Fairfax, Va., Nov. 30, 2022 — George Mason University announced the largest gift to a center within the School of Business from Attain Partners founder and CEO Greg Baroni and his wife, Camille. The first-of-its-kind university center to address business, technology, policy, and regulatory issues in government contracting, the Center for Government Contracting will change its name to the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting in honor of the new donors. The non-partisan entrepreneurial center will be the first donor-named center within Mason’s School of Business.
“We are grateful to the Baronis for their gift which will help transform the center and build tomorrow’s workforce for both government and industry,” said Mason President Gregory Washington. “Recognizing that the nation’s future success depends on a thriving and diverse education workforce, and through partnerships across industry and government, Mason sets itself apart and is focused on solutions to our biggest challenges as a nation and within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The investment by the Baronis in Mason is spurred by their desire to promote a new level of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between government and industry to work together toward mutually beneficial outcomes. The Baroni gift will allow the expansion of center research activities and student fellowships and contribute to a new space for convening as part of Mason’s School of Business building.
“We are excited to partner with Mason to support and advance the government contracting industry,” said Greg Baroni. “Higher education is key to growing the industry and building diverse talent for tomorrow’s workforce. George Mason University is well positioned to drive innovation and collaboration and we’re proud to be a part of this next chapter.”
Baroni, a “GovCon” industry leader recognized for providing business and technology solutions for the public sector markets, is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Attain Partners, a professional services company focused on delivering asset-powered, tech-enabled solutions for education, government, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. He also is founder and managing partner of Attain Capital Partners and Attain Sports & Entertainment. In addition, Baroni serves as Chair of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Services Council (PSC).
Today, Baroni will receive Washington Exec’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pinnacle Awards, an annual program highlighting successful executives and businesses fostering innovation for their federal government clients across the region.
Leveraging its proximity to the federal government and at the center of the Northern Virginia business corridor, Mason’s Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting, established in 2019, conducts impactful research on the broad array of critical issues facing the $500-plus billion government contracting community.
The center also serves as a convener of industry discussions and conferences on topics such as Department of Defense budget reform, small business innovation, intellectual property policy, and defense acquisition best practices.
“The name Baroni symbolizes innovation, commitment, and leadership across a host of industries and sectors,” said Ajay Vinzé, dean of the School of Business. “George Mason’s School of Business embraces these same qualities, which is evident in our research and our students. It is an honor to have our center named after a benefactor and industry leader who shares our goals.”
Jerry McGinn, the center’s executive director, said, “This gift will propel the center onto the national scene as the preeminent leader for research, innovation, and impact in government contracting.”
George Mason University’s School of Business will celebrate the partnership and investment in the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting at an upcoming event to be announced soon.
