Golden Key Group is a trusted, agile, and customer-focused professional services firm dedicated to helping the federal government solve today’s strategic, organizational and operational challenges. We partner to provide responsive, efficient and compliant services so our customers can focus on their mission. GKG optimizes current and future workforce capabilities by integrating human capital, technology and policy design across the lifecycle of work. With a shared commitment to success, it’s our passion to help enable good government.
Our Core Belief
Golden Key Group believes every organization’s most critical asset is its workforce, and that when a workforce is optimized with the right skills, structures, technologies, and cultures, it will have a more deliberate and positive impact on the organization’s mission.
GKG started as an Executive Recruiting company and over time strategically evolved to support federal Human Resources, Human Capital Management, Learning and Development, and Professional Consulting Services. With a proven track record of success, GKG has become a one stop shop for all your federal workforce needs.
GKG has a large portfolio of customers we support including many civilian agencies such as the Department of Commerce, Health and Human Services and Department of the Interior. We’ve been longtime supporters of Army, Air Force and National Guard programs, and have recently expanded our reach across the Intelligence Community. Since 2002, we’ve supported over 50 federal departments and agencies.
Meet Our Team
GKG Leadership
GKG’s talented team includes a multitude of former federal employees, including a cadre of Senior Executive Service professionals. Our team also consists of retired flag officers and other high-level staff officers from across the DoD.
Our diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) philosophy is deeply rooted in accountability at all levels. We believe every organization is accountable to its stakeholders to provide policies and procedures that enable all employees to perform at their best.
At GKG, it’s important for us to give back to the communities where we do business. We participate in food drives, holiday charities and give to local groups where we have offices. We participate in events to support military and veterans groups, like Blue Star Families.
As individuals and a corporate family, our core values define us. GKG LIFE means Leadership, Integrity, Family and Excellence. We show Leadership internally and across our industry, do everything with Integrity, treat each other as Family and demand Excellence from ourselves and others.
Golden Key Group, LLC (GKG) to Present Revolutionary Army Training Modernization Solution at 2024 Army University Learning Symposium
June 17, 2024
[Reston, VA, June 12, 2024] – Golden Key Group, LLC (GKG), a leading provider of innovative workforce solutions in the Department of Defense and Federal sectors, is proud to be selected to participate in the …
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm Redefining Workforce Optimization™, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The company has grown from a handful of employees working from the CEO’s basement in 2002, to 350 employees with Headquarters in Reston, VA, a 20,000 square foot facility in Landover, MD, and offices in Vine Grove, KY and Rockville, MD.
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, announces the appointment of Michael (Mike) McGregor as Vice President of Client Engagement and Business Optimization. In this new role, McGregor will ensure GKG’s federal clients experience consistent and reliable customer service and provide strategic guidance to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Tom Shankle, GKG’s Senior Solution Architect, sat down with Lynsee Gibbons to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making an impact in the federal government.
Reston, VA – July 26, 2022 – Today Gretchen McCracken, the CEO and Managing Partner of Golden Key Group (GKG), received the Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.
Meet two amazing staff who support the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Cindy Glin is a recruiter with MAT-Inc. Christine (Chris) Peterson is the Deputy Program Manager with GKG.
GKG has made two substantial investments to the Greater Knox Coding Academy. These gifts provide Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students, in Elizabethtown, KY, with the skills needed to pursue careers in coding and computer diagnostic and security. It’s a rigorous program that opens many doors for employment in the region.
GKG celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new Shared Services Center in support of the Department of Commerce in Landover, MD. Thousands of HR transactions a month will be completed by federal HR experts at this new facility.
Employees at the GKG headquarters met for a “Lunch and Learn” to discuss Pride Month and the history of the LGBTQ+ community. The event was held in person, with the opportunity for anyone in the company to join via video as well.
Golden Key Group Honors Sergeant Major Gary P. Fortunato
June 21, 2022
Today Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, helped honor the late Sergeant Major (SGM) Gary P. Fortunato. To celebrate his decades of service to the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the Rappel Tower – a rope climbing structure used every summer for Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox– has been named after SGM Fortunato. GKG’s CEO, Gretchen McCracken, was instrumental in recommending SGM Fortunato for this well-deserved tribute.
