Audra Upchurch was appointed interim CEO of Cybermedia Technologies in August after serving as vice president, where she managed the delivery and growth of CTEC’s solutions with the Department of Homeland Security.
Before CTEC, Upchurch’s career journey progressed from environmental planning and compliance work to leading a federal technology organization focused on modernization, mission readiness and workforce enablement.
For a “forestry major from southwest Virginia,” who always valued service and supporting the federal mission. Upchurch’s experiences opened unexpected opportunities that eventually led her to the C-suite.
Below, she discusses the mentors and experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, her deep personal connection to the missions she supports and the priorities driving CTEC’s growth — from preparing agencies for emerging technologies to preserving legacy system expertise.
Can you provide a brief overview of your professional background and career progression? Please include what ultimately landed you in your current role.
I began my career conducting environmental planning and compliance for federal programs, work that gave me a deep appreciation for the complexity and importance of supporting our nation’s missions with precision and accountability. Early in my career, I was fortunate to execute the environmental studies required to deploy cargo inspection systems at ports and ports of entry, which was quite a new experience for a forestry major from southwest Virginia. That opportunity opened my eyes to the critical intersection between technology, policy, and mission execution across the federal landscape.
Over time, I expanded that focus into leading teams, developing solutions, and driving organizational growth, all centered on the same purpose: advancing federal mission success. Each stage of my journey strengthened my commitment to efficiency, compliance, and innovation. Today, as CEO of CTEC, I’m proud to lead an organization that continues that mission—delivering trusted, forward-thinking solutions that enable our federal partners to operate effectively and achieve measurable impact.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
I chose this path because I’ve always believed in the value of service and the responsibility that comes with supporting the federal mission. I was fortunate to meet my mentor in my first course for my Virginia Tech Master of Natural Resources program, who happened to be hiring environmental specialists for NEPA compliance. I had always been fascinated with that process and jumped at the chance to learn more about the intersection of policy, technology, and mission. My early experience in environmental planning taught me that even the most technical work plays a vital role in the broader success of government programs.
That perspective has guided every decision in my career, understanding the “why” behind the work and striving to deliver it with integrity, compliance, and purpose. It has been profoundly influential in shaping how I lead today, always with a focus on mission impact and operational excellence.
I’m also deeply passionate about advancing opportunities for women in STEM and technology. I currently serve on the board of STEM for Her, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding STEM career pathways for women and girls across the Washington, D.C. area. This work is incredibly meaningful to me, as it aligns with my commitment to fostering diversity, mentorship, and empowerment within CTEC. I’m focused on expanding these same opportunities across our organization—ensuring that women have the access, encouragement, and support to lead and innovate in this critical industry.
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support? If so, please explain.
Absolutely. I’ve spent years in the field alongside CBP officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents, witnessing firsthand how critical contractor support is to mission success, personnel safety, and the ability to operate efficiently within strict compliance frameworks. Those experiences gave me a deep respect for the dedication, resilience, and sacrifice of the men and women who serve on the front lines, and they ignited my passion for ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed.
That passion ultimately led me to support the Border Patrol Foundation, an organization dedicated to caring for the families of fallen agents. It’s a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart and a constant reminder of the purpose behind our work.
One of my most meaningful memories was taking my daughter with me to the U.S. border while supporting the Border Patrol. I wanted her to see, firsthand, the extraordinary work of the agents and understand how important my role was in supporting their mission. That experience reinforced for both of us that our work in government contracting isn’t just about programs and systems, it’s about people, families, and a shared commitment to protecting and serving our nation.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
As CEO, my top priorities center on advancing CTEC’s mission to deliver efficient, compliant, and innovative solutions that directly support our federal partners. That includes ensuring operational excellence, fostering a culture of accountability, and equipping our teams with the tools and training they need to perform at the highest level.
CTEC has the unique expertise and experience to maintain legacy IT infrastructure while preparing that same infrastructure and its data for analytics and artificial intelligence applications. Our work supports the very core of the IT solution—ensuring these systems across the federal government are modernized, resilient, and ready for innovation and efficiency.
