For the third time in just over a month, Port San Antonio announced a new tenant to the 1,900-acre technology campus, and the second global heavyweight.
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is a subsidiary of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company that employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $39.4 billion in revenue last year.
GDIT’s new space — 11,000 square feet on Davy Crockett Road that will be built out based on GDIT’s customers’ needs — could eventually support as many as 50 employees, said Pete Lambert, the retired Air Force major general who will oversee the location as part of his management of the much larger C5ISR group.
That stands for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. “I know it’s a mouthful,” said Lambert, “but what it means is that if it’s operationally focused for the Air Force, and there’s an IT flavor to it, that’s my area.”
GDIT, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs more than 28,000 people. It has worked with the Air Force for more than 50 years, Lambert said. He’s been with the company for three years — less time it took to finalize the company’s new location at the Port.
And while that may sound like a long time “in normal people world,” said Port SA CEO Jim Perschbach, “in the military and defense world, acquisition cycles are eight to 20 years — so this is lightning fast.”
The negotiations to bring GDIT to the Port are part of the long-term strategy to build an ecosystem that brings together global companies like GDIT and Leidos, which announced its expansion into the Port late last month, along with smaller startups and government partners.
“We’re not talking to these companies about real estate,” said Perschbach — although the Port serves as these companies’ landlord — “we’re talking about the talent and technology ecosystem, as well as the commercial purchasing and sales ecosystem.”
GDIT executives echoed Perschbach’s emphasis on becoming part of a comprehensive ecosystem at the Port.
In addition to expanding work with existing customers like the 16th Air Force and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Lambert said, “We are looking for partnerships — with industry, small businesses and academia and the local community” through internships and mentorships.
San Antonio also offers GDIT “a huge talent base with the in-demand skill sets we’re looking for: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, software development and people with clearances.”
Lambert described both an existing population of skilled workers who are, at any given time, coming off expiring contracts, government personnel moving into the private sector and the pipeline of new talent coming out of UTSA and other local educational institutions.
“Historically we haven’t had a problem with the type of skill sets we’re looking for here,” he said.
Port San Antonio is now home to more than 80 public and private sector companies, and has added 2,000 jobs just in the past year, bringing the total workforce to 18,000.
“Calling us Cyber City USA — it’s not just a catchy slogan anymore,” said Margaret Wilson-Anaglia, chair of the Port’s board of directors.
