August 2019

Firma IT Solutions was started by community leader and US Air Force Veteran, Certified Ethical Hacker and Network Defense Architect, Rodney Gullatte, Jr. When the job market would not cooperate in Key West, FL, he decided to take matters into his own hands and start a business. With a background in Information Technology and Cybersecurity that includes Department of Defense, retail, healthcare, casinos, utility companies and more, Rodney has developed a company that brings enterprise technology solutions to small businesses. Law firms, accounting firms, architect firms, museums, and marinas are just a few of the clients that Firma IT Solutions has transformed. From workstations and servers to cybersecurity and enterprise wireless networks, Firma IT Solutions has a wide scope of services to create data integrity and system security that all small businesses desperately need. The company started in Key West and thrived there four years before Rodney’s wife received military orders to Colorado Springs. As a leader in the Key West community, Firma IT Solutions has grown since Rodney left in August 2015 to come to Colorado Springs. Now Rodney has established himself in Colorado Springs as a member of the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, President of BNI Strategic Alliances Chapter, Board of Rotary District 5470 as Public Image Chair, Board of Rotary Club of Colorado Springs as Director of Local Community Service Projects and Service Fund Trustee. He is also proud member of Colorado Springs Chapter of The eWomen’s Network.

His latest accomplishments are becoming a Cybersecurity Consultant for the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, Board Member with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, winner of Colorado Springs Business Journal Best in Business 2017 #1 Cybersecurity Company and recipient of the Colorado Springs Business Journal Rising Stars Class of 2018 award. Rodney leverages his multiple affiliations to help grow his sphere of influence to help others succeed. This philosophy of “Givers Gain” has brought him success in business and among the community. He believes that educating the business community about cybersecurity will help create a CyberSafe Community which is a program his company sponsors with our local Fox21 News.

Robin Roberts is the President and CEO of Pikes Peak National Bank, a community bank with approximately 30 employees located in El Paso County. Robin has been in the banking industry since 1996 and has been with Pikes Peak National Bank since 1999. Robin volunteers at the SBDC where she helps new and existing business owners find appropriate funding to start, grow, and expand their businesses. She has been a member of the SBDC Advisory Board since 2011.

Robin received the 2014 State SBDC Volunteer of the Year Award and received the 2015 Colorado Springs SBDC Volunteer of the Year Award. Robin is also a proud veteran of the United States Army.

Rich received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following his undergraduate work, he received two Master’s Degrees from Stanford University in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Management. He spent most of his working career with Hewlett Packard (Agilent) in various management roles. He has held positions in Manufacturing, Marketing, and R&D. He is well-versed in Business and Strategic Planning, Expense and Business Forecasting, Daily Operations, Developing Product Definitions, and Face to Face Customer Research.

Rich worked in Europe for 4 years and has traveled and developed businesses throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East. As a manager, he moved several groups through change, facilitated courses from FranklinCovey, taught Behavior Interviewing and Working in and with Diverse Cultures Workshops. He has taught engineering and business courses at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and UCCS; including Engineering Economics, Managing IT, Principles of Marketing, International Marketing and Business and Marketing Strategy and Policy. Following his retirement, he and his wife spent 2 years in England, 18 months in Malaysia, and 12 months in Alaska doing volunteer work for their church.

Since 1988, Pat has been involved with national carriers, international brokers, retail agencies, and consulting firms. Some of Pat’s expertise includes being an underwriter, account executive, client manager, and sales and marketing expert in the area of property and casualty. She takes a risk management approach to each client’s unique exposure to loss. Pat is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) with a commitment to continuing professional development and adherence to a code of ethics and holds Associate of Risk Management (ARM) and Associate of Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) designations.

She is currently a Certified Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center. Pat has actively volunteered with both Colorado Springs Together and Black Forest Together, assisting with homeowners and business insurance-related claims connected with the fires. At the SBDC, Pat performs insurance audits on existing programs and makes recommendations in areas of insurance and risk management. Additionally, Pat is a Loss Control Representative with York Risk Services, performing safety inspections on behalf of major insurance carriers. Her territory of operation is all of Southern Colorado.