Mike Keawe Anderson, Director of Advocacy, Nakupuna Companies 

Mike “Keawe” Anderson is the Director of Advocacy and has been with the Nakupuna Companies since 2018.

​Keawe combines his expertise in federal legislation, policy, and compliance with non-profit management to advocate for and provide strategies to our leadership team that will optimize Nakupuna’s growth and contribution to our Native Hawaiian Community. This includes bringing together Native Hawaiian-owned companies, with the goal to increase our shared understanding of government contracting opportunities and regulations, so we can collectively offer better solutions to our clients, and grow our benefit to our Native Hawaiian Community. 
Keawe served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years, retiring as Colonel with three command tours, 3,000 flight hours, and extensive experience in the Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Directorate. Following his retirement, he served as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Representative from Alaska, and then transitioned into the private sector at Chugach Alaska Corporation. There, he was responsible for business development in the Washington D.C. region, and was appointed director of government relations. Finally, as the first Native Hawaiian to serve as the Native American Contractors Association Executive Director, Keawe advocated nationally for Native contracting as an economic development tool, and advised Native-owned businesses on small business policy, regulations, and compliance.

​Keawe earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s degree in Strategic Military Studies from Air University, and a master’s degree in Government Contracts from George Washington University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Ed Barnabas, Indo-Pacific Principal/Director at Booz Allen Hamilton Strategic Innovation Group 

​Ed is a leader in Booz Allen’s Indo-Pacific business representing the firm’s Strategic Innovation Group, with its regional headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ed primarily serves DoD clients throughout the region including Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, Guam, Singapore, and Alaska in mission areas ranging from decision superiority, C2/BM, ISR, and electronic warfare. With over 20 years of experience leading complex IT solutions, Ed focuses on building, scaling, and overseeing the regional innovation agenda across key dimensions such as: artificial intelligence, cloud, immersive, digital transformation and cyber. Together with his team, they help advance the capability agenda by building and partnering to integrate technologies and solutions to solve our client’s mission challenges. Ed has led technology efforts for various clients including DoD, IRS, Treasury, DoS, FBI, CDC, Census Bureau, and Federal Reserve Bank. Ed is also a drummer and much like being in a great band or ensemble, he is fortunate to be surrounded by the best and brightest. His primary role is to bring technologists and strategists together and provide whatever they need to be successful.
In Hawaii, Ed is passionate about STEM, tech-enabling the workforce and diversifying the economy through technology adoption. He is a board/committee member for the following organizations: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), TRUE, Cyber Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Technology Sector Partnership, and ClimbHI.
 
Ed has an M.B.A. in Information Systems and Business Analytics from the University of Maryland Smith School of Business, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maryland. He also is certified by the MIT Sloan School of Management in Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy.

Ed Bassett, Chief Information Security Officer, NeoSystems



​Mr. Bassett is a senior Cyber Security and Risk Management subject matter expert with over 32 years of experience in all aspects of security and privacy program architecture, design, management, and operations. His experience spans Government, Health Care, Financial Services and other industries and includes risk management, program planning, application and software security, security assessments and audits, and security operations.
He built and led a global security consulting practice specializing in security strategy, assessment and testing, and managed security services. He has been the principal advisor to many Fortune 500 and government clients on information systems security, responsible for securing their critical information assets for e-commerce transactions, sensitive health records, and classified military communication. Ed is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Clarkson University where he earned a degree in computer science.

Hazel Beck, Deputy District Director, Hawaii District Office, SBA



​ Before joining the SBA in August 2021, Hazel served as the Director of the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), hosted by MiraCosta College, in Carlsbad, CA , from June 2018 to July 2021 and the Director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC@WBDC) in Chicago from October 2015 to May 2018.   She was responsible for the overall management of the VBOC, ensuring that business development services were provided to transitioning active duty service members, Guard, Reserve, Veterans and military-connected family members. 
 
​Prior to her work in Chicago, she served as the Center Director for the Hawai’i Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located in Kailua Kona on Hawai’i Island for 6.5 years. The SBDC provided a range of business consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up companies and existing businesses.
 
Prior to coming to Hawai’i, Hazel owned and managed three consulting companies from 1990 through 2006. 
 
Hazel holds a B.A. in Business Management, cum laude, from Hiram College.
 
Hazel is a Veteran of the United States Navy.

Romina Bentz, Vice President, Government Contracting, Bristol Bay Native Corporation

​Romina Bentz serves as the Vice President, Government Contracting for Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC). Romina has been with BBNC for 12 years and manages regulatory compliance for BBNC’s government contracting and 8(a) subsidiaries. She is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that mitigate risks associated with federal contracting, a highly regulated environment.
 
She earned her law degree from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and she has a Masters Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University. Romina previously worked with the Law Offices of James McCollum in Anchorage, Alaska specializing in Subdivision and Planned Unit Developments and Common Interest Community construction projects. Before moving to the United States, she practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor in Auckland, New Zealand.
​Romina worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Alaska for many years and served on the Football Advisory Board and also served on the Board of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) of Alaska. She has two daughters and a son, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband James.

