Our Founder
Nancy K. West
Nancy West has nearly three decades of experience in public policy and Federal disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE)
program development, implementation and analysis. She is the founder and managing member of Exstare Federal Services
Group, LLC®, a full-service management consulting firm that since 2005 has specialized in providing high
level support services to transportation entities, cities, multi-national companies, small businesses, and law firms.
Nancy routinely assists clients with Federal DBE program and local/small business program matters, including developing
internal policies, practices and procedures; conducting compliance reviews; drafting DBE, ACDBE and other small business
provisions for contract solicitations and contractual agreements; serving on proposal evaluation panels; assessing
contractual agreements for compliance with federal and contractual requirements; preparing ACDBE and DBE plans;
managing and performing disparity studies; conducting audits of DBE and ACDBE programs; preparing DBE and ACDBE
achievement reports for the Federal government; community outreach initiatives; and ACDBE/DBE certification matters.
Nancy had served as a senior vice president of Xenophon Strategies, Inc. (2003 – 2005) and as a senior policy advisor
at the Thelen Reid & Priest law firm in Washington, DC (1998 – 2003). In both positions, she advised and assisted
airports in developing, implementing and managing their contracting and concessions programs; and advised and guided
all sizes and types of businesses in developing strategies and proposals to secure airport contracts and government
contracts.
Prior to entering the private sector in 1998, Nancy served as assistant secretary of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for 11 years (1987 – 1998). She was responsible for providing advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors and senior management on a broad range of policy and business matters relative to the construction, operation and management of Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. She also developed and supervised most of the administrative functions in support of the Board and its standing committees. Before joining MWAA, Nancy held three senior positions at the United States Department of Transportation (1981-1987), where she was responsible for confidential special projects, administrative support services, annual budget development and oversight, contract administration, management improvement programs, and policy development and management of a wide range of programs for seven offices within the Office of the Secretary. Prior to her tenure at USDOT, Nancy worked for Members of Congress in both the House and the Senate, and for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Nancy is a past chairperson (1995-1998) and past Eastern Regional Director (2012-2014) of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and its sister organization, the AMAC Educational and Scholarship Program, Inc. (now known as the AMAC Foundation). She has also been an active member of the Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) since the mid-1980s. Nancy initiated the first ACI-NA associates mentor program, the first joint ACI-NA/AMAC contracting procedures seminar, and the first industry-wide survey of best disadvantaged business enterprise program practices in concessions and professional services at U.S. airports. She is currently a member of ACI-NA's Business Diversity Committee and of its Commercial Management Committee.
Nancy West has been an effective member of management teams for over three decades and is well-known for her successful track record affecting national policies for federal DBE programs, airport funding, and other transportation initiatives. She is skilled at creating consensus among people and organizations with diverse interests and backgrounds, guiding organizations to help them achieve priorities, analyzing and synthesizing complex data, public speaking and marketing.
Client Testimonials
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Nancy West of Exstare Federal Services was an integral part of our successful DBE certification process. Nancy's expertise and experience regarding the DBE program was extremely helpful throughout the application, site visit and interview portions of the application process.
Chris EstebanPresident, A. Esteban & Company, Inc. -
I can tell you with certainty that Nancy takes her responsibility to her clients seriously. Nancy is very insightful and clients can expect thoughtful and thorough responses to their needs. I would recommend her proven skills to anyone seeking her services. Nancy gets the job done. She knows her business and she is an invaluable resource on any project she takes on. Her skills are exceptional and she works through problems masterfully. She gives 110%.
Linda N. MooreChief Animateur, Animer Consulting, LLC -
Working with Exstare has been both enjoyable and productive. They know their subject and our industry, and it shows in their work. We look forward to working with them again on other projects.
Bruce J. BoudreauDirector, LeighFisher -
Nancy is great. I was in the FAA for 32 years and the "National Airport Business Compliance Officer"... Why would I use Nancy when I have so much background with the FAA? Simple... a lot has changed about the program...and I need results.... I have worked with Nancy for over 10 years and I know her honesty and integrity. She is a hard worker...and knows the system.
