- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Native Contracting
Alaska Native-owned Copper River Family of Companies has acquired San Antonio, Texas-based Aspire Medical Staffing, strengthening its position in the healthcare staffing market serving government and private sector clients. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal enhances Copper River's capabilities to support the Department of Defense, federal agencies and private healthcare organizations with staffing solutions, according to a statement.
"Their dedication to quality staffing and their strong industry presence makes them a perfect fit for our vision," said Kevin McLaughlin, chief executive officer of Copper River, owned by the federally recognized Native Village of Eyak Tribe.
Since 2022, Aspire has won federal awards totaling $29.8 million, primarily for the Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration, according to data from marketing intelligence firm HigherGov.com.
In January 2024, Aspire-LUKE JV, LLC, a joint venture between Aspire and healthcare staffing company LUKE, received a 10-year contract with a ceiling value of $23 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The contract, part of the Veterans Health Administration Integrated Critical Staffing Program, aims to provide temporary clinical and non-clinical staffing services across VA sites nationwide.
Aspire Medical Staffing was founded by Gilbert Perales, an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. Perales, who holds degrees in occupational therapy and healthcare administration, previously founded and sold a home health contracting agency in San Antonio.
Copper River provides IT modernization, cybersecurity and digital transformation services through 15 business units. The company participates in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program.
Rock Hall Partners, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm specializing in the federal government contracting market, advised Copper River on the transaction.
