Mike Castellon

About Mike Castellon

Transformation-focused consultant helping organizations redesign how they operate from target operating models and post-merger integrations to financial restructuring and process optimization across highly regulated industries. At Highspring, I lead strategic engagements for a portfolio of 20+ clients spanning Aerospace & Defense, Education, Manufacturing, Research and Technology. My work typically starts where complexity lives: organizations navigating mergers, evolving their cost structures, standing up new compliance frameworks or building the operational infrastructure to support their next phase of growth. I bring deep knowledge of FAR/DFARS/CAS and federal contracting environments, which means I can design transformation roadmaps that don\'t just look good on paper, they hold up under regulatory scrutiny. Before consulting, I spent time at Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, giving me firsthand perspective on the operational realities, financial pressures and compliance challenges my clients face every day. What I focus on- Operating Model Design & Transformation: Lead engagements that assess organizational effectiveness across people, process, technology and data, then design future-state operating models with prioritized implementation roadmaps that balance quick wins with strategic investments- Post-Merger Integration: Facilitate cross-entity discovery sessions, harmonize financial & operational processes and deliver unified frameworks (process flows, RACI matrices, control maps) that enable Day 1 readiness and long-term integration success- Financial & Cost Structure Strategy: Evaluate indirect rate structures, intercompany accounting model and cost allocation frameworks to improve cost recovery, competitive positioning and compliance posture- Stakeholder Alignment & Change Enablement: Partner with C-suite executives, compliance officers and cross-functional teams to build consensus on transformation priorities, governance structures and organizational change, translating complexity into clear decisions. I\'m passionate about helping organizations build the operational infrastructure to make better decisions, move faster and scale with confidence.

Experience

1. Senior Consultant, Strategy, Technology & Transformation

   Highspring

   Dec 2021 — Present · McLean, VA, US

   Lead strategic transformation and advisory engagements for a diverse portfolio of 20+ clients across Aerospace & Defense, Technology, Education, and Research. Trained by partners with Big Four experience to deliver executive-level advisory across complex, high-stakes environments.• Design target operating models and lead post-merger integrations — including operating model assessments across people, process, technology, and data, future-state process flows, RACI matrices and Day 1 readiness roadmaps that enable organizations to scale through periods of change.• Lead business system readiness assessments and compliance advisory across Accounting, Estimating, EVMS and Purchasing domains, identifying gaps, reducing audit exposure and delivering remediation roadmaps aligned to FAR/DFARS/CAS requirements.• Evaluate indirect rate structures, intercompany accounting models and cost allocation frameworks to improve cost recovery, competitive positioning and pricing strategy.• Manage complex, multi-workstream client relationships spanning concurrent audits across reputation management, CUI security, third-party compliance, crisis management and financial controls.• Develop governance frameworks, enterprise-wide policy documentation and compliance training programs that institutionalize best practices and reduce reliance on external advisory support.• Guide organizations through GSA readiness assessments and federal marketplace entry, including benchmark pricing analysis and proposal compliance preparation.

Education

• Northern Virginia Community College

  Associate’s Degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  2013 — 2014

• George Mason University – Costello College of Business

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Finance, General

• George Mason University – Costello College of Business

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Finance

  2015 — 2018