Hey, GovCon Giants family, your host here, Eric Coffey. In today's episode of Making the Giant, we are interviewing LaSeth Vales. LaSeth's company actually does construction. She started out in the military doing HVAC, which gave her some background and fundamentals of knowing the industry and then moved off to starting her own business where she originally began by flipping homes. Today her company is doing both state and federal contracts in the government arena and we're gonna hear all of that and more in today's episode of Making the Giant with two of my favorite students, Maria Martinez and LaSeth Vales. Stay tuned. If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe. Give us a thumbs up, like it, comment, tell us how you love this episode and how you wanna hear much more like them. So thank you guys today for watching. Enjoy this episode of Making a Giant. So we're here today with LaSeth. She's our next Making a Giant podcast guest and we're super excited because we actually met LaSeth about two years ago here in Broward, but she's not actually from the Florida area. So her story and how much she's grown in these last two years is amazing. So LaSeth is part of LJV Development. She's the owner and it's out of the Boston area and she's also a veteran, both Army and Air Force. So I just wanted to welcome you today and thank you for being part of this. Thank you, thank you, Maria. Can you believe this? It's crazy. Because I remember it was May 4th because it was the day right before my birthday and it was raining and you had a boot on. I'm good with dates. That's funny. Yeah, I just got ankle surgery so it was fun, but hey, the universe put us together. Yes, because you are actually here on vacation and you're at like a conference out of all places in the cold rain. Yeah, no, and that was vacation for me, believe it or not. I was happy to be there. Okay, all right. It sounds like one of Eric's vacations, like go and do me ingredients and he calls it vacation, but all it is it's work in between. Yeah, that's pretty well done. I just wanted to go back and let us know like a little bit about who you are and what your company is and what you guys are doing. Yes, so LaSeth Files, founder and CEO of LJD Development. Right now we are a general contractor and we basically service the whole New England area. We're doing Pennsylvania, New Jersey and upstate New York and growing. I have about six employees now and we pretty much specialize in the project management and the contract management and really understanding like the contracting process. I'm primarily focused on federal contracting and right now we're doing about 90 federal, 10% private. So if I can get it to a hundred, that'd be ideal. Okay, that's awesome. And I always want to give people a sense of how you started. And a lot of people started with an idea of what they wanted to do at the beginning. Did you ever think you would be in the position you are today? Growing? No, the shortest is no. Okay, and being the teacher in me always likes to know what did you want to be when you grew up? With little LaSeth running around, where did you grow up first of all? Did you grow up? At what age? So I came to this country when I was seven years old from Columbia and so I ended up moving to Lowell, Massachusetts from Massachusetts, knows where that is. And I don't know, growing up, so growing up I just really wanted to be in the military, to be honest with you, that's the one thing I really wanted to do, I was super patriotic. Did any of your family were in the military? No, no, I mean in the first generation here. So it was just, I don't know, my mother was in the, my mother was in the police force actually in Columbia. So I think that was part of it. And she always, she was just always for it. Like that was the one thing that she was like, join the military, join the military. And so I don't know, I just, I did ROTC and for the longest time I just thought I was gonna join the military. I was National Guard and just retire.  Oh, so you went straight from high school to the military? Yeah, well I was ROTC high school and then I took about two years off and then I went right into the military. So you went into Woodbridge? So then I went into the Army, Army National Guard as a 80 mic truck driver. A truck driver. Oh, wow. I know, I know. I just guess it gets better and better. Okay, so you were a truck driver in the Army? Yeah, yeah. So yeah, you know, so at the time to be completely honest with you at the time, you know, I suddenly had a green card at the time and you know, the Army was basically like, hey, you could do two jobs. You could be personnel, you know, you could do, you could be a truck driver, I think actually, or cook, so three options. And so my options were limited at the time. And so actually a friend of mine, he's like, hey, when you're driving, you're free. You could do whatever you want.  And it just kind of related to my, like who I am. And so I was like, you know what? The one thing I didn't know is that I wanted to join the military. So I was like, I'm willing to take any job and I joined. And that was it. Oh wow. So you were there about two years. Yep. So I joined 2011 and about early 2012, I was like, you know what? Because I did Air Force RTC. So I actually always wanted, I knew I wanted to be in the Air Force. But you know, the circumstances, I ended up in the Army first. And I talked to a recruiter. He's like, hey, you know what? You could do a conditional release, come to the Air Force. And we have, you know, these jobs available. And that's how I got into construction actually. I joined the HVAC shop. And part of the HVAC shop is our civil engineering squadron. So we had electricians, plumbers. So I got exposed to a lot of different trades. And I liked it. And it kind of just went from there. And that was in the Air Force when you started getting those to the construction field. And then where were you stationed? And so because I was prior to service, I didn't have to do basic training anymore. So I went straight to Shepard Air Force Base to do HVAC school. So it's about five months-ish. And so it was fun. You know, I stayed in a hotel, like typical Air Force people. I've never heard that before. It was an upgrade. It was like a cool upgrade. No barracks. No barracks. No cots. No like weirds. No MREs. It was amazing. So I was living it at the time. I was having a blast. And I was just learning something new. And so- So you did HVAC in the Air Force. Yeah. And how long were you doing that? For six years. Yeah. Oh, wow. Six years, right up to like, I left. I left. But you know, so you're, yeah, you're HVAC, but when you're in C, you could be doing anything. You know, they teach you a lot of these other traits or you get at least exposed to it. So it's not like, hey, you're just doing this. Like you might be, I don't know, putting a door up or painting just because you're here. Just because you're part of the unit. Exactly. And then when did you leave? I left December of 2018. Oh, recently. Yes, yes. Oh, wow. But when you left, did you have an idea of what you wanted to do after you got out? Well, I started my idea actually with LJV. So LJV was founded in April of 2018. And so I was still in the National Guard when it was kind of happening. And we got exposed to a lot of like the SBA, small Boots to Business kind of classes.  So I was like, you know what? I like this entrepreneur stuff. I want to learn more about it. And I just started learning about like the business plans and like the first things that it takes to start a business and just kind of the nippets. And I opened up the LLC at the time. I was also like, you know, flipping a house. And then, you know, because I had all this experience, Lord and behold, I can get my GC license. And, you know, that's kind of where the kind of the floodgates open. And now your possibilities become bigger. And so that's kind of how it happened that I started getting more into construction and more into, I was like, when I did the flip, I was like, okay, I can put people together. I'm like, this makes sense.  And so I love people. I love human resources. Okay. So I do like the idea of, you know, as a GC and you know this being in construction, you're putting the right team together. You're putting the right people. And, you know, this person might be right for this job, but maybe they're right for now, you know, who knows. So, but we like to look at every company that we, you know, pre-qualify. We're basically like, okay, let me see you holistically and see if maybe you don't fit in a federal project, but you can come and help us out in this private stuff. Oh yeah. And that's how the idea of being a GC was sold to me too. It was just like, oh, you just take people and put it together and they put it together. And I was like, that can't be that hard. I had that idea. I'm like, how hard can it be until I went to GC school because I went to the class just to learn how to take the test. And I'm like, and I remember I called Eric and I was like, what am I doing here?  I remember raising, I asked the guys, I'm like, what is that? I'm like, I don't get this. They're like performing and this and that. I'm like, I don't get it. I'm like, what's that? So things like that. And then I'll ask you this question because I remember going into some of the federal facilities or some places and people were like, you're a GC. And I'm like, yes. And do you get that question a lot being a woman in construction? I would say that at the job sites, not really. I do get it more in events sometimes. I'll get like, sometimes they'll be like, hey, does your brother own the company? Because I have two brothers that work for me. And so they'll say something along those lines. But yeah, it's still different. You're definitely like, I had a job site the other day. And it was as simple as the fact that there was like 20, like literally like 20 people there. And I was the only female. And so you're like, OK, you know, but I was I was excited because I was like, you know, well, we're breaking barriers and we're, I guess, making moves and changing the status. And they'll remember you now. Oh, yeah, it definitely is. So yeah, it actually works to your favorite in terms of being remembered. People will remember you. Yeah.  