Q&A with Merritt Group’s Newest Practice Directors – Part 1: Jared Adams

June 22, 2009 | Posted by: Melissa Chadwick

Merritt Group today promoted Jared Adams to Practice Director of the Government Practice Group and Michelle Schafer to Practice Director of the Security Practice Group. In their new roles, each will be responsible for delivering strategic direction, management, and leadership in their respective practice groups. To give you a little insight into the people behind the positions, I spoke with both about what makes them tick, what they envision their role to be and what's next for their industries.

For today's post, I spoke with Jared Adams, the new Practice Director of the Government Practice Group. Also look out for Part 2 next week when I speak to Michelle Schafer, new head of the Security Practice Group.

Q: Jared, what are you responsible for in your new position?

A: As Government Practice Director, I'll have oversight of all account activity across a range of different clients. This includes strategic planning, client relations, budgeting, and execution. The Government Practice at Merritt is fortunate to count among its current clients prestigious companies like Microsoft, Booz Allen Hamilton, Vangent, ARTEL, and United States Air Force, among others. I'll be involved in providing excellent customer service to these accounts and will also spend as much time as possible with business development, particularly among SIs, B2G companies, and the federal government.

Q: How did you first get interested in government PR?

A: I didn't decide to make government the focus of my career until I started working for SAIC in 2001. During my tenure there I was one of only three people that handled external communications and while it was an incredibly demanding, it was also a fantastic education in the world of government contracting and IT. In that role I felt as those I was able to see the direct impact of IT on the functioning of government, which, in turn, served to improve citizen services and advance policy objectives as well as improve safety for our country's war fighters.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: For me the best part of the job is actually doing the work and being with customers. As a boutique agency, I like that Merritt has senior members of the staff contributing significantly to account work and, to be honest, if I didn't get to pitch, write releases, or work on press lists, I think I'd get soft - the thrill of the hunt would be gone. Advancing client's interests, persuading people to accept or at least appreciate your point of view, that's what's most fun about my job and I'm very lucky to support people who I believe are doing important work for the government.

Q: What do you see as the biggest trend impacting the government market?

A: Government customers have to attend to a variety of issues, not least of which are security threats and the call for open government. The U.S. federal government has computer security needs unmatched by any other organization in the world. First, adversaries intent on penetrating federal systems can be much more sophisticated, well funded, and better equipped than individuals performing malicious mischief or industrial espionage. Attacks from highly organized agents of hostile nation-states can find and exploit the slightest vulnerability in a computer network or application. Second, the results of those attacks can go far beyond the financial ruin that may result from private sector security breeches. Not only is the basic personal privacy of every U.S. citizen at stake, but, ultimately, the safety of our nation and its entire infrastructure.

In addition to security, the January 21 Presidential Directive on Transparency and Open Government is forcing major change in the public sector. People around the world already use Web 2.0 applications to share information, build virtual communities, and connect across geopolitical, sociological, and demographic boundaries. The next generation of government-Gov 2.0-has a unique opportunity to embrace these engaging technologies to respond to citizens with increased efficiency, transparency, and openness. However, no single technology approach can realize the promise of eGovernment nor ensure the growth of a thriving IT ecosystem. Government organizations should be free to choose from a variety of offers made by a variety of vendors and not limited to a specific product, system, standard, or technology.