For Nancy Rivers, LR3 Solutions began with a simple but powerful belief: she wanted the freedom to deliver technical work at a higher standard and to build a company where engineers could grow, question, innovate, and take pride in their solutions. After years in large organizations where quality sometimes took a back seat to process, Nancy envisioned a different approach. She imagined a firm that addressed complex utility challenges with clarity and care while mentoring the next generation of engineers along the way.

In June 2020, she founded LR3 Solutions, a technical practice specializing in risk assessment, infrastructure analysis, and strategic planning for government utility systems. The firm supports military installations and federal clients facing aging infrastructure, limited funding, and the pressure to make decisions that affect both safety and long-term resilience. LR3 helps these clients understand their risks, weigh capital improvements, and identify solutions that reduce costs while increasing reliability.

Behind the technical work lies a culture Nancy shaped with intention. She developed formal and informal training pathways, fostered an environment where team members ask questions freely, and launched internal programs that encourage continuous learning. “Being a business owner allows me to set the tone for quality and to support my employees in a meaningful way,” she explained. “We want every engineer to feel empowered to do their best work.”

As LR3 began to grow, Nancy recognized the need for guidance outside her technical expertise. A colleague introduced her to the Mason Small Business Development Center (SBDC), launching a long-term advising relationship that helped her strengthen the company’s foundation.

Her SBDC advisor, Timm Johnson, guided her through business registration, operational setup, payroll and accounting reviews, and marketing strategy development. He recommended workshops, encouraged her to join the Thrive Emerging Leaders program , and offered steady direction whenever new questions arose. Nancy valued that the SBDC didn’t provide quick answers; instead, it offered frameworks that allowed her to make informed decisions and take confident next steps.