Our team of experts has extensive experience working with various federal agencies and understand the unique challenges they face. We are committed to delivering customized solutions that meet the specific needs of each client.
Frank Sturek
Chief Executive Officer
Frank Sturek assumed the role of CEO for Compendium Federal Technology (CFT) on January 13, 2023. He is a minority owner of the company and a proven leader who understands how to build high-performing teams to deliver value in the Government Contracting (GovCon) marketplace.
Prior to joining CFT, he held the position of President at SkyePoint Decisions, Inc., a small business GovCon focused on the Federal Civilian Agency Cybersecurity and Enterprise IT Services markets. Before SkyePoint Decisions, Frank was the Chief Growth Officer at Axiologic Solutions, where he was responsible for managing new business growth.
Additionally, Frank’s experience includes 21 years of active service as an infantry officer in the United States Army that included assignments in Germany, the 82nd Airborne Division, West Point, the 101st Airborne Division, Iraq, the 10th Mountain Division, Afghanistan, and the Pentagon. Frank was recognized as a top performer throughout his military career and he still currently serves in a volunteer capacity as the Honorary Colonel of the US Army’s 4th Infantry Regiment.
Frank is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point) where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Central Florida and then taught Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy as an assistant professor. He is a PMI certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Small and Emerging Contractor Advisory Forum (SECAF)
Joe BurkhartManaging Partner
Joe Burkhart is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of experience investing in a variety of industries. He specializes in SaaS, tech-enabled services, healthcare services and companies that provide goods & services to the federal sector.
Currently, Joe serves as Managing Partner of CFT, a premier provider of engineering services for military aircraft and weapon systems, including integrated logistics and C5ISR integration.
He is also affiliated with Boathouse Capital, a structured capital fund focused on providing bespoke capital solutions to high growth and later stage companies. Value creation is central to its investment approach and the firm is focused on building scale in established companies that are well-positioned for accelerated growth. Its flexible and creative capital solutions are tailored to facilitate the unique needs and goals of each company.
Joe is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Accounting. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia.
Joe grew up in Milwaukee, WI and now lives in the Washington, DC-area with his wife and three children. Joe grew up cheering for the Green Bay Packers and he went on to become a team owner. When not working, Joe can be found on the sidelines cheering for his kids’ sports teams or working on his golf game.
Project Manager
Paul retired from the Navy in 2003. During his 20-year career, Paul served as an Aviation Electronics Technician and Naval Aircrewman repairing and operating sensors in EP-3E, EA-3B, and ES-3A aircraft.
Paul is currently the Production Manager at Compendium Federal Technology. He oversees the development of all projects including technical publication Wwriting, IETMs, and additive manufacturing.
Paul has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University.
Jim Zopelis
Vice President of Business Development and Capture
Jim Zopelis is the Vice President of Business Development and Capture for Compendium Federal Technology. Prior to joining Compendium Federal Technology, he held various senior business development and sales roles in both government and commercial organizations, focusing on the growth of specialized communications technology, IT, and cyber programs. Jim is a career Army Officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of serving in various theater support roles in multiple regions worldwide.
Jim is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Jim is a proud member of the Army Football Club and is currently serving as a Northeast Regional Advisor for the West Point Association of Graduates.
Patty Simpkins
Corporate Administration Manager
Patty Simpkins is CFT’s Director of Corporate Administration. With over 25 years of experience in contracts, human resources, and operations management, Patty has been a vital contributor to the firm’s accomplishments since joining in October 2018.
Before CFT, she served as Operations Manager for Prometheus. Prior to that, she spent 16 years at NTA (now VT Group), where she developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of government contracting and rose to the position of Director of Operations for the Systems Engineering & Technical Services Division. Patty is committed to using the knowledge and expertise she has gained to support her colleagues and drive CFT’s success into the future.
Throughout her career, Patty has been an active member of several professional organizations, including SMISAG, ASMC, and The Patuxent Partnership.
Patty is a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Development.
Brandi Palmer
Office Manager
Brandi was initially hired by Compendium Federal Technology as an Administrative Assistant. She quickly bloomed into the jack of all trades for the company.
With a “no task too small and no job too big” mindset, Brandi has assisted the CFT team by creating equipment and wiring drawings, printing, and binding publications, and updating company financial records in QuickBooks. She also manages all company shipments and inventories while overseeing the day-to-day office requirements.
Herb Honaker
MCAT Program Manager/Technical Director
CDR (Ret) Herb Honaker is a former Surface Warfare officer Operations Limited Duty Officer and graduate of the Naval War college, specializing in National Security and Strategy. Herb’s 28-year Naval career encompassed Frigates, Cruisers, Destroyers, Carriers, two Officer-in-Charge tours, Carrier Group, and numbered Fleet Command Operational Staff assignments as Joint Operations Center Director.
Herb currently serves as CFT’s Technical Director-Team Lead and Program Manager for the USAF Mission Capabilities Analysis Team supporting Air Combat Command Joint Base Langley Eustis. His team leadership is exhibited through more than eight years of execution of US Air Force and Joint Services extensive operational analysis, operational scenario generation, mission modeling, communications, and networking analysis.
His civilian career has encompassed a wide array of operational research analysis, architecture development, and systems engineering. His projects have included, Chief Systems Architect for Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), Joint Enterprise Architecture development, Weapons Data Link Enterprise Architecture support, Maritime and Littoral Surveillance Concept of Operations development, Airborne Networking Concept of Operations development, and Agile Communications Engineering development.
Stuart Langford, USN (Ret)
Additive Manufacturing Lead Engineer
Born in Winter Park FL and raised in Naples FL, Stuart’s family moved to Lake Burton Northeastern GA in 1986. After graduating high school, Stuart enlisted in US Navy and retired after 24 years of service as an Avionics Technician Chief Petty Officer.
Stuart’s military service included tours at Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ-33) Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West FL, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-1) NAS Patuxent River MD, Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL-36) and (HSL-48) NAS Mayport FL, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department NAS Cecil Field, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-81) NAS Oceana VA, and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River MD.
Upon retirement from the military, Stuart worked as an Aviation Maintenance and Material Management Subject Matter Expert for US Navy’s Enterprise Resource planning project in Annapolis, MD and followed-up with consulting work on NASA’s Integrated Financial Management Program Dryden Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
In 2006, Stuart joined General Dynamics as a Technical Writer for NAVAIR’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA 290), Lexington Park, MD.
In 2010, Compendium Federal Technology (CFT) was formed, and Stuart left General Dynamics to continue working as Technical Writer for PMA 290 as well as taking on duties as CFT’s Information Systems Security Officer and Network Administrator.
In 2017, CFT began to venture into additive manufacturing. By 2018 CFT was providing additive manufacturing services and support for the Airborne Multi-Intelligence and Special Missions Flight Systems Test team. Stuart’s duties now include being the additive manufacturing lead engineer for CFT’s Lexington Park office, producing functional aircraft components, prototypes for form fit tests, support equipment, as well as additive manufacturing services for several third-party contracts.