Member Profile: Patrick Glass of Volanno

Meet our newest member, Patrick Glass! Patrick is director of business development at Volanno, a Washington, D.C.-based IT organization specializing in software development, program management and data analytics. In his Member Profile, the BD wiz shared his core leadership philosophies and an under-discussed aspect of his job.

IT is at the heart of our 2025 Digital Transformation Summit, happening in just about a month, on April 24. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with key tech leaders from defense and civilian agencies during this turbulent era in federal life. There’s no better time to tap in and get a sense of what officials are saying and requiring for their programs. Register now!

Potomac Officers Club: What do you believe are your core strengths as a leader, and what lessons taught you the most about driving success?

Patrick Glass: One of my core leadership strengths is fostering curiosity and empowering my team to innovate boldly. For instance, I recently transformed a technical team originally focused solely on implementing standards into a proactive and forward-thinking unit. Recognizing their untapped potential, I collaborated with team members to establish the Technological Solutions Steering Committee. This committee is now fully engaged in evaluating and integrating cutting-edge technologies, including commercial off-the-shelf solutions, cloud technologies and advanced artificial intelligence/data capabilities to better serve our customers. 

I’ve consistently observed that meaningful success arises from cultivating an environment where team members feel secure enough to take risks, ask challenging questions and embrace constructive failures as learning opportunities. I actively encourage every team member, irrespective of their formal title, to assume leadership responsibilities and proactively seek diverse perspectives. This intentional approach has not only driven innovation but has also substantially boosted team morale and significantly enhanced customer satisfaction.

POC: How would you describe your management style and core values toward building a winning culture?

Glass: My management style mirrors Volanno’s culture of innovation, adaptability and being tech-agnostic. At Volanno, we never default to a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we continuously assess and adopt the latest technologies based strictly on their ability to address the specific needs and missions of our clients. This tailored approach not only differentiates us but also builds deep trust and long-term relationships. I actively encourage team members to lead within their domains, champion diverse thinking and maintain an environment focused on solving real-world client challenges creatively and effectively.

POC: What are the core values that you believe are essential to build a great team and establish a foundation to drive success in such a competitive industry?

Glass: The core values I see as essential for team success at Volanno, and that I actively promote, are collaboration, adaptability, accountability and customer-centric innovation. Collaboration ensures we leverage the collective expertise of our team, adaptability allows us to swiftly adjust to evolving client needs, accountability guarantees ownership and trust, and customer-centric innovation drives tailored solutions uniquely suited to client missions. These values reflect both Volanno’s principles and my personal leadership philosophy, forming a robust foundation for sustained growth and competitiveness.

POC: With emerging technology influencing the federal government and industry more by the day, what are some of the challenges on the business side of innovation that aren’t always discussed as often as they should be?

Glass: One significant challenge in the rapidly evolving government tech space is discerning when and how new technologies genuinely meet our clients’ needs. At Volanno, I am intentional about evaluating emerging technologies, understanding that the newest technology isn’t always the best fit for every client. Ensuring strategic alignment between technological advancements and client objectives is essential yet often overlooked. A key aspect of my role involves guiding our team to thoughtfully assess and implement technologies that offer practical, measurable value, thus ensuring solutions not only innovate but also deliver real-world impact.