A note from 8-koi headquarters :: spring 2022
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April has arrived and here in Florida our spring looks and feels like summer. This time of year brings about the celebration of change – a new quarter, a fresh beginning, growth and renewal. That’s probably why April is National Internship Awareness Month – an excellent time to recognize the contributions of our interns and the work they do. You can get to know more about our incredible interns at 8-koi.com.
As part of our recent recognition on the Gator100 List (read more below), I was asked to give advice to students preparing for graduation. I said I encourage young people to think of obstacles as challenges that will be overcome. I've had plenty of challenges growing 8-koi and CDE but there was never any obstacle that made me quit. I just took a moment to pause and made every effort to learn so I could do better and keep going. It's a daily exercise. Our internship program is no different. I’m proud of the opportunities we are able to offer now and am honored to continue learning from our interns and employees who all arrive with their own unique skill set and experiences. Thank you for picking 8-koi. I wish all our soon-to-be graduates, their mentors, teachers, and their families all the best.
As our new arrivals spring into their careers and start their new beginnings, spring has also sprung in my world and family of Cotons de Tulear – that now includes a fresh litter of all female puppies (see the photo below).
Wishing you the joy and renewal that comes with life's change in seasons,
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Inga I. Young
Founder and President
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PROGRESS WITH OUR 4 Ps:
People, Programs, Processes and Pipeline
The first quarter was another outstanding showing by our People. We continue to gain traction by executing excellent “Human Touch” operations. Here are some of our highlights so far:
PEOPLE: At headquarters, we are thrilled to have hired Rob Sullivan, P.E., vice president of design engineering; Keith Legette, contracting support specialist; Stephan Nichols, construction site manager; Gordon Smith, physical readiness program assistant; Yurie Miki, financial administrative assistant; Josh Nelson, construction cost estimator; Gabriel Herrera, construction site manager and Jared Jacobs, CAD designer. The newest team members have hit the ground running and are already making a HUGE impact to both 8-koi and CDE. Also, we are proud to have Donta Poyser (IT) join us through the DOD SkillBridge Program, which allows him to work with us while still on active duty with the Navy. Welcome aboard!
PROGRAMS:
Construction
- 8-koi was awarded the Eye Treatment Room renovation NAS Jacksonville, FL.
- 8-koi will construct a 3,000 SF pre-engineered metal building for storage at NOTU (Naval Ordinance Test Unit) on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Florida.
Design Engineering
Cape Design Engineering successfully captured contracts supporting multiple federal, state and county agencies. Some projects include:
- 8-koi was "short listed" for Brevard County Schools mechanical, engineering, plumbing and fire protectives services
- Design repairs for multiple Kennedy Space Center weather towers
- United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Space Coast Complex – various task orders
- Martin County School District IGA
- Roof structure evaluations for multiple Brevard County Schools
Healthcare
- Provided N-95 masks and crutches for a group of Urgent Care offices out of Brooklyn, NY.
Technical Administration
- 8-koi was awarded another FTE on the Management and Acquisition Support (MAST) contract supporting both the US Navy Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240) and Enterprise Systems & Services Program (PMW 250)
- 8-koi added three cyber security engineers to the Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) LTRS integrated support (LISC) at both Patrick Space Force Base, FL, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA.
PIPELINE: We continue to leverage our 8(a) eligibility – valid until April 2023.
- We’ve identified 19 new business development opportunities that we are evaluating for pursuit.
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We're pursing both prime and sub-contractor opportunities and are open to opportunities, newbusiness@8-koi.com.
PROCESS: We gained further traction by focusing on continuous improvement - our “Big Rocks.”
- Matt Rebholz obtained his Manager of Security Agency (Class MB) license enabling our ability to pursue personnel security opportunities.
- Lisa McCarty and Robin O’Connor have been working quality checks and credentialing for our El Paso staff.
- Sami Mized and Donta Poyser are hard at work enhancing our IT capability by establishing our employee intranet.
- May Rilo, Yesenia Molina and Ramon Acosta have been working to enhance our El Paso office onboarding process.
Looking ahead, together as a team, we'll continue to build on our strengths and work through the challenges and unknowns that arise. We have the momentum we need and a strong team with the right tools that'll make our 2022 goals a reality.
As always, your questions, suggestions and thoughtful emails are welcome.
Stay healthy and be safe,
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Welcome Robert Sullivan, P.E., Vice President, Engineering Division |
Taking the lead on current and future CDE projects, Robert joins the team in Merritt Island with over forty years of experience as a Licensed Professional Engineer. Get to know Robert here.
