We Build. We Protect.
Building and protecting is our ethos. It drives every decision related to strategy, structure, people, processes, and technology.
All organizations need resources that help them efficiently and consistently deliver on critical initiatives. We offer tailored solutions to meet our clients’ needs related to project management and security so they can provide for their stakeholders.
Our Purpose
Our group of collaborators are committed to partnering with your team to identify and overcome challenges. We walk with you every step of the way to identify threats in the organization as well as recognize opportunities for growth. At 7th Echelon, we provide a personalized solution by analyzing your situation, creating a project management plan, and then seeing the plan through.
Our Values
The only way to understand what challenges our clients are facing is to put ourselves in their shoes. To do this, we invest in building real relationships with everyone we work with. Solving problems extends beyond creating plans in a bubble. It requires close collaboration with your teams to overcome obstacles, improve their processes, and reduce risks.
Who We Work With
We work with businesses, state governments, and the federal government to solve a variety challenges and help improve their performance. Below are some of our customers.
Awards & Recognition
“The Fast 50 are those NMSDC-certified minority business enterprises that have shown the most growth and resourcefulness in order to scale and meet the needs of their stakeholders during times of uncertainty, based upon the highest average revenue growth rate* for 2019, 2020, and 2021.”
From the NMSDC Conference Website. https://www.nmsdcconference.org/2022/fast50
Hilton Supply Management selected us as a 2020 award winner for having ‘the greatest impact on economic development strategies designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship’.
The Houston MDBA Business Center, operated by Houston Community College honored us in 2019 as the Houston MDBA Construction Trailblazer Client of the Year.
Certifications
City of Houston Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
City of Houston Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Statewide Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
City of Houston Minority Business Enterprise
Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority Small Business Enterprise
National Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise
Small Business Administration 8(a)
Port Houston Minority Business Enterprise
Leadership & Team
Edgartt Melton
Chief Executive Officer
- Connectedness
- Input
- Restorative
- Individualization
- Relator
CliftonStrengths
Edgartt started 7th Echelon, LLC, in 2016. He has over two decades of experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives within organizations.
As a creative problem solver, he has the ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams. He used his areas of specialty and experience to build a company that solves complex business matters organizations face.
Sharrell McKennie
Senior Director
- Learner
- Responsibility
- Relator
- Belief
- Developer
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Conducted internal contracting reviews, including policy procedures/guidance, and analyzed the risk within the programs and processes.
Designed and implemented a flexible, workable, sustainable Compliance Management System satisfying users’ and leadership’s compliance needs across multiple countries, cultures, languages, and remediation projects covering 2300+ sites.
Managed compliance delivery plan / self-verification / external audit process and Compliance Management System and Operating Management System conformance.
Credentials
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Human Services-Management of Nonprofit Organizations (Capella University)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Keller Graduate School of Management)
- BS, Accounting (DePaul University)
Damodhar Jammli – DJ
Director
- Positivity
- Learner
- Input
- Achiever
- Intellection
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Developed, managed, and executed IT quality engineering & automation practices for an IT Service company & extending these practices to key clients.
Managed QA & UAT teams for renowned Fortune 500 companies; Developed visualizations, reports, and dashboards on Power BI & other tools for management. Significant international exposure having lived and worked with, clients in multiple geographies including Malaysia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India
Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand clients’ needs, translating requirements into actionable plans, and delivering high-quality products that exceed expectations.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- ISTQB – Certified Tester
- HP AIS
- DevOps- SRE, AI, and Sumologic
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
Sophie Lockerby
Associate Director
- Harmony
- Relator
- Consistency
- Includer
- Responsibility
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Established and led a Salesforce Center of Excellence for 20+ organizations across the UK and North America business groups focusing on building a community of shared knowledge and engagement, instilling governance and standard processes for setup, resource acquisition, support, and various business system workflows, and utilizing the platform efficiently and effectively with varying use cases among the 20 business units.
Developed and implemented a strategic framework to establish improvements within the change management and business communication process.
Credentials
- BA, Mathematics University of Virginia (VA)
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Terra Fontenot-Beard
Manager
- Significance
- Focus
- Belief
- Ideation
- Achiever
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Conducted internal contracting reviews, including policy procedures/guidance, analyzed the risk within the programs and processes, and determined if OCP complied with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-123 Guidelines, memorandums, and circulars.
