When Harold Brewer and Rey Almodóvar founded Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (INTUITIVE®) in 1999, it was a two-person operation out of Almodóvar’s home. In the 25 years since then, the company has grown to a 580+ employee, multiple-award winning corporation.
From day one, Rey and Hal were determined to build a world-class, go-to engineering and analysis firm that would become renowned in the aerospace and defense industry. It was not just technical prowess that propelled INTUITIVE to prominence. From the outset, the company championed a creed of integrity and steadfast devotion to their customers. Over two decades later current President and CEO, Vergenia Shelton, is still committed to building this legacy of excellence.
“As someone who has had the honor of stepping into the role Hal and Rey once held, I am constantly inspired by the foundation they’ve laid. Every decision I make is guided by their principles and their commitment to our people and our mission,” Shelton said.
Who We Are
INTUITIVE was built on the idea that its people are its greatest asset. By cultivating an environment that values professional growth and personal well-being, the technology innovator has always been a company that empowers its employees to bring their best to the table, whether it is an idea, a skill, or even an exciting personal milestone.
“One employee on the Design and Engineering team pointed out that a critical difference in their work is that INTUITIVE allows them to be a part of their designs, to have a say in their projects from start to finish,” said Shelton. “That’s what INTUITIVE is all about – it’s collaborative, it’s creative, and it’s involved.”
INTUITIVE is a team of thinkers, of innovators, of relentless problem-solvers. “Together, we’ve made an impact in our industry, and we’ve have built a reputation for excellence. But we’re going to take it even further,” said Shelton.
Prioritizing Strategic, Intentional Growth
The decision to prioritize a culture of collaboration and innovation, combined with INTUITIVE’s focus on strategic growth, set the company apart early on. “We knew that by choosing to build a culture of integrity, we would find the right people to take us from a two-person firm to a world-class engineering, technology, and analysis firm that is trusted nationwide,” said Shelton. This was a vision put into action early on by the company’s founders. “We created a place where people who value honesty, ethics, and service could work together to ensure a safer, better future for our country’s national security. And by doing that, we laid the groundwork for sustainable growth and success.”
A Focus on People
“I hope in the years and decades to come, our customers, employees, and communities associate INTUITIVE and its people with ethics, innovation, and impact,” said Shelton. “Whether it is solving hard problems, ensuring critical mission success, supporting professional and personal dreams, or giving back to local charity, we strive to leave every interaction better than we found it. This foundation and this legacy are what drives us every day.”
In addition to its focus on employees, INTUITIVE also focuses on the communities where its employees live and work. While many employers are working to engage the current workforce view on corporate citizenship, INTUITIVE has it built into its DNA.
“Taking care of other people is the right thing to do,” says Dr. William Marx, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at INTUITIVE. “Less obviously, it’s now expected to be an important part of doing business.”
Marx says the topic of giving back comes up in surprising areas, including job interviews. “Our new teammates often want to understand how and where we participate in the community, how we give back,” says Marx. “They want to understand upfront how they can participate. Job seekers have many opportunities, and this is often part of their decision process.”
Patrick Lunsford joined INTUITIVE after a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, hoping to continue his service, and he says the cultures are very similar. “One of the most emotionally meaningful opportunities I’ve had at INTUITIVE was the chance to volunteer when our company sponsored The Wall That Heals,” says Lunsford. This three-fifths scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveled to Huntsville in November 2018. That event represents just one of many ongoing events offered to INTUITIVE employees to support and interact with their community.
Envisioning a Bright Future
INTUITIVE’s success is attributed not only to its strong customer relationships and strategic growth, but also to its commitment to proposing, testing, and delivering new technologies to its clients in a positive and ethical way. Its efforts in research and development, often at its own financial expense, has generated opportunities and results for its customers. As the company has evolved from a small defense contractor to a high-tech engineering firm, it has remained a trusted partner in aerospace, delivering solutions from design to production and sustainment.
The next 25 years will undoubtedly see the rapid evolution of technologies and processes in the areas of artificial intelligence, digital engineering, cybersecurity, and modeling and simulation. The challenges facing customers will change amidst the digital transformation and multi-domain battlefield.
“In much the same way our customers are creating their future force(s), INTUITIVE is also always thinking of what the future will hold for capabilities, missions, and overall relationships with our customers,” said Shelton. “We are poised to lead the charge, leveraging innovation to solve complex problems and support our clients in ways we can only imagine today.”
“For a quarter of a century, INTUITIVE has been the firm that is willing to invest in research and development to solve its customers’ challenges. We take our talent, our skills, and our dollars to the drawing board to build a better future. We will remain focused on creating forward-thinking solutions that have real-world impact,” Shelton added.
INTUITIVE culminated its 25th Anniversary celebrations at their annual Year End Business Review on Saturday, December 7th. Employees and their guests honored INTUITIVE’s past and celebrated what is in store for the next 25 years.
About Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation:
INTUITIVE® is an aerospace engineering and analysis firm headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama that provides production support, software and systems engineering, programmatic support, product development, rapid prototyping, and technology management to the Department of Defense, other State and Federal Government agencies, and commercial companies. Our approach couples the latest technology with engineering expertise, analytical proficiency, and keen managerial oversight. From design through production to sustainment, we proudly provide management and technical solutions throughout all phases of the system’s life cycle.