Diana Lewis Jackson, president and CEO of Action Facilities Management Inc. in Morgantown, is the youngest of seven children and the first in her family to graduate from college.
“My Dad only had a third grade education,” Jackson said during a recent interview in her Malone Drive headquarters. “He wanted to make sure I went further than him.”
Well, she did.
Today, Jackson owns and runs Action Facilities Management Inc., a minority-owned, woman-owned certified small business specializing in government and commercial facilities management. With revenue of more than $30 million, and more than 400 employees in 11 states and Washington, D.C., AFM provides a full spectrum of integrated facilities management, infrastructure and security support services and core competencies in facility operations, and maintenance, construction, administrative support services and emergency management.
“When you’re able to add to the economy, it doesn’t get any better,” she said.
Jackson, a Clarksburg native, who has a degree in accounting and banking from Fairmont State University, came to Morgantown to take a job with a finance company.
“I was a single mother with two small kids too.”
Jackson was eventually recruited by K-Ray Inc., a small Morgantown company which did a lot of government contracting work. There, Jackson found her niche.
“I had to read a lot about the business,” she said.
That was a good thing too. Shortly after starting at K-Ray, the owner developed health problems and needed to step away. He offered Jackson some of the company’s contracts.
From there, Jackson secured work with NIOSH and the Department of Energy, and in 2001, Jackson started AFM.
“I had to think of a name that allows the customer to focus on the mission, a one-stop shop,” she said.
Going strong after two decades
These days AFM is doing work in 11 states, including Washington, D.C., where it has an office that’s run by Jackson’s son, Donald Hill. AFM also has an office in Pasadena, Calif.
“He likes doing a lot of business development,” Jackson said of her son. Her daughter, Stephanie Hill, works for the Department of Justice.
Most of AFM’s business – 80% – comes from the government, while the remainder are from private companies. Some of the places where AFM has worked or is working include federal buildings, defense installations, airports, hospitals, schools, and data training centers. AFM also provides janitorial and security guard services.
“My motto is inspect what you expect.”
Jackson is quick to credit much of her business success to the U.S. Small Business Administration. In fact, she is a graduate of SBA’s 8(a) Program and was its 8(a) graduate of the Year in 2016 and 2013 West Virginia Small Business Person of the Year.
And just last month, Jackson received a national honor when she was named the SBA’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year for her work in federal contracting.
“Diana’s track record speaks for itself,” said SBA West Virginia District Director Karen Friel. “She continually sees the benefit of working with SBA, through our program support, and we are honored to be part of her success story.”
What’s next?
Jackson said she has been approached by competing companies about selling her business, something she has no interest in doing.
“Usually happens after I have won an award.” she laughed.
“I give much of the credit to the SBA.”
One of her greatest achievements, she said, is getting the trust of government contractors especially as a female in a male-dominated field.
“I have been asked many times why they should choose me over someone else…But I feel blessed. I have to keep going forward.
“Do your homework first and be persistent.”
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