Beyond DC: How Huntsville is Shaping the Future of Government Contracting with Allison Rhen and Jessica Washburn

In this energizing episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire dives into the rising star of the defense contracting world—Huntsville, Alabama—with two of its most influential insiders, Allison Rhen and Jessica Washburn, with the AFCEA Huntsville chapter. With deep roots in the community and decades of combined experience in federal contracting and workforce development, Allison and Jessica offer a front-row view into why Huntsville is becoming a serious competitor to traditional hubs like the DC area. From its growing role as a home for major defense agencies like NASA, FBI, and Redstone Arsenal to its strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and small business support, Huntsville is more than just “Rocket City”—it’s a launchpad for careers, contracts, and connections. Allison, a key player at Torch Technologies and current president of HASBAT, champions workforce initiatives and small business access. Jessica, who leads SmartBits Consulting and heads up the local AFCEA chapter, is a driving force behind business growth and tech engagement in the region. Together, they paint a compelling picture of a city powered by leadership, accessibility, and a future-forward approach to industry. To connect with Allison, follow her on LinkedIn here. To connect with Jessica, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the AFCEA Huntsville chapter by visiting their webpage here. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.