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 Dave Yockman, CEO of Edgewater Federal Solutions, 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?
Edgewater Federal Solutions had a standout year in 2023. Revenue growth was impressive, reaching a solid 30% year-over-year increase. We won all our recompete contracts and secured a significant $138 million datacenter management contract with the FBI. On the internal front, we focused on refining our corporate processes and boosting automation to serve our customers and employees even better.
As for workplace culture, we maintained our status as an award-winning workplace. We were recognized as a Washington Post Top Workplace for the sixth year in a row and listed among the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies for the fifth consecutive year.
We also picked up honors from Inc and OrangeSlices, which was exciting! Our commitment to community support remained strong, as we backed more than 37 community organizations in 2023. Overall, it’s been a year of growth, recognition, and community involvement for Edgewater.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Going forward we are focused on sustaining our year-over-year growth, deepening our technical capabilities and service offerings, and providing innovation for our customers to more cost effectively achieve their critical missions, all while keeping the family friendly employee and customer centric culture instilled by Richard Yockman, my father and the founder of Edgewater. These areas of focus have been the recipe for building Edgewater what it is today, and I am confident it will fuel Edgewater’s success in the future.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Try to find something you have a passion for and love to do (we spend most of our waking hours working so why not enjoy it), dream big, set lofty goals, develop and execute a plan (start your plan with the end in mind), don’t be afraid to fail (failure allows you to learn, experience and improve), hire or surround yourself with people smarter than you (I call this the A-team), maintain a healthy work-life balance (if you’re not healthy and not having fun what’s the point), and most importantly, find a way to give back to your community.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about?
I love to dance! I was even recognized as the Executive with Best Dance Moves at the 2023 Admin Awards Gala. I’m also a huge Lady Gaga fan! Anyone have concert tickets?