Rick Newton has been down this road before, working at well-known information technology comapnies that were focused on profits before customer service. It's why he wants the IT firm he founded in 2003 and serves as president, Newton Consulting, to be known as the "anti-consultant" consulting firm.

Newton's unusual operating model is based on shared ownership with a heavy emphasis on customer service. It has helped the company attract top talent, thanks to its pay-for-performance compensation structure based on employees' direct contribution to clients and the company, resulting in higher than average compensation. Newton serves clients across the continent and in Europe, growing to $10 million in annual revenue, 42 employees and 40 partnering subcontractors. Between 2007 and 2009, the company's revenue grew by 24 percent and it increased its staff size by 78 percent. Both revenue and employees grew by roughly 25 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Newton targets growing, mid-sized companies and is able to offer them rates significantly lower than those of larger, global IT outfits. The company provides services in IT strategy, project management, systems integration and legacy application support, health/welfare benefits consulting and recruitment process outsourcing. Newton expanded its project management practice area in 2010 and launched enterprise resource planning and business intelligence practices. It is routinely regarded as one of the top technology companies in Western PA, earning the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Best Service Provider award in 2008 and is among the fastest growing IT services companies in the country according to the Inc. 5000 list.