The finalists for this year’s Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards were announced in September and WashingtonExec is bringing you its annual series with the nominees.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Professional Services Council have unveiled the finalists for the 14th Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards, the premier awards event for the Washington area government contracting community. The winners will be named at a Nov. 1 gala dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner.
WashingtonExec talked with one of the finalists, Staci Redmon, president and CEO of Strategy and Management Services, Inc., to get her take on leadership, among other issues.
WashingtonExec: What is your organization’s plan for growth over the next 3-5 years? How has your business been able to grow as the federal market contracts? What is the fastest growing component of your business?
Staci Redmon: We established our “2020 Vision” earlier this year to address just that. To grow revenue and increase our footprint in the federal sector, we plan to target three specific government agencies; the Department of Veterans Affairs, HHS and GSA, and we’ll be looking to expand organically with our existing customers in the Department of Justice, the National Guard Bureau and Department of Agriculture.
One major goal over the next several years is to expand our customer base to include more state and local government and commercial industries in order to diversify our portfolio. Our business has been able to grow as a result of the solid partnerships we’ve worked hard to develop. Our repeated success and professional proficiencies have designated us as a sought-out business in the federal marketplace. SAMS’ growth and ability to exceed expectations has resulted from our commitment to being a fully dedicated resource for every client.
Currently the fastest-growing component of the business would be our Total Building Management Solutions. We identified the need to bring all the different skill sets required to maintain professional office space under one roof and the response has been very rewarding.
WashingtonExec: How is your business involved in the community? Is your business involved in cultivating our local National Capital Region pipeline of young STEM professionals (K-12 students, recent hires etc)?
Staci Redmon: SAMS is involved in frequent community interaction through our charitable arm, “SAMS Cares.” Through SAMS Cares, every employee has an opportunity to work with the local community by donating time and supplies for monthly activities, including food and backpack drives, volunteering at food shelters, participating in Relay for Life, Marine Corps Toys for Tots, as well as hosting job fairs for veterans.
I am also actively involved in the Mentor-Protégé program, spending time advising striving business leaders. Yes, our company is involved in a number of STEM initiatives. We hope that through educational development and our intern programs, we can continue to advance that interest throughout the community.
WashingtonExec: What would you say are the top one or two leadership qualities necessary to be a great leader?
Staci Redmon: Persistence and patience. Along the way, there will inevitably be a setbacks, some you have control over, some you don’t. Persistence will provide the resilience needed to overcome any shortcomings and end up on top. Patience is the other essential quality as success doesn’t simply happen overnight; it may take months or years to build up a sustainable client base and necessary business partners.
WashingtonExec: If we were to speak directly to your leadership team, what would they say is your management style?
Staci Redmon: My team has described my leadership style as strategic and thoughtful. I never make decisions haphazardly; every move we make has a clear direction backing it. They have also referred to my management style as hands-on and motivational. I encourage my employees to step out of their comfort zone and make educational and productive decisions while helping them to strategically determine the rationale as they formulate their various business cases. I strive to discover each worker’s full potential and aid them in achieving it.
WashingtonExec: What three pieces of advice would you give your kids?
Staci Redmon:
- Your future is a direct result of your present: Work toward your future dreams and don’t give up until you see your goals for the future begin to take form
- Always set goals and exceed expectations: Don’t simply work to achieve the status quo. Go above and beyond your expectations in every aspect of life.
- Don’t ever give up: Don’t ever let small failures compromise your goals. Get back up and use your frustrations as motivation to push you where you want to go.
Related: Q&A with 2016 GovCon Award Finalist Kim Hayes, CEO and Co-Founder of The Ambit Group
