We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Alfaro as Makpar’s new Vice President of Technology. A seasoned federal IT leader with extensive experience in delivery, systems integration, and service management, Jessica is now helping to shape Makpar’s evolution into a capabilities-driven technology services company. 

With a focus on areas like cloud, cybersecurity, and data, she brings a clear and pragmatic vision for how Makpar can help government agencies modernize with impact.

To introduce Jessica to the broader Makpar community, we recently caught up with her to learn more about her journey, why she joined the team, and what excites her most about the future of IT in the public sector.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Please tell us about your background.

All right, so I’ve been in federal IT consulting for over 20 years. I started my career in the intelligence community, supporting a couple of intelligence agencies with project management and development work. Most of my professional experience has been in delivery – working directly with customers, gathering requirements, managing teams, and building high-performing organizations.

A large part of my background involves service management. I’ve implemented multiple service management systems and focused on how to bring all the moving pieces together through holistic integration strategies.

Prior to joining Makpar, I spent 15 years at Acuity. It was a great experience, and during the last five years there, I helped build out their technology group. The company was transitioning from a traditional PMO and IT management model to a true technology services firm, and I was proud to help shape that evolution. That journey is ultimately what brought me to Makpar.

Q: Tell us about your role at Makpar.

I’m the Vice President of Technology at Makpar. Similar to the work I led at Acuity, my focus here is helping shift how we define ourselves in the market – as a true technology services company. We’re leaning into a capability-led business development strategy, where our technical strengths drive our growth. That means aligning our capabilities with what our customers actually need, which are real solutions to real challenges in federal IT.

My role includes establishing a clear roadmap across key focus areas like cloud, data, and cybersecurity, and ensuring we build the internal skills needed to deliver successfully in those areas. I’m particularly excited about the work we’re doing in the federal finance space, especially around identity verification and fraud prevention for individuals accessing federal services.

It’s an exciting time to be in IT, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team shaping Makpar’s next chapter.

Q: Why did you choose to work at Makpar?

I had been in my previous role for quite a while and felt it was time for something new. It’s interesting how the right connections come together at the right time. I met Fareeha Khan, Makpar’s Director of Marketing, at the ACT-IAC Executive Leadership Conference, a community I’m closely involved with.

We were attending a Women in Technology session where I was sharing insights about my role in capability development. Fareeha and I connected right away. She wanted to learn more about what I do and how it aligns with marketing, and we had a great conversation. She reached out to me after the event, and from there, I began meeting others at Makpar. I spoke with Kaamil, then Seema and Mushtaq, and each conversation built on the last. It quickly felt like the right fit.

What stood out to me was Makpar’s mission, its identity as a family-led company, and the direction the leadership team is taking as Seema and Mushtaq prepare for retirement. Kaamil is building something meaningful, and the opportunity to be part of that effort – to take what I’ve done before and do it again, this time with more autonomy and intention – was incredibly appealing.

Q: Where do you think IT modernization in government is headed?

There’s a lot of discussion right now around how we can use IT more effectively in government. One of the key realities we’re facing is that managing and maintaining these systems isn’t cheap. From the initial design to full implementation, it’s critical to better estimate the true cost of ownership and ensure strong financial stewardship throughout the lifecycle of a project.

We also need to improve how we deliver and manage IT across agencies. That includes a greater focus on automation and AI. Not just because they’re buzzwords, but because they offer real potential to help us work smarter and do more with less. In many ways, we’ve only scratched the surface of what these tools can do.

Looking ahead, I think we’ll see a broader shift toward enterprise thinking. That means eliminating duplication, improving interoperability, and fostering more communication between systems. As AI and other advanced services become more prevalent, there’s also a need to manage and scale with a smaller footprint, especially given the increasing demands on computing power.

Another critical area is citizen experience and accessibility. As we modernize, we must ensure our solutions are inclusive and user-friendly, especially for individuals who may not have access to high-speed internet or who are less comfortable with digital platforms. Some citizens are still relying on paper processes, so part of modernization is meeting people where they are and making government services easier to use for everyone.

Though, AI is really changing the game. I use it every day now, and it’s hard to imagine going back. It’s kind of like trying to navigate without GPS. Having that knowledge at your fingertips is powerful, and it’s exciting to think about how this technology will continue to evolve and enhance the way we work.

Q: Any personal information about yourself you would like to share with our readers?

Outside of work, I love to travel. My family and I try to take two or three trips a year, often to national parks. We really enjoy being outdoors, hiking, and taking in nature. It’s a great way to recharge and spend quality time together. My parents, brother, and son usually come along, so those trips are something I truly cherish.

When I’m not traveling, I still try to get outside as much as I can, whether it’s walking my dog or just enjoying the fresh air. My son is in college now, heading into his senior year, which has been a big shift for me, but I’m so proud of him and excited for what’s ahead.

And when I need to unwind at home, I’m a big fan of documentaries, especially investigative journalism. I’m always eager to learn something new.

 We would like to thank Jessica for taking the time to speak with us, and officially welcome her to the Makpar team!