What does it take to make the cut? Elev8 GovCon awardee REI Systems shares their success, driven in part by committing to core values, mission and people focus, and how partners with shared vision is the way forward.
Investment for the Sake Betterment
At REI, “Investment for the Sake of Betterment” stands out as the most important characteristic. As a delivery-focused organization with fierce devotion to mission impact, we believe that investing in our employees drives meaningful change. REI Systems was built on the foundation of small, empowered teams working together to create significant mission impact for our customers. Thirty-five years and significant growth later, this still holds true. We believe in empowering our employees, which allows us to create high quality, positive outcomes that align with our commitment to making a difference.
Commitment to Core Values
Our culture is defined by our five core values, SPARK: Service to the customer, Passion for success, a positive Attitude, Readiness for challenges, and Keeping promises. These values influence every aspect of our work, from client interactions to team collaboration. Their significance is evident in the positive feedback we receive from both customers and employees, making them the cornerstone of our culture. This commitment to our values has contributed to our recognition as an eight-time winner of the Washington Post Top Workplace Award and is reflected in an employee retention rate of over eighty percent, showing that our team members feel valued, supported, and motivated to grow with us.
Focus on Mission Impact
The most unique aspect of our company’s culture is our unwavering focus on mission impact. We empower our employees to make a meaningful difference, aligning their work with the broader goals of our clients to drive positive, tangible outcomes. This mission-driven approach fosters a deep sense of purpose, reinforced by initiatives like the Veer Bhartiya Team Impact Award, which honors teams that advance public sector missions through technology.
Our commitment extends beyond work with our REI Cares program, an employee-driven initiative that contributes to our communities through efforts like CPR training, food bank support, and blood drives. We also foster a vibrant workplace culture with programs like the “Happy Feet” running club, promoting health, team spirit, and a supportive community. Together, these initiatives create a workplace where people connect, grow, and make a meaningful impact.
Constant People Focus
We ensure our culture remains strong by maintaining a constant focus on our people and the manager-employee relationship. We encourage consistent one-on-one meetings, which foster open communication, trust, and alignment with our core values. This ongoing dialogue helps us stay connected, address challenges, and reinforce our culture, ensuring that it scales effectively as we continue to grow. In addition to these personal touchpoints, our townhall meetings, in-person company gatherings, and team celebrations play a vital role in uniting our people. These events create shared experiences, strengthen our sense of community, and give everyone an opportunity to connect, celebrate successes, and collectively immerse ourselves in our culture.
Relationships Grounded in Shared Vision
Who we are as a company—focused on mission impact and making our communities a better place—deeply shapes how we interact with clients and partners. We seek relationships grounded in a shared vision for the long-term, where both sides are committed to serving the customer and achieving outcomes that go beyond profit, aiming instead for genuine, mission-driven impact. We also value partners who prioritize the development and growth of their people, fostering talent and innovation within their teams. By collaborating with companies who share these values, we ensure that our collective efforts drive meaningful, lasting change in the communities we serve.
Growing Expertise
Over the next year or two, we plan to deepen our expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), customer experience (CX), and low-code solutions, furthering our commitment to our overall digital transformation strategy. This strategic focus will enhance our ability to support new customer missions. By aligning our services with these critical areas, we aim to expand our impact within the government sector, partnering with organizations dedicated to creating positive community outcomes.
Valuing Employees
One thing we’d like to emphasize is that we, as a company, deeply value our employees. We invest in our people through professional development and mentorship opportunities, including leadership training, cybersecurity training, and a range of growth programs that ensure our team has the tools and support they need to excel. Our commitment to learning extends beyond formal training; we foster collaboration and shared expertise through Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Centers of Excellence (CoEs) that bring employees together to innovate, solve challenges, and deepen their knowledge. This focus on individual and collective development not only strengthens our team but also enhances the quality and impact of the work we deliver.
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