Testimonials

“Deborah is one of the most dynamic people I know. She is totally immersed in what she does, which is essentially promoting our area and its links with Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She is a phenomenal teacher, and is tremendous at strategic planning. Having worked in the defense industry for a long time, she knows just about everyone, and brings a fabulous historical perspective to what she does.”
– Wayne Baller – June 23, 2010
Senior Vice President, UBS Financial Services

“My professional and personal experience with Deborah Gross has been outstanding. Deborah and I started working together in early 2006 (kick starting Wright Dialogue with Industry 2006) and DaytonDefense. I do not given out outstanding recommendations lightly but wish to do so for Deborah. I could not think of anyone else who if putting a business “A Team” together would not include Deborah. As the current President of DaytonDefense, her contributions and high energy levels are an organization multiplier and have set us on the path for which we constantly push for. Deborah’s skill sets are: expert in the DoD business area and overall business sense, high personal standards along with constant high level of energy which delivers results, outstanding in the communications area, and well connected in the community. Deborah Gross constantly and consistently delivers.”
– Robert Speer – June 20, 2010
President, Speer Enterprises & Solutions

“Deborah is amazing. She is a skilled professional with significant knowledge of the ins and outs of working with the DoD, particularly the Air Force. Deborah is smart, detail oriented, and has unlimited energy. If you have a project you need accomplished, you need Deborah on your team.”
– Suzanne Sumner – June 09, 2010
Partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP

“Deborah has been one of those rare clients who brings a high volume of quality work without any of the additional baggage or headaches. She is refreshingly direct and forthright; leaving all of the guesswork out of collaborative efforts. She brings an energy and intensity to projects which keeps things organized, focused and moving. As a project leader, Deborah facilitates the process no matter how many additional team members, vendors, or project coordinators are involved. It has been a pleasure to work with her in everything from her own personal business ventures, to her involvement with Dayton Defense, Dayton IT Wing / Wright Dialogue, and all of the related projects which have presented themselves as a result.”
– Peter Hirt – June 7, 2010
Owner, Designs on Display

“Deborah is a highly motivated, success oriented achiever with a “Can Do” attitude and a creative mind. While at Arel Learning Solutions, Deborah successfully marketed a internet-based, live e-learning solution to the Federal Government. One of only a few solutions of its kind available at the time. What was and still is amazing to me was her dedication and the breadth and depth of personal and professional contacts. Deborah is well liked and well respected in the USAF and Local Dayton community. Two of the many things I enjoy about working with Deborah is her positive attitude and the absolute professionalism she exhibits when dealing with customers and team members.”
– Andrew Flick – June 2, 2010
Chief Operating Officer, US Operations, Arel Learning Solutions

“Deborah Gross is a visionary who follows through with action. I have had the pleasure of working with Deborah since 2004 in several different capacities. As the Director of Business Development for STG, Deborah attained new contracts in the Financial Management areas of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In my Dayton Defense Treasurer position, I see first hand Deborah’s leadership in the community. As President and now the Executive Director of Dayton Defense, Deborah has taken the organization from 50 to over 300 company members within two years, launched and led the annual Dayton IT Wing Conference with the government for three years, established numerous workforce development initiatives to prepare the Dayton Region for new work coming to the base, and obtained a grant from the Department of Labor to support those initiatives. On the recreational side, when Deborah thought that the Dayton Region needed an organization of women golfers, she started the Dayton Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association. This chapter has won national recognition for growth and accomplishments. Those are just a few examples of what Deborah is all about — when she sees a need, she does what it takes to make things happen.”
– Joanne Duda – May 27, 2010
President, JCD Consulting, LLC

