Typically, companies that employ a number of National Guardsmen and military reservists are rewarded day in and day out by having a staff that understands teamwork, perseverance and the meaning of hard work – all characteristics learned in the military and essential for success in business.
With roughly 15 percent of its employees falling under that category, Indianapolis-based veteran-owned information technology firm Perpetual Technologies, Inc. (PTI) was rewarded in a different way: by receiving the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award (small business category).
And what’s even more impressive is that PTI is the first VOB to ever win the award.
“Since we are a veteran owned business, vets and military personnel are a major part of our culture,” said PTI Co-Founder/ President and CEO Ryan Stephens, a veteran himself. “I think because of their training they have a strong sense of team cohesion.”
According to its Web site (www.freedomaward.mil), the Freedom Award has been in existence since 1996 as part of a mission of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to gain and maintain employer support
Fifteen Freedom Awards are presented each year to employers in the big business, small business and public sector categories. The award is the highest U.S. government recognition given to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
PTI doesn’t stop with just employing a number of National Guardsmen and military reservists though. The company sends care packages to deployed employees, recognizes military members at public events, displays yellow ribbons throughout the halls and even sends a birthday card, complete with a shiny new $5 bill, to deployed employees’ children.
Perhaps most significantly though, PTI regularly contributes to the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund and provides differential pay between its employees’ military wages and regular salary during deployments.
The company was nominated for the award by employee and co-owner Chris Zeis, who coincidentally was the first person ever hired at PTI.
“PTI has always been a strong supporter of the Armed Services and my military career,” Zeis said. “I am always looking for opportunities that allow PTI to gain recognition for their efforts in support of the military, and the ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) award was the perfect opportunity.”
From Humble Beginnings to Moderate, Controlled Growth
Stephens and fellow veteran Ron Plew started PTI in 1997 while teaching college courses and writing a technical book. As business grew, they focused all their efforts on the business, fostering what Stephens called “moderate, controlled growth.”
Today, PTI is a full service IT management provider with clients all over the U.S., including most notably the Department of Defense. However, the company’s expansion didn’t come without a few challenges and growing pains along the way. Three alliterative obstacles PTI faced were more people, personalities and processes.
Stephens recalled the difficulty of starting and building the business initially, with no business management experience.
“We had the entrepreneurial drive but no experience,” he said. “It’s like when you have children; there’s no book that can totally teach you to be a parent, since every child is different. Every business is different.”
It’s All About Focus (COULD BE A SIDEBAR)
Landing contracts with federal agencies like the Department of Defense takes several things, Stephens said.
- Establish and maintain relationships and networks
- Maintain an ethical standard in your work
- Get a little lucky
- Focus, focus, focus
“You can go on www.VetBiz.gov (federal contracts registry for VOBs) and find opportunities all day long, but you really need to hone in on ones that your company does best,” Stephens said. “Most importantly, get face time in front of the customer and build trust. Nothing builds long term success better than that.”
Company Information
Name: Perpetual Technologies, Inc.
Location/headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana
Company Web site: www.perptech.com
# of employees: 95
# of Military/Veteran Employees: About 15% of staff
Year founded: 1997
2005 revenues: $5M gross revenue/profits not disclosed
2006 revenues: $6M gross revenue
2007 revenues: $8M gross revenue
2008 revenues: $10.5M gross revenue
2009 revenues: $12.3M gross revenue
Ownership: Corporation
Vetrepreneur Info:
Name: Ryan Stephens
Age: 38 (until June)
Service branch: U.S. Army National Guard
Military service: 1989-2000
Highest rank attained: E-6 (Staff Sergeant)
What did you do in the military? Computer Programmer/Analyst
What is your fondest memory of the military?
One thing I miss is the peer unity. A few of us would go to lunch nearly every day together, as well as PT. We were always competing, which kept our jobs fun. As a business owner, it is often a lonely road, regardless of the culture you are able to build.
Biography/Fun Facts
Favorite TV show: I enjoy watching Discovery Channel and Animal Planet with my son Daniel
Favorite sports team: Indianapolis Colts
Dream car: Porsche 911 (was finally able to get one)
To relax: I enjoy sports such as basketball, competitive swimming, and outdoor activities.
If you weren’t a business owner: I would probably be in the IT field, although I’ve always had an interest in writing and marine biology.