P. Antoine Broughton, Director, Direct Access Program & Strategic Outreach and Communications, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (VA OSDBU)


​As the Director, Direct Access Program P. Antoine Broughton is responsible for all facets of planning and executing business networking events hosted by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to include the annual National Veteran Small Business Engagement. The business events accomplished by his team enable Procurement Decision Makers from the Department, industry, and other government agencies to meet and conduct market research with Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB),
Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), and firms in other socioeconomic categories like Women-Owned and HUBZone.
 Mr. Broughton’s assignment with OSDBU began in 2012, and he has held several leadership positions. Before his current appointment, Mr. Broughton served OSDBU as the Deputy Director Direct Access Program; Chief Verification and Executive Support; Determination Team Leader; and Executive Assistant to the Director, CVE.
 
Mr. Broughton is a Veteran of the United States Navy, having served 28-years on active duty. Mr. Broughton’s faithful active duty service included 15 years as a commissioned officer and 13-years in the enlisted ranks. Mr. Broughton’s military assignments included leading staffs supporting up to 10,000 Sailors and their families at various Naval Bases. The capstone of Mr. Broughton’s military career entailed service as the Deputy Executive Assistant and Flag Secretary to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller).
 
Mr. Broughton is a Doctor of Business Administration candidate. Mr. Broughton also earned a Master of Business Administration degree (with honors) and a Bachelor of Science Degree Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude).

Tara Cannon, Product Marketing Manager, Deltek


Tara Cannon is a Product Marketing Manager at Deltek for the Costpoint Product Line. She brings her 18 years of experience working for both small and large firms in the Aerospace and Defense Industry to Deltek’s Product Strategy organization. Tara works to further Costpoint’s mission of helping businesses navigate and succeed in the complex compliance landscape that is Government Contracting. She considers her work a success if she can help move the needle to ensure that customer and market needs continue to be met by Deltek’s Government Contracting focused software products.

Jason Chung, Vice President of Military Affairs, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Defense Alliance ​

Jason Chung is the Vice President for the Military Affairs Council (MAC), Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii, and co-chair for the Hawaii Defense Alliance (HDA).  Jason is also the Vice President for Global Security for Premise Data Corporation, a technology company based in Silicon Valley.  Born and raised in Hawaii, Jason graduated from the Kamehameha Schools and then attend the University of Hawaii.  Upon graduation, Jason served in the US Army as an intelligence officer for 30 years.  He holds an MBA from Baker University and a senior fellowship from the CIA. 

Lani Dawson Arena, President, NHOA

Lani Dawson Arena has served on the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association Board of Directors since 2012. She also served as the Chair of the NHOA Legislative Committee from 2013-2017. She has been President of the NHOA Board of Directors since August of 2017. Lani is also the Director of Advocacy for Island Empire Community Development and its subsidiary Island Empire Technology Systems. IECD is a Native Hawaiian Organization and IETS is an SBA 8(a) certified company.  As Director of Advocacy, Lani directs all government relations activities for IECD and IETS.  Lani is a Native Hawaiian.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. 

Edward DeLisle, ​Principal and Chair, Government Contracts Group, Offit Kurman


​Edward DeLisle concentrates his practice in the areas of federal contracting, construction law, construction litigation and small business procurement and litigation. He has drafted and negotiated construction contracts, teaming agreements and joint venture agreements for subcontractors, contractors, developers and owners. Ed also actively monitors the progress of his clients’ construction projects in order to safeguard those rights and remedies to which they are entitled. He has litigated, arbitrated and mediated complex construction and procurement cases in various jurisdictions and forums
throughout the area.
Ed counsels clients in all aspects of small business procurement. He has assisted clients in obtaining certification as small and small disadvantaged businesses at the municipal, state and federal level. He has participated in bid protests involving Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned, HUBZone and 8(a) set-aside contracts and regularly assists with responding to bestvalue procurements at the state and federal level. Ed also assists companies, both foreign and domestic, in international disputes involving the United States Government. He is currently representing clients on matters involving Department of Defense work in Afghanistan and has done similar work for clients in Israel.

Ed has testified before congressional subcommittees and is a frequent lecturer and author on issues of concern to the construction and federal contracting industries. He has presented at the National 8(a) Association Conferences in Anchorage, Alaska; Orlando, FL; and Nashville, TN as well as at the AGC Federal Contractors Conference in Washington, DC. Ed has also spoken at AGC of America’s national conference, where he discussed hot topics in federal government contracts. Ed has also lectured on how to appropriately team on federal projects, the SDVOSB verification process, changes in the SBA’s small business programs, effective project documentation, strategies to obtain payment on construction projects and the legal protections provided by the bond and lien laws of various states.

Ed is a legal content contributor to both GovBizConnect and Onvia.

Jon Devore, ​Vice President and Partner, Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot, P.C.