“Deb is one of those rare people who combine knowledge, business sense and heart. Her knowledge of Government Contracts is the best in the Region: you could not get a better person to explain how things work in the Defense Industry. Her business sense is excellent. She has keen financial savvy that can quickly and accurately determine root causes and solutions. But most importantly, Deb has a big heart. If you ask her to help you, she will not only step up but will go the extra mile. She has helped me both professionally and personally develop and I would recommend her to any company or organization. I look at her both as a friend and as a valued business associate.”
– David Kirsch – May 25, 2010
Technical Writer, Northrop Grumman

“Deborah Gross is a focused professional who keeps the big picture in mind while working out the details. She sets a great example of how to collaborate with partners to add value and her energy seems to never stop in promoting shared purpose. As a volunteer and leader with the Dayton Defense organization, Deb has demonstrated the power of pulling a team together and has time and again done “whatever it takes” to make the team successful. She is a consummate professional and has worked hard to build trust among the many volunteers who make Dayton Defense work. On a personal level, she works just as hard to build understanding around common values, especially integrity and serving the customer and warfighter.”
– Dennis Sergent – May 24, 2010
Organizational Improvement & Quality, Sergent Results Group

“I worked for Deborah at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a consultant doing software development for the Air Force Material Command. Deborah taught me many lessons that I still carry with me including: Quality – As the Project Manager, Deborah was responsible for deliverables. As such, Deborah initiated an organized review process to ensure only the most professional presentation would be delivered. Innovation – When Deborah and I were hired PwC had already pitched and won the software development contract. Deborah was quick to think outside the box and expand the possibilities for our effort by adding web based capabilities. Salesmanship – Deborah cleverly developed a brand and use of an Acronym as well as continued to show her passion for the effort and personal belief not only for basic software design but also for her innovative ideas Empathy – Deborah showed me that while I was struggling with appreciating a team member’s contribution that they did indeed add value to the project. She taught me that as one matures, they understand that knee jerk observations are unwise. Recognition of talents – Deborah quickly assessed the talents and weaknesses of the whole team and sought to enhance key areas that were not previously identified as needs at all. Deborah illustrated a loyalty and investment to those who could earn it. Fairness as well as a desire to continually improve left lasting impressions.”
– Kenneth Keim – August 10, 2009
Consultant, Price Waterhouse Coopers

“Ms. Gross started working for me at Battelle in my IT systems engineering and integration business. She worked in the Dayton Office for our Air Force client on the modernization of the procurement finance and accounting system as a business system analyst. She was quick to intelligently blend her financial management knowledge with the enabling IT capability to master the complexity of this mission critical system. She was dedicated to the success of this effort and worked tirelessly applying her technical as well as her excellent people skills to resolve issues on the project. I promoted her three times during the life of this project, from an analyst thru couple of senior technical positions and finally as a project manager, due to Ms. Gross’ managerial, leadership, and communication capabilities. She cared about her staff, informed all the stakeholders, kept the project moving forward on time and within budget, and solved the difficult technical and management problems. Ms. Gross also did an excellent job carrying out her line management roles after we successfully completed the many iterations of this financial and accounting project for the Air Force procurements. She efficiently organized her unit position her staff for other projects. She clearly communicated the individual roles and responsibilities to her staff and managers. She took on business development responsibility to ensure that her staffs are productive and growing professionally. For the past several years, Ms. Gross has volunteered her energy and organizational capability in guiding DADCA as its President. Under her leadership, my company and many others have benefited significantly through networking, mentoring, and communication with government leaders. I look forward to continue working with Ms. Gross and her new company as well as the professional organizations that she leads.”
– Dennis Yun – August 10, 2009
VP Information Systems Engineering, Battelle

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Deborah for nearly five years, as a business associate and on the Board of Directors of DaytonDefense (Dayton Area Defense Contractors Association). Deborah is one of the most energetic, get-things-done, collaborators I have ever known. Deborah is a business leader as well as a leader in the Dayton community, instilling in others a sense of purpose, and the energy to fulfill that purpose. Our community is most fortunate to have such a leader in our midst!”
– Dale Kirby – March 25, 2009
Sr. Capture Manager, NCI Information Systems