Enlightenment Capital-Backed System High Expands MDA Support via Acquisition of Booz Allen Hamilton’s TEAMS Contracts
Chantilly, VA and McLean, VA – January 11, 2021 – System High Corporation announced today it has acquired the Technical, Engineering, Advisory, and Management Support (TEAMS) business of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) that serves the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), including 110 employees.
System High, a portfolio company of Enlightenment Capital, is a leading provider of Proactive Protection (P2), Security Engineering, Counterintelligence, Intelligence, and Cybersecurity solutions across the Aerospace, Defense, and Government (ADG) sector. With this acquisition the organization expands its work providing best-in-class protection solutions for information and assets vital to national security.
“The close of this transaction increases our momentum in helping customers solve their most challenging protection problems,” said Rob Howe, System High’s President and CEO. “We welcome these new employees and look forward to combining forces to better protect current and emerging MDA capabilities. This is just one of the initiatives being executed to expand our impact to preserve national security, and MDA success is critical for sustaining this objective. We are excited to grow our presence in the Huntsville area, and look forward to serving the community and establishing strong lines of communication and collaboration with the MDA stakeholders so that we can consistently meet and exceed their expectations.”
Booz Allen has supported the Department of Defense for decades, blending mission expertise with cutting-edge technology to accelerate innovation and create transformative solutions to help defend the nation.
“System High is a strong organization for ensuring the continued protection of the essential systems, technologies, and capabilities that enable success of the MDA mission – to defend the United States and its allies from hypersonic and ballistic missile attacks,” said Lincoln Hudson, Senior Vice President at Booz Allen. “Our business strategy remains focused on staying close to client missions while expanding our solution offerings to help clients like MDA solve the strategic and sophisticated technical challenges their missions face. We remain fully committed to MDA’s mission and to Huntsville, where we will continue to hire and develop talent, invest in cutting-edge innovation, and deliver high-end technology services. We are confident this realignment of the TEAMS business will ensure uninterrupted support for this critical work and are so pleased these jobs will remain part of Huntsville’s thriving technology community as well as others across the country.”
“We are excited that Booz Allen recognized System High as an employee-first organization, a proven and dedicated mission partner with the MDA, and a great home for this business,” said Jason Rigoli, Partner of Enlightenment Capital and Chairman of System High. “With the addition of these programs and their talented team of specialists, System High continues to set the benchmark for mid-tier Federal contractors dedicated to supporting national security.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About System High
System High is a mid-tier company dedicated to providing high-end solutions for some of the nation’s most sensitive activities and has become a leading provider and integrator of global protection and security engineering services. System High’s reputation of succeeding where others have failed is a direct result of bringing together and delivering the most innovative, critical thinking professionals to solve the most complex security challenges across both government and commercial sectors. For more information, visit www.systemhigh.com.
About Enlightenment Capital
Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, DC area based private investment firm, provides flexible capital and strategic support to middle market companies in the Aerospace, Defense & Government (ADG) sector. The firm partners with businesses that provide vital services, protect critical infrastructure, innovate cyber and data solutions, enhance decision making capabilities, engineer aerospace systems, safeguard national security, and endeavor to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.enlightenment-cap.com.
About Booz Allen Hamilton
For more than 100 years, military government and business leaders have turned to Booz Allen Hamilton to solve their most complex problems. As a consulting firm with experts in analytics, digital, engineering, and cyber, we help organizations transform. We are a key partner on some of the most innovative programs for governments worldwide and trusted by its most sensitive agencies. We work shoulder to shoulder with clients, using a mission-first approach to choose the right strategy and technology to help them realize their vision. With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs about 27,600 people globally, and had revenue of $7.5 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2020. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: BAH)
Media Contacts
Kathy Hicks
System High
khicks@systemhigh.com
Jessica Klenk
Booz Allen Hamilton
klenk_jessica@bah.com
System High Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Chantilly, Virginia – December 12, 2019: System High, a leading provider of proactive protection (P2), security engineering, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity solutions to select government and commercial customers, announced Allen Martirossian has joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. System High is backed by Enlightenment Capital.
