About ACEL360

About ACEL360 2019-09-15T02:33:17+00:00

ACEL360 is a business accelerator based in Reston, Virginia, that speeds the growth and builds the enterprise value of firms doing business in the hyper-competitive Federal marketplace. We help companies gain a decisive competitive edge by helping them navigate the Federal landscape effectively, employ world-class business development strategies and processes, and leverage strong partner ecosystems based on market opportunities and competitive dynamics.

Our three-month GOVCON360 acceleration program is designed for small and mid-sized firms that have established themselves in the Federal market and seek to supercharge their revenue growth and financial success. Over the course of the program, participating firms develop disciplined, actionable roadmaps to success as they cultivate the relationships that will accelerate achievement of their goals. The program also enables prime contractors, government buyers, and others to identify high-quality small firms with which to do business.

In 2018 we have launched TECH360 program for innovative technology companies seeking to enter, compete, and succeed in the Federal, State and Local government marketplace. In addition to giving these companies access to critical resources, relationships, and revenue sources, this program will support various government agencies as they seek to identify and secure new sources of innovative technology to address their critical mission objectives. Further, it will provide valuable introductions for Government contractors interested in expanding their solution portfolios to include AI, machine learning, robotics, and other groundbreaking technologies.

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Sanjay Puri, CEO and Co-Founder, ACEL360

Sanjay Puri is a global entrepreneur whose powerful connectivity in government and business places him at the forefront of though leadership and advisement.  After starting his career as a financial analyst for The World Bank, he began his entrepreneurial journey in 1994 through a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) where he led a team that used artificial intelligence techniques to diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s.  He founded and built a number of technology companies during the 1990s.  In 2011, his startup, Optimos, was recognized “among the top firms providing IT solutions to Federal government agencies.”  Sanjay sold Optimos in 2014 and founded ACEL360, a multi-module accelerator that helps small and medium sized businesses navigate federal processes, create pipelines of high-value prospects and build and sustain competitive advantage with cross-functional, forward-looking strategies. Sanjay also founded the Alliance for US India/International Business (AUSIB) and the US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC).  In close cooperation with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, Sanjay has hosted numerous events on Capitol Hill to promote trade relations.  He has testified as an expert witness before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and his statements are included in Committee records.  A highly sought-after speaker and media contributor, Sanjay has presented at Harvard Business School, the Kellogg School of Management, the National War College, Wharton, Dartmouth, the China Telematics and Connected Vehicles Summit and other leading institutions and conferences.  He has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Hindu, The Times of India, CNN, National Public Radio (NPR), BBC and more.  He has also been recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record for his advocacy and achievements.  Sanjay holds an MBA in Finance & Investments from George Washington University. To learn more about Sanjay, and the Ambassadors’ Cup at Congressional Country Club which he founded to further US-Asia trade relations, please visit at sanjaypuri.com or as AUSIB.org.

Manish Chauhan,Chief Growth Officer,ACEL360

Manish Chauhan is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned leader with Cross-Functional Experience and Cross-Industry Expertise. He has over three decades of notable experience in instituting corporate responsibility, integrity, and accountability with Consulting companies, Tech companies, GovCon companies, and Non-Profit organizations.  His experience has helped him to drive corporate business strategies and lead enterprise transformation programs to accelerate new growth platforms, build new capabilities and improve ROIC and org structure. Manish has helped the companies modernize and adapt to changing consumer behaviors and needs of emerging consumer segments. He is exceptional at developing and implementing growth focused metrics, best practices, processes, and technological tools to streamline and enhance business operations. With strong track record executing multimillion-dollar projects, implementing best practices, and new product introductions, he offers expertise in aligning sales, production, delivery, talent acquisition activities to drive success, growth, and expansion and has played instrumental roles in enterprise technology transformation. Manish recently served as an Executive Director (COO/CFO) at ‘NIGP: National Institution of Governmental Purchasing’ where he was responsible for leading the strategy, technology, finance, Growth, and operations for an association of public procurement officers.

