Board of Advisors
Dr. Sandy Hallenbeck is a former Senior Proposal Manager at SAIC. He previously served as the Senior Business Development Manager in SAIC’s Operations and Training Services Operation, where he was responsible for managing a team of nine business development professionals with an annual contract award objective of $400M. In 2003-2004, Dr. Hallenbeck was forward deployed in Iraq, where he provided corporate SAIC oversight of multiple projects, including the Iraqi Media Network (IMN) and New Iraqi Army (NIA) recruiting programs.
Prior to 2003, Dr. Hallenbeck managed SAIC’s Strategy and Policy Analysis Department, which provided studies and analyses focused on national security policy, operations, acquisition, and training. Prior to joining SAIC in 1990, his government service included tours as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs; Chief of the Strategic Plans and Policy Division, HQDA; Chief of the Conventional Arms Control Division, HQDA; Chief of Current Operations, HQ U.S. European Command; Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, 1st Infantry Division (Fwd); Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 1st Brigade, 1st Armor Division; and Commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 1st Armor Division. He served two tours in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader and company commander.
Dr Hallenbeck was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Military Academy from 1975 to 1978, and an Adjunct Professor of national security policy and policy-making at The George Washington University from 1990-1995. His military awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with V, Purple Heart, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger, Airborne, and Pathfinder Qualification Badges. Dr. Hallenbeck holds a TOP SECRET security clearance. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and received a PhD. in political science at Penn. State University.
Mr. Branigan is the Managing Director at Dougher-Braden, a company helping executives wrestle with and beat the toughest issues. After returning from his service in the US Air Force in 2022, Matt became the AVP Division Manager for the Integrated Security Strategies Division at SAIC. He then transitioned on to become the VP and Chief Security Officer at Brink’s Incorporated.
In 2007, Matt founded Watermark Risk Management International, LLC, a Service-Disabled, Veteran Owned Small business supporting government, public, corporate and private clients with risk management and security consulting services. Matt held several positions at Watermark Risk Management over the years, including Founder/President/CEO and transition advisor. From there he went on to become the CEO and President of the Akal Group before forming Dougher-Braden. Mr. Branigan received his BA in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his Masters of Arts in Management from Webster University and his Master’s of Science in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University as well as another Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy from National War College. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for Heroes on the Water.
Ms. Shagun Malhorta is the founder of SkyStem LLC., a computer software company specializing in month-end close and account reconciliation automation software services. SkyStem LLC has won several awards including the naming of 2019 Top Financial Control and Automation Solution Providers, the 2019 Most Innovative Month-End Close Platform, Software Company of the Year in the Stevie Awards, and 2019 ACQ Global Awards. Shagun has won several awards herself, including the Stevie Awards 2019 Woman of the Year for the 16 th Annual International Business Awards and Best Female Entrepreneur/Founder of the Year in 2018. Prior to SkyStem, Shagun was as a consultant for Resources Global Professional where she focused on project management, audit, and SOX work. She also served as a consultant for Fortis in the financial services and banking industry, a senior manager at Freddie Mac., (financial services) in Virginia, and senior manager at Marriot International. Shagun attended the University of Texas at Arlington and received a BS in Accounting and Economics, and then attended the American College of Switzerland where she received her Associate of Arts (AA).
Richard Wagner has two decades of experience winning public sector contracts at the Federal, State, and local levels through business development, capture management, proposal management and writing, strategic teaming and pricing. He is the founder of Richard Wagner & Company (RWCO). Prior to starting RWCO, Richard was an Asst. VP at Paragon Systems; Director of Government Services and Director of M&A and Market Strategy at AlliedBarton Security Services; and Director of USProtect. Richard is a master capture strategist offering capture that provides results through proactivity, consistency, and experience. Richard earned his BA in Political Science from Mercyhurst University, his MA in International Affairs from American University, and his MBA (focus in Marketing and Finance) from the Kogod School of Business at American University.
