1985 - FTI IS FOUNDED
FTI was founded in Santa Barbara, CA by Lavon F. Jordan and Mr. Joseph S. Hashem. A second office in Dayton, OH served the Air Force aircraft community.
1990-1995 - FTI GROWS
FTI expands its offerings, increasing the win rate in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and establishes its space systems business.
1996 - MILITARY SPACE AND ISR
FTI saw growth in its IT and Military Space and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) portfolios. FTI also develops automated decision-support tools.
2000-2005 - FTI DEVELOPS NEW PRODUCTS
Several companies join FTI through acquisition. FTI develops four new products in high growth markets. In 2004, FTI’s Commercial IT unit becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FTI.
2005-2017 - FTI INVESTS IN ENHANCED DECISION-SUPPORT
FTI converts its original set of decision-support products to a more comprehensive support system. The broad applicability enables FTI to expand its customer base and bring in additional talent, kicking off a new period of growth within the company.
2015 – FTI WINS TIBBETTS AWARD
FTI is awarded the 2015 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Tibbetts Award at a White House Ceremony. The Tibbetts Award is awarded to the most innovative 23 businesses out of the 30,000 companies within the SBIR program.
Ron Shroder pictured with SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.
2017 – FTI SPONSORS FIRST HONOR FLIGHT
FTI sponsors its first Honor Flight from Dayton, OH to Washington, DC, hosting veterans of World War II, Vietnam and Korea on a trip to see their national monuments.
2017 - CEO RON SHRODER TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION
CEO Ron Shroder testifies at a Congressional Joint Hearing on current SBIR and STTR Programs.
2018 - FTI GROWS OVER 150%
FTI’s innovation and commitment to customers allow the company to grow over 150% in 24 months.
2019 - CEO RON SHRODER ADDRESSES THE CONGRESSIONAL JOINT HEARING
Ron Shroder, FTI’s CEO, was invited to testify on September 19, 2019 at a Congressional hearing titled, “SBA Programs Spurring Innovation.” This was Mr. Shroder’s second testimony before Congress on the SBIR and STTR programs.
2019 – FTI is nominated as Best Places to Work
Frontier Technology Inc. was nominated the distinction of being named one of 2019’s Best Places to Work in California, Ohio, and Virginia
2019 - CEO RON SHRODER RETURNS TO CONGRESS; FTI SPONSORS ITS SECOND HONOR FLIGHT
CEO Ron Shroder testifies before Congress on SBA programs spurring innovation. FTI wins a Best Place to Work and Community Supporter Business of the Year award from the Dayton Business Journal. FTI sponsors its second Honor Flight.
2023 – FTI SPONSORS ITS THIRD HONOR FLIGHT
FTI escorts 82 veterans of World World II, Vietnam and Korea from Dayton, OH to Washington, DC for a life-changing trip honoring their service to our country.
HONORING OUR FOUNDER LAVON F. JORDAN
Lavon F. Jordan embodied the entrepreneurial spirit at a young age working in his family’s general store in rural Alabama. Lavon would go on to study at Jacksonville State College and Auburn University where he earned degrees in Mechanical, Industrial, and Systems Engineering. He spent his early career at Robbins Air Force Base in the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center in Huntsville, AL.
Lavon then headed to California, bringing his experience working with the military and support contractors to General Research Corp. During his tenure, he would be responsible for creating a new department which grew to five offices across the country.
Leveraging his robust experience in the defense industry, Lavon founded Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI) in 1985. He built a strong business while continuing his role as an industry leader, serving on two national committees on the standardized defense modernization process. In 1995, Jordan co-founded the Defense Planning and Analysis Society, a joint government and industry venture.
During his tenure at FTI, he developed new analytical methodologies for the U. S. Air Force, U.S. Army, as well as joint agencies and offices.
Lavon was a dedicated husband and father who loved traveling and spending time with his family. He was a lifelong philanthropist who supported a number of educational institutions, the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and the Royal Family Kids Camp for children who have experienced trauma. Across the globe, he supported an orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lavon lent his business expertise to churches and non-profits, often helping with strategy and planning.
A pioneer in quantitative planning and systems analysis, Lavon was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2009. FTI established the Lavon Jordan Diversity and Inclusion scholarship program in his honor.
Lavon’s legacy lives on at FTI—in how we make a difference for our customers, how we support each other and how we impact the communities we live in.