Still Here: The Fight Within with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions Artwork

Outspoken with Shana Cosgrove

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Outspoken with Shana Cosgrove

Still Here: The Fight Within with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions

May 18, 2026 • Shana Cosgrove • Season 8 • Episode 7

0:00 | 33:56

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Still Here: The Fight Within with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions

Host Shana Cosgrove interviews Erica Dobbs of Dobbs Defense Solutions on the Outspoken podcast about building a boutique cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and business intelligence firm based in Landover, Maryland that supports DevSecOps, T&E, AV/VTC, network/software/systems engineering, satellite, and emerging geospatial work. Dobbs describes the company’s certifications (Woman-Owned, HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB) and selectively disclosed credentials (CMMI, CMMC, ISO), explains HUBZone’s community impact, and notes primary DOD customers while pursuing commercial clients. She recounts a 36.5-year Navy career rising from undesignated seaman to O-5 via the Limited Duty Officer Program, roles at NCMS, Cyber Command, DISA, and carrier assignments, and how those experiences shaped her CEO leadership. Dobbs discusses relationship-driven cybersecurity, early business redlining and limited PPP funding, the importance of focus, favorite books, and the pride of changing employees’ lives.

Quotes

[3:13] "We're your unicorn. We're your company to come to for anything that you need to do because... we also have those unique certifications called Woman-Owned, Hubzone, 8(a), and SDVOSB." – Erica Dobbs

[25:09] "The most rewarding memory that I had was... you're running around doing a lot of things, but what you're doing the most is you're changing lives." – Erica Dobbs

[26:57] "I've gone from quotes to just one single word... The thing that I use to keep me going is the word focus." – Erica Dobbs

Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome

[01:58] Dobbs Defense Overview

[02:55] Certifications And Strategy

[05:47] Customers And Going Commercial

[07:32] Erica Origins And Education

[09:41] Joining The Navy

[11:08] Bootcamp To Leadership

[12:23] Rising Through The Ranks

[14:16] Top Navy Roles And Lessons

[16:51] Why Stay 36 Years