Co-Founder & CEO

Desiree Pliler

Desiree Pliler exemplifies a unique blend of financial acumen and crisis management expertise as the CEO and co-owner of GS Federal. A retired Air Force non-commissioned officer, Desiree has an extensive background in emergency operations, having served in critical roles within the  Iowa National Guard. Her military tenure is marked by significant contributions to emergency preparedness and disaster response and has evolved into planning state-level exercises and developing vital training programs for active shooter scenarios and disaster readiness.

In addition to her distinguished military career, Desiree is a seasoned entrepreneur and financial expert. She is the founder and Financial Manager of Squared Away Financial LLC, where her responsibilities span from tax preparation to strategic financial planning and process improvement. Her business consistently achieves and surpasses goals in support of small businesses across Iowa.

Desiree holds an MBA with a focus on Accounting, equipping her with the skills to oversee the financial and operational aspects of GS Federal adeptly. Her dual expertise in financial management and emergency management allows her to provide invaluable insights into both the strategic and day-to-day operations of the company.

Driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for community safety, Desiree’s leadership at GS Federal ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of delivering high-quality training and assistance for crisis prevention and management. Her vision for integrating solid business practices with emergency preparedness strategies significantly enhances GS Federal’s capacity to serve and protect communities effectively.

Co-Founder and COO

Greg Pliler

Greg Pliler brings deep expertise in substance misuse prevention, public-sector project management, emergency preparedness, and strategic operations to his role as Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of GS Federal. His work is grounded in a career dedicated to strengthening communities, improving public systems, and helping organizations prepare for and respond to complex challenges.

Greg currently serves as the Director of the Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center, which supports Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. In this role, he helps advance the prevention workforce through training, technical assistance, capacity building, and evidence-informed strategies that address substance misuse and related public health challenges across the region. His experience includes extensive work with rural communities, public health partners, coalitions, behavioral health systems, and government agencies.

A retired Army non-commissioned officer, Greg developed his leadership and operational expertise through years of service with the 82nd Airborne Division and the Iowa National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq in 2008. He also served for eight years in the Provost Marshal Office for the Iowa National Guard, where he focused on physical security across the state and helped plan National Guard Reaction Force validation exercises. This background shaped his disciplined, strategic approach to preparedness, risk management, training, and problem-solving.

Greg’s career includes significant leadership roles, including directing the Region 7 Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center and managing large-scale behavioral health and public health projects with a range of agencies and partners. He holds a Master’s degree in Prevention Science from the University of Oklahoma and is recognized for his ability to translate complex data, community needs, and system-level challenges into practical, actionable plans.

At GS Federal, Greg helps guide the company’s work in disaster preparedness, substance misuse prevention, training and technical assistance, facilitation, strategic planning, and operational improvement. His leadership reflects a commitment to innovation, excellence, and measurable impact. Greg envisions a future where organizations are better equipped to mitigate adversity, strengthen resilience, and help create safer, healthier, and more prepared communities.