Gowen’s Qwest for Success is Rewarded
October 17th, 2007 by Brian Lustig
At times, the path from subcontractor to prime contractor can appear so steep and fraught with peril that many companies retreat to the cozy confines of a sub role. But Diana Gowen, Senior VP & GM at Qwest Government Services, is used to scaling unthinkable heights. Gowen confided to ExecutiveBiz back in April that she successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the tallest free-standing mountain rise in Africa – 19,340 feet. She added that less than half of those who attempt to climb the mountain actually make it all the way to the top.
It is this unfailing desire to reach for greater heights - beyond what is thought to be possible - that contributed to Gowen being named Industry Executive of the Year for the 2007 Government Computer News Awards. Gowen’s colleagues described her as someone not afraid to take risks and make mistakes, and she took a big one in convincing corporate leadership in Denver that they needed to move beyond the sub role and pursue larger government opportunities - like Networx - as a prime contractor. This pursuit was rewarded when Qwest snagged a piece of the $48 billion Networx Contract, as well as winning a 10-year, $100 million Defense Information Systems Agency contract. 
Since elevating the company to a prime role, Gowen and her team - which she is quick to credit for the recent success - haven’t looked back, and instead Gowen is searching out the next mountain to climb.
Success in business is even more satisfying when you have had to overcome adversity to win. People that are successful know that adversity is a challenge, an opportunity to succeed. They also know that it takes time and that giving up is not an option. The reward justifies the effort and scaling the mountain makes the view from the top even more satisfying.