The Buzz with ACT-IAC
The Buzz with ACT-IAC
Camino de Santiago to Government Tech
In this episode of the Buzz we get to talk to Todd Hager, the Vice President of Strategic Advisory at Alpha Omega. Todd reflects on his extensive career journey, starting from his early tech roles in the hotel industry, transitioning to government contracting, and becoming a key player in fostering industry-government collaboration. He discusses the importance of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, and shares insights on building collaborative communities. Todd also touches on significant personal experiences, including his reflective walk on Spain's Camino de Santiago and his longtime commitment to teaching GED math, which have both shaped his professional ethos. As Todd transitions to the IAC board, he shares his vision for future initiatives and offers advice to new COI members on embracing engagement and collaboration.
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Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)
YOHANNA: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Buzz, the podcast from Act where we bring you the voices shaping the future of government and industry collaboration. Today we get to talk to Todd Hager, a longtime former industry chair of, uh, the COI and now is on the IAC board.
TODD: Yes, you got it.
YOHANNA: So I like to start from the beginning. I'd like to know who you are, um, maybe a little bit of mm-hmm.
YOHANNA: Your background and, and you can just talk to us about your journey.
TODD: Sure. Okay. Um, I'm Todd Hager. I am, uh, currently vice president, uh, for her strategic advisory within, uh, alpha Omega, which is a new change for us. Um, my company, macro Solutions prior to that, has just recently merged, uh, with Alpha Omega.
TODD: Um, but I got my start in the space actually going way back here. Um. I was hired out of school many moons ago [00:01:00] to, uh, for, by a hotel company to step in and do all the automation for new hotels or upgrade, you know, things within the hotels. And this, we're going back to the eighties at this point. Um, so it was, it was very new.
TODD: Uh, technology was really, uh, becoming very important during the career operations and for, um, and this is like financial systems and, you know, managing the, you know, the portfolio systems for the hotel rooms and payroll and all that kinds of fun stuff. And this, uh, you know, it, it was important. That there'd be some consistency and that we get this out, um, and that as we bring new hotels online, that these hotels had these great new systems and so forth too.
TODD: Anyway. I had a wonderful run with, with that team and, uh, found myself in Washington dc. Loved being in Washington and thought, I think I'll make my future here. And, uh, naturally went into the, uh, um, government contracting space and, uh, was able to [00:02:00] bring some of that same, uh, sort of focus on technology within the work that I did, um, in government and it.
TODD: They were struggling with some of the same things that we were working with in the, in my prior company too. It was, you know, a lot of new tech was coming out, um, and, uh, agencies were, were trying hard to, to, you know, modernize and, and like they are today even too. But, you know, this is back in the, in the nineties.
TODD: It was, um, it was a brave new world for them and they needed folks who could help guide. Uh, and make sure that, that, uh, they were being consistent and following, you know, regulatory guidelines and all that fun stuff. Um. So I began my career there and, uh, uh, formed a partnership with, uh, another person. And we, uh, helped to build a, um, a small, but, uh, I think successful company doing some of this work in, in the space.
TODD: Um, left that [00:03:00] partnership, uh, after many years working together and, uh, took some time. Um, it was a opportunity for me to, um, you know, sort of do a little, you know, get my head for a moment and, uh. I, uh, decided to, uh, take a walk in Spain, uh, the Cam de Santiago, and, uh, it was a walking meditation.
YOHANNA: I know that walk, that's, you know, it, that's a, the, yeah, that's a, that's a, listen, that's a grueling walk it.
YOHANNA: Right? It is,
TODD: and it's I'll, I'll just say that it's grueling mentally more than physically, um, if that makes sense. Oh,
YOHANNA: okay. It
TODD: was, you know, the physicality of it was you're walking for eight or nine hours a day, you know, which is fine and covering a lot, a lot of distance. Um, but you really, you're in your head a lot of that time and, and it really, it's, like I said, a, a walking meditation.
TODD: So it was, it was extremely helpful. So I recommended to folks, you know, don't enter it into it lightly, but. But certainly consider it as an option. Um, that helped me to just sort of come back and think about what I wanted to be able to do. And I started working with Macro [00:04:00] Solutions, and it was at that time that I, I got engaged with, uh, with ak.
TODD: And, um, and I remember it too. I, I, I can't remember exactly what, what brought me there, but I was at a Management of Change conference in, uh, Chesapeake, uh, uh, Maryland, which, uh, we, we still have. Or, or have recently had our, our emerging tech, uh, and innovation conference there. Um, but the management of change conferences long since departed.