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We are now accepting resumes for experienced engineers to work at our Merritt Island office. View all open jobs.
- Structural Engineer III
- Structural Engineer IV
- Electrical Engineer IV
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8-koi Recognized as One of the World's Fastest-Growing Gator Businesses |
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“My UF education was very rigorous and prepared me for the complex world of government contract accounting,” says 8-koi Founder and President, Inga Young. “After I worked with several large aerospace and technology businesses, I believed I had the skills to startup and offer niche accounting to companies contracting to the government at a better cost with more attentive service. This Gator100 recognition really means a lot to me.”
The Gator100 List is compiled annually to recognize high-performing businesses around the world that are founded and owned by University of Florida Alumni.
The official rankings will be revealed at the Gator100 Awards Ceremony to be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on the University of Florida campus. Read more about The Gator100.
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8-koi Trademarks Logo and Name
8-koi is now trademark protected to safeguard intellectual property rights and to protect 8-koi's trademark form counterfeiting and infringement. Our 8-koi Brand Standard provides uniformity that translates to clear identification and recognition of our company brand. To ensure all of your work documents and digital assets are compliant with the new trademark, review the 8-koi Brand Standard and access approved logos in the Employee Portal. To report any misuse or request help with updates, contact the Comms Team.
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MEET THE TEAM :: Lisa McCarty
Credentialing Manager
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In 2020, Lisa joined the 8-koi team and was assigned to Patrick Space Force Base, 45th Medical Group, as the primary coder for the entire Medical Clinic. In October 2020, she moved from the 45th Medical Group to 8-koi headquarters and earned her Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist Certification and was promoted to manager of 8-koi’s credentialing department.
Life for Lisa before 8-koi took place around the world with her husband, who recently retired with over 32 years serving in the Air Force. The two met as children and became grade-school sweethearts in Bay City, Michigan. Throughout their years together they lived in Europe, Germany and England. While abroad in Germany Lisa managed all aspects of a multi-million Euro in annual sales at Kathe Wohlfahrt, a German store located on Ramstein and Vogelweh Air Bases.
After returning to the states Lisa obtained her Certified Coding Specialist Certification as a Medical Coder and Billing Specialist from the University of Arizona and was the primary coder/biller for Arkansas Cardiovascular where she worked for nearly a decade.
Lisa has two sons, Zachary age 30 and Skyler age 28, and four grandchildren: Marlee-Kay, Penelope, Ivy and Milo. She enjoys cruising, family time, playing the violin, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren and hairless Sphynx cats.
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Happy Birthday
April
3 – Maria Fonseca DePineda
10 – Peter Czutrin
12 – Matthew Rebholz
16 – Gloria Hernandez
16 – Amy Sigmon
17 – Bennett Garner
21 – Abigail Guerrero-Chaparro
21 – Kiana Kirk
23 – Sainy March
27 – Isela Guardado
30 – Jill Bond
30 – Nora Santana
May
1 – Steve Steven
2 – Elizabeth Berry
16 – Christopher Manning
17 – Anthony Pereira
18 – Ramon Acosta
23 – Daniel Quezada
June
2 – Yessika Otero Quintanilla
3 – Sandra Gutierrez
6 – Von Coleman
17 – Renee Garcia
22 – Kelly Sigmon
22 - Michael Sigmon
28 – Delia Osorto
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Happy Work Anniversary
April
1 year – Elizabeth Anchondo, Educational Instructors
1 year – Jonathan Bloberg
1 year – Jennifer Gomez, Case Aide
1 year – Abigail Guerrero-Chaparro, Case Aide
1 year – Feve Lopez, Case Aide
1 year – Irving Lucero, Case Manager
1 year – Gabriel Lugo, Case Manager
1 year – Claudia Martinez Alvidrez, Case Aide
1 year – Delia Osorto, Case Aide
1 year – Myra Pantoja, Case Aide
1 year – Michael Ramirez, Case Aide
1 year – Frank Rangel, Case Aide
1 year – Maidilia Rilo, Human Resources/Recruiter
1 year – David Rogers, Senior Contract Specialist
1 year – Hector Roman, Case Aide
1 year – Eva Smith, Case Aide
1 year – Jose Vazquez, Case Aide
1 year – Diana Velasquez, Case Manager
5 years – Amy Sigmon, Sr HR/Office Manager
May
1 year – Yolanda Chavez, Case Aide
1 year – Marcela De La Torre, Case Manager
1 year – Tiffany Eubank, PNRD Specialist
1 year – Ashley McCarron, Case Manger
1 year – Jessica Mora, Case Manager
1 year – Matthew Rebholz, Facility Security Officer
1 year – Alejandra Rodriguez Orozco, Case Aide
1 year – Javier Rodriguez, Case Manager
1 year – Vianney Ronquillo, Case Manger
1 year – Cynthia Sanchez, Case Aide
