The Company History

GVI was founded in 1999 by Orville M. Brown and Matthew T. Hales to offer senior level Program and Financial Management services to SPAWAR Systems Center Charleston, Norfolk Virginia detachment.  These two individuals, both of whom were already supporting this Government organization, saw the potential customer base and the need for a “different type” of Government contractor.  Their company was to focus primarily on customer satisfaction.  And from this customer satisfaction, the business will grow through recommendations, word of mouth, and favorable contract performance reviews.

To achieve superior customer satisfaction in the service industry, these two individuals realized their first priority must be the employees.  After all, it was the company’s employees that interfaced with the customer on a daily basis.  Understanding this, GVI established its core principles and values which have not changed since the first day of operations.

In April 2002 GVI was certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as an 8(a) small disadvantaged business.This unique opportunity proved to be a catalyst for seeking new business opportunities.  This growth, in turn, provided the necessary working capital through retained earnings to continue to grow and seek further opportunities. In 2003 GVI was awarded its first direct Government contract with SPAWAR Charleston, followed by the company’s second direct Government contract in 2005 with NAVSEA Indian Head.   

Calendar year 2007 proved to be our toughest year of operations.  Our company’s President, Mr. Orville Brown, unexpectedly passed away.  This shock temporarily hampered the company’s momentum from 2007 through 2009 while we re-gained our footing and completely re-organized the company.  It is to the credit of all of our employees, customers and support organizations that we successfully weathered the storm.

Through this reorganization, Mrs. Beverly Brown, Orville Brown’s widow, stepped in as the President of GVI, Inc.  Mrs. Brown oversees and manages all business aspect of the corporation, while Matthew Hales oversees and manages the technical / customer end of the business.  In late 2009 GVI hired a Director of Sales and Marketing to concentrate on growing the business, with specific concentration on the non-8(a) sector.  The efforts of our Director of Sales and Marketing will be further discussed later in this plan. 

The People

Mr. Orville Brown, the principal founder of the company, had extensive experience (over 35 years) in senior level management for a Fortune 50 company.  Mr. Brown’s expertise in manufacturing and program management was well respected with many of GVI’s customers and associates in the business community in which GVI operated.  Before his passing, Mr. Brown’s primary corporate focus was sales and marketing.   

Mrs. Beverly Brown took the reign of GVI following Mr. Brown’s passing.  Prior to joining GVI, Mrs. Brown was a licensed nurse and managed a staff of nurses and the associated business for a commercial company.    Mrs. Brown is responsible for all of the business functions of GVI, including human resources and accounting.  Mrs. Brown also actively participates in the Sales and Marketing function from searching for new business opportunities to attending conferences to the review of cost and technical proposals. 

Mr. Matthew Hales has extensive experience with a Fortune 500 company.  This experience is in the arena of financial management, with high emphasis on manufacturing and program control.  Much like Mr. Brown, Mr. Hales has gained respect in the community in which GVI operates.   He concentrates his GVI corporate efforts from the technical / customer aspect.  Mr. Hales is responsible for the execution of all current contracts, and also participates in the Sales and Marketing aspect of the business.  In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mr. Hales also offers his professional services to customers. 

Mr. Keith Reitnouer is the Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Reitnouer joined GVI in September of 2009.  He has more than thirty-nine years total experience in the service industry.  In his previous position as a Director for Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mr. Reitnouer was responsible for the planning, technical and financial performance, growth and  personnel development of multiple programs with annual sales of >$70M and 600+ employees performing on 9 prime contracts at 15 locations nationwide.  Under his leadership, the programs for which he was responsible consistently achieved an average annual growth rate of 10%.