TODD: Um, and I had been working, uh, uh, or knew someone, uh, Carol Miller, uh, who, uh, you know, I had worked with on a, a, a panel in uh, Washington, and I happened upon her there. And she, uh, you know, she knew that I had interest in emerging tech and some other things, and she. Suggested that I get more involved in that.
TODD: So I did. And, uh, I jumped in and, and started, uh, you know, participating in the emerging tech com, uh, community of interest and which was kind of a, [00:05:00] you know, a smaller, somewhat fledgling group at the time. Um, and I really, I liked the community. I liked what we were doing. Um, and, uh, but it wasn't, you know, we, we just didn't really.
TODD: I don't wanna say our personality hadn't really come out yet for the emerging tech community. And I have to give some credit to folks, many of whom were in government. I mean Jose Arrieta and you know, Rob Worman and, and, uh, many, many other folks. Sandy Barsky at the time, who was, uh, at GSA, um, really helped to.
TODD: Provide some guidance around like, Hey, we need some focus on these particular technologies. And we, we, so we, we formed a blockchain working group and then, you know, and, and uh, got things started there and created a playbook to help people understand how to use this technology within their space. I did the same thing with AI and created a playbook and on that road too.
TODD: And anyway, so we came up with a variety of what is now today a whole, you know, sort of catalog of working groups that are part of the emerging tech. [00:06:00] Community of interest. And in doing so, just help to build a community and, uh, and give voice, I think to a lot of folks who, you know, sort of toil away and, and don't necessarily get an opportunity to really share ideas and, and come together to, to find better ways to do things.
TODD: Um, and that was a safe space, you know, for. And, um, I, I, I would be remiss without mentioning, uh, Jeremy Wood, he was my, uh, he and I were both, uh, elected to, uh, the chair roles. He represented the government and, uh, me was in the industry at the time. And, uh, we just went cloud forward and we had a regular routine meetings and we got, you know, these working groups moving forward and they started having their meetings and so forth to do.
TODD: And, um, it just became part of the fabric of, um. You know, the, the emergent tech community and then beyond that to, uh, help play roles in conferences and, you know, ELC, of course. And what became the Emergent Tech and Innovation Conference now. Um, and, uh, you know, looking back it was, [00:07:00] um, yeah, it, it really. It helped me significantly too, because it was an opportunity for me to just be able to make connections in ways that I wouldn't have otherwise done.
TODD: Um, but I think also it really helped, uh, government get a voice in some of these things that were happening and, uh, you know, and try to find their way clear for, um, you know, taking advantage of these new technologies that were coming out and that, you know, um, you know, industry was just playing with, you know, on their own and, you know, it was an opportunity for government to really get a sense of what they could do with it.
YOHANNA: I'm so blessed on this podcast, so it was, this is amazing. I really like this journey. I like that you. Knew when to pivot and you took a walk and you're like, you know what, I, the hospitality's great. DC is great. I need to go take a break. This is amazing. I'll, let me, let me figure it out and come back. And then when you come back, you're just, you're like, you, you started walking, now you're running like you're in government.
YOHANNA: You're, you know, you hook up with Act I. You are, you're involved. You're, you're volunteering, you're figuring [00:08:00] things out. You're creating the bridges that need to be made, you know, so I'm, I'm inspired. Mm-hmm. That's, that's amazing. That's a great, that's a great journey. Like
TODD: that means a lot. You talk to a lot of people
YOHANNA: and every single person like I talk to is like, what's going on?
YOHANNA: Like, how do they do this? And why is like, I'm just listening to you and I'm like, I like how, how, um, how clear everything was. Like your whole journey was just very clear. And you're like here and you're like, I think that walk, that walk. Did you Good.
TODD: But give, you know, everything's clear in hindsight too.
TODD: True. So we'll go with that.
YOHANNA: That's good. Yeah. Um, so what I'm, what I'm listening to is, or what I'm understanding is that the walk was kind of like your mentor. The walk was kind of like that pivotal moment. It helped you change and, and understand where it is that you, you'd like to go. Um, were there any other turning points where you felt like.
YOHANNA: Particularly, I guess, seen, I know that you were shouting a lot of people out, and I'll try to find them and like connect you, you know, like maybe tag them when I post. Yeah. But you were shouting a lot of people out that [00:09:00] were supportive and I, I wanna know if there were any other moments where you were like, oh, this, this project is really helping me understand like, who I am, where I like what I'm trying to do.
