Top 25 Execs to Watch in 2019

Steve Omick, president and CEO, Riverside Research

Riverside Research’s recent move to Washington, D.C., reflects the high-tech, nonprofit’s commitment to defense and intelligence customers.

And President and CEO Steve Omick said the organization is already seeing positive results.

“In addition to being closer to many of our customers, we’ve made tremendous progress in maturing our Open Innovation Concept, an internally funded long-term commitment to independent research and development in artificial intelligence, optics, electromagnetics, plasma physics and cybersecurity,” he said. “This OIC investment contributes innovation to the entire company, allowing us to go deep into mission-focused research.”

Why Watch:

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Omick will lead Riverside in a push to build on its existing brand and reputation in the D.C. area.

“We expect to become much more involved in the community here in D.C.,” he added. “For example, because we serve the defense and intelligence community, it’s important to us to contribute to the community’s future. In 2019, we’re contributing in several ways: by sponsoring 2019 K-12 STEM Symposium, providing university scholarships, partnering with critical industry organizations like USGIF, and building young professionals’ careers with our vibrant internship program.”

On the technology side, look for Riverside to also expand the OIC to have a broader reach.

“As the labs of the OIC continue to mature, we will increasingly be looking at cross-disciplinary solutions to address the end-to-end challenges that many of our customers are looking for answers to,” Omick said.

“Riverside’s focus on research and development and a culture that provides a rich employee experience offers our customers a novel and compelling value proposition,” he continued.

In 2019, this will continue to differentiate Riverside at a time when many of the organization’s competitors will be forced to constrict benefits, limit independent R&D, and struggle to retain high-quality talent because of downward pressure on costs.