Allen Martirossian brings 24 years of experience in accounting and finance including with private equity sponsored companies delivering security solutions to government agencies. He most recently served as Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis for Constellis and led efforts to integrate financial reporting for multiple acquisitions. Allen brings experience in building teams and creating processes that allow organizations to scale and deliver effective solutions to customers.
“Allen brings financial depth and breadth coupled with recent experience in developing processes and relationships that will be critical as we execute on our growth strategy,” said Rob Howe, President and CEO of System High. “As we continue to grow and pursue future acquisitions, Allen will be essential in the evaluation of companies and integration into the System High platform.”
“I am thrilled to join the System High team during this exciting time of growth and innovation,” said Martirossian. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in building strong accounting and finance operations to help System High achieve success, while continuing to put our customers’ mission at the forefront of every decision.”
“We are excited to have Allen join the System High team as the company continues to grow into a mission-critical partner across the national security and commercial sectors,” said Jason Rigoli, Partner of Enlightenment Capital. “Allen’s experience will be essential as we evaluate strategic initiatives to continue to provide differentiated offerings to our customers and new career opportunities for our employees.”
About System High
System High provides high-end solutions for some of the nation’s most sensitive activities and has become a leading provider and integrator of global protection and security engineering services. System High’s reputation of succeeding where others have failed is a direct result of bringing together and delivering the most innovative, critical thinking professionals to solve the most complex security challenges across both government and commercial sectors. For more information, visit www.systemhigh.com.
About Enlightenment Capital
Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, DC area based private investment firm, provides flexible capital and strategic support to middle market companies in the Aerospace, Defense & Government (ADG) sector. The firm partners with businesses that provide vital services, protect critical infrastructure, innovate cyber and data solutions, enhance decision making capabilities, engineer aerospace systems, safeguard national security, and endeavor to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.enlightenment-cap.com.
System High Welcomes Doug Kumbalek as their Vice President of Strategic Growth
System High Corporation, a leading provider of proactive protection (P2), security engineering, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity solutions, announced that Doug Kumbalek, a 30-year national security veteran, has joined the company as the Vice President of Strategic Growth. In this role, Doug will be instrumental influencing the corporate strategy and responsible for expanding a highly specialized portfolio of professional services and clients.
Mr. Kumbalek will oversee System High’s business development growth initiatives and enhance their ability to provide the highest degree of service to their people, customer’s and their missions. “Doug has a proven track record of building and leading winning teams that propel aggressive growth throughout the Defense and Intelligence Communities”, said Rob Howe, President and CEO. I look forward to having Doug join one of the most dynamic executive teams in the National Security industry. His market acumen, and drive to serve, complements the amazing family of exceptional security, cyber, counterintelligence, and engineering professionals we have at System High.”
Doug Kumbalek stated, “I’m thrilled to join this world-class organization and embrace my team role in expanding our presence in the market delivering high-end security solutions for current and future National Security customers while creating additional opportunities for advancement and the further development of high performing System High employees.”
“As a long-time and trusted partner of System High while leading large organizations at other businesses, Doug joins us with a deep understanding and a shared appreciation of our vision and Core Values” said Sarah Lord, Chief Operating Officer.
Doug has more than 16 years of experience in industry as a recognized decisive-leader and change agent with a mission focus to deliver results for customers, missions, and his teams.” Doug is a former Marine Naval aviator and AH-1W attack helicopter pilot.
System High Appoints Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work to Board
Chantilly, VA – July 8, 2019: System High, a leading provider of proactive protection (P2), security engineering, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity solutions to select government and commercial customers, announced Bob Work has joined the Company’s board of directors. Bob Work has over four decades of national security, defense strategy, programming and budgeting, and defense transformation expertise. System High is backed by Enlightenment Capital.
Work was appointed by President Obama to serve as the 31st Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this role, Work oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Department of Defense and the development of its $600 billion program and budget for three different Secretaries of Defense before leaving government service in 2017. Prior to that, Work served as Under Secretary of the Navy. Work served his country for 27 years in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of Colonel.
