Partners in Purpose: Our Servant Leadership Journey Advancing Federal Mission

In an era where federal contract consolidation continues to favor larger entities with broader capabilities, and small businesses face mounting challenges to compete, one quality stands out above all credentials: trust.[1] As the federal marketplace evolves in 2025, agencies aren't just searching for vendors with technical capabilities—they're seeking mission partners they can trust to navigate budget uncertainty, shifting priorities, and increasingly complex implementation challenges.[2]

When I founded our company in 2011, I didn't set out to be the boss. I set out to serve.

From day one, my mission was to build a company that would deliver exceptional results—not by commanding from the top, but by lifting people up and empowering them to lead with integrity, purpose, and pride. That mindset—servant leadership—has guided us through every chapter of our growth, from our very first contract to becoming a trusted IT partner across 14 federal agencies.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi

A Humble Beginning, A Clear Mission

Our journey began with a milestone that still defines our ethos: winning the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Public Health Information System contract. That work—supporting critical food safety infrastructure protecting millions—taught us success in federal contracting isn't just about deliverables. It's about understanding the mission behind the work and showing up as a true partner.

We've been proudly serving FSIS ever since, and our relationship has only grown stronger.

As our reputation grew, so did our reach. We expanded further within USDA by winning a training contract with the Distance Learning Branch (DLB), delivering innovative learning solutions to support agency staff nationwide.

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"The Section 508 contract team has been instrumental in improving accessibility at the U.S. Department of State, particularly through their expertise in testing websites and forms, along with their commitment to cross-departmental collaboration." — Marcia Bernicat, Director of Global Talent

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Servant Leadership at Scale

As we scaled, I stayed true to one core belief: leadership is service.

In 2017, we entered into a Mentor-Protégé agreement, laying the groundwork for accelerated growth and strategic alignment. That same year, we secured a seat on the Air Force Business Enterprise Systems (BES)'s Small Business Enterprise Application Services (SBEAS) contract—an enormous $13 billion contract vehicle—and a true turning point in our story.

But we didn't stop there.

Later that year, we acquired Ekagra Partners, LLC, a bold move that expanded our portfolio and opened access to the CIO-SP3 Small Business contract vehicle. Through Ekagra, we've booked over $400 million in business—a testament not just to strategy, but to the people-first culture we've built.

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The USCIS-FDNS-DS team's Management Directorate Award for Directorate Partnership recognized our "successful efforts to forge new collaborative relationships between FDNS Team and USCIS customers that substantially contributed to the fulfillment of the missions."

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"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." – John C. Maxwell

Culture Is the True Differentiator

Today, we serve 14 federal agencies with cutting-edge IT services—from enterprise application modernization to cloud solutions and training delivery. But behind every line of code and every task order is a team that knows they are seen, heard, and valued.

That's what servant leadership looks like in action:

• Listening first, even when the pressure is high

• Removing roadblocks so teams can move fast and think freely

• Celebrating success while learning through setbacks

• Leading with transparency and integrity, always

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." – Simon Sinek

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow and evolve, servant leadership remains our foundation. It's not a buzzword—it's how we've built lasting partnerships, attracted top-tier talent, and earned a reputation for doing what's right, not just what's easy.

This philosophy now guides our most ambitious initiatives yet. With our recently appointed executive leading technology and innovation, we're making significant investments in three transformative areas: artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven decision making. These aren't just technological priorities—they're tools that will enable us to serve our federal partners with even greater impact and precision.

Central to this vision is our newly established innovation hub, newRoot Labs. This dedicated environment embodies our servant leadership approach by creating space for experimentation, collaboration, and forward thinking. Here, our teams will develop solutions that not only solve today's challenges but anticipate tomorrow's needs across the federal landscape.

These strategic investments align perfectly with our three-year growth objectives while staying true to our core identity. As federal agencies increasingly seek partners who can navigate complex technological transformations with both technical excellence and mission understanding, our blend of innovation capability and servant leadership positions us uniquely.

The journey from a small team in 2011 to a powerhouse supporting mission-critical programs across government has been humbling. And while the scale may change, the mission doesn't: serve the mission, serve the team, and serve with purpose.

Because when technology is driven by servant leadership, everyone wins—agencies fulfill their missions more effectively, citizens receive better government services, and our teams find deeper meaning in their work.

That's the kind of leadership that lasts.

References:

[1] iQuasar LLC. "7 Key Government Contracting Trends to Watch for in 2025." December 20, 2024. https://iquasar.com/blog/7-key-government-contracting-trends-to-watch-for-in-2025/

[2] FedBiz Access. "2025 Government Contracting Trends: What Government Contractors Should Expect and Focus On to Maximize Opportunities." December 18, 2024. https://fedbizaccess.com/2025-government-contracting-trends-what-government-contractors-should-expect-and-focus-on-to-maximize-opportunities/