LG-TEK began business in 1997, when founder Elizabeth Rendón-Sherman’s commute consisted of a walk down the stairs to her basement, where she could take in the scope of her business with a single glance.
Since then, the company has grown to employ more than 250 professionals working in seven states, the District of Columbia and overseas.
What began as primarily a source of foreign language expertise for the U.S. government has expanded over the years and now includes all facets of system/software development and lifecycle support.
“We have training and translation capabilities in more than 70 foreign languages,” explained Rendón-Sherman, who serves dual capacity as LG-TEK’s CEO and CFO. “Linked to our foreign language expertise is an expanding training and operational capability in Intelligence Analysis; Critical Thinking; Network Analysis; and Political, Economic and Social Area Studies.”
In addition, LG-TEK provides a consortium of engineering services, learning administration, information technology, program management and security training and operations.
With a corporate office located in Elkridge, LG-TEK acquired a satellite office in San Antonio, Texas, following a merger with LIST Enterprise Solutions in 2010.
“Our future expansion is centered on support to military operations, the growing cyber community and economic awareness,” Rendón-Sherman said.
Change and Flexibility
Government-focused work provides a measure of security in an unstable economy, but according to Rendón-Sherman, LG-TEK faces the same challenges as any company that wishes to grow and expand services in the current environment.
“The available talent pool is large,” she noted. “However, the rigors of the hiring and clearing process are time-consuming and truly nationwide.”
Additionally, a new company emerges every day in the government contracting business, so competition remains consistently fierce.
Moreover, Rendón-Sherman said, the U.S. government acquisition activities are more stringent and often in a state of flux due to today’s political and business environs.
But despite the constantly changing conditions, LG-TEK has managed to stay flexible and adapt.
Proof of that can be found in the long list of awards and accolades the company has received over the years, which include Top 400 Minority Businesses 2009; Top 500 Privately Held Businesses in America 2010; Top 50 Privately Held Businesses in Maryland 2010; and Top 500 Veteran Owned Business in America for 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Rendón-Sherman was selected as the Small Business Association’s Minority Small Business Person of the Year in 2004.
Community Involvement
Part of being a successful business includes a responsibility to the local community, which is reflected in Rendón-Sherman’s involvement outside the company.
In addition to a busy work schedule, she also finds time to serve as vice chair for the Howard Hospital Foundation and fundraising chair for the Fort Meade Alliance, and also serves as treasurer of the board of trustees for the Columbia Festival of the Arts.
She is a board member of the Howard Community College Foundation, and is a member of the Howard County Economic Indicators Review Committee.
A 2007 graduate of the Leadership Howard County program, Rendón-Sherman recently served on the Howard County General Plan Task Force as well as on the county’s Cyber Commission.
Howard County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) members recognize her as the organization’s immediate past chair.
Chamber Presence
Involvement with the Chamber has been rewarding, both personally and professionally, Rendón-Sherman said.
“LG-TEK has leveraged its membership in the Chamber to its advantage by making profitable business relationships in convivial settings,” she said. “The opportunity to meet, greet and help other businesses and our local community would not be readily available without the Chamber.”
While LG-TEK has expanded some of its nascent language services to mid-sized business levels, it remains classified as a small business.
“We continue our mentorship role with local smaller businesses,” Rendón-Sherman said, while continuing to look for ways to partner and team with other Chamber members in contracting ventures.
Communications, networking and involvement are all necessary for business success and are an integral part of active Chamber involvement, she observed.
“Chamber events are an excellent opportunity for networking and information gathering on local, state and federal business happenings,” Rendón-Sherman advised, and a good way for members to make sure they are getting the most out of their membership.
Perhaps best of all, she said, “The Chamber provides an entrée for new companies to local government and business environments, which can be difficult to achieve on their own.”
