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 Growth Officer finalist in the Private Company: <$100M category Mike Zembrzuski, CGO of NetCentrics. Here, he talks breaking rules, proud career moments and more.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
I am most proud of being part of a company that has embraced change, is fully committed to transforming and has a mission first, people always culture. Our organization is laser-focused on national security. Our culture is such that everyone has a desire and ability to bring innovations, solutions and technologies to our customers.
I take pride in knowing that I joined a team where real leadership is palpable; it truly ripples through every layer of our organization. We’ve transformed by emphasizing customers, people, growth and eminence as our core construct ⏤ they are the 4-nodes for which we align our goals and measure success internally and externally.
The manifestation of these efforts is evident in customer feedback, employee satisfaction, brand awards and recognition, and double-digit revenue and triple digit EBITDA growth in FY 2022. I’m proud to know and work beside people who exemplify passion and purpose.
Which rules do you think you should break more as an industry leader?
There is only one sure way to guarantee losing a contract award ⏤ not to bid! Every major contract win I have had in my career, I was told that there was not any way we would win; it “didn’t fit the Shipley’s model,” we “had insufficient resources to win,” and the list goes on.
My experience dictates that fortune favors the bold (and the wise). I encourage people to take smart, calculated risks when capturing business and GO FOR IT! Don’t listen to the naysayers and doctrine wonks who are telling you why something can’t be done.
Trusting your instincts and building a team of problem solvers who live for winning and take risky, but smart shots at opportunities, has been the “secret sauce” to overcoming the many doubts I’ve faced in my career.
I’d also suggest that something that is difficult does not mean it’s impossible. If you innovate and engineer a great solution, you can win ⏤ regardless of the bid/no bid rules or doctrine you’re privy to.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of an unbroken record for protecting my nation and its people over the past 30+ years. Commissioned as an Army Intelligence Officer, I spent 20 years working critical national security counterterrorism and counterintelligence missions while also serving in policy positions that shaped national security strategy at home and abroad.
When I retired from active duty, I seamlessly transitioned into corporate America. In developing business, my focus remained set on protecting national security and serving the Intelligence Community.
My focus to win put programs in place such as the Six3 Intelligence Support Services ⏤ Afghanistan (ISSA) program providing multi-disciplined intelligence services across Southwest Asia, and NetCentrics’ United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cyber SOC program that ensures the cyber security of USCG stations, ships, personnel and aircraft worldwide.
The instated programs, people and innovation continue across the community and have significantly enhanced the security of our nation. For me, it’s a source of both pride and gratitude; pride in what has been accomplished and gratitude in being lucky enough to be a part of it.