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Tag Archive for: Purple Knight Initiative

Posts

From the Frontlines to the Boardroom – Feature on Shawn Lopez

Awards, Employee

Shawn Lopez

Shawn Lopez is the program manager for the Purple Knight Initiative (PKI), Knight Federal’s internship program for wounded warriors. In this role he gets great pleasure to serve the nation’s combat veterans by providing them with paid internships and training that help reintegrate them into future successful careers. As a wounded veteran and graduate of the program, he is able to have firsthand knowledge on what these heroes face when they transition from active duty and integrate back into the workforce. This relatable experience propels Lopez to excel and find passion in the new career path he has chosen to follow.

“I am so grateful to Knight Federal, it has given me the opportunity to intern at the Joint Staff J7 after having served in the U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Battalion – East. This was an amazing experience that launched my current career and allows me to leverage my experience to ease their stress of transitioning and the feeling that they are alone in pursuing the next chapter of their lives,” says Lopez.

Lopez came on board at Knight Federal in July 2016. He was working in Charleston, South Carolina and communicating with his mentor Tim Baker, PKI Director, voicing his unhappiness with his current location and role. Baker told Lopez about a new company that was energetic and young that just became part of the Joint Staff Support team. He asked Lopez to reconsider moving back to Suffolk, VA where there could be a potential opportunity. Lopez recalls immediately recognizing the potential opportunity and took the advice to contact Matt Herring, Knight Federal’s Director of Programs. Herring reassured Lopez that they were not just about filling roles for work awarded, but their mission was to THRIVE as a team. After that call, Knight Federal hired Lopez as a communications technician for the Joint Staff Deployable Communications Shop. There he supported the Joint Exercises Division, as all areas support major simulated exercises for the Joint Staff J7.

“Having a CEO who stands by his employee’s and creates/supports a team environment is a huge plus to this job and company. Since the day I met Chris Baeten he welcomed me and supported me in all of my goals. He heard my story and said we can do more. Having a boss that has never served in the military, but yet understands the struggles of our veterans is highly respectable as a leadership trait in my eyes. Knowing that he supports the veteran community at work and within the community makes me proud to work with him.  Knight federal has become family to me,” says Lopez.

Moving forward Lopez hopes to become one of the leaders of Knight Federal in business development, with the coaching of Herring and Baeten. He continues to learn about its customers, teammates and the overall operations and business goals of Knight Federal.

Lopez has a distinguished military career. He joined the US Marine Corps in 2007. After graduating from Marine Corps recruit training Depot, Lopez was assigned to 2D Battalion 2D Marine Regiment, 2D Marine Division Camp Lejeune North Carolina. He served two tours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. While serving in Afghanistan, Lopez received wounds from combat and was awarded the Purple Heart along with the Navy and Marine Corps Accommodation Medal with Valor. Lopez medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2012, and now has two children Shawn Jr. and Mia Lopez. He is attending Saint Leo University to pursue a degree in Business Administration. Lopez is involved in the community and currently serves on board of directors and as Tampa chapter president for Operation WetVet.  Additionally, he volunteers with Project Therapy at Sea’s “Taking Combat Veterans from Front Lines to tight lines!” – whose mission is to get Combat Wounded Veterans that suffer from P.T.S.D. together to enjoy a fun day of fishing and therapy along with counseling as needed. In his spare time, Lopez enjoys fishing, rock climbing, skydiving, motivational speaking and spending time with his kids. He also enjoys traveling.

Lopez’s words of wisdom for others: “People think the grass is greener on the other side. What they don’t realize is what it took to turn green. First you need to plow the land, then you plant the seeds, next you water it and feed it. In order to feed it, you have to grab the manure and throw it in front of you and walk through it. This process must be repeated over and over. Bottom line – it takes hard work, dedication, consistency, and commitment. At the end you will have grass. People can go one of two ways – are you going to continue looking over the fence, or are you going to grow your own grass? Stay hungry and do the work – hard work – it’s worth it in the end!”

