Hispanic Enterprise - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 35) Abba’s foundation is based on high performance computers for the government, but has grown to include many more services. Management Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, nominated Baca for the award. “LANL’s experience in working with Abba Technologies has been excellent in all respects, from quality products and service to excellent customer service,” Roybal says. “Andrew is an outstanding person and professional.” Now Abba Technologies is taking that reputation to other states. The firm has offices in Denver, Colorado Springs and Phoenix. That’s in addition to the firm’s three offices in New Mexico. Baca’s geographic growth strategy depends on finding the right leaders to staff offices. He is careful to preserve the company’s culture and ethics as it grows, something he learned from his IBM days. “I have the same expectations of my employees that IBM has of its employees,” he says. “It’s important to learn how the big guys do things because they were once small guys that got big because they were the best at what they did.” HISPANIC ENTERPRISE The company has 49 employees across its six offices, but it is growing vertically as well as geographically. Its foundation is based on high performance computers for the federal government, but it has grown vertically to offer server, storage, network and Voice-over Internet Protocol. The company is also growing horizontally, with professional services including consulting, IT training and staffing and managed services. “Our customers have one-stop shopping,” Baca says. “Finding good employees to help us grow is our greatest challenge.” Abba Technologies is also a good corporate citizen, participating in food drives, blood drives, and helping other small businesses make their dreams come true. In April, Baca was named chairman of the New Mexico Small Business Investment Corporation and appointed as an officer of New Mexico Community Capital. “I’ve always been impressed by Andrew’s credentials, with what he does with his com- pany, and his high character,” says Phil Castillo, COO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Baca doesn’t take all the credit. He shares the glory with the employees who joined forces with him to buy Abba Technologies. The company posted revenues of $40.2 million in 2006. That compares to $46 million in 2005. Baca attributes the decline on shrinking customer budgets, but is confident 2007 levels will rebound—and with better margins—thanks to a greater focus on profitable services. Now Baca is focusing on becoming the premier IT firm in the Southwest. He is willing to sacrifice all but one thing to get there: the company’s reputation. “We take care of our reputation. We always try to do the right thing for customers because not only does it attract more business, it also attracts the very best employees,” Baca says. “Even if it means we forgo profit and revenue on certain situations, we will continue to do the right thing.” 35 December/January 2008
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