Military Veteran’s Transition from Active Duty to Civilian Life as Lean-Agile Methodologist and Coach

By Rob Smith, SPC, PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, PPO, ICP-ACC, Senior Practitioner and Lean Agile Coach, PhoenixTeam

How a Veteran found his purpose and belonging in the civilian workforce after decades of military service. A story about a mission to succeed with a military mindset of lean-agile.

The launch of Blue Phoenix earlier this month caused me to reflect on my own transition to civilian life after 22 years of service in the military.  

Just over nine years ago, while taking off my uniform for the last time, I had big dreams for the future ahead. During my tour, I led hundreds into battle and accomplished some of the toughest missions imaginable. I demonstrated extreme flexibility by changing mission sets and even geographic areas of operations overnight. My capabilities and skills were put to the test, not only on the front lines but also among numerous IT professionals, demonstrating my ability to excel both in action and behind the scenes. With this multi-faceted experience, future options seemed unlimited. At the time, I had no idea this marked only the beginning of an extensive journey back into civilian life. 

The Transition to Civilian Life 

When I ventured out of the military into the civilian world, I never thought I would struggle as much as I did to land a job. I was quickly humbled when my professionally written resume resulted in zero interviews. After five months of searching with no success, an unexpected turn of events unfolded, thanks to my two-year-old son. His innocent conversation with a stranger proved to be the catalyst for an incredible opportunity. As fate would have it, Tony, the stranger, made a life-changing introduction to his business partner, Ed, a lean agile coach, and trainer. This was the start of a new career path where I could use my skills and experiences to impact businesses worldwide significantly, and my next chapter began.  

I leaned into the skills I gained during my tour of duty for our great country and used them to deliver successful outcomes in the business world. While this story is my own, it illustrates Blue Phoenix’s mission of empowering Veterans to leverage their experiences and leadership in civilian roles and how those skills can deliver greater value realization to your organization.     

Summarizing My Transferable Skills and Experience 

It is nearly impossible, to sum up the translatable skills and experience I gained over 22 years of service leading teams of 8 to 800! I think of the various mission sets throughout my military career in Korea, Kuwait, Europe, Albania, Kosovo, and Iraq and the countless positions and additional duties I held at various levels. I served as Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader, Fire Support Officer, Battery Commander, Maintenance Officer, Training Officer, Ground Liaison Officer, Targeting Officer, Distinguished Visitors Bureau Deputy Chief, Joint Air Ground Integration Instructor, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, Director of Technology Solutions, and the list goes on. It is important to mention the Army provided formal training for the first four positions only. The other roles were all OJT (on-the-job training) and experience based.   

Describing the transferable skills from my distinct military career can be just as daunting, but for starters, the most obvious: leadership, team building, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, teamwork, adaptability in the face of diversity, flexibility, self-sufficiency, dedication, and integrity. Others might not immediately come to mind, such as continuous learning and improvement, the ability to coordinate and influence external stakeholders, integrating the value of multiple team efforts, coaching individuals and teams to improve, innovative and predictive, strategic planning, and compliance. I learned and perfected all these skills in the armed services, which I now use to coach organizations and leaders on the fundamental components to deliver technology-related initiatives successfully.  

Finding Purpose After Service 

Technology excellence has never been in higher demand, and organizations, tech included, need to adapt to respond to the demand. Successful software delivery is not only achieved because of industry knowledge or skill in functional areas such as product management or architecture. Without question, those are key elements to success, but not the only elements. In my experience, teams that are precise, adaptable, well-coordinated, and have synergy are those that consistently deliver with quality and speed to market. Our country’s veterans live and breathe these fundamental skills and not only can they drive initiatives to success, they are experts in continuous learning, growth, and servant leadership. 

Blue Phoenix sees the value veterans bring and found a unique way to merge military fundamentals with technology and industry expertise to supply the tech excellence demand. Led by a Marine Corp Veteran advised by a board of accomplished business and tech experts, together they know how to tap into the intrinsic skills of veterans to deliver value efficiently and effectively for any organization. And that, my friends, is the best of both worlds.  