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2019-04-12 18:13:462021-07-14 03:03:41From the Frontlines to the Boardroom – Feature on Shawn Lopez

Intern Spotlight

Employee

John F. Nickerson

John F. Nickerson CTR (USA) began his internship with the Purple Knight Initiative program in December 2018. Before that time, he had never heard of the Purple Knight Initiative or the program’s mission. After speaking with Shawn Lopez, Nickerson was invited to attend a Knight Federal Meet and Greet social. He was very impressed with the presentation and the program’s mission. “I believed the program was spectacular. As many know, it is very hard to get a foot in the door (being an outsider) at the Joint Staff community and without the Purple Knight Initiative I would not have had the opportunity to find this type of employment and hold the great position I have today,” says Nickerson.

Nickerson recently graduated from the internship program and is currently working in the data department where he is responsible for updating specific software systems within Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, VA.  The data he inputs is then integrated into Joint Training Data Services (JTDS).  JTDS supports the Joint Live, Virtual and Constructive (JLVC) Federation and the Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability-Entity Resolution Federation (JLCCTC-ERF).  Users include Department of Defense (DOD) and interagency personnel.

For more information about the Purple Knight Initiative program, please view our page.

Murray Hess and Tim Baker present John Nickerson with his graduation certificate.

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2019-04-12 12:17:152021-07-14 03:03:41Intern Spotlight

Knight Federal Honored by GrowFL as One of 50 2018 Florida Companies to Watch Winners

Awards, Media Coverage, News

Statewide Awards Program Recognizes Unique, Scalable High-Growth Companies

2018 Florida Companies to Watch Winner

Knight Federal Solutions has been named one of 50 Florida Companies to Watch℠ for 2018.  The winning 50 statewide companies are expected to see significant growth over the next several years by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. More than 500 companies were nominated from across the state of Florida, vying for the prestigious title of being honored as one of this year’s 50 Florida Companies to Watch a statewide awards program managed by GrowFL, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation, a nonprofit organization championing entrepreneurship. Knight Federal’s management team, competitive market position and strong community involvement were among several factors evaluated for the award.

“We are honored to be among the 50 companies named to the 2018 Companies to Watch by GrowFL,” says Chris Baeten, CEO of Knight Federal, a small business providing support services to the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence community. “This recognition builds on several other recent achievements for Knight Federal, including the award of three new major contracts, as well as our recent launch of our nonprofit organization, the Purple Knight Initiative which provides paid internships to combat wounded warriors who are looking to learn a new career in fields that are conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment,” says Baeten. Knight Federal is one of the fastest growing companies in Central Florida, currently employing 90 staff. Baeten’s unique management style and informal approach has propelled the company on an impressive revenue track anticipating $12M in gross revenue this year, growing by 50% annually since inception.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he adds.

The honorees represent a unique group of scalable, high-growth enterprises that are already located within Florida. These high growth enterprises are an important segment of our economy and their numbers have been steadily increasing, which contributed to Florida’s ranking of 24 on the 2018 Kauffman Index of Growth Entrepreneurship. Companies named to the list will be officially recognized on February 9, 2019 at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa, FL. Tickets are on sale now for the awards ceremony. For more details, visit http://www.growfl.com/flctw18/about-flctw/

“This is a strong group of companies that deserve this special recognition given annually to the state’s top second stage companies,” said Dr. Chris Morton, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board, CEO of NanoPhotonica and a 2015

Second-stage companies are defined as those with 6 to 150 full-time employees and generate between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. There are many programs and incubators promoting start-up businesses; GrowFL is the only Florida program that focuses exclusively on second-stage companies.

About GrowFL
GrowFL provides strategies, resources and support, including strategic research and peer-to-peer CEO mentoring and leadership development, to second-stage Florida companies. Created by the Florida legislature in 2009 and grounded in the philosophy of Economic Gardening® — growing existing businesses in a community, region or state — GrowFL is a critical component of the state’s economic development strategy and Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. GrowFL is certified by the National Center for Economic Gardening through the Edward Lowe Foundation. Website: growfl.com

About the Edward Lowe Foundation
Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs). The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. In addition, the foundation has a second mission of land stewardship and is committed to preserving the natural resources and historically significant structures at Big Rock Valley, its 2,000-acre home in southwest Michigan. For more information visit www.edwardlowe.org.

