[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 102 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 2016 INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SALES & BUSINESS 
           DEVELOPMENT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2016 recipients of 
the Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by the Institute for 
Excellence in Sales & Business Development (IES).
   IES was created to foster excellence in business sales and 
development practices and to help sales professionals and organizations 
maximize their efforts. IES conducts a variety of workshops and 
programs designed to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to 
advance the careers and growth of those who attend. Each year, IES 
recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the United 
States who demonstrate exemplary performance through leadership, risk 
taking, innovation, vision, and customer development. Awards are 
presented in categories including Excellence in Sales Innovation, 
Excellence in Sales Training, Excellence in Sales Management, 
Excellence in Customer Partnering, and Excellence in Strategic 
Alliances. In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards are bestowed to a 
select few who have demonstrated continued success and have made 
significant contributions in their fields.
   The recipients of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Awards are the 
founders and leaders of immixGroup, a government contract management 
firm based in McLean, Virginia in the heart of the 11th District. I am 
pleased to congratulate Art Richer, Steve Charles and Jeff Copeland on 
receiving this prestigious award.
   Mr. Richer currently serves as Vice-President, Arrow ECS. An 
accomplished sales and business development executive who has spent 
more than 25 years selling information technology products and services 
within the government sector, Mr. Richer has extensive experience 
working with technology manufacturers of all sizes, ranging very large 
and established companies to numerous high growth and emerging 
technology firms.
   Mr. Charles co-founded immixGroup in 1997. Over the past two decades 
he has helped hundreds of technology manufacturers succeed in the 
government marketplace. Mr. Charles is actively involved in government-
industry associations including TechAmerica, ACT-IAC, Coalition for 
Government Procurement, and the National Contract Management 
Association. A recognized expert in every dimension of the government 
technology ecosystem, he meets regularly with leaders in government and 
industry to increase understanding and positive action.
   Mr. Copeland began his career with immixGroup as co-founder of the 
company along with Mr. Charles. Beginning in 1997, he served as 
Chairman and CEO before transitioning to Executive Chairman in 2013. 
Mr. Copeland has earned a reputation for building and managing highly 
effective government teams that set records for revenue and 
profitability.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Art 
Richer, Steve Charles and Jeff Copeland for their innovative and 
effective leadership and in congratulating them on receiving the 2016 
IES Lifetime Achievement Awards.

                          ____________________