Susan Case has been a federal government contractor for over 40 years and has supported the intelligence community for over 30. As vice president of intelligence at TekSynap Corp., she continues to do so by providing innovative and quality IT solutions to support customer missions.
“Every day at TekSynap is a new adventure!” Case told WashingtonExec. And getting there was one, too.
When Case graduated from university, she focused on getting a job in the computer field, and the GovCon market was a growth area.
She started her career as a programmer and worked up the career ladder, first on the operations side and then in business development and management roles. She has worked in the CONUS and OCONUS in Germany and the U.K., and supported the U.S. government and the Ministry of Defense in the U.K.
“It has been a great ride – I have learned a lot and made many friends. One of those friends recommended my current role at TekSynap,” Case said. When she interviewed with the CEO and president of the company, she knew that TekSynap was the right place for her. “Their focus on their employees and the customer resonated with me, and I have not looked back,” she said.
Below, Case expands on her career path, current growth opportunities and priorities, the importance of mentorship and more.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
I initially thought I would be a math teacher at university when I graduated. I took a course in computer programming and got “bitten by the bug”. I pivoted and focused on taking every computer and statistics course. I was lucky to land a job with Burroughs Corporation, which at the time was known for its robust training program for college graduates. I love the IT field and the ability to solve customer problems – I am happy that I pivoted!!
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support?
Yes, I am the daughter of a Marine and the wife and mother of Army officers – patriotism and National Security are in my blood. My commitment to the mission is about keeping America safe and our soldiers at the pointy end of the spear safe. While for many, that is just a quote, for me, it is my passion. I understand the sacrifices that our Intel community and the military make personally. Therefore, I am driven to do my part in supporting the community and solving the complex problems we face in today’s environment.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
I run the IC Solutions Business Area for TekSynap – as such, my team is responsible for the strategy and growth of our IC portfolio. Our goals and priorities are a subset of the Corporation’s goals. The executive team at TekSynap works together to support all of our business areas and customers to ensure their mission success and the success of our employees.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field or portfolio you support, or what do you anticipate being your customers’ top pain points?
In today’s environment, with the new administration and DOGE, the industry is learning to be flexible and pivot as the executives put out new guidance. For my team, we continue to focus on the same customer set – DIA, NGA, CIA, ODNI leveraging our relationships and knowledge of these agencies. Understanding your customer’s mission and pain points is critical to a company’s success. Also, focusing on your employees and their success is paramount. If you focus on your employees and customers, everything else will fall in line.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
My team is “sticking to our knitting.” We have been focused on providing innovative and quality IT solutions to our customers for the past three years. I believe that if we continue to do that, our customers and, ultimately, the TekSynap IC team will be successful.
How important is mentorship & networking in GovCon? Were they influential in your career?
Mentorship is critical in GovCon. Early in your career, having a mentor to provide guidance and a sounding board is essential to your success. Later in your career, the tables are turned, and you pay it forward to the next generation. The same is true with networking – business is about relationships – people do business with people, not companies, so it is essential to grow the relationships with your customers and contractor colleagues. Your reputation is “all you have” in the GovCon community – make sure it is positive.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I run a horse farm for retired horses – StandFast Farm in Loudoun County. Retired horses – either race or show horses are often treated as wild horses when they are no longer fit for riding. These horses have done their jobs and led a sheltered life. I provide people with an option for their horses to continue to receive quality care during their retirement.
Originally published by: WashingtonExec.com
