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ExecutiveBiz: You became CEO in September. What does that mean in terms of your new job and what does that mean for the company?
Brad Antle:
One of the things you will find about SI International is that we are deliberate and long-term about every significant decision that we make – and this was no exception. Even when we were in a start up phase, our founder Ray Oleson insisted that we had to have a senior management team in place that would be capable of running a very large company. We invested in the systems and infrastructure that would allow us to scale rapidly. The recent announcement of my becoming CEO and Ray continuing to head up the Board of Directors as Executive Chairman are consistent with our Company's long term succession plan and further illustrate the depth of the SI International management team. Ray and the board looked at the next phase of our growth and concluded that the job of Executive Chairman was going to be a full time occupation, given the increased duties and responsibilities associated with being a public company and the attention we place on strategic business planning, continued long-term growth initiatives, and future acquisitions. I am honored that they felt I was the right person to step up to the roles of CEO and President.
In terms of my new role as CEO, I have no plans to change our corporate strategy. I think we have demonstrated that we have a winning formula in place. My primary focus is going to be on ensuring that we continue to deliver "best-in-class" mission critical solutions to our clients. I've got 3,800 exceptionally qualified team members that I intend to support on their assignments. We are going to continue to focus on growing on average 25% a year for the foreseeable future through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. If we can accomplish those things, and keep an eye on our margins, then all of our stakeholders – customers, employees, and stockholders --- should be very well served.
ExecutiveBiz: What does SI International earn in terms of annual revenue?
Brad Antle:
On July 25, 2005, we issued revenue guidance of $390 million or better for fiscal year 2005.
ExecutiveBiz: You mentioned Ray was working on acquisitions. How important are acquisitions in the future?
Brad Antle:
Acquisitions have always been and always will be part of our strategic plan. We have an overall revenue growth objective of 25% a year with improving margins as well. The key to our strategy is 10 to 15% of organic growth and 10 to 15% of growth through acquisitions. Those acquisitions will either be important in increasing the scale of our company, adding new customer sets, or enhancing the scope, adding new capabilities.
ExecutiveBiz: When SI International wants to acquire a company, what is the most important thing you look for?
Brad Antle:
Well a big part of it, once you get beyond the hard due diligence, or what is better known as the fiduciary responsibilities, is the corporate culture. We have to have a culture that is going to fit, so that the acquired employees can be integrated into SI International on Day One of the acquisition. We don't simply buy a company and then hang it off the side. The way we get the best value out of an acquisition is by totally integrating it.
ExecutiveBiz: How would you describe your corporate culture?
Brad Antle:
At SI International, we recognize that financial performance is the effect, and not the cause of business excellence. The real drivers of our success are the quality of people and the values that underpin everything we do. At the very cornerstone of the company is a unique culture of respect for our clients, employees, and business partners. It embodies the values of honesty, service, and open communication that are required to build long-term, valuable relationships in our industry.
ExecutiveBiz: And looking past acquisitions, what else do you hope to accomplish this year and the next year?
Brad Antle:
Well, clearly we want to continue executing our business plan. We have met or exceeded our financial goals for every quarter since becoming a public company in November 2002. As we look ahead at the issues that are at the top of the agenda for the Federal government, we find that SI International's strategic focus and proven capabilities are squarely aligned with the government's high priority initiatives – Federal IT modernization, defense transformation, homeland defense, and mission-critical outsourcing.
ExecutiveBiz: Who are your major customers?
Brad Antle:
Our major clients include U.S. Air Force Space Command, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, defense intelligence agencies, and the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Those are probably our biggest customers. We are very proud of the quality of our customer base. We have a set of customers any company would envy. The work we do is absolutely aligned with the more important imperatives of the Federal government.
ExecutiveBiz: What advice would you give the CEOs of small government contracting companies wanting to do business with SI International?
Brad Antle:
We're pretty aggressive at the small business outreach program. We are always looking for small businesses with unique capabilities to team with when competing on a contract. Additionally, we offer a mentor-protégé program for small businesses. We have received several awards from customers such as the Department of State for exceeding our small business goals. We have a lot of respect for what small businesses are accomplishing.
ExecutiveBiz: How is the company involved in the community?
Brad Antle:
Almost too many to elaborate. We do Christmas in April every year. We support St. Jude's Children's Hospital. We have numerous food drives and all kinds of charity events that we participate in our various locations across the country. We have over 3800 employees across the country and we actively support groups of employees coming together to participate in community based volunteer activities. The company supports events that employee participate in with cash donations. That's how we encourage employees to get involved in the local community.
ExecutiveBiz: What has been the secret of your company's success?
Brad Antle:
First, we are in the right markets. The issues we focus on are major, long-term initiatives of our Federal government clients. The demand for our services is growing. Second, we have the right team. Our employees come to work every day knowing that their work matters. They understand the needs of our customers intimately. Third, we have been successful in winning new contracts and tasks under current contract vehicles. And finally, we have a sound game plan for success. That plan has not changed since the company was founded. Being a great company isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Keep focused on the plan. I think we are on the path.
ExecutiveBiz: What is something that people don't know about you?
Brad Antle:
My work at SI International is not all I do. From spending time with my family to participating in community activities, I keep all my priorities in life in balance. I enjoy taking time to go snowboarding and scuba diving with my wife and two daughters.
For more information about
SI International, visit
www.si-intl.com.
Interview with Brad Antle conducted by JD Kathuria.
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