Our Company
Iron Sword, a verified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), was created as a Construction Management and General Contracting company in 2009 by Greg Louks (President and CEO). His partners and co-founders include Rick Minicozzi (West Point Class of 1986) and Dan Rice (West Point Class of 1988)—both combat veterans—and Dr. Sal Minicozzi.
Iron Sword’s staff has extensive experience managing construction projects ranging from small repair projects valued under one thousand dollars to ground-up construction valued in excess of one hundred million dollars. Iron Sword’s projects have been similarly diverse in application and magnitude, spanning hospitals, secondary education, and federal and private sectors. Iron Sword has leveraged staff skills and network to deliver successful projects which exceeded customer expectations.
"What sets us apart is our ability to lead, and that is readily apparent to our clients."
— Greg Louks, Founder & President
Mission
To be our clients’ business of choice for reliable and unique construction solutions by delivering projects honorably, timely, and cost-effectively.
Vision
- To be a company that is distinguished by competence and character.
- To promote opportunities for America’s veterans and their families.
Principles
We of Iron Sword strive to:
- Lead by example.
- Obey the law, in letter and in spirit.
- Act with integrity in everything we do.
- Own and take responsibility for every action or omission.
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Choose a positive attitude.
"What makes Iron Sword different is its people. Doing right transcends all that we do. We'll do right even when it harms us."
History
Iron Sword was formed by Greg Louks in the fall of 2009 and opened its doors in January 2010—a start-up construction firm in the midst of the Great Recession and the most toxic environment endured by the construction industry in decades. Despite the uphill climb, Iron Sword steadily added to its ranks and its portfolio to stand today as a recognized leader in construction management due to its unique leadership, problem-solving solutions, and unyielding integrity.
From Soldier to Innovator...
A farm boy hailing from the Iron Range of northern Minnesota, Greg joined the Army as a Private and before long found himself standing as the First Captain of the Corps of Cadets at West Point. After a training injury forced his medical separation from the Army, Greg returned to West Point to serve with its Association of Graduates, where he tasked himself with paying back his country for the life-changing investment it made in him. Through his 14 years there, Greg oversaw more than $250 million in private funds raised for the Academy's Bicentennial Campaign and crafted a breakthrough process through which he successfully brought over $125 million in privately-funded building projects to a timely and on-budget conclusion.
...to Entrepreneur
After leaving the AOG, Greg seized the opportunity to create a company that would stand out and succeed in a challenging market by differentiating itself in the construction industry through competence and character. Iron Sword was started with that dream--a company whose actions declared that without integrity, all is lost. This approach—to always do right even when it hurts—has succeeded and the evidence is in its people, its projects, its relationships, and its reputation.
"West Point changed my life. I was given an extraordinary opportunity at West Point and there's really no way I can completely repay West Point and our country for what they've done for me. The more we grow, the better we can be better positioned to do what's really important to me: paying back our country."
— Greg Louks, Founder and President
SDVOSB Status
As a verified SDVOSB, Iron Sword is able to compete under the Veteran's First Program through which a percentage of federal procurements are set aside solely for verified SDVOSBs.
These federal procurements run the gamut of the federal agencies, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, etc. Federal agencies are required as a matter of public law to set aside a minimum of 3% of their total procurements for SDVOSBs.
In addition to SDVOSB set-asides, by virtue of its verified designation, Iron Sword also is able to compete for Total Small Business set-asides and accordingly has even greater access to the restricted competition represented in this set-aside market.
Additionally, on May 12, 2014, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the NYS Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act which creates a state-wide program for certifying and contracting to New York SDVOSBs the minimum of 6% of state procurements--twice the federal requirement.
"The service disabled veteran program has enabled us providing opportunities we otherwise wouldn't have had."
Leadership
Greg Louks, President & CEO
Greg Louks is a graduate of the West Point Class of 1988 where he was the First Captain, the highest-ranked cadet. Intending to serve a career as an officer, his time in the service was cut short due to an injury which forced his medical separation.
Shortly after leaving the armed services, Greg returned to West Point as a Director in the West Point Association of Graduates where he served 14 years, including his role as Manager of The Bicentennial Campaign, which raised nearly a quarter billion dollars. He created a process, which he later helped the other US service academies adopt, by which private funds could be used to build privately on federal land to control costs on privately-funded facilities. Liberated through innovation, Greg personally oversaw the revolutionarily successful construction of over a dozen projects throughout the West Point campus, valued over $125M, delivered on-time and on-budget in historical proportions.
After leaving the West Point AOG, Greg started Iron Sword and built it into the first-rate firm that it is today. Due to its collective experience and reputation, federal and private entities, including the US Merchant Marine Academy, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and The Salvation Army, have sought Iron Sword for consulting and construction/development management services.
“Under Greg costly change orders became a thing of the past. Projects were completed on time and on budget (and, in some cases, under budget). There were no doubts from the Prime Contractors or the Sub-Specialties as to who was in total control.”
— COL Seth Hudgins (RET) President, WPAOG
Careers
Iron Sword, located on a beautiful 9 acre campus in Shawangunk, NY, offers competitive compensation and a family-oriented workplace. Iron Sword also places staff at various project sites, which currently range from Westchester County to Albany, NY.
Iron Sword is always searching for talented professionals, so please reach out if you think Iron Sword might be the right fit for you!
If you are interested in a position with Iron Sword, please submit your resume through our Contact page or, if for a specific advertised position, through the applicable job posting site.
“Good companies are about good people. Great companies are about great people. Our success is contingent upon our ability to find and retain the best talent we can. That enables us to be able to continue to grow, to hone our abilities, to hone our expertise.”
—Greg Louks, Founder & President