​​Jon M. DeVore is a life-long Alaskan having lived in Nome, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.  Since 2005 he has been a Member of the Birch Horton Bittner and Cherot law firm in Washington, D.C. His legal practice involves the Federal Procurement System, SBA 8(a) program, small business development, business transactions, federal contract issues, GAO bid protest and cases before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, and legislative and administrative advocacy with the State of Alaska and Federal governments. Jon is the former Legislative Director and Chief Counsel for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski.  He was the District Counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Alaska for thirteen years.  He was also corporate counsel for Bristol Bay Native Corporation and on the staff of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens and senior legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski.  Jon also is an adjunct professor teaching government contracts and has been retained as a litigation expert in SBA matters. 

Ken Dodds, ​Government Contracting Industry Expert, Live Oak Bank

​Ken Dodds is an Industry Expert at Live Oak Bank in the Government Contracting vertical, providing small business government contractors with access to capital for mobilization and acquisitions, as well as advisory services.  He joined Live Oak Bank after 21 years at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where he was a Senior Executive in the Office of Policy, Planning and Liaison responsible for Federal government contracting regulations and policy.  He was the agency representative on the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the chair of the Small Business Procurement Advisory Council.  
Previously he was the Director of the Office of Government Contracting, responsible for SBA programs and policies including goaling, size standards, size protests, procurement center representatives, subcontracting, certificate of competency, and the women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs.  He also served as a senior attorney in SBA's Office of General Counsel, where he represented SBA in administrative contract litigation, provided legal advice concerning agency acquisitions, and drafted regulations, and as an Assistant Counsel to the Inspector General.  He received his law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary.    ​

Michael Fonseca, Pacific General Manager, DAWSON


​​Mr. Michael Fonseca joined DAWSON in 2015 and serves as the General Manager for the DAWSON operating companies in Honolulu, with his AOR covering the Pacific Rim.  Part of his operational duties include development and implementation of comprehensive Annual Strategic Planning for the Pacific Region that includes sales, operations, finance, and HR.  In addition to his operational management duties, Mr. Fonseca brings an entrepreneurial spirit and vision to the organization, and perpetuates DAWSON’s core values of Aloha, ‘Ohana, and Kuleana, to our clients, partners, and community.

​Michael proudly supports the activities of DAWSON’s parent company, Hawaiian Native Corporation (HNC), a Native Hawaiian non-profit, and assists the HNC Board in carrying out their mission to benefit the Native Hawaiian community.  Born and raised in Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, Michael is extremely passionate about giving back to the Native Hawaiian community and enjoys volunteering his time with his family at activities benefiting community and various Native Hawaiian non-profits.  
​​Michael obtained his degree Construction Management and Business Management at Northern Arizona University, before returning to Hawaii to start his career in the Federal construction sector where his construction management focus is in fuels construction, secured construction, general renovation, and environmental projects for various DoD agencies across the Pacific Rim.  

Jason Greenawalt, President, Na Ali’i Consulting & Sales LLC


​
​Jason Greenawalt is a co-founder of the Nakupuna Foundation – the majority owner of all Nakupuna Companies – serves as the President of Na Aliʻi Consulting.  Jason is responsible for the long-term vision of the Nakupuna Companies and is proud to have been on the ground floor to oversee the growth of the organization from a single firm with a handful of associates to a family of companies with several hundred employees working across the United States. 
Prior to joining Na Aliʻi, Jason spent more than a decade in public service with the Department of the Navy (DON), most recently serving as the Director of Business Operations in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management – leading efforts to transform the DON’s business operations, streamline business processes, and reduce operating costs – and was responsible for the oversight, portfolio management, and funds certification of nearly 500 defense business systems with an annual cost of nearly $1.2B.  Jason’s other positions with the Navy cut across the enterprise to include serving on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (OPNAV N4); first as the lead for Strategic Planning, then as the Chief of Staff for the Energy and Environmental Readiness Division.  His other positions included a variety of roles at both the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC). 
​
Jason is extraordinarily passionate about supporting the Native Hawaiian community; as a board member of the Nakupuna Foundation, Jason oversees the development of the impact investment portfolio of the Foundation’s charitable partners.  Jason is a distinguished alumnus of Campbell University and holds a Masters of Public Policy (MPP) from the George Washington University along with executive certifications from the Kennan-Flagler Business School, the Naval Postgraduate School, the Elliott School of International Affairs, the Federal Executive Institute, and the Wharton Business School.  

The Honorable Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator, SBA



​Isabella Casillas Guzman was sworn in as the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration on March 17, 2021. She serves as the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses and innovative startups in President Biden’s Cabinet.

