Agilex's Robert LaRose dies unexpectedly
By
Nick Wakeman
Agilex's chief executive officer died at the age of 65 this week.
Robert LaRose, 65, president and chief executive officer of Agilex Technologies Inc., died unexpectedly Monday morning.
LaRose was the founder of Agilex, the third government contracting company he founded. His biography on the company Web site described him as a serial entrepreneur who focused on building companies that specialize in software applications and integration services for government and commercial customers.
He founded his first company, Advanced Technology Inc., in 1976, and grew it to $175 million in annual revenue. He sold it in 1988 to Emhart Corp., a division of Black & Decker for $140 million.
LaRose then launched Integic Corp., which focused on the federal health care market. He built that company into a $180 million a year enterprise before selling it to Northrop Grumman Corp. for more than $300 million in 2005.
In 2007, he founded Agilex, which provides business and mission consulting, software and solution development, and systems integration services.
LaRose will likely be remembered for the careers he launched and nurtured as much as the companies he founded.
Several senior Agilex executives worked with him at other companies. He also helped started the careers of Bill Hoover, CEO of American Systems; Paul Lombardi, former CEO of DynCorp; and Mac Curtis, CEO of Vangent. Former Rep. Tom Davis also worked for LaRose and serves on Agilex’s board.
Information about funeral arrangements was unavailable Wednesday.