A Message From Tom Portlock
Greetings and welcome to our latest edition of The Journey!
At the company’s latest Senior Leader offsite, our CEO, Matt Kasberg, kicked things off by discussing the continued growth of the organization and how 2025 has been a transformative year. Similarly, Kevin Connolly wrote in his August ALCON about “Growth Creating Opportunity.” One particular passage, “Odyssey is at its best when people across the company feel empowered to step forward because they see a need and believe they can help,” resonated with me profoundly, and what you’ll read in the content that follows exemplifies this point precisely: Odyssey’s best making a difference for their customers, the company, and their community!
Within the Group Highlights and Employee Achievements sections, we provide a glimpse into the tremendous work being accomplished in support of our customers. You can read about the company’s Strategic Plan in News & Awards, and learn how our Aviation team in Dayton, OH is supporting its’ local community in Behind the Scenes. I know you will all come away from your time reading these sections with a better appreciation for all of the great people who make Odyssey great.
When I joined Odyssey 24 years ago, we were a fledgling company of 35 employees concentrated at Hanscom AFB, MA. Not only had we not yet found “our groove”, we didn’t even know what it was supposed to be, but we had faith we would figure it out… and we did! Today, we are 1500 employees strong, a 7-time Inc 5000 recipient, and twice named part of the Washington Technology Top 100. We have diversified from Tactical Data Links and Airspace Management systems to Aviation Mission Systems, C2ISR, Cyber, Networks, Life Sciences, Nuclear Deterrence, and Space & Missile Defense.
Together we have achieved so much, and I know the best is yet to come!
That being said, it is time for me to call it a career and pass the torch to Matt & Kevin to lead Odyssey going forward. I’ve known for some time that they are both perfectly suited to lead the company into the future and pursue our 5-year plan. I continue to be so impressed with them both, which makes my decision to officially announce my retirement at year’s end a bit easier.
I thank you all for your support, comradery, and friendship throughout this incredible journey, and I wish you all health, happiness and success moving forward. I know you will continue to achieve greatness!
With gratitude—
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Words to Live By:
“Try and leave this world a little better than when you found it.”
―Robert Baden-Powell
Join us on September 17th for 3RD Thursday!
This month’s 3RD Thursday All Hands will feature a presentation by Odyssey’s external marketing partner, Gladius. They’ll share the 2025 Odyssey Corporate Message Guidance, walking us through Version 1 of the updated messaging architecture and rollout plan—an important step in aligning how we talk about Odyssey moving forward. Don’t miss it!
Please remember to join 3rd Thursday Virtual Community Meetings every month—we highlight company news and a different part of our business on a rotating basis. Invitations for all 2025 3rd Thursday sessions are on your Odyssey calendar.
At the end of each 3rd Thursday session, Odyssey’s Executive Leadership Team will answer questions from team members—you can submit your questions using the button below.