A Turning Point: 1994-2004
In 1994, Jerry Wright and Lamont McLean had taken UTRS as far in the local data processing services market as they could. That year, they met and subsequently partnered with Albert Zalcmann, a metallurgical and environmental engineer who was directing operations for a Department of Defense (DoD) contractor and managing high-visibility military system acquisitions, materials R&D testing and inspection contracts, as well as aviation safety programs for the FAA.
Zalcmann recognized that since UTRS had recently gone through the necessary steps to set themselves up for federal contracting, his background and knowledge of federal contracting and multidisciplinary expertise with DoD clients such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force would allow UTRS a rapid path to obtain prized federal contracts in this arena. In addition to turning UTRS toward federal and military contracts, as head of UTRS operations Zalcmann was also able to bring in talented colleagues in the 1990s with their own areas of expertise including Steve George, Rick Christ, Arend van der Veen, and Bob Sanders, who are all still with UTRS at our 40th anniversary.
UTRS’s ability to source knowledgeable, innovative, and dedicated leaders continued through the early 2000s with the addition of pivotal staff including Marc Snyderman, David Zalcmann, and Deb Marchese. These three, along with several others hired during that timeframe, are still very actively involved with UTRS’s continued strength and growth. These individuals and many other support staff demonstrate that UTRS’s success is and always has been a testament to the abilities and values of our dedicated team. With this cadre of very experienced personnel, steady expansion and success in government contracting followed in this decade, including UTRS being honored with the coveted Naval Air Warfare Center Performing Excellence Award.
In 2003, UTRS outgrew many of their contracts that were set aside for small businesses, a common problem that many early government contractors face. However with key personnel, an expanding range of engineering capabilities and customer solutions, and a growing portfolio of government contracts, UTRS was not only able to sustain long-term success but was ready for another decade of growth. Stay tuned for Part 4…