Administrator Guzman grew up in a small business family and has been an entrepreneur herself. She has spent her entire career advising entrepreneurs, launching ventures, helping small businesses navigate government, and creating policies and programs to help advance entrepreneurship and innovation.  
​Most recently, she served as the Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate where she helped small businesses and innovative startups in the world’s fifth largest economy start, expand and grow. She advocated fiercely for financial relief for small businesses and focused on expanding assistance to entrepreneurs in underserved communities. In addition, she served as the economic recovery support function coordinator for the state, where she spearheaded the small business recovery effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

​Mark Hagedorn, ​Attorney-Advisor, Office of Procurement Law, Office of General Counsel, SBA



​Mark Hagedorn is an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Procurement Law at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Washington, DC. He serves as a legal advisor to Agency officials and their staff with respect to the 8(a) Business Development program; the Women-Owned Small Business Concern program; the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern program; the HUBZone program; suspension and debarment matters; and SBA’s internal contracting procedures. Mr. Hagedorn also represents the Agency in matters before SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals. He has been a lawyer in SBA’s Office of General Counsel since 2016.

Bibi Hidalgo, Associate Administrator, Office of Government Contracting & Business Development, SBA



​Ms. Bibi Hidalgo is the Associate Administrator for Government Contracting & Business Development at the SBA. In this role, Ms. Hidalgo oversees and reviews procurement-related policies for small business contractors hoping to work with the Federal Government, including Small Disadvantaged, Woman-owned, Veteran-owned, HUBZone, and 8(a) Minority Business Development Program small businesses.
In her prior role, she was the SBA Government Contracting Policy Lead for the Biden-Harris Transition Team, developing policies that President Biden could execute in the first 100 days, with an emphasis on underserved communities. In 2014, Ms. Hidalgo and her brother Patrick Hidalgo Co-Founded Future Partners, LLC, which advised Fortune 500 corporate executives on procurement and minority business strategy, and created a model for how to facilitate significant opportunity for both. Prior to that they both served in the White House, during which time she managed a government-wide initiative with the 24 Cabinet agencies to position the federal government to meet the Congressional 23% small business goal out of a $400 billion contracting budget for the first time in a decade.

In addition to her experience, Ms. Hidalgo has a Master’s in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

​She is dedicating her work to the memory of her brother Patrick who passed away suddenly at the age of 41 in March of 2020.

Monique Holmes, Deputy for Small Business Programs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers


​Monique is a Level III DAWIA Certified Acquisition professional. She holds two graduate degrees, one in Government Public Administration from Savannah State University and the other in Management and Leadership from Webster University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Pre-Law at Brewton Parker College. She began her government career in 2012 with the Army Contracting Command in Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) as a Cost and Price Analyst. In 2015, she joined the Army Contracting Command Regional Contracting Office – Hawaii as a Procurement Analyst and Alternate Small Business Professional. Monique also owned her own small business. 
She was welcomed to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District as the Deputy of the Small Business Programs on February 18, 2020. Her responsibilities include assisting with the overall implementation of the small business program, small business acquisition policy, strategic outreach initiatives, and guiding small businesses through the process of contracting with the Honolulu District.

​"I can't imagine doing anything else, anyplace else. I love knowing that we at the USACE Honolulu District have a hand in making a difference in people's lives and making a positive impact in the local community.”

Stephanie Hutch, President, Makai LLC

​Stephanie Hutch is the Founder and Director of the Kekoa Foundation, a non-profit organization in Hawaii with the primary objective of serving the Native Hawaiian community through STEM initiatives, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation.  She is also the President of Makai LLC, a small business actively supporting Department of Defense customers and specializing in Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR).
 
As President of Makai, Stephanie is primarily responsible for providing guidance in developing strategic business plans and setting future organizational objectives. She coordinates directly with senior government and industry leaders to create, build, and foster strategic partnerships.  She serves as a pivotal liaison helping to facilitate technology and knowledge transfers between industry, government, and academia with the objective of strengthening our nation’s national security.

Krystal Ka`ai, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)



​Krystal Ka‘ai is the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In this role, she is responsible for advising the Biden administration on the coordination and implementation of federal programs and initiatives to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. 
Prior to joining WHIAANHPI, Krystal worked on Capitol Hill for over a decade, including serving as the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for eight years. She previously held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the State of Hawai‘i, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Krystal was born and raised in Hawai‘i and is the first Native Hawaiian to ever lead WHIAANHPI.

John Klein, Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, SBA

​John Klein is the Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at the U.S. Small Business Administration.  He serves as the principal legal advisor to senior Agency officials and their staffs with respect to the 8(a) Business Development program; the Agency's Government Contracting programs, including the small business set-aside, subcontracting and Certificate of Competency programs; the HUBZone program; the Small Business Innovation Research program; the Size Standards program; the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program; the Woman-Owned Small Business program; and SBA’s internal contracting procedures.  
​Mr. Klein has been a lawyer in SBA’s Office of General Counsel since 1983, serving in the Office of Legislation and the Office of General Law before becoming the Associate General Counsel for the Office of Procurement Law in 2000.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1980, and With Distinction from Hofstra University School of Law in 1983.

