Who We Are
The Capital Business Development Association (CBDA) is a Virginia registered, federally tax exempt educational 501(c)3 not-for-profit that focuses exclusively on supporting GOVCON small and medium sized businesses in identifying opportunities, winning them, and executing work in the federal, state, and local markets. CBDA members represent a wide variety of companies ranging from the largest systems integrators to mid-cap corporations, to small businesses across all socio-economic categories. Our programs bring government procurement and business leaders together, match companies with similar capabilities to pursue opportunities, foster winning business partnerships, and sponsor activities to promote information and intelligence sharing among our members. All of this is done at no cost to our individual members or the businesses they represent. Our mantra has been from the creation of CBDA – “You only have to pay for your meal!”
The CBDA mission is to afford GOVCON businesses, regardless of size, the opportunity to network, share opportunities, explore teaming possibilities, and share industry intelligence at little or no cost. We sponsor bimonthly dinners at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA and offer vibrant Zoom-based virtual “happy hour” networking sessions. These well attended in-person and virtual events promote networking between members and afford opportunities for developing new opportunities and teaming.
We are one of the fastest growing business development/capture management GOVCON associations in the Washington, DC area. Our members work within the Intelligence Community, DoD, Fed Civ, state, and local governments as well as commercial industries. At CBDA events you will meet other business development professionals that you know. More importantly, you will meet business developers that you NEED to know. We cordially invite you to join our group through our website “Contact Us” link and we welcome you to work with us to Find, WIN and Execute Opportunities!
Our History
In June 2018. Dr. Charles Painter invited four GOVCON business development professionals that he knew well to dinner in Fairfax, VA. He had partnered with and competed against all of them over the years and had developed a standing personal NDA with all four. The purpose of the group was to create an informal atmosphere with food and drink in which opportunities could be shared and the group could explore ways to team and share industry intelligence. The dinner was a hit and the group agreed to continue to meet every month. As members invited other members the group grew to the point that it began taking up almost the entire restaurant! A new venue was chosen and then another as the CBDA began to take shape and more space was needed.
Thanks to our Vice President, BG Tom Verbeck (USAF Ret), the CBDA found a primary home for our monthly meetings at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. Since June 2018, the CBDA has grown to over 2,900 members! We continue to meet bimonthly and to offer virtual networking events in the same spirit and with the same objectives from our first meeting – in a relaxed, informal atmosphere at no cost to you other than your meal, we look for ways to identify GOVCON business opportunities, develop partnerships, WIN work, and share information.
What We Do
Timely Topical GOVCON Information
Host & Facilitate In-person and
Virtual Networking Events
Facilitate Member “Crowdsourcing”
of Teaming Opportunities
Connecting GOVCON Leaders and
Professionals
Forum for Sharing Information and
Business Intelligence
Foster Teaming Relationships
TOTAL Business Development Focus
Business Development & Capture
Professionals
Large Systems Integrators
Mid-Cap Firms
Small Businesses Across All Socio-
Economic Categories
Virginia Registered Federally Tax-Exempt Educational 501(c)3 Not for
Profit
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Business Development Professionals
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Large Systems Integrators
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Mid-cap firms
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Small businesses from all socio-economic categories
One of the fastest growing BD groups in the National Capital Region
Virginia registered 501(c)3 educational not-for-profit organization
Our Leadership
Arthur “Tony” Abrams
Arthur Antonio Abrams III, aka. Tony, serves as CEO/President over Global Change Management Group LLC., GCMG. He possesses expertise in Department of Defense, (DoD), National Intelligence and Federal civilian matters while serving in key positions…
Thomas Verbeck
Tom Verbeck is a successful, tested world leader, and strategic innovator & Business Developer.
Bruce Schomaker
Bruce Schomaker has more than 20 years of experience supporting U.S. Federal Government agencies and programs.
Jeff Shapiro
Jeff Shapiro, is a partner in CohnReznick’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and a Certified Public Accountant.
Benjamin Ranieri
Benjamin Ranieri is the Director of Business Development and CIO for Degree Six, an outsourced IT Department and CIO consultant for small government contractors.
Timothy Hansell
Timothy Hansell is an experienced GOVCON professional having experience in both the business development and program management sides of the business.
Victor Rhoder
Victor Rhoder is a longtime advocate for STEM education, workforce development, and technology-driven opportunity. He has more than 30 years of experience in business development, including analyzing, managing, and implementing advanced technology applications.
Cherylyn Harley LeBon
Cherylyn Harley LeBon has 25 years of experience working at the intersection of business and government. She is currently a Partner and Co-Chair with Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC in the Government Contracts practice areas.
Matt Truong
Matt has been and currently is on several private companies’ boards. He advises new entrepreneurs, performs due diligence for potential investors, and is an angel investor. He co-founded the Capitol Business Development Association and is still actively involved with the CBDA.
Lewis Rhodes
Lewis Rhodes is an experienced government contracts attorney with both law firm and in-house experience.