Allen resigns as CGP president to start a company

Larry Allen, who for more than 20 years has played a leading role in the Coalition for Government Procurement, is stepping down as president of the organization effective Nov. 5.

CGP Chairman Bill Gormley will serve as interim president until a permanent replacement is named.

In an open letter sent via e-mail to CGP members, Allen said now is the time to take the next step in his professional life without breaking any ties to the coalition or its members.

He said he will continue serving with the association as a member of the board of directors and provide continuity during the upcoming transition.

Allen told Washington Technology that he plans to start his own company, Allen Federal Business Partners, to advise companies in the federal market. He said it’s a plan he has been thinking about for some time.

“I’ll work with them on some kind of macro level [on] the formation of their government programs, do some of the things I do now at the coalition,” he said.

Allen said he will keep people abreast of government program changes, provide advocacy for companies relevant to their government contracts, and “do a lot of briefing and education on not just current but changing procurement rules and regulations, things of that nature.”

He said he will continue to advise companies on “issues that always keep companies awake at night,” including the growing government emphasis on organizational conflict-of-interest regulations.

“I’m not looking to set myself up in competition to these guys, but I want to find ways to use my talents to continue to work with some of the people I’m working with now," he said. "I hope that’s what happens."

For the time being, Allen will operate his company as a one-man business working with four or five companies.

“If I end up growing the business, I certainly am going to add some people,” he said.