Adam Laskey, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Adam Lasky is a partner in the Seattle office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP, where he helps clients across the nation navigate and win government contracts. Government contractors nationwide depend on Adam for counsel to minimize and mitigate risks that arise during contract performance, to ensure compliance with regulations, and for vigorous representation in procurement disputes and government contracts litigation.
 
A large part of Adam’s practice focuses on regulatory compliance issues in connection with SBA’s small business and socio-economic government contracting programs. Adam has drafted and negotiated dozens of joint venture agreements under the SBA’s 8(a) and All-Small Mentor Protégé programs. His unique depth of experience with SBA’s mentor-protégé programs and joint ventures provide his clients (large and small) peace of mind that they will end up with a joint venture agreement that not only complies with SBA regulations, but is also tailored to the client’s specific needs and is practical, operationally sound and will reduce potential for disputes between the joint venture partners.
Adam also regularly represents contractors across a wide variety of industries in bid and size protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the SBA.  Over the past decade, he has protested and defended well over a billion dollars in procurements and contract awards across a wide variety of industries, and has achieved amongst the highest GAO bid protest sustain rates in the nation (over three times the national average). Adam is also the author of several articles and books chapters on bid protests, including "A Practitioner’s Road Map to GAO Bid Protests" and "Roadmap to Bid Protests at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims" (ABA 2010 & 2018), and the bid protests chapter of "Federal Government Construction Contracts" (ABA 2d and 3rd eds.).
 
Adam is a Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law Small Business Committee, Vice-Chair of the Section’s Bid Protest committee, and also a member of the Section’s governing council. 

Christopher Loftis, Hawaii Site Lead, Huntington Ingalls Industrie



​Chris Loftis was born and raised in Kaimuki and is a graduate of Kalani High School.  He served in the Army for 28 years in military intelligence, Special Forces, commissioning as an officer about hallway through, serving in the Infantry and finishing up as a Foreign Area Officer, primarily in the Middle East and Africa.  He has been retired since 2013 and lives across the street from his family home back in Kaimuki.   He currently serves as the Hawaii Site Lead for the ISR & Intelligence Operations portfolio for Huntington Ingalls Industries Technical Solutions Division.

Alex Major, Partner & Co-Chair, Government Contracts & Global Trade Practice, McCarter & English

Mr. Major is a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group whose practice focuses on federal procurement, cybersecurity liability and risk management, and litigation. A prolific author and thought leader in the area of cybersecurity, his professional experience involves a wide variety of litigation and counseling matters dealing with procurement laws, federal regulations, complex litigation in federal court under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, and bid protest actions. He counsels all sizes of companies on issues relating to compliance with government regulations including, among other things, cybersecurity (NIST, FAR, FedRAMP, and DFARS) requirements, multiple award schedule compliance, domestic preference provisions (Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts), cost accounting, and small business requirements.
A retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, Mr. Major also regularly conducts internal investigations to assist companies ensure that they are in full compliance with the law on behalf of Fortune 500 companies and individuals in diverse state and federal civil and criminal proceedings.

Jim Mastin, Director for the Office of Small Business Programs, Army Contracting Command (RCO-HI/AK)​

Mr. James A. Mastin is the Director of Small Business Programs supporting the Regional Contracting Office (RCO) Hawaii and RCO-Alaska and is located at Wheeler Army Airfield (AAF), Hawaii.  He reviews Army acquisitions for Hawaii and Alaska.  He had worked for the Air Force for over 33 years and brought that experience with him to the Army. He is connected to the 413th Contract Support Brigade (CSB), but directly reports to the HQ Army Contracting Command (ACC) at Red Stone Arsenal AL.  He provides continuity to the small business program along with offering technical advice and counsel in matters of contracting and small business.  He also brings more than 30 years of broad contract experience, and over 40 years working with the DoD, to the table and ensures the RCO-HI and RCO-AK small business programs are second to none.
​Mr. Mastin began his military career in 1981 as an Air Force active duty member in the Administrative Support career field with the 548th RTG at Hickam AFB, HI, and later as an On-the-Job (OJT) training manager at McClellan AFB CA.  He received an Honorable Discharge in 1987, at which time Mr. Mastin pursued his formal education. Mr. Mastin began his Civil Service career in the contracting office at McClellan AFB, CA in 1987 and after earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Golden Gate University in 1994 Mr. Mastin transferred to Vandenberg AFB in 1996 where he became the lead Commodities buyer for the 30th Contracting Squadron (30 C0NS). Mr. Mastin transferred to Peterson AFB Colorado in 1998 and became the lead Procurement Analyst for the 21st Contracting Squadron (21 CONS).
 
At that time, Mr. Mastin received his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University in 2000.  In 2000 Mr. Mastin also received his formal Small Business Specialist training at Brooks AFB, TX. Mr. Mastin transferred to 15 CONS at Hickam AFB, HI in 2001 and became the last Contracting Officer on Johnston Atoll contract and Guam demilitarization contracts.  In 2009 Mr. Mastin transferred back to Vandenberg and within a year was selected to be the 30th Air Wing Small Business Specialist.  Finally, in 2014 Mr. Mastin applied for and was selected as the current RCO-HI Small Business Specialist, which he currently resides.

