Alka Bhave
Chantilly,VA
Summary
Forward-executive with 26+ years in the public sector, demonstrating ability to drive transformation and growth in a variety of large, publically-traded and private-equity backed, and mid-sized non-profit and privately-held entities providing IT services, systems engineering and integration, and research & development. Equipped to transform teams of all sizes to maintain responsiveness and meet operational challenges head-on. Thought leader with proven impact in accelerating value delivery for Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, and Federal Civilian customers. Born connector, and tactical leader with a diplomatic nature and a tenacious approach. Active TS/SCI Clearance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
President
Fearless Digital
07.2023 - Current
- Led a $100M enterprise with business segments in National Security, Civilian, Health and SLED sectors and emerging commercial activities.
- Guided company during critical revenue transition phase to full and open contracts.
- Spearheaded 2024 Fearless Digital plan by setting revenue, profitability, and gross margin targets.
- Realigned Digital’s P&L groups with market and customer needs.
- Enhanced delivery excellence by implementing Start Green Stay Green performance framework.
- Instituted new policies supporting expanding operations.
- Transitioned firm to a quarterly financial schedule and salaried workforce increasing financial forecast accuracy.
- Achieved and exceeded a key milestone of $100M in top-line revenue for 2024.
- Attracted new clients and forged industry alliances.
- Achieved outcome-based performance enhancements resulting in a 4%-plus boost in gross margin.
- Achieved the highest financial returns in company history.
- Oversaw the operations of multiple departments including Growth, Finance, HR, Recruiting, and IT from July 2023 - April 2024.
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Riverside Research
07.2021 - 07.2023
- Directed business operations for a $133M national security enterprise with 700 personnel.
- Oversaw operations across IT, HR, Security & Information Security.
- Formulated plans for infrastructure modernization, strategic facility expansions, and consolidations as part of the 2030 corporate strategy.
- Enhanced operational efficiency through strategic implementations.
- Restored customer trust in Riverside's capacity to manage classified networks effectively.
- Deployed new IT platforms, increasing productivity and collaboration.
- Revamped policy framework and process structure across the organization.
- Achieved an 11% FTE growth rate by accelerating the company's recruiting engine.
- Developed new digital platforms, improving overall stakeholder engagement.
- Initiated corporate program reviews in all business units, enhancing cross-program understanding of capabilities.
- Transformed financial charging model for IT, IS, and indirect personnel, raising profitability.
- Established alliances with fellow GovCon companies and organizations to gain new business agreements.
- Optimized marketing tactics to expand engagement and influence across the Government Contracting industry.
Vice President, Performance Excellence
Peraton (formerly Perspecta)
06.2018 - 07.2021
- Directed performance excellence strategies horizontally within a $4.3 billion organization, impacting over $13B of TCV and $25B of sales in 2021.
- Managed corporate certifications and performance of enterprise programs.
- Conducted independent evaluations of programs within Perspecta’s portfolio to find opportunities for improvement and technology innovation.
- Collaborated with CTOs, account leaders, and government clients to integrate RPA/automation and Lean-Agile IT solutions.
- Conceptualized and expanded enterprise Robotic Process Automation (eRPA) capability by integrating Value Stream Mapping (VSM) with RPA for various clients.
- Increased customer base for Army and Air Force via targeted Lean/Agile consultations.
- Led Perspecta’s Cybersecurity Assessment Practice and FedRAMP 3PAO and Corporate lead for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
- Recognized as an industry thought leader and selected to moderate executive-level forums with DoD and industry leaders.
- Created Perspecta’s Program Management Center of Excellence and Customer Experience (CX) program.
- Generated increased visibility into performance for CEO and C-suite executives.
- Implemented ESG initiatives supporting shareholder interests. Elevated Perspecta's ISS rating substantially over two quarters.
- Led IT IMO for successful integration of Perspecta with Peraton from Jan – May 2021. Ensured smooth merger of IT frameworks between Perspecta, Peraton, and previously integrated Northrop Grumman.
Senior Director/Director
Perspecta (formerly Vencore)
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Led transformational initiatives using Lean, Agile, and Design Thinking methodologies.
- Launched Vencore’s Business Analytics consulting practice, enhancing mission success for DoD and Intelligence Community customers.
- Delivered presentations at prominent events and contributed expertise in speaking engagements.
- Architected innovative frameworks for optimizing operational workflows for Intelligence Community customers.
- Saved millions of dollars for Government customers through lean process transformation.
- Contributed to business growth by aiding market expansion initiatives.
- Defined vision and strategic framework for Vencore Business Analytics service offering, go-to-market approaches, and talent base development.
- Expanded quality program and corporate quality certifications enabling execution and growth.
Deputy Program Director
Vencore (Formerly the SI)
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Deputy leader of a $150M+ multi-contractor Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) program for the Intelligence Community.
- Managed RF/Communications Analysis team overseeing entire modeling and analysis lifecycle.
- Led initiatives to identify efficiencies in government space acquisition programs, including complex improvement project uncovering yearly $10M+ cost reduction in client’s operations and maintenance initiatives.
RF Communications Manager
The SI
06.2010 - 06.2013
- Led Washington DC-based RF communications team, overseeing full life cycle RF Communications modeling & analysis.
