News, Insights, and Announcements

Tyson’s Corner, Virginia – July 26, 2023 – growth[period], a provider of business development and transaction advisory services worldwide, today announced that Sandy Peavy has joined the firm’s Executive Advisory Program. Based out of growth[period]’s Virginia office, she will advise clients on strategic growth and business development in the federal contracting market in her role as an Executive Advisor.

 

Peavy has substantial experience in the government contracting industry, particularly the federal civilian sector, based on her 13 years as CIO of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and as a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security’s CIO Council where she worked closely across all DHS component agencies. Previously she worked in support of the Air Force and what is now Space Command. In her many roles in the Senior Executive Service, Peavy built and led diverse, talented, and collaborative teams and advised on key strategic business initiatives, among other matters.

 

Peavy joins growth[period]’s innovative Executive Advisory Program, which offers clients experience-based, actionable, and business-focused advice. As former government agency CIO, with significant operational responsibilities, Peavy helps growth[period]’s clients develop and prioritize practical approaches and solutions suited to each client’s unique culture, circumstances, and business development needs.

 

growth[period]’s Executive Advisory Program supports clients at every stage, whether the client is a high-growth start-up, a late-stage company preparing for a transaction, or a multinational public company. Similarly, the program is intended to support companies ranging from those with no or limited business development resources to those with well-established growth/transaction teams.

 

“Sandy has an impressive combination of industry and government experience, and has directly managed important strategic, operational, and growth initiatives,” said Courtney B. Spaeth, CEO of growth[period]. “We’re pleased to welcome her as the newest member of our Executive Advisory Program. We know she’ll be a valued resource and advisor to a broad range of clients, especially those in the government contracting sector.” “I’ve always enjoyed the advisory role and the many ways that general advisors can contribute to a company’s success and growth,” Peavy said. “I was thrilled about the chance to join growth[period] and draw from my experience to help the firm’s clients address important strategic and growth functions.”

 

About growth[period]

 

For more than 15 years, growth[period]’s management consulting, business development, strategy and transaction advisory services have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the federal contractors and commercial businesses hoping to enter the federal marketplace. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking assistance to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage entry into the federal government contracting industry; assist with navigating the federal marketplace; represent them in partnering agreements; and/or advise them on diligence matters. With deep roots globally, growth[period] has more than 50 experts and offices in multiple markets across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

 

May 2023 -- growth[period] was pleased to be a sponsor of the Make-a-Wish Foundation Women’s Luncheon. Strong women making a difference!

    May 2023 -- growth[period] is excited to announce the company has been named to Washington Business Journal's Best Places to Work for 2023. This is the seventh time growth[period] has received this distinction in nine years. "It is rewarding to see this recognition for all the ongoing work of our team to create a close-knit, inclusive and productive working environment." said CEO Courtney Spaeth. Washington Business Journal presents an annual list of the D.C. region's best workplaces, as determined by Quantum Workplace. You can find the full list here: Best Places to Work in Greater Washington: Small Companies - Washington Business Journal (bizjournals.com).  

February 2023 – As a part of our longstanding support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, growth[period] is proud to be a sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic region's Wish Ball 2023. Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Make-A-Wish vision is to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.  

December 2022: growth[period] is proud to support PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families. PHILLIPS Programs serves the needs of individuals with behavioral health needs and developmental disabilities and their families through education, family support services, community education and advocacy. PHILLIPS offers specialized day schools, consultations and career readiness skills that can be transformative to children in the Washington, DC Metro Area. growth[period] was thrilled to welcome children from PHILLIPS Programs to our offices in Tysons Corner to decorate a holiday tree. All the staff at growth[period] extends our thanks to the children of PHILLIPS Programs for the beautiful tree and our best wishes for the holiday season.

Partner Lyn Sherlock (top) with Ms. Elinor Otto and Ada Wyn Parker-loy

growth[period] Partner Lyn Sherlock, Brigadier General, US Air Force (retired), was the featured speaker at the Women’s Memorial 21st Annual Memorial Day Program in Arlington, VA. The event was put on by the Spirit of '45 organization honoring those who served in WWII, including the over 1,000 Women's Air Force Service Pilots and over 300,000 Rosie the Riveters. Two Rosie's were in attendance: Ms Elinor Otto, who continued building military aircraft until the age of 95, and Ada Wyn Parker-Loy, whose sister was the model for the famous Rosie the Riveter poster.

The event included formal military honors and a keynote address, remarks from past and present military women representing each of the services, and the Memorial’s signature event, the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades.

Read more about the Women In Military Service For America Memorial here.

