Earlier this month, the WashingtonExec Acquisition Council for Business Development Professionals hosted its first formal member-only roundtable at The Tower Club in Tysons Corner. Attendees included top business development professionals from small, mid-size and large government contractors. The group is comprised of Senior Executives in Business Development as well as pre-vetted Critical Talent personnel who are being developed professionally to assume more duties and responsibilities within their respective business development organizations.
“The Council represents a very different and unique value proposition for business development professionals. Members will benefit from exposure to very practical topics such as acquisition reform and best practices from both government and industry perspectives, as well as be challenged to think more strategically about the evolving future challenges in federal acquisition,” said James Scampavia, Vice President of Business Development of AMERICAN SYSTEMS and WashingtonExec Council Chairman.
During the meeting, the attendees introduced topics to be discussed and addressed during this year’s program. The Council plans to provide speakers and events that will enable the group to address the following questions:
• What knowledge and understanding does an up-and-coming career-business development or capture professional need in order to be effective in their position?
• How do you navigate the increasingly complex and convoluted federal acquisition process, and enhance simultaneously the ability to create value?
• What changes brought about by current acquisition reform activities must business development professionals prepare their companies to address?
• How do business development professionals deal with and overcome government resistance to or negative perceptions about industry?
“I thoroughly enjoyed Washington Exec’s Federal Acquisition Council for BD Professionals kick-off session,” said Michael Polster, Executive Vice President & Corporate Development Officer, of CALIBRE Systems. “It is a true practitioners group who seek to advance the business development profession. A value add to the group is the ability to work closely with the George Washington University (GWU) Master of Science in Government Contracts Program.”
Each member left with an assessment by ASI Government, a Council member, regarding the latest acquisition reform bills and directives announced and voted on by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
“The Council has taken on a unique challenge – providing a more clear definition of the Federal business development profession and offering real methods for improving the execution and results derived by individuals in that profession and the clients they serve. I’m excited to work with the council in making the practice of business development more valuable to both industry and government,” said Jackie Lancaster, Chief Business Development Officer, ASI Government.
The mission of this Council is to exchange knowledge and strategic thinking among corporate acquisition professionals so that participating companies are better equipped to compete in ever-changing federal contracting marketplace. Tactical program topics as well as speakers from the public sector, specifically from the federal acquisition and procurement community, will present their views about industry, starting at the next meeting in February. Meanwhile, George Washington University (GWU) is conducting a survey among Council members. GWU will play an important role on the Council by conducting periodic research that will be shared with members, and by advising members on professional certification, training, and education matters. Additionally, GWU will ensure that survey results remain anonymous and share the data with the Council for planning purposes. Thus members, especially the Critical Talent representatives, will be able to identify opportunities for professional development as well as gain unique insight into federal procurement through active engagement with government officials.
