Employee Profiles

Nick Boboshko, Senior Consultant

What is it like to work at AE Strategies?
One of the many reasons I like working at AE Strategies is that it still has that small business feel to it. Here, I’m not a number like I might be in a larger company. AE has been growing steadily since I joined the company over 8 years ago, but it’s still a good size for someone like me that wants direct access to the President when I want to make recommendations and give feedback. I also feel close to my co-workers. AE Strategies gives me opportunities to help the company grow. Personally, its helps me stay motivated when I am asked to help with a proposal or to get involved in developing a new client. I feel a real connection to the growth and success of the company.

What makes the culture of AE Strategies different and/or special?
To a person, we’re a motivated group. We’re diverse: our ages span several decades; we have gender and race diversity. All the characteristics desired by large companies are already part of our culture. The President does the hiring himself, and he has a real knack for placing the right person on a project where they fit into the client’s culture, can hit the ground ready to go, and have the knowledge and prior experience to get up to speed quickly. All of us have a heightened awareness of what it takes to succeed and be productive, and we keep the client’s best interest at the forefront of our work at all times.

There is a true team spirit here. It’s a place where you help your fellow consultants with ideas and your experience. The company also builds in time for some fun and we get our families together several times a year. This helps strengthen our commitment to each other and to the company, and makes it easy to support each other.

Why did you decide to join AE Strategies and what keeps you here?

I worked for about five years as a project manager at a large company and enjoyed the project work. I loved connecting with shareholders and working on a solution from start to finish.

AE Strategies contacted me when they needed a PM to help re-engineer human resource business processes for the Department of Navy (DON). It is very satisfying to be part of a highly motivated environment and to impact big decisions. My current project is supporting another DON team to stand up an Executive Management Program Office. We are working on planning and execution of executive lifecycle management programs that will impact 450 senior executives. It’s interesting to learn how senior executives think; to figure out what training and experiences they need; and to develop solutions that will influence their careers.

I believe I have a terrific career with AE Strategies. Each project offers a fantastic opportunity to evolve my skills and make a difference leveraging the experience I gain in one project to others. I know this will lead me to other opportunities and future professional growth.

What is your relationship with your client?  What projects have you/are you working on?
I’ve been fortunate to be working with the same government department since I joined AE Strategies, and during that time I’ve been assigned to a number of projects. My relationship with the agency leadership has grown and evolved as we’ve proven our value to the organization. There might have been some skepticism initially — there sometimes is when a new consulting firm is brought into the workplace — but we overcame that when we proved to the client that we support their work, especially with the changes they’re experiencing today. We have a very collaborative relationship and our client is confident that we can do the heavy lifting, tackle big projects, and work through to the final solution. We’re past the place where we get piecemeal projects and are more relied upon as a true partner. Succeeding with the client is the best job security!

What would you tell a prospective employee about AE Strategies?
I’d tell them they would be fortunate to be chosen to join this company, especially at a time when many young companies are struggling to succeed. Most small companies fail within the first few years, but AE Strategies has grown steadily from the beginning. I credit the founder/President for much of the success because he has realized his original vision for the company and earned the reputation of exceeding client expectations. AE Strategies is in tune with the federal government HR environment and understands the complexities, the challenges, and the impending changes. We look ahead at what is coming and we prepare ourselves for the next challenge.