FLORIDA TODAY, Business Spotlight: Valeo Networks

Wayne T. Price , FLORIDA TODAY 9:29 a.m. ET Feb. 17, 2017

Owner: Travis Mack
Address: 1006 Pathfinder Way, Rockledge
Phone: 321-848-0340
One the Web: Saalexit.com

Describe your business: With more than 30 years of Information Technology industry expertise, Valeo Networks is a seasoned information technology services and solutions company that provides fixed price managed IT services, including monitoring, maintenance and support to businesses in Southern California and Central Florida. Valeo Networks services the Department of Defense, as well as a wide variety of small and medium-sized businesses across the United States.

What’s your professional background? Prior to launching Saalex in 1999, I served in the U.S. Navy and held senior technology management positions with Homestore.com and Modis IT Consulting. I am a proud member of the Southern California Aerospace Professionals, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the United Way Board of Directors, Ventura County, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast Board of Directors, CareerSource Brevard Board of Directors and the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

I am now providing hands-on executive leadership that encompasses strategy and long-term initiative direction for Saalex Solutions and have been doing so for more than 17 years.

Your business philosophy: Surround yourself with good, competent people, deliver guidance, then get out of the way.

Biggest challenge: One of our biggest challenges has been diversifying the business to ensure continued growth. We are now focused on expanding the range of our products and services in markets that truly need us – for example – we expanded into Central Florida (from Southern California) because there was a significant need there for growing SMBs. However, we make sure, during these expansions, to continue concentrating on delivering our core capabilities with excellence.

Proudest moment as a businessperson: When I was awarded 2015 Small Business Administration Small Business Person of the Year; When I was able to invest in the company’s IT infrastructure; When I expanded the company nationwide.

Business advice: Behind every successful person is a team. My success did not happen by accident. Not only should you work hard to build a cohesive, goal-oriented great team, but also you should take advantage of the many various programs offered to your business by numerous organizations designed to help small businesses.

What’s next? What are your future plans for your business? Saalex will focus on strategic targets and leveraging the small business arena for as long as we can. We will develop out IT capabilities and diversify into commercial markets.

Have a suggestion for the Business Spotlight? Contact Wayne T. Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.