Rachele Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aptive Resources, has earned a spot among the 100 executives embodying the qualities of a Wash100 winner. She won the award for her management consulting leadership and consistent federal government support.
As one of the 42 first-time Wash100 winners, Ms. Cooper forges a path for small and starting businesses to gain a foothold in the government contracting industry.
Get to know more about Rachele Cooper’s journey to her Wash100 win here.
Rachele Cooper: Who is she?
Rachele Cooper has been leading Aptive Resources as Chief Executive Officer since its founding in 2012. She oversees mission operations relevant to solving complex problems, achieving the goals of government clients, and making impactful contributions to federal customers and stakeholders.
In addition, Ms. Cooper manages teams of experts who deliver innovative government solutions. She and her team focus on modernizing technologies, supporting underserved communities, improving healthcare access, and conducting crucial research initiatives.
Rachele Cooper graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. She completed her Master of Arts in Journalism from New York University.
About Aptive Resources
Aptive Resources is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. It specializes in health solutions, strategic engagement, and digital transformation.
Under Rachele Cooper’s management, Aptive Resources enhances performance and collaboration with people to propel change in support of cutting-edge government programs.
Aptive Resources may be a small business, but it has proven to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to modernizing healthcare and digital capabilities for veterans and civilians. Its impact on the industry earned it several prestigious awards, such as:
- The 2023, 2022, and 2021 Top Workplace Awards by The Washington Post
- The 2021 Best Places to Work in Virginia by Virginia Business
- The 2020 Small Business Government Contractor of the Year by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- The #1 Fastest Growing Company in the Greater Washington Area 2020 by FGC
- The 2020 and 2023 Vet100 Honoree Awards by the Institute for Veterans and Families
Related article: The Different Types of Government Contracts for Small Business
Rachele Cooper’s Professional Background
Rachele Cooper draws from her previous experience to lead Aptive Resources. Her professional tenure helped her develop expertise in healthcare solutions, transformative technologies, and strategic communications. Moreover, Ms. Cooper’s work also inspired her to be an executive who embodies the ideals of a Wash100 winner.
Listed below are the roles and positions Ms. Cooper held before founding Aptive Resources:
- Director at Reingold, from December 2010 to December 2011
- Associate Director of Medical Communications at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of the National Office, from 2009 to 2010
- Aerospace Engineer at the US Naval Research Laboratory, from September 2002 to August 2006
Most of all, Ms. Cooper’s work also inspired her to be an executive who embodies the ideals of a true Wash100 winner.
Rachele Cooper on Winning Her First Wash100
In February 2024, Executive Mosaic (EM) handpicked Rachele Cooper as one of the 100 elite executives for the 11th edition of the Wash100 Awards. The Aptive Resources CEO is also one of the 42 executives who bagged their first Wash100 recognition.
EM awarded Rachele Cooper for leading Aptive Resources and supporting government programs in their creative, technological, and human-centered initiatives.
Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 awards, was pleased to welcome Rachele Cooper to the Wash100 2024 list.
He noted that Ms. Cooper is “an ambitious, forward-thinking, and enterprising GovCon leader who created Aptive to help government customers realize their digital transformation and modernization goals and provide expertise in strategic engagement and health solutions.”
“Rachele built Aptive from the ground up 12 years ago, and with her recent strategic additions to the executive leadership team and major contract wins, the company is now positioned for parabolic growth in 2024 and beyond, Garrettson added.”
Cast your votes on the executives you deem worthy of the Wash100 recognition.
Rachele Cooper’s Significant Industry Impact
Rachele Cooper’s management and leadership of Aptive Resources have been ptivotal for the company’s winning of several crucial government contracts.
In January 2024, Aptive and its partner, Artemis ARC, formed Arrow ARC to secure a spot on the potential ten-year, $23 billion contract from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Under this agreement, Aptive and Artemis are to provide training, consulting services, and healthcare staffing support to the VA’s medical centers, integrated service networks, and the Veterans Health Administration program offices.
On October 5, 2023, Arrow ARC won a five-year, $46.5 million contract to enable the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Workforce Management and Consulting Office to recruit and retain healthcare professional and technical staff positions.
Additionally, Arrow ARC aims to oversee and evaluate the VHA’s nationwide recruitment, marketing, and advertising campaigns to promote the office as the choice employer for medical professionals.
Besides government contracting, Rachele Cooper’s leadership ushered in the growth of Aptive Resources’ workforce. She participated in the hiring of Ben Barker as the Chief Strategy Officer, Jordan Atkinson as the Vice President of Client Development, Jennifer Kirkhoff as the Chief Growth Officer, and Emily Jarvis as the Vice President of Health Care Staffing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wash100?
Wash100 is an elite group of the 100 most impactful executives in government contracting. Established in 2014, Executive Mosaic’s organizational and editorial leadership teams select the winners through a careful and competitive review process.
What is Executive Mosaic?
Executive Mosaic is a Virginia-based media organization. Founded in 2002, EM has been a leader in connecting, promoting, and branding notable executives and their representative companies through its media properties and exclusive peer networking events.
Executive Mosaic is renowned for its core business lines focused on government contracting, namely the 4×24 Leadership Program, the Potomac Officers Club, and its five media outlets.
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