Jeff McDonald, COO and Vice President, MAC3 Defense

​Jeff McDonald is the COO and Vice President of MAC3 Defense, Inc. He is directly responsible for oversight of all corporate development activities to include business development, strategic planning, strategic partnering, new venture development, and corporate financial management. Jeff has over 31 years of experience as a Facility Security Officer, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) Officer, and Military Police Officer and is a member of NCMS. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Marine Corps in 2010 after 22 years of active-duty service.

Kenya McDonald,  CEO and President, MAC3 Defense

​Kenya McDonald is the CEO and President of MAC3 Defense, Inc and provides executive oversight in the areas of marketing and communications, recruiting, customer relations, and the day-to-day activities that are essential to the success of a small business. She has over 19 years of experience as a Facility Security Officer, Information System Security Manager, and Information System Security Officer, and is an expert in industrial, physical, information, and government security. Kenya holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security and is a member of NCMS.

Joseph McWilliams, Director of Staff, Air Force Office of Small Business Programs


​Mike McWilliams is the Director of Staff, Resource Manager and Small Business Acquisition Program Manager for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Office of Small Business Programs, assigned to the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, responsible for:

  • Small Business (SB) Program advocacy, implementation and execution, daily and strategic small business operations, policy and strategic planning to include strategic planning, support and operations of the United States Space Force (USSF) Small Business Programs.
  • Providing program oversight for all small business education and outreach programs
 
  • Small business collaboration and coordination with Acquisition Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Air Force and Major Commands (MAJCOMs) to ensure small business participation is maximized.

Robert Misulich, Attorney & Shareholder, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt ​

Robert J. Misulich represents Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), tribes, and small businesses in a broad range of matters, including company formation and governance, shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations, employment law, and economic development, including compliance with the regulations governing the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Section 8(a) Business Development Program. He has served as outside corporate counsel to entities throughout Alaska, and as in-house counsel to an Alaska Native regional corporation with operations across the United States. 

​Robert’s experience includes providing advice and guidance on government contracting matters, including compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), bid protests, and claims and appeals arising under the Contract Disputes Act.
Robert has practiced law in Alaska for his entire career. He came to Schwabe from another Anchorage law firm, and previously worked in-house at a regional ANC. He also served as a law clerk to the Hon. David Mannheimer of the Alaska Court of Appeals. 
Robert currently serves as President of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, and is committed to promoting the arts in Alaska. He is also a member of the Law Examiners Committee of the Alaska Bar Association.

Teresa Moon, Director of Business Development and Marketing, Parabalis



​Teresa Moon joined the Parabilis team in late Fall 2020. She brings to the team her extensive experience in business development within government contracting, marketing and branding, relationship building and partnership management. Her impact is best recognized in her abilities to generate business opportunities within several industries through networking, developing partnerships and understanding how to effectively create reciprocal referral relationships. Ms. Moon builds lasting relationships through loyal and trustworthy cooperation and commitment. 
​
She is a consummate academic, and began her career as a teacher both at the university and high school levels. She worked several years in B2B sales for a Fortune 100 company and led her Division in corporate partnership collaborations that resulted in sales. In 2018, she reignited her professional career, and devoted her efforts into business development in government contracting, specifically within the simulation community in her hometown of Orlando, FL.  Her understanding of the contract award process is a necessary support to the small to mid-sized contractors Parabilis services. She has earned contracts within contract staffing and cyber security, and is proficient in traditional RFP processes.  Ms.Moon has her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Literature from the University of Central Florida, and is the proud mother of 2 girls, 9 and 11. 

Kekai Namauu, CEO, Namauu Technological & Industrial

NTI's Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kekai Namauu is a retired Air Force veteran, Entrepreneur and Cyber Subject Matter Expert.  Throughout his military career he has served in nearly every facet of the cyber fight to include operating and securing the DoD Information Network (DODIN), performing global enterprise level Information Assurance (IA) and governance, commanding, controlling, and executing tactical Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), as well as non-kinetic Offensive Cyberwarfare Operations (OCO). Dr. Namauu’s excellence has been recognized countless times throughout his military career and he is also a distinguished graduate of the Air Force’s Cyberwarfare Weapon Systems School.

​Dr. Namauu’s formal education includes a Doctoral, Masters, and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Associate degrees in Technology Management and Ecological Control, Graduate Certificates in Advanced Project Management and Advanced Computer Security from Stanford University, and a Professional Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University. He also holds 29 of the industry’s most highly recognized certifications to include: CISSP-ISSMP, CRISC, CISM, PMP, PMI-RMP, CEH, CFR and ITIL.
Upon retirement from military service, Dr. Namauu founded Dynamic Advancement, a professional development firm rooted in cyber operations but further expanded into project management, contract management, and human resources. Dynamic Advancement is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), certified by the Department of Veteran Affairs and is also a licensed Career School by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges. The firm is Headquartered in San Antonio, TX on what was formerly Kelly AFB, adjacent to Lackland AFB and proudly specializes in serving its surrounding community of active-duty, retired, and dependent populations unique professional development needs.

