Here we are with the long-awaited and much-anticipated conclusion to the ACS Origin Story Series. We hope you enjoyed learning more about ACS and what truly makes us tick this week.
Thanks for following along!
MANDY: Last week we dove directly into the ACS Origin Story without first introducing ourselves as a company. What would you like people to know about ACS that we haven’t already shared?
ERIN: We’ve shared a lot about ACS this week, along with so many more personal stories and perspectives about ACS than we’ve ever shared before. And, really, that’s what I want people to know about ACS. That we are an authentic, transparent, genuine, caring, family-oriented, fun, and sometimes quirky organization made up of a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life.
I hope that one of the many takeaways from this week is that everything we do at ACS is focused on bringing out the best in ourselves, our colleagues, and the missions we support by pushing each beyond what we believe is capable.
Finally, I hope that our stories emphasized how we support each other by providing honest feedback, even when it’s hard. Our team at ACS is quite aware that we don’t have any “easy” customers. As you said earlier this week, “easy is not where the goodness lies”. Our customers are each difficult in their own way, and that is good thing—if we have an “easy” customer, then we’re not thinking hard enough.
ERIN: Throughout last week you made it a point to talk about women in technology but have not spoken much about the actual technology that ACS provides. I’ve been told on many occasions (including by my own parents), that what we do is a mystery to them. In a nutshell, what do you mean by “technology”, what is the ACS technology footprint, and why is it so important to you?
MANDY: Technology is certainly a catch-all word. In the context of my recent social media posts, I’ve been referring to the entirety of the STEM landscape.
ACS only works in a narrow portion of that space. We are an Information Technology and Data company that does everything from Data Science and Data Architecture to Model Based Systems Engineering. Our practices draw from applied math, engineering, and computer science.
But back to the broader STEM picture—and I’m going to get my soapbox out here—there remains a perception that women aren’t good at technology. That perception is played out in the vignettes we shared as well as some of the comments on those vignettes. Just last week an employee shared with us that they were told “and you did it, despite being a girl” after being part of her company’s largest contract award to-date. These aren’t stories from a generation ago—they are current. And worse, they are completely proven false by the numbers—2019 marked the first year in history that more women were attending medical school than men.
You and I are not only owners of a technical company, but also technical ourselves. So, it’s important (as painful as it might be for an introvert to spend time on social media) to remind folks that STEM can, and should, be gender blind. It hurts my heart to think that middle schoolers still are surprised that women own a technology business. My aim is to remind anyone within shouting distance that women can, and should, be involved in our nation’s future technology.
MANDY: When looking back on the 8 years we’ve been at this together, what moment was your proudest?
ERIN: There are so many moments in our past that I am proud of. If I have to choose just one, then it would be our how we responded to uncertainty in 2020. I am most proud of how we were not only quick to come together as an executive team and outline the path ahead for our staff in March of 2020, but also that we were able to support our staff through some very trying times.
Personally, this time of crisis has offered me a constant reminder of my “why”. You and I both feel the day-to-day stresses associated with being ultimately responsible for the livelihoods of our staff—even more so during the last 12 months. I am proud of how we continue to find ways to turn those stresses into opportunities. While we don’t have all of the answers, we have enough of them, along with the resources, passion, meaningful connections, and commitment, to make a real difference in the lives of our employees, the mission needs of our customers, and the communities in which we live and work. This is what keeps me going every day.
ERIN: When looking back on the 8 years we’ve been at this together, what moment was your lowest and what pulled you out of it?
MANDY: I have both a personal and professional story.
Well, personally, this company, and you, have been a bit of a lifesaver. In 2015, I lost my father to cancer and, in 2016, I lost my mother to complications from Parkinson’s. You want to talk low, that’s a pretty hard 1…2 punch. The company, the care from all the employees—and, frankly, from our partner companies, gave me support and purpose when I needed it most. ACS gave me both space and accountability—in just the right doses.
Professionally, there have been a couple of low moments—not getting our option period picked up on a contract or task order and losing some relationships with partner companies over foolishness (our part or theirs) both come to mind. But my lowest moment would have been the first time I had to release someone for performance. As the owner of the Service Delivery team at ACS, I am wholly responsible for the quality of what our customer gets. I am also a firm believer that you can get good performance out of just about anyone. It’s not really someone’s fault if you put a square peg in a round hole and they can’t then be round like you want. But, after putting your all into an employee to try to get their performance up or to find the right fit, and you still have to release them for performance, it hurts the first time, and continues to hurt each time thereafter.
My daughter, Meghan, reminded me that this person had a family to feed (helpful guilt trip teen, that she is). And then I reminded her that there are 80 other folks relying on ACS to feed their families and that accountability is as important to quality as it is to performance of others.
So, I was pulled out of my funk by explaining ACS accountability to my kiddo and then doing what I always do and working on improving the process for the future.
ERIN: I know you were reluctant to step out into the social media spotlight this week and blog about our company. Now that it’s done, do you feel the same way and what did you take away from this week?
MANDY: Gaaah, this week really did take a fair amount of emotional energy. Up until Monday I had never posted on Instagram or LinkedIn, and this week’s posts on Facebook are likely higher in count than all of my previous posts over the last 10 years. BUT, you were right and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The forced clarity of thought and the engagement with our peers (as well as the potential to truly get that “Women Can Do Anything” message out there). Priceless.
My takeaway is that pushing boundaries, just like making mistakes, is a necessary part of growing.
MANDY: To close, tell me one fact about yourself that others might be surprised to know.
ERIN: What is there left to share? I feel like I’ve shared so much already. Outside of ACS, I am a mom to 4 amazing humans (Katie, Mackenzie, Mason, and Harrison), 2 dogs (Buddy and Cooper), and 7 chickens who remain nameless. I found a love for the sport of ultrarunning shortly after starting ACS and have completed races as far as 100 miles. A few notable finishes include the Daytona 100 Ultramarathon (100 miles, x2 finishes—2017, 2016), Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 miles, x2 finishes—2017, 2014), and the Catskill Mountain 100K (62 miles, x2 finishes—2017, 2016). While I don’t run very far these days, I do my best to stay active.
Since the pandemic, I’ve found a love for all things sourdough. If you’re curious, my sourdough starter’s name is Gus (yes, he has a name and even a bit of a personality).
ERIN: Same question.
MANDY: I’m not sure there’s much to be told. I’m a pretty open book. I wish it were something like “I sing opera on the weekends” or “I’m secretly a blond,” but I’m pretty boring.
So, I’ll go with this. I have very eclectic and sometimes very poor taste in books. Currently, I’m reading Beartown (love it), The Stand (a bit on the nose for these days, but I can’t put down Steven King), and Cinder (don’t judge – yes, it’s a young adult novel reimagining Cinderella with Cyborgs).
Or forget what I just said. Please remember that my whole family are certified scuba divers and we hop at every chance to go on a dive.
ABOUT ASSURED CONSULTING SOLUTIONS
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Assured Consulting Solutions is a well-respected and trusted partner, domain expert, and provider of expert-level support. ACS is a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) that delivers advanced technology solutions and strategic support services in support of critical national security missions for Intelligence, Defense, and Federal Civilian customers. Learn more at www.assured-consulting.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Public Relations
(703) 662-5062
pr@assured-consulting.com