1 year – Rosa Sustaita, Case Manager
1 year – Tania Unzueta, Case Aide
1 year – Noah Vanderzwan, Case Manager
1 year – Jesus Villela, Case Aide
2 years – Lisa McCarty, Credentialing Manager
2 years – Kimberly Morris, Medical Office Secretary
June
1 year – Melissa Bellapu, Mental Health Clinician
1 year – Elidora Loveless, Mental Health Clinician
1 year – Kenneth Venzor Padilla, Educational Instructor
1 year Kyle Findlater, Structural Engineer III
2 years – Robin O’Connor, Credentialing Specialist
2 years – Kelly Sigmon, Intern
2 years - Michael Sigmon, Intern
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
8-koi and, its wholly owned subsidiary, Cape Design Engineering (CDE) are Equal Opportunity Employers. 8-koi and CDE do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.
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From the Desk of Facility Security Officer Matthew Rebholz:
Attention LinkedIn Users! Please be advised that cybercriminals are using display name spoofing and stylized HTML templates to socially engineer victims into clicking on phishing links. According to the February 25th Insider Risk Newsletter, phishing attacks impersonating emails from LinkedIn have grown 232% since the start of February. As always, we encourage you to engage on social media networks with purpose and diligence. Read more about LinkedIn spoofs.
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In the spirit of donating blood, Robin O'Conner, credentialing specialist, poses for a picture during the Feb. 24, 2022, blood donation drive. Thank you to all the superhero donors who participated. Stay tuned, more opportunities to come!
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Congratulations to Yolanda Chavez, case aide in El Paso, for winning the AirPods Pro Contest! Yolanda diligently completed her timesheet daily and submitted on time for the month of March. Job well done to all who participated and keep up the good work! |
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8-koi is a proud supporter of Women in Defense, an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). Our very own Inga Young is President of the Space Coast Chapter and is working with an all-volunteer board to bring high-quality networking and professional development opportunities to women and men working in support of our national defense. Pictured above from left to right: Amy Sigmon, Inga Young, Dr. Amicitia Maloon-Gibson, Sirena Hendrickson, and Yurie Miki.
WIDSC's High Tea Fundraiser - in support of STEM Scholarships for students pursuing studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - was recently held on March 26, at Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront. Our friends at Brevard Business News helped share the news.
Since 2013, Women in Defense Space Coast (WIDSC) has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships. For more information about WID membership and scholarships, visit SCWID.org.
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WIDSC's 5th Annual Sandbagger Invitational
May 20, 2022
Purchase your golf balls here.
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Nominate a 2022 STEM Education Innovator
Do you know someone who contributes their time and resources to support educational partnerships and workforce development on the Space Coast? Each year WIDSC honors individuals and organizations that support STEM in our community. Nominations for the 2022 STEM Education Innovator Awards are now being accepted. Learn more about the criteria and access the application here.
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Our second 8-koi Construction trailer is rolling out to jobs all over Florida!
See more about our projects and capabilities at 8-koi.com.
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8-koi is expanding its team!
View all our open career opportunities at 8-koi.com.
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DO YOU LOVE 8-koi?
Our Google profile lets people know what we have to offer, and you all know best. Please take a minute to give us some stars and leave a short comment.
If there is something we can be doing better, please do not hesitate to reach out to our leadership team first.
THANK YOU for the LOVE!
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PASSION | EXCELLENCE | DEPENDABILITY | THOUGHTFULNESS |
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8-koi, Inc. has complied with the passage of an interim rule to bridge the gap toward full transition to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The Department of Defense is requiring all contractors with the clause at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 in their contracts to conduct a self-assessment of NIST SP 800-171 standards and enter their results into the Supplier Performance Risk System by November 30, 2020. Contractors who have not entered their results by that deadline will not be eligible for an award on a contract containing DFARS 252.204-7012.
Click here for more information.
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