From retail and restaurants to tech and media, contractors to coworking spaces, large, small, and everything in between, a diverse array of businesses call Alexandria home. In our blog series, Growing in Alexandria, we sit down to talk with businesses around the City to learn more about who they are, what they do, and why they love it here. Have an idea for a business in Alexandria to talk to? Email us!
Delta Bridge is a leading systems integrator and consulting firm that provides commercial and government customers with a diverse portfolio of innovative services and support to ensure mission success. In October, we sat down with Tom Becherer, President and CEO of Delta Bridge, to learn a little more about their business.
AEDP: To start, please tell us a little about Delta Bridge?
Tom: We are an IT integrator, and a network services provider.
AEDP: And how did you get started?
Tom: My wife and I started this from our home just over 14 years ago. I’d been with Boeing previously, and decided to start a small tech integrator business on our own.
AEDP: So you’re a true start-up. Over the years, what have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of running Delta Bridge?
Tom: Our people, their families. Our company is one big family. Everyone here matters, and makes a difference.
AEDP: How do you measure success?
Tom: Growth is important, but we value growth because it provides the ability to diversify and strengthen our engineering and managerial talent, provides additional funding for internal research and development, providing for new solutions – this turns into a wonderful, repeating cycle.
AEDP: It’s always fun to hear what motivates others- can you share the best piece of professional advice you’ve received? What about a favorite quote?
Tom: My Mother always said “don’t stop pedaling”. It began, obviously, when I was learning to ride a bike, but she turned it into a great metaphor for life. And a quote that’s always stuck with me is, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm” from Winston Churchill. I strongly believe that if you’re afraid of failure you can’t succeed.
AEDP: How would you describe your company culture? Any fun facts to share?
Tom: We have an inclusive culture where our people are empowered. We are very agile. We have a culture of “yes”. We welcome ideas and suggestions – we have a very talented group of professional women and men and they are our drivers of ideas and opportunities. A fun fact would be that we have a shuffle board table and are putting in a yoga studio in our new office space and will have a yoga instructor in 3-5 times a week once it’s completed.
AEDP: Where do you see Delta Bridge in the next year/five years/ten years? What’s the next big thing?
Tom: A continued mix of government and commercial business, and a good balance between continued organic growth and new. It’s been a strong formula that’s served us well over the last 15 years. As we grow we’ll be able to scale and support larger projects. Partnerships are a key part of our growth strategy. They allow continued flexibility and agility.
AEDP: Lastly… our favorite question: why Alexandria?
Tom: I’ve been in the DC area for almost 34 years. I came to Old Town my first week in DC and just loved it. The people, quality of life, the culture, the restaurants and shops all make it our favorite area to both live and work in.
To learn more about Delta Bridge, visit their website or stop by their Technology Demonstration Center at 1400A Duke St.