MEET THE TEAM :: Alexis Mota

Facility Security Officer

Alexis Mota joined the 8-koi team in July as the facility security officer (FSO). She’s a political science graduate from the University of Central Florida with a focus in terrorism studies and military politics. Strengthening her skills as 8-koi’s FSO she continues her UCF studies and is working to complete her leadership classes as part of UCF’s extended education.

As FSO her daily responsibilities include managing personnel security clearances and 8-koi’s facility clearance. She ensures government paperwork is up-to-date, properly completed and guides employees through the clearance process - briefing them on what to expect during the investigation process. Alexis also supports Inga Young, CEO of 8-koi and CDE, with daily tasks, upkeep of calendars, reviewing and coordinating proposals and helping with 8-koi events like job fairs.

Before joining 8-koi Alexis was a contracted background investigator for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. She conducted all the fieldwork required to determine eligibility for a government security clearance. During that time she mostly worked in Melbourne, Florida, at Patrick AFB, Kennedy Space Center and Northrop Grumman. She also spent a month working in Puerto Rico, a month in San Francisco and two weeks in Colorado.

 “The whole month I was in Puerto Rico was interesting. I drove all over the island most days and almost all the routes I had to take took me on terrifyingly narrow mountain roads. I was there not too long after hurricane Maria and one day I was driving along the mountain pass and the road just ended because it got washed out in the storm. It wasn’t the easiest experience to be there for a month. I had to push myself outside of my comfort zone to get work done.”

During her career and travels as an investigator Alexis collected memorable stories and experiences.

“One time when I was in Puerto Rico, I was looking for someone but didn’t have an exact address like we do here in the continental U.S., so I knocked on some doors in the general area trying to find the person I was looking for. Well, one man got spooked when I pulled out my badge and he took off running! I was so stunned I had no idea what to do so I just closed the door to his house, got back in my car and let him keep running.”

Alexis is grateful for her coworkers and the companionship of Inga’s pups at the Melbourne office, unlike her former solitary work in the field. At home Alexis has a family of her own including her husband Daniel and their two dogs Shortstop the hound and Lindy the Pitbull mix. The couple got married last year at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland followed by a honeymoon in Greece and are looking forward to travel plans in Japan in 2020.