“I was humbled,” Bitar said. “We hope it’s an encouragement to our community that good things are happening in Anderson. We’re hoping that translates into something that helps us accomplish the rest of our mission.”

Bitar said the prize is really more indicative of the team effort put in by the company’s employees as opposed to one man’s vision.

“I have been the leader and provided some of the vision for what we’re doing, but the talent is in the team,” he said. “This recognition is really for them and their accomplishments and hard work.”

Anderson is one of the major beneficiaries of Bitar’s company, as it lets the rest of the state know the city can stay ahead of the game and produce cutting-edge technology, Staley said.

“The legacy that we have in Anderson is in the area of electrical engineering,” Staley said. “We try to promote this company to tap into that legacy. By doing that, Pete helps keep that nucleus of that electrical know-how in the state. This is right in our sweet spot.”

Bitar plans to keep his company in Anderson, and in doing so will continue to create jobs for the city and to produce technology not available anywhere else. He plans the growth of XADS to continue to use parts, components and labor from the city and become a long-term asset to Indiana.

“There’s some really unique, cutting-edge technology that’s only found in the state of Indiana,” Bitar said. “The state benefits from having a lock on this technology. That advancement will ultimately drive the high-tech element of what we want to do with the state and the area.

Part of Bitar’s success has been that XADS has been profitable in every year of its existence and has done it without borrowing long-term money or involving investors, Bitar said.

Although he has big dreams, Bitar is a down-home Anderson guy, Staley said, which is part of his charm and success.

“He not only is growing a business, but he also is committed to the community,” Staley said. “He’s part of the fabric of our community, and those are the kind of individuals we need.

“We need more Pete Bitars in this community.”

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BREAKOUT

Indiana cities with businesses making the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s inaugural “Companies to Watch” list include: Indianapolis (20), West Lafayette (4), Carmel (3), Bloomington (2), Noblesville (2), Anderson, Angola, Bargersville, Centerville, Columbia City, Columbus, Evansville, Greenwood, Fort Wayne, Goshen, Madison, Mishawaka, Muncie, Nappanee, Pekin, Portage, South Bend, Terre Haute, Walkerton

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation