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Small Business Awards: Micro-Sized Company winner — The PMO Squad

Phoenix Business Journal

After Joe Pusz struggled to find outside consultants willing to work in project management for a bigger company, he started The PMO Squad, a boutique project management consulting firm, in 2013.  

As the firm approaches its 10-year anniversary, its growth and evolution keeps Pusz, the company’s president, confident about its potential.

“It feels like we’ve been validated, that there’s a need for what we provide in the industry,” he said.  

“Since organizations focus so much of their energy, time and resources on their operations, they usually struggle with executing these unique projects they come up with,” Pusz said. There, The PMO Squad comes in, providing expertise to successfully complete projects outside normal company operations.  

From their first client engagement, NAPA Auto Parts, to now, The PMO Squad works across several industries — semiconductors, health care, education, marketing and more — with Fortune 200 and small, local businesses.  

“Nothing we do is routine,” Pusz said. “By being in different industries, we get to see all of the change happening in the world as it unfolds.”  

Pusz said he felt fortunate that Covid-19 has increased comfort with remote work, resulting in more national consulting work for The PMO Squad. In 2021, the company saw over 150% growth, and 2022 is shaping up for another 100%, he said.

While struggling with a national project management talent shortage and growing gig economy, remote work has also opened the company to remote contract employees alongside permanent ones. The PMO Squad has four core employees and that can go up based on client engagement. Currently, it has 15 total employees. 

The Department of Labor recognized The PMO Squad as veteran-friendly with a platinum HIRE Vets Medallion Award. The company also started a nonprofit, The Veteran Project Manager Mentor Alliance, helping veterans and their spouses transition into project management.  

“We’ve always wanted to leave this world better for those who come after us,” he said. “Success can only happen if you’re helping others.” 

Even as a potential recession nears, Pusz is confident his client diversity will better position his company to grow, with a long-term goal of becoming attractive enough for another organization to purchase.  

Company: The PMO Squad

President: Joe Pusz

Headquarters: Gilbert

Year founded: 2013

Number of employees: 15


Micro Sized Company Finalists

Bailey Strategic Innovation Group

What it does: Consulting firm

Local leader: President and CEO Eric Bailey

Headquarters: Chandler

Number of employees: 3


Resound

What it does: Marketing agency

Local leader: CEO Mike Jones

Headquarters: Tempe

Number of employees: 4


Fintrepid Solutions

What it does: Financial consultant

Local leader: President Ryan Weissmueller

Headquarters: Scottsdale

Number of employees: 6


Lokahi Group LLC

What it does: Civil engineering firm

Local Leader: Jamie Blackman, owner

Headquarters: Scottsdale

Number of employees: 7

 


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