Bob Drazovich

Bob Drazovich, Senior Vice President, Technology and Investments, ACEL360

A long-time resident of Silicon Valley, with early experience in software development, Bob Drazovich has been founder, executive, board member, investor, or consultant for more than two dozen companies that have developed and marketed software products or technology-based service offerings. These companies have utilized technologies spanning artificial intelligence, big data, IoT, SaaS, cloud computing, simulation, and knowledge-based and intelligent reasoning systems to provide solutions for building automation and energy management, education, healthcare and biotech, defense, and corporate resource/portfolio management. Bob has also been founder and principal of a government contractor that developed innovative AI and data analysis technology for DARPA and other Defense agencies. The firm grew to over 200 people, spun off a successful search engine company, and was sold to a larger government contractor. In addition, Bob has assisted both early-stage and established companies by developing “go-to-market” business and product strategies, business plans, and corporate partnering and M&A strategies; obtaining financing from venture and angel sources; and bringing research technologies from academia to market. Bob has an MS degree in Operations Research from Stanford University and as a Sloan Fellow earned an MS degree in Management from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He has published more than 45 technical papers and reports.

Harris Miller, Senior Consultant, ACEL360

Harris Miller is a technology industry executive with extensive experience in the transformation of under-performing organizations and as a thought leader in innovation. He served for 10 years as president and CEO of the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and its international counterpart, the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA). As part of his responsibilities, he oversaw the design, development, and rapid growth and expansion of the federal Systems Integration Division, which promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness. ITAA programs served the needs of large-scale systems integration and platform solution providers, enterprise software firms, minority enterprise and women-owned businesses, consulting firms, information security companies, Year 2000 remediation firms. and others with a significant interest in entering or growing their presence in the federal IT space. For many years, Harris presided over publication of ITAA’s benchmark Federal CIO Survey, an annual review and analysis of market-shaping issues in the federal marketplace. He became the industry’s leading voice for such key issues as information security, critical infrastructure protection, the Y2K software conversion, the critical shortage of IT workers, global sourcing, and related issues. Harris is a successful investor and entrepreneur, having built a consulting practice involving projects in financial services, business immigration, Internet voting, free college tuition, and other areas. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Master of Philosophy from Yale University.

Kevin Ribbins

Kevin Robbins, Founder and Managing Director, Wolf Den Associates

Kevin Robbins supports Wolf Den’s strategic planning practice. He develops plans for clients ranging from small businesses to multi-billion-dollar defense conglomerates and covering the entire spectrum of end government customers, resulting in industry-leading growth rates for those companies. He also supports merger and acquisition engagements covering billions of dollars of completed transactions. In this role he counsels clients ranging from smaller, cutting-edge technology companies to private equity firms and larger, multi-billion-dollar defense primes, with a particular emphasis on candidate identification, strategic rationale, structuring, due diligence, and post-merger integration support. Kevin is also founder of Blue Delta Capital Partners, which makes non-control equity investments in high-growth government technology companies. This position has given him insight into and empathy for the unique issues private-equity clients confront when investing in the Federal sector. Previously, Kevin served as senior principal at SRA International, responsible for strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, corporate spinoffs, and strategic relationships. Before joining SRA, he held a variety of positions in private equity, venture capital, and investment banking at ABS Capital Partners, General Electric’s GE Equity division, and Alex Brown & Sons. He has an AB in Economics from Dartmouth College and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.

