IT Company Finds Success in St. Petersburg Technological Hub

PVM, Inc. of Pinellas County

Since a young age, Pat Mack, Founder and CEO of PVM, has had an interest in computers and technology so when the Navy offered him the opportunity to attend graduate school to study information technology (IT), he jumped at the opportunity, leading him to eventually start his own IT business.

During his time in graduate school, Mack fell in love with the tech space all over again, especially since there are so many problems to solve within the field. “I’m a junkie when it comes to technology and it really allows me to satisfy a lot of my personal desires to work on relevant problems but also to help in areas where there is tremendous need for the services we provide,” he said.

Since starting PVM in California, Mack and his team have been successfully helping businesses analyze their data effectively. When he decided to move the business from the Golden state to the Sunshine state, he knew he would need some guidance to keep the momentum going.  

Once moved to St. Peterburg, Mack said, “one of the first calls I made was to PTAC and one of the first persons I spoke with was Yolanda at PTAC and to be brutally honest, I had no idea of the breadth and depth of the services they provided.” Once connected with the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED), Mack was paired with procurement specialist, Yolanda Goodloe, for help with business growth strategies, 8(a) certification assistance, and government contracting services.

Since working with the Florida PTAC at PCED and Goodloe, Mack says that he has seen growth within the business as well as in the number of opportunities that continue landing at their doorstep. “Our business has increased 30 percent in the last twelve months,” he said. “I’m a member of probably one of the most innovative tech spaces within the region, in the St. Petersburg Maritime Technology and Defense Hub. All of that was enabled by my relationship with PTAC.”

He also credits Cowart for her help in finding PVM’s new home at the Maritime Technology and Defense Hub, where the business has been able to flourish and gain partnerships. “I’ve been able to participate in opportunities in our business area that we would have not been able to engage in – work that we do with the Foundation for Health of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Schools, the mayor’s office. All of that local impact came out of that relationship,” Mack added.

He also says that with the help received from Cowart and the team at Pinellas County, his business was able to receive their 8(a) certification in March 2023, although it was not an easy task.

“To be brutally honest, we applied earlier in our process and weren’t ready and it took the consultants at the PTAC to really advise us, like, hey, it’s a 9-year window, you only get to do it once in life so make sure you are absolutely prepared to do that, and I think we are,” Mack said.

When asked about the company’s biggest success, Mack didn’t hesitate to point out that their biggest success is the fact that they can positively affect their community. “What we measure success by is the impact we make on the economics of the people in the community that we serve. We’ve been here, as part of The Hub, for about 12 months, and in that time, we’ve hired nearly a dozen folks in and around the area. As a small business owner, you’re only as good as the talent and the community and the culture that you’re able to create,” he said.

Moving forward, he says his relationship with the Florida PTAC at PCED will continue to grow just as much as his company continues to grow. “Our journey is a continuum, and my plan is to continue to engage with the Florida PTAC, Pinellas County Economic Development, along that journey. It’s not a one and done for us. It is an enduring relationship where we will continue to grow as the opportunities in the region grow and we’ll continue to participate in all of the programs that are not just available to our company, but to other companies,” he added.

His advice to other small business owners encourages entrepreneurs to reach out to the Florida PTAC at PCED for help. “Embrace it, put your ego aside,” he said. “Every day that you’re a business owner you have the opportunity to learn, enhance your capabilities, and grow. You don’t have to do this alone. Folks are there and they are willing to help you achieve all of your business goals. It is not easy, but you are not alone.”