— 

Rob Smith is a retired military officer with over nine years of experience as a Lean-Agile Trainer and Coach. He is a Senior Practitioner and Lean Agile Coach at PhoenixTeam. His distinct and adaptive international experience, combined with his military service and ethos, give him a unique perspective that applies to anyone who desires to succeed. Rob is passionate about sharing how his experiences in the service translate to success as a civilian. Please stay tuned for more articles on Veterans in the Workplace and how Blue Phoenix can help you leverage the power of our Nation’s Heroes!  

Connect with Rob | Connect with PhoenixTeam | Connect with Blue Phoenix

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Blue Phoenix Awarded IT 70 Schedule
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Veteran Founded Technology Venture Blue Phoenix Expands Reach with GSA IT-70 Award

Blue Phoenix, specializing in technology design, delivery, and leadership excellence for federal agencies, awarded milestone GSA contract.

ARLINGTON, VA; July 24, 2023— Blue Phoenix, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), is proud to announce that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded an IT Schedule 70 Contract. Blue Phoenix recently launched as the result of a mentor-protégé joint venture (MPJV) between PhoenixTeam and Blue Bay Business Delivery, LLC. Blue Phoenix has over eight years of combined experience designing and leading the delivery of complex technology solutions and transformations in the federal sector. It provides an end-to-end technology offering that includes business and technology strategy, technology product management, solution architecture leadership, development and testing, and systems implementation services to include change management.

PhoenixTeam has over 25 years of experience specializing in the discovery and delivery of superior mortgage technology solutions. Blue Bay has over 25 years of military service and leadership and provides a pathway for service members to reintegrate into civilian life. Together as Blue Phoenix, Veterans are empowered to apply their leadership skills and mission-focused mindset to drive better technology and business outcomes. With this evolution, they will now cater to the Federal sector’s diverse technological needs with an all-encompassing range of solutions. Blue Phoenix is honored to provide value further while continuing to serve the country’s three largest Federal Housing Agencies, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Guaranty Service (LGY), and the Department of Agriculture Rural Development Service (USDA) Rural Development (RD), Blue Phoenix is broadening its reach to provide its unique services to non-housing agencies seeking technical excellence and delivery leadership.

“Launching Blue Phoenix one month ago is a vision realized,” said John Trodden, Managing Partner. “Announcing admission on the GSA Schedule today marks another milestone for us, one that allows Blue Phoenix to offer its expertise and services to help our United States Federal Agencies deliver on their technology promises and visions.” Trodden, who served in the Marines for over 25 years, says, “Blue Phoenix’s mission to “serve those who serve” is rooted in its commitment to provide Veterans employment opportunities as they transition into civilian life. We highlight and lean into the leadership skills and military fundamentals our service members used day in and day out to achieve mission success. As a result of the industry’s overwhelming interest in partnering with Blue Phoenix, we are thrilled to expand our services to serve all federal agencies in their journey to achieve their technology vision and mission.”

This long-term IT 70 Schedule (MAS) contract #47QSMD20R0001 adds Blue Phoenix to a pre-approved list of technology companies for federal purchases, making it easier for government agencies to receive high-quality, cost-effective digital solutions. IT Schedule 70 was established by GSA to assist federal, state, local, and tribal governments in procuring IT products and services to meet IT goals by giving agencies access to innovative solutions at pre-determined, negotiated prices. It is designed to streamline procedures and increase acquisition speed while providing inclusive access to businesses and supporting socioeconomic goals.

About Blue Phoenix
Blue Phoenix is a technology company specializing in delivering technology and program leadership excellence to federal clients. As a Joint Venture formed in 2023 between Phoenix Oversight Group, LLC (Mentor), and Blue Bay Business Delivery, LLC (Protégé), we deliver unparalleled end-to-end technology and business outcomes. We exist to “serve those who serve,” providing our country’s veterans an opportunity to leverage their experience and leadership in the civilian space. The combination of our technology expertise and military fundamentals is the answer the federal sector seeks to the growing demand for IT excellence. Blue Phoenix is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

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PhoenixTeam Begins New Partnership with HUD for FHA Catalyst

ARLINGTON, VA; June 9, 2023—PhoenixTeam was recently awarded a $55 million, 5-year contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for development, modernization, and enhancement (DME) support services for FHA Catalyst. FHA Catalyst is the Federal Housing Administration’s information technology modernization initiative, connecting systems, people, and data to more effectively support the homeowners, renters, and communities FHA serves.

