8-koi Supports Opening of NASA Lunabotics Competition Arena at Kennedy Space Center

The NASA Lunabotics Competition Arena is open for the first time to students after a two-year delay caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Designed and constructed in 2019 by 8-koi, the Lunabotics Artemis Arena at Kennedy Space Center in Florida serves as the venue for the fourth and final competition event of the year-long challenge. Lunabotics challenges college and university teams of students from across the United Sates in a full-on engineering exercise where participants receive practical experience in the full engineering lifecycle process from concept development to system closeout.

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8-koi Named to University of Florida 2022 Gator100

8-koi was named to the University of Florida’s 2022 Gator100 during a ceremony on April 22 in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on UF’s campus.

Each year, the Gator100 recognizes the world’s fastest-growing Gator businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Ernst & Young, independent accounting firm of the Gator100 since the program began in 2015, verifies financial information submitted by each company and calculates the rankings based on compound annual growth rate over the past three years. The 2022 honorees have a cumulative revenue of $3.9B.

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April is Internship Awareness Month

8-koi and CDE are celebrating Internship Awareness Month by recognizing our hard-working student employees, some of whom have gone on to be full-time permanent members of our team. According to the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), the retention rate of hired interns is higher than other entry-level employees. 

“These young people are a highly valuable asset to our success and longevity,” says company President Inga Young. “It’s important to help shape the next generation of professionals by allowing them to contribute in meaningful ways while imparting our core values of passion, excellence, dependability, and thoughtfulness.” 

“Internships are not meant to be free help. They are not meant to replace an employee. And they shouldn’t be used for busy work.” 

Roy Mauer, SHRM

At 8-koi and CDE, this guidance is definitely taken to heart. Below you will read more about our exceptional interns and student employees who play and have played a significant role in helping to meet company objectives while also honing their skills to be top-notch business leaders in their own rights. 

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8-koi Names Robert M. Sullivan, P.E. as Vice President, Engineering Division

Robert Sullivan is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Florida who enthusiastically accepted the position of Vice President for 8-koi’s Engineering Division, effective March 11th. In this leadership position, Robert will be taking the lead for current and future projects at Cape Design Engineering Co. (CDE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 8-koi.

Robert joins the team in Merritt Island with over forty years of experience as an innovator in the fields of capital project contracts management, civil environmental, structural, and construction engineering, planning, forensics, emergency and reconstruction management, expert litigation support, and safety.

With over 25 years of service with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department FEMA response team, Florida Task Force One (FL-TF1), Robert’s work as a Structural Specialist with this international response rescue team has been integral in the development of his operations management skill set to include accurate rapid assessment and detailed analysis to achieve mission-critical goals when time and resources are not always optimum.

“Robert brings a high level of industry expertise and keen understanding of senior/executive management to 8-koi and CDE. His multi-disciplinary experience and background in Earned Value Analysis (EVA) will be an asset to growing our Design Engineering capability for years to come,” stated Dean Rosenquist, 8-koi’s Chief Operating Officer.

With a portfolio that includes work on special capital projects related to construction of unique buildings/facilities, airport and airfield upgrades, harbor dredging, environmental and hazardous waste system upgrades, value engineering, roadway and bridge transportation project management, Robert will be tasked with aligning business development strategy to CDE’s in-demand capabilities.

“My motivation and motto is: Plan the Work – Work the Plan,” says Robert. “I’m really looking forward to making the most of the next chapter in my career with this dynamic small business.”

Please help us welcome Robert to the Team and be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his work.

8-koi Wins Place on 2022 Gator100 List

Today, Brian K. Danforth, Assistant Vice President of Development & Executive Director of the UF Alumni Association sent notice that 8-koi made the 2022 Gator100. The Gator100 List is compiled annually to recognize high-performing businesses around the world that are founded and owned by University of Florida Alumni.

“You serve as an inspiration to your fellow Gators and the UF Alumni Association is proud to recognize you and your company’s success with this award,” said Danforth’s letter.

Nominations were open from August to October last year. 8-koi Founder and President Inga Young is a 1991 UF graduate, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting. Inga incorporated as a consultant in 2008 and now employs 150 people across the US.

“My UF education was very rigorous and prepared me for the complex world of government contract accounting,” says Inga. “After I worked with several large aerospace and technology businesses, I believed I had the skills to startup and offer niche accounting to companies contracting to the government at a better cost with more attentive service. This Gator100 recognition really means a lot to me.”

8-koi now works as a prime contractor with federal agencies such as Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Army Corps of Engineers. In 2019, 8-koi acquired Cape Design Engineering Co. on Merritt Island as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The official rankings will be revealed at the Gator100 Awards Ceremony to be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on the University of Florida campus.

8-koi ranked on the 2022 “Gator100” List

Read more about The Gator100 and join us in celebrating the WIN for 8-koi™!

See the coverage in Brevard Business News. Download the article PDF.

8-koi Wins Place on SB100 List for 2021 Best of Small Business Awards

8-koi™ is recognized as one of the honorees for the 2021 Best of Small Business Awards™! The awards program is America’s most prestigious honor that recognizes and celebrates the BEST Small to Mid-Sized Business Visionaries.  Ranked #79 on the “SB100 List,” our company joins the most elite small businesses in the Country that demonstrate exceptional growth in the marketplace, diversity, A+ Customer Service, leadership, a positive workplace environment and a profitable business model. 

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