Carrying the Mission Forward: Benjamin Shotzberger's Take on Life, Leadership, and a Stuffed Pig Sponsored by vTech Solution

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Hunter Gros, Director of Marketing at Vtech Solution, sits down with Ben Shotzberger, a former DHS leader turned consultant, for a conversation that blends humor, heart, and hard-earned insight. From serving in DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate to supporting FEMA and Secret Service missions, Ben shares what nearly a decade in homeland security taught him about innovation, mission focus, and the unarticulated needs that often get lost between policy and execution. But perhaps what he’s best known for isn’t on his résumé - it’s the PIG. Meet Pig E. Shotzberger, the well-traveled, suit-wearing stuffed animal that’s accompanied Ben across the world for over a decade. What started as a sweet gesture from his daughter became a symbol of balance, family, and humanity in a high-stakes industry. Ben also opens up about life after government, the transition to business development, and his biggest advice for former feds: your real value isn’t just what’s on paper, it’s what you know from being close to the mission. To connect with Ben, visit his LinkedIn profile here. Learn more about In Foul Territory Consulting by visiting their website here. If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution. Don't know vTech yet? You should as vTech Solution is a trailblazer in the IT services domain with key offerings that include Digital Modernization, including Application Modernization; Managed Cloud infrastructure; and Cybersecurity.