Our Presenters represent some of the areas top CFO’s and have extensive backgrounds in finance leadership, board relations, M&A, team building, and accountability.
GORDON FOSTER
CFO, Serco
Gordon Foster currently serves as the CFO of Serco North America. He brings to Serco two decades of government contracting experience. For the past two years, he was the CFO for Constellis, a multi-billion dollar Global enterprise focused on risk management, security, humanitarian, training and operational support services to government and commercial customers worldwide where he recently helped lead them through a successful debt restructuring. Prior to that, Foster was the EVP & CFO at ASRC Federal, a multi-billion dollar enterprise focused on a range of services to the federal civilian, intelligence and defense agencies where he played a large role in the company’s organic and acquisitive growth.
Foster began his government contracting career with Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton PRC) where he ultimately served as the CFO of the Civil Systems Division, Cyber Solutions Division, and Intelligence Systems Division. He also held various other leadership positions across Health IT, DoD, Commercial, State and Local portfolios.
Rich is known for driving technology companies to succeed through financial scalability, operational excellence, and people-first culture. At Hypori, he oversees finance, business and legal affairs, human resources, recruiting, and facilities management.
Rich has over 25 years of leadership experience, having been the CFO for four private equity or venture-backed companies and completing over 40 M&A and financing transactions during his career. Rich joined Hypori after a successful tenure as CFO at Novetta, a former Carlyle-owned company purchased August 2021 by Accenture Federal Services. Prior to Novetta, he held executive roles at Shafer Corporation and Paradigm Solutions. During his tenure at Paradigm Solutions, the company was acquired by CACI International, Arlington, VA.
Rich is a member of the board of directors for Systems Planning & Analysis, Inc., a trustee of the University of Valley Forge, and an advisory board member of Game Change Agency (GCA). He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also holds a master’s degree in Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Cost Management from the Olin Graduate School of Management at Babson College.
RICH SAWCHAK
CFO, Hypori
JEREMY KOCZAN
CFO, SMX
Jeremy Koczan is CFO of SMX, a recognized leader of next-generation cloud, C5ISR, advanced engineering, and IT solutions supporting DoD, Commercial, Federal and State agencies. In his present role, Jeremy is responsible for all aspects of the organization's financial functions including Accounting, Budgets/Rates, Credit Management, Risk Management, Business Intelligence, Financial Planning/Analysis, Taxes, and Treasury.
Prior to his role at SMX, Jeremy was CFO of Altamira Technologies Corporation an advanced engineering, data analytics and cyber operations company supporting the Defense, Intelligence, and Homeland Security communities. Prior to Altamira, Jeremy held various analytical and financial leadership positions for Raytheon across numerous markets including Airspace Management, Homeland Security, Battlespace Management, Federal IT, and Intelligence/High Consequence Missions.
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​Jeremy holds a BS in Finance, an MBA, a Six Sigma Black Belt, and an EVMS Level 3 Certification.
A results-driven, strategically focused Senior Executive with a career marked by business partnering, M&A transactional successes & organic corporate growth in multiple, highly regulated manufacturing & distribution industries including 15 years Aerospace & Defense, Space & 10 years Automotive. Strong client-based relationships across DOD (Navy & Air Force) & major primes (Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, L-3 Harris). Exceptional communicator to the Board of Director s and internal & external customers. Strategic & operational leadership on more than 10 company acquisitions & divestments at an aggregate value of over $3B.
Particular expertise as a Chief Financial Officer, leading key operating activities such as treasury / liquidity & capital deployment, strategic planning, acquisitions & integrations, commercial bid strategies, program cost management, government contracting in compliance with FAR, CAS, DCAA / DCMA, internal controls (SOX), US GAAP & IFRS. Domestic & international operations, foreign currency, acquisitions / integrations, operational execution & business partnering. Dynamic, authentic leadership style & interpersonal communication skills demonstrating adaptability to high pressure, fast growth environments & markets.
BRIAN DRZEWIECKI, MBA
CFO/COO Research Innovations, Inc.