And did you know then you wanted to go into the federal space or did you just think you were just going to flip houses? Oh, no, I knew I wanted to go. So I knew about the federal space. I want to say I'm like one of those like mouse, like data mouses, I call myself sometimes because, you know, I'm trying to I want to know all of the information. When I when I get myself into something, I need to know everything there is to know. And so by June, I was already getting to know the whole SBA process. And because I was already going through the state stuff, like the state certifications too. So I already knew like that was part of it. I mean, to be honest with you, that's part of the reason why I even got into construction heavy because I don't think there would have ever been a chance for me in the public sector had it not been for these programs. So it was like, okay, there's an actual chance for someone that, you know, it's not usually the person getting the contracts to get the contracts. So, you know, I went after it. And then at that time, after you got out, you started doing just the flips and residential projects? No, no.  So I, you know, I kind of was going with what I had and I was just trying, I was trying to figure out as much as I could before I started getting people into this because for some reason I was like, if it fails, at least I failed and I didn't bring anybody into this.  And so it just kind of, so you got to pivot. You got to try to do different things. And so at the time I was actually, I was working for, cause I was National Guard Air Force. So my full-time employment for probably like five years was in liquor sales, which, you know, comes in very handy when it comes to federal contracting, but it was in liquor sales. So I was working for a distributor and basically I was just managing the Bacardi portfolio. I was working for Corporate America. And that's why when I was developing LJV, I mean, I was already, I was doing so many different kind of corporate meetings that, you know, I already knew like, okay, you got to have a really good mission. You got to have a really good vision. You got to have all these like different foundations.  Like I want to open up this place that, you know, because I was just, it just came to be that, you know, I needed to have a bigger purpose than what I was doing at the time. And this kind of like made it happen. So. So you were doing both at the same time. Oh yeah. For I actually quit. So funny because it's so in liquor sales is very similar to in a weird way because it's all about relationships, right?  And it's about creating that relationship with your customer and, you know, and do it in following through. I mean, a lot of sometimes, you know, I will have my manager like, okay, what's the best practices?  Or, you know, I don't know, just don't, don't promise people something you can't deliver. Like just start there and you're winning.   And I was like, you know what? I need to, I need to better myself. And I quit in January of 2020. Like last year, like a year ago. Yes, yes.  I mean, we saw each other at National Park Service. Right? Yeah. That time I had just like, I had just gone like fully, full, full, full, full-time. Like just LJV, like it's going to make it or it's going to make it. That's your option. Yeah, yeah, like it was, I mean, I had already invested all this because I literally with LJV is not just a company. It's like, it's trying to build a culture. It's trying to build a vision. It's trying to like, I don't know, we're really trying to just do things above and beyond. And I don't know, just do it good. Do a really great job at what you're doing is what we're trying to do. So yeah, I knew I had to just, I had to put all my thoughts into it. And as much as you want to do, and you know, I feel you with, and you're doing school and doing this, there gets to a point, and you're going to know a point, like you're going to feel it because your workload is just too much and you just can't bear things anymore. Or you're going to have to just do it, just jump.  And it makes sense now. It totally makes sense. Yeah, like it's a lot of work to do this. Yes. And it's crazy because I quit and then you can just totally see like the difference. And actually things progressing and then moving. But then COVID hit. So it was also like, this is great, this is fun, you know. Like everything's new with COVID. So it's like you're learning, but everybody else is learning as well. So it's not a bad thing, right? Yeah, yeah, no. We're not in the same playing field when COVID hit. Yeah, no, there was a lot of silver linings. I mean, I can like, yeah. So from 2018, when you started everything, how long, and then you started learning, you took in everything that you could because you wanted to know every single detail of how everything works. Where did you get all the information from? What were your experiences that you had? Well, hello, girl, I'm a giant person for most. Yeah, I mean, look, Eric, I'll tell you how I started listening to you guys because it was actually kind of funny. I was, as you said earlier, I was in a boot. I was like in half a boot by the time I saw you guys, but I had just got ankle surgery and I had it in February and then I was just recovering when I ended up going to Miami. And that was like, but between those few months, I was still working for Bacardi, but because I was working from home, I was able to watch a lot more YouTube videos and do a lot of more, just research.  And then it tells you, okay, you can upgrade and do the premium course. And I was like, no, I'm not getting it because actually I had just got scammed by another federal supposedly peak person. And it was about $3,000 and ever since then, I was like, I'm never gonna pick up the phone for anyone. I'm like, if it's not free, I don't wanna see it. And so after that experience, I was just kind of like, well, I learned what I learned, that's it. I'm just gonna go figure everything else out on my own. And so funny enough, the day I met you guys, I'm like, I'm with the, so let me back up real quick. I was on my way to Miami and I wanted to invent Bright and I'm like, okay, well, is there any convention? Is there anything I can do that's productive that I don't feel like I'm completely like, you know, not being productive? And I found this event and so I signed up for it randomly. I guess it actually sold out, apparently, right? Yeah, so I met the convention and all of a sudden I see Eric and I'm like, that kind of looks familiar. I'm like, I don't know where I'm from. And then as I had my brother look at his videos as well, I took a picture of him and I'm like, bro, is this the right one? And then I ended up coming up to him and I even asked him for a selfie. Like, hey, I'm like, this is so good. I just, it was so crazy like that, you know, I was randomly watching his videos and then I randomly ended up going like about 15 minutes north of Miami from where I was actually at. And then I run into you guys. So I don't know, I'm a spiritual person. So I believe in that things are meant to be because they're meant to be. I think we can all say it's true. Oh yeah, like everything, and I'm a big believer on that. Like everything is set to be how it's supposed to be. Like the stars align in certain ways to make things happen. Yeah, exactly. So what happened after May when you met him? Oh, so, and so then he called, he actually, so he called me because he was doing consulting for some people up here. So he was already doing work here. In between that time, we ended up actually ended up meeting the company and, you know, we're talking about possibly you've been to protege, but this is, I mean, if I think back at that time, and you know, you guys talk about being like contract ready and all that stuff. It's like, I wasn't contract ready. I didn't, there was no way I didn't have my constant system set up and payroll running. Like I would have literally, I would have got a contract and I probably would have, probably would have failed at it because I didn't have it. I didn't know what I was doing. Like, you don't know what you don't know. And people don't- And that's what I was gonna ask you at the time where you met him and you started doing all these joint venture talks and stuff. Like, did you have any like bigger contracts under you? No, no, not necessarily.  But no federal. Yeah, but nothing federal. And so then I ended up going to Miami one time and it's funny because then I would ask him like random questions, how everybody does. And though, you know, he's always like, did you look at the video? And so at this point, I still haven't paid for the premium version. So after that day, when he came and met, so he ended up meeting me. And after that day, I was like, you know what? Because I was asking him questions that were in the videos. And after that day, I was like, oh my God, this is so silly. Like I didn't remember just going home and just paying for it. I mean, this is, this is silly, you know? So yeah, it was, that's pretty much how it ended up going ahead. But, you know, outside of Gulfcon giant, I would say that, you know, the SBA has so many resources. Luckily by the time that I started taking a 7J, they had opened it up for SCV OSBs and like economically disadvantaged. Which it wasn't a thing before. No, it was strictly just A&A before. Yeah, so I started taking, I was just, again, I was finding as much information as I could and just not like, just, yeah, like talking to everybody and not understanding like everybody's perspective because I'm like one of those people, I just gotta get all the information and then okay, then I can put the puzzle together and execute. And that's good because a lot of people just think that it's just gonna happen. That I'm gonna sign up, I'm just gonna open up a business and things just happen. A lot of people don't understand and that's why we're doing these shows is because people just see you and see that you want a contract. They don't know everything in between. And I think that's the most important part is that you did go to all these trainings. You did attend webinars. You came out of your way to go to a conference and things like that. And you went and saw the videos. You had to pick somebody else's brain. You wanted everybody's perspective. Like you had to take the time to learn this. It's not just like you open up a business and poof, it just grows. No, and be willing to like constantly learn, right?  Yeah, but I mean, yeah, well we have six employees and we're trying to operate a multi-million dollar GC company. I know I'm, I know I don't have the resources in place but I'm constantly trying to find more information and make what I can with what I have.  Your dad just gave you his company that's a million dollars. Yeah, yeah, like, you know, stuff like that.  