LM/EIG Operational Excellence Lead
Lockheed Martin Enterprise Integration Group (EIG)
04.2009 - 08.2010
- Led and executed Lean Six Sigma Program for Lockheed Martin's IS&GS/EIG Business Unit.
- Devised, executed, and assessed company projects to encourage ongoing operational improvements.
Systems Engineering Manager
Lockheed Martin Enterprise Integration Group (EIG)
08.2008 - 03.2010
- Functional Engineering Manager on NGA's Enterprise Engineering (EE) program.
- Supervised a team of 13 employees while holding full-time technical duties within the EE Program.
- Handled risk management, configuration management and schedule development for multiple customer studies.
Systems Engineering Asc. Manager
Lockheed Martin IS&GS Transportation and Security Solutions
12.2006 - 08.2008
- IT Project Manager of a team of Systems, Integration & Test Engineers on the DHS CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program.
Staff Systems Engineer
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
08.2005 - 12.2006
- Conducted in-depth failure analyses for satellite communication subsystem issues.
Staff Systems Engineer
Lockheed Martin Transportation & Security Solutions
09.2000 - 08.2005
- Led End User Interface Evaluation (EUIE) Project for FAA En-Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) Program
- Supervised project teams to deliver a successful demonstration of the ERAM Monitoring and Control Subsystem.
- Deputy System Architect, En-Route Communications Gateway (ECG) Program
- Developed detailed system architecture threads detailing surveillance and flight data interfaces into and out of the En-Route Communications Gateway (ECG) systems
- Crafted white papers focused on optimization of ECG system protocols.
Education
Master of Science - Telecommunications Engineering
University of Maryland At College Park
College Park05.1998
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Maryland at College Park
College Park05.1996
Skills
- Margin Enhancement
- Financial Profitability
- Performance management
- Revenue Growth
- Risk management
- Client relationship management
- Coaching and mentoring
Executive Training Industry Certifications
- KPMG Executive Leadership Institute for Women, 01/21
- George Mason University Building GovCon Acumen Executive Development Course, 2016
- PMI Project Management Professional (PMP), 1749114, 09/23
- Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Master Black Belt, 2021
- SAFe 5.0 Agilist, 02/21
Industry Outreach Board Participation And Awards
- Advisory Board, Northern Virginia Science Foundation, 2022, Present
- Executive Leadership Team, March of Dimes Heroines of Washington, 03/24, Present
- Board of Visitors, University of Maryland College of Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), 2020, 2024
- Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust, WashingtonExec, Executive Mosaic
- George Mason University School of Business Nascent Guest lecturer program, 2020, 2023
- WashingtonExec STEM Advocate of the Year Pinnacle Award winner, 10/19
- Executive Council Representative for Loudoun School-Business Partnership, 2017, 2019
Positions Held Prior To2000
- Sr. Systems Engineer, Echostar-7 Satellite, 01/00, 01/00
- Systems Engineer, San Francisco Automated Information System, 01/98, 12/00
- Software Systems Asc Engineer, Hubble Space Telescope, 01/97, 12/98
- Engineering Leadership Development Program (ELDP), Lockheed Martin M&DS, 01/96, 12/96
- Summer Intern, Hubble Space Telescope, 01/95, 12/95
Affiliations
● Advisory Board, Northern Virginia Science Foundation, 2022 – Present
● Executive Leadership Team, March of Dimes Heroines of Washington 2024-present
● Board of Visitors, University of Maryland College of Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE); 2020-2024
● Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust, WashingtonExec, Executive Mosaic
● George Mason University School of Business Nascent Guest lecturer program; 2020-2023
● Executive Council Representative for Loudoun School-Business Partnership 2017-2019
Accomplishments
- WashingtonExec STEM Advocate of the Year Pinnacle Award winner, Oct. 2019
- The SI
- Lockheed Martin EIG
- Lockheed Martin TSS
Certification
- Program Management Institute (PMI) PMP license # 1749114, renewed Sept 2023
- Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Master Black Belt, renewed 2021
- SAFe 5.0 Agilist, renewed Feb. 2021
Timeline
President
Fearless Digital
07.2023 - Current
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Riverside Research
07.2021 - 07.2023
Vice President, Performance Excellence
Peraton (formerly Perspecta)
06.2018 - 07.2021
Senior Director/Director
Perspecta (formerly Vencore)
06.2015 - 06.2018
Deputy Program Director
Vencore (Formerly the SI)
06.2013 - 06.2015
RF Communications Manager
The SI
06.2010 - 06.2013
LM/EIG Operational Excellence Lead
Lockheed Martin Enterprise Integration Group (EIG)
04.2009 - 08.2010
Systems Engineering Manager
Lockheed Martin Enterprise Integration Group (EIG)
08.2008 - 03.2010
Systems Engineering Asc. Manager
Lockheed Martin IS&GS Transportation and Security Solutions
12.2006 - 08.2008
Staff Systems Engineer
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
08.2005 - 12.2006
Staff Systems Engineer
Lockheed Martin Transportation & Security Solutions
09.2000 - 08.2005
Master of Science - Telecommunications Engineering
University of Maryland At College Park
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Maryland at College Park
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