PhoenixTeam partnered with Salesforce, an industry-leading provider of cloud products and mortgage solutions, Ngineering, a small business specializing in IT modernization and digital transformation, and C-HIT, a CMMI Level 5 appraised business transformation solutions provider, who is also the co-prime for this opportunity.

“PhoenixTeam seeks to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. With this award, PhoenixTeam now has the unique opportunity to serve HUD Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Service, and the Department of Agriculture Rural Development Service. We help each agency achieve its modernization goals to best help low- and moderate-income and first-time homebuyers, veterans, and borrowers in rural areas. It is an honor to serve those who serve.” said Tanya Brennan, PhoenixTeam CEO and Managing Partner.

PhoenixTeam looks forward to supporting HUD and FHA to fulfill its mission with modernized technology.

About PhoenixTeam
PhoenixTeam is a technology company that specializes exclusively in the design, delivery, and care of mortgage technology solutions in the federal and commercial spaces. Our dream is to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. We believe that by bringing joy and purpose back to software development, while bridging the gap between technology and business teams, we can really make a difference in the lives of clients and homeowners everywhere. PhoenixTeam is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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PhoenixTeam is Excited to Announce Becky Griswold as its Newest Partner

Arlington, VA , May 31, 2023 — Mortgage technology company PhoenixTeam is pleased to announce the elevation of Becky Griswold to Partner. Becky Griswold joined PhoenixTeam in 2019 as an Implementation leader. Since then, she has led several of Phoenix’s most complex government implementations and served as its partner to MISMO. Becky brought some of Phoenix’s best talent and is regarded as a leader of leaders who takes the time necessary to nurture and grow team members into stronger, more empowered, and capable Phoenicians. When you combine her mortgage subject matter expertise, her laser focus on outcomes, and her ability to connect with anyone on a human level, she rightfully earned the reputation she has within PhoenixTeam and her clients.  

Becky’s exceptional leadership has been instrumental in helping our largest clients, government, and commercial, solve their most challenging business and technology challenges. She is a trusted advisor who leads teams to realize possibilities in seemingly impossible situations by encouraging empathy, collaboration, and innovation. Becky regularly pursues certifications and additional industry knowledge as a lifetime learner to provide maximum value to clients and team members. She is a Certified MISMO Standards Professional (CMSP®), Associated MISMO Standards Professional (AMSPTM), Certified SAFe Scrum Master (2022); Certified LeSS Practitioner; Certified SAFe 5.0 Agile Product Owner and Product Manager; and Certified SAFe 5.0 Practitioner, to name a few.  

“Becky lives our core values – she creates and delivers quality products, honors commitments, and values everyone’s time. I am honored to work with Becky day in and day out, and she motivates me and everyone around her to be better. She is an integral part of the company’s growth, and I could not imagine PhoenixTeam without her,” said Tanya Brennan, Managing Partner and President of PhoenixTeam. 

“Becky exemplifies everything it means to be a Phoenician,” said Tom Westerlind, Managing Partner and CFO of PhoenixTeam. “She is caring, open, determined, highly skilled, highly capable, amongst many other amazing qualities. I’m thrilled she’s joining the partnership and feel blessed for the continued opportunity to learn from and grow with her.”

“Becky is everything a PhoenixTeam leader should be – strategic, authentic, recruits and grows great talent, influences outcomes, and helps grow our business,” said Lindsay Bennett, PhoenixTeam Partner. “We are so grateful for her to join our Partnership.”  

Sharing the sentiment, Becky added, “I am so very thankful, incredibly grateful, and unbelievably blessed to join the Phoenix Partner team. From the day I joined Phoenix, I knew the company was special. I have had unlimited ability to personally and professionally grow while contributing to the company’s journey and successes. I am thrilled to continue my contribution at a higher level as Phoenix continues to make a positive impact on our employees and our customers.” 

About PhoenixTeam 

PhoenixTeam is a technology company specializing exclusively in designing, delivering, and creating mortgage technology solutions in federal and commercial spaces. Our dream is to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. We believe that by bringing joy and purpose back to software development while bridging the gap between technology and business teams, we can really make a difference in the lives of clients and homeowners everywhere. PhoenixTeam is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.phoenixoutcomes.com. 