Riding on the success of Dynamic Advancement and further leveraging his military cyber background Dr. Namauu went on to found Namauu Technological & Industrial (NTI) an SBA Native 8(a) and HubZone certified cyberspace operations service providing firm. NTI currently serves clients federal clients in the US Army and US Air Force.
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Dr. Namauu is also an active member on a volunteer basis of the following organizations:
  • Native Hawaiian Institute for Technology & Business, Board Member
  • Helpdesk Institute South Central Texas Local Chapter, President
  • Project Management Institute (PMI), International Member
  • Alamo Project Management Institute, Member
  • Toastmasters International, Member
  • National Contract Management Association, Member
  • National Cyber Security Institute, Member
  • International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), Member
  • Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Member
  • Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Member

Kevin Plexico, Senior Vice President of Information Solutions, Deltek


​As Senior Vice President of Information Solutions at Deltek, Kevin Plexico is responsible for overseeing research, analysis and specification creation for customers in the Government Contracting and Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industries. He provides thought leadership and expert opinion to industry executives and is a recognized expert on the public sector market.

Kevin manages the delivery of GovWin – Deltek's industry-leading government market research and information solution providing essential intelligence to over 6,000 clients. He has responsibility for leading the industry's largest team of analysts focused on the government contracting industry. Additionally, Kevin leads Deltek’s Specification Solutions team of architects, engineers, and editorial professionals producing AEC specification content. Their efforts deliver MasterSpec® – a product of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the premier master guide construction specification content in the U.S. – as well as Product MasterSpec and SpecText. 
Kevin has been on the Deltek team since its acquisition of INPUT in 2010. At INPUT, he played an instrumental role in helping to grow the company from a boutique market research firm to the industry-leading provider of market information to government contractors.
He earned an MBA in Information Systems from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and his BBA in Economics from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 2020 and 2021, Kevin was honored as a recipient of the Wash100 Award, which recognizes the Top 100 most influential leaders in the government contracting industry.
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn

Matt Schoonover, Managing Partner, Schoonover Law Firm

Matthew is the Founder and Managing Member of Schoonover & Moriarty LLC, a law firm dedicated to serving federal government contractors. Together with his colleagues, Matt counsels clients on all aspects of their work with the federal government—from understanding acquisition regulations and contract provisions; to ensuring compliance with regulations relating to small business and socioeconomic program eligibility; and to developing mentor/protégé agreements, joint venture agreements, and subcontracts. Schoonover & Moriarty also represents contractors in bid protests, size and socioeconomic eligibility protests, and performance disputes. Above all, Matt enjoys helping small businesses achieve success in the federal marketplace.

​Matt is an experienced speaker, having traveled the country (and, more recently, cyberspace) to present on topics critical to small businesses. He has been interviewed for a variety of publications and podcasts relating to small businesses. He’s also an experienced writer on small business federal contracting issues; you can follow Matt’s posts on small business federal contracting issues on GovConBrief.com.

John Shoraka, Co-Founder/Managing Director, GovContractPros

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​GovContractPros (GCP).  As Managing Director, he assists small business government contractors in all phases of their business lifecycle including navigation of the federal marketplace, business development, certification for and compliance with small business set-aside programs, teaming and mentor-protégé arrangements, and financing and acquisition. GCP, as a core value, works on pro bono basis, supporting various industry associations and conducting outreach to relevant Congressional committees to educate the staff on the benefits of the small business programs and strategies to strengthen them.

​The professional services space to support federal contractors is saturated with companies that seek to make lots of money while driving little to no value. GCP has competitive challenges with clients whose trust has been damaged by unscrupulous actors within the space. The GCP values of “only charging for work we do” and “delivering results” are seemingly intuitive or basic, but in fact are truly differentiating against many competitors.
Since inception, GCP has assisted over 75 companies directly as company clients and 500+ companies through publicly available training and educational presentations.

John Shoraka is the former Associate Administrator of Government Contracting and Business Development at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Shoraka’s knowledge of the government contracting marketplace derives from decades of both infield private sector and public sector practice.

As outgoing Associate Administrator of SBA, Shoraka was responsible for overseeing the federal government’s small business set-aside programs. His responsibilities included the Business Development/8(a) program, HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB programs. He was responsible for the Office of Size Standards, the federal government’s small business goaling program as well as the federal government’s small business prime and subcontracting programs.

Shoraka worked closely with the White House, Office of Federal Procurement Policy and Senior Administration officials in crafting best practices for accomplishing small business procurement goals.

