Still Here: The Fight Within with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions

Send us Fan MailStill Here: The Fight Within with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobbs Defense SolutionsHost Shana Cosgrove interviews Erica Dobbs of Dobbs Defense Solutions on the Outspoken podcast about building a boutique cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and business intelligence firm based in Landover, Maryland that supports DevSecOps, T&E, AV/VTC, network/software/systems engineering, satellite, and emerging geospatial work. Dobbs describes the company’s certifications (Woman-Owned, HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB) and selectively disclosed credentials (CMMI, CMMC, ISO), explains HUBZone’s community impact, and notes primary DOD customers while pursuing commercial clients. She recounts a 36.5-year Navy career rising from undesignated seaman to O-5 via the Limited Duty Officer Program, roles at NCMS, Cyber Command, DISA, and carrier assignments, and how those experiences shaped her CEO leadership. Dobbs discusses relationship-driven cybersecurity, early business redlining and limited PPP funding, the importance of focus, favorite books, and the pride of changing employees’ lives.Quotes[3:13] "We're your unicorn. We're your company to come to for anything that you need to do because... we also have those unique certifications called Woman-Owned, Hubzone, 8(a), and SDVOSB." – Erica Dobbs[25:09] "The most rewarding memory that I had was... you're running around doing a lot of things, but what you're doing the most is you're changing lives." – Erica Dobbs[26:57] "I've gone from quotes to just one single word... The thing that I use to keep me going is the word focus." – Erica DobbsTimestamps[00:00] Welcome[01:58] Dobbs Defense Overview[02:55] Certifications And Strategy[05:47] Customers And Going Commercial[07:32] Erica Origins And Education[09:41] Joining The Navy[11:08] Bootcamp To Leadership[12:23] Rising Through The Ranks[14:16] Top Navy Roles And Lessons[16:51] Why Stay 36 Years[18:55] Choosing Entrepreneurship[22:50] Winning Through Value[24:26] Cybersecurity Is People[25:04] Leadership Moments[29:53] Competing With Yourself[30:34] Books Family And FarewellResourcesU.S. Navy Defense Information Security AgencyCyber CommandNaval Communications Security Material SystemsFlorida Institute of TechnologyMorris Brown CollegeWhoever Tells The Best Story WinsRelevant LinksErica Dobbs on LinkedInNyla Technology Solutions