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PhoenixTeam Strengthens Partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture

ARLINGTON, VA; March 29, 2023—With the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA,) Rural Development (RD) SURPASS modernization award, PhoenixTeam continues to deliver value to farmers and rural homeowners by providing increased access to homeownership opportunities through a modernized, cloud-based residential Loan Origination System (LOS) and a Point-of-Sale (POS) System. PhoenixTeam has partnered with Salesforce and ICE Mortgage Technology both of whom provide industry leading cloud products and mortgage lending solutions to help customers navigate ever changing regulations and automate manual workflows to close loans more efficiently with increased quality.

The Single Family Direct Home Loan program provides low and very low-income households the opportunity to own and/or repair modest homes in rural areas that are decent, safe, and sanitary. “We are honored to partner with USDA once again to deliver a solution that will help farmers and rural homeowners. This award validates that Phoenix is meeting its mission to reach every potential homeowner who turns to federal housing agencies for alternatives as they cannot get access to affordable homeownership through traditional means,” said Tanya Brennan, PhoenixTeam CEO and Managing Partner.

PhoenixTeam looks forward to supporting the USDA RD Direct Home Loan program fulfill its mission with modernized technology.

About PhoenixTeam
PhoenixTeam is a technology company that specializes exclusively in the design, delivery, and care of mortgage technology solutions in the federal and commercial spaces. Our dream is to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. We believe that by bringing joy and purpose back to software development, while bridging the gap between technology and business teams, we can really make a difference in the lives of clients and homeowners everywhere. PhoenixTeam is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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PhoenixTeam Featured on 2023 Inc. Regionals Mid-Atlantic for Third Consecutive Year

PhoenixTeam ranks at No. 45 with 269% growth rate. 

ARLINGTON, VA, February 28, 2023 –  PhoenixTeam places No. 45 out of 142 companies on the Inc. Regionals fastest-growing private companies in the Mid-Atlantic! Ranked within the top rising businesses, PhoenixTeam boasts a two-year median revenue growth rate of 269% and is one of 62 repeat honorees. The Mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

The 2023 Inc. Regionals serves as an extension to the Inc. 5000 list and includes six major U.S. areas: Pacific, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, and Southwest, with the Mid-Atlantic region averaging a growth rate of 381%.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing, privately held companies in the Mid-Atlantic region three years in a row,” said Tanya Brennan, Managing Partner, and CEO of PhoenixTeam. “We are humbled. We are grateful. We are excited for what we have planned to help even more federal housing agencies and commercial sector clients deliver their mission and business goals resulting in better outcomes for veterans, farmers, and homeowners.”

PhoenixTeam’s Additional Inc. Recognitions:
Inc. Regionals Mid-Atlantic
Inc. Magazine’s Regionals List is an extension of Inc. 5000, which lists the fastest-growing private companies in a particular region. PhoenixTeam’s ranked #41 of 131 in 2022 with an annual growth rate of 242% and #51 of 250 with a growth rate of 210% in 2021.

Inc. 5000
Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies has featured PhoenixTeam three times, ranking #2450 with a 236% revenue increase over a three-year period in 2022, #911 with a 532% growth rate in 2021, and #1160 with a growth rate of 389% in 2020.

Inc. Best Workplaces
Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces List honors company cultures that foster employee growth and advancement at all levels. PhoenixTeam has been recognized twice with a 94% overall employee satisfaction score and 100% of team members agree that they “see career development opportunities in this organization.”

View all PhoenixTeam’s Inc. Recognitions at https://www.inc.com/profile/phoenixteam.

Contact
PhoenixTeam
Melanie Lewis, Partner
904-868-5828
melanie.lewis@phoenixoutcomes.com

About PhoenixTeam
PhoenixTeam is a technology company that specializes exclusively in the design, delivery, and care of mortgage technology solution in the federal and commercial spaces. Our dream is to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. We believe that by bringing joy and purpose back to software development, while bridging the gap between technology and business teams, we can really make a difference in the lives of clients and homeowners everywhere. PhoenixTeam is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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PhoenixTeam Announces 2022 Annual Company Award Winners!

PhoenixTeam continues to set industry standards for enabling homeownership through technology. We partner with federal and commercial clients to bring innovative, meaningful, and efficient mortgage technology products to customers and our success is directly attributed to the incredible Phoenicians committed to bringing joy and purpose to software development. PhoenixTeam’s Annual Awards recognize the team members who exemplify the qualities of top-tier tech talent. Read on to learn more about our awards and winners!  

