

About Me
Building Trust.
Being creative with a solid work ethic has led to growth and confidence with my clients. My career as a Business Coach, Certified Capture Manager & Entrepreneur was not developed overnight, unfortunately, or fortunately, it was developed by trial and error. It took time to develop my business experiences and industry knowledge... Being both a business owner as well as a service provider gives me great insight into what is needed to become successful. I have learned to make connections with a variety of strategic partners that have assisted me throughout the years. Business development experiences are all about relationships. So a client's success is my mission.Why I Do - What I Do? People.
I’m a people person! I get satisfaction from helping others succeed! I enjoy watching business owners develop the skills to secure government contracts. Why Government Contracts? Several years ago as a contractor myself, there was a multi-million dollar contract that was awarded to an out of state company and subcontracted to local businesses. Many friends and other business owners I knew, were unaware that there was even a contract available. So I made it my mission to help educate, facilitate and advocate for small businesses. Through GovBusiness NW partnership with Government Contractors Association, we provide the right tools, education, and training to help businesses understand how to win government contracts. I have a proven background in understanding how people think, analyzing their needs, and meeting those needs. I’m passionate about bringing all these talents to bear on any project I’m involved with.Creating Successful Teams.
For a number of years, I have been successfully cross-training team members and building cross-functional teams and resolving issues. I prefer to build capable, process-based yet flexible teams that are ready to take on any challenge. I have developed several strategic partners capable of providing quality support for business owners. One such partnership is with Above the Standard. As a member of ATS, I specialize in Procurement through Gov Business NW, ATS provides a wealth of knowledge when it comes to increasing revenue, reducing costs, to include preparing for audits and compliance. When it's all said and done, I enjoy helping business owners find those opportunities.Practical Application.
My focus is to help business owners be more successful in marketing their products and services to the state and the federal government. As a Capture Manager & Relationship Builder, building contracting teams takes attention to detail. As a Business Coach, I tailor my team’s processes and my own expectations appropriately to help achieve successful outcomes. I believe in the old adage, give someone a fish they eat for a day, teach them to fish, they eat for a lifetime and share that knowledge with others. Once clients understand the process required to prepare their business and learn how to put together successful marketing strategies and proposals they will know how to continuously win state and federal contracts.Business
I’m all about responsible, sustainable business practices, taking care of clients, along with doing business for the greater good. Below are 3 pillars of my business, but not all I represent. I have various strategic partners and industry leaders that I work with to help your business grow!
Skills
LEADERSHIP.
- Excellent communicator, skilled in the art of negotiation and compromise
- Quick to adapt to changing environments and/or requirements
- Excellent at building and working with contracting teams
- Dedicated Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Respected leader, both within my team and the organization working with
- Ability to build strong working relationships among a broad scope of clients and associates
- Hands-on experience both from a business owner’s perspective as well as solutions provider
- Adept at mentoring and fostering a growth environment - Educate, Facilitate and Advocate for small business
- Experienced at developing, training & working with cross functional teams
- Ability to perform at a high level under pressure, prioritize work and meet aggressive timelines
- Experienced with lessons learned instruction, and strong in analytical and problem-solving skills
MARKETING
Over 10 years of experience covering a variety of aspect from web design, business development, branding, brand awareness, social media marketing, locating business opportunities, vertical markets, building strategic partners, relationship building, and educating business owners on marketing their products and services to the government.SPECIALTIES
Business coach and advisor for government contracts, specializing in Capture Management and Marketing your business to the federal government. As a member of Government Contractors Association – I am a Subject Matter Expert with GovFast Track Software, GovTraining & Knowledge Vault, Market Intelligence, Mobilization Capital, Market Research and Relationship Building. Perform duties as an Above the Standard Consult with businesses who want to Increase Revenue and Reduce Costs. Generally those clients are generating an annual revenue $3.5 million dollars or more we have over a 93% success rate..CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified Capture Manager – Researcher / Proposal Management – GCA
- Agile Contract Management – Villanova University
- Criminal Intelligence Analyst – Level 2
- Private Investigator, Surveillance & Counter Surveillance Specialist (Licensed)
- Master Contract Specialist – Villanova University
- 'Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities' (EBV) Graduate
- Veteran to CEO Program - Graduate
- Department of the Army – JBLM Base - Contract Management Course
- Purchase Card Holder – Department of Defense
- Project Management Process Improvement – University of Washington
- Certified Professional Business Intelligence – Villanova University
- Certified Instructor Trainer – Subject Matter Expert – US Army 1st SFG(A) & General Dynamics (91st Support Group)
- Bachelors in Business Administration & Sociology Degree – University of Maryland

Experience
I lead and support diverse teams to successful outcomes
Gov Business NW
2014 to Present
Business Owner - Founding Member, Business Coach – Marketing Specialist, Consultant for www.GovBusinessNW.com formally WACommerce which is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Consultant Co., focused on helping small businesses understand the government marketplace, bid and win government contracts. I assist in the management of a bid-match platform and leads resource for federal, state, & private contracts, subcontracts & direct sales opportunities. Gov Business NW in partnership with Government Contractors Association provides the right tools, education, training & research services to make a company’s success possible. As a Capture Manager & Researcher, I help find contract opportunities for your business and support and guide contract management teams to secure potential federal and or state contracts. Become a member of our association to learn proven techniques & strategies today!
