Company Overview
Any company, particularly a new company seeking to bring a new product into the marketplace, must address and answer the fundamental questions of who, what, why, where, when and how. Each question must have the right answers or the endeavor cannot and should not move forward. This document speaks to the “who” of ATAV, Inc.
The ATAV founders have many years of experience in large and small organizations. They know that without the right leadership team of people with the right expertise, experience and skills doing the right things, the effort will probably not succeed. They also know that these people must share common values and principals, must trust and respect each other and be able to function compatibly as a genuine team.
Two of the ATAV founding principals, Gary D. Vest, AICP, (Chairman and President) and Rand C. Lewis, Ph.D. (Chief Executive Officer) have a combined total of 84 years organization and business experience (52 years U.S. Department of Defense and 32 years private sector small business, consulting, universities and other government). They are from Idaho where they grew up with the basic American rural values which they have practiced throughout their professional careers. As former career national security professionals, their first priority has been, and will always be, the nation’s physical, economic and environmental security. Their work in security policy; historical analysis; international relations and affairs; and military-to-military cooperation, engagement and assistance has given them first-hand knowledge of how to deal with and appreciate the complexities of the modern world. They have worked with technology, engineering, research and development, test and evaluation, organizational development and management, planning programming and budgeting and execution. Most of all they have assembled, guided and managed teams of diverse professionals to achieve major successes. Dr. Lewis and Mr. Vest have been working together continuously since 2003 in business, government and education endeavors and are the principals of Transnational Strategic Solutions, Inc.
They have worked in many different organizations at all levels. Dr. Lewis and Mr. Vest have been problem solvers – negotiating conflicts and international and domestic agreements – and they have learned how to juggle competing interests and create consensus solutions to achieve common goals to benefit all parties.
They understand that people and organizations of very different beliefs can come together to change the world in profound ways and that cooperation and bridge building are essential to improve the quality of life. They have been successful working with diverse organizations and people to resolve complex issues both domestically and internationally in large measure due to their commitment to basic principles and values.
Dr. Lewis and Mr. Vest have a connection with and respect for the people, the land and the water. They were raised to work hard, do a day’s work for a day’s pay, care for others, act responsibly, and to respect and protect the land and water and what they produce. They believe telling the truth, keeping their word, and treating others with respect. They work each day to keep in touch with these values and a basic belief in personal integrity. They believe in being honest and trustworthy.
The ATAV leadership team is composed of Mr. Vest and Dr. Lewis and four other professionals who have nearly 150 years experience and expertise in technology, design engineering, financial management, manufacturing and production:
- Mr. Garth Barrett, Executive Vice President for Technology and Production and Board Member, is one of the world’s leading experts on the design and manufacture of protected vehicles. He has had highly successful careers as a military and corporate leader, executive and manager who has years of practical field experience. He is a successful international negotiator and is universally known for his honesty and integrity in very challenging environments. Mr. Barrett knows how to understand problems and challenges, conceive and articulate responses, and implement the solutions.
- Mr. Lance C. Chugg, Chief Financial Officer and Board Member, is an exceptional program and financial manager, strategic planner, banker, financier, financial and market analyst, auditor and contract manager. Mr. Chugg has been a chief financial officer, an executive director, a financial manager, a bank vice president of corporate relations and assistant vice president of executive banking corporate auditor, and a regional contract manager. Mr. Chugg is a highly experienced and contemporary finance professional with demonstrated ability to lead corporate financial management teams for performance, continuous improvement and added value.
- Mr. Richard C. Williams, Senior Advisor and Board Member, is a highly respected and accomplished consultant in corporate manufacturing administration, accounting and information technology and a former manufacturing and sales company owner and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Williams has a broad experience in business and understands the role of businesses and the impact they have on a community. Owning a medium sized business for 20 years and growing it into a very profitable and respected company (over 275 employees and sales in excess of $40 million per year) has given him extensive knowledge in what it takes to succeed in a new manufacturing business.