Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Jaffe
Hi Gary, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the Vice President of Strategy and Growth for Atlas Technologies, Inc. (Atlas Tech), a Veteran Owned Small Business headquartered in Charleston, SC. Atlas Tech specializes in providing secure information solutions in Disconnected, Denied,
Intermittent, and/or Limited Bandwidth (DDIL) environments. In fact, our origins date back to the mid-1990s when Atlas Tech played a vital role in bringing internet protocol to the maritime fleet. This dynamic small business has securely designed, engineered, integrated, and tested both USN and USCG networks for over 26 years. Further, Atlas Tech has a diverse blend of modern service offerings which include: Cyber, Cloud, IT Modernization, Engineering, and System Integration. As an executive leader his primary responsibilities include strategic planning, capture management, and business development oversight.
Originally from Richmond, VA, I have been in Charleston for over 22 years. I earned a B.S in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and an MBA from The Citadel Graduate College. I commissioned through the ROTC Program at The Citadel and served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an officer prior to beginning my career in the defense contracting industry. Having been a deployed warfighter serving in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, and now a senior defense contracting professional with experience on both the direct and indirect sides of the business at both large and small firms, I bring unique perspective to understanding the opportunities and challenges within the industry.
I was elected to the CDCA Board of Directors in 2018 and have served as President since 2022. I also Chair of the Government Advocacy & Strategy Committee and Co-Chair the Eastern Defense Summit, our flagship annual event. I previously served as Vice President and prior to that was the Co-Chair for the Operations Committee. I also served as the CDCA’s Small Business Representative on the NIWC-LANT Contracts Industry Council (CIC) for six years and was the Vice President of the National Contract Management (NCMA) Charleston Chapter for several years. In 2020, I was named to the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty under 40 class.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a CDCA board member is purely a volunteer position. It’s not easy juggling the demands of your full-time role with this also very demanding position; however, it’s worth it. We are privileged to be able to serve our members, the greater defense industrial base, and ultimately those who protect our nation which gives us all the perspective that this is so much bigger than many other things we are involved in.
The greatest challenge I’ve navigated while on the board was in 2020 when the pandemic started and really gripped the country. Our organization counts on events to drive both membership and revenue. With no events being able to take place, and later only a few being able to take place only virtually, we were in a tough spot for nearly two years. We had to significantly throttle back on many of our key initiatives and have some tough conversations with firms that had supported us for many years. The future of the organization was really in question as membership levels also dropped from what we had been used to. Having a strong team of professionals, board and staff included, as well as the loyalty of some key companies that supplement our staff, made all the difference. As the world “re-opened” we were able to quickly rejuvenate the organization and deliver even better events than what we had historically produced. Since this, our organization has grown significantly and each year our events set new records. We are healthier financially than we have ever been and, as a result, have been able to deploy funds in strategic ways to enhance our value for the members both now and in the future.
As you know, we’re big fans of Atlas Technologies, Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
For over 26 years, Atlas Technologies, Inc. (Atlas Tech) has taken great pride in being the joint, maritime cyber experts. Our fleet-focused firm of over 350 professionals specializes in providing secure information solutions in Disconnected, Denied,
Intermittent, and/or Limited Bandwidth (DDIL) environments. In fact, our origins date back to the mid-1990s when Atlas Tech played a vital role in bringing internet protocol to the maritime fleet. Our company’s first project was to lead the installation of
both LAN and WAN infrastructure on U.S. Navy ships. As a firm rooted in this type of innovation, we have built a strong foundation that includes extensive experience and knowledge in the secure development, integration, testing, maintenance, and sustainment of C4I systems and software. Our deep domain knowledge of tactical shipboard networks and messaging systems, for both U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) platforms, continues to add immediate value to the programs and customers we serve.
Atlas Tech continues to focus on joint maritime solutions and has been for well over two decades. I am extremely proud of our SMEs who are aboard U.S. Navy (USN), Military Sealift Command (MSC), and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) vessels nearly every day configuring, testing, and troubleshooting C4I systems around the world. Atlas Tech is working to solve the Navy and Coast Guard’s most difficult technical problems.
How do you think about happiness?
Of course, being with my family makes me the happiest; however, professionally I am extremely happy being a part of both the Atlas Tech and the CDCA teams. In both capacities, I get to work alongside some of the brightest, most talented minds in the industry. More importantly, I get to work with folks that I trust, respect, and believe in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charlestondca.org
- Other: https://www.atlas-tech.com/
