PSC, CSA announce merger plan

In a move that mimics the merger and acquisition activities of the companies they represent, the Professional Services Council and the Contract Services Association of America have combined into a single organization.

The group will keep the PSC name. Jim O'Neill, PSC chairman and president of Northrop Grumman Corp.'s information technology business, and Mike Shelton, CSA chairman and president of Emcor Government Services Inc., will serve as the co-chairman for the new organization through 2008.

"In light of the common missions and objectives of our two organizations, continued industry consolidation, and the growing policy and other challenges associated with the federal government marketplace, the PSC and CSA memberships agree that it is in our collective best interest to combine our resources and capabilities into a single, unified entity," O'Neill said in a statement.

PSC and CSA are the second set of industry associations with plans to combine. The Information Technology Association of America and the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association are expected to merge next year.

Of the PSC-CSA merger, Shelton said, "Joining forces strengthens our industry's voice and solidifies the association's position as the advocate for and voice of the government services industry."

The new PSC will have more than 330 companies that provide services to the government including IT, logistics, operations and maintenance, engineering, international development, environmental services and facilities management. The association includes large, small and medium-sized businesses.

Stan Soloway, PSC president, will be the president and chief executive officer of the new association. Soloway also is a Washington Technology columnist. PSC Senior Vice President Alan Chvotkin will be executive vice president and counsel. Colleen Preston, CSA senior vice president for public policy, is expected to round out the leadership team.

The merger takes effect Jan. 1.