Ep 33: USAID & Small Businesses: Kimberly Ball, Director, OSDBU
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Release Date: 09/24/2024
Ep. 57 Scale AI & Future of Agentic Warfare
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Dan Tadross, Head of Public Sector at Scale AI, joins Mike Shanley to explore what Agentic AI Warfare might look like in the near future. The conversation covers AI interoperability with legacy systems, the evolving landscape of data sources and large language models (LLMs), and the significance of Meta’s $13 billion investment in this space. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: Scale LinkedIn: Dan Tadross LinkedIn: Scale X profile: Scale website: Scale YouTube: BIOGRAPHY: Dan Tadross is the Head of Public Sector at Scale AI, a dual use...
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Ep. 56 Securing the future DoD Supply Chain, Peter Battaglia DLA
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Peter Battaglia, Deputy Director of Mission Assurance at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), joins Mike Shanley to discuss DLA’s priorities and initiatives in today’s evolving defense landscape. The conversation covers logistics surge capacity, securing the supply chain, and the role of NATO’s industrial base in supporting global readiness. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: DLA website: DLA Strategic Plan (2025-2030): BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Peter Battaglia is the DLA Mission Assurance Deputy Director serving as the DLA lead for Mission Assurance, Defense Critical...
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Ep. 55 NATO 5%: Opportunities for Industry BD and Growth Teams
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Jeffrey Grieco, President & CEO of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce and Advisory Council Member at ISOA, joins host Mike Shanley to talk about the NATO 5% spend target and what it means for business development and growth teams in the government services sector. They discuss the current European security situation, how NATO’s increased investment impacts contractors, and the growing opportunities for industry BD teams. Grieco also shares takeaways from the ISOA Europe & ATO Bucharest Conference, and why now is a pivotal moment for companies to engage. RESOURCES:...
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Ep. 54 Startups & Innovation in the Defense Market
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Ben Solomon, Founder & CEO of FedTech, joins Mike Shanley to discuss the changing DoD innovation funding market, which startups are right for DoD market, and how to get access innovation funding. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: Connect with Ben Solomon on LinkedIn: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Defense Innovation Unit - BIOGRAPHY: Ben founded FedTech in 2015 and has led the firm through its growth from a small regional venture to an international company that catalyzes interaction between the venture world and the R&D community. He is passionate...
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Ep. 53 AI & Future of Defense Sales: New BD and Capture Models
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Todd Marks, Founder & CEO of Mindgrub, joins Mike Shanley to discuss how AI can be leveraged for Defense sales, anticipating DoD customer intent, relationship building and proposal development, and determining growth investment priorities. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: Todd Marks LinkedIn: BIOGRAPHY: Todd Marks, a teacher-turned-technologist, is at the forefront of digital innovation as the Founder and CEO of Mindgrub Technologies. Since 2002, Marks has guided Mindgrub to become a leader in AI solutions, mobile and web development, and emerging...
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Ep. 52 Innovation Bottleneck: Is Bureaucracy AI’s Biggest Hurdle?
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Chris Watson, Vice President of Premise Data, joins Mike Shanley to discuss how AI innovation and federal procurement intersect, and what changes could facilitate greater innovation. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ Premise Data: https://premise.com/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: BIOGRAPHY: Chris Watson is an evangelist for digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and increased use of commercial products in the global development industry. He currently leads Premise Data’s international development division, with a focus on...
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Ep. 51: National Security and Meteorology with Sunny Wescott, Chief Meteorologist
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Chief Meteorologist, Sunny Wescott, joins Mike Shanley to discuss the intersection of national security and meteorology. The conversation covers identifying and mitigating infrastructure threats, the impact of weather on military operations, the importance of data analytics and AI, and how industry can best support government priorities. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: BIOGRAPHY: Chief Meteorologist Sunny Wescott specializes in extreme weather events impacting emergency response, supply chain, and critical infrastructure. During her time in the US Air Force as a Lead...
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Ep. 50: Jim Carroll, Professional Services Council (PSC) CEO
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Jim Carroll, President & CEO of the Professional Services Council (PSC), joins Mike Shanley to discuss how PSC is helping federal contractors navigate a shifting federal market. The conversation covers national security trends, PSC’s direct engagement with Congress and the White House, and how AI and innovation are shaping the future of defense acquisition. Resources: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: BIOGRAPHY: The Hon. Jim Carroll became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Professional Services Council (PSC) on May 19, 2025. As CEO, Jim is responsible for...
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Ep. 49 - Accelerating national security action with unique tech: Matt Petit, Vannevar Labs
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Matt Petit, Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat, joins Mike Shanley to accelerating national security with new technology. The conversation focuses startups and innovation in national security to deliver faster and more efficient results. Resources: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: BIOGRAPHY: Matt Petit is a Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat. Prior to joining Vannevar, Matt spent nearly 17 years with the U.S. Foreign Service. During that time, he served in India, Zambia, and Armenia (covering Iran). While on...
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Ep. 48 - Changing Federal Market with David Berteau, PSC CEO
GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
David Berteau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Services Council (PSC), joins Mike Shanley to discuss the federal funding market. The conversation focuses on the shifting federal market, new opportunities, and strategies for government contractors. Specifically, the following topics were discussed in this episode: Budget Message to PSC members The role of congress key takeaways - federal growth implications for current and prospective federal contractors Common and uncommon aspects of this transition RFPs and bid process RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal...
info_outlineKimberly Ball, Director of USAID's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization joins Mike Shanley to discuss small businesses and localization, success in using small businesses, how to connect with OSDBU, and what's next.
Prior to joining OSDBU in 2008, Ms. Ball served as a Contract Specialist in USAID’s Management/Office of Acquisition and Assistance (M/OAA). During her ten year stint in M/OAA, she supported the Global Health (GH), Europe and Eurasia (E&E), Economic Growth and Trade (EGAT), Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) Bureaus and M/OAA’s Policy Division. She ended her M/OAA career as a Contracting Officer and Team Leader supporting various divisions in the DCHA Bureau.
Prior to joining USAID, Ms. Ball worked as a contract negotiator with the United States Air Force. As a civilian employee of the U. S. Air Force, Ms. Ball served at Nellis Air Force Base, Gunter Annex and Bolling Air Force Base. She began her career with the U.S. Air Force as a Palace Acquire Intern.
Ms. Ball holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Hampton University.
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Aid Market Podcast. You can learn more about working with USAID by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and AidKonekt. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.