Powder River Industries, Clarke: It's all about service
Powder River Industries of Laramie, WY embarked out of a commitment to service and the military community. Through the passion of CEO Yolanda Clarke, the idea that became a business in 2016 has grown into a thriving subcontractor, employing personnel in 12 states across the country. Focusing on global communications in the government realm, it all started when she was an undergraduate Computer Science student while serving as an Intelligence Officer with the US Army, and her chief enlisted officer recommended she earn a degree in Information Technology.
“My first job out of active service, I was a contractor with the military, and I learned about all of the government opportunities,” Clarke recalled. “There isn’t anything the government doesn’t buy. There is no job you can’t find to do when contracting with the US Government.”
After transitioning from active duty to reserves, Clarke looked for ways to continue contributing to the military community and her country. While her husband remains active service in the Marine Corps, she realized that self-employment would allow her to work in any location her family was needed. Powder River Industries became her connection to the community that inspired her.
“Our mission is my motivation,” said Clarke. “My business allows me to continue to serve and connect to a greater purpose, to make an impact helping a lot of different agencies meet their missions.”
How does Clarke and Powder River Industries help these agencies? Through subcontracting work with organizations like the Army Corps of Engineers, where they help connect a network of more than 600,000 users from all over the world, they help develop IT products and services to improve collaborations across large distances.
As Powder River Industries continues to expand, Clarke realizes the impact that the Small Business Administration has had on her business success. Utilizing programs and services like the 8(a) Program, as well as SBA Resource Partners like the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and Wyoming Women’s Business Center, Clarke has also employed SBA Loan Programs to help finance the growth of her business.
“The SBA resources across the country have been so helpful,” Clarke remarked with emotion. “I didn’t even know how to start. But Deb (Farris, Deputy District Director of SBA’s Wyoming District Office) is a legend! She helped me find resources and programs I needed. SBA representatives in San Diego were also very helpful, especially with Covid – that was a scary time, and they reached out to help me through it.”
Currently, Clarke is participating in the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, which she defines as a “new full-time job.” The Program is an agreement between her business and a mentor prime contractor. The agreement is established to help the mentor obtain contracts through joint ventures with certified subcontractors, and those smaller subcontractors benefit from joint venture teamwork. True to Clarke’s dynamic personality, she was meticulous about finding a mentor.
“I chose a mentor based on the gaps in my knowledge area,” she explained. “The company I chose has five original founders who still work there, so they are true mentors. They personally experienced the same growth challenges that I am now facing.”
Clarke also added some advice for businesses contemplating the Mentor-Protégé Program: “The Agreement that you create with your mentor should be very specific in regard to your goals and how you plan to accomplish what you want to achieve. It should be used as a guidepost through all the bumps along the way, and that will help preserve your relationship. Because growing is bumpy – you will grow as a person and a business, and that is messy. It’s a lot of work!”
In April, Clarke served as a panelist for Wyoming District Office’s Federal Contracting Summit, held in Riverton, WY. It was fitting that she, so appreciative of her start with SBA assistance, is now serving others in their quest for success with government contracting.
“I was encouraged by the Summit,” she concluded. "It showed the support for the entire business ecosystem from all different industries, working to help companies grow and succeed. I want to work with colleges and universities, to help engage them in what workforce is needed in current industries so that they can build school programs and trainings for that. Right now, I train my own employees. But with events like this Summit, individuals can come together to support our communities, our country. We have to work together on that.”
Powder River Industries’ CEO Yolanda Clarke is a Major in the Army Reserves. She established Powder River Industries in 2016, which has now grown to employ personnel in 12 states.