Yes. So you have to just make with what you have. And I never, I think like, I think COVID kind of made that happen a lot more. And just, I mean, I've always had an open mind, but this kind of like amplified that even more. Cause I'm like, I just need to, yeah, consistently not know what's going to happen and just go with what's, you know, what's in front of me. And maybe there's another way. What did your parents think when you were, just after the military, you open up a company and you want, you're saying you're going to do construction? Actually, it was very, no, nobody, nobody really said anything. Nobody was surprised. I grew up with four boys and I've been like, the one to like join the military, do weird stuff. I just always, I think, been like this. I, you know, I think Eric always asks people like, did you, did you sell newspaper? I sold newspapers. You know, I was, yeah, like I was that person.  My mother has a retail store in Columbia. Like I never even, you know, started off work with men, right? Like, yeah, but you're just constantly exposed by it. And when you're a business owner, you are going to find that, yes, you have to, in order for me to be successful, you have to pivot, you have to learn just how to be fluid with everything that you do, because you can't be like, I'm going to open and this is going to happen here. I'm going to do this and it's going to happen here. Like it just, it doesn't work like that, you know? And then, and then it doesn't happen.  And so, I don't know. I guess I'm kind of like, you know, God, can I give me anything I can't handle and I'm just going to go with the flow and whatever I can do, we can do. And if we can do it, let's just have a, just a transparent conversation when we just can't do it. So now that you've got the resources, not that you were able to get all the information that you think you needed to keep going on this track, how did you go and pursue your first federal contract? My first federal, I mean, I was doing everything. I was doing the source saw, I was doing, you know, making my capability statement better, especially when you're going through all these classes, you're kind of like going back to your business and be like, okay, I need to do this and that. So I was tweaking, tweaking, tweaking. And no, I kind of ran into a, not a simple product position, but it was the one that's the lower threshold. That's like- Micro-purchase? Yeah, it was like other 25K. And it was a fencing job. And I went into LinkedIn and I was like, am I, this is my, this is my secret sauce. A lot of people do this, so it's not just mine. But I went into LinkedIn and I was like, okay, well I need a fencing guy. Let me find out what fencing companies are all here. And if there's anyone active. And I ended up finding, I think he was a distributor of manufacturer of fences. And he's like, well, we can't install it, but I can definitely give you our top installers and Lauren we hold. At the time I had like this great software too that you could just like send everything out and it would compare all of their kind of estimates. And I got their estimates back and I was able to put a poll together. And we won like May 7th, like I get an email. And I remember like, it was so funny. Cause I know, wait, go ahead, ask me. No, I was gonna say May 7th, it's just crazy. Cause like I told you the conference was May 4th. Yeah. So a year almost to the day. Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You can't make this up. Your stars are aligning. You can't make it up. Yeah. And you know, and I just, I remember like looking at the, and it was 20, so it was 25K, like two some change. I just started crying. I ended up calling like my, you know, we, so we outsource our HR and a bookkeeping to one company and we outsource like our marketing. So we have also, we use, we use employees and we outsource them. Okay. So we can keep like the cash flow, the cash flow. Oh, okay. You know, and I remember I just got, I think we were using like WebEx at the time and I was like, I called everybody. I still have recording actually. And I just remember like feeling so relieved because it was like, oh my God, I got a contract. Like in, I don't know, just becoming being a veteran and like knowing and seeing all those military forms and just seeing like my name and then, you know, the United States of America. It was like, I'm here. Like I'm where I need to be. Like this is, this is it. Oh yes. It like, it just made everything really make sense right there and then. And I'm thankful for it because it really gave us, I mean, it was two months into COVID, you know, all the yoga and meditation in the world, you're still feeling anxious about the future of your company. I had people that I needed to employ. I didn't even know how I was going to do it. So it was just, it did give me that extra, okay, a little bit of energy I needed to get through the summer and till now. Yeah. And a lot of people said, a lot of people's businesses failed, a lot of people's businesses didn't do great. And a lot of people say it's because of COVID, but you got your first contract in the crazy parts of COVID. So like, this is when- With the core engineers. Oh, I was going to ask, who was it with? And it's- Yeah, with the core engineers. So the cores of engineers see what don't realize. It's one of the hardest people to get a contract with. And then on top of that, it's just the paperwork that goes with it.  So what was that process? Cause I know we could get very excited very quickly. And I know that sense of relief of like, oh my God, I did it. Like, I did it, but then reality hits and it's time to go. Like you said, you called and now you have to employ all these people and things like that. So what now? What happened May 8th? May 8th, I know, you know what? Hey, this is the new thing here. When you do your homework and when you're ready, then you're ready. Then things don't, they're not a fire drill. And one of the things that, I've seen it in so many companies, I'm not gonna say which ones, but you gotta be proactive in life. You have to stay ready. And so I had my CPA, my safety officer, my back office, like they were already ready. And it was almost like, here's the contract that's coming from the Corps of Engineers. And then it's going over to my CPA, my insurance, my back office, well, the safety support. And then my PM is managing that. And then it was, I mean, it was like- You were already? Oh, I was, you had it off that already. It's costly, but it was definitely the, it was worth like the, you know, just, I, yeah, like I just knew like, okay, who to call. Just the fact that I knew who to call, I think it was just like huge. And it relieves some like anxiety, I'm sure. Like you had all the players already set to go. It's not like, okay, who do I call first? What am I supposed to do now? Exactly, who's gonna do it? Yeah, and like I said, the submittal process with the Corps of Engineers, it's not, it really is no joke. Like we were, it was a fencing job. We were replacing a chain link fence, four foot. I mean, it was, I don't know, 423 leaning your feet. Like, it was not a big, it was not, this is not big. This is very simple. Well, you have to do an activity hazard analysis that has every little step. And, you know, if you're using some man, you need to have safety data sheets for that. If you're using, you know, so this is like onion, and then you gotta start peeling it and figuring out, okay, well, what is it that I need for this? And so it just, it becomes a lot more, but because our safety director was a ISO 9000 auditor, who is, he still is our safety director, I'm very proud of it. He, you know, it was, it was pretty, it's fairly simple. It was like, okay, we were, our safety plans were already kind of set up for that. So it's just, you know, you gotta find like the happy space, especially as a small business.   It's not like you just get the contract and you go and start digging holes and ripping stuff out. Which is actually a good thing.  So, yeah. When did you guys finish the fence? We ended up finishing it like late summer. Like, I think it was, it was within our timeframe. Okay, so did you have any like things go wrong in between? Oh, so there was one thing that was wrong. We were, when, when they showed us the fence, we were supposed to leave a little gap and we did it. So we had to go back. It was something small. It didn't cause us any extra thing, God. But it did give us, you know, one thing that we do in all of our projects, even if we don't win them, we always do like after action reports, like the military. But the whole point is like, hey, like it's not pointing fingers. It's almost like, hey, let's go back and see, you know, what went wrong, what we could do better. And, you know, this is something that we're, we're getting better at and we, we're trying to do it as much as we can. But again, it's like so many hours, so many days, so many people. So that was your first one and that was May of last year. Yes. What happened after that? Cause now I'm sure you have the confidence.   Oh, my confidence level was up. And then, and then what made it even higher is that I won another contract. This one was with the Army, Fencing Jog 2, and it was 165. So I was like, okay, we're getting over 150 is a good time. And then this is like, the thing too is that it was August. So I'm thinking like, oh, the flood, September is around the corner, the floodgates are gonna open. Well, let me tell you, and it didn't happen like that. We ended up bidding on so many projects and losing so many, you know, and a lot of it is the simplified acquisition plans. Like they, and it's almost like the rat race to the bottom and people are coming in really, really low. And, you know, if you have more resources, your prices come down. Oh, the LPTA ones. Yes, the LPTA is just brutally like, I feel like we got bulldozed over. And you know, like we ended up actually hiring a consultant company and making sure that all of our rates were right and our indirect rates were right. And yes, there was some, there was a degree of like our rates maybe not being right, but then there was also all these other factors. So it was a great learning experience. You know, I think that September of 2020 was probably one of those times where the projects that were given out were pretty like they had to be, like they had to happen. And then I think that the contract officer needed to have like a really high level of relationship with this firm, you know, for them to start, you know, sole source and stuff. And we just weren't there. You know, we just, we had one, yeah, yeah, these two small projects, but we weren't, we're not at the point where they know us by name or, you know, stuff like that. So, you know, looking back at the whole thing, you know, I kind of understand why it happened and we