Phoenix’s awards are categorized as follows:  

  • Company-Wide Awards recognize the leaders who had profound impact on their team members, community, and industry. 
  • Account Awards celebrate the team members who created immeasurable value for their clients. 
  • Value Awards recognize the team members who best exemplify PhoenixTeam values: service, lifetime learning, diversity, impact, wellness, and entrepreneurialism. 
  • Continuous Service Awards honor team members who have committed to providing joy and purpose in software for over five years. 

Join PhoenixTeam in celebrating the following winners! 

Company-Wide Awards 

Peter Read, Managing Practitioner and SAFe Agilist and Scrum Master, is PhoenixTeam’s 2022 Leader of the Year. Peter joined PhoenixTeam in October 2018 and has since redefined what it means to lead the Phoenix Way through coaching, facilitation, and driving unparalleled results to our clients. “Peter leads flawlessly and always comes with positive energy. He always looks out for his team and continuously fights and works for their growth. Most importantly, he is a transparent, empathetic, and trustworthy leader to rely on.” 

Saugat Kandel, Senior Practitioner and SAFe savant, is Buddy of the Year. Saugat is the Phoenician who reminds us to just keep swimming and how to keep our heads above water. Since joining the company in the fall of 2019, he has proven to be an authentic and trustworthy team member who finds new ways to support and deliver value to team members and clients alike. “Saugat promotes teamwork by consistently encouraging teammates to speak up during all meetings. He is always available when I need to talk, even when it is not project related. I know without a doubt Saugat has my back in any meeting.” 

Becky Griswold, Managing Director and Certified MISMO Standards Professional (CMSP), is PhoenixTeam’s 2022 Most Valuable Phoenician (MVP). She is the model Phoenician who does it all. When asked of her superpower, the 2022 MVP answered simply, “Execute.” Becky supports and drives organizational growth while motivating her team and making every day as a Phoenician count. “Becky is a multi-tasking wizard with a photographic memory that manages to be empathetic yet quirky. She pushes you outside of your comfort zone with her unwavering confidence in your abilities and jumps in to help whenever she feels like you need it most because she ALWAYS has your back.” 

Account Awards 

Account Most Valuable Phoenician (AMVP) recognizes the Most Valuable Phoenician by team. These individuals bring positivity and energy to challenging days, showcase resiliency and leadership, and jump into action like it is second nature. They are recognized by their client and/or team as having the greatest impact on the desired outcomes. 

Rebecca Campbell, marketing and design master, is a creative genius who loves to ideate and collaboratively brainstorm on brand awareness. An incredible asset to the Phoenix Village and one of 2022’s AMVPs, Rebecca specializes in the efficient and excellent delivery of visual materials for PhoenixTeam. “Rebecca has singlehandedly set a new standard for PhoenixTeam. She ensures we deliver the highest-quality media and content to our clients, socials, and internal channels.” 

Robert Smith joined PhoenixTeam in the fall of 2020 and is recognized as a 2022 AMVP. Rob, a Senior Practitioner, Agile Coach and Certified LeSS Practitioner, is the founder and leader of PhoenixTeam’s Agile Community of Practice (CoP). He elicits results and proves that agile coaching done right and well, can deliver lasting impact for clients and team members. “Starting from Day 1, Rob improved the discovery and delivery processes of the client. The CEO said that they are finally able to get back to the “fun” part of building the product because Rob was able to get the team to deliver on the basic stuff they had been struggling with for many months.” 

Josh Bell joined PhoenixTeam two years ago and serves as Managing Practitioner. He has shown unwavering resiliency, innovation, and leadership as a 2022 AMVP. “Josh checks all the boxes of what we want for [client] team members. He is productive, client-focused, and a great teammate. He is always looking for ways to improve the product and is constantly doing research to learn new services and explore new technologies.” 

Gary Klein, Senior Practitioner and PhoenixTeam’s first CMSP, is a problem-solver by nature and trade. As a SAFe specialist, Gary has provided a strategy to every industry obstacle, earning recognition as one of this year’s AMVPs. “Gary does his homework, is a master at eliciting requirements, delivers with the utmost quality and on time (often early).  He typically knows the client’s product or technology better than the client and, in turn, gains their implicit trust.” 

