Q&A with founder of Colorado Springs-based Delta Solutions, Kelly L.

Kelly L. Roth founded Delta Solutions & Strategies LLC in 2000 and the company has grown to more than 60 employees.

Delta Solutions is a technical and management consulting company providing products and services to both the government and private sectors of the defense industry. It was recently ranked in the Entrepreneur 50 fastest-growing woman-owned/led businesses in North America.

Roth took time recently to tell CSBJ about herself and her business.

Organization: Delta Solutions & Strategies LLC

Position: President and CEO

Hometown: San Diego

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: 12 years

Education: Bachelor's degree in bio-chemistry from the University of Cali-fornia, San Diego

A few words about your company: The company was founded on the principle that we're going to differentiate ourselves by capitalizing on the intrinsic ability of a small business to be creative in building reward systems for performance. This has helped us attract and retain the best in the business.

Recent accomplishments: I enrolled my daughter in the Colorado Springs Conservatory for music and performing arts. She loves it, so we are both very happy.

Biggest career break: Marrying a Navy guy, leaving my post- college career field and moving to Japan during my early 20s. This taught me to stay out of comfort zones, explore and make things happen.

The toughest part of your job: Leaving it. Being a business owner is like being a parent. It is 24/7.

Someone you admire: Nancy Lewis, an icon in our business community. Among many things, she has taught me that women can be strong in a male-dominated environment and be themselves.

About your family: I've been married to Bob for 16 years. Our daughter is 9. Also, one "Goldendoodle" (expensive mutt); one frog; five fish and a lizard.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: I feel that the company has just put its feet on the ground. I now look forward to taking on larger challenges and new markets.

How your business will change during the next decade: If I could stay the way we are now, I would. However the nature of our business requires that we continuously look for new opportunities. We will grow, but will never let go of our small business differentiators.

What book are you currently reading? The FARs -- Federal Acquisition Regulation -- unfortunately.

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? I would like to see concepts such as the Pikes Peak Regional Business Partnership come to fruition, where like-minded organizations and nonprofits come together both in spirit and resources to help our community flourish.

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