GKG’s Vice President for DEIA and Learning & Development, Donnielle DeMesme, hosts a conversation about Juneteenth, on this episode of Golden Key Group On Air.
GKG sat down with Jim Iacocca during a recent trip to Fort Knox, KY. Jim is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Knox Regional Development Alliance. He shares how business, like GKG, continue to make an impact in the region.
GKG was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA) Gold Vault Chapter’s Golf Scramble in Fort Knox, KY, for another year. The annual Golf Scramble is a fun event that brings together the Army’s HR community and companies, like GKG, that support their mission.
Golden Key Group Receives Important Contract Vehicle to support the Defense Intelligence Agency
May 17, 2022
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, received a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) prime contract award for the Office of Human Resources Operations and Services at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Golden Key Group Sponsors Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA) Golf Scramble at Fort Knox
May 12, 2022
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, is a Platinum Sponsor for today’s annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser hosted by the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA) Gold Vault Chapter in Ft. Knox, KY.
When GKG was founded in 2002, it began as a Woman-Owned Small Business and remained that way for many years, until growing out of the Small Business Set-Aside threshold. One of GKG’s original founders, Gretchen McCracken, continues to run the company, as CEO and Managing Partner. GKG has many other women in leadership and department head roles as well.
In honor of Women’s History Month, GKG’s Senior HR Business Partner, Terri Mosley, talks about women who have inspired her, what it’s like to work on all-female team, and how work/life balance can be a challenge for women in the workforce.
GKG’s DoD Business Analyst, Alexander Tucci, is preparing to deploy overseas at part of his service with U.S. Army Reserves. Alex works in GKG’s Headquarters office in Reston, VA and got an official send-off from employees this week.
Women’s History Month Profile: Kimberly Grisson-Dixon
March 10, 2022
GKG’s Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies shares her experiences as a woman in the military, as a ROTC instructor, and as a member of the GKG family.
Golden Key Group Featured at Premier Naval Conference
February 17, 2022
Golden Key Group (GKG) is in San Diego for WEST 2022, the premier naval conference and exposition on the West Coast. Co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, the annual WEST event brings military and industry leaders together.
Gretchen McCracken joins Professional Services Council Board of Directors
February 9, 2022
Golden Key Group (GKG) is pleased to announce its founder and CEO, Gretchen McCracken, has joined the Professional Services Council (PSC) Board of Directors.
Black History Month: How Sonya Miranda’s Family Reclaimed Their Past
February 7, 2022
In honor of Black History Month, this episode of GKG on Air dives into a unique and special story of a GKG family member. GKG’s Lynsee Gibbons is joined by Sonya Miranda, GKG’s Senior Training & Organizational Development Consultant.
GKG has many federal HR experts who previously served in the government. Mike Vajda puts his decades of experience leading civilian and military human resources to work for GKG’s customers.
Golden Key Group says Farewell to Longtime Employee
January 4, 2022
GKG says farewell to Joseph “Mitch” Thomas, who served on the Army ROTC contract for over nineteen years. Mitch started working this contract fresh off active duty service in the Army. Fast forward nineteen years and nine months, and he’s known program-wide as the Subject Matter Expert on all aspects of Army ROTC.
Golden Key Group invests in Greater Fort Knox Community
December 20, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm specializing in workforce optimization solutions, has donated $10,000 to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) in Elizabethtown, KY. It is the second investment of that size that GKG has made to ECTC’s Greater Knox Coding Academy.
Beverly Davis, GKG’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, sat down with Lynsee Gibbons to discuss the part of her title that people typically aren’t as familiar with – equity. Beverly examines one of her favorite theories called “Equity Theory” that was developed by J. Stacy Adams in the 1960s.
GKG has received multiple distinctions as a veteran-friendly employer in 2021. Most recently, GKG received the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion award from the U.S. Department of Labor. GKG is also Virginia Values Veterans (V3)-certified as well as Hire Our Heroes certified. We are so proud to have veterans from all branches in the GKG family.
