Balutis, Upson, Brubaker hook up with Input

Three veterans of the public-sector information technology field have joined forces in a new venture, and are also entering an alliance with a market research firm specializing in government IT.

Alan Balutis, Don Upson and Paul Brubaker have formed ICG Government, a consulting company to provide business planning and strategies for entry and expansion in the government IT market.

In addition, ICG will work with Input Inc., a Chantilly, Va., market research company, to establish a consulting and strategic advisory organization for the $150 billion government IT industry. The two organizations will work closely to provide vendors with advice and consulting services, including technology procurement strategies, plans and tactics.

"This exciting partnership joins Input's public-sector information and analysis capabilities with ICG Government's hands-on public-sector technology experience to deliver expert, data-driven advice and consulting to the industry," Peter Cunningham, president of Input, said today. "Together, we are uniquely positioned to help both buyers and vendors improve the whole government technology planning and procurement process."

Brubaker served as the deputy chief information officer for the Defense Department before leaving government service to become the chief executive officer of Aquilent Inc., a government professional services firm spun off from Commerce One. He left Aquilent in December 2002 after a disagreement with the management team over the direction of the company.

Upson is the former technology secretary for Virginia, the first cabinet-level CIO in the nation. He also served as Republican staff director for the House Government Operations Committee and was an executive with Litton PRC Inc. After leaving the technology secretary position, Upson joined WebMethods Inc., a middleware provider, as senior vice president of business operations in May 2002, but left in January to become a consultant.

Balutis is former director for management and budget and CIO at the Commerce Department. He left government service in 2001 and was named executive director and chief operating officer of the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils and the Industry Advisory Council. Balutis resigned his position with FGIPC and IAC in January, after questions were raised because of consulting relationships he maintained in addition to his role with the two councils.

ICG Government can have clients separate from Input, said Amanda Brown, Input's spokeswoman. ICG will use space at Input offices but not on a daily basis, she said.