Andrew Milisits
Founder + Managing Partner
Andrew founded AITHERAS, LLC in 2002 and has since led the successful growth of this well-positioned and well-managed 8(a) small business enterprise. He possesses over 18 years of experience with IT program management and solutions implementation. Additionally, he has led complex system implementations for federally and commercially regulated environments, focusing on data management, compliance, IT infrastructure support, and quality assurance solutions. As the Managing Partner, Andrew oversees the daily operations and strategic direction of AITHERAS.
He possesses a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia as well as certification and advanced training in numerous database/data management platforms, software applications, configuration management, and ITIL and cGMP disciplines. Prior to entering the field of technology, he led a successful career in the financial services arena performing sophisticated credit analysis, financial risk management, and data management tasks. During his spare time, Mr. Milisits is heavily involved in various charitable and non-profit organizations as well as coaching youth sports. He resides with his family in Boyds, MD and hails from Pittsburgh, PA.
Joseph T. Friend
Partner
With 20+ years’ experience in business development and managing $80M to $220M portfolio accounts, Joseph has a successful track record of multiplying profit for small to mid-size businesses. Joseph has developed lateral business partnerships and supported IT programs with government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. His in-depth expertise in IT development cycle ranges from managing and executing product development roadmaps, migration, and setting up large technical support centers to final delivery with implementation that is set up for revenue.
His expertise in IT modernization includes re-engineering business processes from the traditional model of coding and loading data to web-based portals and real-time production reporting. Through his career, Joseph has cultivated knowledge management, litigation support, large scale infrastructure deployment, business intelligence and strategy, and IT program management with specialties in Big Data solutions and integrations. Joseph’s organizational leadership experience includes building relationships at all levels in government, corporate and client organizations as well as team and staff building for federal agencies in employing 50 to 120 staff for data processing centers and overseeing system implementation in multiple office locations.
Benjamin Hankins
Partner
Ben is an expert in the provision of program and acquisition management support, with a career that spans over 30 years in the federal sector. His experiences in federal consulting, together with his demonstrated results in acquisition and program management, has led him to partner in the creation of several successful federal contracting firms. His experience is wide ranging and includes all areas of operations, marketing, and program management. Ben primarily focuses on Business Development at AITHERAS, bringing to bear all of his experience and expertise in support of AITHERAS’ aggressive growth plan.
Early in his career, Ben excelled at a range of opportunities in the private sector. He managed several wholesale and retail products and services for a large Mid-Atlantic commercial bank. He developed special expertise managing health care acquisitions for the Department of Defense, delivering program management support for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. He resides with his family in Great Falls, Virginia and is a native of Newport News, Virginia.
Sohee Chu
Chief Innovation Officer
With 20 years of experience transforming global corporations to become leaders in the digital ecosystem and empowering start-ups to innovate in the digital space, Sohee integrates user-centered design with marketing strategy focused on accelerated profits and measurable growth. Her award-winning creative design expertise aligned with innovative business and technology solutions has helped fuel dynamic and consistent brand experience resulting in loyal customers delighting in the brand for businesses in hospitality, consumer services, retail, financial, and manufacturing industries.
Sohee has supported multiple Fortune 500 companies such as Marriott, Renaissance, JW Marriott, DuPont, and Eastman to translate their long-standing brands into the digital space and effectively engage users for global expansion in sales and growth. She fueled start-ups and small businesses such as Bambeco, The Cradle, Zen Technology, and Roam and Wander to increase their brand valuation and market reach beyond the walls of the digital space, resulting in $20M in VC funding and $60M in acquisitions.