0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2018-09-24 10:27:502018-09-24 10:27:50Knight Federal Honored by GrowFL as One of 50 2018 Florida Companies to Watch Winners

Jay Redman Kicks Off 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Community Involvement, News

Jay Redman Kicks Off Five-Year Anniversary

Knight Federal employees received a boost when Jay Redman, author of The Trident, The Forging and Reforging of a Navy Seal Leader, showed up at the headquarters office to kick start the five-year anniversary celebration of the company with a day of motivational speaking on becoming a better leader.

Partnering with Redman’s organization, the Combat Wounded Coalition, Knight Federal is working with them to identify combat wounded veterans to participate in the Purple Knight Initiative program.

As a team building celebration, employees and their families or special guests were invited to stay at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace near Disney Springs to relax and enjoy and participate in outings as a group to foster camaraderie.

“Recognizing that our employees are our greatest asset, I wanted to ensure that they understood how important they are and that this is a milestone that everyone can participate in moving forward.  As our company continues to grow and generate success, it is shared and celebrated by everyone as a team that moves in cadence with one another,” says Chris Baeten, CEO of Knight Federal Solutions.

Knight Federal Solutions is one of the fastest growing companies in Central Florida, currently employing 86 people.  In 2013, the company’s gross revenue was $47,797.  Over the years, this grew exponentially, eventually grossing $8.3M in 2017.  The company continues to experience impressive revenue growth anticipating annual gross revenue of $12M in 2018.  Its success can be attributed the management style and approach of its CEO.  Knight Federal Solutions was formed as a subsidiary of a holding company that owned multiple entities.  Baeten was the managing partner of the firm at its inception.  He acquired the business in December 2015 and has been operating as the company’s CEO ever since.   Knight Federal Solutions provides simulation and training, cybersecurity, information technology, finance and intelligence analysis solutions to the Defense and Intelligence sectors.

Knight Federal employees hear from former Navy seal Jay Redman.

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2018-07-23 15:02:142021-07-14 03:08:24Jay Redman Kicks Off 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Former J7 Director Leads Wounded Warrior Internship Program

Community Involvement, Employee, News, Philanthropy

Shawn Lopez pictured with Tim Baker, director of the Purple Knight Initiative.

Timothy L. Baker, the former director of the Resource & Acquisition Management Office of the Joint Staff J7, has been appointed to lead the Purple Knight Initiative, a Wounded Warrior Internship program developed by Knight Federal Solutions.

Baker was a Senior Level executive, overseeing a $900M annual budget, managing a $180M annual contract portfolio and all assigned facilities.  He joins Knight Federal with an extensive background in military operations at the federal level, as well as serving in the U.S. Navy for more than 23 years retiring with the rank of Captain. Baker has many received many awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and other various service awards.

Knight Federal Solutions’ Purple Knight Initiative connects employers with qualified, impactful and passionate Combat Disabled Veterans to support their business in hopes of providing Wounded Warriors meaningful career opportunities in industry or the federal government to support their recovery and provide them with the opportunity to build the future they so richly deserve. The goal is to provide paid internships to Wounded Warriors seeking to learn a new career, in fields that are conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment, with their safety and welfare in mind first.

“Throughout my 47-year career of supporting the Navy, USJFCOM, The Joint Staff and industry in various leadership positions, I have recognized that the highest quality, most successful organizations have leaders of integrity, high moral and ethical character and who place the welfare, professional and personal development of their staff as their primary objectives.  Knight Federal Solutions is such a quality organization and the Purple Knight Initiative is our company’s commitment to our nation’s wounded war veterans. Through our Wounded Warrior Internship Program, we are giving these American heroes the opportunity to continue to serve our great nation out of uniform and to pursue career opportunities for themselves and their families as part of their program of recovery. Taking care of our people is our core value and what distinguishes Knight Federal Solutions from other companies and it is a great personal honor to be part of this,” says Baker, director of the Wounded Warrior Intern Program for Knight Federal Solutions.