Shoraka has deep understanding of the federal government contracting legislative and regulatory landscape. He was responsible for implementing procurement provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act (including the All Small Mentor Protégé Program) as well as the National Defense Authorization Acts of FY13-16 (including sole source authority for the WOSB program). He represented the SBA and the Obama Administration in hearings before Congress, including hearings with the House Small Business Committee, House Armed Services Committee, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Kainui Smith, Attorney & Shareholder, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt

Kainui Smith strives to provide comprehensive and client-centric legal services to real estate and construction companies from the inception of a project, and if necessary, through litigation. Kainui has handled a variety of cases as both plaintiff and defense counsel through all phases of mediation, arbitration, and litigation. His experience allows him to thoroughly evaluate a matter and develop a case plan to advise clients of their options in relatable terms rather than legalese.

​Prior to joining the firm, Kainui worked as a Litigation Associate for Porter McGuire Kiakona & Chow LLP in Hawaii practicing in the areas of construction litigation, commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and community and condominium association litigation. Kainui also served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Glenn S. Hara of the Third Circuit Court, State of Hawaii.   ​

Shannon Tolliver, Vice President, Smartronix, Inc

​Shannon Tolliver is a Vice President supporting C5ISR and growth development in the USINDOPACOM AOR. Over twenty-five years leading and executing contracted and military Special Operations and ISR missions with experience spanning tactical through strategic levels of responsibility. Additional experience includes commanding a geographically disperse Naval Command and multiple assignments in DoD Joint commands. Career experience includes current assignment as Program Director for the C5ISR Pacific Operations (C3PO) program, an ISR contract supporting USINDOPCAM and SOCPAC on a GSA contract; fielding of sensitive space and commercial technologies to Special Operations Forces (SOF); J3/Operations Officer for USSOCOM 1st Joint Special Operation Aviation Command (1st JSOAC).

Franklin Turner, Partner & Co-Chair, Government Contracts & Global Trade Practice, McCarter & English

​Mr. Turner is a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Government Contracts & Export Controls Practice Group. He is an innovative business lawyer with significant experience resolving complex government contracts issues for a broad array of companies – ranging from multinational, multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 corporations in the aerospace, defense, technology, health care and industrial supply sectors to small business intelligence and security services providers.

​Mr. Turner’s multifaceted practice includes assisting companies with comprehensive claims for payment, prosecuting and defending bid protests, conducting internal investigations to ensure his clients’ compliance with federal procurement regulations and related statutes, preparing and submitting mandatory and voluntary disclosures, counseling prime contractors and subcontractors regarding disputes of all types and sizes, defending companies against False Claims Act allegations, counseling companies regarding issues of cost allowability, allocability and reasonableness, designing and implementing comprehensive regulatory compliance programs, and assisting government contractors in connection with mergers and acquisitions due diligence.  

Arveice Washington, Deputy Director, Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs


​Arveice M. Washington has over 20 years of experience in multiple career fields including Program Management and Business & Financial Management. In April 2018, Ms. Washington began serving as the Deputy Director for The Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs.  In this capacity she is responsible for small business acquisition policy and strategic initiatives
​Ms. Washington’s previous experience includes serving as the Director of Acquisition and Contracts for the Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA)
Command Program Executive Office for Submarines. In this capacity she was responsible for directing, prioritizing and coordinating all acquisition initiatives across Team Submarine.
 
From 2009 to 2016, Ms. Washington assumed the duties as the Team Submarine Enterprise Wide Contractor Support Services (EWCSS) Manager. She was the Subject Matter Expert for all matters pertaining to management responsibilities for five support services contracts totaling execution of over $125 million annually and oversight of 600 contractors. As the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the EWCSS contracts, Ms. Washington was responsible for cradle to grave requirements generation, contract award and post-award execution.
 
Prior to her position as the EWCSS Manager, Ms. Washington served as the Business and Financial Manager from 2007 to 2009 for the Undersea Warfare Defensive Systems Program Office. Responsible for the management and execution of over $100 million Total Obligation Authority, Ms. Washington's expert knowledge of the DOD 5000 and Program Acquisition Life Cycle process led to a successful Milestone B for the Next Generation Countermeasure and successful Gate 3 review for the Anti-Torpedo Torpedo Defensive System.
 
From 2000 to 2007, Ms. Washington worked for industry supporting various NAVSEA organizations. Her financial management knowledge coupled with her program management expertise led her through various positions including Financial Manager, Acquisition Manager and ultimately Program Manager.
 
Ms. Washington has held various leadership roles in Team Submarine including serving as the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning Site Implementation Lead and the COR Certification Manager responsible for serving as the on-site Subject Matter Expert for all COR related responsibilities. In addition, Ms. Washington completed a nine-month career development opportunity in the Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs where she was responsible for developing Small Business Advocate training for Deputy Program Manager’s. All DPM’s across the Navy were required to complete this training. As a result of her efforts, Ms. Washington was awarded the 2017 Oreta B. Stinson, Small Business Advocate, Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Award.
 
Ms. Washington's formal education and training include a Master’s in Business Administration, a Master’s in Financial Management, a DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management, and a DAWIA Level I certification in Financial Management.