Veteran Spotlight: Meet Doris R., Business Manager for Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Kutta)

February 16, 2022

Kutta has been part of SNC’s Family of Companies as a wholly owned subsidiary since 2015.

Doris R. is the Business Manager at one of SNC’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Kutta). She joined the Army at a time where the idea of women in the service was not widely accepted. Today at Kutta, Doris uses her skills to ensure productivity and efficiency throughout the organization. Joining Kutta shortly after its inception, Doris is uniquely focused on preserving Kutta’s innovative work environment to support employee excellence.

Please tell us a bit about what you did in the military and what branch you served in.

I was minding my own business in my senior year in high school when recruiters came around. They had this thing called the delayed entry program – join the service with a buddy – and get your college degree paid for later using G.I. Bill benefits. All you had to do was sign on for three years. Next thing I knew, my childhood friend Karen and I were joining the Army, leaving for training in South Carolina right after graduation.

I don’t think I would have ever been anyone’s pick to join the Army. This was back in 1977 and women only represented about 8% of enlisted personnel in the military. I was able to join because of all the other women that came before me and did the work to grant me the right to serve our country as an equal member of the U.S. Armed Forces. My official Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Clerk/Typist. Luckily, I knew how to type already and completed training early, which gained me my choice of certain duty assignments. Having shoveled my share of snow in Michigan, I selected the base that was furthest south and got stationed at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. I was assigned to the Ft. Stewart District, Third Region, USA Criminal Investigation Command as an Administrative Specialist. I served with a small staff of Army officers and enlisted personnel in uniform, as well as officers/special agents in plain clothes. Our unit worked with the Military Police and handled criminal cases that involved military personnel.

Most of my college education was paid for using my G.I. Bill benefits. I had no idea how this experience would shape my life. To this day my friend and I cannot remember how joining came about, but I am grateful I did. I was honorably discharged from the Army in 1980 and the recruiting slogan at that time was “Be All You Can Be.”

What brought you to Kutta?

I started work for Kutta in 2004 as a part-time employee after working in the construction industry for 20 years. The engineering environment was a completely different challenge. Kutta started in 2001 and was still a new company when I joined. I got the amazing opportunity to grow with the company. I have learned so much about our defense industry and the innovative research and development that our engineers perform. In 2015, SNC acquired Kutta and we transitioned into a subsidiary role.

What is your job at Kutta and why do you enjoy it?

I am the Business Manager for Kutta. I manage contracts, finance and accounting. When we were acquired by SNC, I suddenly had to interact with and report to many more managers and divisions throughout the company. It quickly became evident that once again, I was the lucky one. Kutta suddenly had our own expert accounting, insurance, benefits, legal, IP compliance and IT departments as an extension of SNC. Whenever I need help with managing Kutta’s business or understanding something new, all I have to do is reach out to one of those contacts. My success here at Kutta and SNC is a direct reflection of the amazing people that I am privileged to work with every day.

Why do you think it’s important to serve our country?

I joined the Army when I was 18. At the time, I had no idea what it meant to serve my country. I had a defining moment long ago when my grandson Dylan asked me to accompany him to his school’s Veterans Day celebration. I got to be on stage with other veterans as the kids gave speeches and presentations. When they were through, all of us veterans walked down the aisle with the kids giving us high fives. Being a veteran that day suddenly felt more important than the day before.

With Kutta being part of the SNC family of companies – what does it mean to you, that 30% of SNC employees are veterans?
I am proud to work for a company that clearly understands its responsibilities to its own industry. Veterans can identify and shape products needed in the military and national security sectors that SNC serves. I feel strongly about supporting our troops – while they serve our country and when they come home.

Each November, Kutta collects donations for the Disabled American Veterans and in 2021 we raised a grand total of $3,857.80, a record so far.

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