ISOA Hosts 18th Annual Summit in Arlington, VA

Navigating Current Geopolitical Risks: Delivering Stability through Private Sector Partnerships

On November 12-14, the International Stability Operations Association hosted the 18th Annual Summit in Arlington, Virginia. Senior level representatives from government, industry, and non-profits gathered to delve into ways the private sector can most effectively and efficiently support U.S. Government missions during this time of change and enhanced geopolitical risk. Attendees learned from expert-led panel discussions and fireside chats, with follow-up opportunities for networking with government and industry representatives.

Below is a quick rundown of the Summit:

November 12: Small Business Workshop: Harnessing the Power of Small Businesses in Stability and Development Operations

This year’s ISOA Summit kicked off with a full-day Small Business Workshop focused on preparing small businesses to partner with the U.S. Government and other companies. Special thanks to Crystal Canet (Clear Consulting Internation, ISOA Board Member and Chairman of the Small Business Committee) for spearheading this successful event.

Keynote Speaker Jackie Robinson-Burnette’s agency, the Office of Government and Business Development, Small Business Administration, oversees federal agency set-asides and is focused on increasing small business participation. She encouraged attendees to do their research, know their capabilities, and network with peers.

Panel: Doing Business with U.S. Department of State and USAID – George Price (Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of State) and John Watson, (Deputy Director for Programs for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, USAID) discussed the impact of the administration change on federal acquisition and how to identify ways to partner with agencies. Moderated by Jason Hutchison (Partner, Lykke Global Advisors).

Panel: Mission Ready: Empowering Small Businesses in Department of Defense Contracting – Liz Walker (Director of Small Business, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Derrick Davis (Associate Director for Industrial Cyber Security, Office of Small Business Programs (CMMC)) and Bianca Henderson (Director Small Business, NAVFAC) highlighted the importance of the right partners and understanding the RFP and prioritizing cybersecurity, and identified resources available to help new and potential partners. Moderated by Chris Decker (President, Planate Management Group & Incoming Chairman, ISOA Board of Directors).

Panel: Navigating Opportunities for Small Businesses in Government Contracting with Small Business Liaison Officers – Small Business Liaison Officers Kenyon Taylor (Fluor Mission Solutions), Rochelle Lowe (Amentum) and Ella O’Brien (SOSi) emphasized best practices for partnering with primes, including the importance of marketing research, knowledge of regulations and compliance, and fostering a culture of openness and transparency. Moderated by Jennifer Kennedy-Ness, President, Kennedy Solutions Group.

RADM Nick Kalathas, USN (Ret) and Tonya Pruitt (GSA) briefed attendees about working with GSA and the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract.

Implementing Effective Capture Strategies to Win – Jamie Willoughby (IDS International) and Whitney Stowell (Cribworks) provided an informative overview of the capture process, including how to maximize available resources, helping your company define your company’s discriminators, internal growth requirements, and external engagement opportunities.

SBA Mentor-Protege – Operating as a M-P Joint Venture, Prime Sub Team, and Avoid Common Pitfalls – Sean Milani-Nia and Joe Cohen, partners at Fox Rothschild, presented an overview of the benefits and pitfalls of participating in the SBA Mentor Protégé program

Panel: Scaling Beyond Borders: CEO Insights on Growing Small Businesses Internationally – Bryan Dyer (CEO, Yorktown Systems Group), Garth Arevalo (CEO, Lukos), and Julianna Keeling (CEO & Founder, Terravive) highlighted sound business practices – knowing your customer, risk management, having the right team, and risk management – as important factors in operating in fragile environments around the world. Moderated by Crystal Canet, Founder, Clear Consulting International, ISOA Board Member and Chairman, ISOA Small Business Committee

November 13: Keynotes & Panels The Summit continued with two days of panels and keynotes delving into the role of public/private partnerships in contributing to international stability. Special thanks to John Gastright of Amentum, Rochelle Lipsitz of International SOS, and Mike Howard of ML Howard Consulting for their leadership in coordinating these panels and keynotes.

Keynote Speaker: BG John Lloyd (Commanding General, North Atlantic Division USACE) reviewed U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects across the globe.

Keynote Speaker: Matt Steinhelfer (AUKUS Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State) spoke about how AUKUS, the partnership among the US, UK, and Australia, is modernizing security partnerships.

Fireside Chat: What to Expect After the Election – Michael Herson (President & CEO, American Defense International (ADI)) and Liz Schrayer (President & CEO, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition) participated in a non-partisan discussion about changes in foreign policy, new world powers, and anticipated cuts in spending on global stability and aid due to the upcoming administration change, suggesting that flexibility will be required for the stability operations industry during the next several years. Moderated by Patrick Large, Vice President for Government Affairs, American Defense International (ADI)

Panel: Doing Business in Ukraine: Evolving Requirements and Opportunities, War through Reconstruction – EJ Herold (Supervisory Board Chair, MITS Capital LLC), Borys Kremenetskyi (Defence Attaché, Embassy of Ukraine to the United States), Irina Paliashvili (Acting President & CEO, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)) and Ihor Baranetskyi, Ph.D, (Minister-Counsellor for Economic Issues, Embassy of Ukraine) explored opportunities and challenges of current and future business investment in Ukraine, with an emphasis on growth, technology, innovation, and resources available to help get started. Moderated by LTG Mike Howard (Ret), Founder, MLHoward Consulting.

