In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Noah Klemm, Chief Executive Officer, and Rob Sheen, Chief Growth Officer of Redhorse Corporation, a national security and federal technology company delivering AI-driven innovation, cyber, data analytics, digital transformation, and mission execution across the national security, intelligence, and law enforcement communities.

Noah and Rob share more than three decades of combined experience at Novetta, where they had a front-row seat to one of the federal technology market’s notable growth and M&A stories. Together, they experienced Novetta’s evolution through private equity ownership, a buy-and-build strategy, its transition from Arlington Capital Partners to The Carlyle Group, and ultimately its acquisition by Accenture Federal Services. Those experiences provided lessons in leadership, integration, culture, scale, and navigating change that continue to shape how they lead today.

In 2022, Noah and Rob left for Redhorse within days of one another, stepping into newly created leadership roles and helping chart the next chapter of a founder-built company that had recently taken its first outside investment. In this conversation, they discuss why Redhorse, how they earned the trust of an existing organization without simply recreating an old playbook, and what they carried forward, and intentionally left behind, from their previous experiences.

The discussion also dives into Redhorse’s growth strategy and the balance between organic expansion, strategic acquisitions, and technology partnerships. Rob shares his perspective on identifying acquisitions that offer more than an attractive financial case, while Noah reflects on his progression from Chief Delivery Officer to President and ultimately CEO, and what changes when you move into the top seat.

You’ll also hear Noah and Rob discuss where the federal technology market is headed as AI, data, and cyberbecome increasingly important to the national security mission, the challenge of attracting and retaining scarce technical and cleared talent, and how Redhorse is working to preserve a strong, mission-focused culture while integrating acquisitions and continuing to scale.

Throughout the conversation, Noah and Rob offer candid lessons from experiencing M&A from multiple perspectives, working inside a PE-backed company, navigating a strategic acquisition and integration, and now helping lead growth and acquisitions themselves. They also share the leaders who have influenced them, advice for executives navigating their own career transitions, and their shared vision for the next phase of Redhorse.

Tune in to Beyond Strategy for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, private equity, M&A, integration, culture, technology, and what it takes to build the next chapter of a growing national security business.

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Kevin Kelly, Chairman and CEO of Arcfield, to discuss his remarkable journey leading two of the government contracting industry’s most notable carve-outs and growth transformations.

Kevin shares how he helped stand up both LGS Innovations and Arcfield as independent operating companies, navigating the complexities of divestitures, building leadership teams and infrastructure from the ground up, and driving long-term strategic growth in highly technical, mission-critical environments serving the U.S. intelligence community and Department of War.

The conversation explores Kevin’s leadership philosophy rooted in honesty, accountability, and mission focus, as well as how his engineering background shaped his approach to solving complex national security challenges. He also provides insight into Arcfield’s rapid evolution under Veritas Capital ownership, including investments in AI-enabled model-based systems engineering, missile defense technologies, digital engineering, and strategic acquisitions such as Rite-Solutions, Inc. to expand the company’s undersea warfare capabilities.

Listeners will also hear Kevin’s perspective on private equity partnerships, organizational transformation, M&A strategy, and the future of defense and intelligence contracting in an evolving national security landscape.

In this powerful episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Alex Duan, CEO of Dynamo Technologies, a rapidly growing federal technology firm driving digital transformation and mission success through enterprise AI, applied intelligence, and software solutions.

We're also thrilled to share some exciting news: Dynamo Technologies has acquired Victory Solutions, significantly strengthening its ability to deliver mission-critical solutions at scale. This strategic acquisition expands Dynamo’s footprint across key Department of War programs of record and reinforces a shared commitment to agility, trust, and delivery excellence—while preserving the values and culture that define both organizations.

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Dennis Kelly, a seasoned executive and current CEO of Tyto Athene, a federal systems integrator delivering mission-focused digital transformation solutions across defense, intelligence, space, and public safety. With over three decades of experience and a leadership track record spanning multiple high-growth, private equity-backed firms, Dennis brings a rare depth of insight to the evolving landscape of government contracting.

Under Dennis’s leadership, Tyto Athene has aggressively expanded its capabilities through four strategic acquisitions in under two years - StackArmor, Microtel, MindPoint Group, and Key Solutions Inc. bringing nearly 500 new team members into the fold and enhancing Tyto’s reach in AI/ML, cybersecurity, and capture strategy.

In this episode, Dennis shares:

• His core leadership principles and how his Navy experience continues to shape his executive style
• Insights on navigating private equity partnerships, including his long-standing relationship with Arlington Capital
• Partners and previous leadership with Bluestone Investment Partners
• The art and discipline of serial acquisitions, including how to integrate talent, culture, and technology while maintaining mission alignment
• Why mid-market firms like Tyto are well positioned in a procurement environment prioritizing speed, agility, and innovation
• His vision for Tyto Athene’s growth strategy, balancing further
• M&A with organic capability expansion

From boardroom leadership to national security support, Dennis reflects on the lessons he’s learned leading across multiple portfolios and shares guidance for current and aspiring GovCon executives operating in a fast-changing, high-stakes environment.

Whether you’re a CEO, investor, or operator in the federal space, this episode offers an unfiltered look at what it takes to scale, lead, and evolve in the modern government services market.

