Rodney Evans CEO Skyline

COVER STORY

By Nisa Islam Muhammad

While other businesses are issuing layoff notices and downsizing in the face of a gloomy economy, Skyline Connections, Inc., is enjoying a rapid rate of development. In five short years, SKYLINE has grown from zero billing to $18 million in sales last year.

Rodney Evans created the New York - based corporation to assist corporations, government agencies, and public institutions by applying and extending the use of technology in their organizations. Skyline's fully certified staff delivers and services all major computer systems as well as thousands of peripherals and supplies.

From the outset, Skyline wanted to be set apart from the rest of the pack. The group had a plan to not be just a run-of-the-mill IT company - providing services that could be found anywhere.

Putting the customer first helps distinguish this Information Technology (IT) company form a growing crowd of competitors. "We are customer driven," explains Mr. Evans. "Skyline Connections, Inc. can work with a client and provide all their IT needs. Our company pays attention to the details as well as the overall project for client satisfaction."

"Our real strength is working closely with our clients as co-workers to plan and monitor purchasing, delivery and installment procedures. We use our own technology expertise and resources to track and provide management information reports in order to ensure program success."

Minding My Own Business

When Mr. Evans began in IT, starting his own business was the farthest thing from his mind. From one company to the next, he developed skills and honed his talents as a businessman, receiving company bonuses and honors that propelled his career to ever-higher levels.

Starting a business can be a daunting if not harrowing experience. Under Mr. Evan's leadership, Skyline avoided many of the typical pitfalls by assembling a team of professionals with more than 20 years of continuous experience in hardware, networking, programming, systems integrations, and consulting services.

While Skyline eventually received its first line of credit from Fleet Bank, Mr. Evans first utilized personal funds in financing his dream. "My start-up money came from the determination of owning my own business through savings and the generosity of supportive family and friends."

For many fledgling minority and women entrepreneurs, securing federal contracts is the first order of business. In keeping with its commitment to be different, Skyline went the opposite route - pursuing commercial contracts. Their first clients were the brokerage houses of Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley.

"For Morgan Stanley and Company, Inc., we supplied computers and supplies to their offices and personnel on a national basis. We also operate with them on an open purchase order for shipments and maintain an efficient cost center reporting system with comparisons and rankings for purchasing department reporting."

A Satisfied Client is the Best Advertisement

Landing the afore-mentioned powerhouses was just the beginning. Buoyed by his initial achievement, Mr. Evans knew that consistently providing top-notch service would be their formula for continued and even greater success.

"Our company has grown because of the unique blend of talents and commitment to be responsible leaders, advisors, and suppliers of technology solutions to our clients. We realize that every product and service purchased from Skyline is purchase for a purpose."

"We are proud of the fact that so many of our customers, from brokerage houses to museums consider Skyline as an extension of their in-house staff, and rely on us for innovative technology and applications support."

Lockheed Martin joined the ranks of happy clients after Skyline provided its usual quality of unmatched service. "They needed computers and printers installed. We also customized workstations for specialized networks established security features to ensure the network stability."

Lockheed Martin appears to be a very satisfied customer. For the past two years, Skyline has received the Lockheed Martin Small Business of the Year Award. Always the record-setter, Skyline is the first business to have received this award two consecutive years - 1999 and 2000.

The first year, Mr. Evans was very surprised to get the award and he was astounded when Lockheed Martin again recognized his company's work. "We were very happy to have received this award for the past two years. We are committed to providing services that command the attention of well established companies like Lockheed Martin."

Fortune 1000 companies are not the only clients Skyline has. Their clientele include the American Red Cross; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New York City Police Department; Con-Edison; US Clearing Corporation; and The Brooklyn Museum of Art.

When Woodhull Medical Center in New York needed help purchasing computer equipment, they turned to Skyline. "I can rely on them to deliver my equipment in a timely manner. They are speedy with quotes and their customer service is excellent," says Sheila Charles, Coordinating Manager for Management Information Services at Woodhull.

Lifting Others

Even though launching SKYLINE provided a way for Mr. Evans to bring his economic standing in line with his business acumen, he is using his gains to help others. Skyline hires women from New York City's welfare-to-work program, as well as single mothers. "We offer them extensive training so they can develop skills. They work successfully from sales to office support," says Mr. Evans.

The company has also donated computers to community service organizations such as the Northside Center, a children's clinic providing comprehensive, high quality mental health and educational services. "I went to Mr. Evans and told him the children at Northside Center for Child Development needed computers. We help kids with serious emotional programs. We're a home-based crisis intervention group," explains Jessica Mahones.

"Computers were not new to our children, but I was confident that having one of their own would do wonders for them. I explained all of this to Mr. Evans and he donated computers to our program. He even services them if we have any problems. The donation was very well received and the children love them," says Ms. Mahones.

Educate to Excellence

Having established a solid footing in the IT industry, Skyline is ready to implement its next growth strategy. "We want to remain strong in our commercial front and begin to expand into other ventures," says Mr. Evans. "The small business is the backbone of the American industry. I have the ability to change, shift gears, and be flexible with my clients."

Mr. Evans' advice to other entrepreneurs - "Work hard, persevere, and educate yourself to excellence."

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