WashingtonExec Series: GovCon Awards:
The finalists for this year’s Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards were announced last month, and as promised, WashingtonExec is bringing you its annual series with GovCon Awards nominees all this month before the winners are unveiled November 1.
The winners will be announced at the annual gala at Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, D.C., and the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Professional Services Council (PSC) and Washington Technology magazine will present the awards. With over 1,300 business and public sector leaders attending the event, our series will keep you up to date with all the finalists for this year–who they are, what they do, and why they are worthy of winning.
Today marks one of our last submissions in the series, and presents Greg Baroni, Chairman & CEO of Attain, LLC, for his nomination of Executive of the Year in the less than $75 million division.
WashingtonExec: How do you differentiate your company from its competitors? What is unique about your approach?
Greg Baroni: Attain is a next generation management consultancy, and it’s our culture that sets us apart – a values-driven culture of intention that we call the Attain Way. Following the Attain Way, our people live and breathe these values enabling us to deliver insanely great results for our clients. Known in the market as proven performers with deep industry expertise, the Attain team is also recognized for its agility, innovative spirit and forward thinking.
What’s unique about Attain, especially in today’s fiercely competitive and financially challenging environment, is our commitment to being a “build-to-last” business. We are intentional about our legacy and its impact on our clients, our employees and our community.
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“My hope is that a hundred years from now people will regard our company and know our history which began with the Attain Way.”
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WashingtonExec: How have you grown the company as the government asks the private sector to “do more with less?”
Greg Baroni: Focus, focus and more focus. Just as our clients want us to do “more for less”, we need to remember that less is more, meaning that we must concentrate our resources in those areas in which we can have the greatest impact, i.e., we must emphasize our competencies in the markets where we have consistently delivered results. Making the tough decision to pass on opportunities outside our demonstrated competencies is oftentimes difficult, but affords us the best opportunity to deliver on our promise to our clients who are facing challenging times. This practice is just what the Attain core value, to “execute with discipline”, is all about. Having such discipline allows us to build long-term, successful relationships in which we are not only effective in meeting, but also exceeding the goals and expectations of those we serve.
WashingtonExec: Obtaining top talent in government contracting is fierce -how is your company able to not only recruit top talent, but also retain it?
Greg Baroni: Attain is not a typical young company. While agile and innovative, we also possess the stability of an established firm with successful, experienced leaders at the helm. We have built upon our core competencies and qualifications to grow our platform of business, and with this trusted, proven performance we enable our employees to pursue some of the most challenging and rewarding opportunities in the market.
At Attain, we put our people first, providing opportunities for each individual to make a real impact, recognizing their contributions, and supporting their growth toward a fulfilling career unlike anywhere else. Our culture also supports a healthy work-life balance that inspires our employees to maintain a strong internal community of support, teamwork and loyalty.
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“For the past two consecutive years the Attain Team has provided more than $100,000 in cash and kind to more than 15 local and national charities. Additionally, I serve on the boards of the National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area, the American Red Cross National Capital Region and The Women’s Center, based in Fairfax.”
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WashingtonExec: How is your company involved in the community?
Greg Baroni: At Attain, corporate citizenship is manifest in a growing list of organizations that our people passionately support because they’re helping organizations that resonate with them personally. For the past two consecutive years the Attain Team has provided more than $100,000 in cash and kind to more than 15 local and national charities. Additionally, I serve on the boards of the National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area, the American Red Cross National Capital Region and The Women’s Center, based in Fairfax.
WashingtonExec: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Greg Baroni: Make your word your bond. Having absolute integrity and being trustworthy are the keys to creating and maintaining strong relationships and ultimately to your success.
WashingtonExec: What book do you recommend to young executives?
Greg Baroni: Good to Great, by Jim Collins.
