Founder and CEO Michael V. Sanders’ entrepreneurial spirit has positioned Interactive Government Holdings as a player in the federal marketplace. Michael started IGH as a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business in 2006 following his time in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marine Corps taught Michael valuable lessons about leadership and provided a firsthand perspective into the challenges and opportunities of government contracts.
IGH’s humble start in government contracting was a $2,500 contract from Prince George’s County in Maryland. Under Michael’s leadership, today IGH is a global company serving defense and civilian agencies.
Michael believes in using a progressive mix of data, technology and human capital strategies to help federal agencies maximize every dollar in order to advance their missions.
IGH’s successful growth received prominent attention when the company landed on the INC Magazine 500 List of Fastest Growing Companies for three consecutive years (2016 - 2018). It was second on the Vet50 2016 list of Fastest Growing Veteran-Owned Companies. In 2016, Michael was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Amid IGH’s tremendous growth, Michael sought to grow his executive skills as well. Michael graduated from Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program in 2018. He left Boston even better prepared to lead the company through its next phase of growth.
Michael is committed to giving back to veterans and entrepreneurs. IGH was recognized in 2020 and 2021 with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Platinum Level HIRE Vets Medallion Award. Michael also serves on advisory boards for VIP: Veterans in Procurement, The George Mason School of Business, Center for Government Contracting, and Silent Bridge, a non-profit he helped form to fight human sex trafficking.
He recently began filming @BillionsinYourBackyard, a #GovCon focused youtube series focused on founding, growing, and sustaining a business in the federal market.
Michael in the news:
GovCon Giants Podcast
Episode 140: Michael Sanders – Responsive leadership in providing innovative solutions to complicated problems
Jul. 20, 2022
Host Eric Coffie: "In today's episode of the GovCon Giants podcast we interview Michael Sanders, CEO of Interactive Government Holdings...IGH has built a reputation for making the programs they serve better using technology, data analysis and proactive change management...What I liked the most about Michael and today’s interview is that he is an outlier. Today we discuss his theories on a few hot-button topics, including whether or not certifications are necessary, to become or not to become a subcontractor, and two key secrets for his success. Having done more than $100 million in awards, I believe that Michael and his team at Interactive Gov know a thing or two about winning contracts.”
Listen to the podcast here or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or iHeartRadio.
Federal News Network
Attract tech workers to government through examples of meaningful work
By Michael Sanders
Jun. 23, 2022
"The New York Times ran an article titled 'Tech Companies Face a Fresh Crisis: Hiring.' But it’s not just tech companies feeling the crunch. Government agencies and government contractors are competing for the same talent. The article cited a New York start-up with Kombucha on tap, meant to lure workers. I don’t know of a single government office with Kombucha on tap. In government, to solve the people problem we need to the make the case to tech workers that their country needs them and their work will be meaningful. I am the CEO of a small government contracting business based in Virginia. After high school I joined the Marines..."
Read the commentary at Federal News Network.
Washington Technology
PROJECT 38: Roadmaps for business success & solving the talent problem
By Ross Wilkers
Jan. 20, 2022
“Cracking the code of the federal market involves learning its unique fabric, finding what works in achieving business success and building the right team. This episode of Project 38 delves into lessons learned on all three fronts by Interactive Government Holdings' founder and CEO Mike Sanders, who says small businesses like his and larger companies face some of the same challenges.”
Listen to the podcast at Washington Technology.
Washington Technology
Contractors, agencies share in the innovation culture challenge
By Ross Wilkers
Nov. 5, 2021
“[Michael] Sanders, who started his company in 2005, referenced the never-ending and always-heating race for technology talent against other companies well outside of the government sector like Apple and Tesla…‘You have to make it more about the mission, more about the impacts they’re going to have at the company, impacts they’re going to have in the community, at the agency, and the nation as a whole,’ he said.”
Read the full article at Washington Technology.
If you are looking for a speaker, interviewee or mentor regarding government contracting, please email communications@interactivegov.com.