K WATSON GOUP
COVER story KAREN WATSON, PRESIDENT, K WATSON GROUP
GLOBAL FOOD security
K WATSON GROUP LANDS TRANSFORMATIVE CONTRACTS, TAKES ON WORLDWIDE CHALLENGES What started 14 years ago as a female-led, minority-owned “We are expecting continued growth in both locations.” consulting business for corporate and ministerial clients, OmahaMore recently, in early May K Watson Group announced that it was based K Watson Group has grown to an industry leader that is serving large- recently awarded a sole-source 8(a) professional services contract by the scale government, educational institutions and corporate clients. U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide insights into the administration of “Our work is project based and, in some cases, for private clients we the Food and Progress Program, specifically related to the monetization of continue to provide back office supportive services,” said President Karen commodities in foreign markets. Watson. “In 2019, seeking to expand our business model further, we acquired a manufacturing corporation specializing in the heavy-duty air Desire to Do Good filtration market.” Established in 1985, the USDA’s FFP helps developing countries and In 2020, that business, the International Filter Manufacturing Corp., emerging democracies to modernize and strengthen their ag sectors. K developed a four-layer, surgical-grade face mask, becoming, Watson said, Watson Group is partnering with Burlington Capital affiliate, Cantera one of the few companies in the U.S. making personal protective equipment. Partners, to provide recommendations that will improve the monetization of Endorsed by Omaha-based wound care physician, Dr. Douglas Weedman, commodities in foreign markets. the product was sold at the Hy-Vee Peony Park location and placed “I am just honored to be in this arena and [to] learn from each other,” on Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail terminals in Illinois for Watson said, adding that she had no knowledge of Cantera until they vetted passengers and employees alike. “Today we operate our businesses in Nebraska and Illinois,” Watson said. each other as potential project partners. “Putting on my due diligence hat, I
Page 6 • June 17, 2022
