As the Season of Giving and 2022 have come to an end, Chenega MIOS and its subsidiary companies wanted to take a moment to recognize a group of employees that have gone above and beyond this year. Each subsidiary President selected one member of their team who has exhibited a strong work ethic and dedication throughout the year and has made a substantial impact on their company. As a thank you for everything these employees do, each person was awarded a set of tickets to their choice of professional basketball or hockey game in the months of December, January, or February. Our employees are the backbone of our organization and they help shape the rich and unique company culture we have. We cannot begin to thank these employees enough for their leadership and active roles at their companies, but we hope they all have a great time at the games they chose as a small token of our appreciation.
Our Exceptional Employees
Daniel Cross – Project Manager for Chenega Logistics
Daniel Cross, a Project Manager, has been with Chenega Logistics for eight years. In his role, Dan leads a team in providing a full array of training systems support to Strategic Systems Programs for the US and UK Navy’s submarine fleet. His team consists of experts who design, develop, maintain, and assess the training curriculum and the Navy’s training facility electronic classrooms. As he says, this group feels “more like a family than a group of coworkers. It’s a very well-oiled machine.” Dan says he learned how to lead a successful team after being a member of the US Navy. In this, he had many mentors serving as a positive example of the importance of being willing to take the time to share insight and provide guidance.
Though Dan is proud of his work and the team that he leads, he is most proud of the accomplishments of his family. He and his wife, Stephanie, have raised two driven and successful sons, one of which recently graduated from Florida State University and is pursuing his dreams as a marketing manager for a sports streaming service in NYC, and the other who is a talented golfer at just 13 years old, competing at a high level in tournaments at Pinehurst Golf Course and more.
Brenda Hoff – Program Analyst for Chenega Analytic Business Solutions
Brenda Hoff, a Program Analyst for Chenega Analytic Business Solutions (CABS), has been with the team for close to a year. Brenda works in Operations and describes her position as “very busy.” In this, she works to complete many daily tasks in a timely and accurate fashion in addition to any new tasks that may pop up throughout the day. Since these day-to-day operations are so crucial, Brenda prides herself on the completion of her to-do list at the end of each day.
Following a long day of work, Brenda enjoys eating dinner and relaxing before catching up on her favorite show, Yellowstone. Brenda looks up to her boss, Valerie Stephenson, Director of Operations for CABS, to motivate her and lead the way. As for Brenda’s work ethic, we can thank her father for that. Brenda always looked up to her father, who provided a great example of hard work and drive. When asked what three words her family and friends would describe her as, Brenda excitedly said, “I really ask my friends and family this question: authentic, funny, and dedicated.”
Caylie Gendreau – Administrative Assistant for Kapsuun Group
Caylie Gendreau, Administrative Assistant for Kapsuun Group (KG), started with the company in the summer of 2020. She began as an intern but quickly grew into a permanent member of the team in early 2021. In Caylie’s role, she ensures that employees are well-informed and are staying on top of things like their timesheets and expense reports. If there are ever any questions, Caylie is there to help! In fact, that’s her favorite part of her job, being able to help out people and answer any questions that they might have. She loves knowing that she’s making a difference!
When asked what three words describe her, Caylie said quiet, funny, and food-motivated. Through her food motivation, Caylie recently got more into baking and trying out new recipes, including some of her great-grandmother’s personal recipes. For Thanksgiving, she tried out one of the cake recipes that she had been passed down, and though she was nervous about the turnout, Caylie said her whole family was pleasantly surprised! Throughout life, Caylie has looked up to her mother, Melissa Gendreau, Talent Acquisition Manager for Chenega MIOS. She says her mom motivates her to complete her best work and always put her best foot forward. Melissa’s done so much for her growing up, and Caylie hopes to one day repay her the favor.
Clayton Smith – Director of West Operations for NJVC
Clayton Smith, Director of West Operations for NJVC, has been with the company for a whopping EIGHTEEN years! In his position, Clayton sees himself as a bit of a “rover,” helping out wherever he is needed. He currently manages the NJVC office on Market Street in St. Louis, MO. This office consists of both corporate (unclassified) and customer (classified) employees to allow for seamless teamwork among the groups. In this space, Clayton ensures that everyone has exactly what they need to get the job done. His favorite part about his job is working with people and helping them find a position that’s right for them to make sure each individual is doing something they love.
Clayton has learned many of his leadership talents and ways of encouragement by reading books on leadership in his off-time. Some of his favorite authors and people that he looks up to are John Maxwell, a leadership coach who wrote “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn;” John Acuff, a leadership consultant who wrote “Finish;” and Jocko Willink, a former Navy Seal and current leadership coach who wrote “Extreme Ownership.” Clayton is an extremely motivated person, constantly looking to improve, so he loves the way these books give him ideas on how to do so.
