--- title: Tech CEO Talks Building IT Companies that Serve Government | IHeartMedia Interview description: Explore Ali Reza Manouchehri's journey in founding MetroStar, a IT service company serving government agencies, in this IHeartMedia interview. image: https://blog.metrostar.com/hubfs/iheartradio-interview-feature.jpg --- [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/Logo-2021.png?width=413&name=Logo-2021.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) - Who We Are - [Meet MetroStar](https://metrostar.com/who-we-are/) - [Leadership](https://metrostar.com/leaders/) - [Partnerships](https://www.metrostar.com/partnerships/) - [Innovation Lab](https://www.metrostar.com/innovation-lab/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) - What We Do - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.metrostar.com/ai-and-government/) - [Digital Experience](https://www.metrostar.com/digital-experience/) - [Application Modernization](https://www.metrostar.com/application-modernization/) - [Enterprise IT](https://www.metrostar.com/enterprise-it-services/) - [Products + Solutions](https://www.metrostar.com/federal-government-products-solutions/) - Who We Serve - [National Security](https://www.metrostar.com/national-security/) - [Defense](https://www.metrostar.com/defense-customers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.metrostar.com/) - [Case Studies](https://www.metrostar.com/case-studies/) - [News + Events](https://metrostar.com/news-events/) - Join Us - [Careers](https://www.metrostar.com/join-us/) - [Open Roles](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Cleared Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/cleared-jobs/) - [Veterans](https://www.metrostar.com/veterans/) - [Internships](https://www.metrostar.com/internships/) - [Contact Us](https://metrostar.com/contact-us/) - Who We Are - [Meet MetroStar](https://metrostar.com/who-we-are/) - [Leadership](https://metrostar.com/leaders/) - [Culture](https://metrostar.com/culture/) - [Partnerships](https://www.metrostar.com/partnerships/) - [Innovation Lab](https://www.metrostar.com/innovation-lab/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) - What We Do - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.metrostar.com/ai-and-government/) - [Digital Experience](https://www.metrostar.com/digital-experience/) - [Application Modernization](https://www.metrostar.com/application-modernization/) - [Enterprise IT](https://www.metrostar.com/enterprise-it-services/) - [Products + Solutions](https://www.metrostar.com/federal-government-products-solutions/) - Who We Serve - [National Security](https://www.metrostar.com/national-security/) - [Defense](https://www.metrostar.com/defense-customers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.metrostar.com/) - [Case Studies](https://www.metrostar.com/case-studies/) - [News + Events](https://metrostar.com/news-events/) - Join Us - [Careers](https://www.metrostar.com/join-us/) - [Open Roles](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Cleared Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/cleared-jobs/) - [Veterans](https://www.metrostar.com/veterans/) - [Internships](https://www.metrostar.com/internships/) - [**Contact Us**](https://metrostar.com/contact-us/) [news](https://blog.metrostar.com/news) > [MetroStar Culture](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/tag/metrostar-culture) # Tech CEO Talks Building IT Companies that Serve Government | IHeartMedia Interview 2 MIN READ 09/27/2023 | [MetroStar Culture](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/tag/metrostar-culture) ![Tech CEO Talks Building IT Companies that Serve Government | IHeartMedia Interview](https://blog.metrostar.com/hubfs/iheartradio-interview-feature.jpg) Written By: [Johnnie Wade](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/author/johnnie-wade) *RESTON, VA, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023—* [Ali Reza Manouchehri](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanouch/), CEO of MetroStar, joined M&T Banks, *CEOs You Should Know* seriesto share his story of founding an information technology (IT) service company that works with government agencies. Manouchehri started MetroStar in 1999 with college friends and current President, [Robert J. Santos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-santos-0479a39b/), when he recognized the emerging internet's potential for business. The burst of the dot-com bubble and the increased interest in Y2K presented the young company with an opportunity to pivot from their original idea of a [crowd-sourced review website](https://youtu.be/FiMXl4ITvEY?si=FYWSbGzPnXzxuToJ) to providing IT consulting around Y2K preparedness. Now, over 20 years later, MetroStar has grown to a $100 million company with over 400 employees serving government clients across 30 states. Manouchehri explained the philosophy behind MetroStar’s "people first" focus and how it influences the overall mission of using innovative technologies to serve national defense, citizen services, and other government needs. According to Manouchehri, the key success strategy comes from assembling talented, passionate teams who can develop cutting-edge and repeatable solutions. Each solution must accelerate results for agencies compared to industry alternatives. “That is the gift that we have that has allowed us to differentiate ourselves— surrounding ourselves with talented individuals,” said Manouchehri. Giving back to the community is also a pillar of MetroStar’s success strategy. During the interview, Manouchehri highlights [MetroStar's philanthropic focus areas](https://www.metrostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CARES-Brochure.pdf) of health and humanitarian, education and empowerment, and supporting our hometown heroes and [veterans](https://www.metrostar.com/veterans/). By serving people across the nation and locally, MetroStar aims to build strong relationships within the community it serves. [Listen to the entire episode to hear how MetroStar is building a future towards AI and tech in government.](https://hot995.iheart.com/featured/ceos-you-should-know/content/2023-09-27-ali-reza-manouchehri-ceo-metrostar/) ## About MetroStar [MetroStar](https://mss.fyi/3Q1u3rH) is an IT and digital services and solutions provider with a rich, two-decade legacy of building the brightest teams. As we navigate a new era of technology, our mission is to serve and transform how people, agencies, and tech enthusiasts connect in the digital age. Everything we touch begins and ends with people—the civil servants, service members, farmers, and immigrants (to name a few)—and our tools empower faster solutions worldwide, supporting dozens of federal agencies, hundreds of thousands of users, and millions of Americans. ### you might like these too ### [MetroStar Partners with Salesforce and George Mason University to Host Talent-Focused Hackathon](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/metrostar-salesforce-george-mason-university-hackathon) ##### Career Growth | MetroStar Culture | Making an Impact | Innovation Lab ### [MetroStar Earns 2026 Greater Washington D.C. WTOP Top Workplaces Award](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/metrostar-earns-2026-wtop-top-workplaces-award) ##### Career Growth | Awards | MetroStar Culture ### [MetroStar and George Mason University Launch Partnership to Fuel Federal Tech Talent and Innovation](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/metrostar-and-george-mason-university-launch-partnership-to-fuel-federal-tech-talent-and-innovation) ##### Career Growth | Management | Feature | MetroStar Culture | Making an Impact | AI/ML [view more](https://blog.metrostar.com/news/tag/metrostar-culture) ### want to stay in the loop? Never miss a thing by signing up for our newsletter. We periodically send out important news, blogs, and other announcements. Don’t worry, we promise not to spam you. [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png?name=MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) - [Services](https://www.metrostar.com/#digital-services) - [About Us](https://www.metrostar.com/company/) - [Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) Creating dynamic digital solutions is kind of our thing - we've been transforming and accelerating government missions since 1999. [say hello](https://www.metrostar.com/contact-us/) [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png?name=MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) [employee login](https://stargate.metrostarsystems.com/) © 2026 MetroStar Systems, LLC - All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.metrostar.com/privacy-policy/) Go to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://7196770.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7196770/CEOs%20You%20Should%20Know%20Final%20Video.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-04-15T14:52:14.604Z", "duration" : "PT40.789S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "CEOs You Should Know Final Video", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://7196770.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7196770/CEOs%20You%20Should%20Know%20Final%20Video.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1744728734604", "uploadDate" : "2023-10-25T19:49:56.071Z", "width" : 1080 } ```