This June WashingtonExec celebrated five years in business at its Congressional Country Club Annual Member and Speaker Appreciation Event. Attendees included past speakers and long-time supporters of the digital magazine and events organization. JD Kathuria, CEO, recognized and thanked first customers and advisors for their contributions to the success of WashingtonExec’s professional networking programs.
The evening of festivities was bittersweet, as after two years of leadership, James Scampavia, VP of Business Development at AMERICAN SYSTEMS, announced that he was stepping down as Founding Chairman of the WashingtonExec Federal Acquisition Council for Business Development Professionals. The Federal Acquisition Council includes members who are VPs of BD of emerging and large organizations and nominated senior staff identified as “critical talent” to the future of the organization. The group also works closely with local academia leaders to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of the govcon business.
Under Scampavia’s leadership, many acquisition experts in government and industry were able to speak at thought-provoking discussion roundtables. Topics included the art of customer engagement, how to measure innovation, what is actually technically acceptable, and recruitment and retention: keep your people on board. Acquisition professionals from the public sector cover issues such as GSA schedules, GWACs, & IDIQ contracts, government and industry partnership and mentorship, pre-RFP solicitation, LPTA bids and teaming restrictions.
“It’s not easy to elevate a business development group to an executive level, but under James’ leadership growing the Council was simple. We appreciate his tireless contributions to the program’s success, including the idea to develop strong partnerships with local academic institutions in order to build our community’s govcon business acumen,” said Kathuria.
