Speaking — Ferdinand L. Risco Jr.
Speaking · Ferdinand L. Risco Jr.

The credential
that changes
the conversation.

Ferdinand L. Risco Jr. is a sought-after speaker on business growth, government contracting, economic development, and leadership. He doesn't speak from theory. He speaks from the seat where the decisions were made — and the results that followed.

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Former Government Agency CEO — ~1,000 employees · Nine-figure budget · $221M annual regional economic impact
Chief Compliance Officer — DBE, EEO, Title VI · 13%→57% supplier participation growth · $475M+ in new opportunity
U.S. Army Veteran — Commissioned Infantry and Logistics Officer · Distinguished Military Graduate
Gubernatorial Appointee — CT State Board of Education · Federal Reserve Industry Council Member
MBA, University of New Haven — Business faculty · Three decades in leadership, government, and private enterprise
Speaking Topics

Built from experience.
Not from a template.

01
Government Contracting from the Inside Out
Conferences · Chamber Events · Small Business Summits
The untold story of what actually happens on the government side of the table — why capable businesses lose, what evaluators actually look for, and what small businesses need to know to compete in the $700 billion federal marketplace. Ferdinand spent decades approving the contracts small businesses are trying to win. This session gives the insider view.
02
Economic Development Strategy That Produces Results
Government Agencies · Chambers · CDFIs · Development Organizations
What makes an economic development program actually work — supplier diversity frameworks, public-private partnership structures, and the institutional strategies that produce measurable participation growth. Built from the experience of running these programs at the highest levels for two decades.
03
Leadership Under Pressure
Corporate Events · Leadership Programs · Military Transition Audiences
From enlisted soldier to commissioned officer to agency CEO — Ferdinand's leadership philosophy was forged in environments where the margin for error was zero. This session on decision-making under pressure, building high-performing teams, and leading through complexity draws on three decades of experience in the most demanding institutional environments.
04
The Enterprise Journey™ — From Spark to Legacy
Business Conferences · Entrepreneurship Events · Accelerator Programs
The map every business owner needs — nine stages from first idea to generational wealth, the tools that belong at each stage, and the mistakes that keep founders stuck. An audience-interactive session that helps every participant identify where they are, what's holding them there, and what the right next step looks like.
Formats

Built for your event.

Keynote
45–60 minute opening or closing keynote. High-impact delivery built around a single transformative idea tailored to your audience and theme.
Panel & Moderation
Ferdinand as featured panelist or moderator. His institutional background brings rare credibility to conversations about contracting, economic development, and leadership.
Workshop
Half-day or full-day workshops on government contracting, economic development strategy, or the Enterprise Journey™ — practical and implementation-focused.
Corporate Training
Custom leadership and economic development training for corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations. Built around your organization's specific objectives and audience.
Bring Ferdinand to Your Event

The credential
that changes the room.

For speaking inquiries, availability, and custom event proposals, reach out directly. Ferdinand's team will respond within 48 hours.

Inquire About Speaking