CEO Spotlight, Sidney E. Fuchs, OAO Technology Solutions

December 20, 2009

dcTechSource recently had the opportunity to shine the spotlight on Sidney E. Fuchs, President and Chief Executive Officer of OAO Technology Solutions, Inc....


Provide a very brief overview of your business and overall market

We are a global IT managed services company with employees in over 200 locations worldwide.  We provide enterprise IT operations such as data center and help desk support, application development and maintenance, and strategic staffing solutions.  Our customers include Fortune 100 companies, Tier 1 outsourcers, and mid market companies. 

How would you characterize your leadership style?

Motivational and engaged.  I believe in giving people plenty of room to do their job, but also reserve the right to jump in and do a deep dive when needed. I believe in creating and frequently communicating the vision and strategy, building and maintaining great teams, and then getting out of the way. Integrity and values are a must-have to be on my team. 

How/Why has your company thrived in the Washington DC technology sector?

We are a global commercial IT company, so we have been able to modify our business mix in areas that show the most promise, such as managed IT services and outsourcing.  We have kept our costs down, our focus sharp, and our commitment to helping our customers’ achieve success.

From a business perspective, what do you like best about the Washington DC area? Least?

The DC area is where the action is so there are plenty of opportunities from a career development and business growth perspective.  Because of this, DC’s traffic has become horrendous.  I also think that the competition and duplication of effort relating to non-profits and professional associations is at an all time high.

Outline your career path – how did you become a CEO?

My career path was driven more by the desire to experience various types of jobs – engineering, project management, sales and business development, consulting, operations, private equity – vs. a defined plan where the end result was becoming a CEO.  I believe that if you take risks, are open minded about opportunities outside of your comfort zone, and you continually try to grow and reinvent yourself, things can work out even better than you planned. 

What was your biggest business challenge in the last 12 months? Biggest success?

The biggest challenge was trying to not to get whipped around by the global economic meltdown.  We have stuck to our core competencies and focused on execution.  This strategy has enabled the company to grow at the top and bottom lines and effectively navigate through these tough economic times. 

What is your current view of the economy?

I think it is improving in some areas, but the improvements are short lived as a result of one time programs and incentives.  We have not made adequate structural or policy-level changes to our economy and country that will improve our situation over the long run. We have reacted to an economic meltdown, but have not positioned the country for moving forward beyond the initial quick fixes. The bailouts have helped in some areas, but I think they will create problems down the road with regards to historic deficits and devaluation of our currency in the international markets.  We have only placed an economic band-aid on a trauma-level injury, while unemployment continues to be 10% and climbing. 

Are there any current legislation issues that you are closely following and why?

Other than monitoring the government initiatives as a whole to see what’s coming next, we are not focused on any particular area.

How closely do you work with the CTO?  How involved are you with IT decisions?

We work together closely, but it varies depending on the priorities at any given time. We bounce ideas and strategies off each other and collaborate very well.  Our CTO brings the technical expertise, and my job is to put it in the context of the overall business to see where and if it fits.  I am involved with only very large IT purchases, but since we have an excellent CIO and CAO in our company, that is one area I don’t need to worry about.  They are running the IT show and are usually three steps ahead of me when it comes to our IT infrastructure, strategy and planning.

What is the best advice you have been given?

It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.

Education?

BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University, and various executive education courses in Business, Finance, and Leadership.

Last book read?

"His Excellency" by Joseph Ellis, a biography about George Washington.

Favorite Questions

Favorite vacation spot?
Grand Cayman Island.

Favorite pastime?
I really enjoy my family.  My wife and I have 3 teenage boys, and they keep us busy.  When I can, I enjoy playing music (guitars and drums) or riding my Harley.

Favorite movie?
Good Fellas.

Favorite sports team?
New Orleans Saints.

Favorite quote?
"Never Confuse Activity With Results." This quote, attributed to Lou Gerstner, former IBM CEO, has been an important leadership motivator for me throughout my business career. In terms of teamwork, performance, expectations and overall goals and objectives, I place a tremendous amount of value on the results that are achieved rather than the activity.

Favorite area restaurant?
Morton’s at Reston Town Center and Mother’s in New Orleans.

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