Building a Better future Together
Highlight was founded in 2008 from our founder's kitchen table with a mission to create impactful solutions for federal agencies and rewarding career opportunities for our employees. Since then, our company has evolved to deliver on that vision.
Our Company
Today, Highlight is a 100% Employee-Owned federal contractor serving as a trusted partner to our federal government clients. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients, aligning our dedication and expertise with their missions and goals. This unwavering partnership ensures that we deliver not just solutions but results.
For over 15 years, we have powered their missions with the perfect blend of strategic operational insight and cutting-edge technology. Our team thrives at the intersection of mission objectives and technology solutions. We leverage our deep experience in delivering professional mission services to gain a unique understanding of your needs. This, combined with our expertise in technology practices, fuels our ability to craft tailored solutions that propel your mission forward.
We invest to secure our employees’ futures, empowering them to build the company they own and solve complex customer challenges.
Mission
Highlight empowers a diverse, employee-owned team to deliver innovative solutions for Federal agencies. We are a catalyst for progress, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Vision
We invest to secure our employees’ futures, empowering them to build the company they own and solve complex customer challenges.
Our Culture
For our team, ownership isn't just a word; it's a shared reality. As an employee-owned company, every team member is an owner of our mission. Fueling our vision of rewarding dedication, our Employee Stock Ownership plan grants true economic equity, equips our team with wealth building, and fosters a profound sense of pride and accountability in every project.
Beyond ownership, we cultivate a thriving culture of inclusion. With ongoing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, we foster a safe and supportive environment for all. Our team is comprised of rich diversity across our leadership, contract, and back-office teams. This creates a dynamic environment for learning, development, and mentorship where everyone can thrive.
Join Our Team
Own your career, own your future. We might be the perfect fit for you. Learn more about what a career at Highlight would look like for you!
Leadership
Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Aarish has been a leader in the federal contracting industry for over 20 years. Aarish is passionate about providing excellent service to customers and employee-owners while growing our impact by driving Highlight’s corporate strategy and growth plans.
Aarish began his career as a federal employee and contractor at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). In 2008, he joined OGSystems to lead their Business Development team. During his tenure, the company experienced remarkable growth, increasing revenue from $3M to $130M in 2019 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of over 20% for the five years before their acquisition by Parsons. Aarish was critical in ensuring sustainable growth while preserving the company’s culture and employee welfare. After the acquisition, he became Executive Vice President for Parsons’ Space and Geospatial Solutions Market, helping to establish the company as an end-to-end geospatial provider. In 2020, Aarish became the Chief Growth Officer at Applied Information Sciences, helping them achieve a 20% average growth rate during his tenure. In 2022, he left AIS to establish an independent consulting firm specializing in developing growth strategies for small and mid-sized companies in the government contracting sector. In 2023, Aarish joined Highlight as Chief Executive Officer, driven by Highlight’s unique culture and mission.
Chief Financial Officer
Tracy has 20+ years of finance experience in government contracting, non-profit organizations, and local governments. She manages all aspects of accounting and finances, such as general ledger, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. She has a strong understanding of GAAP and FAR. Tracy also played a vital role in implementing a new ERP system for Highlight and successfully converted it to an ESOP-owned company. She has a B.B.A. in Finance from Marymount University, an M.B.A. in Accounting, and completed the Executive Leadership course at Harvard Business School. She received several awards, including C.F.O. of the Year 2022 at the Chief Officer Awards – Washington Exec, being a finalist for the Virginia CFO Awards – Virginia Business Magazine, and winning the CFO award at Smart CEO Magazine.
Director of People and Culture
Fiona has been an essential member of the Highlight team for over six years. She has grown alongside the organization. When she first joined us, she was responsible for managing our Human Resources department as a Manager. Today, she is the Director of People & Culture, and her role has expanded to encompass a broad range of responsibilities. Fiona manages the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to offboarding, benefits administration, and facilitation of the overall employee experience. She also oversees compliance requirements, reporting, corporate training, and professional development programs. In 2023, she was recognized by HR Executive as an HR Rising Star among other emerging human resources professionals nationwide. Before joining Highlight, Fiona honed her skills in supporting the HR departments of ScienceLogic and Comprehensive Health Services.
Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development
Ashley has over 25 years of experience in federal contracting operations and business development. She heads Highlight’s growth team, overseeing capture, business development, and proposal operations. Ashley is passionate about developing strong proposal-win themes and leading a robust business development strategy across the portfolio. Before joining Highlight, Ashley was the Director of Federal Civilian Enterprise IT, managing an Infrastructure and DevOps portfolio across several civilian agencies, including the Department of State, USAID, and the EPA. She has also worked as the Director of Proposal Services at a small company and as a Senior Strategic Proposal Manager at an extensive integrator, where she provided end-to-end proposal and capture management services from planning to production. In 2010, Ashley transitioned into operations and became a Director at CACI. Ashley brings a diverse range of capabilities, including managing a varied IT program portfolio across multiple federal civilian clients, strategic planning, new business development, opportunity pipeline management, staffing training, and full life cycle contract management.
