While finalizing his master’s degree at Kansas State University Bill Kent learned there was a need for a traffic engineer in Valdosta. Not sure about taking the position or moving all the way to Georgia, Bill came down for an interview. Stepping off the plane to Valdosta’s sunshine and barely winter climate after having boarded amidst feet of Kansas snow was enough to convince Bill to choose Valdosta—at least for a few years.

Well a few years became permanent after Bill became accustomed to southern hospitality and decided to open his own engineering firm here. Bill found himself in a supportive and encouraging community that had a “nice professional network” and in a “supportive business atmosphere.” Innovate! Engineering Solutions provides civil engineering services, surveying and environmental engineering. Innovate! is the winner of the 2010 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition, which allowed Bill to take his firm to the next level.

Bill is active in the community, participating in Rotary, involved in the Chamber, serves on the Board of Directors for the South Georgia United (SGU) Soccer Club as the Executive Vice-President, supports high school sports and spending time with his family: his wife, Johnna, their 13 year-old-twin girls and 15-year-old son (who is a kicker for the Valdosta Wildcats).

So how does someone like Bill do it all? In his words, “I’ve learned that having the right people on your team is the key.” Although it’s difficult for Bill to “toot his own horn”, his team shares what a humble person he is with the ability to prioritize, manage his time well and balance time at home and time at work.

Innovate! has plans for growth in the future. In fact, the firm anticipates that it will double in size within the next five years—many of which will be knowledge-based positions. Wow!

Visit www.innovatees.com.