Lauren Robertson – Administrative Assistant for Chenega Defense and Aerospace Solutions
Lauren Robertson, Administrative Assistant for Chenega Defense and Aerospace Solutions (CDAS), has been with the company for close to a year. Lauren began with CDAS full-time while also striving for her Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University which she proudly completed in May of 2022. In her role, Lauren helps to support indirect and direct employees with daily requests in addition to helping support day-to-day operations and functions of departments within CDAS. She loves that she gets to work with and support people from all over the world!
As the easygoing and independent person that Lauren is, she enjoys decompressing by a fireplace while diving into a good book or taking her dog for a walk. Lauren received her work ethic and drive from her parents. She says that watching them succeed in their careers as she was growing up has helped mold her into the employee and person that she is today.
Darrell Taylor – IT Helpdesk Support Technician for Chenega Agile Real-Time Solutions
Darrell Taylor is an IT Helpdesk Support Technician for Chenega Agile Real-Time Solutions (CARS) and has been with the company for two and a half years. Darrell’s technical knowledge helps him to fix problems that may arise, such as installing software, troubleshooting network problems, configuring printers, giving permissions to specific folders within the network, imaging desktops, and more. As if Darrell’s work isn’t impressive enough, this year he also decided to go back to school to work toward his Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity.
His decision to seek his AAS was partially inspired by his mother, whom he admires. Darrell says that being an only child has helped to motivate him in life to make his mother proud. After a long day of work, Darrell likes to hit the gym to run on a treadmill while listening to motivational speeches or music as a way to decompress.
Holly Anderson – Program Analyst for Articus Solutions
Holly Anderson, a Program Analyst, has been with Chenega MIOS for twelve years, most recently working for Articus Solutions (AS). In her current role, Holly sets up and maintains Sharepoint program sites, reviews timesheets in the Deltek Review program, tracks deliverables and subcontractor invoices, and keeps tabs on customer kudos, along with many other daily tasks. Not only has she set up all of the Sharepoint program sites for AS, but for multiple Chenega MIOS subsidiaries, a feat she is very proud of!
In her off time, Holly enjoys taking her dogs for a walk or spending time down by water. Being from South Dakota, winter weather can get a bit chilly, but Holly still loves being outdoors! Three words to describe Holly would be self-reliant, funny, and an animal lover.
Marcus Todd – Desktop Support Lead for Chenega Technical Innovations (CTI)
Marcus Todd has been with the Chenega Technical Innovations (CTI) team for five years, now as a Desktop Support Lead. Desktop Support is an ever-changing job as new products and product updates arise. Some days, Marcus’ day-to-day consists of troubleshooting software and other new challenges. His current project is documenting resolution details with the upgrade of Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) Imaging. Though he enjoys the work that he does, Darrell’s favorite parts of his job are his co-workers and the location of the work.
Three words to describe Marcus are cool, patient, and an all-around good guy. In his time off, Marcus enjoys movies, gaming, cooking, and dining out. As a New Years’ resolution, Marcus hopes to add more exercise as a way to decompress.
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onnie Banks – Operations Analyst for Cyberstar
Bonnie Banks, Operations Analyst for Cyberstar, has been with the team for a year and a half. Her role includes covering the daily operations of the business, follow-up contact with customers, partners, and employees, training, staffing, and all else supporting the flow of business operations to keep processes moving. Her favorite part about her day-to-day life with Cyberstar is her team. She says, “we all collaborate well and support each other, sometimes we can even finish each other’s sentences!”
Bonnie’s motivator in life is her mom. Her mom has always been the foundation of her family and has been an amazing role model to look up to. As a mom herself, Bonnie hopes to set the same example through quality time with her family. As a way to decompress after a long day, Bonnie loves to cook, take walks outdoors, and visit antique shops. Bonnie can be described as funny, energetic, and creative.
Matthew Hood – Architect/Design Manager for Chenega Worldwide Support
Matthew Hood, Chenega Worldwide Support (CWS) team member for the last two and half years, is the company’s Architect and Design Manager. In this role, Matthew collaborates with team members, coordinates with consultants, composes responses to Requests for Proposals (RFP), and corresponds with “lots” of emails, as he says. Of all these tasks, Matthew’s favorite part of his job is working with his driven team and being involved in many interesting and meaningful projects.
In his off time, Matthew’s favorite way to decompress is by running through the trails local to him or reading a good book. He is very grateful for his supportive family, who constantly motivates him to work hard and persevere in all that he does.
James Martin – Help Desk Accounts Manager for Chenega IT Enterprise Services
James Martin, Help Desk Accounts Manager, has been with Chenega for 15 years. As a Help Desk Accounts Manager, James assists the Army with IT help desk work, setting up Video teleconferencing (VTC), and getting users’ accounts set up for Non-classified Internet Protocol Router (NIPR), Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR), Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWICS), and other networks related in support of their mission needs.
Friends and family describe James as loyal, funny, and honest. Outside of his job, James enjoys watching football and going out to dinner. Out of all the accomplishments in his life, he is the proudest of his family. James has two children — Mackenzie and Tyler, and in July, James and his wife Valerie will welcome their first grandchild into the world!