Transitioning from Military to Entrepreneur

According to country singer Toby Keith, a soldier “will always do their duty no matter the price, counting up the cost and knowing the sacrifice.” After honorably serving the United States to protect American freedoms, many veterans live these same tenets as they begin new endeavors as business owners. In fact, veteran-owned businesses employ approximately 5.7 million individuals throughout the United States equating to an estimated $210 billion in annual payroll and $1.2 trillion in sales. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Gabe Ruiz represents one of three million veterans who successfully served his country in the public service and private sector.

Shifting the Mission

Ruiz服务作为军队通信和26年Technology Acquisition Officer before becoming an entrepreneur. During his tenure, Ruiz was instrumental in the process to modernize, streamline and restructure the entire IT infrastructure for the Army by conducting research, implementing pilot programs, and deploying numerous IT systems at more than 100 Army installations across the world.

“We researched Georgia, Arizona and Virginia because of our relationship with the government,” Ruiz said. “We settled in Florida because of the proximity to the Research Park next to the University of Central Florida (UCF).”

After retiring in 2006, Ruiz was determined to begin a new venture. A friend recommended he start a consulting firm for companies wanting to conduct business with the government. Ruiz transitioned from military to civilian life with ease; education and military experience provided an abundance of knowledge and expertise. Ruiz focused his “mission” on developing, implementing and executing a private sector business which supported the Department of Defense. “My mission as a civilian was to identify government needs and necessities, particularly within the Army,” Ruiz said. “I wanted to figure out how to bring value to government customers by modernizing their IT systems.”

Ruiz foundedAdvanced IT Concepts, Inc.(AITC), aService-Disabled拥有资深年代mall Business and Minority 8(a) Information Technologycompany based in Winter Springs, Florida. AITC focuses on IT and logistics solutions for the local, state and federal government and private companies. “We engage our customers by helping them identify their needs. We determine potential alternatives and results to meet their business requirements,” Ruiz said. “For example, we use technological solutions to implement IT systems integration, IT infrastructure connectivity, logistics support, data center support and cyber security protection. Organizations utilizing new, innovative and cost-effective IT solutions perform more effectively, efficiently and economically, achieving overall success more often and much faster,” Ruiz said.

AITC Strong

“Employees are our greatest asset,” Ruiz said. “The Army values loyalty, duty, respect, self-service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Many of our employees have military backgrounds and our company’s focus is the Department of Defense; therefore, we embrace military principles, beliefs and ideals.”

AITC recruits, hires and maintains unsurpassed talent to innovate and exceed client expectations. The talent pool incorporates a vast knowledge of the government, IT logistics and telecommunications infrastructure. To ensure goals are met, AITC provides advisory services, strategic planning, program management, system development, technology specialists, engineering, logistics and training support. “Due to our team’s proven expertise and experience, AITC is one of only a few small companies holding a high-level security clearance,” Ruiz said.

Geography is Everything

AITC considered multiple locations when setting up its headquarters. “We researched Georgia, Arizona and Virginia because of our relationship with the government,” Ruiz said. “We settled in Florida because of the proximity to the Research Park next to the University of Central Florida (UCF).” Central Florida offered easy access to the Department of Defense;Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division;U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation;U.S. Army Simulations and Training Technology Center;Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems; and, theAir Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. In addition, it was near UCF, numerous medical institutions and private corporations. “Florida is a pro-business state and we are in the backyard of our customers,” Ruiz said.

Teaming Up with the Army

In 2015, AITC won a 5-year, $45 million Army contract. The following year, AITC earned a $70 million contract with Army Medical Simulation Support Services based on an evaluation as the best-qualified contractor possessing the business practices and capabilities to meet or exceed the necessary requirements due to several years of exceptional past performance. AITC will assist in providing procurement and logistics services for medical-based simulation training. Additionally, AITC was awarded 10 government contracts based on several years of exceptional past performance. These acquisitions have a combined value of $13 million.

“The Army applies innovative technologies, tools and equipment to develop information that benefit and best generate operational decisions, results and solutions,” Ruiz said. “AITC aids their efforts in training advancement and skill development essential to successful missions.”

Going Green

The newest contract acquisition for AITC is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture worth $3.9 million. Over the past five years, the U.S. Forest Service’s network capacity has amplified rapidly with increased user demands and new technological requirements. This contract addresses the security concerns of the older primary network equipment with new replacements and modernizing current technology. “We are excited to work with the USDA Forest Service on a larger scale. As demonstrated over the past 10 years, we are a reliable and valuable resource for the federal government to obtain cost-effective, innovative technology solutions. This is a great opportunity to cultivate additional business for long-term relationships and growth,” Ruiz said.

“The contract continues to boost AITC’s reputation as a trusted professional services provider to the federal government. It translates to additional work, extra program support staff and increased revenue for our company, spurring substantial success to our local economy and state. We are continuing to strive for success by adding to our contract portfolio,” Ruiz said.

Expanding AITC Facilities

Due to the increase in contracts and its logistics services expansion, AITC recently purchased a 12,300-square foot warehouse in Longwood, Florida to augment other existing facilities. The company is also in the process of procuring a new office building in Research Park to be closer to its main customers. These investments help support current programs while increasing capacity for future growth.

2017 Small Business Person of the Year

AITC was recently a finalist with theAssociation for Corporate Growth 2017 Smart Awardsand has won several awards including the Fast 50, Fast 100, Florida Companies to Watch fromGrowFLandVeterans of Influencefrom Orlando Business Journal.

In 2017, Ruiz was named theSmall Business Person of the Year for the North Florida Districtby theU.S. Small Business Administration(SBA) North Florida District Office, which includes the top 43 counties of Florida from Pensacola to Jacksonville to Orlando. “I appreciate the encouragement I have received through the mentoring and advisory support from the Florida Small Business Development Center at UCF,” Ruiz said. “It has motivated me as I have grown AITC to achieve greater success. It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award.”