Unlocking Opportunities: Trends, Challenges, and Updates for the GovCon Industry

Bill is a former Big 4 Partner with more than 30 years of experience in Assurance and Advisory services, specializing in Financial Statement Audit, Audit Readiness & Remediation, Accounting, Financial Transformation, Internal Audit, Internal Control, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Regulatory Compliance, and M&A Buy/Sell Due Diligence. His core strengths lie in Operations and Corporate Leadership, encompassing Financial Reporting, Go-to-Market Strategy, Business Development and Growth, Operations, Marketing, Risk and Compliance, and C-Suite/Board Advisory in GovCon, Technology and other industries. Bill is an expert business leader, senior strategic advisor, problem solver, and communicator with a proven track record of successfully addressing complex strategic challenges.

Adam Bentkover is responsible for leading the Company's highly acquisitive growth effort. HEICO Corporation is a rapidly growing aerospace, defense and diversified industrial company focused on niche markets with a market capitalization of more than $17 billion. Since 1996, HEICO Corporation has completed approximately 90 acquisitions. Prior to joining HEICO, Mr. Bentkover was a Vice President with Comvest Partners, and previously, he worked at Audax Group and Citigroup Investment Banking.

Jeff Chiow, Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig's Global Government Contracts Practice, advises and represents clients in litigation, investigations, and deals involving public contracts, including bid protests with tens of billions of federal dollars at issue. Leveraging the firm’s global resources, he helps clients with complex matters implicating export controls, foreign ownership control and influence (FOCI), CFIUS review, and various procurement, small business, and other federal regulations.

Jeff has deep experience in space, aerospace, defense, and national security matters. His prior service as a U.S. Marine Corps weapons and sensors officer in the F/A-18D Hornet informs Jeff’s work with cutting-edge technology: aerospace systems, cloud computing, drones, satellites, defense platforms, IT and AI/ML systems, etc. He helps navigate cyber and supply chain requirements, including DoD’s CMMC initiative. He is a founding Co-Chair of the Veterans@GT affinity group.

Jeff has handled grant fraud allegations, DOJ Civil Fraud investigations, and Inspector General and qui tam suits alleging hundreds of millions of dollars in false claims. He conducts sensitive internal compliance investigations and counsels clients about potential civil and criminal liability and related disclosure obligations.

Nicholas J. Pittas is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial finance and banking industry, with a particular expertise in serving small and middle market government contractors. As the National Sales Manager at United Capital Funding, `a subsidiary of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Pittas spearheads the firm's government contracting finance initiatives, leveraging his extensive background to drive strategic marketing efforts and business development across major U.S. hubs including Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Tampa, and Columbus.

Prior to joining United Capital Funding, Pittas held the position of Senior Vice President and Industry Leader for Defense Contracting and Government Services at TBK Bank, SSB, where he distinguished himself as a pivotal figure in the government contracting sector. Additionally, Pittas’ comprehensive expertise is underscored by his nearly 10 years with Wells Fargo Capital Finance and Wells Fargo Bank, where he honed his skills in commercial lending, credit risk management, and portfolio management. His involvement is further enunciated through organizations including the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Professional Services Council (PSC), and Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA).

A graduate of Washington Adventist University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an alumnus of the American Institute of Banking’s Commercial Lending School, Pittas combines academic rigor with practical experience. Known for his unwavering dedication to his craft and his passion for coffee, Pittas continues to be a driving force in the aerospace and defense finance sector, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to United Capital Funding. Nicholas and his wife live in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.