Golden Key Group receives HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award
November 10, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm redefining workforce optimization, is a 2021 recipient of the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. The award recognizes exemplary efforts in recruiting, employing, and retaining America’s veterans.
Diwali – Bringing the Festival of Lights to GKG’s Headquarters
November 9, 2021
There are many factors when it comes to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees. An important endeavor is making sure different cultures and holidays are celebrated and honored appropriately.
Golden Key Group Consultant Receives National Institutes of Health Award
November 4, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm redefining workforce optimization, is proud to announce its Senior HR Consultant, Sandy Walter, has been recognized for her work and contributions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Information Technology (CIT), in support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
With the growth of the company over the past few years, and so many new employees as part of that, GKG brought together staff across departments for a unique team-building exercise. What better way to get to know a colleague you don’t always work with than having to solve a mystery while the clock is ticking?
GKG Employees Walk 300 Miles to Support Military Families
October 6, 2021
GKG has always been steadfast in its support of our military, their spouses and families, and veterans. In fact, GKG originally started as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), before transitioning to a Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs). And now with 20 years of business under our belt, we’ve grown out of all small business set-asides.
GKG’s Senior Instructional Designer, Paul Guansing, sat down with Lynsee Gibbons to provide an inside look at what goes into creating training modules for GKG.
GKG Partner Inducted into Women Divers Hall of Fame™
September 1, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm redefining workforce optimization, announces its cofounder and partner, Valerie Langstaff, has been welcomed into the Women Divers Hall of Fame™ (WDHOF).
Former HHS Chief Human Capital Officer Joins Golden Key Group
August 24, 2021
olden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm redefining workforce optimization, announces Blair Duncan as its new Executive Vice President of Federal Innovation and Transformation.
Golden Key Group Receives Important Navy Contract Vehicle
August 4, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, received the SeaPort-Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) prime contract award. SeaPort-NxG is the Department of the Navy’s “mandatory for consideration” vehicle for the procurement of Professional Support Services.
Golden Key Group Announces New Executive Vice President
July 26, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm providing workforce optimization solutions, received the SeaPort-Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) prime contract award. SeaPort-NxG is the Department of the Navy’s “mandatory for consideration” vehicle for the procurement of Professional Support Services.
July 24, 2021
We are proud that so many GKG employees are veterans from all branches. This video is a snapshot of just some of the brave GKG men and women who served our country. In 2021, GKG became certified by “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) as a recognition of our commitment to recruit, hire, and retain veterans.
Golden Key Group Cuts Ribbon on Shared Services Center in Landover, MD
June 21, 2021
Golden Key Group (GKG), a professional services firm redefining workforce optimization, cut the ribbon on its new Shared Services Center in Landover, MD.
GKG’s summer interns, Jon Teitelbaum and Luke Harris, sat down with Lynsee Gibbons to reflect on their first experiences working in the government contracting space.
Jeffrey M. Sloan is a contractor with Golden Key Group and a Senior Military Science Instructor for Army ROTC at the University of Central Missouri. Jeff served over 25 years in the military. Jeff shares what it’s like to be a military instructor for Army ROTC, what inspired him to join the military, and what makes veterans such an asset to organizations.
Veteran Profile: GKG Army ROTC Instructor, Al Sharpe
May 10, 2021
Al Sharpe, DBA, is a contractor with Golden Key Group and a Senior Military Science Instructor at California State University, San Bernardino. Al has served over 25 years in the U.S. Army and is currently in the Army Reserves with another deployment shortly ahead of him.
Gina Grosso is the VP of Air Force Programs at Golden Key Group. She has a storied career in the military, serving for 32 years and retiring as a Lieutenant General. Gina shares lessons learned throughout her career, who inspires her the most, and how a family of strong women has made her who she is today.
Sonya Miranda is a Senior Training & Organizational Development Consultant at Golden Key Group. As a testament to the superb job Sonya does for GKG’s government customer, Sonya was a recipient of the 2020 NIAID Merit Award – an incredibly well-deserved recognition.
Our people are at the center of our success. GKG employees bring the functional expertise imperative for program excellence, while living out the GKG values, every day. Join a team that embraces all the qualities of a family, plus provides professional development and career growth.