These 10 fast-growing, private companies are led by black entrepreneurs, most of whom are forging a decisive path in the government services industry.

These 10 fast-growing, private companies are led by black entrepreneurs, most of whom are forging a decisive path working with the government. Many take lessons they learned in the military and apply them to running a successful business. –Abigail Tracy

Integrated Finance and Accounting Solutions (IFAS) Woodbridge, Va. No. 705 2011 Revenue: $4.1 million Three-Year Growth: 501% A former financial officer in the military, Tabatha Turman always envisioned herself as her own boss and became a consultant right after her service. She took the next big step in 2007 when she launched IFAS, which uses finance and accounting strategies to help companies build business models. She has commercial and government clients, including the U.S. Air force. “I needed to do what the army had trained me to do,” says Turman. “Provide services to the war fighter and the federal government.”

Team Henry Enterprises Newport News, Va. No. 688 2011 Revenue: $10.6 million Three-Year Growth: 517% Devon Henry has always had the entrepreneurial itch: “It started out small, but before I knew it—it was a rash,” he jokes. In 2006, Henry founded Team Henry Enterprises, a multi-disciplinary contracting firm specializing in construction management and environmental, marine, and emergency response services. To him, operating as a team has been one of the most important determinants of his company’s success.

Lux Consulting Silver Spring, Md. No. 649 2011 Revenue: $12.3 million Three-Year Growth: 561% Back in 1999, Leonard Boyd first started his company with eyes on the music industry. Since its inception, Lux Consulting Group, which previously ranked No. 630 on the 2011 Inc. 5000 list, has evolved to IT and grants management to federal agencies. “A company takes on your identity and as your company grows so does your influence,” says Boyd. “You need to make sure that that influence is consistent with who you really are.”

Concepts and Strategies Washington, D.C. No. 613 2011 Revenue: $20 million Three-Year Growth: 598% Jason Hinton always saw himself as an attorney, and even worked in litigation for a few years. Eventually Hinton became frustrated by the limitations of the industry and opted for starting his own business working with the U.S. government. Launched in 2005, Concepts and Strategies specializes in research and providing communications strategies and services to government agencies and non-government organizations—both domestically and internationally.

Wellness Corporate Solutions Cabin John, Md. No. 535 2011 Revenue: $4.8 million Three-Year Growth: 719% After taking a few years off from business to stay with her children, Fiona Gathright was itching to get back into the entrepreneurial game and in 2004 founded Wellness Corporate Solutions, which designs health screenings, risk assessments, wellness challenges, and exercise and weight loss programs. “What really keeps me going is that I actually think we are making a difference in this country,” says Gathright.

Network Solutions Provider El Segundo, Calif. No. 376 2011 Revenue: $6.1 million Three-Year Growth: 1,001% Phillip Walker founded Network Solutions Provider, which ranked No. 297 on the 2011 Inc. 5000 list, in 2005. The company acts as a telecommunications or IT integrator—bringing all the different aspects of telecommunications together. Knowing that Network Solutions Provider will never be able to beat other competitors in marketing and advertising, Walker focuses on service and cutting IT costs for customers. “I created a company not only to sell products, but to fill in the gaps as well,” he says.

Verdi Consulting McLean, Va. No. 322 2011 Revenue: $4.2 million Three-Year Growth: 1,181% Mariama Levy never imagined herself as an entrepreneur, but in 2002, she founded Verdi Consulting. The company, which moves up the list from No. 409 last year, provides auditing, federal accounting, and systems support to large companies. Surprised at her own success, Levy keeps her “small but nimble” company growing through unrelenting hard work. “As a small business owner, you are always working,” says Levy. “Nothing is impossible, you just have to get it done.”

Careers In Transition Tucker, Ga. No. 247 2011 Revenue: $ 5.2 million Three-Year Growth: 1,500% After years of working within companies and creating unusual programs, Indigo Johnson developed entrepreneurial skills and, in 1995, founded her own company—Careers In Transition. The company offers training, staff augmentation and project management to federal agencies, universities, and corporations. “Getting to this point in my career was a progression and it was never planned,” says Johnson. “There were a lot of stumbling blocks along the way but I learned from them.”

Rapier Solutions Matthews, N.C. No. 142 2011 Revenue: $3.6 million Three-Year Growth: 2,336% While on active duty, William Bailey decided he wanted to start an IT company. So after 13 years on active duty and 13 years in the reserves, Bailey founded Rapier Solutions in 2002—a consulting and outsourcing company for information technology and logistics services. Veterans like Bailey make up 50% of Rapier’s workers.

JMA Solutions Washington, D.C. No. 128 2011 Revenue: $10.6 million Three-Year Growth: 2,546% After 23 years of service in the Air force, Janice Adams went into the consulting business and in 2003 founded her own company, JMA Solutions, which provides financial management, IT service, and systems and concept engineering to the federal government. The service-disabled vet credits her military experience with her management skills. She works with a team of fellow veterans and describes JMA solutions as a family. The company dropped from its No. 45 rank on the 2011 Inc. 5000 list.

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