basically, okay, let's see what's, let's diagnose the situation and then go from there and see how we can do it better. So. So as of today, do you only have that, those two fence ones? No, so well, soon we are, we're in the process of negotiating this one. It's a small project, but it's actually worth it. Wait, what's small for you? No, it's like, it's like 5K right now. So it's, I mean, but I mean, so excited about it because it's with the VA. So it'll be like, and as being a CVSBs, it's just like the starting foundation with a relationship with a, with a, you know, somebody from the VA and the VA is one of those agencies that we really wanted to work for. So, and then we picked up, you know, some private stuff and then we're doing a state job in Connecticut. So we have some little things going on, but we do have like a lot of just movement in terms of now people want us to do like subcontracting agreements, just a lot of just movement. Like right now we're busy, busy, busy, busy. So it's exciting, it's exciting because it's January 26th, right? I think January 23rd is when I quit my job and to, you know, we're in a complete different place and we're so much more prepared than we were last year. So, if you think about it, that's true. Your business has only been up and running, what, two years? Two years? Yeah, two years. And then you quit your job and made it full time barely a year ago. So for that time period, you've moved, you've grown because a lot of people have had their business for three years and it's just steady. But I think a lot of it goes into, I think that you did the research, you did everything you needed to have in place to make it work.  You've got to put them into play. And so yeah, I mean, I pretty much said, you know what, this is it, this is, is either we're going to do it or not but we're all in, we're all in and we have a great team. I'm so thankful for my team because they're just go-getters and they're willing to put on different hats. You know, if you have my, I have a three-part liaison, she puts on the marketing hat and then, you know, my controller, she puts on the HR hat and you know, it's that willingness and that culture of, you know, that environment that I'm trying to just continue to grow. Where did you find them? Oh, I found them, I kind of found them just by kind of luck. Let's just keep it at that. It was referrals and people. And again, I like to think of myself like I'm a good sixth sense of person and I'm very clear, like I'm kind of like, I'm one of those people, I don't like to micromanage people.    It's just, there's so much you can, you can mirror, right? And you see it with, with Gulfcon, right?  Yeah. And that's what I said for you. Two years, not even two years, let's say one year, you've got up and hit the floor running. Like not many people out there could say within a few months they got their first contract and that fencing job led you to what triple? No, five times what the first one was basically. So that's just the beginning of it all. And it's with two major agencies. If you think about it, you're not doing jobs or if you name an agency, a lot of people don't even recognize it. Like you did it for two big agencies and now you did the relationship part for the VA to start a small project, but we all know a small project could lead into how many more, not so small projects. Exactly, exactly. And I think at the end of the day, the agencies are looking for people they can trust and that are willing to, that are gonna do what they say they're gonna do. And what I really like about it too, is that for me, it's like almost like I'm going back to the military without actually having to join it. So I don't know, this is my playground. I'm very excited. We have, I have one employee that was deployed with me in my same unit. And so we're hiring veterans or hiring just good people that maybe you don't know this by heart, but you're willing to learn. Yes, and that's why I asked, where did you find these people? Because my name people to work with you and for personalities to match and for everyone to have that same vision and goal in mind, it's very hard right, especially right now. It's very hard just in general, just cause we all had jobs and we're like, oh, like really?  And that's very important. So what's, you said 2021 is the year, other than the VA, what's in the goals? Cause if you're very organized, I'm sure you have very specific goals in mind. No, 2021 is, okay, it started off great. I'll show you this huge, I'll show you my new knowledge book. It's probably, and I have a virtual background, but it's pretty big.  I mean, okay. It's almost eight or five inch binders. That's a what? A knowledge book? No, so funny enough, you see, the universe has a way of doing things and there's this program, it's called Veterans Institute of Procurement. And it got canceled because of COVID. So in mind, last year, I didn't even know this existed. So the fact that it got canceled and I ended up finding out about it, well, I applied, I got approved. And it's a great program. They basically go through a lot more of like the deep business and deep contract thing. So it's so cool and plus the network, it's like you'll be part of an alumni. So anyone who's a veteran, I highly recommend you look into VIP. It's a great, great network. So for 2021, I am continuously renewing myself. And we're looking at possibly some mentor-frotage agreements happening. So that will definitely, it's a pretty big deal. So that's kind of the one that's up there. And we have a lot of sources of notices that are out there. So a lot of more people know we're here. And we're also looking to pick up part of a $750 million to $1 billion job. So, and I don't have to bond it, that's not me. Yeah. Yeah, so it will be a self-contracting. Any small part of that big prize money is great. Like just give me a sliver of like a billion dollars. How many, how can you cut a billion dollars and not be a bigger project? And the fact that, you know, they're not, you can have a prime and that's gonna kind of show you the ropes. Cause I mean, I've been a prime in these last projects, but it definitely, it goes both ways. Like you gotta be like nimble in your relationships like some people are like, I just wanna be prime. So I'm gonna be sub like, no, you might be a prime. You might be a sub. Recently, I'm helping out one of my subs when a project as a prime and I'm helping her with a proposal. We're not a proposal services, but you know what? That's something that we have to do for us. So, and we know how to do it. So let's help them out and pivot and just make a little bit of money while you're at it. Because, you know, one thing that and a lot of owners are gonna tell you is if you didn't have your paperwork together in 2020 or 2019, you didn't get anything. And I mean, I had my paperwork together but I didn't have any payroll. But it's like, I couldn't have any payroll cause I didn't really have any lot of money to suffice my payroll. And so, you know, I found myself in this weird pocket but having your paperwork, even though I haven't got a lot but I've managed to at least get a little bit of help but I had not had any paperwork or any of my financial statements on my bank reconciliation. I wouldn't have got anything. So everything's just the full circle. And if one part of your foundation is crippled, it's just gonna come down. Yeah, and we hear it a lot. It's not just you're gonna go out into the work. It's like a lot that goes into it. A lot. And like you said, the paperwork is major. Major part of foundation is that paperwork.   You're something that I wanted to work for you. I mean, I know a GC here in Boston, I'm not gonna say her name, but nobody wants to work for them. Why not? Because they don't pay or they do things that are just, that all happens. Like that's all very, it's stuff that happens within our industry. So you gotta learn how to navigate through that. And also like one thing that I've learned in this last like, I'll say like few weeks, especially like in January, it's just like you gotta advocate for yourself. And you gotta know the, you know, know the rules and understand that your contracting officer might think one way and the SBA might think a different way. And you need to be the minimum of those two viewpoints and they all think they're equally right. And yeah, it's kinda like you're not, and then you're the business owner. So you gotta navigate. But at the end of the day, if you're the responsible party and you're signing that contract, you're the one that's responsible for. So I don't know. I would say that if I had to give any advice to any, you know, business owners or people that wanna have their own business, look at your life, look at, you know, your situation and see if it makes sense.  It's, you don't know when you're gonna get that contract. And so are you willing to go through those?  If you're not, then you might wanna think about maybe being a executive for one of those businesses or, you know, doing some consulting, stuff like that. But definitely, I guess, have an open mind and see what you have and what you want and then go from there. There you go. Well, that was my last question, was what you guys did at all. Thank you very much for everything. I think you inspire a lot of people just because they see you. And that's another reason we're doing this. It's like people could relate. Like how many women in constructions are out there? How many veterans are trying to do this? How many people want to give back and are doing it for a different ways, different. So a lot of people need to see everything that goes into it and learn from people that are starting out. And a lot of people are starting out, but a lot of people are not nowhere near where you are. And that's why when we were starting the conversation, I'm like, you still consider yourself small? And I get it, but for me, it's like how much you've grown and so quickly it's a lot of people could look up to you and like, now it's time for them to pick your brain. I'm always, I'm always open to it. You know, the more the merrier, we definitely, especially the small business community, we just need to work together more.  You have to think as your competitors that it's maybe con-friendlies or whatever you wanna call them because it might take a few different parts for you to put that puzzle together. But if you're like, I don't wanna know, I don't wanna, if you're not willing to learn, then you're not there. Alrighty, thank you very, very much. I feel like with everything, let us know the next win. Yes. Because it's coming soon. We can just feel it. And thank you so much. Thank you. Bye.