Joan Phillips, Vice President, Acceleration Programs, ACEL360

As product developer, marketing communications specialist, and program director, Joan Phillips has contributed to the success of professional and executive development initiatives in government contracting, project management, strategic execution, global business leadership, and related fields. With ESI International from the company’s inception through its growth to a $60 million enterprise, she held the roles of VP Publications and VP Programs. She led teams who worked closely with ESI’s academic partner, The George Washington University School of Business, and with corporate partners, clients, and subject matter experts to build program content and products, connect with key audiences, and deliver quality learning experiences. She also played a lead role in the creation, development, and delivery of programs and products offered by IPS Learning with the Stanford University School of Engineering, and by IPS Asia, Redstone Learning, and Meridian International Center. Joan has presented professional development courses on business communication topics, developed and produced online learning products, and served as product development and marketing consultant to businesses and nonprofits in various fields. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and earned a master’s degree in English from Brandeis University.

ACEL360 PROGRAM LEADERS

David A. Kriegman, CEO, Z2B, LLC

David Kriegman spent more than 30 years growing and managing companies that provide professional services to the Federal government. He now leads Z2B in helping companies of all sizes achieve their strategic growth goals through services including strategic planning, account planning, capture and proposal support, corporate capability evaluations, and executive coaching. During his three-decade tenure as a senior leader at Federal service and solution provider SRA International, the company grew from $5 million to over $1 billion in annual revenues. In his book Zero to a Billion: 61 Rules Entrepreneurs Need to Know to Grow a Government Contracting Business, David draws on his experience to distill and illustrate core principles and practical, essential lessons on strategy, business development, operations, talent management, and M&A for new and mid-career managers as well as seasoned executives leading firms competing in the Federal space. He sits on several corporate boards and is a popular speaker. He has an M.S. in Mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Barry S. Landew

Barry S. Landew, Founder and Managing Director, Wolf Den Associates

Barry Landew founded Wolf Den to help promising companies grow their service to the Federal government through strategic planning, capture and proposal leadership, and M&A support. Since founding Wolf Den in late 2009, he has advised companies ranging from small businesses to private equity firms and large multi-national conglomerates on dozens of transactions valued at several billion dollars. He has also led capture efforts on several billion dollars of awards on behalf of Wolf Den’s clients, at over a 90 percent win rate. Prior to starting Wolf Den, he spent 29 years with SRA International, where he led strategy, M&A, and major growth initiatives. During his tenure at SRA, the firm grew from $1M in revenue to $1.4B, with an organic CAGR exceeding 20 percent. As SRA’s executive vice president for corporate development, Barry played an active role in SRA’s IPO in May 2002 and consummated nine acquisitions and three divestitures after SRA went public. Barry graduated from The Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in economics and mathematical sciences and taught modeling and simulation.

Kevin F. Marshall, Vice President, Wolf Den Associates

Kevin Marshall is a solution architect focused on proposal architecture and capture strategy for Wolf Den customers both large and small. His technical solution experience ranges from large infrastructure efforts to strategic cybersecurity, software development, and package software responses. Expert in graphics, technical solutions, theming, and thought leadership, Kevin has led complex proposal efforts for hundreds of acquisitions across virtually every department in the Federal space. Prior to his solution architect role, Kevin spent more than 14 years managing and executing systems implementations. Working for both commercial and GovCon companies, he has been engaged in a multitude of custom, ERP, and CRM projects as a team lead, system architect, and developer. His project history has allowed him to gain a strong understanding of the complexities and pitfalls of large system development and integration efforts. Before joining Wolf Den, Kevin held positions at PriceWaterhouse, Oracle, and SRA. He graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, with a BA in International Relations. He also has certifications in ITIL, Agile, cybersecurity (GSEC), project management (PMP), and firefighting (Pro Board).

Kim Pack

Kim Pack, VP, Strategy and Management Consulting, Wolf Den Associates

Kim Pack is a proven business executive with more than 25 years of Federal and commercial experience in management spanning business development, IT operations, GWAC and Schedules program management, and corporate strategic alliances. Kim joined Wolf Den in 2012 and manages a portfolio of clients spanning small businesses to large systems integrators, supporting business development strategy and organizational assessment. Previously, Kim was an acting vice president at Computer Sciences Corporation, where she led a team of 20 business development executives in providing guidance, coaching, management, and organization to achieve the common growth goal of growing a $2 billion IT services pipeline. Active in industry government relations, she is an active member of ACT-IAC and has led several professional development programs. Kim is a graduate of Longwood University.