“Bob fully understands the challenges facing our country in developing, deploying, and preserving the capabilities of game-changing technologies and weapon systems. He fully recognizes the value of our P2 and data loss prevention services and solutions that span the systems’ full life-cycle,” said Rob Howe, President and CEO of System High. “We are thrilled to have him join our team to support System High’s continued growth.”
“Bob’s thought leadership, global insight, and dedication to preserving the United States’ warfighting superiority across the battle spectrum makes him an invaluable resource to System High, and he will enhance the Company’s efforts to protect national security technologies, operations, and assets,” said Jason Rigoli, Partner at Enlightenment Capital.
“Our ability to achieve and maintain our technological and operational superiority is more in jeopardy now than at any time since the end of World War II,” said Bob Work. “I have been impressed with System High’s ability to develop innovative protection solutions as a critical partner to their customers’ missions. I look forward to working with our exceptional team in support of our customers and some of our nation’s most pressing security problems.”
About System High
System High provides high-end solutions for some of the nation’s most sensitive activities and has become a leading provider and integrator of global protection and security engineering services. System High’s reputation of succeeding where others have failed is a direct result of bringing together and delivering the most innovative, critical thinking professionals to solve the most complex security challenges across both government and commercial sectors. For more information, visit www.systemhigh.com.
About Enlightenment Capital
Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, DC area based private investment firm, provides senior debt, mezzanine debt, and equity to middle market companies in the Aerospace, Defense & Government (ADG) sector. The firm partners with businesses that provide vital services, protect critical infrastructure, innovate cyber and data solutions, enhance decision making capabilities, engineer aerospace systems, safeguard national security, and endeavor to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.enlightenment-cap.com.
System High Appoints Sarah Lord as Chief Operating Officer
System High has announced the appointment of Sarah Lord as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the corporation effective immediately. As COO, Ms. Lord will execute the corporate strategy by effectively overseeing and managing the day-to-day company operations and resources to achieve organizational performance and growth objectives.
“Sarah brings insight and perspective from both her formal education and through excelling at each position she performed coming up through the ranks. She is the epitome of a rising professional at System High. She effectively balances the needs of our people to the needs of our customers and the company,” said President and CEO, Rob Howe. “Her servant leadership style is evident in everything she does, from tailoring our culture to meet the desires of our employees and customers to always putting others before herself.”
Since joining System High in 2009, Lord has been promoted to positions of increased responsibilities and most recently held the position of Chief Human Capital Officer. In addition to her traditional responsibilities in this area, she performed a multitude of other functions to include creating the corporate “Burn Blue” culture, which drives excellence in everything at System High. “People-first companies must adopt and embrace people-first practices in everything we do,” said Lord. “We are devoted to creating a professional experience that attracts superior performers who choose to spend their careers with us. This commitment to our people, and most importantly their families, is a pillar of our success and reflective of the servant leadership present across our entire organization.” “The culture that is evident at System High is truly unique in industry, and is a discriminator that made the partnership so appealing to us,” said Jason Rigoli, Partner at Enlightenment Capital. “Sarah’s passion and commitment to the success of System High is evident across the organization.”
“With our recent partnership and our exclusive P2 solutions, System High is well-postured to dominate lifecycle protection in the upcoming years,” said Lord. “I am tremendously honored and humbled to accept the position of COO, and could not be more excited to contribute to our continued success. We’re going to do great things.”
About Enlightenment Capital
Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, DC area based private investment firm, provides senior debt, mezzanine debt, and equity to middle market companies in the Aerospace, Defense & Government (ADG) sector. The firm partners with businesses that provide vital services, protect critical infrastructure, innovate cyber and data solutions, enhance decision making capabilities, engineer aerospace systems, safeguard national security, and endeavor to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.enlightenment-cap.com.
Enlightenment invests in System High
Enlightenment Capital has made an investment in Chantilly, Virginia-based System High Corporation, a provider of proactive protection, security engineering, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity solutions, serving select government and commercial customers. No financial terms were disclosed.
PRESS RELEASE
Chevy Chase, Maryland – January 22, 2019: Enlightenment Capital, an Aerospace, Defense & Government focused investment firm based in the Washington, DC area, announced it has invested in System High Corporation to help accelerate the Company’s growth. System High will serve as Enlightenment’s newest platform. System High is a leading provider of proactive protection (P2), security engineering, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity solutions, serving select government and commercial customers.
