Now that we’ve all had a chance to settle into 2020, we thought we’d introduce a new series for our blog. Every so often we’ll be taking a little time to introduce you to one of our incredibly talented employees. When we started thinking about who to shine a spotlight on first, it took nearly no time to settle on Joel Throckmorton.

Joel has been with KOVA for three and a half years. When asked what his favorite thing is about KOVA, Joel replied, “We work hard and since we are small, many of us have to ‘wear many hats.’ However, our hard work pays off and brings everyone closer together.” With a work atmosphere like that, it’s easy to want to come to work every day.

When asked to describe himself, Joel responded with, “hard-working and lazy.” We think you begin to understand what a character he is. He strives to find the most efficient way of doing things so he has to put forth the least amount of work. So, as he says, his “laziness” actually contributes to his efficiency. He also takes pride in the fact that he can be tasked with projects he’s never done before, and he will learn what he needs to know to deliver a high-quality end result. “I believe in doing things right,” he emphasized. “Cutting corners or not doing thorough research is a recipe for disaster.”

Away from KOVA, Joel is a family man. Married with three “terrible children” (his words not ours!), Joel enjoys spending his free time with them. “They’re not really terrible,” he clarified, “they’re actually completely awesome!” Since they’re 9, 8, and 5, he’s pretty busy with kid activities outside of work.

Joel has been a Department of Defense contractor since graduating from James Madison University, where he studied Computer Science. His dedication to providing quality products for our defense industry motivates him to continue in this career path. He wants to be a part of KOVA’s growth while helping keep our culture intact. We’re pretty sure his zany sense of humor and willingness to do what needs to be done will be a large contributing factor to our continued success.

We decided to ask Joel to share a little-known fact about himself. Yes, we were a little scared to hear what he’d say, but we couldn’t contain our curiosity. Imagine our surprise when he said, “I’m pretty good at cooking eggs. I can make a decent omelet. I’ve almost mastered pan-flipping the omelet.” We’re thinking once he masters it, we’re going to give him another KOVA hat to wear: chief cook. Because who doesn’t love a good omelet?

​KOVA Global has received a prime contract award from the U.S. Navy under the SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle N00178-18-R-7000. 

SeaPort-NxG is for future competition of support service requirements for Engineering Support Services and Program Management Support Services. The government estimates approximately $5,000,000,000 of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-NxG multiple award contracts. The MACs have a five-year base period of performance with an additional five-year ordering period option. These awards contain provisions to set aside requirements for disadvantaged businesses to nationally compete for individual task orders. KOVA Global is a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

Scott Nickell sent us these pictures from the KOVA Taiwanese FFG reactivation project in Charleston, South Carolina. Things are coming along!

At The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida last week, KOVA Global, in partnership with Cape Henry Associates, held a raffle to raise funds to benefit Homes for Our Troops. Homes for Our Troops aids severely injured military veterans by building homes for them. The raffle raised just over $4,000 and the winner of the custom 2004 Big Dog motorcycle was Olav Sandnes of Norway. On behalf of Homes for Our Troops and the veterans they help, thanks to all who participated!

KOVA Global traveled to Orlando, Florida last week to participate in I/ITSEC 2016. The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) is the world’s largest modeling, simulation, and training conference, and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. KOVA held a raffle in partnership with Cape Henry Associates to support Homes for Our Troops, an organization that helps rebuild lives by building functional, mortgage-free homes for severely injured military veterans. Just over $4,000 was raised in support of this cause. To learn more about Homes for Our Troops, visit www.hfotusa.org. To learn more about I/ITSEC, visit www.iitsec.org.

KOVA’s work on the Taiwanese FFG reactivation in Charleston, S.C., entered a new and long-awaited phase this week when Scott Nickell of KOVA and the team began boats-in-the-water training.

KOVA Global recently partnered with EHS Technologies Corporation in pursuit of a $29 million contract to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD). With this win, the EHS team will provide contract support including engineering, logistics, technical, and program management. Direct support will be provided to the United States Navy and Joint Forces (U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines).

KOVA’s Scott Nickell is on-site in Charleston, SC, working with a ship and service craft training and assistance team on the Taiwanese FFG reactivation.

A team from KOVA Global is on-site in Cambodia conducting a site survey in preparation for a Small Boat Maintenance training program, where KOVA instructors will train Cambodian marine students in the repair and maintenance of patrol boats.