Jay Strickland began his business consulting in the area of web development while still attending NC State. Even in college he was an entrepreneur at heart. He graduated and went on to serve our nation in the Air Force for four years, ending his career there with the rank of Captain. During that time, he finally incorporated his technology business under the name, WingSwept in 2000. What began as a small computer-based consulting business with just one employee has grown to an ever-growing computer IT firm employing nearly 90 individuals that spans over five states. In 2021 Jay expanded the business by purchasing another company in Northern Virginia thereby adding to the employee and client base. WingSwept’s employees will tell of Jay’s acts of kindness and generosity that continue to attract talent even in the most difficult markets. We can proudly state that our entire development team are computer science graduates of NC State University. Attached you will find a list of many of select accomplishments and awards that he and his business have received over the years, which show his ever-growing dedication and commitment to providing a valuable resource to our community. As times change and the economy fluctuates, Jay has maintained a strategic vision for WingSwept. He has diversified its portfolio several times and we now have three distinct divisions that handle vastly different offerings (Application Development, Network/Managed Services, and Government Software Development). When the economy fell in 2009, Jay did not have to lay off any employees. He will attribute this to God's guidance for saving through the good years to withstand the lean ones. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Jay was ready to hold the line with the company in the same way. No employees were laid off. He even made sure that employees who could not work from home continued to receive a paycheck. As the company continues to grow, he strives to offer an environment that retains the best employees through benefits, culture, and ministry even across state boundaries. The company has grown year-after-year through revenue, profits, employee count, and culture. His employees love to work alongside him to make WingSwept a great business. Our mission statement has a bold declaration that we will honor God through our business activities and find ways to continue to minister to those around us both inside and outside the company. One way in which he gives back locally can be seen in the establishment of the Carol Miller Scholarship program in 2009 that honors his beloved mentor from NC State University. Keeping in line with his mission statement, WingSwept allocates a percentage of top line revenue each month that is given away to local charitable organizations in the Raleigh area as well as the local areas surrounding the office in Virginia. His commitment to providing for others stems from his sincere belief that God owns it all and we are just stewards of His blessings. Jay is a phenomenal leader and an example to those around him both professionally and personally. 2023- #1 Medium-sized Employer – Triangle Best Places to Work- WingSwept became an employee owned company adopting an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) whereby employees receive ownership shares over time2022• 2022 Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina – Best Companies Group• Channel Futures MSP 501• Fast 50• Inc. 5000 List2021• #1 Medium-Sized Employer in the Triangle – 2021 Best Employers in North Carolina – Business North Carolina• Triangle Business Journal Best Places to Work• Channel Futures MSP 501• Fast 50• Inc. 5000 List• Virginia Best Places to Work – Virginia Business2020• #1 Medium-Sized Employer in the Triangle – 2020 Best Employers in North Carolina – Business North Carolina• Triangle Business Journal Best Places to Work• Inc. 5000 List2019• C12 Member of the Year• Inc. Best Workplaces 2019• #1 Medium-Sized Company – Triangle Business Journal Best Places to Work• 2019 Best Employers in North Carolina – Business North Carolina• Channel Futures MSP 5012018• Inc. Best Workplaces 2018• Inc. 5000 List• Channel Futures MSP 501 2018 Winner• 20 Best Companies To Work For In Raleigh – Zippia2017• C12 Member of the Year• Inc. 5000 List• 20 Best Companies To Work For In Raleigh – Zippia• MSPmentor 501: 2017 Edition2016 Awards• Inc. 5000 List• Best Places to Work, Triangle Business Journal2015 Awards• Pinnacle Business Steady Growth and Profitability, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce• Inc. 5000 List• Best Places to Work, Triangle Business Journal• Partner of the Year, Datto2014 Awards• Pinnacle Business Steady Growth and Profitability, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce• Inc. 5000 List• Best Places to Work, Triangle Business Journal2013 Awards• Best Places to Work (Triangle Business Journal)• First Citizens Bank Exceptional Customer Experience Award -Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce• CAi's Ovation Award for HR Excellence• Inc. 5000 List (Inc. Magazine)2012 Awards• Inc. 5000 List (Inc. Magazine)• MSPmentor 250, 2012 Edition• F&D Huebner Entrepreneurial Award for 16-50 Employees (Garner Chamber of Commerce)2011 Awards• Wachovia/Wells Fargo Integrity in Business Award (Garner Chamber of Commerce)• Mover & Shaker (Business Leader Media)• Sir Walter Raleigh, Excellence in Communication Award, Bang for the Buck Events (Raleigh Public Relations Society)• Inc. 5000 List (Inc. Magazine)• Top 300 Small Businesses in the South (Business Leader Media)• Top 50 Entrepreneur Award (Business Leader Media)• Member of the Year (Heartland Technology Groups)• Group of the Year (Heartland Technology Groups)2010 Awards• Cover Story of ChannelPro Magazine (June Issue)• Citizen Choice for Business Award (Garner Citizen)• Triangle Top Entrepreneur Award (Business Leader Media)• Excellence in Partnering Award (Heartland Technology Groups)• Top 100 NC Small Business Award (Business Leader Media)• Award of Excellence (NC Public Relations Society of America)• Jones Insurance Agency Steady Growth and Achievement Award (Garner Chamber of Commerce)• Green Action Program of the Year (Triangle Business Journal)• Top 50 Entrepreneur Award (Business Leader Media)2009 Awards• Established the Carol Miller Scholarship • Top 100 NC Small Business Award (Business Leader Media)• Mover & Shaker (Business Leader Media)• 40 Under 40 Award (Triangle Business Journal)• Customer Service Award Finalist (North Carolina Technology Association)2008 Awards• Best Places to Work (Triangle Business Journal)