Fifteen Years of People and Purpose: AvantGarde’s Journey Forward

Beverly Ortega Babers
11 hours ago
5 min read

Commemorating 15 years of resilience, growth, and impact

Opening: Grounded in Purpose, Meeting the Moment

Fifteen years ago, AvantGarde was built on a simple idea: that when you invest in people, you create lasting impact. That belief has guided every phase of our growth—and it continues to define who we are today. Founded by Rebecca Contreras, a first-generation Latina who was raised in poverty, and Greg Portnoy, an immigrant who built his life in the United States, the company was born from lived experiences that shaped its core values: resilience, purpose, and heart.

Today, as AvantGarde marks its 15th anniversary, its core principles remain unchanged—even as the world around it has shifted dramatically. The past year, in particular, has tested the federal contracting community in unprecedented ways. Budget constraints, workforce reductions, and evolving priorities have created uncertainty across the industry. Yet, AvantGarde has not only endured—it has adapted, strengthened, and continued to deliver.

This milestone is more than a celebration of longevity. It is a reflection on the people who built this company, the principles that guided it through every challenge, and the purpose that continues to drive it forward.

Built on Determination: A Founder’s Story

AvantGarde’s story begins with two founders whose paths could not have been more different—yet were united by a shared belief in possibility.

Rebecca grew up navigating economic hardship and family dysfunction, learning early that opportunity is not always given—it must be created. Greg arrived in the United States from Russia as a child, embedded with the ambition and hope that define the immigrant experience. Together, they built a company rooted not just in expertise, but in empathy and grit.

Those origins still pulse through AvantGarde’s culture today: a place that seeks out different perspectives, tackles hard problems head‑on, and understands that real success rarely follows a straight line.

From 8(a) Roots to Small Business Strength

AvantGarde launched as an 8(a) small business, leveraging the federal program as a springboard for growth, capability-building, and credibility in the federal space. Graduation from the 8(a) program marked a pivotal transition—one that required not just operational maturity, but a redefinition of strategy and identity. Like the small percentage of companies that successfully graduate, AvantGarde moved into the more competitive federal marketplace and diversified its revenue streams to include an increasing share of non-8a sources.

The shift to a competitive small business environment brought new challenges, but also new opportunities. AvantGarde expanded its services, deepened client relationships, and strengthened its reputation as a go-to, can do problem solver. It continued to see double-digit growth through its first 13 years, and proudly supported a workforce of over 600 professionals and their families since its founding. Over time, AG evolved into a trusted partner delivering integrated human capital and technology solutions across the federal landscape.

Each phase of growth reinforced a core truth: success begins with the value you consistently deliver, but it’s solidified and distinguished by the people who make up your company and client base, and the village that buoys you through the peaks and inevitable valleys.

Weathering the Storms with People at the Center

Every 15-year journey includes moments of uncertainty — and the past year has been one of the most challenging yet.

As government priorities shifted and the contracting workforce faced reductions, many organizations struggled to maintain stability. AvantGarde responded the way it always had: by focusing on its people, staying close to its clients, and remaining agile in the face of change.

Over several months in 2024, AvantGarde senior leaders led its management team through a discussion of The Thin Book of Trust. In these discussions, the team examined what was intuitive to most of them—that when you lead with care and empathy, you create a culture of trust, innovation, and loyalty. Not surprisingly, the next year in 2025, when AvantGarde contracts were threatened and its employees were sent home due to the government shutdown, the entire company, through the vision of our CEO Rebecca, put its values into action. Among other things, the owners of AvantGarde offered no-income, interest-free loans and gift cards to help offset employee salary losses, and purchased Thanksgiving dinner for affected families. Demonstrating their empathy for one another, AvantGarde employees who were on the job donated leave to those who were not working. Overall, the people-first culture that is so foundational to AvantGarde was not weakened in the face of uncertainty, but strengthened. In early 2025, our CEO Rebecca launched a new vision for rebuilding the losses sustained through a comprehensive Pivot Plan to diversify AvantGarde’s business. Resilience, after all, is not just about surviving difficult moments—it is about emerging from them with a clear vision and plan, stronger from the loss and more aligned with your purpose.

Over the past 15 years, the company has grown not just in size, but in the strength of its community—employees, partners, and clients who share a commitment to excellence and impact. Many have been part of the journey for years, which has enabled the community to build on and deepen its shared values.

This is the legacy with which AvantGarde is celebrating its 15^th anniversary.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

The environment around AvantGarde continues to evolve—faster, more complex, and more demanding. But rather than change who we are, we’ve focused on building upon what has always worked: strong relationships, a people-first mindset, and the ability to adapt with purpose.

This doesn’t mean that we won’t also continue to evolve and embrace the future. As we look ahead, our focus is clear—expand thoughtfully, invest in our team, and continue delivering the kind of partnership our clients rely on.

As a part of our growth, we recently obtained our first two state-level contracts! One umbrella contract makes us eligible to compete for state-level awards in Florida. The second award is in support of a Florida state agency. The employees supporting this latter task are excited to represent AvantGarde as they venture into new territory.

We are also laser-focused on supporting our current clients as they navigate new challenges of rebuilding their workforces, adjusting structures and processes in light of reduced staffing and revised priorities, and finding ways to automate more routine tasks. We are leveraging new teaming relationships to build our IT, procurement, and state practices.

From our President and CEO to our newest employee, we are optimistic for the future because we are not leaving it to chance. We are thoughtfully and strategically steering there! And there is real excitement in knowing that the last 15 years have set a strong foundation for the next.

A Legacy of Purpose, A Future of Possibility

Fifteen years is a significant milestone—but it is not the destination. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and recognize the journey: from humble beginnings to a trusted federal partner; from uncertainty to stability; from vision to impact. Most importantly, it is a moment to reaffirm what has always mattered most: people and purpose.

To everyone who has been part of this journey—employees, clients, partners, and supporters—thank you for helping shape AvantGarde’s story.

The work continues. The mission evolves. And the future remains full of possibility.