The Roaring 20
Founded 1999
Business type Government contractor, intelligence systems
Based Newport News
Website www.sptrm.com
Employees 214 in 2008, 277 in 2009, 310 in 2010,
Spectrum made the huge leap recently from small business to large business in the Department of Defense contracting classification, said Jeffery Wassmer, CEO and founder, with a look of both apprehension and satisfaction.
"There is no medium," he said.
Founded 1982
Business type Manufacturer of arched steel buildings
Based Virginia Beach
Website www.steelmasterusa.com
Revenue 5 percent increase in 2008, 6 percent increase in 2009, 30 percent increase in 2010
Employees Numbers not released to public
Whether it's a luxury home in the Hamptons or a bulk-food warehouse in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, SteelMaster Buildings has sheltered its customers since 1982, and it continues to grow in the U.S. and abroad.
Founded 1999
Business type Ship repair
Based Norfolk
Website www.ecrandf.com
Revenue $22.68 million in 2008, $32.57 million in 2009, $67.6 million in 2010
Employees 256 in 2008, 321 in 2009, 477 in 2010
As president of East Coast Repair and Fabrication - not to mention the proud new owner of his own shipyard - Jorge Rivera attributes his success to dedicated employees, loyal customers, excellent mentors and a relentless stubborn streak.
Founded 1995
Business type Pest control
Based Virginia Beach
Website www.123bugfree.com
Revenue $3.15 million in 2008, $3.25 million in 2009, $3.53 million in 2010
Employees 31 in 2008, 33 in 2009, 35 in 2010
As an entomologist and exterminator, Kevin Kordek does more than just evict roaches, rats and other vermin. His team at A-Active Termite & Pest Control gives customers peace of mind.
Founded 1999
Business type Banking and financial services
Based Chesapeake
Website www.monarchbank.com
Revenue $50.6 million in 2008, $68.1 million in 2009, $92.7 million in 2010
Employees 272 in 2008, 399 in 2009, 532 in 2010
Someone forgot to tell Monarch Bank that it's not a good time to be a bank.
Over the past two years a near-record number of banks have failed, big name banks have posted record losses, and the FDIC has tagged more than 10 percent of banks nationwide as "troubled."
Founded 1994
Business type Specialty retailer of hardwood flooring
Based Toano
Website www.lumberliquidators.com
Revenue $482 million in 2008, $544.57 million in 2009, $620 million in 2010
Employees 788 in 2008, 934 in 2009, 1,191 in 2010
With hardwood floors all the rage these days, a Toano-based national retailer is mopping up business by selling relatively affordable, high-quality flooring.
Lumber Liquidators gets its products directly from mills, so retail prices are significantly lower, said CEO Jeff Griffiths.
Founded 2003
Business type Support services for unmanned aerial vehicles
Based Newport News
Website www.boshgs.com
Revenue $11.62 million in 2008, $18.38 million in 2009, $19.62 million in 2010
Employees 104 in 2008, 124 in 2009, 133 in 2010
When Bob Fitzgerald retired as an Air Force communications officer in 2001, the service only had two unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, buzzing around the wild blue yonder. Today, it has upwards of 40, and Fitzgerald says the Air Force plans for a total of 65 in the next year or so.
Founded 2002
Business type Allied health management, military training and exercise management, and technology integration for the U.S. government and private-sector organizations.
Based Chesapeake
Website www.apogee.us.com
Revenue $1.4 million in 2008, $3.8 million in 2009, $4.6 million in 2010
Employees 27 in 2008, 36 in 2009, 54 in 2010
From grooming soldiers for battle to nurturing those whose homecomings are challenged by injury, Apogee Solutions offers a continuum of training and support for the nation's military.
Founded 2000
Business type Educational, training, professional and program management services to government and commercial customers.
Based Virginia Beach
Website www.linxxglobal.com
Revenue $7.98 million in 2008, $10.01 million in 2009, $17.73 million in 2010
Employees 83 in 2008, 98 in 2009, 137 in 2010
As Navy SEALs, Frank Cucci and Marty Strong learned the value of teamwork and cross-training. They integrate those ideals at LINXX Global Solutions, where 60 percent of corporate-office employees are former SEALs or special-ops veterans.
Founded 2006
Business type Information technology
Based Newport News
Website www.insigniatechnology.com
Revenue $7.3 million in 2008, $8.86 million in 2009, $10.95 millon in 2010
Employees 64 in 2008, 90 in 2009, 72 in 2010
When Fred O'Brien retired from the U.S. Army five years ago, he knew the military could still benefit from his expertise.
The result is Insignia, a $10 million company that provides various forms of information technology that includes training software and records of military veterans.