Chase Carpenter, Managing Practitioner and SAFe Product Owner and Manager, is one of our earliest Phoenicians, joining us in 2017. A solutioning superstar, we recognize Chase as a 2022 AMVP for his ability to connect with our clients, uncover core problems, and create meaningful solutions that drive greater efficiency and joy for end users. “Every day, Chase negotiates win-win solutions for business and technology, overcomes objections, and does it all with the respect and admiration of his teammates.”  

Sara Ciffa joined PhoenixTeam one year ago and has made every day as a PhoenixTeam Senior Practitioner count. A Certified LeSS Practitioner and SAFe Product Owner and Manager, Sara is a 2022 AMVP for her ability to influence her team and client, and expert handling of products and disciplines. “Working with Sara is a pleasure, as is she as a person. I rely on her greatly, both to inspire the team and to carry a major and complex load herself.” 

Kamsala Baskaradoss, Senior Practitioner and analytics and solutioning superstar, has mastered the ability to connect humanity to technology and understand specific think patterns, strengths, and opportunities. Her industry experience has made her a valued and trusted ally for the client, well deserving of her recognition as a 2022 AMVP. “Kamsala has won over everyone on the team with her invaluable work to the client and team.” 

Customer Centric Awards 

Customer Centric Awards recognize the Phoenicians who ensure the value delivered to our clients is top quality, with a specific focus on end-user efficiency and delight. These individuals build strategic relationships, think on their feet, and are methodical in their approach to solving the most challenging customer problems. 

Caroline Qureshi, Salesforce superstar, builds strong personal and work relationships with everyone she meets across business, product, and technology, from executive to end-user to junior engineer, she is a Customer Centric award-winner. She is especially a favorite of the client, getting to know them beyond superficial levels and taking time to understand and empathize with their needs and struggles on the job. “Caroline is incredibly passionate about her work and when the need arises, she will fight to ensure we are building products that bring joy to our users.” 

Pamela Beck-Janssen is a solution-seeker who transcends restrictive boundaries and silos, establishes rapport with experts as a trusted and experienced advisor, and bridges gaps between technologists, product managers, and end users. Beck-Janssen is recognized as a 2022 Customer Centric award winner. “Pam is the embodiment of every trait Phoenicians hold dear. She always puts the customer first and is a huge asset to the project and deserves to be recognized.” 

Kelli Deinarowicz, Senior Practitioner, is a pro at juggling multiple projects and utilizing her skillset in integrations and project management to deliver lightning-fast results to clients. A requirements mastermind, Kelli makes the hardest efforts seem achievable and brings solutions to life. “The hard work and dedication Kelli has given to mastering the world of the client is inspiring. They praise her work and opinions because she is a true superstar and does a fantastic job of influencing and persuading the client.” 

Value Awards 

Value Awards recognize the team members who best exemplify PhoenixTeam values: service, lifetime learning, diversity, impact, wellness, and entrepreneurialism.  

Donna Fell is recognized as the Phoenician who gives back to our clients, team, and community. Donna, Senior Analyst and SAFe Agilist, is the 2022 Value award winner for Service. “Donna always participates in PhoenixTeam philanthropic efforts and goes beyond her community by serving our team members through servant leadership.” 

Rhea Edwards, Senior Practitioner and Salesforce wiz, is the Lifetime Learning honoree. Rhea seeks to improve mentally, physically, emotionally, and professionally. She puts learnings into practice and shares what she learns with others. “Rhea’s hunger to learn is inspiring. She is constantly sharing her new findings in the spirit of growth, as individuals and as a village.” 

Haleigh Pannell is PhoenixTeam’s Diversity award winner for her commitment to celebrating every person and their uniqueness. Haleigh, a Senior Analyst, leads and drives our I.D.E.A. vision, promotes vulnerability and encourages difficult conversations. “Haleigh makes PhoenixTeam a workplace that exemplifies inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Her work as an ally and advocate ensures team members not only understand, but apply the value of diversity.” 

Nate Pierce, Senior Practitioner, is recognized as the Phoenician who operates with an impact-oriented mindset. As PhoenixTeam’s 2022 Impact award winner, Nate consistently impacts the outcomes, positively impacts team members, and imparts long-lasting value to our organization and clients. “I don’t know how he does it – but Nate always delivers and leaves his mark. And he does it all with a great attitude and a laugh, which makes working with him an absolute pleasure.” 

