Meet the Center for Government Contracting Team
Meet our leadership, staff, and advisory board members.
Center Leadership and Staff
Center directors and fellows are experts in government contracting with work experience in government and business.
Executive Director, Center for Government Contracting
Dr. Jerry McGinn is the Executive Director of the Center for Government Contracting in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Associate Director, Center for Government Contracting
As Associate Director of the Government Contracting Program, Charlie is responsible for strategic planning in coordination with the Center's Executive Director and the Government Contracting Advisory Board.
Senior Fellow, Center for Government Contracting
Richard Beutel is a Senior Fellow in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. His appointment is with the Center for Government Contracting.
Research Manager, Center for Government Contracting
Lloyd E. Everhart is a Research Manager in the Costello College Business at George Mason University. His appointment is with the Center for Government Contracting.
Senior Fellow, Center for Government Contracting
Stephanie Halcrow is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Government Contracting within the School of Business at George Mason University.
Senior Fellow, Center for Government Contracting
Edward Hyatt is a Senior Fellow in the School of Business at George Mason University. His appointment is with the Center for Government Cont
Director of Studies, Baroni Center for Government Contracting
Jeff Kojac is the Director of Studies of the Baroni Center for Government Contracting in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Research Manager, Center for Government Contracting
Olivia Letts is a Research Associate in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. Her appointment is with the Center for Government Contracting.
Senior Fellow, Center for Government Contracting
Benjamin McMartin is a Senior Fellow in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. His appointment is with the Center for Government Contracting.
Senior Fellow, Center for Government Contracting
Emily W. Murphy is a senior fellow in the School of Business at George Mason University. Murphy's direct appointment is with the Center for Government Contracting.
Defense Acquisition University Visiting Professor
Joseph (Joe) Palaganas is a Visiting Professor and Defense Acquisition University Professor of Management.
Center Advisory Board
Led by Chairman John Hillen, chief executive officer of Everwatch Solutions, members of the Advisory Board are C-suite business leaders and senior liaisons to federal government agencies. This group:
- Serves as ideators for and leaders of the first-in-the-nation university Center for Government Contracting.
- Builds the Center as a nexus for addressing the business, policy, and regulatory issues in the $500+ billion government contracting community.
Adjunct Faculty, Management
Additional Roles: Chairman of the Center for Government Contracting Advisory Board; Professor of PracticeThe Honorable Dr. John Hillen is a highly accomplished CEO in the government contracting space and a former high ranking U.S. government official.
Co-founder and CEO, Everyone Matters Inc.
Anne Altman is the former general manager of IBM Corporation's U.S Federal Government and Industries sector and the co-founder and CEO of Everyone Matters Inc.
Senior Vice President, Defense Market
LMIJon Baba leads LMI’s defense market, where he is responsible for fostering customer and partner relationships, managing profit and loss, acquiring new business, and championing LMI’s strategic plan, vision, and goals.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Attain Partners
Greg Baroni is the Founder and CEO of Attain Partners.
Senior Vice President, Defense Engagement, Ellwood Group, Inc.
Mr. Dana Beyeler currently serves as the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) representative to the U.S. Delegation of the “NATO Industrial Advisory Group” (NIAG) as appointed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and on the Industry “Trade Advisory Committee on Steel” (ITAC-7) appointed jointly by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative.
Partner, Government Contracts Group, Crowell & Moring LLP
Robert Burton is a partner in the Government Contracts Group at Crowell & Moring LLP in Washington, D.C. He has over 40 years of experience in acquisition law and policy and previously served in the Executive Office of the President as the Acting and Deputy Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
Chief Executive Officer, WAEPA
M. Shane Canfield brings more than 25 years of experience in insurance and non-profit leadership to WAEPA.
Chief Executive Officer, NCMA
Kraig Conrad is the Chief Executive Officer of NCMA. He assumed the role of CEO in November 2018. Through Conrad’s leadership, NCMA has adopted a bold and ambitious strategic plan to advance growth in service of members and the mission by expanding its reach and relevance, and amplifying the value of contract management professionals.
President & CEO, National Industries for the Blind
Soraya Correa was the former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chief Procurement Officer and Senior Procurement Executive, responsible for the implementation of the unique acquisition policies, regulations, and standards of the agency.
Chief Procurement Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Paul Courtney is the liaison of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the Advisory Board of the Baroni Center.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition & Sr. Procurement Executive, U.S. Department of State
Michael W. Derrios is a recognized leader in the field of government acquisition with more than 25 years of federal, military and private sector experience. He has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2015.