If
growing pains indicate progress, then the progressive growth Paternity
Testing Corp. (PTC) has experienced in its first nine years in business
is a delightful pain. The DNA analysis firm, based in Columbia, Mo.,
has gone from a family-operation of four people to an expansive enterprise
of 33 employees. It serves clients, both public and private, from
all over the nation.
The primary focus of the business, as its name implies, is to resolve
questions regarding the identification of the biological parent of
a child or to determine other family relationships. PTC also performs
forensic testing for police investigations, DNA profiling and virtually
any other service involving human DNA testing.
Bursting at the seams, PTC is remodeling a newly purchased facility
that will nearly triple its laboratory and office space to 20,000
square feet. The relocation will help the firm better handle its constantly
increasing caseload, which numbered approximately 45,000 analysis
samples in 2004. That translated into more than $3 million in gross
sales, according to Lyle Johnson, PTC marketing director who joined
the company in 2000.
Johnson has helped Kim and Joe Gorman — the wife-husband team who
started and own PTC — make the transition from a boot-strap outfit
to a formidable biotechnology force and significant contributor to
central Missouri's economy. Since the firm's founding in 1996 Kim,
with an extensive biotech background, has provided the scientific
and technical expertise to guide the start-up's operational side;
Joe, a former St. Louis attorney, oversees the administrative duties.
And as Johnson has assisted the Gormans, so too has Johnson sought
and received significant client-search support from Bill Stuby, program
specialist with the Missouri Procurement
Technical Assistance Center (MO PTAC). Stuby, whose office is
affiliated with the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (MO
SBDC) at the University of Missouri, focuses on providing advice to
Johnson and PTC regarding the parameters of potential government contracts.
"The Procurement Center advises us of new requirements for doing
business with the federal and state governments," Johnson said.
"One of the most beneficial services is their bid matching service,
(which) makes us aware of any government bidding opportunities that
we may be interested in."
Apparently Stuby's advice is proving valuable. PTC has successfully
bid on contracts with state agencies in Kentucky, Louisiana, Iowa
and Missouri. These contracts cover paternity-testing services for
state offices such as the Family Support Division and the Children's
Division of Missouri's Department of Social Services.
During the past year these government contracts have provided a significant
percentage of PTC's gross revenue. And PTC, along with Stuby, is on
the lookout for additional government agencies seeking DNA analysis
services.
"DNA testing is being advanced in many governmental areas, including
social services, corrections and law enforcement," Stuby says.
"PTC's business focus is interesting, providing a challenge for
me to find appropriate contracting opportunities in the public service
arena.
 |
| Columbia Rep. Judy Baker shares a resolution
of congratulations with Lyle Johnson and Kim Gorman of Paternity
Testing Corporation of Columbia. |
"It's a real pleasure to have these people as clients. They have
created new, highly paid and skilled jobs for the Mid-Missouri area.
PTC's growth has been substantial and their customer service speaks
volumes for the kind of company they've established and will continue
to develop."
Because of the firm's significant progress as a growing Missouri
business enterprise, PTC represented MO PTAC at the first Client
Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Feb. 10, in the State Capitol
Rotunda in Jefferson City.
For more information on the services of the MO PTAC program, call
Stuby at 573/882-9398 or e-mail him at stubyb@missouri.edu.
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