Beyond Strategy: Shana Cosgrove, Founder & CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Shana Cosgrove, the visionary Founder and CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions—an award-winning federal contractor specializing AI engineering, data science, and software development for the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of War.

With over 85% of Nyla’s team holding Top Secret security clearances, Shana has built a company uniquely equipped to tackle some of the nation’s most complex and classified missions. Recognized as an Inc. 5000 honoree and a 2025 ACG Growth Award winner for best emerging growth company, Nyla’s success reflects a powerful combination of mission focus, technical innovation, and cultural differentiation.

In this episode, Shana shares:

• The leadership philosophy that has guided her from startup founder to CEO in the high-stakes world of defense technology
• Her decision to launch Nyla after early career aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder
• How she built a company that thrives in the unique demands of the Intelligence Community
• How Nyla is leveraging its expertise in AI, cloud, and data to solve the government’s most urgent technology challenges
• Insights into talent acquisition and retention in a highly specialized, security-cleared market

Shana also opens up about the personal side of leadership—what keeps her up at night, how she balances mission and life, and the lesson she believes every entrepreneur should learn.

If you’re an aspiring founder, defense tech leader, or advocate for diversity in national security, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the boldest and most thoughtful voices in the federal contracting space.

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Gautam Ijoor, the dynamic Founder, President, and CEO of Alpha Omega, one of the fastest-growing federal technology services firms in the National Capital region. Since its founding in 2016, Alpha Omega has evolved into a mission-driven powerhouse—scaling from under $1 million in revenue to over $130 million in just seven years. Alpha Omega delivers cutting-edge services across Digital Modernization, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity, supporting clients such as the Department of State, DHS, USDA, TSA, NIH, and more. Under Gautam's leadership, the firm has been repeatedly recognized for growth and excellence, appearing on the Inc. 5000, Washington Technology Fast 50, and NOVA Chamber's Fantastic 50 lists.

In this episode, you'll hear Gautam discuss: The leadership philosophy that's guided him from startup founder to CEO of a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Early entrepreneurial experiences shaped his mindset on risk, culture, and strategy. The evolving landscape of federal contracting and emerging trends in AI and cyber, Alpha Omega's recent acquisitions of SeKon and Macro Solutions, and how M&A fits into a broader strategic roadmap. His unique talent acquisition and retention approach in a security-cleared, highly competitive environment. What's next for Alpha Omega as it expands into new capabilities and missions.

Whether you're a growth-stage founder, a seasoned executive, or just curious about what it takes to scale a GovCon business in today's landscape, this episode offers inspiration, practical insights, and a masterclass in mission-focused leadership.

In this special edition of Beyond Strategy, we dive into one of the most compelling professional services transactions in the federal market: Aprio’s acquisition of NextFed. This strategic combination brings together Aprio’s national accounting and advisory platform with NextFed’s deep-rooted expertise in government contracting, compliance, and advisory services.

Join us as we sit down with:

• Aaron Myers, Former Managing Partner at NextFed and now a Partner at Aprio
• Kayla Kania, Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Partner at Aprio
• Jim Fennel, Partner and GovCon Practice Leader at Aprio

Hosted by Andy McEnroe and Jenn Wappaus, this episode explores the full lifecycle of the transaction—from leadership principles and cultural integration to growth strategy and lessons learned.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The strategic rationale behind Aprio’s acquisition of NextFed
• How private equity investment positioned Aprio for targeted M&A
• The founding story of NextFed and how it identified unmet needs in the GovCon advisory space
• Insights into market dynamics, compliance trends, and what’s next for firms serving the federal sector
• The challenges and rewards of cultural integration post-deal
• Why this combination creates a unique value proposition for clients ranging from commercial businesses to high-end defense and intelligence contractors

You’ll also hear personal leadership insights from all three guests, what surprised them most during the M&A process, and advice for firms considering a similar growth path.

Tune in now for a behind-the-scenes look at how two complementary firms came together to reshape the GovCon advisory landscape.

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Katie Selbe, Chief Executive Officer of GRVTY, a fast-rising defense technology company delivering advanced platforms, software, and data solutions to support national security operations. With a career that began in systems engineering and evolved into senior leadership roles at Northrop Grumman, Alion, BlueHalo, and Eqlipse, Katie brings deep technical knowledge and proven executive insight to her role at the helm of GRVTY.

GRVTY is redefining mission-driven innovation with cutting-edge capabilities in geospatial and signals intelligence, cyber operations, and automated Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T). Its portfolio includes the SPEAR platform for real-time RF signal detection, AI-powered software for aerospace and cyberspace situational awareness, and expert teams that turn complex data into actionable intelligence.

In this episode, Katie shares:

• Her journey from engineer to CEO
• GRVTY’s mission and the impact it’s having across the defense ecosystem
• How the company is building a culture of innovation and execution
• The integration of standout firms like Royce Geo, VGI, and Dark Star
• And the leadership principles that guide her through growth and change

Katie also offers powerful reflections on building high-performing teams, the future of defense technology, and the lessons she's learned leading in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Tune in for an energizing conversation with one of national security’s most forward-thinking leaders.