Getting to Know BCS: Ken Saenz
Olayinka Kolawole
Getting to Know BCS is a series that highlights members of the BCS organization. This quarter, we shine a spotlight on Ken Saenz, Senior Vice President of Operations. He also manages the Defense Energy Division and his expertise and corporate experienceprovide strategic advising, business development, and corporate management to thecompany.
This has been edited for conciseness.
Good afternoon, Ken, thank you for taking some time to have a virtual lunch with me.
Thanks…my pleasure, I look forward to your questions.
Ken, you’ve worked in several executive leadership positions, including with Booz Allen Hamilton, and IBM, what do you see for BCS and its’ future?
I am excited about the many changes happening in the energy sector. I truly believe that BCS, as a growing small business, is well positioned to take advantage of these changes to expand in this market. Our work spans fossil energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental management, and energy infrastructure security, which gives us a deep understanding of the energy industry and its’ stakeholders. As the industry continues to transition to a decarbonized future, there will be growth in new areas of R&D and energy deployment that fits well with BCS’s capabilities. Also, I believe we will see consolidation in the large business consulting profession through acquisitions. This will create a bit of uncertainty for the large businesses and an opportunity for small businesses to take advantage of that uncertainty. Our vision will be to continue to leverage our strengths with our clients, to deliver excellence in providing professional services only a hands-on small business can provide. A key to our success will continue to be taking great care in hiring the right individuals for the job and providing them with an environment where they can learn and grow professionally.
How does a kid from the Bronx wind up here?
Good question…. Growing up in the early 1970s in the projects in the Bronx, New York, I quickly learned how to negotiate tough neighborhoods. I took the New York City Subway to high school every day which opened my eyes to the hustle-and-bustle world that awaited me. I always had a fascination with aviation/aerospace. My parents supported me taking flying lessons at 15 years old; I would take my dad flying but I was not old enough to drive in New York City. I attended Aviation High School in Queens (that is why I took the subway to high school) where I learned how to be an aircraft mechanic and learn the fundamentals of flight. When it was time for college, I left New York and moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California and earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I realized in college how important the creation of energy was to the aerospace industry and that started my passion for the energy marketplace. When I was an executive at Booz Allen, I was fortunate to work very closely with James Woolsey, former Director of the CIA and a big energy advocate on Capitol Hill. I was introduced to many U.S. and international political leaders concerned with energy production and the effects of that production on the environment.
Given your journey, what advice would you give to someone starting off on their career?
Well, the workplace has changed since I started my career. With the increase in remote work, I would encourage everyone, but particularly those starting out, to stay engaged with the organization, with the team, and to keep in mind there are many avenues to learn and grow in one’s career. I will also add that there are always opportunities to grow, even when something does not go according to plan – there are lessons to be learned. Given our era of technology, and almost instant gratification, it can be easy to get discouraged if something does not happen immediately - success may not come easily or happen overnight. Stay the course and find a career that you will enjoy putting in the extra hours necessary to get ahead in life.
Conversely, any pet peeves?
Well, I am a big fan of hearing input from different viewpoints. Alternate viewpoints and varied inputs can make solutions more robust and inclusive, and so one of my pet peeves is when non-traditional voices are shut down or their perspective is not taken seriously.
So, what does Ken Saenz do for fun?
Detailing cars. (laughter) Seriously, it can be very rewarding. In the day-to-day work that we do, seeing the end-result can be a long time coming. When it comes to detailing cars, I enjoy the hard work, the attention to detail, and the relatively quick reward of seeing a job well done – it’s also very relaxing.
To close our chat, I have a few rapid-fire questions…
How would you define yourself in three words? Willing to learn!
What is a song you can listen to on repeat?
“New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel
Where have you always dreamed of traveling to?
London, Paris, Rome, I’ve never been to Europe!
If you could have dinner with any famous person, alive or dead, who would it be?
Neil Armstrong, when I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut.
What is a great piece of advice you have received?
Keep moving forward no matter what life puts in your path.
Well, Ken, thank you for your time and I look forward to more of our conversations.
Thank you as well.
Olayinka Kolawole supports work in our Defense and National Security, and Energy Divisions of BCS.