NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Summer 2006

Mission Accomplished

McLean, Virginia-based Knowledge Link carves out profitable niche in the software and systems industry

Donna Alligood knows something about supporting the mission paramount to homeland security.  Her technology company, Knowledge Link, provides software and systems support that assists in the processing and distribution of massive amounts of information gathered and analyzed by the government agencies Knowledge Link supports.  

“Post 9/11, there is more and more emphasis on information,” Alligood explains. “And, with so much information available today the challenge is to collect, assimilate and get this information to the right receiver at the right time.  The systems we develop enable that kind of mission.”

Keeping the focus on the mission is the central theme that runs deep at Knowledge Link.   Those working close to the mission believe in the mission.  Every technology specialist in the organization holds a firm understanding that we support the United States government in these crucial times. 

An Early Sense

In 1995, Alligood co-founded Applied Technology Solutions (ATS) in McLean and was supplying IT services to various government agencies. The company grew steadily and was sold in 2003 to CACI International, a billion-dollar defense contractor based in Arlington.

After the sale of ATS, this self-described entrepreneur began planning for the creation of Knowledge Link.  Her love for small business resulted in incorporating Knowledge Link in the fall of 2003 running as a sole enterprise until Alligood began staffing in 2005.  A lot of time was spent lining up benefits, retirement plans, leases and all of the day-to-day business activities.  It was very important that everything be organized and all benefits be in place to welcome the first employee.

Supporting A New Era

Today, Knowledge Link’s growing staff includes professionals with expertise as systems integrators, systems and software engineers, systems analysts, software developers, test engineers, instructional designers and training specialists.  In this new era of defense and e-government, the Knowledge Link team delivers IT applications and infrastructures to improve communication and collaboration and enhance data collection and analysis.

Each project Knowledge Link supports is very client specific.  Employees are encouraged to maintain an extra element of creativity as they approach each new task while maintaining the integrity of the client’s requirements and standards for delivery.

While based out of Knowledge Link’s McLean headquarters, most employees work onsite at various government facilities.  Therein lies the challenge of keeping remotely based employees tied to home-office culture.  Quarterly all-hands meetings, phone calls, emails, happy hours and special events seem to do the trick.   Knowledge Link’s corporate staff is in constant communication with all employees.  “What really matters in a small business is that people respect other people and that they work together to accomplish goals.”

“For Your Eyes Only” 

Another challenge is meeting the customers’ strict security requirements.  To be part of the Knowledge Link team, employees must not only be at the top professionally, but they must also be able to obtain government issued security clearances which require extensive background checks.  “It certainly throws an extra element into the hiring and recruitment process,” Alligood says.  “It’s a small pool, but we have an advantage as a small and agile company because we can respond quickly to all candidates.”

Currently, Knowledge Link supports several large government contracts in both subcontracting and prime contracting roles.  “Large contract or small, we are always being judged on our past performance.  We have to strategically go after the work we can win and deliver the best results we can.  As time goes by and we build our reputation we can start pursuing much larger projects.”

Competitors are the well-established names in defense contracting: Lockheed, SAIC, General Dynamics. “But, just as they are competitors, they are also partners,” Alligood says. “We work several subcontract and prime contracts together.  We have to respect a competitor because they may be our next teaming partner next month.”

Techie Meets Entrepreneur

Alligood is quick to credit her $3M company’s success to a strong corporate culture that encourages not just technical proficiency but also an entrepreneurial mindset.

“Our company culture was established early on enabling employees to participate at the highest levels towards the growth of the company.  Employees are encouraged to maintain awareness of each client’s needs at every juncture.  We want employees astute enough to recognize a customer need when they are at a client’s worksite and bring it to the attention of the company.  It’s a corporate culture that also encourages ongoing skills training and education which are supported with a fairly significant training budget.”

Cracking the Banking Code

During the startup phase, Alligood quickly realized that in order to get Knowledge Link up and running she needed a credit line to support her vision.  During the early months she was banking with one of the major national banks.  “I had the idea that if I aligned myself with a large bank, I would have more banking options and resources.”  She quickly found out that wasn’t necessarily the case.

She then discovered her local First Horizon office.  “I liked the way they treated me. They were very polite, recognized me by name when I walked in, and they quickly returned my phone calls!”

“Working with Mary Beth Theisen, I got everything I needed,” Alligood recalls.  “Mary Beth came to our office and took a personal interest in our success.  “I appreciated it to the point that I moved all of my banking needs to First Horizon.  They continue to grow with me offering me financial instruments appropriate for our business and future growth.” 

As with many small businesses, the greatest financial challenge faced by Knowledge Link is maintaining positive cash flow.  “Invoicing is critical,” Alligood says.  “Delays in processing can cause serious problems.  That’s why you need a credit line that will adjust and grow as you do.” 

“I don’t think we can go wrong being aligned with a bank that that understands our vision for the future.”