Fast-Growing Consulting Firm adds Chairman; Readies for Expansion, and Launches Strategic Partnerships
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Few companies experience growth like GSP Consulting Corp. The leading government affairs and economic development consulting firm is once again creating buzz across the country as they add to their executive staff, launch strategic partnerships, and expand operations.
Ready to take their firm to a new level, the government affairs and consulting company finalized a deal this month with business veteran and start-up expert, Pat Stewart to come aboard as chairman and principal. Stewart comes to GSP Consulting from the organization he co-founded five years ago – Idea Foundry, a technology-based non-profit that provides entrepreneurs with investment and intellectual capital to take a business idea to a viable start-up company.
“Throughout my 25-year career, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with both young entrepreneurial teams and some of the world’s largest corporations,” Stewart said. “GSP is one of the most exciting and promising consulting companies I have encountered. I believe my economic development experience and extensive business background combined with their vision, depth of industry experience, and a clear focus on serving customer needs creates a foundation for significant growth.”
Prior to his time at Idea Foundry, Stewart was co-founder, president and CEO of MetalSite and chairman of ScrapSite where he helped raise approximately $40 million in venture capital and $180 million in the sale of the company. Prior to MetalSite, Stewart was the CIO of Weirton Steel Corporation, the sixth largest steel company in North America.
The addition of Stewart to GSP Consulting comes on the heels of several other strategic hires including Jerry Paytas, director of Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Economic Development, and it positions GSP Consulting to build on their current momentum with a revamped business model. As chairman, Stewart will oversee all the firm’s internal operations and provide strategic direction for GSP Consulting’s national expansion efforts and new service offerings, including the firm’s recently-launched Economic Architecture and Development Services practice areas.
“The addition of Pat, realignment of several key staff members, and launch of strategic partnerships will allow us to move forward with a very aggressive growth plan,” Joe Kuklis, GSP co-founder and principal commented. “With Pat’s experience and network, GSP has one of the best business minds to help direct our expansion and optimize our in-house operations.”
GSP’s internal refocusing has shifted responsibilities among its executive team to support the growth strategy. This includes tapping Aaron Grau to handle all client service delivery initiatives; Amy Ross to direct the financial, administrative, and operational strategies for the firm’s headquarters and 9 regional offices, and founders Joe Kuklis and John Dick to oversee government affairs, sales and marketing; and business development and strategy respectively.
By all indications, GSP’s strategy is working as they were just named by the Pittsburgh Technology Council as a 2006 Tech 50 winner in the Service Provider category, and were recognized on the 2006 Best Places to Work list, compiled by the Pittsburgh Business Times. GSP placed third in the small business category and fourth across all categories.
While Stewart will join GSP Consulting full-time in January 2007, he will continue to serve Idea Foundry on their board of directors. In addition, he will work closely with Rich Overmoyer, GSP’s Economic Architecture practice director to facilitate the relationship between GSP and Idea Foundry, which has become a strategic partnership over the past year.
“The Idea Foundry team is excited to leverage our business model tools and methodologies through the rapid growth of GSP’s Economic Architecture team. Through this partnership we have successfully leveraged portions of our Intellectual Property for a major GSP client and we look forward to many more collaborative engagements,” said Michael Matesic, CEO of Idea Foundry.
As GSP Consulting rounds out it’s fifth year in business and looks ahead to 2007, the firm expects to announce several new expansion sites, strategic partnerships, key staff additions, and new service offerings.
More information about the firm can be found at www.gspconsulting.com
About GSP Consulting Corp.
Founded in 2001, GSP Consulting Corp. is comprised of three major practice areas: GSP Economic Architecture, GSP Government Affairs and GSP Development Services. Together, these divisions have generated hundreds of millions in new revenues for clients and boast a client retention rate of over 90%. GSP has authored revolutionary public policy, designed and launched ground-breaking economic development initiatives, and built longstanding relationships and networks. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, GSP Consulting currently employs 20 people and operates offices in Cleveland, Dover, Del., Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pa., State College, Pa., and Lansing, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their diverse client portfolio includes technology, life sciences, economic development and non-profit organizations.
For more information about GSP Consulting, visit http://www.gspconsulting.com or call 412-765-1180.
[tags]GSP Consulting Corp, Idea Foundry, Pat Stewart[/tags]
