Matthew Hodges

Matthew began his career as a U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst, where he developed a strong foundation in critical thinking, technical expertise, and mission-driven service. During this time, he became a certified instructor and instructional designer, responsible for creating and delivering training on intelligence systems. This early experience not only sharpened his technical and analytical skills but also revealed his talent for building others’ capabilities through teaching and mentorship.

 

After leaving the military, Matthew transitioned into a role as a training developer and intelligence provider within an Army program office. It was here that he was first exposed to the world of government acquisition, advising program leadership on vendor capabilities and their alignment with the needs of Soldiers. This position gave him a unique vantage point, where he learned how government agencies evaluate solutions and how industry offerings must align with mission outcomes.

 

Matthew later moved to the contractor side of the GovCon world, gaining broad experience as a product specialist, customer experience lead, sales professional, and business development manager. Over the years, he sold both products and services to federal customers, worked with a wide network of teaming partners, and successfully led teams across the full spectrum of government contracting. This combination of government-side and industry-side experience gave him a rare, holistic understanding of the federal marketplace.

 

Earning his MBA in Government Contracting and Acquisition further refined his expertise, allowing him to connect academic theory with real-world practice. Throughout his career, he became known for his ability to integrate complex acquisition processes with practical business strategies, helping organizations compete and succeed in a highly regulated environment.

 

In 2025, Matthew founded Guidon Federal to fill a critical gap in the federal marketplace. He recognized that many small businesses in IT and geospatial fields struggled not because they lacked capability, but because they lacked the knowledge and structure to become procurement-ready. Guidon Federal was created to solve that problem—not by chasing contracts on behalf of clients, but by empowering them to stand on their own. His mission is to ensure that capable small businesses not only enter the federal space but thrive long after their first engagements, armed with the tools, strategies, and confidence to compete independently.