Business Coach / Management Consultant / Experienced Business Development
Above the Standard Worldwide Procurement Group
2018 to Present
We Deliver Results! - "We Develop Efficient Processes for Businesses that Increases their Cash Flow!" Above the Standard helps organizations of all sizes in many industries to be more profitable and best in class by increasing profits, improving costs, and enabling growth. For more than 30 years, Above the Standard has helped organizations of all sizes in many industries be more profitable and best in class by increasing profits, improving costs, and enabling growth, in the tens of billions of dollars. Above the Standard’s proven track record has helped organizations increase profits in the tens of billions of dollars all over the globe, at an average of 28% increase, for 98% our engaged clients. www.ATS-Worldwide.net
Management Consultant / Experienced Business Development
Team & Organizational Development Directorate (TODD)
Analyst, Trainer & Facilitator
“Great Training, Teaching, Coaching & Mentoring Environment” Provided management, program and statistical analysis services to include recommendations on all aspects of the Army Medicines Culture Change Initiative, to include levels of organizational trust, customer service, and organizational culture. Communicate with leaders in Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) to identify and implement solutions to process interpersonal challenges. Research the impact of trust and distrust within organizations. Collect and analyze pertinent organizational data and information; develop statistical and narrative data to justify any changes and recommendations; prepare and present briefings to senior leaders, supervisors, managers, union officials and employees throughout Army Medical Command.
Management Analyst & Organizational Development Trainer
Washington Joint Analytical Center (WAJAC)
“Really Loved the Work!”
Criminal Intel Analyst-2 for Washington State Joint Analytical Center (WAJAC) an asset of (DHS) Department of Homeland Security. As a member of the Regional Intelligence Group (RIG) performed detailed research and analysis of criminal intelligence information. Researched, analyzed, evaluated and correlated criminal intelligence information in order to determine source reliability, content validity and potential truthfulness; to develop investigative leads and links; and to identify distinguishing patterns and trends for law enforcement official briefings and presentations.
Criminal Intel Analyst
References
Feedback & Testimonials From Past Clients & Associates
“We reached out to Kenn again as a capture manager and researcher to help us identify short and long term contracts available in my industry. Again, Kenn discovered contracts my office staff were not capable of locating. Because of that research, we are now finalizing a partnership with 2 major players in the intelligence industry which complements the work that we do.”
Andy Holmes – President & CEO – Holmes Legal Investigations & Holmes Risk Management
“Kenn & his team at Gov Business NW have been instrumental in helping OxyFit & OxyFloats reach the next level. My wife Sherri and I lacked the in-depth knowledge and experience needed to enter the government market. We had met with our local PTAC Advisor who was very helpful, but couldn’t provide the detail we have received from Kenn’s team. We didn’t know there were so many steps, regulations & requirements that needed to be accomplished before looking at the government as a potential business opportunity… Dan & Kenn have worked on helping us lay the foundation for our business. They have identified potential strategic partners & sales opportunities to help us bring our new product to the government market. If you haven’t worked with Gov Business NW, I suggest you contact them for assistance…”
Stephen Erickson CEO Co-founder – Inventor – OxyFit & OxyFloats
“I was pleased to have WACommerce and contracting coaches Kenn & Wayne speak to “Sourced Write” members at Bates Technical College. Kenn & Wayne presented a 2 hour class and training session about Marketing your business to the government, Proposals and Capability Statements. Linda Womack our MBDA Director & I were very interested to see the products & services available through WACommerce LLC., many of the tools & techniques we didn’t know were available. I recommend any business interested or considering the local or federal contract opportunities speak with Kenn.”
Keith Armstrong – Minority Business Development Agency – SBE Small Business Assistance Programs
Hobbies
Not much to reveal here. Family is most important to me! I’m in a soccer family, enjoyed coaching my kids for a while till their skills got beyond where I could take them. Same old struggle many people have trying to remain active and stay in shape. I enjoy business & market intelligence like putting together a puzzle… In my spare time I’m part of Karatbars International GOLD Savings program where anyone can buy Gold which has been very rewarding. I believe in the security of Blockchain and have recently focused on cryptocurrency connecting BTC Buyers & Sellers.
Blog
Let’s Make it Happen – If there is a will there’s a way!
The biggest source of tax revenue in every state | Regional Government | journalstar.com
Photo Credit: incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo With the end of the year approaching, Americans are beginning to turn their attention towards tax season. In addition to $3.3 trillion in federal taxes, last year Americans paid $950.5 billion in state taxes distributed across sales, income, property, license, and other taxes. Across all states, sales and gross receipts taxes were the largest source of state tax revenue, followed closely by income taxes; however, the breakdown of tax revenue by state varies widely.Kenn Rivers December 12, 2018
How to Sell Your Boss on the RFP Software You Need
Selling your boss on an idea isn’t always the easiest thing to pull off. Perhaps you break out into a sweat at the very thought of it. Especially when that idea means asking for more budget, so you and your team can start using software that will make you more effective with your work while meeting revenue objectives.Kenn Rivers November 30, 2018
Women are the solution to the construction industry’s labor shortage
HEY WE ARE RELIABLE TOO! Megan Ross is an assistant superintendent for a large Maryland-based general contractor. Ross, a former architecture major, had realized she’d rather build structures than design them, and is now on construction sites every day, coordinating subcontractors and monitoring the progress of jobs...Orion Mitchell November 29, 2018
GET IN TOUCH
Contact
