From a modest basement in Virginia, Maximus emerged in 1975 with a daring mission: to help government serve the people. Founded by visionary David Mastran, Maximus began as a determined consulting firm tackling inefficiencies in public programs and quickly gained renown for its commitment to quality and innovation. Early contracts in fraud detection and Medicaid consulting laid the groundwork for dramatic growth, while the company’s expansion into privatized welfare-to-work programs, like Los Angeles GAIN, reshaped how public services reached those in need.
Maximus’ journey is woven with risk, resilience, and bold pivots—surviving economic and political tides, and ultimately going public in 1997—a move that propelled it into the ranks of global leaders in government outsourcing and human services. Along the way, Maximus cultivated a culture of care, prioritizing employee well-being and putting empathy at the heart of its work.
This is the story of the 50-year journey of Maximus—the people who shaped it, the communities it touched, and its relentless pursuit of moving people forward.
This enhanced eBook features pop-up images and videos, as well as embedded audio quotes from executives, retirees, and key stakeholders who were interviewed during the research for this book.
