Out of Millions, One Chosen: Qais Alkurdi Represents California During The National Small Business Week

Honoring Leadership: Qais Alkurdi and the 2025 National Small Business Week

Out of California’s 4.1 million small businesses, Qais Alkurdi, CEO of HQE Systems, Inc., stood alone in representing the state. More than just an honoree, Qais Alkurdi was selected to join closed-door conversations with national leadership to share how HQE’s veteran-led, mission-driven technologies are saving lives and modernizing emergency communications across sectors.

His presence at the table represented the growing national relevance of HQE Systems, and the SBA’s recognition of the real-world impact that veteran-owned small businesses can make when given a voice at the highest levels of government.

What Is The National Small Business Week?

The National Small Business Week has been a tradition since 1963, when the President of the United States first issued a proclamation recognizing the vital role small businesses play in the American economy. According to the SBA, small businesses represent 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly half of the private workforce (SBA.gov, 2025). These businesses are not just storefronts and startups; they are innovators, job creators, and the fabric of every community across the country.

This year’s agenda was more than symbolic. The week served as a convening point where the most impactful small business leaders out of millions nationwide were invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in high-level discussions with SBA officials and members of the President’s administration. Topics included national security, infrastructure resilience, public safety, workforce development, and technological innovation.

For business owners, policymakers, veterans, and community leaders alike, the NSBW is a chance to spotlight those who embody entrepreneurship at its best.

California’s Honoree: Qais Alkurdi

Qais Alkurdi, a disabled veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, launched HQE Systems, Inc., a mission-driven business that focuses on emergency preparedness and life safety technologies. Based in Temecula, California, HQE provides public and private-sector clients, from military installations to local governments, with integrated mass notification and security solutions.

Why Qais Alkurdi?

• Veteran leadership: As a service-disabled veteran, Alkurdi built his company with the discipline and integrity of military service at its core.
• Community impact: HQE has delivered life-saving technology to school campuses, military bases, and municipalities.
• Innovation: The company is known for pioneering technologies like the SAFE Network™, SMART Alert Software, and the Fortress™ system.
• Mentorship and hiring: Alkurdi prioritizes hiring veterans and mentoring young professionals entering the GovTech space.

His recognition has drawn praise from across the state, including commendations from military, business, and community leaders. This spotlight has not only increased visibility for HQE Systems but has also opened doors for new partnerships and collaboration opportunities. The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) celebrated the award in public posts on both their official and minority veterans Facebook pages (CalVet Facebook, 2025, Minority Vets).

From the Frontline to the Front Office

Before founding HQE, Qais Alkurdi served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his service, he faced many of the same challenges veterans encounter when transitioning into civilian life, such as navigating the private sector, balancing family responsibilities, and building something from the ground up. But instead of viewing those challenges as obstacles, he used them as fuel to launch HQE Systems.

In just a few years, HQE has gone from a startup to a trusted vendor for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, US Secret Service, US Marshals, Department of Logistics Administration, universities, hospitals, municipalities, and many other private corporations across the U.S. Their systems include:

• Electronic Mass Notification Software
• Outdoor Sirens and Indoor PA Systems
• Real-Time Badge Tracking
• Lightning Detection and Visual Alerts

In 2024 and 2025, HQE secured contracts such as:

• The Joint Base Charleston Siren Replacement Project
• A $65M multi-year contract with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
• City-level early warning deployments like in Clearwater, Florida

Qais Alkurdi has also been recognized locally, receiving the Temecula Leading Manufacturer Award and the John K. Lopez DVBE Excellence Award in 2024.

A Model for Veteran-Owned Success

Alkurdi’s journey is inspiring because it reflects a path many veterans strive for: taking leadership and logistical experience from the military and translating it into entrepreneurial success. HQE Systems employs a team that includes over 60% veterans, many of whom have backgrounds in cybersecurity, emergency management, and engineering.

“Winning this award is not just about me,” Alkurdi said in a recent press release. “It’s about the team, the mission, and the people we’re protecting every day through our technology. Being recognized by the SBA is proof that veterans can lead and innovate in the highest levels of the private sector.”

His leadership style is deeply collaborative, and he has made it a point to remain accessible to both his internal team and the communities they serve. Under his direction, HQE has prioritized designing systems that are:

• ADA-compliant
• Multilingual
• Power-outage resilient

These values stem from a deep understanding that true safety means equity, reliability, and clear communication for everyone.

What’s Next for HQE and Alkurdi?

In 2025, HQE is continuing to scale nationally, aiming to bring its life-saving technologies to an even broader range of clients. For example, the company is expanding its technologies to more universities, oil and gas companies, manufacturing plants, corporate campuses, private hospitals, and municipalities. Their goal? To help institutions move from reactive alerting to proactive protection. .

At the forefront of this growth is the SAFE Network™, a resilient, multi-layered emergency alerting system developed by HQE to operate even when cellular networks and power grids fail. It provides integrated indoor and outdoor coverage with synchronized audio and visual alerts through sirens, LED signage, PA systems, and digital notifications. This infrastructure is designed for scalability and accessibility, supporting multilingual alerts and ADA-compliant formats to ensure no one is left uninformed.

Additionally, HQE is expanding the deployment of its Fortress™System, a wearable badge that enables real-time location tracking and silent panic signaling. The system empowers school staff, security teams, and facility managers to trigger lockdowns, alert first responders, and enhance situational awareness during unfolding emergencies.

These tools, paired with HQE’s trusted SMART Alert software platform, are equipping institutions with an integrated approach to mass communication and safety automation.

As HQE broadens its network of veteran-led partners and implementation teams, it remains focused on delivering scalable, proactive solutions that help clients transition from reactive warning systems to real-time coordinated protection.

Why This Recognition Matters

SBA recognition is more than a trophy, it is a seal of excellence that speaks to a company’s operational strength, innovation, and commitment to service. For HQE Systems, this award affirms its role as a leader not just in technology, but in community impact and ethical growth. It gives federal clients additional assurance that they are working with a vendor who has been vetted at the highest levels and is delivering value beyond compliance. It signals to agencies, primes, and clients that a company has:

• Proven success in performance and delivery
• Maintained strong financial and operational integrity
• Positively contributed to its community

In federal contracting, where past performance and trustworthiness are everything, this type of distinction elevates HQE’s brand and builds long-term credibility.

Moreover, this recognition draws attention to the broader contributions of SDVOSBs and veteran entrepreneurs, an often underrepresented but incredibly valuable segment of America’s business ecosystem.

Join the Celebration

As the National Small Business Week has wrapped up, HQE Systems welcomes clients, partners, and friends to explore the story behind this incredible week below.

• Read the SBA’s NSBW feature
• Explore HQE’s official press release
• Follow CalVet’s message
• Learn more about HQE’s mission at hqesystems.com

From the frontlines to the front office, Qais Alkurdi’s story exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, serve with integrity, and innovate with purpose.

About HQE Systems, Inc.

HQE Systems, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in integrated life safety, emergency response, and mass notification technologies. Headquartered in Temecula, California, HQE provides custom-engineered security solutions for government agencies, military installations, public safety organizations, and private-sector clients nationwide.

Media Contact:
HQE Systems, Inc.
1 (800) 967-3036
marketing@hqesystems.com
www.hqesystems.com

HQE Systems is a certified Veteran Owned Company. For more information about HQE Systems Inc. and its emergency management, electronic security, and integration solutions, please visit www.hqesystems.com.