From its beginnings as a Wheeling technology consulting firm in 1986 to a regional leader in IT and cybersecurity, Omni Strategic Technologies has spent four decades helping organizations adapt, grow, and succeed.
Technology has changed dramatically over the past 40 years, but one thing has remained constant for Omni Strategic Technologies: a commitment to helping organizations make the most of it.
Based in Wheeling, West Virginia, Omni is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of innovation, trusted relationships, and service to businesses, schools, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond.
From HGO Technology to Omni
The company’s story began in 1986, when Donald Honaker II, Elizabeth “Liz” Gates, and James O’Malley founded HGO Technology in Wheeling. Built on technical expertise and strong client relationships, the company focused on helping organizations use technology to reach their goals.
Gates remained actively involved with the firm until very recently, providing a lasting connection to the company’s earliest days and continuing to influence its culture and community involvement.
A new chapter began in 2011, when businessman and entrepreneur David H. McKinley acquired HGO Technology with a vision of building a more comprehensive technology services organization for the region.
That vision took shape in 2014 with the launch of Omni Strategic Technologies. By bringing together HGO Technology, Terradon Communications Group (TCG), and ContactPointe IT Services, the company united expertise in IT consulting, managed services, infrastructure, software development, training, and strategic advisory services.
The result was a broader range of technology solutions designed to help clients operate more effectively and prepare for the future.
Evolving Alongside Technology
Over four decades, Omni has grown alongside an ever-changing technology landscape. What began as an IT consulting company has expanded into a full-service technology and cybersecurity firm.
Today, its services include managed IT support, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, Microsoft technologies, infrastructure modernization, automation consulting, compliance support, and business technology planning. The company also helps organizations prepare for emerging technologies through artificial intelligence (AI) readiness assessments and strategic guidance.
For Omni President Chip Calissie, the company’s longevity is about more than keeping pace with new technology.
“Forty years is an incredible milestone, but what makes me most proud is not the number of years we’ve been in business. It’s the relationships we’ve built and the trust our clients have placed in us throughout those years,” Calissie said.
He noted that the company has continually adapted and expanded its capabilities, building on the foundation established by HGO Technology and the vision that led to Omni’s creation.
Preparing Clients for What’s Next
As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, automation, and cybersecurity continue to reshape the way organizations work, Omni is focused on helping clients understand both the opportunities and the risks that come with new technology.
AI, in particular, offers significant potential for improving efficiency and performance, but organizations must also consider security, compliance, and responsible implementation.
Omni’s approach goes beyond introducing new tools. The company works with clients to make informed technology decisions, reduce risk, modernize operations, and plan for long-term success.
As Calissie explained, the goal is to help organizations confidently navigate change while keeping people and relationships at the center of the process.
Honoring a Legacy and Investing in the Future
As part of its 40th-anniversary celebration, Omni is recognizing the contributions of its three original founders: Donald Honaker II, Elizabeth “Liz” Gates, and James O’Malley.
Gates’ decades of service have been particularly meaningful to the company’s history, and her influence extends beyond the organization itself.
In recognition of her legacy, Omni established the Elizabeth Gates Technology Scholarship to encourage and support the next generation of technology and cybersecurity professionals, particularly women pursuing careers in these fields.
The scholarship reflects the company’s commitment not only to innovation, but also to creating opportunities for future generations and strengthening the communities it serves.
Four Decades of Service—and a Future of Possibility
Today, Omni Strategic Technologies employs a team of professionals serving organizations throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond. Its work spans a wide range of industries, helping clients use technology securely, strategically, and effectively.
As the company looks ahead, its focus remains rooted in the principles that have guided it since its beginnings in Wheeling: trusted advice, exceptional service, community involvement, continuous innovation, and a commitment to helping clients succeed.
Forty years after HGO Technology first opened its doors, Omni continues to build on that foundation—adapting to new challenges, embracing new opportunities, and helping organizations navigate whatever comes next.
Learn more about Omni Strategic Technologies and its services at Omni’s website.