Amanda Weakley is the founder and lead of Phoenix’s Mental Health ERG and demonstrates the behaviors necessary to take wellness beyond physical health—as without a good mind, body, and spirit, you are only part of your best self. Amanda, Operations Analyst, is PhoenixTeam’s 2022 Wellness award winner. “The day that Amanda joined our team I could see her mission to make PhoenixTeam a space where all feel safe and supported in their mental health and overall wellness.” 

Daniel Dennis, Senior Practitioner and Salesforce genius, is recognized as the Phoenician who unequivocally contributes to the growth and development of the Phoenix Village as the 2022 Entrepreneurialism award winner. Whether bringing in new business, expanding our footprint with existing clients, or delivering creative ideas to grow our internal practices, Daniel is always thinking ten miles down the road to ensure that Phoenix is the premier place to work and a technology partner. “Daniel stands out as an entrepreneurialism superstar. He has independently fostered relationships with account executives and as a result has identified a high odds opportunity for an engagement with a federal government agency.” 

Five Years of Service 

PhoenixTeam thanks the following team members for their continued commitment to delivering value, the Phoenix Way.  

Chase Carpenter, Managing Practitioner 

Jacki Frazer, Managing Practitioner 

Nate Pierce, Senior Practitioner 

Cindy Larsen, Internal Operations 

About PhoenixTeam 

PhoenixTeam is a technology company that specializes exclusively in the design, delivery, and care of mortgage technology solution in the federal and commercial spaces. Our dream is to enable affordable and accessible homeownership for all Americans through customer-centric technology solutions. We believe that by bringing joy and purpose back to software development, while bridging the gap between technology and business teams, we can really make a difference in the lives of clients and homeowners everywhere. PhoenixTeam is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. 

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PHOENIXTEAM FEATURED ON INC. 5000 LIST OF AMERICA’S FASTEST-GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES 

ARLINGTON, VA, August 16, 2022 –  PhoenixTeam ranks in the top half of Inc. magazine’s 2022 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the third year in a row! The Inc. 5000 List is determined by percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021 in U.S.-based, private companies. PhoenixTeam saw a 236% three-year growth and ranked #2450 on the list. 

“It is an honor to be recognized by Inc. as one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the nation for the third year in a row,” said Tanya Brennan, managing partner and CEO of PhoenixTeam. “Our continued growth is a testament to our talented team that continues to delight our clients and deliver value by finding innovative ways to address their most difficult challenges in the mortgage technology and software development spaces. PhoenixTeam is fortunate to continue to help federal housing agencies and commercial sector clients deliver better business solutions through technology design, delivery and implementation excellence resulting in better outcomes for veterans, farmers and homeowners.” 

View the full list of honorees at  https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2022. 

Contact  

PhoenixTeam
Melanie Lewis
904-868-5828
melanie.lewis@phoenixoutcomes.com 

About PhoenixTeam
PhoenixTeam is a woman-owned small business that specializes in the consumer lending and financial services space. Partnering with government agencies, financial institutions and technology providers, PhoenixTeam brings top-tier talent and expertise to deliver the best mortgage loan experience for our clients and those seeking homeownership. As a full-stack product company that emphasizes a continuous learning culture, PhoenixTeam leverages unique and creative methods to develop and deliver on our client’s strategy and vision. For more information, visit us www.phoenixoutcomes.com. 

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Fortune and Great Place to Work® Rank PhoenixTeam #53 2022 Best Medium Workplaces™

ARLINGTON, VA, August 8, 2022 — Minority and woman-owned mortgage software development company PhoenixTeam is an honoree on Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine’s 2022 Best Medium Workplaces. PhoenixTeam is ranked #53 on its first time named to this prestigious list.  

“Our first-time recognition on the 2022 Best Medium Workplaces list reflects our continued focus on our people,” says Tanya Brennan, Managing Partner and CEO. “We are dedicated to helping our team members become the best versions of themselves inside and outside of the workplace. Our company growth echos the growth of the individuals who drive change within the mortgage technology industry and allows PhoenixTeam to bring joy and purpose to software development.” 

PhoenixTeam received its first Great Place to Work Certification in February of 2022 and was ranked #29 on the Fortune and Great Place to Work Best Workplace for Millennials™ in July 2022. The company now holds additional recognition on the 2022 Best Medium Workplace List. 

