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Pyramid Services, Inc. makes the list

Laura Wilson, CEOIn recognition of the economic power of privately held businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nation’s leading business-to-business Internet site, recently named Pyramid Services as one of the top businesses in the United States.

This is the ninth annual listing of the nation’s top businesses by DiversityBusiness.com. With revenues ranging widely within each of the categories, the companies listed on the Top Business Lists represent the nation’s top multicultural earners and challenge the long-held notion that a privately held business is small or insignificant. Winners are sought after by major corporations wishing to increase spending with small businesses.

 “Entrepreneurs are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with,” said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that built DiversityBusiness.com. This is a whole business segment that can carry its own, that provides jobs, products and services, and generates wealth for their communities. These are the new leaders in American business.”

The List

The List is a classification that represents the top small businesses in the United States in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services. Large organizational buyers throughout the country that do business with multicultural, small, and women-owned businesses use The List. The List is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading multicultural B2B Internet portal that links large organizational buyers to multicultural product and service suppliers.

The winning companies will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com’s ninth annual Multicultural Business Conference, to be held on April 29–May 1, 2009, at the Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida.

This year, Pyramid Services has garnered five separate awards:

“I’m positively ecstatic over being named to so many of DiversityBuisiness.com’s award lists,” said Laura Wilson, Pyramid Services’ CEO and president. “It’s through the efforts of everyone in the company that Pyramid Services continues to be so well recognized. I’m really thankful to be able to work with such a great group of professionals.”

Flying high at Plant 42

Plant 42 signThe Production Flight Test Installation, better known as Plant 42, is located in Palm­dale, California. Home to the Los Angeles/Palmdale Regional Airport, Plant 42 is also the world’s preeminent aircraft production test facility, supporting many of the nation’s premier aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The installation supports depot-level maintenance and upgrade work for more than 20 different types of high performance aircraft.

The physical facility of Plant 42 encompasses two 12,000-foot runways and associated taxiways, as well as other base and contractor buildings and grounds. For more than nine years, Pyramid Services has provided the many support functions necessary to ensure the Production Flight Test Installation is operationally viable, secure, and properly maintained.

Pyramid Services, under our operations and maintenance contract at the Production Flight Test Installation, provides services that include airfield and maintenance support, telecommunications services, installation security, firefighting and rescue services, emergency medical services, engineering services, grounds maintenance pest control, janitorial services, and supply, warehouse and logistics services.

Security

The officers of Pyramid Services’ security force protection services are highly trained and dedicated to ensuring round-the-clock security and safety of the facility, assigned personnel, and collocated assets.

On several occasions, the officers stationed at the facility entry control points have intercepted and detained individuals trying to gain unauthorized entry onto the installation. In some instances, the detainees have been wanted by civilian law enforcement authorities.

Remember the recent bird strike that brought down an US Airways plane in New York? Plant 42’s Security Force is responsible for the installation’s Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH) program, ensuring that there are no birds in the area when airplanes are landing or departing Plant 42. To date, we have experienced no bird strikes at Plant 42. Great job, folks!

Maintenance

Plant 42 runwayPyramid Services’ maintenance department keeps Plant 42 in top form. From fence lines to airfield repairs, our technicians ensure that Plant 42 is safe and immaculate.

The maintenance department includes several functional shops providing support ranging from utilities and environmental maintenance to aircraft and airfield support services. The men and women in the maintenance department work diligently and tirelessly to ensure that the airfield is open and available around the clock.

For example, last December, their mettle was challenged when a rare snowstorm hit the Palmdale area. Snow fell for 36 hours, requiring the entire crew to band together in a snow control and removal effort to ensure that the airfield remained open. We’re proud to say that their efforts didn’t go unnoticed; they received high praise from the tenant organizations and the installation commander.

Supply

Airfield and facility maintenance is no easy feat; it could not be accomplished without the professional support of the men and women within our purchasing, supply and warehousing department. Nestled centrally within the common areas of Plant 42, the Pyramid Services supply department procures and stocks materials and parts — an annual value of more than $1,000,000 — to sustain the infrastructure, facilities, and assets of Plant 42.

Fire protection

Fire crash trainerPyramid Services is one of the few companies nationwide that provides aircraft fire rescue services. The Plant 42 fire department’s 24/7 operation enables the force to respond to a variety of emergencies in and around the common areas and contractor facilities. Our highly trained personnel are responsible for ensuring the safety of lives, property, and government assets on a daily basis.

In addition to on-site response, the Plant 42 fire department provides community emergency support through our mutual-aid agreements with the City of Palmdale and the City of Lancaster. During the past year, the Plant 42 fire department has responded to more than 50 emergencies and has been lauded by the Air Force Material Command for saving two lives.

Technology

Pyramid Services’ information technology (IT) department provides professional services including emergency and air-ground communications and the maintenance of networks and equipment.

Representing Aeronautical Systems Center, Detachment 1, the Pyramid Services IT department serves as liaison for Edwards AFB, the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Control Tower, and all flight production contractors housed in the facility.

During the recent Combat Information Transport System (CITS) project, the Pyramid Services IT department contributed significant infrastructure information, which enabled the government’s flawless implementation and completion of the CITS project.

In the community

The Pyramid Services Plant 42 workforce is committed to excellence not only on the site, but also in the community. We are widely involved with numerous community events. For example, many of our personnel coach basketball, soccer, and football, or they referee these and other sports.

Our people are also involved with many other youth and civic organizations. Many of our personnel are retired military members or current military reservists who take great pride in the services we provide in support of our country.

We are particularly proud of our involvement with the Salute to Youth Program and our Stuff a Bus Charity, which specifically benefit the young people in the areas adjacent to Plant 42 at the Air Force’s Production Flight Test Installation.