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CEO Q&A Photographed Arria Hines, CEO of the #1-rated company in West Virginia Written by PATRICK GREGG by ALEX WILSON ARRIA HINES IS A WEST VIRGINIA GIRL. She has lofty goals and, based upon her track record thus far, she’s going to reach those goals. Hines is CEO of Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), an energy, defense and intelligence sector services provider based in Bridgeport, West Virginia. AST was named in Inc. 500 as the #1-rated company in West Virginia, the #17-rated government services company and #268 among the fastest-growing firms in the Inc. 500. The firm also ranked #7 on the Washington Technology 2014 Fast 50, the industry publication’s annual ranking of top-performing small business contractors. And the company is only in its sixth year of existence. B&E MAGAZINE Allegheny now employs more than 75 people and supports nearly a dozen federal agencies. The company has two offices in the Washington, D.C., metro area and one in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with another two D.C. area offices planned to open. With a recently awarded $85 million purchase agreement from the U.S. Department of Energy, the company is expected to double in size during 2015. 4
The company you founded acquires government contracts and has been very successful at it. How long have you been in this business? Allegheny was founded in March 2009 contract in July 2009. I have worked in the federal government contracting arena since 2001. However, my deep plunge into government contracting began when I joined SAIC in 2003 as the director of programs for the Integration and Technology Operations. You are a highly successful woman in an industry primarily populated by men. Was that a difficult journey, and is it still? I would say it has been a good journey with a few challenges along the way. It’s fairly widely known that the technology industry has been dominated by men. During my career, I have often found myself the only woman sitting at the conference room table during meetings. However, I choose not to focus on the gender gap; what I focus on is how I can contribute to the conversation and ultimately the success of the organization. I think the roots of success are found in a person’s attitude, not in their gender. Many women in the business world contact you for advice. What are some of the things you tell them? Frequently, I get asked the question, “How did you know starting a company was the right thing for you to do?” And, my very honest answer is, “I did not know.” I trusted my instincts and it felt right. The next couple of questions I get usually surround how I grow the business and sustain it. My advice is: 1) build good relationships that will give you reachback need it), including a network with other business leaders; and 2) access to capital; it is very important to establish a banking to business growth. Along the way, you had some mentors and influencers in your life. What characteristics did those people have? parents, and of all the things they taught me the one characteristic that stands out is being optimistic and having a positive attitude. Along the way I discovered the passion to work for reasons that go beyond money or status. I have worked with a lot of people over the years, and along the way I was fortunate to work with a lot of excellent managers who had build rapport, which is the foundation of teamwork. You decided to work and start your business in West Virginia. Why? I am a native West Virginian. I was born in Weston, West Virginia, and outside of living in Northern Virginia contractor was at the NASA IV&V Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia (not so coincidentally the agency that awarded the relationships that were developed and to NASA for the opportunity to launch AST in West Virginia. Allegheny also supports other federal government agencies in the state, such as the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Morgantown and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division in Clarksburg. What do you look for in employees that you hire at Allegheny? corporate culture. AST is a family focused company. Everyone brings something valuable to the team, and everyone is valued. We are a high-integrity company with high energy and passion. AST’s success is not about me. Our success truly comes from the talented professionals who support our customers and the corporate Tell us something that you are eternally grateful you did as you built your business. the company, making key strategic hires to position AST for long-term growth. Also, we have focused on investing in corporate infrastructure, such as accounting, human resources, recruiting naturally I would like to mention I am eternally grateful for my business partner I think the roots of success are found in a person’s attitude, not in their gender.” ARRIA HINES CEO, Allegheny Science & Technology Bob Wentz (executive vice president and with me and sharing the vision for AST. Tell us about a mistake you made along the way that you learned a great deal from. Oh, there has been more than one mistake along the way. Unfortunately, there are no true blueprints to building a business. If I had to pinpoint one key mistake, it would have to be that I tried to do it all myself, and you can’t. You have to surround yourself with a good team. I have been very fortunate along the way complementary expertise who have been the key drivers in AST’s success and growth. You are a B&E Executive MBA graduate, and a big proponent of the program. What did the program do for you? The Executive MBA program helped me achieve a higher and broader understanding of the corporate world. You need to continually learn; the world is constantly changing, and you have to adapt. I am forever grateful for the valuable insights and relationships I gained from being a part of the program. I have reached back to my professors and cohort teammates over the years many times for support and guidance when I have encountered stumbling blocks as I have built my business. How did it come about you were listed in Inc., and how has that affected you and your business since? We are really excited to be listed among the fastest growing companies recognitions, there is a selection process. Making the list was a tremendous the hard work and dedication of our employees. In addition to the growth recognition for our company, the listing gives our customers and industry when working with us. And as a former athlete and still a very competitive person, I have to say I really like being listed #1 in West Virginia! SPRING 2015 5
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