Meet Dave Baxter
Occupation: General Manager, Louisiana
Organization: Sparkhound
BRAC Involvement: Chair of the Tech Sector Executives Working Group, Legislative Committee Member, previous Member of the Business Development Advisory Council
What does your organization do?
With multiple locations throughout the United States, Sparkhound is dedicated to enabling its clients’ businesses through thought leadership and digital engagements. For 20 years, Sparkhound’s consultants have provided experience, insights, and digital capabilities to ensure impactful business outcomes. Whether you seek to embrace the cloud, develop custom applications, leverage advanced analytics, manage the enterprise, or implement service delivery, Sparkhound’s technology experts join your team to plan, build and run lasting business solutions. Simply put: we are smart and unpretentious.
What are some advantages of being located/doing business in the Capital Region?
As the home to the Louisiana state government, the Baton Rouge Area is a perfect location for a company like Sparkhound because of our focus on both public sector and private sector businesses. We have been partnering with State government in Louisiana for nearly 20 years, focusing our efforts on building solutions that help the citizens of Louisiana. Additionally, because we are involved in policy discussions through BRAC and other associations, access to the legislature is essential as we attempt to be nimble and available to our representatives to provide subject matter expertise relative to the technology industry.
Why did you decide to invest in BRAC?
There are few organizations whose sole purpose is to champion the Capital Region to entities outside our area, and BRAC’s contribution to this effort is above reproach. BRAC’s economic development initiatives have made a lasting impact, and they are not slowing down anytime soon. Additionally, BRAC’s belief in helping foster relationships amongst member organizations has opened doors for us at Sparkhound.
What would you say to companies contemplating joining BRAC?
Joining BRAC is a must for any growth-oriented organization who wants to connect with like-minded professionals and contribute to the Capital Region’s success. As a member of BRAC, we have developed relationships that have led to double-digit growth each year via partnerships and opportunities. Additionally, we have had a voice in the development of STEM-related curriculum for our local high schools and universities, which helps to position Sparkhound as an employer of choice in the future.
What do you anticipate for your company in the next five years? For the Capital Region?
As the technology landscape evolves at a blistering pace, Sparkhound’s focus on where the industry is headed gives our customers a resource to help them plan their business and IT strategy with the future in mind. Our solutions will continue to evolve; however, the one thing that does not change is the soul of Sparkhound. We will maintain a fierce commitment to excellent customer experience, driving business value, and being a trusted partner to our customers as well as our employees. With this focus, Sparkhound plans to grow and expand both within the Capital Region as well as opening new offices around the country.BRAC is an investor-driven organization leading economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area. BRAC’s investor base includes small businesses, midsize firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as other individuals and organizations.
Each month, BRAC highlights one of its investors in the Investor Spotlight. To learn more about becoming an investor, visit the Join BRAC page or schedule a meeting with BRAC’s Investor Development and Relations team.