TAMARA JACK
CFO, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer, LMI
Tamara Jack is the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer at LMI. Tamara leads LMI’s financial and legal operations, including finance and accounting, treasury, tax, enterprise risk management, law department, security and facilities, and pricing. She also serves as corporate secretary and treasurer, overseeing LMI’s external audit and lender relationships. With over 18 years in the defense, technology, and government services sectors, Tamara shapes and executes LMI’s business strategy to drive enterprise value, providing executive leadership in financial strategy & planning and corporate initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions. A director and associate general counsel at LMI from 2005 to 2015, Tamara rejoined the company as chief legal officer and corporate secretary in 2017, adding chief financial officer responsibilities in 2019. Prior to that, she served as vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Blumont, Inc., and served on the board of directors for Blumont’s three subsidiaries.
Tamara serves on the board of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and is the board president for the Association of Corporate Counsel’s National Capital Region.
Nicholas Veasey is the Chief Financial Officer at MAG Aerospace where he leads the finance, accounting, planning, tax and treasury functions for the company. Previously Nick was a Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton where he led Investor Relations, was responsible for the firm’s capital allocation strategy, and played a lead role in all aspects of M&A. Prior to Booz Allen, Nick worked for Deutsche Bank in the Industrials sector, focusing on debt, equity, and M&A transactions for large, corporate clients. Earlier in his career, he served as a Marine Reconnaissance Platoon Commander with multiple deployments to the Middle East and other overseas locations.
Nick earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy, as well as an M.B.A. and Master of Public Policy degrees from Georgetown University.
NICHOLAS VEASEY
CFO, MAG AEROSPACE
DEBORAH RICCI
CFO, Guidehouse
Deb Ricci is a financial expert with a well-balanced financial background that enhances any business environment. Ms. Ricci began her career at KPMG where she was a Certified Public Accountant as she focused on the audit process of public and private organizations. She quickly broadened that experience by moving her strong problem–solving and leadership skills to the corporate world. Her executive experience, largely as a Chief Financial Officer, encompassed organizations of all sizes and differing industries. She has served as a Chief Financial Officer in public companies and private equity-owned organizations. She has been in environments from small, entrepreneurially driven organizations, to private equity-owned portfolio companies to public companies. She has strived in organizations facing unique challenges and an increased rate of change. Her success has largely been a result of disarming delivery of decisions that are often met with significant resistance. She is the consummate team player and effective in engaging a team. She is impartial and able to quickly evaluate alternatives and determine the best path forward. Her industry experience includes service organizations, manufacturing environments, and technology organizations.
Ms. Ricci engages teams to meet new challenges and goals. Her experience includes numerous merger and acquisition activities, dual tracking for a public offering, financial restructurings, implementation of control environments, and relocation/consolidation of business operations. In addition to managing finance and accounting operations, she has managed information technology, shared services, contracts, and legal functions.
Ms. Ricci is currently a Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Guidehouse Inc. Prior to her role at Guidehouse, Ms. Ricci served as Chief Financial Officer of Constellis and Centerra Group. She was the Finance Director of PAE’s National Security Group after the sale of A-T Solutions, Inc. to PAE. Ms. Ricci served as the Chief Financial Officer of A-T Solutions for five years prior to its sale to PAE. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Blackstone Capital portfolio company, Draken International Inc.
Bob Kwaja is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Two Six Technologies (TST), a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. Bob is currently responsible for all TST’s financial operations, including accounting, audit, treasury, project finance, pricing, facilities, risk management, DCAA compliance, corporate finance, as well as responsible for helping drive the company’s growth strategy through mergers and acquisitions. His career spans more than 15 years of varied experience in corporate finance, investment banking, and operational experience for private equity-backed businesses, with a proven track record in successfully scaling high-growth government technology companies.
Prior to joining TST, Bob worked at BlueHalo (a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners (ACP)), where he was Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development. At his time at BlueHalo, he assisted with building the new platform company through six acquisitions in the first twelve months. Prior to that, he held a similar executive role at Centauri (former portfolio company of ACP). At Centauri, Bob played an instrumental role in growing Centauri’s revenue through six acquisitions in less than three years, which led to the successful exit to KBR, Inc (NYSE: KBR) in 2020. Bob also previously served as Vice President of Finance for Belcan’s Government Business Unit (a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners). Earlier in his career, he was Vice President of a boutique investment bank focused on the Aerospace, Defense, and Government (ADG) sectors, and has advised on numerous M&A and financing transactions for public and private clients.
BOB KWAJA
CFO, Two Six Technologies