The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has accelerated change across nearly every sector, from business operations to government services. While the pace has left some behind, Nicholas Berry Jr. has chosen to embrace this momentum and move forward in his career.
A distinguished solutions architect at Planet Technologies, Berry has built a career defined by innovation and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of technology leaders. Today, he stands out for creating Imperium Path, an AI-powered tool transforming how small businesses approach government contracting.
Building a Tool for Government Contracting
Berry describes his latest project with enthusiasm. “It’s a software called Imperium Path, an AI government small business proposal writing tool for people who are getting into government contracting or are already in government contracting,” he explains. “It provides real-time feeds of RFPs, which are government opportunities. It is based on their niche, past performance, certifications and profile. It aligns opportunities with their profile so they don’t have to go out and search for opportunities. It actually brings opportunities to their profile.”
The platform also encourages collaboration. “It allows work with other partners just in case they can’t meet certain requirements,” Berry adds. “Once it does that, it starts writing a proposal for them and it brings them government compliance with the proposal process.” Through Imperium Path, Berry demonstrates his ability to bridge complex systems with user-friendly solutions.
Career Path and Professional Impact
Berry began his career in 2002 at Geek Squad. In 2012, he began working at BAE Systems Information Technology as a systems engineer and later served as an Azure architect and engineer for the U.S. Department of Justice for more than a decade. From 2020 to 2025, he contributed to national defense technology as a cloud architect with the Army National Guard.
In his current role at Planet Technologies, Berry has collaborated with major agencies, most notably guiding the Office of Personnel Management through a transition from paper-based to fully cloud-based retirement systems.
Reflecting on his work, he says, “Through the storm, when the storm is blowing, always remember the rainbow comes out. Even if you’re dealing with really bad stuff, at some point, the rain and the storm have to stop, and the sun is going to come out.”
A Philosophy of Perseverance and Mentorship
Berry credits perseverance and teamwork for his success: “How I got to where I am today is a lot of perseverance, not giving up, staying the course, realizing it’s not a race against everybody else, just staying in my lane and learning how to work with others.” He also values humility and shared growth. “Iron sharpens iron, and you can’t always be the smartest one in the room. Everybody within a team has knowledge and skill sets, and if you learn how to position yourself to work with others, you’ll be well off.”
This belief has shaped Berry’s mentorship efforts. He founded a program in memory of his younger brothers, teaching mentees both foundational and advanced IT concepts and guiding them through job placement. “At some point, you can’t retain all the knowledge because you have to let go of some to gain new knowledge,” he explains.
Looking Forward: Expanding Education in AI
Berry’s plans for the future extend beyond Imperium Path. “In the next year or two, I will be officially launching my own product: I’m opening up an AI university,” he says. He plans for this program to offer courses in AI product development, security, networking, and ethical hacking, designed for those without prior knowledge of the industry. He plans to make the courses fully online.
For Berry, being a “humble innovator” means using knowledge to empower others. As he continues to develop tools and mentor future leaders, his mission remains clear: advancing AI responsibly while helping people succeed without facing the same obstacles he did.
