The Baltimore Business Journal ranked Applied Development in their 2018 Book of Lists. In recognition of this accomplishment, the BBJ invited CEO Kimberly Citizen and COO Biffrey Braxton to the 2019 Book of Lists Gala (https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/01/25/scenes-from-the-2019-book-of-lists-gala.html). Applied Development ranked as #20 on the Baltimore Business Journals List of Largest Veteran-Owned Businesses in Greater Baltimore.
Each year, the Baltimore Business Journal Book of Lists features the leaders of Baltimore business. The Book of Lists provides rankings for privately and publicly held companies, as well as nonprofits. This year’s gala theme was ” A View from the Top,” a reflection on the attendees and the location. The invite-only event brought together hundreds of top business owners, politicians, and influencers at the Four Seasons Baltimore Hotel. Attendees included a broad section of Baltimore’s industries, from finance to education to energy to construction. As one of the largest veteran-owned businesses, Applied Development is in company with heavy equipment retailer Alban CAT and government IT contractor governmentCIO.
Kimberly Citizen co-founded Applied Development in 2011 after devoting a career to serving the U.S. Federal government. That career began in the United States Army, where she received numerous awards and citations for her service. She leveraged her experience in the Army and applied that knowledge when she entered the private sector as a government contractor. Before starting Applied Development, she successfully managed programs valued at over $650M. At Applied Development, Kimberly applies her expertise to provide strategy, leadership, and development.
Recognizing and supporting veteran-owned businesses is growing. Historically, veterans have faced some of the highest unemployment in the country. However, it was not until the early 1980s that the government started supporting veteran-owned businesses with targeted programs. Recently, unemployment for veterans has decreased, which some analysts attribute to the growth of small businesses started by veterans. Military service inherently teaches entrepreneurship. Service members learn how to manage teams under stress, meet deadlines, and how to master logistics. Today, over 2.5 million businesses in the United States qualify as veteran-owned. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers specific grants and funding for veteran-owned businesses and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers training and support for veterans who want to start their own business. Like small businesses, veteran-owned businesses use their expertise to provide jobs and boost the economy. The government invests in our troops, providing training and support, and allowing veterans utilize that knowledge and skill provides a return on existing investment.
In addition to being a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Applied Development is a U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) certified business, a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business, and an Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).