In 1999, Jeff Wassmer, now President and CEO of Spectrum had an idea; an idea that has now led him to 10 years of extraordinary service, 220 employees, and a company unlike any other in the contracting world.
After 11 years with the AF involved in communications and computer systems, Jeff entered the commercial world and began a job with a government contractor in Warner Robins, GA. After only 3 years with the company, he realized that his vision of what he thought the commercial world could be like wasn’t being achieved with his current company.
On March 27th, 1999 Spectrum was born. Jeff had a goal not just to be one of the others, but to provide people that could really Envision the Future, Spectrum’s Motto, and assist customers in revolutionizing the way we “fight the war” with Intelligence. The company began with 1, added 9 more by 2001 and in 2007 celebrated its 100th employee. Now, only in its 10th year, Spectrum proudly marched into 2009 with over 200 employees, doubling the employee count in one year.
Along with this rapid growth, come many challenges to the once small business. The numbers have now surpassed some small business categories. Now competing against much larger and older companies, Spectrum looks towards its organization and culture to propel it above the rest.
While Spectrum’s birth began in Warner Robins, Hampton, VA is home to its corporate headquarters focusing operations in thirteen other states. Incorporated at the Holiday Inn on Mercury Blvd, Spectrum has spent 10 proud years in downtown Hampton. Providing over 100 high tech jobs to the Hampton Roads area, Spectrum looks forward to growing and offering more jobs in this suffering economy.
The company, fortunate enough to not be hit as hard as many other business sectors, looks for chances to contribute to the community in any way it can. Whether it’s providing local jobs, sponsoring time and money to local community service organizations or cleaning up the roads of their Adopt-A-Spot site, Spectrum thrives on contributing back to the local community that has been so good to them in the past 10 years.
On Thursday March 26th Spectrum celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary at the Virginia Air and Space Center. Over 250 people gathered for the evening to celebrate the birth of Spectrum and all it has achieved over the past 10 years. The event served as a thank-you to all employees and their families, vendors, and customers that have helped make Spectrum what it is today.
In a publication honoring all that have helped Spectrum along the way Mr. Wassmer stated, “Our people have been the Spectrum difference. They are truly energetic, passionate, professionals and in every sense of the word, patriots. I salute each of them past and present for helping us build the Spectrum dream. This road has not been traveled nor built by one. To our employee-partners, vendors, professional advisors, and teaming partners we say a big thank you for helping us build the American Dream.
Spectrum is a veteran-owned small business that has served the Department of Defense, federal agencies and future commercial markets since 1999. The company specializes in providing the intelligence community with innovative, realistic and affordable solutions in technology. Spectrum also provides full system support from assessment to certification and takes great pride in exceeding client expectations. The expertise of the 200 plus employees that comprise Spectrum in all 14 of its locations, work to solve the important intelligence issues of not only the nation but the world. As the company continues with its specialization in C4ISR, Information Operations, Acquisition & Logistics, and Research & Analysis, boundaries are being broken as Spectrum continues to rapidly grow and enter new markets.