The goal of the program is to provide paid internships to wounded warriors who are looking to learn a new career, in fields that are conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment.

“We are thrilled to have Tim in this position.  His knowledge and expertise are an integral component to this program that will take it to the next level and help so many deserving combat disabled veterans.  I look forward to working with him to build this program into a national model for others to adopt and implement,” says Chris Baeten, CEO of Knight Federal Solutions.

For more information on the Purple Knight Initiative, click here – https://bit.ly/2urG4MF.

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2018-07-23 14:59:012021-07-14 03:08:24Former J7 Director Leads Wounded Warrior Internship Program

Providing Wounded Veterans with Meaningful Career Opportunities

Community Involvement, News, Philanthropy

Purple Knight Initiative Team

More than 26,000 disabled veterans or wounded warrior are searching for career opportunities.  A 2014 Pew survey found that 44% of veterans who served since 9/11 were having trouble adjusting to civilian life. That was particularly true for those who suffered serious injury or endured an emotionally traumatic experience during their service. Veterans have many qualities that make them superb candidates for employment: discipline, leadership, and competency in areas from health care to information technology. However, they typically have less civilian work experience than other applicants.  That makes a difference for many companies. When the economy is weak, employers are less likely to take “risks” when hiring.

In response to this need, Knight Federal Solutions has developed the Purple Knight Initiative.  Collaborating with government agencies and their prime contractors, non-profit organizations, corporations and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. This program provides paid internships to wounded warriors who are looking to learn a new career in fields that are conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment.

“We developed this program to address a critical need by our nation’s combat disabled veterans.  By connecting companies and employers with qualified, impactful and passionate veterans, we can offer hope to advocate, embrace, empower and support them to lead a higher quality of life and be in a better position to support themselves and their families financially,” says Chris Baeten, CEO of Knight Federal.

The goal of the program is to provide paid internships to wounded warriors who are looking to learn a new career, in fields that are conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment. With the veteran in mind first, Knight Federal Solutions is dedicated to the safety and welfare of the veteran and will do its best to educate, manage, and train all employees on veterans in the workforce, including finding reliable resources for the veteran’s needs.

For more information, visit our website – https://bit.ly/2urG4MF.

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2018-07-23 14:53:492021-07-14 03:08:24Providing Wounded Veterans with Meaningful Career Opportunities

Welcome to our first issue!

News

Chris Baeten CEO of Knight Federal Solutions

Welcome to the new quarterly newsletter for Knight Federal – the Knightly Newsletter!  We are proud to share with you with the latest accomplishments, success stories and milestones that we’re experiencing as one of the fastest growing businesses in the country.

This issue showcases our Wounded Warrior Internship Program known as the Purple Knight Initiative.  This is a collaboration between our company and government agencies and their prime contractors, non-profit organizations, corporations and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce to help provide wounded warriors with paid internships to learn a new career in fields conducive to their disabilities and desires for employment.  Currently the need is great – more than 26,000 disabled veterans/wounded warriors are searching for career opportunities. Read more about this exciting program!

We also want to congratulate our Employee of the Quarter Glenn James.  We are excited to showcase our talented staff and celebrate their success.

Knight Federal has more exciting news to share – we are celebrating five years! To commemorate this milestone, we had Navy seal author Jay Redman come to our office and facilitate a wonderful team building and motivational presentation for our staff.

Last but not least, we are proud that Tim Baker has joined our team to lead our Purple Knight Initiative, read more as to why he has accepted this unique and rewarding opportunity.

Please enjoy our newsletter, it’s your chance to stay current and engaged with Knight Federal’s latest news and accomplishments.  Don’t hesitate to contact us if we can assist you.

/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png 0 0 webdesigns@sandymeier.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Red_Gray_KFLogo_Tag_CMYK-1030x361.png webdesigns@sandymeier.com2018-07-23 14:43:032018-07-23 14:43:03Welcome to our first issue!

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