A View Into Geneca’s Past

The custom software industry has a long standing reputation as being unpredictable when it comes to meeting project objectives. Knowing the marketplace craved a more predictable development process, Geneca co-founders Mark Hattas and Joel Basgall made it their mission to raise the bar on how software projects are delivered.

Their vision of a company based on the principles of making and honoring commitments, service attitude, and accountability is now a reality. Today, Geneca is a trusted technology partner to many Fortune 1000 companies and a destination workplace for IT professionals.

1998

• Co-founders Mark Hattas and Joel Basgall launch Geneca with a Y2K staffing project

1999

• Geneca quickly moves from a technology focus to a more client value driven strategy
• Geneca gains significant new business and adds its first anchor account
• Doors open to Geneca’s first office (a 2-bedroom apartment in Naperville, Illinois)
• The first hires are official — an IT recruiter and sales person

2000

• Geneca staff grows to 12 people
• First “real” office opens in Downers Grove, Illinois

2001

• Geneca continues to expand staff and service offerings, including Java and QA
• Client recognition begins for predictability and delivering value

2002

• Transition from IT Staffing to project-based custom software development begins
• First Project Manager is hired
• Proprietary development engine, Virtual Foundation, is introduced
• Best practices around risk management begin to take shape

2003

• Office space is expanded to accommodate rapidly growing staff

2004

• First Marketing Executive is hired
• Market strategy around project risk management is formalized
• First multi-million dollar project is won
• A period of high growth begins

2005

• Pace for winning large custom software development projects heat up
• Marketplace likes risk management practices and strong growth continues

2006

• Geneca moves into its corporate headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
• Microsoft Gold certification is achieved for the first time

2007

• Geneca hires Bob Zimmerman as Vice President/Managing Director
• Bob Introduces Getting Predictable, Geneca’s signature service, to the market
• Geneca makes the Inc. 5000 list for the first time … coming in at #896 nationally
• Geneca becomes one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Places to Work – the first of many workplace awards

2008

• Geographic expansion begins with first major project outside of Midwest
• Geneca University is established to enhance the professional development of employees
• Geneca makes the Inc. 5000 list for the second time … coming in at #1320 nationally
• Geneca listed as one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Places to Work for the second time

2009

• Getting Predictable continues to gain market acceptance and becomes a powerful competitive differentiator for Geneca
• Geneca growth outpaces the economic downturn
• Geneca makes the Inc. 5000 list for the third time … coming in at #1482 nationally
• Geneca listed as one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Places to Work for the third time

2010

• Geneca positions itself for healthy growth by improving operational infrastructure and refining organizational development practices
• Geneca makes the Inc. 5000 list for the fourth time … coming in at #3585 nationally
• Geneca listed as one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Places to Work for the fourth time

2011