Vice President, Health & Citizen Solutions
Lia is an experienced leader in federal civilian operations with 12 years of experience in the government contracting industry. She serves as the Vice President of Highlight’s Health & Citizen Solutions group, overseeing the delivery teams tasked with developing solutions to ensure excellent delivery and impactful solutions for public health and federal civilian customers. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed and delivered large-scale projects for various federal agencies, including USAID, State Department, EPA, and SBA. Her passion is providing oversight support to Highlight’s professional services portfolio, where she focuses on ensuring that each customer receives top-quality services and is highly satisfied with the results. Lia’s commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail make her a valuable asset to every mission, and her expertise helps to ensure that every project is executed flawlessly from start to finish.
Vice President, National Security Solutions
Kevin has over 15 years of Information Technology experience working for large and small companies across commercial and federal sectors. Today, he serves as Vice President of Highlight’s National Security Solutions group, overseeing our delivery teams to develop solutions that solve our homeland and defense customers’ complex problems. Kevin enjoys mentoring and ensuring the right people are in the right place with the right tools. He is passionate about bringing his software development management experience to solve federal government challenges. Before joining Highlight, Kevin was a Vice President of Operations, responsible for executing contracts with Federal Civilian agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Labor, Department of the Interior, and the Department of Homeland Security. Over the years, he’s been responsible for business development, opportunity capture, and solution and proposal development—still, his most extensive experience is developing customer relationships and delivering software development projects.
Vice President, Contracts
Elaine has over 21 years of experience providing initiation to closeout contract administration and management. As our Vice President of Contracts, she is responsible for all contract management and administration for Highlight’s prime and subcontract agreements. She spearheads our pricing operations and provides critical proposal support. Elaine began her contracting career as an Acquisitions Analyst supporting the U.S. Navy Standard Missile Office (PMS 422) and has worked for various government contractors since, providing vital aid to the Department of Defense. Elaine has supported multiple organizations, including Jacobs Engineering, AT&T Government Solutions, Sotera Defense Solutions, and InTec. She received the Above and Beyond President’s Award in December 2009 and earned the President’s Award in October 2005 and December 2015.
Director, Chairperson
Rebecca is the founder and Board Chairperson of Highlight Technologies. Rebecca has over 20 years of experience supporting the federal government in technology, security, and program management roles. Upon starting Highlight in 2008, Rebecca grew Highlight from a small, woman-owned business to a large prime contractor, and guided the company’s conversion to a 100% employee-owned company. Rebecca is former co-chair of the AFCEA Small Business Committee and currently serves as a volunteer for the AFCEA Mentor Protégé Program and Women Giving Back.
Director
Elma co-founded Dovel Technologies Group, a federal contractor focused on health, life sciences, and information management. During her tenure, she held several positions, including Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. Under her leadership, Dovel grew from a start-up to an enterprise corporation that was eventually acquired by a global PE in 2019. Elma and her husband, Dov Levy, co-authored ‘Partners in Life and Work’, which chronicles their life and business journey and partnership. Today Elma is the co-founder of the Eldov Group, LLC, an investment firm that supports healthcare startups, and founder of Coach to Strength LLC, a leadership coaching firm, as well as Chair of the Advisory Board to the Dean of GMU CPH and Life Director of the Board of Montgomery Hospice Inc.
Director
Paul has over 20 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, capital formation, investment banking, and strategic planning with over $1B in completed transactions. In GovCon, he has served large and growth-stage companies, including their strategic and organic expansion into mid-tier full and open competition. Notable deals include Dovel Technologies’ acquisition by Macquarie Capital and Customer Value Partners’ acquisition of Atlas Research. Paul previously served as corporate development director at TASC. Currently he also serves on George Mason University’s Enterprise Advisory Board and clients in both civilian and national security domains. Additionally, he coaches rowing on the Potomac River.
Director
Nancy has over 30 years of experience as a GovCon business development executive in large organizations, most recently as a Vice President for Business Development at CACI. She led cross-functional capture teams, resulting in over $1B in gross bookings including the capture of the ALLIANT GWAC. Nancy developed strategic initiatives that resulted in expanded services and solutions to new federal customers. As Executive Director for CACI’s Small Business Office, Nancy leveraged and expanded CACI’s small business relationships to provide SB support, resulting in four DoD Nunn Perry awards for Mentor Protégé Excellence. At CACI, Nancy was active with ACT IAC, AFCEA, and Women in Homeland Security. Nancy has served as a board member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Women’s Business Center.
Director
Wayne brings decades of experience and leadership supporting the Public Sector in the technology and professional services industries. Most recently, he served as the CFO of Engility, as well as TASC prior to its merger with Engility (2010-2019). He supported both the organic growth and the M&A activities for TASC/Engility up to its acquisition by SAIC in 2019. As CFO, he helped guide both companies through material events as the industry cycled through a severe downturn and subsequent organic growth, creating significant shareholder value for investors and employees. Mr. Rehberger has since served as a Director on several public and private Boards, including QTS Realty Trust, Fusion Telecom, and Pixelligent, and continues to serve as a Director of Abt Global and GTT Telecom. Additionally, he served on the Advisory Board of SAP National Security Services.
Awards
Partner With Us
Interested in working with Team Highlight? We actively seek out new partners who can support us to deliver mission success.