The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 28, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 10.
Next is Tim Borchert, CEO of Tria Federal, and finalist in the Private & Public Company Chief Executive Officer (Annual Revenue Greater than $100M and Less than $500M) category. Here, he shares key achievements, focus areas going forward, career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2023?
My greatest achievement was bringing together three small businesses to form a private equity-backed mid-sized company, resulting in the launch of Tria Federal in March 2023.
These pivotal moves set the stage for Tria’s emergence as a mid-market leader poised for significant growth and long-term impact through our ability to offer comprehensive digital advisory and technical services often found together only in much larger businesses.
In 2023, Tria achieved critical successes in process and system integration, notably consolidating IT systems and transitioning onto a new finance system with remarkable speed and efficiency rarely seen in mergers of this scale, impacting a workforce nearing 1,000, along with more than 125 contracts spanning dozens of government agencies.
We also developed a handpicked, talented leadership team and infused it with new hires who brought top-tier experience, ambition, and a vision aligned with the company’s new strategic direction. These hires included Tria’s first CTO, who will help position us at the forefront of technological innovation for the federal sector.
During the year I also hit the road to visit customer sites across the U.S. and engage with Tria’s young, geographically dispersed workforce as we built a new culture, unified the company under a new brand identity, and cultivated a shared sense of identity and purpose.
While much of my focus was on operational matters, I also had to develop and communicate a clear strategic direction, ensuring everyone was aligned with the new narrative and goals. Tria is now positioned as a significant player in the digital transformation space, set to make a difference for more federal customers across the health, civilian and defense domains.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
I am focused on three things: strategy, people and culture. These are the critical elements to building a Tria that rises to become greater than the sum of its legacy parts.
Our success and our impact will be determined by the clarity of our direction; our ability to put the right people in the right positions with the appropriate guidance and expectations; and our progress in building and reinforcing an authentic company culture that aligns with our three core pillars of service: the commitment to colleagues, to customers and to community.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
- Get a mentor. This can be a key relationship in both your professional and personal life.
- Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, and who look out for you.
- Care about your people and let them know that you care.
- Be proactive and open-minded in your career growth.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about?
I am passionate about the sport of lacrosse. As a former player, coach, and father of two who currently play I remain involved in both honoring and growing the game. Additionally, for the past five years I have served as a board member of the Tewaaraton Foundation, which honors the most outstanding men’s and women’s college players and legends of the game; celebrates the Native American heritage of the sport; and gives back to the Native American community through educational scholarships and youth development.