The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 17, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 10.
Next is Chief Information Officer, Private Company finalist Matt Ramsey, CIO at BlueHalo. Here, he shares career turnings points, focus areas and proud career moments.
What was a turning point or inflection point in your career?
I look at a career as a journey and mine has had continuous turning points–some micro and others major. Leaving my first role within the government was a major inflection point; starting my company was another; selling it was another; learning how to grow and expand my thinking in a larger enterprise like BlueHalo has been another.
From an overall professional maturation standpoint, my career began to truly escalate once I understood the value in relationships You can be the smartest person in an organization with no relationships and get nowhere. You can be “bright” with good relationships and get anywhere.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
As BlueHalo continues to grow and scale, operating as one integrated company with standard practices is key. We are hyper-focused on the employee experience and delivering on contracts while maintaining a pragmatic and effective cybersecurity profile–giving our team the resources they need to deliver while protecting our clients’ information.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
Of all the roles I’ve had the privilege of serving throughout my career, I’m most proud of being a part of the enduring platform we are building at BlueHalo. After a career spent in government and industry, operating at this scale as a valuable and trusted player is validating. But it’s more than that. I take great pride in the caliber of our team and in my role as a leader and mentor. Knowing I make a positive impact on them and their families is a legacy of which I will always be most proud.