Taylor Simmons StrategistMORGANTOWN — Forge, a strategic planning and consulting firm in Morgantown, is pleased to announce it recently hired Taylor Simmons as a Senior Strategist with a focus on Government Contracting Services.

Simmons, a native of Morgantown, has more than a decade of experience as a consultant and strategist helping a variety of businesses operate more efficiently. Prior to joining Forge, Simmons was an IT project manager/business analyst in the public energy sector for four years. He also has experience in the government contracting, healthcare, construction, and hospitality industries.

“Taylor is the ideal hire for Forge because he understands how businesses work and how to help them operate more efficiently,” said Forge President and CEO Frank Vitale.

Simmons has two bachelor’s degrees in business from WVU – one with an emphasis in small business management and entrepreneurship, and the other specializing in Management Information Systems. He also started his own business while in college.

“Taylor has the experience of starting a business, then growing it and selling it, which gives him a unique perspective,” Vitale said.

Simmons has expertise in project management and agile methodology, providing him an understanding of how to design plans that provide the clarity to reach milestones on time while still allowing for flexibility throughout. Taylor is PMP certified through Project Management Institute and is also a Certified Scrum Master and Certified Scrum Product Owner through Scrum Alliance.

“I am most excited to support a wide and diverse customer base at Forge,” Simmons said. “With the company growing, I look forward to meeting and working with many businesses that can benefit from our strategic solutions and offerings.”

Forge is a certified Veteran-owned business that provides management and leadership planning services to businesses, organizations, and non-profits. Its services include government and community relations, strategic planning, business development, and organizational growth planning.