With a lifelong passion for technology, Sean Edwards has always had a hand in the latest technological advancements. As the founder and president of Rittenhouse Communications Group, a boutique technology integration company for multi-family, mixed-use, and boutique hospitality clients, Edwards works to design and create smart buildings, helping companies utilize their technology to the fullest. Edwards and his team work with the architects at the beginning phases of a build to ensure that the right technology is intertwined into every step. They then install and deploy the systems they put in place, allowing companies to eliminate the need for consultants or outside technology groups.

“Typically you have companies coming in to do different facets of a technological build, from cameras to access control and wifi, they are all different vendors,” says Edwards. “With Rittenhouse Communications, we not only design all of that for our clients, we also install it and support it.” To achieve the support level of their services and further his commitment to his clients, Edwards created PropKey, an application that allows users to do everything from open their door to submit maintenance requests all in one place. “We are able to offer a unified technological ecosystem so our clients no longer have to use multiple vendors for their assets.”

Edwards is able to see the full scope of these tech needs after years working in technological sales. “I was selling products, but I wasn’t selling the complete need,” says Edwards. “I would always be above quota, but I noticed the implementation of the products weren't great so I decided to bring it all in house and create my own company.” With Rittenhouse Communications, Edwards focuses on his select verticals – multi-family, mixed-use, and boutique hospitality – to design, build and support so there is no confusion or chaos. Their clients are the leaders in development and property management in the city and in the past two years, they have also expanded into local and state government.

Outside of his work, Edwards is committed to philanthropy and the local community. Edwards and his wife are big supporters of the arts, as well as law enforcement and first responders. Edwards served on the board of the Philadelphia Police Foundation, and continues to support the Market Street “Run for Blue” 5k race, as well as Families Behind the Badge Children’s foundation, which supports the families of those who have been hurt or killed in the line of duty. In his free time, you can find Edwards whipping up a gourmet meal for his family and friends – remnants of his time in culinary school – or visiting his favorite restaurants like Saloon in South Philadelphia or Primal in Cape May.

Rittenhouse Communications recently expanded into Washington, DC and Baltimore and plan to continue that growth in the new year. In the next few years, their goal is to transition to a B corp and continue their philanthropic efforts and training for the next group of leaders. “We want to mentor and make the leaders of tomorrow,” says Edwards. “My whole goal when creating my company was never to sell it to the highest bidder – I want to create generational wealth for my team and for their families.”