ASGN Inc. buys Fredericksburg data science firm

ASGN is parent company of Glen Allen-based Apex Systems LLC

Published October 2, 2020 by Sydney Lake

ASGN Inc., which is moving its headquarters from California to Henrico County this month, announced Tuesday it has acquired Fredericksburg-based remote sensing and data science provider Skyris Inc. 

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

ASGN is the parent company of Glen Allen-based recruiting firm Apex Systems LLC. 

The acquisition will allow ASGN to provide offerings in geospatial and open source intelligence and data analytics to its federal government customers. ASGN will integrate Skyris into the company’s mission solutions business unit, which is focused on supporting the programs and missions of the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and federal civilian agencies.

“Skyris’ proven success, rare technical talent and reputation as a trusted partner to the [National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency] are a strong strategic fit for ECS,” ASGN President and CEO Ted Hanson said in a statement. “By leveraging ECS’s platform of capabilities, customers, contract pathways, and cutting-edge technology partnerships alongside Skyris’ geospatial intelligence and data expertise, ASGN will further advance the mission-critical solutions we offer our customers.”

Founded in 2010, Skyris provides remote sensing and data science services to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which is responsible for providing geospatial intelligence for defense and national security missions.

“The need for improved data collection, analysis and advanced IT systems has reached an all-time high,” Skyris co-founder and CEO Michael McGowan said in a statement. “Our technical capabilities combined with the strength of the ECS platform will propel our combined companies forward at just the right time to address the proliferation of geospatial data.”

Under the terms of the acquisition, ASGN is granting restricted stock unit awards to seven Skyris employees, covering approximately 12,000 shares. 

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal counsel for ASGN. Skyris used Greenberg Traurig as legal counsel and Chertoff Capital as their investment banking adviser.

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