NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Feb. 17, 2023 – ITA International (ITA), a data driven company, has expanded its leadership team to focus on company growth, enhance the customer experience, and increase the use of Small Business Innovation Research programs to address complex issues and develop solutions for government customers, “In The Arena.”
“As ITA experiences growth, we are looking for top-tier talent to help change the way customers approach problems,” said Mike Melo, chief executive officer, ITA International. “These new hires reflect our company’s commitment to serving those in the arena. We want to continue to build partnerships that are meaningful and helpful to ensure both customer and ITA success.”
Mike Akhbari has joined the company as president of ITA Global Security (ITAGS). The ITAGS business unit ensures mission success for customers and partners by utilizing a robust portfolio of capabilities to include cybersecurity, information assurance, high risk and other training, and engineering and program acquisition support. Reporting to ITA’s chief operating officer, Akhbari will be responsible for ITAGS daily operations and the capture of new business for the business unit.
Before joining ITA, Akhbari was vice president of the Air, Space and Intelligence sector at Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI), where he was responsible for the strategic development and execution of operations for multiple business units supporting the federal sector. He brings over 17 years of experience successfully building and leading large-scale organizations by providing complex programmatic, acquisition, engineering, data analytics, and logistics related solutions to publicly traded and privately held enterprises. Akhbari, a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional and a Lean Six Sigma certified Green Belt, received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University and is a graduate of The Wharton School’s Executive Development Program.
To continue to enhance the customer experience and prepare the company for sustained growth, Jeff Johnson has been hired as chief solutions officer. Johnson is responsible for leading the strategic evaluation of current and new markets, positioning and proposal development in selected markets, and the execution of strong partnerships to deliver solutions to customers’ needs.
Johnson replaces Katelyn Melo Byrd, who previously served as chief of growth. Currently, Byrd serves as chief development officer, responsible for leading acquisitions and integration for ITA.
As a certified Six Sigma champion trainer, Johnson earned an executive master’s degree in business administration from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Virginia Tech. Johnson also serves on several Virginia-based and international boards, and advisory committees.
“Mike and Jeff are key to growing our business, their shared and diverse experiences and backgrounds, will launch us into our next phase of growth,” said Melo. “These strategic hires reinforce and hasten ITA’s commitment to ensuring mission success for customers by leveraging subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology.”
About ITA International ITA International is a global technology and professional services company that leverages subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology to ensure mission success for customers, “In The Arena.” Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, ITA International employs more than 300 ITAers operating around the globe.
ITA International Continues to Cross the Chasm as a Large Business with New Leadership Hires
Mike Akhbari, President of ITA Global Security
Jeff Johnson, Chief Solutions Officer
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Feb. 17, 2023 – ITA International (ITA), a data driven company, has expanded its leadership team to focus on company growth, enhance the customer experience, and increase the use of Small Business Innovation Research programs to address complex issues and develop solutions for government customers, “In The Arena.”
“As ITA experiences growth, we are looking for top-tier talent to help change the way customers approach problems,” said Mike Melo, chief executive officer, ITA International. “These new hires reflect our company’s commitment to serving those in the arena. We want to continue to build partnerships that are meaningful and helpful to ensure both customer and ITA success.”
Mike Akhbari has joined the company as president of ITA Global Security (ITAGS). The ITAGS business unit ensures mission success for customers and partners by utilizing a robust portfolio of capabilities to include cybersecurity, information assurance, high risk and other training, and engineering and program acquisition support. Reporting to ITA’s chief operating officer, Akhbari will be responsible for ITAGS daily operations and the capture of new business for the business unit.
Before joining ITA, Akhbari was vice president of the Air, Space and Intelligence sector at Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI), where he was responsible for the strategic development and execution of operations for multiple business units supporting the federal sector. He brings over 17 years of experience successfully building and leading large-scale organizations by providing complex programmatic, acquisition, engineering, data analytics, and logistics related solutions to publicly traded and privately held enterprises. Akhbari, a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional and a Lean Six Sigma certified Green Belt, received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University and is a graduate of The Wharton School’s Executive Development Program.
To continue to enhance the customer experience and prepare the company for sustained growth, Jeff Johnson has been hired as chief solutions officer. Johnson is responsible for leading the strategic evaluation of current and new markets, positioning and proposal development in selected markets, and the execution of strong partnerships to deliver solutions to customers’ needs.
Johnson replaces Katelyn Melo Byrd, who previously served as chief of growth. Currently, Byrd serves as chief development officer, responsible for leading acquisitions and integration for ITA.
As a certified Six Sigma champion trainer, Johnson earned an executive master’s degree in business administration from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Virginia Tech. Johnson also serves on several Virginia-based and international boards, and advisory committees.
“Mike and Jeff are key to growing our business, their shared and diverse experiences and backgrounds, will launch us into our next phase of growth,” said Melo. “These strategic hires reinforce and hasten ITA’s commitment to ensuring mission success for customers by leveraging subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology.”
About ITA International
ITA International is a global technology and professional services company that leverages subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology to ensure mission success for customers, “In The Arena.” Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, ITA International employs more than 300 ITAers operating around the globe.
For more information, visit:
Media Contact
Lauren G. Barnes
Vice President
Corporate Communications & Branding
(757) 435-4317
LBarnes@ita-intl.com
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