From Startup to Scale: Lessons from Xcelerate’s Mark Drever

Podcasts 05.15.26

By: Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

In this episode of The Real Deal, Cy Alba sits down with Mark Drever, CEO of Xcelerate Solutions, for a candid conversation about building, scaling, and leading a successful GovCon business. The discussion walks through Mark’s career journey, from his early days in government consulting to the launch of Xcelerate and its growth into a major player in the federal market. Mark discusses challenges he faced as an owner and CEO, how today’s federal environment is shaping GovCon growth, and . . . Read More

Life Is Now: XCorp’s Leap from Languages to IT, Cyber & AI with Cesar Nader

Podcasts 10.01.25

By: Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Cy Alba talks with Cesar Nader.  From U.S. Marine to GovCon CEO, Cesar Nader has steered X Corp Solutions (XCorp) through a bold evolution; starting with language services and expanding into intel, IT, cyber, and now AI and Disruptive Technologies. In this no-nonsense conversation with Cy Alba, he” keeps it real” and breaks down the three phases . . . Read More

The Courage to Start: Growing a GovCon Business from Zero with Ganesh Natarajan

Podcasts 09.02.25

By: Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi and Cy Alba sit down with Ganesh Natarajan, CEO of Ennoble First, to uncover the realities behind growing a government contracting company. Ganesh shares his journey from leaving a senior role at Lockheed Martin to bootstrapping his own firm, starting with zero, building trust, and landing that critical first customer. He reveals the five P’s . . . Read More

Cybersecurity, Contracts and Culture: De-risking Your Deal Before You Sell with Sarah Djamshidi and Cy Alba

Podcasts 07.23.25

By: Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

The Real Deal is a new Peel series created by Speedshift Ventures and PilieroMazza PLLC. Episodes will explore the fast-evolving world of M&A in the government contracting space. This series dives deep into the realities facing buyers, sellers, advisors, and operators—unpacking the trends, risks, and decisions behind successful (and sometimes failed) deals. In this premiere episode, Sarah Djamshidi, President and Managing Partner at Speedshift Ventures and Cy Alba, Partner at PilieroMazza PLLC unravel the complex dynamics shaping mergers and acquisitions . . . Read More