APAC Success Story: Central Research, Inc.

Johnny Dillard, a retired Marine Corps officer and Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel and his son, Scott Dillard, wanted to work together. In order to do so, they established Central Research, Inc. (CRI) in their home state of Arkansas in 1999.  CRI provides:  Financial Services and Solutions, Management and Professional Solutions, Logistics and Life Cycle Support Services, as well as Data and Information Solutions.  They operated the business out of Virginia for a few years before relocating back to Northwest Arkansas in 2007.

That’s when they were approached by a friend who needed a subcontractor for one of his government contracts with the Department of Education.  They accepted the friend’s offer and became an APAC client at that time. 

Since becoming an APAC client, CRI has received numerous government contracts and expanded their business tremendously.  The business started with three employees:  Johnny, his son Scott, and one other Information Technology employee.  The business now has 500 employees and needs 100 more. CRI has offices and program locations in eight states and provides services to seventeen different federal and state agencies and organizations.  CRI is one of the fastest growing small business federal contractors in the country over the last three years and has been on the INC 5000 fastest growing private companies list for the past six years.  The company is dedicated to employing Veterans and disabled veterans.

Their last awarded government contract was in December 2017 with Department of Interior to provide administrative assistance.  However, most of their business is with Department of Education assisting in the collection of defaulted student loans.

The Dillards receive APAC’s bid match offering which they scan on a regular basis.  They feel this is a valuable part of being an APAC client.  They also expressed appreciation to the APAC staff in the assistance of obtaining their NAICS code and assistance in writing proposals.  Johnny Dillard offers this advice to businesses considering government contracting: “Go to the free trainings offered by APAC and don’t be afraid to ask for help!”

He also wished to remind potential bidders that not all awards are based on lowest price as background of the owners and business experience are important assets as well.

Connect with our APAC counselors at 501-671-2390 to learn how you can expand your business into new areas.