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Arti O鈥橞rien was three decades into a successful career in business development in the high-tech sector, but found she still wanted more. Specifically, she wanted to be an entrepreneur and have an opportunity to coach and mentor young professionals.

鈥淯nfortunately, I didn鈥檛 have mentors until later in my career and I wanted to give back to younger people because mentorship truly benefitted me and my career,鈥� she said.

To that end, O鈥橞rien purchased AGS nearly five years ago from the woman who established the company in Tacoma in 2003. AGS provides end-to-end traffic control and road safety services on roadway construction projects across Washington, and recently has expanded into Oregon. AGS is both a federal and state certified DBE and WBE in Oregon and Washington.

O鈥橞rien said it was humbling to make the transition from high tech to construction and the learning curve, particularly the government side of things, was steep. However, at the core, the discipline that she honed working in high tech fit seamlessly with her role as owner of a construction firm.

Among the changes she made early on was to convert the company from analog to digital. From creating electronic estimates to completing online WSDOT and ODOT Traffic Control Reports, and clocking into electronic timecards, AGS employees are helping to reduce paper and promote efficiency and sustainability in AGS鈥檚 operations.

O鈥橞rien also made a significant investment in buying new trucks, refreshing the company鈥檚 infrastructure, and launching a revamped website at www.advancedgovernmentservices.com. O鈥橞rien said that while none of the leadership team she built came to the company with a construction background, they all had the necessary education and entrepreneurial startup mentality.

AGS employs about 65 people, on average, and more during peak work seasons. A high percentage of employees are women, minorities and individuals who are being provided second chances.

Moreover, O鈥橞rien noted that relationships are crucial to her business. Capturing her beliefs, AGS鈥檚 mission is to be 鈥淐ustomer Obsessed, Employee Builder and a Risk Minimizer.鈥�

鈥淲e work in such a high-risk environment and safety must always be top of mind, so having the client鈥檚 trust is important,鈥� she said, adding those relationships extend to organizations such as NAMC-OR and the transportation departments in Oregon and Washington.

鈥淭hese key organizations are priceless because the relationships and connections you make there are amazing. They can be your cheerleaders and influencers. They can do a lot,鈥� she said.

O鈥橞rien is of East Indian descent and was born and raised in East Africa. She lived in Tanzania during Idi Amin鈥檚 reign and even though he was located in Uganda he attacked Tanzania, forcing her family to flee.

鈥淚 was one of the fortunate ones who was able to immigrate to London. I went to school there, then I came to the States,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 believe being brought up in a Third World country, you don鈥檛 take anything for granted. You always have to fight for everything. Absolutely everything.鈥�

As O鈥橞rien lives her dream of being an entrepreneur, she takes delight in the day-to-day aspects of running her business. 鈥淓very day brings something new from every aspect of this business. Nothing is routine and that鈥檚 what is exciting. Managing each customer鈥檚 expectation as to how they want us to perform means every day is different and an opportunity for AGS to continue to improve and grow.鈥