November 2022 – growth[period] is proud to announce it has been named a top middle market Mergers and Acquisitions consulting firm by Financial Services Review magazine. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) is a strategic option that enables businesses to access a wider customer base, increase market share, and diversify their products and services. Founded in 2007, growth[period], a strategic M&A transaction services provider, helps their wide range of clients make the best decisions pertaining to M&A. Founded initially as a business development services firm, it was “given our depth of expertise a natural evolution to add transaction advisory services to [their] offerings”, says Courtney Spaeth, CEO, growth[period]. growth[period]’s expertise spans both the commercial and public sectors. They count among their customer list companies that range from Fortune 5 companies such as Microsoft, to Fortune 1000 strategic acquirers, like Serco Inc., to large institutional funds and banks, including Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Bank. Their expertise in M&A transactions also varies across industry verticals, spanning aerospace and defense, entertainment, tech (both hardware and software) construction, engineering, global health, and sports, entertainment and arts/culture. growth[period] executives have collectively over a century’s experience advising corporations, financial institutions, and private equity and venture capital firms on both the buy and the sell sides of their acquisitive activity. growth[period]’s services include developing industry specific investment thesis, identifying white space markets, defining and executing 100-day plans, identifying and screening prospective targets, buy and sell side due diligence and creating overall corporate M&A strategies. You can read more here: https://www.financialservicesreview.com/growth-period.

May 2023-- growth[period] is excited to announce that CEO Courtney Spaeth, Senior Partner Lyn Sherlock, and Senior Project Director Hunter Congdon have been featured in Washington Business Journal's People on the Move in Washington DC. Courtney B. Spaeth is the CEO and founder of growth[period], and is proud to lead a team recognized as a Washington Business Journal Best Place to Work for the 7th time in 9 years. You can view Courtney's recognition here. Brigadier General (USAF ret.) Lyn Sherlock is the Senior Partner for growth[period]’s Federal, Aerospace & Defense practice. Lyn oversees client accounts and delivers innovative and results-oriented solutions. You can view Lyn's recognition here. Hunter Congdon is a Senior Director with growth[period] where he supports commercial and federal clients across growth[period]’s five verticals. You can view his recognition here. growth[period] is proud to have these highly skilled achievers on the team!

Tysons Corner, Virginia – July 25, 2025 – ESGI-Potomac Recruiting is delighted to announce that Megan Norris has joined the firm as Director-Career Services. In this key leadership role, Megan will oversee the development and execution of comprehensive career development strategies designed to support the continued growth and success of our team members.

Megan Norris comes to ESGI Potomac Recruiting with over 25 years of strategic communications expertise. A Certified Professional Résumé Writer, she excels at crafting compelling career narratives for a diverse cadre of accomplished professionals.

Her unique background blends two distinct careers. Megan served 12 years as a Federal Air Marshal, undertaking covert domestic and international missions and contributing in roles such as Public Affairs Officer and Taskings Division specialist. She also built a strong communications résumé prior to her federal service, holding senior roles—including Communications Manager—at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, Brookdale Living, and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. In these positions she oversaw public relations, media training, crisis communications, and executive speech writing.

Following her 2018 retirement from the Federal Air Marshal Service, Megan launched her own firm, Norris Editorial and Writing Services, delivering résumé, bio, and document writing and editing to a diverse clientele. At growth[period], she will focus on developing executive career documentation—including résumés, cover letters, executive biographies—as well as optimizing LinkedIn profiles to ensure her clients present themselves powerfully across all career platforms.

Megan has a proven ability to translate complex experience into compelling narratives. In May 2024, she received First Place in the Federal Résumé Category of the PARWCC Elite Circle Résumé Contest. She also presented at the 2024 Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on “Creating Effective Job Application Documents for Female Law Enforcement and Civilian Career Advancement,” and is a regular contributor to WIFLE’s Quarterly Newsletter.

She holds a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism with a minor in Political Analysis from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).

“I’m excited to join ESGI Potomac Recruiting and support senior leaders in shaping their professional narratives,” said Megan Norris. “Helping clients articulate their career stories, to align with their ambitions, while standing out in competitive environments is incredibly rewarding work.”

Megan’s approach centers on thorough comprehension, strategic storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail—ensuring clients confidently present their credentials, align with industry expectations, and successfully navigate career transitions.

ESGI-Potomac Recruiting is a premier retainer based executive search firm specializing in recruiting top-tier executive and professional talent across various industries. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of client needs, ESGI-Potomac Recruiting delivers tailored solutions that drive organizational success. For more information about ESGI-Potomac Recruiting and its services, please visitwww.executivesearchgroupinc.com

CONTACT

Talia Frey

info@esgipotomac.com

703.894.2121

May 2022-- growth[period] is proud to announce that we have been selected as a 2022 Best Place to Work in Greater Washington in the small business category by the Washington Business Journal. This is the sixth time that growth[period] has placed on the Best Places to Work List. Every year the Washington Business Journal honors 85 companies as the ‘Best Places to Work’ in the D.C. area. Winners received this distinction by scoring the highest among hundreds of employers that participated in an annual employee engagement survey. growth[period] ranked 5th out of 20 companies awarded in the small business category. Honorees are featured in the May 13 issue of the Washington Business Journal. Find the complete list of companies here.