Noah Teates, Vice President, Wolf Den Associates

Noah Teates has helped clients solve problems across every Wolf Den line of business. He leads engagements that deliver strategic plans, capture strategy, winning proposals, and classic management consulting to diagnose and optimize growth organizations. He has helped win classified and unclassified contracts providing IT services (infrastructure support; Agile, DevOps, and continuous integration; cloud assessment and migration) as well as specialized scientific, analytic, digital, and cyber expertise. Beyond IT, he has helped win OCONUS contracts ranging from embassy operations support services to mobile and static armed guards in hostile environments. Deal size has ranged from less than $1 million to more than $3 billion, frequently with hundreds of millions of revenue at stake. His clients include Big Three management consulting firms; specialized small businesses in the Federal civilian, defense, and intelligence communities; and some of the largest defense contractors in the world. Before joining Wolf Den in 2011, Noah served as capture, proposal, and program manager for SRA International, Computer Sciences Corporation, and various small businesses.

Joan Phillips, Vice President, Acceleration Programs, ACEL360

As product developer, marketing communications specialist, and program director, Joan Phillips has contributed to the success of professional and executive development initiatives in government contracting, project management, strategic execution, global business leadership, and related fields. With ESI International from the company’s inception through its growth to a $60 million enterprise, she held the roles of VP Publications and VP Programs. She led teams who worked closely with ESI’s academic partner, The George Washington University School of Business, and with corporate partners, clients, and subject matter experts to build program content and products, connect with key audiences, and deliver quality learning experiences. She also played a lead role in the creation, development, and delivery of programs and products offered by IPS Learning with the Stanford University School of Engineering, and by IPS Asia, Redstone Learning, and Meridian International Center. Joan has presented professional development courses on business communication topics, developed and produced online learning products, and served as product development and marketing consultant to businesses and nonprofits in various fields. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and earned a master’s degree in English from Brandeis University.

OUR STRATEGIC PARTNER

WOLF DEN ASSOCIATES

Wolf Den Associates is the leading strategy and management consulting firm focused on helping Federal market participants accelerate their growth. It advises operating companies and investors across the federal national security and civil marketplace, including many of the top federal contractors and top private equity sponsors. The firm has completed more than 1,000 client engagements, serving over 200 clients spanning the Federal market—including more than one-third of the Washington Technology Top 100. Wolf Den helps companies grow by applying industry best practices—including strategic planning, capture and proposal, buy side support, and technical solutions—to the Federal market. It has helped execute dozens of acquisitions worth billions in transaction value and has won billions of dollars of competitive federal contracts for clients ranging from publicly traded systems integrators to 8(a)s pursuing their first prime awards. Positioned at the heart of the Federal marketplace, Wolf Den is able to offer real-time market intelligence and superior situational awareness. www.wolfden.associates

OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

Aronson provides a range of business advisory services to the Washington Metro region’s most active industries. Aronson’s Government Contract Services Group offers audit, tax planning and preparation, GSA Schedule, Compliance, and Systems services; its Construction Industry, Real Estate Industry, Technology Industry, Nonprofit and Association Industry, Tax, Financial Advisory, and Employee Benefit Plan groups provide similar suites of services. The modular Aronson platform allows clients to customize comprehensive service packages to meet their needs.

P3 Innovation Strategies provides leadership and program development in the areas of business start-up, new market development, IP commercialization, global economic development, and public-private partnerships. P3 also offers professional services in joint venture creation as well as foreign direct investment, internationalization, and business soft landing. The firm has extensive experience in higher-education research and IP commercialization, technology transfer, contract research, and translational research and has spun out many start-up companies with strong product and market share.