YOHANNA: So if it, was it the blockchain, was it the AI stuff or was it when the early moments of. Creating the emerging tech. You know, like, like now we have the conference, but before, I guess it wasn't like as, as as big. 'cause it was really big when I visited, when I went, like, it's, it's a pretty good conference now.
TODD: It's come along. Yeah. Yeah. It's, it's really come along. Um, yeah. You know, blockchain was our first working group and I think that that did, that was the tip of spear for, for us. Yeah. Um, and I think what it did, although, you know, you look back now and this is gosh, almost, you know, eight or nine years ago, um.
TODD: We really haven't done a tremendous amount in government with, with blockchain, but that didn't matter. Mm-hmm. It was just the idea of getting folks together, coming up with ideas and just, you know, thinking through how, how those things might work and, um, [00:10:00] you know, and, and it was an opportunity I think, again, to, for, for government to do that.
TODD: What if, you know, can this stuff work? What do we do with this? And so on. So that was, that was really inspiring. I but you, you triggered a thought with me that I, I don't. Oh, this may go down a different path for you, but, um, something that, that, just looking back, um, I'm a, um, a volunteer, um, math teacher. I, I teach, um, adults getting their GET.
TODD: Oh, great.
YOHANNA: Yeah.
TODD: Um, yeah. Yeah. Which, which is fun. And, and I, I've been doing it off and on now for about 25 years and, or actually more than that, my gosh. Um, and in the early days, you know, it was like, oh, this is exciting. I'm gonna go and, you know, like, oh, you know. Share my, you know, my comfort with high school math, with, you know, these people and, you know, we gonna have a good time.
TODD: And what I found was that they, my students just opened my eyes to so many things, you know, just, they, you, they [00:11:00] helped me think differently about things and really, and think about just, you know, who I am and what I do and, and frankly, you know, some of the, the good fortune I've had in my life and the things that I often take for granted.
TODD: Um, and they, they really. Caused me to, um, sort of look in the mirror a little bit more. Yeah. And think about things a little bit differently. And, and it helped me to sort of think about how I can engage others in that. Um, in a way it's like, it sort of gave me permission to, sounds strange, but to like be vulnerable, you know, and, and to be able to be vulnerable in among, even in a professional setting where.
TODD: You know, I don't know. I, I'm not sure how that works or I don't know, you know, and, and being open to learning and open to that. Other people probably have better ideas or other people have, you know, experiences that, that I don't. And, and make those things available. Um, and if I, if I could have done one thing, it was just to bring [00:12:00] that sort of vulnerability to the team in such a way, not my personal, but everyone just sort of willing and, and safe to be able to ask questions.
TODD: And I, I don't really understand how this works. What about this, what about that? And that got to the learning faster. And it got to the engagement better, uh, because, um, people felt maybe a little more invested and a little more, um. You know, sort of willing to participate.
YOHANNA: Yeah. So
TODD: anyway, it's a long tangent there, but No, it's great.
TODD: I I,
YOHANNA: I'm right there with you. I think, I think you're explaining something called like, moving at the speed of trust and building trust is Yeah. Being vulnerable and being brave and having that courage to, like, a lot of folks just don't, they don't want to, like, they're gonna have a brick wall up, don't even try it.
YOHANNA: And. It's, it's takes a lot of bravery and a lot of courage to actually put that wall down and say, yeah, I don't know how blockchain works. Like, we're deep in it. I have, you know, there's Bitcoin and there's this coin and the other coin and the [00:13:00] tokens and all this stuff, but what, how, how does this work?
YOHANNA: Like why, why do we need this technology? How can we implement this technology? And just you saying like, I don't know how this works. A lot of folks are gonna be like, well, what are you doing here? It's like, well, you know. Okay. I'm here to learn. I'm here to grow. I'm here to like figure it out with you, you know, together.
YOHANNA: And I think, I think also that's what I, I believe that's how true collaboration with industry and, you know, government tends to function like folks trusting each other, playing a little game of ping pong back and forth. Um,
TODD: yeah. Well, you need a safe space. Yeah. You need, you know, a, a place where you can really bring those things out.
TODD: A safe space. Right.
YOHANNA: I think ACT IAG does that pretty good. I think we did. Yes. I would agree. It did a fun job of creating the, uh, the safe space. Um, yes. Yeah. When you think about your time with ACT IAG as a COI in emerging Tech, and now you're transitioning into the IAC board, can you, can you talk about that transition?
