technology explores the search for leadership skills, whether the business is small or large, "where their business smarts are less important than their general leadership wisdom in solving their company’s problems." With the dilemma of the diversity memo facing Google, both rising and established leaders will find much to consider when reading this article. [link]
Board News
Sehlke Consulting Is 319 on the 2017 Inc. 500 List
Mason GovCon salutes Chad Sehlke, a member of our Board of Advisors, on the selection of Sehlke Consulting to the Inc. 500 List. As shared by Inc., "To make the list, your company had to have grown a minimum ten-fold over the past three years. Congratulations to Chad and everyone at Sehlke Consulting.
George Mason Professor & Former State Dept Official John Hillen Joins Govini Advisory Board
John Hillen, executive-in-residence and professor of practice at George Mason University’s School of Business and a board member at several companies, has joined the board of advisers at Govini. The big data and analytics company said Wednesday Hillen, a 2015 inductee into Executive Mosaic’s Wash100, will work with other industry and former government professionals in the board to drive Govini’s data science efforts for the public sector. [Press Release]
Career Advancement
1000 Patriots in Federal GovCon by the 4th of July!
Fellow Mason Patriots in the Federal Government or Government Contracting space, we are launching a campaign to have 1000 Patriots join our Federal GovCon LinkedIn Group by the 4th of July. We know that by any conservative estimate there are some 8,000 - 10,000+ Mason alums working in the Federal Government or Government Contracting market. Please reach out and try to bring 2 or 3 more to the group (send them our GovCon Initiative video!!! - https://youtu.be/2vVQ5qQ_-Hc) and then ask those people to bring 2 or 3 more. The power of networking! Here is a link to our LinkedIn Group.
Career Advancement
Go GovCon Hiring Initiative
Mason GovCon is funding a staff position in the School’s Career Services Center to rapidly connect our students with GovCon companies and vice versa. We welcome Sophia Marshall, Job Development Specialist for Government Contracting, who began working in May. Sophia will cover the full range of hiring needs, from undergraduate through graduate, from internships to employment. To contact Sophia: phone: 703-993-1841; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Career Advancement
Mason GovCon Recognizes the Value of Academic Career Service Centers
A recent article in Washington Monthly caught our attention. Entitled as "As Graduates Obsess About Jobs, Colleges Cut Spending on Career Services," it presented some staggering statistics: US colleges and universities are reducing career center staff by 11.4%; and "Of the half of graduates who had any contact with career offices at colleges and universities nationwide, only 16 percent found them 'very helpful'.” The implications of this trend only adds to the financial risk of students, saddled with rising student loans, as they try to find jobs. Mason GovCon has always approached this in a different way. The first program decision we made was to commit to funding a career staffer who would bridge the needs of students seeking jobs in the GovCon market, as well as GovCon companies seeking students for internships and for hire. School of Business students are encouraged to make full use of these capabilities offered through our Go GovCon Hiring Initiative.
Exploration & Solutions
Trump and the GovCon market: How much should you worry about what the president says?
John Hillen's Commentary in Washington Technology offers CEOs insights on how to conduct business under the new Trump administration. What is happening? Who or what matters more? How does this effect the relationship of government to business and business to government? As John describes in this article, "a certain amount of strategic clarity can be gained from knowing what matters most in the long run."
Academic Expertise
Affiliated Faculty Appointments Add Depth to Research
As a first tier research university, it is only proper for the Initiative to build connections to the School’s faculty for research and writing. We are very pleased to announce that three members of the faculty have accepted appointments as Affiliated Faculty of the GovCon Initiative:
- Victoria Grady, Assistant Professor, Management;
- Brett Josephson, Assistant Professor, Marketing; and
- Mandy O’Neill, Associate Professor, Management.
Exploration and Solutions
When managing change, the mission is the best message
News at Mason: an interview with Victoria Grady by Damian Cristodero highlights the nature of change in leadership in government agencies. Tori describes how "service to the mission" is a critical factor behind a successful response to leadership changes. The article provides a quick and insightful look at change management by a Business professor applying an innovative approach to this subject.
Exploration and Solutions
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce – GovCon Symposium
The Initiative co-sponsored the annual Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce GovCon Symposium held in February 2017. John Hillen moderated a keynote presentation featuring an interview with Joe Jordan, CEO of FedBid and former Administrator, Office Federal Procurement Policy and Associate Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. [link to the Chamber]
Academic Expertise – GovCon Courses
Strategic & Business Issues in Government Contracting
This spring John Hillen wrapped up teaching his first MBA specialty course – Strategic & Business Issues in Government Contracting in the MBA program. It is also the first course on GovCon course to be accepted as an MBA elective. Run as a seminar with a dozen students in the field, it was very well received. In addition, John and Dennis Kelly (CEO of Buchanan Edwards) taught the National Security concentration course in the EMBA Program. [link]
Pictured above are John Hillen with Dean Popps, who served two administrations as the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ALT) and the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) from 2004 to 2010; Diane Zanetti, Government Contractor Section Manager, Capital One; and Jim Fontana, Co-Founder & Principal, Dempsey Fontana, PLLC and a member of the GovCon Board of Advisors.
Exploration & Solutions — Research
Town Hall for Business School Faculty
The Initiative shared business topics with faculty who are interested in conducting GovCon research. The topics suggested in discussions between John Hillen and GovCon executives, therefore, presented avenues ripe for research that would have a ready audience. The full range of academic areas were represented: Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Operations Management, Management, and Marketing. Also discussed was the effort to commission case studies in the fall on either GovCon companies or industry issues. [link]
Career Advancement
GovCon Alumni Happy Hour
Our spring happy hour for GovCon alumni was again held at Chef Geoff’s. This event continues to attract alumni interest in the Initiative. It is also gives us a chance to introduce members of the Board of Advisors and the School faculty. To a person, attendees were impressed with the high energy level to promote all things George Mason. Hope to meet more of you this fall. [link]
Academic Expertise
Affiliated Faculty Research & Writing
The work of Mason GovCon Affiliated faculty is off to a great start.
- The most recent example being Victoria Grady’s project with the Federal Aviation Administration, “Government Organizations and Change Management through the Prism of the Grady Attachment Style Index.” Mason GovCon will provide program support.
- Brett Josephson’s research on “The Impact of the U.S. Government as a Customer on Financial Performance,” seeks to determine the best fit for business products or services in the government sector. [link http://business.gmu.edu/govcon/solutions/research/ ]
- An innovative series written by Tori Grady and others for Bloomberg Government News was concluded. The focus of the series was to apply change management techniques to the changes in the federal government during the presidential transition. [link]
About Us
Interest in the Initiative is matched by the range and depth of GovCon practitioners who want to share their expertise for the good of the market. Our newest board members include:
- Fran Craig, Unanet;
- Richard Duvall, Holland & Knight LLP;
- Chad Sehlke, Sehlke Consulting;
- Andy Smith, McLean Group;
- Ian Northrop, JHNA;
- Eric Pietras, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; and
- Karen Trowbridge, Trowbridge & Trowbridge.
See the website for the complete board list.
Dr. John Hillen Receives Prestigious US Navy Civilian Award for Ethics Study
Dr. John Hillen, professor of management and executive-in-residence at George Mason’s School of Business, recently received the Meritorious Public Service Award from the U.S. Navy. It is the third highest civilian award the U.S. Navy can bestow.
The award was bestowed on Hillen, a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, for his meritorious service over the past nine years as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. As a personal advisor to four Chiefs of Naval Operations, Hillen provided expert peer level advice on essential Naval and National Security matters. He also led several studies for the Navy, including one on teaching and training ethics in the service. [more]
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