By Jessica O. Swink
Editor, Small Business Insight
Photo by Paul Chin, Jr.
When asked to describe her role in the company, KIS president and CEO Catherine Giordano puts it simply: “maintaining an even keel and interacting with employees for their well being.”
She explains that the associates who work with KIS are a large part of the company’s success, and she tries to encourage a family environment where everyone takes care of each other.
Clearly, this focus has proven successful for KIS, whose growth has gone from $9 million in 2001 to more than $41 million in 2009. KIS – short for Knowledge Information Solutions, Inc. – was founded in 1983, and provides IT services, support and security solutions for both government and commercial clients.
When asked if being a woman business owner presents any unique challenges, Giordano agrees, stating that for women going toe-to-toe with men in the workplace, it is still a “good ole’ boys club.”
“In my industry, it is a mostly level playing field. Technology is gender neutral,” Giordano explains. Even still, she notes that KIS has been able to be in the top 50 in the nation in VAR (Value-Added Resellers).
“It’s a unique environment: you work hard to stand out enough,” Giordano explains. “In my industry, being a woman is a unique aspect in and of itself.”
In addition to leading KIS to the next step of its success, Giordano is also a strong advocate for small businesses at all levels of government. In 2001, Giordano
helped found Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and testified before a House Subcommittee on behalf of small, minority and disadvantaged businesses. Giordano also meets with policy makers and Congressional leaders to discuss small business legislation and regulations from a small business owner’s perspective.
This spirit of determination and forward thinking is not something she attributes to being a woman, rather one who is passionate about what she believes.
“I don’t look at gender as a barrier. Barriers are what others use looking in,” she explains. “I refuse to believe that anyone who has something they are passionate about can have anything in their way. If they are relentless, they can succeed in anything.”
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