It was a mission to deliver the highest quality I services to businesses in Consulting, Management, and Technology by applying best practices from the team of industry experts, that led Annette Johnson, to establish CMT Services, Inc.
As the President and CEO of the company, Annette looks after all strategic partnerships, business development, and outreach initiatives of the company. By being at the helm of the company, she has always ensured that her team is dedicated to delivering the best customer experience in the industry through collaborative communication and interactions. Annette has been an exemplary leader, who is leading by example.
Let’s find out more about how a women-led business is providing exceptional customer service and exceeding its client’s expectations, in an interview between CIO Look and Annette.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
What were the challenges you came across since founding the organization?
Growing the company’s revenues and footprint and scaling our capabilities to satisfy requirements within the extremely competitive Federal and State contracting space.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
The writings and philosophy of Khalil Gibran. The most influential life experience which impacted my life’s journey most was borne out of a horrific family tragedy and the opportunity to witness the determined and inspirational way my mother led my siblings and I and our larger family through a tragic period.
Being an experienced business leader, what is your opinion regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your industry? And how has your company managed to overcome this significant challenge?
The impact and challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the business community have been significant and especially acute for businesses whose core revenues are derived from Contracting with Federal, State, and Local Governments. The limited access to targeted agencies and decision-makers poses a tremendous challenge to sustaining and securing new contracts while operating in a Virtual Environment and working remotely. CMT has been able to leverage several of our existing relationships with both Government and commercial partners to support our revenue base and employee staffing levels.
What is your thought on the necessity of a positive work culture? In what ways do you implement it at your organization?
Positive and empowering work culture is essential to accomplish the company’s strategic goals and business objectives. Building and sustaining a unique and inclusive corporate culture is a critical benchmark for CMT and as the CEO, I have put in place employee engagement programs to ensure that an empowering corporate culture is not merely a slogan of words; but it is the cornerstone of my management philosophy. CMT is proud to have earned recognition for our Corporate Culture for the Baltimore Region by Smart CEO Magazine.
In what ways have you or the company has contributed to the community? If given a chance, what change would you bring to help other companies?
CMT established the C.U.R.E. (Connecting, Uniting, Relating, and Educating) Initiative as its Corporate platform for community engagement. Through C.U.R.E. we support local Non-Profits, Provide Mentors to county youth and make contributions to underprivileged and homeless citizens throughout the communities where we do business. Beyond our immediate community, CMT sponsors an Annual Thanksgiving and Holiday Charity Drive where we feed and provide clothing to more than 200 persons in the Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C.
Additionally, I support the “Leap Forward Scholarship Program” in honor of women who have impacted my life in such a positive way.
As for other Business owners and companies, I would stress the enormous sense of fulfillment and purpose gained from the realization of just how much giving back to the community’s less fortunate makes a difference in their lives and contributes to building a connection to the community in which you live and do business.
Have you in any ways contributed towards the cause of women empowerment?
Absolutely, by launching CMT as a Woman-Owned Business in 2002 and Mentoring Colleagues and Peers for the past 15 years. I am a proud Member of the Women’s President Organization (WPO) whose guiding Philosophy is Empowering Women Leaders for success.
What would be your advice for aspiring and emerging women entrepreneurs in your industry?
Establish a compelling product or service, define your vision and mission, gain knowledge of the resources and assistance available and needed to build and market your services, be committed for the long-term, persevere, and passionately pursue your vision! Do not Give Up ~ continue to pursue your dream.
Glorious Recognitions
2016- MEA Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2016- SmartCEO Magazine-Brava Awards-CEO Award Winner- Baltimore Region
- 2016- SmartCEO Magazine-Brava Awards- Corporate Culture Award Winner-Baltimore Region
- 2017- U.S. Small Business Administration-Emerging Leaders Graduate
- 2017- Prince George’s County Executive- Certificate of Accomplishment
- 2018- enterprising Woman Magazine- Woman of the Year
- 2018- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small BusinessesResource Partner
- 2018- Project 500 Graduate McDonough School of Business-Georgetown University
- 2019- Capital One Bank Top 50 Fastest Growing Woman Owned/Led Companies