Managed clients’ full accounting functions, taxes, audits, controls, procedures, and customer service. Coordinated the audit, joint interest, and financial audits for clients. Conducted annual compliance training for clients.
Credentials
- MS, Accounting and Finance (American Intercontinental University (TX))
- BS, Business Administration - Accounting (Texas Southern University (TX))
Brian Zelk
Manager
- Analytical
- Restorative
- Activator
- Belief
- Individualization
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Structured an evaluation and development process for prioritization and execution of all new product development projects that successfully assessed over 500 defined development ideas, based on their alignment with corporate strategic goals and objectives, from all parts of the business (network, IT, Sales & Marketing, Customer Care, and Product)
Program Managed the design and build-out of 10 tier III mission critical data centers for the Sprint E|Solutions internet hosting business unit.
Led a complex migration/consolidation of over 500 servers across multiple platforms (mainframe, AS-400, windows, UNIX, etc.) from two data centers to one, driven by a change in hosting provider. The migration was completed on time and within budget, with zero service interruptions.
Credentials
- BSBA, Accounting (University of Central Missouri)
Mikiya Barber
Senior Consultant
- Achiever
- Learner
- Communication
- Responsibility
- Woo
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Collected and analyzed data, prepared quarterly reports and cost analyses, and provided recommendations to improve logistics and supply chain operations, contributing to data-driven decision-making processes.
Assessed potential risks and developed contingency plans to minimize disruptions in supply chains and maintain mission readiness.
Developed and executed a comprehensive logistics plan, including inventory management, transportation, and distribution of supplies and equipment to support mission operations.
Demonstrates strong collaboration and coordination skills by effectively working with internal and external stakeholders, including other units, contractors, and vendors, to ensure timely support for mission operations.
Credentials
- MA, Management (American Military University)
- Logistics Basic Officer Leadership Course, Army Quartermaster Officer certification (Army Logistics University)
- BS, Business Management (Florida State University)
Pearl Plumboy
Senior Consultant
- Strategic
- Achiever
- Competition
- Intellection
- Learner
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Planned and implemented external engagement strategies such as political outreach initiatives to engage internal and external stakeholders in collaborative efforts promoting company growth and development.
Assisted with developing and fostering internal relations and external stakeholders for Federal, state, and local government participants, community leaders, and members of organizations and institutions with similar equal opportunity objectives.
Credentials
- BS, Communication (Howard University)
- Certificate, Diversity, and Inclusion (Cornell University)
Karl Johnson
Analyst
- Strategic
- Positivity
- Achiever
- Responsibility
- Learner
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Resolved complex title issues, reviewed, and determined the best course of action to cure the title. Made curative recommendations and assisted clients with various title defects to achieve clear marketable/insurable titles.
Research and resolve title issues and discrepancies, reviewing title evidence, and curing title defects of record while partnering with the onsite legal team.
Credentials
- BS. Computer Information Systems (Grambling State University)
Tymia Taylor
Analyst
- Empathy
- Harmony
- Restorative
- Futuristic
- Individualization
CliftonStrengths
Delivery Experience
Processed and completed sensitive documents ensuring accuracy. Verified and corrected data to ensure the quality and integrity of the information in the system.
Credentials
- Crash Course on Python Google Certificate
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Udemy Certificate
Testimonials
Impressed with their attention to detail
Ed and his team bring an understanding of the complexities and needs of the most important people in our business, our guests. We have been impressed with their attention to detail, work ethic, and sometimes under less than perfect circumstances.
Delighted with their work
7th Echelon provided high-quality people that know how to execute a project. We can say without reservation that we have been delighted with their work.
Foresight, and out of the box thinking
It was a pleasure and we enjoyed working with owner Ed Melton and his team. We were so impressed with Ed's foresight, and out of the box thinking, we along with the project manager prime contractor, selected him to serve as a voting member for the selection of the general contractor for the $38MM project.
Diversity and Inclusion
We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to promoting equity and fairness in all aspects of our operations. We strive to build and foster a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and create an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.