In this study, researchers found that adults with chronic cough had a higher rate of depressive symptoms than those without chronic cough. Additionally, they discovered that people with chronic cough also had an increased risk of developing depression over time. These findings suggest that chronic cough may be linked to an increased risk of depression, which emphasizes the importance of screening for depression in patients with chronic cough. This article was authored by John Mary T. Irins, Amy Hoffman, Emily W. DeRuse, and others.


So what does it mean to have an open mind? It's an idea that's greatly celebrated encouraged and it seems like in the most part it's a very good thing to be open to new ideas to be open to re-evaluating our positions The opposite being the closed mind where we have a fixed set of beliefs and Everything that is new will be evaluated against those beliefs and if it doesn't work if it doesn't fit Then we reject what's new because with a closed mind our mind is set at whatever it is but for all the great advantages of the open mind it's it's an idea that Can be taken a bit too easily there's an old quote which I Tried to track down. I can't find who said it. It has been attributed to the Canadian author Northrop Fry, but I can't verify that and That is that you should have an open mind but it should be open at both ends and Another old expression which has been repeated in Many forms is don't have a mind so open that your brains fall out so for all the advantages of the open mind It also comes with the It comes with a price with a it comes with a vulnerability that we need to protect our minds against Influences coming in now as soon as I say that I immediately think of somebody sheltering Themselves from the world and trying to avoid anything that they disagree with and That's the extreme of it but We are open to so much input. There is so much messaging and Sales and ideas being promoted to us All around us That if we were to have a completely open mind it would soon fill up with noise we need to be the gatekeepers of our mind and Keep maintain some kind of a space where we can be free of Ideas and I think I in a sense a quiet space in our mind We need to tend a quiet space in our mind So the closed-minded mistake would be to reject any new idea But the mistake of the extreme open-minded would be to let any idea to into fill our minds We need to Have some kind of protection to be able to maintain some kind of inner space in our minds where we can be undisturbed Because there is just so much noise surrounding us and So many Influences that are trying to get in we are we are targets of attempted persuasion throughout the day by all the Advertising that we see by people in our lives By ideas all around us and We are we are being courted and targeted and Really attacked with thoughts and ideas at all times So While it's a mistake to run from this and shut it all off as if we can Just imagine these things don't exist It would also be a mistake to Let just anything in So Let's be the gatekeepers and the guardians of our mind looking out Into the world of ideas, maybe welcoming them welcoming ideas in For for a trial perhaps and giving ideas a chance but when it comes to what ideas and thoughts we allow into our inner garden our inner minds for that let's keep Let's keep some space in our minds For only the best


Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to the United States Institute of Peace. My name is Nancy Lindbergh. I'm the president here and it is my distinct honor today to welcome back to USIP His Excellency Dr. Haider al-Abadi the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq welcome back I'd also like to give a very warm welcome to the distinguished members of the Iraqi delegation who have joined you here today Welcome delegation, and I'd also like to welcome our colleagues from the US government We have with us acting assistant secretary of state Stuart Jones the US ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman. It's a pleasure to have you both gentlemen As many of you know the US Institute of Peace was founded a little more than 30 years ago by Congress as a Bipartisan National Institute Dedicated to the proposition that peace is practical. It's very possible, and it is essential for our National and international security And so we work with teams in conflict affected areas around the world Supporting local partners with the tools the information the approaches that they need to be able to prevent manage and resolve violent conflict And Iraq has been a priority country for USIP since 2003 We're very proud to have been continuously present since that time on the ground Working with our Iraqi partners including the National Reconciliation Committee of the Council of Ministers Synod for peacebuilding the Alliance of Iraqi Minorities the Network of Iraqi facilitators and more and Our focus is to provide the training and support that our partners need to conduct dialogue and Diffuse the communal tensions particularly in the aftermath of the terrible Daesh Occupation so that displaced families can return home safely and to short circuit the potential Cycles of revenge violence among tribal leaders and this is an issue that the Prime Minister spoke about with great concern the last time He was here and we agree that it is essential to Diffuse those tensions for a more stable peaceful future and in the past two years. We have concentrated our local Reconciliation efforts in Tikrit and Yathrib in Salahadine Ramadi and Anbar Hawija and Kirkuk and Tlaffar and Bartala in Niniwa We've seen that these efforts can pay off and make a real difference The efforts of very courageous Iraqi facilitators working with tribal shakes and many others Successfully address the sectarian accusations of complicity with Daesh in Tikrit and the result is they converted that Liberation of Tikrit into a more enduring piece in that area these efforts can be Replicated and we're pleased to be working with the government of Iraq the US government United Nations and our Iraqi civil society Partners in this effort to connect local reconciliation With national efforts and most importantly, it's the many Iraqi leaders at every level who are at the forefront of this important work of Reconciliation Prime Minister Abadi. We are pleased to see the important progress The the progress that Iraq has made since we last met in Baghdad in September 2015 and Under your leadership and with support from the US-led coalition The full liberation of Mosul is within sight the Iraqi army has Gained a great deal of strength. I think as well as additional respect from the citizens of Iraq and very importantly Relationship between Baghdad and Erbil is improved. We understand none of this has been easy We also understand there's a very long road with many challenges ahead We are very pleased to have you here today To hear more of your thoughts and to share your vision Dr. Abadi became Prime Minister in September 2015 2014 At a particularly difficult time in Iraq's recent history large swaths of the country Were taken by Daesh trust in the government and in local security forces was dangerously low And in fact when you were last here, I believe one of my colleagues asked you why you wanted the job but You have demonstrated openness Prime Minister to new ideas for solving problems for ways that even your political opponents have given you credit for You've shown remarkable commitment and energy to overcome difficulties that could paralyze many There are many challenges ahead We look forward to hearing your thoughts and views of how to meet those challenges for a more peaceful Iraq future. Please join me in welcoming Prime Minister Abadi to the podium Bismillah, Rahman, Rahim. Thank you Nancy. Thank you USIP for this gathering Is a pleasure for me to be here we have gone a long way Since two years ago Nobody have imagined even when I was here last year That will be in Mosul today And we have liberated the majority of Naena and majority of Mosul and now the advance that our security forces has made It's very courageous They didn't have only to fight But they have they have to fight and win over the population While keeping the city's citizens at home in order to protect them Because if we would have allowed the citizens to flee their houses as some probably Suggested at the time We wouldn't have been able to care for these civilians Probably a million or over a million of the population In Mosul itself and the areas around in it But we have managed through our security forces to liberate the people And to have the trust of the people most of the intelligence About the whereabout of arms Explosions and Terse elements are provided by the locals who were supposed to be loyal to Daesh According to the assumption of many Over the rule of the ash for two and a half years over these areas We have managed to win over these areas to liberate them and we are at the last stage of liberating the whole of Nainawa an actual fact liberating the whole of Iraq from Daesh and terrorism of Daesh We have established a very good work in relationship Which has not happening in the history of Iraq for the Iraqi security forces for Iraqi military To fight alongside the Bishmarga and vice versa There is a mutual trust which has never been seen before which has a very positive sign by moving from confrontation and trust to more working relationship I Wasn't to be honest you do expecting to things to be that smooth me and president Barazzani were Well troubled at times that because there were a lot of frictions in the past a lot of enmities But believe me there was not a single incident of Misunderstanding between the Bishmarga and the Iraqi forces while they were fighting together against a very vicious enemy and Despite the difficulties of the past. So this is a new Iraq which we'd like to see a new Iraq Which we'd like to establish and it is possible to establish it my point is about Stabilization and reconstruction of the areas Which we have liberated so far 1.6 million people I Internal displaced people returned to their homes is a huge accomplishment when the war is still there when the oil process has went down so far in a country where 93% of the budget relies on oil and Despite that we have been able to stabilize these areas to provide the minimum of the services to the people So people can return to the areas This is one of the accomplishment the other one is which we are relying on local forces now in Deliberated area to protect the civilians inside. We are keeping our military as a national army Representing all the people I remember two years ago when I took office many of our military commanders would tell me they feel very Uncomfortable at checkpoints when they go to the south and governors and other areas Because the people would catch them and tell them you let us down We're not proud of you now Iraqi people are proud of our military They are proud of our security forces. They see them as a national hero They represent all Iraqis because our direction to them is to respect people to respect human rights For you to fight for the country you have to win over the people when you want to to arrest a Terrorist or a criminal You should just arrest that criminal or a terrorist and you should behave properly with his family and the rest of the Population you don't want to arrest one person and make another 20 enemy of the state or enemy of the society I think the whole behavior of our security forces has been transformed. I'm not saying There are not excesses of human rights. It still happens This is a war and you cannot control the whole apparatus of our security forces and the community at large But at least we hope them accountable. We are not allowing any incident which we know about There may be other incidents which we don't have proof about we don't have enough information about But where we know about we have enough information about we'll take action and we reprimand These responsible for these acts and I think commanders and others they know That if they make something wrong, they'll be held accountable for their action And this has transformed the way our military our security forces are dealing with the public at large I think we have won over our population. We have extended our hands to all communities inside Iraq One major point of the policy of my government is to delegate more responsibility To the regions and to the governments and we've been doing this Successfully there was fear that once you delegate more responsibility the country may disintegrate. I say it's the opposite When you give more delegation to the regions, they will be more feeling within one country They will feel they are part of the country and they have to defend it Of course, there is a balance between federal authority and regional authority and anyone knows about federal system They know this fact we have to keep this balance according to the constitution and according to the law and of course So we have to build our institutions Iraq has been always a central state Where it's governed from the center. So most check and balances are made from the center We don't have check and balances many checks and balances in the region So I think we have to make these check and balance in the region more powerful We have to build them in the institution way and we have to give more support so that politicians Can be held accountable to what they do and this is very important for us, of course I'm not saying things. We are happening in Iraq is easy Of course a lot people don't I mean a lot of we have a lot of opposition I mean welcome to democracy, but this is a new democracy Where sometimes the line between democracy and non-democratic behavior is not well-defined and Sometimes they feel freedom of speech is means freedom of encouraging terrorism encouraging havoc encouraging breaking the law and Encouraging all sorts But we are moving and I can't claim that in the last one more than Probably 20 months there has been demonstrations in Iraq weekly in many governance at the same time and the security forces were Keeping peace with these demonstrations protected them and protecting the population at large I don't think this is a Phonomenon which is witness in the Arab world or in the region at large And we are happy with that for people to speak out their grievances to say what they want And in this way, I think we can build better Iraq by listening to others The distinction between a belief and being in government It must be defined the government is responsible for the whole population regardless of their affiliation of their belief People in a position of responsibility should act according to this and I think this government has been very eager To demonstrate This behavior and is dealing with the citizens. I'm not saying we were successful in all departments But at least we have drawn a line a new line in the policy of a government towards its population The last thing is reform Reform is important for us. We have to bring back the trust of the people in the system in The way we govern the country This is a new democracy It will be a sad day for all of us if people believe Dictatorship is better than democracy because if democracy didn't protect them Didn't provide for them if there are corruption in the political system and the political system is unable To correct the corruption of politicians and others and responsibility. I think we'll fail So reform is a must We must go through reform, but I tell you it's not an easy task From my experience in reforms You get people who are very close to you who become against you because in reform you do things which people don't like especially people in position and people who have authority I've been through this I Say probably I'm lucky that I survived so far but But I think we are almost there I think this is a job of a leader or a prime minister of a country to deliver at the end of the day to the People who are liberating our areas despite our economical difficulties and We are killing Daesh. We are proving that Daesh can be killed Daesh can be eliminated eliminated and we can do it not only in Iraq in the region I'm encouraging our allies and our friends to stay focused. We shouldn't lose focus We shouldn't give dash a second chance or the terrorist organization similar to dash if we stay focused We can't eliminate this terrorist organization and we can prevent Similar terrorist organization from coming back working together. I think we can be successful. Thank you very much Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you for those comments and we now have an opportunity to have a conversation and I've already received a chief of questions that people are eager to ask of you, but Maybe we can start with what probably is on many people's minds. You've come directly from the White House to this event How what are your reflections on that conversation? Did it did did you hear what you needed to from? President Trump and and how plans are going well the important thing for us was That we see an administration and president Who see and appreciate what we are doing and give us support and or continue the support And I think we have seen plenty of that I think their administration and the president Recognizes the importance of Iraq the role Iraq played in Iraq and in the region and We have been given assurances that the support will not only continue But will accelerate for Iraq to accomplish the task. I think we are happy with the meetings And we're happy with the meeting with you here, and we're looking forward to meeting Congress as well and others in Well other companies I've seen a lot of Interests I've heard now There is the double of the number of companies who have shown interest to work inside Iraq And we're meeting them today as well And we hope through this cooperation in trade commerce Energy education culture other aspects I think we build a better relationship between Iraq and the United States And you are here of course for the anti-ISIS Conference, what do you most want out of that? Well is There is a problem here. Well is to do with terrorism Now some country unfortunately They see terrorism well when it's against them they see them as terrorism When it is not Maybe the same group acting somewhere else They see them in different style. They don't consider them as terrorists I Am not happy with a lot of outcast media outcast in the region Who are still providing support for tourists and the different names? Terrorism is an ugly Phenomena we have seen it in Iraq It's split families. It's split communities. It destroys a whole life of people. It destroys infrastructure now is our Ministry worked on The cost of the damage dash cost before this is before nine hour. They know it's not included is about 35 billion It was dollars to the Iraqi economy There's not counting the effect on the public at large. That's only in terms of infrastructure and others So I I hope we see it that way. I still don't see a coherent Media campaign against dash still. Yes, regionally still dash are receiving funds There are still recruits are coming from all over to dash. Yes, it's declining At the moment young people are not going for dash in large numbers as before and dashes really are running out of Fighters and we're glad to see that But still there are still we we need to probably if you look carefully in the Arab world in the region There are many terrorist activities in there look Iraq Syria Egypt Libya and the areas of the Yemen as well So I think we have to stay focused on this and we have To remove terrorism from being used in the regional conflict Countries are using terrorists for their own regional conflict and that what gave rise to dash Dash was not spontaneous It was not just grown overnight and cross the Iraq Iran or sorry Syria Iraq border They've been enabled a lot of support Were allowed to go to dash to build their capabilities Then they became this force This ability to destroy and to kill well and building on that We have a question from Carol Morello of the Washington Post who's Asking whether in your talks with President Trump and Secretary Tillerson Did you get the sense that this administration has an anti-ISIS? Strategy that's different from the previous administration and if so, how I think this administration was to be more engaged in fighting terrorism And I can sense a difference in terms of Being hate to hate with terrorism. I think they're prepared to do more To fight terrorism to be more engaged, but of course we have to be careful here We're not talking about military confrontation as such Committing troops is is one thing while fighting tourism is another thing. I don't think now the Public opinion especially in the US and in other places we'd encourage Sending troops in large numbers. So I think terrorism you don't defeat it by military force only There are better ways For defeating terrorism and I think we can do it So so along the same lines Philip Jolie of Le Figaro of France Asked if you've seen any plan from the administration to wipe out ISIS And if so, what are the most important improvements? You partly answered it with your last Comment, but I haven't seen to be honest. I haven't seen a full plan. I know there is a plan. I haven't seen it We have our own plan But we need to have a plan together the region must have a plan To wipe out terrorism and we can do it. I know there are regional conflicts still there We shouldn't be derailing the whole thing. I'm saying we should be focused There may be some tendency to derail our confrontation with Daesh and getting busy with some other conflicts. I Would guard against that? So you want focused continued engagement you talk about it not only being a military issue And and so looking at Mosul which has been very much in people's minds and in the news recently What's the immediate plan for governing Mosul for addressing? The deep divisions that have been left behind by that terrible two years See from day one when we plan for Mosul I've been planning for Mosul for over a year now We said look what we don't what do we want to achieve a Mosul if we liberate it then what's next? How are we going to govern? Then we said, okay, we want to establish peace in Mosul. How do you do that? If you want to establish peace lasting peace you have to win over the people and you have to be careful Not to antagonize people or to polarize the situation So that's what's the strategy to win over the people people will cooperate with you And then they will rebuild their own region now, of course now we brought all the ministerial Efforts and in the Looking after the humanitarian need of the people and we are relying Partially on the local authority on this and of course heavily from central government support and international community I think the UN has been involved in a humanitarian side and we have this Stabilization efforts which many countries contributed to it, but still the funds are limited We love to see more funds so that we can quickly Retain prosperity and stabilization to these areas. I think this is the key if we can show people They are better off of course. They're better off in security terms But we have to show them that better off even in their own livings and their economical Work circumstances than they were before. I think we have made the day So one more question from Barbara plet usher, excuse me if I misread that from the BBC Are you satisfied with the pledges you're receiving from the international community and is This administration committed to rebuilding and stabilizing muscle. Yes, I'm satisfied with the pledge But I'm not satisfied yet with delivery You know You quite rightly talk about the security as being critical for delivering on basic services and economic needs What about you you touched on it a little bit this feeling of being fully included, you know, the many different groups That make up Iraq how do how do you build a country and a government that enables that sense of inclusion? Well as to be inclusive is to treat people as they are This has been tough Because people after the fall. I mean, this is not this only appeared to the surface after the fall of the regime The previous regime Saddam regime, but it was there all the time People were oppressed the kids were oppressed The shia were oppressed other minorities were oppressed So that has produced This agony amongst the people which showed itself when the regime has Been troubled or removed And people are very free. I mean People may tell you differently after 2003, but Iraqi people are much happier After 2000 2003 than before they have this freedom now That freedom of expression freedom to do what they want freedom of travel They wouldn't even been allowed to travel before They haven't seen the rest of the world now. They're communicating with the world We have very good communication inside the country. We have mobile service. We have internet. We have All sorts people have new cars. They have new businesses The country is thriving So I think this has we have to show the people the wealth Is the wealth of the people not the government So I'm eager to work with politicians inside Iraq I mean one reason although this has caused me friction between me and other politicians I slashed the salaries of the top tire of politicians to almost 50 percent I slashed their personal security guards as well Of course, the reason I'm doing this it may not amount to a lot of money But this about good governance For the people for the people to see The politicians who are representing them. They're living with them. They're not like a different The aliens from different planets. They are there. They're living with the people and see what people are doing So I think this this we have to move forward with I tell you it's not easy. It's not easy There can be a lot of backlash The only backlash I'm afraid of is the backlash within the The public in general we have to be careful. That's why I probably There is a lot of ideas presented to me about economical reform, which I didn't choose Because it may affect the public at large or it may affect large sector of the of the society who are not well off They are on the sideline and probably they cannot represent themselves. I think people in office must make their priority To look after the weakest in the public Who cannot protect themselves or who cannot defend themselves or he cannot Ask for things which they want because either they're weak or they're not able to I think that what I consider is a good governance and we are moving in that direction It doesn't we we it doesn't necessarily happen now But at least we have initiated something right And I hope others will complete it So along those lines are There's a debate about whether the upcoming provincial elections for this fall Will move the country forward fresh leadership Perhaps moving some of the agenda that you talked about of of federal federal systems Others say it might open new wounds. What are your thoughts and are you committed to holding those elections the provincial elections? I hope a it bring you new blood It will inject new people Who are not eager to replace the previous people and to take their positions But they're eager to advance The country to advance their locality We are eager to find these people and take your hope What I found if you give to hope to the people You can remedy the country The hope is there The hope can be little things which you do here and there that give hope to the people that there are goodness In the government. There are goodness in the country Two years ago We have many thousands of young iraq is leaving iraq Now you don't hear that Before used to hear a lot of people now people are not leaving the country So it means people have hope now in the country. They have hope in their future. This is important We are Look, we cannot change everything overnight. We cannot we have inherited many problems Some of them are intrinsic in our society in our country But we must give hope and continue to move in the right direction and we are doing this One of the groups When you talk about people leaving the country we heard a lot about the different religious minorities fleeing in the aftermath of the fall of mosul How how do you do you expect that they will come back? How do you help them feel safe? How do you rebuild mosul with that mosaic of religious minorities that made it up in the past? Well, that makes makes me unhappy and angry and makes most most iraq is angry and unhappy Because this is iraq iraq consists of these people They are part of our society They are major part of our society And it's wrong to look at people minorities. They're not minorities. They are iraqis They have the same right of others The problem is daesh has directed their revenge against them Against all my minorities in musul. Well, of course even against qi and musul because qi and musul are minorities But there are majorities somewhere else So they have done that And i'm afraid some probably have left the country And i don't know whether they come back or not, but the longer it takes or They're more difficult for them to come back. I hope we have shortened the time For them to come back and i hope many of them Will come back at least we are working on people inside iraq Internet is less people to go back to their to their places to their homes. This is our Uh aim at the moment We are concentrating on this and we are welcoming others Who have traveled probably across europe and other countries and uh a related question from Naomi kekola of the united states holocaust memorial museum Who asks the islamic state committed genocide in iraq We believe that when impunity prevails violence proliferates What will your government do to advance justice and accountability? Will you consent to the creation of an independent investigation into isis crimes? Yes, i welcome that Welcome that this should be inside iraq under iraqi jurisdiction I think we have there is discussion at the moment with other countries I think with the uk in particular and other partners Uh, and we welcome it. I think the wording of the resolution There is ambiguity about it. So I think we are clearing that for it to move forward In actual fact, there are a lot of terrorists who've committed crimes. Some of them are in iraq Some of them are outside iraq So I would very much encourage this tribunal To follow up who's supporting This terrorist groups who have facilitated the recruitment of young people Supporting the group with finance and other elements who have caused this havoc And this criminal activities. I'm very much in support of this You spoke quite a bit about the importance of security And some of your plans and vision for how to ensure that people in iraq feel more secure So we have a question asking what is the future of the pmus in iraq? How will these forces be demobilized? What's the plan? Well the pmo The positive side of the pmo. Let me speak about this There are volunteers volunteers for With their life To protect the country to fight for the sake of the country They fought very well. I've seen them everywhere Wherever I go. I see young people Day and night fighting for the wrong country For the freedom of the land and for the people Of course, there are others motivated by something else Probably their ambition to control To have power I know some have committed crimes Even armed robbery kidnapping And we are confronting them these elements what we have what we are doing here. We are having a law This law to bring discipline include Those who fought include them within that institution We have to apply law and order to them military military accountability And whoever is outside that would be considered as an outlaw according to the iraq constitution Any group who carries arms outside the state is an outlaw So I think this is a way which we are trying to Format things for the future We have got these people except this in general. Of course, there are some who are not happy They don't want it that way They don't want the pmf to be out of politics We insist that pmf Should not be involved in politics. You cannot carry arms And you are a political group at the same time. Otherwise you'll use these arms in elections Full stop. This is not allowed This is outside iraq constitution outside iraq law. So we are trying to enforce this at the moment We are organizing putting putting an organization for this forum, which is the pmf And to be controlled by the state and we have to be thankful to them We say thank you But we appreciate what you do and you are going to include you in this In the state of telling them thank you go to their home your homes And then they will have arms They'll be dissatisfied And they think the country have not recognized their sacrifices Because they have sacrificed for the country And really you haven't rewarded the sacrifice. What we are telling them. Look, we reward you We appreciate what you've done. This is an organization Under the control of the state you are going to have discipline the laws applies to you And here you are if you accept this you are within this if you don't accept it You shouldn't carry arms. Otherwise you'll be outside the law It should be as planned as this. I said it in iraq Publicly and I'm repeating it inside iraq and the majority of the pmf agree with this What's the obstacle? Do you see The obstacle if people or some insist Of being part of the military units And their politicians at the same time This is not democracy you cannot do it This will push others to carry arms And we cannot allow this whatsoever We're calling on all to accept this. That's why I think this law was passed in parliament and I think Even those who opposed it are okay with it You spoke earlier about the very positive security cooperation between the iraqi forces and the peshmerga We have a question from raheem rashidi from kurdistan tv Asking first of all he welcomes you to washington And then he asks You know that president barzani has decided to go for a referendum If kurdistan becomes a state what will be bagdad's reaction? We'll discuss it then Looking a little bit regionally You had a very positive Visit from the saudi foreign minister recently How do you see the iraqi-saudi relationship going as a result of that? Is warming is warming I think is a very good track at least There is an opening For a very good neighborly relationship Don't forget no saudi official has visited bagdad since 1991 And not even after 2003. This is the first time we welcome him And I think it was good For them to see what's happening in iraq iraq is not under influence of any other country Our saudi friends probably they used to think That iraq is under under the control or Of our iranian neighbors But we are not iraq is governed by iraqis And they saw for themselves We called on saudi's to Cooperate with iraq and work with iraq as neighbors They are prepared to open commercial and humanitarian Relationship between the iraq They showed that they are interested in helping In providing reconstruction for the areas which is liberated from dash And this is a welcome for us. We want to normalize the relation Our aim is to stop Or to control regional conflicts There is a conflict in the region There is a huge conflict You have suudi arabian one side Probably eager to have be a leader of the islamic sunni world You have iran on the other side who is eager to become The shia islamic world or even beyond You have turkey as well competing for The leadership of the muslim sunni world And here we are having conflict in yemen having conflict in syria And it's being extended before to iraq In iraq We don't want to be part of this conflict We're looking after our own interests And we think We are the victims of these conflicts. What happened in syria impacted us directly Look what happened with daesh when they crossed the borders into iraq So i think we are very eager to stop These regional conflicts It's tough It happened to be we are here iraq is here.  We have differences. Yes We have to contain the differences if the con differences is that small We have that large of common interests we can work on And i think we are very much encouraging our neighbors to do that We are have an opening with suudi arabia I'm optimistic with this opening I welcome it And I hope we can move Further in furthering our relationship Even with turkey with suudi arabia with iran with other neighbors So i've just been handed a huge pile of questions We won't be able to get to all of them But i think related to a lot of what you've been talking about in terms of rebuilding a more inclusive country The question is do you think the iraqi judicial system and anti corruption efforts Will function more effectively now and if so could you could you say how? Yes, i think we need more forensic evidence More forensic No more forensic otherwise our present procedures Are enabled probably terrorists and Corrupt people getting away We need more Detailed and forensic evidence to present the courts We have to catch Corrupt people criminals I think we're still relying on an old means While the rest of technology have advanced so far you have the internet now And the internet i have to be frank The internet the outlaws criminal Terrorists are working without restrictions While law abiding people They abide by the law So these are working using the interests unlimited While as a state Who abide by the law or citizens who abide the law they are using according to the law is uneven Is uneven so i think we have to work very hard using we should not allow them to use our democracy Our freedom against us We should develop our means by finding them Forensic evidence it should be scrutinized what they are doing and present them to the court I think we have been working with the With experts on this We have developed our new system to follow out up on terrorists on criminals inside and outside Iraq This is important for us. You are not going to catch every criminal But at least make criminals worry Make corrupt people worry. They can't be caught one day That's what I wanted to do. So you've you've spoken quite a lot about How to rebuild this democracy? Which leads me to a question in big letters Which says do you think Iraqi politicians got the lesson? And if so how? And I think I'm moving to the inclusive questions that we've had Previously I hope the new breed of politicians would Okay, we are uh, we are running very short of time. I understand you need to be off in a moment. Um There's an interesting question here though about whether you would support a semi-autonomous district In the north of Iraq specifically the Ninoa Plains, Tala Far and Sinjar Um For some of the minorities going back to the security of any quick thoughts on that Is is a tough one, uh, I mean we should be inclusive we have included minorities in their own security But I don't think you protect yourself By having partition from your neighbors I think this is a tough one. It has to be looked at thoroughly We have to build bridges with others And to work with others To be more secure Otherwise, what do you do you build walls? What do you do your excellency? We are very honored to have you here with us at the u.s. Institute of peace You have a large and appreciative audience as you can see Please come back We welcome your return visit. We look forward You have A tough neighborhood and many big challenges ahead and we all wish you the well for the future success and stability of Iraq Thank you Thank you so much. We really appreciate your coming. I think you Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the official party departs