YOHANNA: What are some [00:14:00] things that you're looking forward to?
TODD: Um, so I think given, you know, the exposure to Act, act in its variety of forms, you know, like we were talking about it. It's, it's helped me to understand better how we reach. I say we, you know, act tech reaches the community, whereas, you know, in the.
TODD: Early days. I'm not sure I could have articulated that, uh, so well, but I, I feel much more confident now that I, I see it and, and I, I'm very supportive of, uh, what we all do every day within ACTA Act. But there are always ways that we can be better and there are always ways we can reach more people and that we can find.
TODD: Better ways to connect, uh, and to create those safe spaces. Um, you know, and like you and I were talking about earlier, you know, ways to sort of integrate and, and collaborate too because there's so much, you know, value in that cross pollination that we, um, frankly create an environment for. Um, and we ought to make, make more space for that, I guess.
YOHANNA: Mm-hmm. More flowers 'cause. [00:15:00] We're a bunch of bees.
TODD: There you go. Exactly. Yes. Constantly cross pollinating. But, uh, no, I'm thrilled to be part of the board and it's a great team. And, um, I think we've got, you know, 20, 20 25 has been a challenging year. I mean, I'll readily admit it. Um, but I really see opportunity, uh, coming forward for us in 26.
TODD: And I think that the, the team that we have together here to help make that happen is gonna be, um, uh, you know, critical and instrumental and, and, and, you know, bring about those changes. So.
YOHANNA: I believe so. I think you have a great history, um, being introduced as someone, you know, first being introduced, being a part of the events, and then being a COI and now, you know, the transition to, to the board.
YOHANNA: I think there's a lot, there's a lot of knowledge there. Oh, thanks. Mm-hmm.
TODD: Yeah,
YOHANNA: that's fair. When I, when I, when I think about the COI, when I think about all of the things that we're doing, is there any advice that you'd give the incoming class of COI folks?
TODD: Um. Oh, you mean the, [00:16:00] the people new to the, the coi?
TODD: Yeah. Or Okay. Yeah. Um, don't be afraid to get involved, get engaged, of course. Um, be, be brave. Don't feel uncomfortable to ask those questions to, um. To get out of it what you really deserve, which is a better understanding maybe, um, you know, better sense of who you can reach out to for future reference, you know, and where, where you can get that support.
TODD: And also I think, you know, being brave also is just participate. Let people know, you know, where your head is and what your, uh, where your interests lie. Um, because we are a volunteer organization at the end of the day, it's, um. You know, it's, it's how you engage and who you engage that really makes a difference for all of us.
TODD: So, uh, yeah, I'd say jump in, you know, and, uh, and don't hold back.
YOHANNA: All right. Good. You've, I'm going through my questions and I'm like mm-hmm. I think you've touched on that. I was not lying. When I say I am really blessed. 'cause folks just like, they come with it. They come with the heat. They come with the heat.
YOHANNA: Yeah. [00:17:00] Um, are there any things that you'd like to share? Are there any things that you are, are you interested in, like, talking about at all? Um.
TODD: I mean, just, just the one thing that I mentioned just sort of in passing there is, uh, you know, I just an awareness that, that this has been a challenging year for, for all of us.
TODD: And, and I would especially say my, you know, my federal partners in particular, um, it's been challenging and I think that, you know, as much as we can be there in support, you know, that's, that, that's gonna help us get through and, and do some great things going forward. And I, I do feel very confident that that next year is going to be, um.
TODD: You know, a, a very good year for all of us and that we'll, uh, be able to maybe move forward in some of the things that we've not been comfortable moving forward with, uh, in, in the current year. Yeah, I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful that that, um, that we're, that looking forward, it's going, uh, we're, we're gonna have a better year next year.
YOHANNA: Okay. Great. Yeah. This has been fun. Thank you so much for your [00:18:00] time. Yeah. Um,
TODD: can folks reach out to you
YOHANNA: on LinkedIn at all?
TODD: Absolutely. Yep. And you can reach me. It's, uh, uh, I mean my name's to Hager, but it's, uh, TT Hager, DC if folks are looking for it in the, uh, in the URL.
YOHANNA: Okay, great. Alright, great. Thank you so much.
YOHANNA: Great.
TODD: Thank you so much. This is, this was awesome.
YOHANNA: Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Buzz. Stay tuned for more conversations and insights in future episodes. Until next time, stay curious and connected.