One of the most difficult – and important – decisions I’ve made since stepping into the VP of IT role at Digirad happened this month.
We’ve officially decided to end our contract with the consulting team that’s been supporting us through some of our biggest projects. It’s a bittersweet shift – not because I doubt the direction, but because of how deeply I value the team we’ve had by our side.
The decision is driven by a single, essential truth: for this organization to grow and mature, we need a fully embedded, dedicated in-house IT team.
Over the past year, our consultants have helped us overhaul the network, migrate our infrastructure to the cloud, implement tighter security controls, and improve countless systems. I know their work – and I know their talent. Many of them came from the same firm I did, and I brought them in because I trusted them. That trust hasn’t changed.
But the organization’s needs have.
The Next Chapter: Hiring In-House
We’ll be opening job requisitions for all core IT roles – from system administration to engineering to support – with the hope that some of the consulting team chooses to come onboard directly. We’d love to retain the institutional knowledge and keep the relationships that have made our work successful so far.
If they do, we plan to work with their firm to negotiate an amicable transition agreement, including appropriate headhunter fees and acknowledgments of the value they’ve provided.
Leadership Means Making the Call
This isn’t an easy move – and honestly, it’s not without emotional weight. I came from that consulting firm. I know the pressure, the hustle, the pride that goes into client work. But my role now is different. My job is to think long-term, to reduce complexity, and to build a team that can truly own the work from the inside.
And I believe this is the right step.
We need a team that can grow with the company, shape its culture, and lead transformation from the inside – not just support it from the outside.
Gratitude and Growth
To the consultants who have carried us through some tough, complex, and high-stakes work: thank you. Your contributions have laid the groundwork for where we’re going next.
And to those who may join us full-time – I sincerely hope we get to keep building together.
– Vince