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 sat down with one of this year’s GovCon Awards Gold Sponsors, Paul Graham, senior vice president at Colliers International, to discuss the GovCon marketplace
WashingtonExec: What motivated your company to take part in the GovCon Awards?
Paul Graham: Government contractors make up a large portion of the workforce in the D.C. Region. Being a part of the GovCon Awards helps us know our client’s needs better. These companies have business challenges, not real estate challenges. It is important for us to understand them so we can be better prepared to advise.
WashingtonExec: As these awards are in large part a recognition of great leaders in the GovCon space, what do you believe are qualities that make a great leader?
Paul Graham: Almost all of them create great leaders. They collaborate, not dictate.
WashingtonExec: What makes your company a great place to work?
Paul Graham: Our desire to understand a client’s short-term and long-term goals. Most real estate advisers want to talk cost per square foot and lease expiration dates; we want to learn about their people and culture. Otherwise, we become a commodity, just space finders.
WashingtonExec: How is your business involved in the community? (corporate citizenship)
Paul Graham: We encourage our team to make an impact in their community. We are very involved in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, DC Central Kitchen and Surfers Healing (their mission is to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing).
Related: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, PSC Announce 2016 Government Contractor Awards Finalists
