Civix’s New Center of Excellence
Civix (Formerly GCR, PCC, and MB3), a leading public sector software and services firm, opened a Center of Excellence in Heathrow, Fla. last month that is focused on innovation in GovTech. It is the cornerstone of a significant investment in the company’s Government business unit, which has centralized and is growing its software development operations in the location.
“There is so much opportunity in GovTech, especially with emerging technologies that have the power to disrupt the technological status quo and radically transform the way governments do business,” said Tom Amburgey, the CEO of Civix. “For decades our company has been leading the charge, and we are doubling down on that legacy with an eye toward revolutionizing the GovTech space with new energy, new vision, and new products.”
The Center of Excellence houses the talent of a major software development company, including systems architects, developers, testers, business analysts, product managers, and administrative staff. Civix will base up to 75 employees there within the first year with plans to grow into the hundreds over the next few years.
“We’re committed to innovation that will help governments dramatically improve the way they serve the public,” said Matt Blakely, Civix’s Chief Technology Officer. “Locating our software development operations in the Center of Excellence will allow us to create a common culture and facilitate an exchange of ideas that will spark new technological advancements.”
Recently, Civix named Mike Wons president of of its Government business unit and hired a new Vice President of Development and a new Vice President of IT Security along with dozens others at the Center of Excellence.
The team there is focused on overcoming the unique IT challenges facing state and local governments.
“Governments deliver hundreds of adjoining services, and the goal must be to bring them together on a common platform that is modern and frictionless in order to deliver a single, quality user experience,” said Wons, a software developer by trade with more than 20 years in senior roles, including with leading GovTech companies and as the first-ever statewide CTO for Illinois.
“We are going to build on our strengths to expand our suite of products, creating new enterprise solutions and building an open API structure that uses advanced technology to make connectivity easy and implementation quick,” he said.
Civix chose Heathrow after an in-depth site selection process that involved more than a dozen leading locations across the country. The State of Florida and Seminole County provided an incentive that totaled $1.5 million through the Florida Qualified Targeted Industry program – a performance-based business incentive that provides companies a tax refund once new jobs are created.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Central Florida community, and we are grateful for the leadership of the State of Florida, Seminole County, and the Orlando Economic Partnership for their exceptional work in welcoming us,” said Amburgey. “Central Florida quickly became the clear frontrunner with its deep skilled-talent pool, proximity to airports and universities, and livability.”