Great Place to Work measured over 200,000 employees survey responses in companies with 100 to 999 team members in America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study from companies that represent more than 6.1 million U.S. employees in the Trust Index™ survey. The survey allows team members to share anonymous quantitative and qualitative feedback on company culture through 60 statements measured on a five-point scale and two open-ended questions. These statements assess “employee experience, defined by high levels of trust, respect, credibility, fairness, pride, and camaraderie” as stated by Great Place to Work.  

100% of PhoenixTeam employees who participated in the Trust Index survey agree that: 

  • The company celebrates people who try new and better ways of doing things, regardless of the outcome. 
  • People here are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation, race, or age. 
  • Management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulders. 
  • When I look at what we accomplish, I feel a sense of pride. 
  • PhoenixTeam is a great place to work. 

Great Place to Work selected the Best Medium Workplaces list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is. 

View PhoenixTeam’s full Great Place to Work profile and recognitions at https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7039913.

Contact
PhoenixTeam
Melanie Lewis, Partner
904-868-5828
melanie.lewis@phoenixoutcomes.com  

About PhoenixTeam:  

PhoenixTeam is a woman-owned small business that specializes in the consumer lending and financial services space. Partnering with government agencies, financial institutions and technology providers, PhoenixTeam brings top-tier talent and expertise to deliver the best mortgage loan experience for our clients and those seeking homeownership. As a full-stack product company that emphasizes a continuous learning culture, PhoenixTeam leverages unique and creative methods to develop and deliver on our client’s strategy and vision. For more information, visit us at www.phoenixoutcomes.com. 

About the Best Medium Workplaces™ 

Great Place to Work selected the Best Medium Workplaces by analyzing the survey responses of over 200,000 employees from Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies with 100 to 999 U.S. employees. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index™ survey. Great Place to Work determines its lists using its proprietary For All methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million employees, this year alone.  

 

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Fortune and Great Place to Work® Rank PhoenixTeam #29 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials™

ARLINGTON, VA, July 18, 2022— PhoenixTeam is an honoree for Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine’s 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials. PhoenixTeam is ranked 29th place out of 100 Small and Medium companies on its first time named to this prestigious list.  

“Our first-time recognition on the 2022 Best Workplace for Millennials list reflects our continued focus on our people,” says Tanya Brennan, Managing Partner and CEO. “Our millennial team members are instrumental in driving change within the mortgage technology industry, allowing PhoenixTeam to bring joy and purpose to software development.” 

PhoenixTeam received its first Great Place to Work Certification in February of 2022, and now holds additional recognition as an honoree on the Fortune magazine Best Workplace for Millennials list. Great Place to Work measured the differences in over 413,000 Millennials’ survey responses to those of other generations taken from America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study of over 1 million employee survey responses and data from companies that represent more than 6.1 million U.S. employees in the Trust Index™ survey.  

100% of PhoenixTeam employees that participated in the Trust Index survey agreed that: 

  • We celebrate people who try new and better ways of doing things, regardless of the outcome.
  • Management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulders. 
  • When I look at what we accomplish, I feel a sense of pride. 
  • PhoenixTeam is a great place to work. 

Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces for Millennial list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is. 

View PhoenixTeam’s full Great Place to Work profile and recognitions at https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7039913.

Contact
PhoenixTeam
Melanie Lewis, Partner
904-868-5828
melanie.lewis@phoenixoutcomes.com  

About PhoenixTeam:  

PhoenixTeam is a woman-owned small business that specializes in the consumer lending and financial services space. Partnering with government agencies, financial institutions and technology providers, PhoenixTeam brings top-tier talent and expertise to deliver the best mortgage loan experience for our clients and those seeking homeownership. As a full-stack product company that emphasizes a continuous learning culture, PhoenixTeam leverages unique and creative methods to develop and deliver on our client’s strategy and vision. For more information, visit us at www.phoenixoutcomes.com. 

About the Best Workplaces for Millennials™ 

Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces for Millennials by gathering and analyzing over 1 million confidential survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million U.S. employees at Great Place to Work-Certified™ organizations. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index™ survey. Read the full methodology. 

About Great Place to Work® 

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Its employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything it does is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™.   

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

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