We also have a unique capability to prepare the federal workforce to trust and adopt new technologies, including AI, into their daily work processes. By helping agencies integrate these advancements responsibly and effectively, we enable their people to focus more deeply on their expertise and mission-critical tasks. I draw heavily on my field experience—understanding the urgency, complexity, and human impact of federal missions—to guide our strategy. Every decision we make at CTEC is rooted in one core principle: enabling mission success safely, effectively, and with integrity.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field or portfolio you support, or what do you anticipate to be your customers’ top pain points?
We see tremendous opportunities to support the critical federal need to reskill and train the workforce as agencies modernize their operations and adopt emerging technologies. Many organizations recognize the potential of digital transformation and artificial intelligence but face challenges integrating these tools in a compliant, secure, and mission-aligned way.
At CTEC, we focus on bridging that gap, empowering the federal workforce to trust, adopt, and adapt to new technologies that enhance efficiency without compromising integrity. Our clients’ top pain points often revolve around managing change, ensuring data security, and maintaining operational continuity during modernization.
We’ve also built an internal mentorship program that pairs emerging technology specialists with senior engineers experienced in legacy systems such as COBOL. This program ensures continuity of knowledge and the preservation of critical institutional expertise, which is essential for the sustained operation of legacy systems that remain vital to federal missions. By aligning technology adoption with workforce readiness and institutional continuity, we help our partners move forward with confidence, clarity, and measurable results.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
We’re addressing these opportunities by investing in the future of the federal workforce and leveraging our ecosystem of trusted partners. At CTEC, we’re developing and delivering training programs that help federal employees build confidence in new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, so they can integrate these tools responsibly and effectively into their missions.
A key differentiator for us is our ability to leverage our Main Street Capital portfolio partners to deliver commercially proven solutions for the federal government. This partnership enables CTEC to bring innovation that has already demonstrated success in the private sector, adapting it to meet federal compliance, security, and mission requirements.
We also prepare for evolving federal mission needs by upskilling our internal CTEC team, deploying methods to train and keep the federal workforce current on technology capabilities, and training more junior staff on legacy systems to ensure the security and continuity of federal IT infrastructure. Our approach combines innovation with accountability—balancing modernization with mission assurance. By preparing both people and systems, CTEC ensures that innovation translates into real, measurable mission success.
How important is mentorship and networking in GovCon? Were they influential to your career?
Mentorship and networking are absolutely essential in GovCon. They are the foundation of both professional growth and mission success. I have been fortunate to have mentors throughout my career who modeled resilience, vision, and integrity, shaping how I approach leadership today. It was through their personal guidance and encouragement that I was able to start and expand my career in federal consulting, gaining the confidence to build something lasting and impactful.
I work to ensure we have a strong internal mentoring culture at CTEC, where leaders at every level are encouraged to support and develop others. Mentorship doesn’t just strengthen individuals—it builds stronger teams, drives innovation, and sustains mission excellence.
Outside of CTEC, I volunteer with STEM for Her and Virginia Tech, where mentoring students is something I am deeply passionate about. Helping young professionals and students, especially women, see the possibilities in STEM and leadership roles is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Mentorship, when done with intention, creates a legacy of growth that extends far beyond any one organization or role.
What is something most people don’t know about you personally?
What I find most interesting is how excited people get when they learn about my Loudoun County farmette, where I care for horses, goats, alpacas, and chickens. It’s with my animals that I find stress relief and grounding, my daily tasks with them provide perspective and peace, reminding me to slow down, stay present, and appreciate simple progress. Working with them teaches patience and consistency, qualities that directly influence how I lead and make decisions.
While it’s no secret that I’m a proud Virginia Tech Hokie, what many may not know is that I’m currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership through Virginia Tech. Continuing my education there allows me to deepen my understanding of leadership theory and apply those insights directly to how I guide CTEC and its people. Lifelong learning has always been a cornerstone of my growth, and being able to pursue it through an institution that has shaped so much of who I am makes it even more meaningful.
But above all, I’m a mom first and foremost to my amazing daughter, Nora. She is my greatest source of joy and motivation, and seeing the world through her eyes continually reminds me why I do what I do, both personally and professionally. I include Nora in all of my activities, from volunteering to work, to include Border Patrol Foundation, Women in Technology and STEM for Her events, to provide her with exposure and experiences that will inspire her to be a confident leader and innovator in the future.