When you start looking for a new job or a place to further your career, the process is always the same: you submit your resume, they review it, and then they decide whether or not to “give” you an interview. You have to wade through the entire process before you really get to hear what a company is like—and more importantly, why the people who work there, decided to work there. Shouldn’t you have some of the same power too? The ability to evaluate us in greater detail up-front?
We wanted to give you the opportunity to “interview” some of our employees. We selected a cross-section of people, with different backgrounds and at different stages of their careers, and then we asked them to answer several of the questions we hear most when we interview potential employees. They responded as candidly as possible.
No editors, no guidance—just their words, in their own words.
- Perry Pockros: 22 Years of Experience, Based in the DC Office
- Matthew Hochstein: 11 Years of Experience, Based in Washington, DC
- Katie Freeman: 5 Years of Experience, Based in the DC Office
Perry J. Pockros
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Professional Experience:
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What attracted you to the public sector?
For more than 25 years, I have harbored an occupational passion for public sector problem solving. I got hooked in my sophomore year at Wesleyan University, when as part of the curriculum on the state legislative process, I undertook an internship with the Connecticut State Legislature, and came under the wing of the then Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee, who became an early life mentor. All of this exposure has anchored my public sector passion—setting a policy agenda, understanding, navigating, and coalescing political stakeholders, figuring out how to administer and manage public operations, both domestic and international, while helping public agencies demonstrate relevance and results.
What attracted you to Hagerty?
Hagerty offered me the opportunity to leverage my business development and client delivery leadership skills I learned from my prior global consulting firm positions, to broaden and grow the firm’s federal sector presence. The firm has an exceptional track record in delivering results for its clients; its professionals have helped the U.S. Government address unanticipated, complex, and politically visible challenges; it has demonstrable capabilities to help tackle emerging and urgent public sector problems; and it partners with some of nation’s top-tier professional service firms. With this combination of attributes, I found Hagerty to be the right platform to take off on my new career.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I always see things as the glass is half-full, not half-empty. During the next decade, I see Hagerty growing into a highly respected and sought after public sector professional services firm known for its agility, insight, and cadre of professional talent. My role is to cement the building blocks for the firm’s trajectory—from honing an integrated business development process, employing new consulting approaches, to providing leadership on select, highly demanding engagements. I believe we have a large portfolio of exciting projects that support the continued transformation of the way government delivers services and solves problems.
Why would you encourage someone to apply to and join Hagerty?
Our professionals purposefully seek to increase both the quality of public sector service delivery and the positive perception of government. We are deliberate in recruiting and engaging individuals who share this passion and commitment and who have the depth and breadth of skills and knowledge to maintain the distinct reputation the firm has earned. And in doing all this, we always maintain a healthy sense of humor.
Education:
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Professional Experience:
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What attracted you to the public sector?
As a government major at Wesleyan University, I received an educational foundation in government and policy. Upon graduation, I accepted an offer to work for a public sector consulting firm specializing in creating efficiencies for state Medicaid programs. Through dialogue with my clients, I gained insight to how the firm’s work improved state government fiscal management and the political ramifications of helping to save tax dollars. Politics has always been an interest of mine and public sector consulting allows me to solve problems that have an impact on political decisions and that impact is what gets me out of bed each morning.
What attracted you to Hagerty?
Hagerty offers me the opportunity to work with one of the most complex clients in the world – the United States Government. In addition, I was attracted to Hagerty’s overall youth as a consulting firm and the ability to make an immediate impact on projects with my skill set while also maintaining a voice in the strategic development of the firm. With Hagerty’s expanding client portfolio, I feel that my consulting background, change management experience, and business training can be maximized while still facing daily challenges that help me grow personally and professionally.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Spending a majority of my youth playing sports, I became very goal oriented. As my professional career has developed, the tendency to set lofty goals has not waned. In the next ten years, I see myself continuing to lead successful projects and helping to establish Hagerty as a leader in the public sector space. Hopefully, my track record over this time span will instill enough confidence in Hagerty’s senior leadership to entrust me to develop and lead a practice area and a team of consultants in a field such as Change Management. Personally, I see myself happily married to my wife and continuing our passion for travel. I’m also not sure that I am done with my educational pursuit and anticipate obtaining another graduate degree as my professional interests develop.
Why would you encourage someone to apply to and join Hagerty?
Hagerty offers employees the unique opportunity to immediately shape clients through project work and the firm’s organizational structure through dialogue with senior leaders. Hagerty consultants can expect to handle complex issues that our clients entrust us to solve while also providing input to the firm’s strategic plan. If you are a leader and are looking to make an immediate impact at a growing firm where the intellectual capacity of your colleagues will challenge you to seek solid conclusions in problem solving, then Hagerty is a great place to start or continue a career.
Education:
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Professional Experience:
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What attracted you to the public sector?
I have always been drawn to work where I can see a lasting benefit to my community and the world around me. As a youth, I participated in many community service projects, and my subsequent experiences and education have cemented my passion for continuing service through my work. My studies at Chatham University, in the Public Policy and International Affairs Program, and then at the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University enlightened me to a way I could turn this passion into a career that I find fulfilling and meaningful each and every day. Working with the public sector provides me the opportunity to continue learning about our government, while working alongside like-minded individuals to improve our government and the services it provides for all citizens.
What attracted you to Hagerty?
After beginning my career at GAO, I began exploring consulting as a potential next step due to the fast paced work environment, where every day presented new, diverse, and stimulating challenges. However, I wanted to work for a company that was as committed to serving the public sector as it was providing high-quality services to clients. I found what I was looking for in Hagerty Consulting - a firm that is truly committed to public sector excellence and whose values of innovation, integrity, teamwork, and excellence I could wholeheartedly support. What also attracted me about Hagerty, and what continues to impress me about this company, is that as we continue to grow in size all employees are provided an opportunity to contribute to the firm’s growth in meaningful ways. For example, we have workgroups around specific topics such as professional development where we are invited to participate and implement changes to policy. We have monthly conference calls where Associates and Managing Associates present on their individual projects. And we have several company-sponsored retreats during the year where we share ways to improve the company and apply the same skills we provide to our client projects to affect changes internally in order to make Hagerty a truly excellent place to be.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself continuing public sector consulting, becoming a trusted member of the project management team, and successfully leading large projects and diverse teams in the emergency management sphere. I also see myself contributing more time to business development activities. I anticipate that by then I will have obtained my Associate Emergency Manager Certification and Project Management Professional certification as well. I also anticipate that I will be indulging in other interests – such as pursuing another advanced degree in a quantitative field, and cultivating some of my more creative pursuits.
Why would you encourage someone to apply to and join Hagerty?
First, I would encourage someone to consider Hagerty because we are a passionate, motivated, and growing organization where every team member has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact for our public sector clients. As an example, my colleague David Ledet, Managing Associate, is currently leading a team to test and evaluate alternative housing units for displaced households to use following disasters in a way that is safe, affordable, sustainable, and maximizes livability to the household. Next, I would tell someone that at Hagerty, we strive to accept each challenge presented to us by our projects, and exceed the expectations of our clients. We are a collection of people who strive for excellence in all that we do. Finally, I would emphasize to that person how often I laugh and smile each day. Though our work is challenging, I work with an amazing group of individuals and truly enjoy their company and energy, making each day fulfilling and enjoyable. If this seems like an environment you could be interested in, I would encourage you to apply to be a part of the Hagerty Team.