Founded in 2005 with offices in the Washington, DC area and Colorado Springs, CO, System High is a leader in the design, development, and enforcement of proactive protection systems that preserve critical technologies and enhance information protection systems for a multitude of government and civilian organizations. “System High continues to attract the best professionals in our business space, and our customers benefit from our team’s focus on supporting our clients’ security goals,” said Rob Howe, newly appointed CEO and President. “I am proud to partner with Enlightenment and the System High family of professionals, which are passionate about preserving our national security.”
“System High will serve as the initial investment of a new Enlightenment platform, which will provide mission critical protection of the technology that underpins many of the most sensitive efforts within the Defense, Intelligence, and commercial sectors,” said Jason Rigoli, Partner of Enlightenment Capital. “We look forward to working with the leadership team to drive the Company’s growth as they continue to play an integral role in this special arena.”
“System High sits at the critical intersection of defense innovation and IP protection,” said Devin Talbott, Managing Partner of Enlightenment Capital. “We plan to support management and invest in the Company’s continued momentum – both organically and through M&A.”
“Enlightenment is an ideal partner and will be instrumental in helping execute our new long range strategic plan,” said Kirk Blubaugh, Company Founder, who will join the Company board, remain a shareholder, and act as a strategic advisor to the Company.
About System High
System High provides high-end solutions for some of the nation’s most sensitive activities and has become a leading provider and integrator of global protection and security engineering services. System High’s reputation of succeeding where others have failed is a direct result of bringing together and delivering the most innovative, critical thinking professionals to solve the most complex security challenges across both government and commercial sectors. For more information, visit www.systemhigh.com.
About Enlightenment Capital
Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, DC area based private investment firm, provides senior debt, mezzanine debt, and equity to middle market companies in the Aerospace, Defense & Government (ADG) sector. The firm partners with businesses that provide vital services, protect critical infrastructure, innovate cyber and data solutions, enhance decision making capabilities, engineer aerospace systems, safeguard national security, and endeavor to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.enlightenment-cap.com.
Read the press article here:https://www.pehub.com/2019/01/enlightenment-invests-in-system-high/#
System High Corporation names Rob Howe President
System High has announced the appointment of Rob Howe as president of the corporation, effective immediately. As president, Rob will have full executive responsibility for the company’s strategy development and execution, corporate performance, and growth objectives. Rob will also retain his current role of Chief Operating Officer.
“Rob’s ability to devise and execute an innovative strategy revolutionized our success in maximizing System High’s fiscal performance and operational value to our customers,” said Kirk Blubaugh, CEO and founder of System High Corporation. “Since Rob joined System High as our Chief Strategy Officer in 2013, he has helped position us to double in size and kept us on track to continue our aggressive growth, while solidifying the discriminatory value of the company and its people.”
“Our focus on better serving our people so they can better serve our customers is incorporated into every decision we make,” said Rob Howe. “This culture has set us apart from all our competitors and is critical for sustaining our reputation of providing innovative protection services and solutions that go beyond compliance.”
“Our vision of being the most sought-after employer and provider of sensitive protection and security engineering professionals has been realized, but we are never satisfied–we are constantly exploring creative ways to better serve our people and our customers,” Howe said. “Our collective efforts have also positioned System High exceptionally well to double in size within the next 12 to 18 months. This will afford us with even more opportunities to better serve the national security of our country, as well as provide greater opportunities for our folks to grow in their careers within System High.”
Before joining System High, Rob served in numerous executive and advisory roles across industry. Rob also had a successful 20-year career in the United States Air Force, protecting some of the nation’s most sensitive operational activities and classified acquisition programs. Rob assumes the role of president from Kirk Blubaugh, who will remain as the Chief Executive Officer and assume responsibilities as Chairman of the Board.
About System High
System High Corporation has become the premier integrator of innovative and sustainable protection solutions for the nation’s most sensitive and mission-critical programs and systems across the U.S Defense and Intelligence communities, as well as select commercial clients.