Federal Innovators: Part 4
Kim Hayes
Co-founder/CEO, The Ambit Group
Company: The Ambit Group, one of the first certified Woman-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, specializes in managing and connecting technology and operations to performance in the homeland defense and public safety, regulatory, and citizen-centric mission areas. The 170-person firm has recovered $88M in operational savings in the last six years.
Innovative project: Designed Ambit's information logistics framework to help federal agencies quickly convert masses of data to precise and actionable information.
Innovation inspiration: Looking at something others take as status quo and finding a way to streamline it. “Innovation shouldn’t be for innovation’s sake, but for improvement.”
Why this career: Coming from military to the civil market, found a way to streamline and connect customers and mission.
Grew up: Scotland County, NC
Why DC: Active duty assignment to DC.
First job: Worked on the family farm, picking cucumbers and helping with the books.
Free time: Golf, shooting and cycling.
Family: Significant other, three kids (21, 18, 16) and two Labradoodles.
Favorite vacation spot: Rehoboth—vacation house on the Indian River Bay.
Bucket list: Seven days of golf down the coast of Spain.
Daily habit: Exercise and read news from multiple perspectives.
Startling fact: First in family to get a college education.
Rob Palmer
Acting deputy executive director of enterprise system development office, DHS
Job: Supports the delivery of enterprise IT services to DHS. Job provides opportunities to rethink tech on a daily basis and to work with talented innovators.
On the job: Current position one year and at DHS since 2012.
Innovative project: Supported development of a protection profile for all federal agencies to vet the security of mobile applications, making it easier and safer for agencies to develop and use mission-critical mobile apps.
Innovation inspiration: Mission. Changes in IT allow people in government to better understand their agency’s mission and technology’s role in improving the way people perform their jobs.
Why this career: Always had an analytical and systems-oriented mind. Also, grew up around military installations. Developed deep respect for people in the military and wanted a career to support defense.
Grew up: Born in Takoma Park, MD
First job: Odd jobs at a nursing home.
Free time: Sons’ many sporting activities, golf and play flag football in a national travel league.
Family: Married two years; two sons (12 and 14); and a Great Dane.
Favorite vacation spots: Amalfi Coast, Italy and Spain.
Bucket list: Learn to fly and to electronically mix music…”not at the same time.”
Daily habit: Tell wife and kids how much they’re adored.
Startling fact: Mildly terrified of public speaking and spiders.
Jake Cusack
Managing Partner, CrossBoundary
Company: Frontier market investment firm in DC, NYC, Nairobi and Dubai. CrossBoundary, co-founded by Jake four years ago, focuses on investment advisory and has an investment fund for solar energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Innovative project: Works with USAID, DOD and international development agencies in areas like Afghanistan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Haiti to spur private investment in sectors like healthcare, agribusiness, energy, and information and communications technology. Firm also recently began financing rooftop solar for businesses in Africa.
Why this career: Gained a passion for working in conflict zones and developing countries as a Marine Corps officer, leading a sniper platoon and working in intelligence in Iraq and other locations. Became interested in the role of the private sector in foreign policy and how it could create economic opportunity in fragile places.
Grew up: Grand Rapids, MI
First job: Sold homemade granola to neighbors at age 7. Even had a marketing sheet comparing prices against Cheerios and Swiss Museli. Tasted good but didn’t look good. Business folded at age 8.
Free time: Skiing, climbing, and signing up for marathons and then feeling relieved after canceling a few months before the race.
Top 5 vacation spots: Cambodia, Argentina, New Zealand, Cape Town and NYC.
Bucket list: Learn how to cook.
Startling fact: Oldest of seven children. “Big families are basically the best thing ever.”
In case you missed the Federal Innovators we've already featured this month, click here for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. And sign up for the June 11 event to honor all these outside-the-box thinkers in Crystal City.
Big thanks to our partners on this project: Eastern Foundry, KPMG, NeoSystems, Sheppard Mullin and JLL.
