About The Linchpin Group
The Linchpin Group, LLC is a veteran-owned small Business (VOSB) Information Technology Services company dedicated to providing top-tier Cybersecurity and IT solutions to meet our public, private, and Tribal customer's rapidly evolving challenges. With a focus on continuous innovation and a deep knowledge of the public sector, we can help your organization navigate the chaotic landscape of tools and solutions and bring better order to IT Security and infrastructure services. Our expertise spans multiple technologies, which enables TLPG to provide our customers with objective and independent solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.
Our company comprises highly skilled industry veterans with successful track records working with leading organizations, including Microsoft, Department of Agriculture (USDA), Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Air Force (USAF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, and several government and commercial customers. Our continuous education and certification program helps us enhance our value to our customers by staying on top and ahead of emerging information technology and security threats.
Company Bios
Wade Phillips
Founder of The Linchpin Group
Wade Phillips is the driving force behind The Linchpin Group, steering its strategy with a focus on leveraging highly capable IT experts. Over 14 years of successful growth, Wade has built a team and network of partnerships based on trust and personal recommendations. His motto, “All in,” embodies the commitment and dedication that define our approach.
Holding IT together is a challenging task, with obstacles lurking around every corner. As a former military professional, Wade values no-nonsense conversations and direct communication. He is known for his honesty, occasional long-windedness, and use of colloquialisms and anecdotes, all aimed at providing a clear, nuts-and-bolts understanding of your issues. Wade’s intent is always to get to the heart of what matters most and to understand his customers’ pain points.
For 39 years, Wade has been fascinated by technology and its potential. His journey started with early home computers, where he and his family immersed themselves in the world of computing. Wade's passion for technology grew exponentially with each new development, driving him to delve into early operating systems, network configurations, and software environments.
Wade's hands-on approach led him to take apart and understand every piece of technology he encountered. His first IT job came in 1992 after leaving the military, working as a contractor providing phone support for early operating systems. This experience propelled him into network administration, computer architecture, and consulting.
In 2010, after 18 years of working as a consultant and contractor, Wade founded The Linchpin Group. His extensive experience and deep understanding of IT and leadership has shaped the company’s success, making it a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable and innovative IT solutions. Wade’s leadership continues to drive The Linchpin Group forward, ensuring we deliver the highest standards of service and expertise to our clients.
Rabih Andari
Executive Vice President of The Linchpin Group
Rabih Andari performs a vital role at The Linchpin Group. With 39 years of experience leading critical and complex transformational projects across various industry sectors, he spearheads The Linchpin Group’s corporate strategies, business development, and operations. Rabih is known for his unflappable calm air and honest management approach. His ability to develop highly effective and successful teams consistently driven positive results. He excels in communication and consensus-building, particularly in a challenging and politically sensitive environment.
Rabih has led the architecture and transformation of major and publicly referenced projects at Microsoft Corporation. His 30 years at Microsoft career as a Services Executive culminated in 2019 where he managed multimillion-dollar contracts and achieved significant success in highly critical Microsoft programs with U.S. Federal and defense integrators. He led and architected information technologies and cloud transformation programs, providing essential engineering support. Notably, Rabih led and architected the first federal cabinet-level agency Cloud Migration, and the first authorization- to-operate (ATO) implementation for the U.S. government.
At a personal invitation from Wade, he has come out of retirement to re-engage the game and get back to doing what he does best.
Sharyn Pensmith
Chief Strategist of Business Development of The Linchpin Group
Sharyn Pensmith has over 25 years of outstanding achievement in government sales experience. Her experience incorporates all aspects of technology to the federal market, developing the value proposition and winning major sales. She excels in developing business strategies, identifying opportunities, sales and support for consulting opportunities which expand the business across all channels of business.
With 15 years’ experience at Microsoft Federal, Sharyn had responsibility for the business strategy, and sales for consulting opportunities with major Federal Agencies to include National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Jet Propulsion Lab; Department of Interior; US Courts, Defense Information Agency (DISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Indian Tribes.
A long-time veteran of the telecommunications industry, Pensmith has led company sales and marketing staff for large corporate telecommunications and network services accounts for both federal and commercial customers. She’s worked for the world's premier telecommunications providers and made major contributions in the company's evolution as a network services provider for DISA helping to triple annual revenues. She received numerous awards and recognition and was a four-time recipient of Infonet's "Best of the Best," its corporate award for excellence.