How GovCon Can Win Smarter in a Changing Market with Meaghan Hakala Sponsored by vTech Solution

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire and Hunter Gros chat with Meaghan Hakala, Principal Consultant at Vericol LLC and a former GSA leader with nearly two decades of federal experience. Megan shares insights from her career spanning Public Buildings Service and GSA Assisted Acquisition Services, where she ultimately served as a division director overseeing a $2 billion portfolio of complex federal contracts.

The conversation explores how Meaghan’s experience managing contracts end-to-end—from acquisition strategy and evaluations to performance management and closeout—shapes the guidance she now provides to industry. She discusses what federal experience uniquely prepares professionals to bring into consulting roles, and why relationship-building and networking remain the most powerful tools for professionals transitioning from government to the private sector.

Looking ahead to 2026, Meaghan offers practical advice for government contractors navigating uncertainty, shifting agency priorities, and evolving acquisition policy. The discussion highlights the importance of strategic focus, disciplined bid decisions, understanding client pain points, and clearly articulating differentiators supported by real performance data and case stories. 

To connect with Meaghan visit her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Vericol LLC by visiting their website here. 

If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.

Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity.