EDWOSB
Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business
SDVOSB
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Founded in 2015, Assertive Professionals is an EDWOSB and SDVOSB delivering mission-critical intelligence, enterprise modernization, and operational support aligned to national security priorities. Our leadership team brings more than 70 years of combined national security experience supporting complex government missions.
Built on a mission-driven culture and an employee-centric approach to delivery, Assertive Professionals provides disciplined program execution, scalable cleared workforce infrastructure, and responsive mission support across evolving operational environments. The company has earned national recognition including placement among America’s Top 100 Small Business Visionaries, ranking on the Inc. 5000 list, and six consecutive HIRE Vets Medallion Awards from the U.S. Department of Labor, including the 2025 Platinum distinction.
Our Leadership Team
Founder & CEO
Tiffany Shaffery is the Founder and CEO of Assertive Professionals and a U.S. Army combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where she served as a Military Police Gunner and Human Intelligence Collector. She founded AP in 2015, bringing the values of integrity, adaptability, and follow-through from the battlefield into the GovCon space. Tiffany holds a B.A. in Intelligence Operations from American Military University, an Executive MBA from Virginia Tech, and is currently pursuing an Executive DBA at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. She serves on the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) Advisory Committee and her leadership has been recognized with the 2026 SECAF Government Contractor of the Year Award, consecutive HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Awards, Inc. 5000, Vet100, and America’s Top 100 Small Business Visionaries honors.
Chief Operating Officer
Chris Kintner is Chief Operating Officer of Assertive Professionals and a U.S. Army veteran. His military service included deployments to Kuwait, Turkey, Cuba, and Afghanistan as an Arabic linguist specializing in voice intercept, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare operations. Prior to joining Assertive Professionals, Chris held executive leadership positions in both large and small businesses, including supporting large-scale business operations for CACI International. He also served as a federal civilian Management Analyst with the Defense Logistics Agency and has taught business and supply chain management at the university level. Chris holds graduate degrees from James Madison University and Penn State University, along with undergraduate degrees from Excelsior College and the Defense Language Institute. Outside of work, Chris is actively involved in supporting veterans and their families. He volunteers with the No Veteran Dies Alone program at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, serves on the Veterans Health Committee of the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission, and is a member of the Military Veteran Transitions Working Group supporting Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.
Chief Strategy Officer
Steven holds a B.A. in Homeland Security and an Executive MBA through George Mason University. Steven served over 7 years in the Army as a Military Working Dog Handler and as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst. He completed three tours in Afghanistan, one while on Active Duty and two as a contractor. After departing the Army, Steven has worked in multiple roles within the IC/DoD, to include Activity Based Intelligence (ABI) Instructor, Wide Area Persistent Surveillance (WAPS) Lead / Principal Analyst, Business Development, and Business Analytic Officer supporting NGA’s Strategy Office. He serves as the Membership Chief for the AFCEA Emerging Professionals in Intelligence Committee (EPIC). During his free time, Steven enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiffany Shaffery, and their three kids.