Clark D. SharpePresident and CEO, Shellis Management Services, Inc. -
When I need a consultant who knows the 'ins & outs' of airport concessions programs and players, whether related to ACDBE issues or not, I always go to Nancy West and Exstare Federal Services. They're the best in the industry.
Mara RosalesManaging Partner, Rosales Law Partners LLP, and former General Counsel to SFO -
It is a pleasure working with Nancy West and Exstare Federal Services Group. Nancy demonstrates excellent attention to detail, asks the right questions, and knows how to effectively navigate through red tape when working with government entities. She is a consummate professional. I look forward to collaborating on future projects with her and Exstare Federal Services Group.
Wendy PricePresident, WHP Research, Inc. -
Nancy West and Exstare Federal Services Group, LLC have assisted my companies with ACDBE certification issues, including complex appeals and interpretation of regulation issues, as well as overall strategic planning. I consider Nancy and her firm invaluable as my firms attempt to gain multi-state ACDBE certifications. I strongly recommend Exstare to any ACDBE firm seeking assistance with certification planning issues.
Clarence Daniels, Jr.President and CEO, CMS Hospitality -
I am pleased to share what an excellent job Nancy West did in assisting my Company, Concourse Concessions, Inc. with its certification issues. Exstare Federal Services is thorough and prompt in follow through. EFS has been in the industry long enough to understand the Federal Regulations and whom to contact in the industry for resolution. Exstare is my "go to" Company when I need help!
Bettye J. DixonPresident/CEO, Concourse Concessions, Inc. -
I have worked with numerous consultants throughout the years, but Nancy and the Exstare team stand above them all as the example of consummate professionalism, integrity and quality.
Amber Dancy GoodingPresident/CEO, Diverse Resources, LLC -
I felt I was in good hands with Nancy. She provided guidance that I needed. Without her help, I am certain that my ACDBE certification would have taken a lot longer.
James YeungPresident, Gold Wing Foods, LLC -
With the support of Exstare Federal Services my airport concession business successfully navigated through a $40M dispute, and was reinstated under a restructured agreement more beneficial than the original contract awarded. Their expertise and understanding of ACDBE guidance and compliance requirements are second only to the masterful implementation of strategy.
Stephen BaldiPresident, Baldi Management Group -
I have enjoyed working with Nancy West of Exstare Federal Services and have recommended her to several clients and friends. Her knowledge of the ACDBE world is unrivaled. Working with Nancy not only means getting her sage advice, but also access to her tremendous contacts in the industry. Nancy’s calm, confident demeanor made me instantly realize she would be an invaluable resource, and friend. She is a wonderful champion for the minority business program, and the principles it espouses.
Tonja PastorellePresident, Pastorelle Marketing Group, Inc. -
The moment we contracted with Exstare Federal Services it literally changed the management and focus of our organization. Nancy West and her team are experienced, professional and a pleasure to work with. They play an active and supportive role in the industry; they are engaged and aware of the constant changes taking place and immediately inform us as it relates to our business. At an excellent value, they have provided Departure Media with expert advice on ACDBE guidelines and have provided real insight on how to proceed as an organization. One asset that I personally appreciate is Nancy's honesty and ability to tackle any challenge that she is presented with.
Leslie BensenCEO, Departure Media Airport Advertising -
It has been my pleasure to work for several years now with Nancy West, Managing Member of Exstare Federal Services Group. Nancy has partnered with BBC Research & Consulting on several disparity studies examining the availability and utilization of small-, women-, and minority-owned firms and potential barriers to those firms’ success. Her knowledge of the Federal DBE Program; state and local implementations of the Federal DBE Program; small business programs; other measures to help disadvantaged businesses; and program implementation at airports is unparalleled in the industry. We have found Nancy to be extremely hard working, insightful, and always on time with her deliverables. I simply cannot recommend Nancy West and Exstare highly enough.
Todd PicktonManaging Member, BBC Research & Consulting