Panel: Indo-Pacific Region – Moderator John Gastright (Senior Vice President, Amentum), Sharon Burke (President, Ecospherics), VADM William “Andy” Brown, USN (Ret) (President & CEO, National Defense Transportation Association), and RDML Eileen Laubacher USN (Ret) (Senior Advisor, Defense & Intelligence, K2) emphasized the region’s distance, logistical, and energy challenges, military buildup in PRC, and how logistics will be key.

Panel: USAID’s Global Priorities: Addressing Crises, Strengthening Partnerships, and Supporting U.S. National Security – Dianna Darsney, Deputy Assistant to the Administrator for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), USAID), Ciara Knudsen (Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID), David Brown (Director, Technical Support Office (TSO), Europe and Eurasia Bureau, USAID) and Andrew Plitt (Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Bureau, USAID) explored how investment in stability is still critical and the need to work on financing and partnering differently with sensible investments.

CEO Panel #1 – Industry leaders Amanda Hendry (COO, J&J Worldwide Services, CBRE), Greg Miller (CEO, Mission Essential Group), Tony Corbi (CEO, Acuity), Ken Shreves (Senior Vice President for Global Mission Solutions, V2X) and Rick Kaiser (President, Black & Veatch) expressed their views about risks (cybersecurity, people, budget cuts) and keys to success for the stability operations industry in the current dynamic environment. Moderated by Jake Frazer, President and Cofounder, Precision Talent Solutions

A Special Presentation by Kristin Wood (CEO, August Interactive Veterans Program) introduced attendees to August Interactive’s program that delivers exceptional online experiences that prioritize mental well-being.

November 14: Keynotes & Panels

Panel: Harnessing Cyber, Technology, and Innovation for Stability Operations – Boyden Rohner (Acting Assistant Director, CISA), Jason Gray (Chief Information Officer, USAID), Dr. Philip Root (Director, Strategic Technology Office, DARPA) discussed the risks and solutions to our reliance on technology and cloud solutions to achieve our defense and aid missions, including the importance of innovation and non-technologic factors. Moderated by John Matlock (Co-founder, Matlock & Associates, LLC).

Keynote Speaker: MG Jami C. Shawley, Staff Director for Strategic Integration, Joint Staff J5 presented her perspective on stability operations by expressing appreciation for the valuable experience of partner companies and emphasizing the importance of preparation and stability operations for preventing violence.

Panel: State Department Customers – Ambassador William Moser (Director, OBO, U.S. Dept. of State), James Weldon (Branch Chief and Senior Contracting Officer, U.S. Dept. of State) and Patrick Mitchell (Deputy Assistant Director, DS-OPO, U.S. Dept. of State) addressed the flexibility and adaptability required for changing administrations and opened channels of communication for future partnerships to meet requirements. Moderated by Mark DeWitt (Chief Legal Officer, GardaWorld).

Panel: The Inter-Agency Perspective – Greg Ducot (Director, U.S. Department of Justice – ICITAP), Tom Hardy (Director of Policy and Program Management, U.S. Trade and Development Agency), Barbara Farrar (Acting Executive Director of the Advocacy Center of the International Trade Administration) and COL Steven Green (Chief, Contingency Contracting, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment) discussed strategy for DoD contingency contracting, partnering with foreign governments, and other contracting opportunities. Moderated by Rochelle Lipsitz (Senior Vice President, International SOS).

Views from NAVFAC, LOGCAP, WEXMAC and Defense Pricing, Contracting and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) – Cindy Readal (Assistant Commander for Contracting, NAVFAC), Col Wes Adams (Military Deputy Plans Executive Directorate, Headquarters Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)), Tom Kunish (Program Manager, WEXMAC), and Jim Coffman (Executive Director, Acquisition Integration Management Center (AIM), US Army Sustainment Command) discussed expanding the vendor base for contingency planning and deterrence. Moderated by Tom Lampley (VP, Marketing & External Relations, KBR).

CEO Panel #2 – Industry leaders Ken Myers (Senior Vice President, Fluor), Martin Rudd (CEO, Government Medical Services, International SOS), Hal Smith (President, Parsons), and Karl Spinnenweber (President, Amentum) emphasized the importance of flexibility, people, partners, and preparation to be successful in stability operations. Moderated by Roxanne M. Kaufman (Senior Vice President, ISOA).

BUSINESS MATCHMAKING FORUM Attendees joined in business matchmaking, one-on-one sessions, or “speed dating for business” with representatives from industry and U.S. Government agencies. Business matchmaking is an opportunity to introduce the capabilities and experience of your company to potential clients for further follow up.

KEY SUMMIT TAKEAWAYS

• The U.S. Government continues to rely on partnerships with large and small businesses to support national and global security interests, and although each agency handles contracting in a different fashion, they are each eager to facilitate collaboration. Many resources to make the acquisition process more efficient and effective are available, including forecasts, requirements, key contacts, and best practices.

• Businesses interested in successfully partnering with Department of Defense, Department of State, USAID and other USG agencies need to be prepared and ready to go. This includes capabilities, knowledge of regulations and localities, partners, and internal systems to be ready respond on short notice.

• Industry will be required to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate anticipated funding changes and rapidly changing international threats and alliances.

• Sound business practices such as knowledge of customers, smart risk management, productive people management, and effective cybersecurity are essential for successful public/private partnerships.