Following several recent strategic hires, including a Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Technology Officer, wins across HHS (NIH and IHS) DHS and DOJ, and being named an Elev8 GovCon honoree, OS AI connected with A-TEK EVP Stephanie Cumberbatch and CFO Kathleen Dickson to learn how this team’s can-do attitude has led to success, what they seek in strategic business partners, and what the future holds for this thriving woman owned small business.
Embedded in Can Do
As a small business, A-TEK has always leaned on a can-do attitude, a focus on being nimble and agile, and a deliberate lens on attracting unique skillsets through a high-touch approach to recruiting and engagement. This focused approach has meant careers spanning more than a decade for many team members.
“We embrace a family atmosphere and really high-touch customer service that includes employee engagement and involves everyone from the CEO down.”
Whether it is completion of a proposal, brainstorming to solve a challenge, or supporting each other, A-TEK’s culture is inclusive, relying on everyone to jump in to help and collaborate. This has resulted in deep relationships and personal ties amongst each other, and to the company.
Noting that even those who may leave to pursue other interests still cheer the company on, that culture also infuses its customer relationships. “There is something tangible about our culture and our approach to the way we do business that people have a great sense of trust in us. We see it in the way our partners and industry cheers us on, and we get that same encouragement and support from our federal clients.”
Prepared as a Partner
Whether as a Prime or sub, A-TEK’s can-do approach means it comes to the table ready to do business, a perspective and experience that permeates the engagement. “Our CEO exudes this level of calm and confidence, demonstrates a high-level of excellence and respect in everything she does and that culture permeates through the company and influences us all in how we interact, how we deliver.”
What also permeates through the company is an understanding of goals, future plans and strategies so that everyone understands the mission and walks away with directives that are clearly understood. “There is also a unique balance between accountability and grace. We understand not everything is in our control and so while everyone expects to do their best and that others will as well, there is a tolerance, compassion and understanding that guides acknowledgement of lessons learned, of takeaways, of things we can perhaps improve upon.”
This, the team says, is one reason for the retention A-TEK claims. “People who jump around the Beltway typically are doing so because they haven’t hit targets, or there has been a change in direction they cannot get behind, or they feel they are not really part of the process. We take such a collaborative approach and learn together, start over together as needed, evolving together.”
A Broader Footprint Beyond Small Business
As A-TEK targets an aggressive growth strategy to expand beyond its small business status, it has been very focused on executing a balanced approach to growth with strategic objectives to properly position them for expansion and setting goals to continue the success they have experienced to date. “We have a strong delivery organization, high retention rate with our customers, high retention rate with our staff and we’ll continue to do more of that.”
A-TEK has also set its sights on growing into additional agencies. Already entrenched in DHS with past performance dating back two decades, A-TEK will look to expand into other components including USCIS and FEMA. It will also look to expand its footprint in NIH and its Operating Divisions where it currently brings perspective and experience across several of the institutes and centers, and within FDA where it also has significant past performance and relationships.
This can-do company is also expanding its capabilities, while investing in key strategic hires, instilling culture and vision across the workforce, and communicating the future to its new hires to ensure their buy-in on day one. “Identifying talent that shares our culture, the way we think about delivery, that has that same kind of passion and energy, and then engaging them in that future vision means we are prepared together for next steps.”
The company is also carefully watching the market, identifying trends and areas it wants to expand and develop greater depth. “As we grow we maintain the mentality of valuing relationships, of understanding that companies like A-TEK are more than capable and often bring the innovation needed to move an effort forward. We look forward to continuing and expanding our relationships with businesses of all sizes to solve our clients critical mission objectives.”
Focusing Passion
Deliberate in her efforts, A-TEK’s CEO, Kathryn Freeland, has a long history of supporting and mentoring women-owned small business owners, staying connected, following their success, and providing a sounding board when needed. “This is a passion of hers, something she is committed to that will continue as we grow.”
“One thing we learned early on is that people excel in areas they feel confident, in areas where they have an interest. Our Knowledge Enhancement Program (KEP) is available to all employees to use for training that benefits them professionally, but also benefits our customers and creates intellectual value for the company.”
That view of seeing the individual, consists of empowering leaders to “see” their staff, treating employees to random team lunches, and other personal touches that continually recognize people as A-TEK’s greatest assets. “Our CEO has a passion for people that drives doing the right thing, recognizing people continuously and authentically.”
Next Steps Beyond Small Business
As a growing business, A-TEK was on the ground level when the TSA was formed following the events of 9/11, as well as when what’s now called the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) was established in 2018. A-TEK developed a reputation for delivery that led to serving many federal agencies and being entrusted with numerous key federal missions in support of the agencies, and multiple others.
Leveraging that perspective gained as a small business supporting critical initiatives, through developing expertise in capabilities such as Digital, IT Modernization, Cloud, AI and ML, and investing in certifications, systems, tools, processes, and most importantly, people, A-TEK has grown its footprint and focus, implementing leading edge technologies for its federal government clients, positioning itself for the future. What’s next? Stay tuned.
Want to get involved with OS AI? - A small number of Sponsorship Opportunities are now available here. Starting at $500.