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| Magazine Stories • Issue 2, Fall/Winter 2006/06 |
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B.G. Smith & Associates*
B. G. Smith & Associates is a local leader and provider of high-end Systems Engineering and Integration Services to various Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DOD agencies. B.G. Smith & Associates started providing services to the government in 1992 with a NASA contract. It currently supports NASA’s Applications and Web Services as well as the Payroll Department. It also supports the Army’s Software Engineering Directorate at Redstone Arsenal with Software Systems Engineers. The company’s leadership team is second to none. Bill Smith, Founder and CEO, represented Huntsville as a State Representative and State Senator for 20 years. He also served the Alabama Space and Rocket Center as a member of its board. When he was chairman in 1991 the Center became profitable for the first time in five years. Bill’s wife, Betty, the company’s owner and Chairman of the Board served as President of the Huntsville Museum of Art from 1996-1997. At the core of B. G. Smith & Associates is the staff. "B. G. Smith & Associates is its people and the values by which we work and live," says Smith. B. G. Smith & Associates employees value:
Recently, three B. G. Smith & Associates employees exhibited these values by winning the Marshall Space Flight Center’s prestigious "Integrated Financial Management Program Award". Smith says, "We are honored, but not surprised, by the recognition that our associates have earned. They are outstanding employees. At B. G. Smith & Associates we attract and recruit the finest people in the world." The Primary Mission of B. G. Smith & Associates is to provide superior products and services for the nation’s military forces and the national space exploration programs. While building on current capabilities, the company plans to expand the business to develop superior analytical and engineering support capabilities in the following areas:
B. G. Smith & Associates is located at 4801 University Square, Suite 19, in Huntsville, AL. Contact by phone at (256) 890-8544, by fax at (256) 890-1026, or visit the web site at www.bgsmith.com.
INERGI Design Services*
In early 2005, Bullington Engineering joined forces with
INERGI, laying the groundwork for expansion and more client-focused
capabilities. INERGI grew out of Intergraph. In 1998 Intergraph formed the
INERGI group from the industrial design, exhibit and rapid prototyping
groups. Employees bought-out the INERGI group and formed the INERGI Exhibit
& Design Company. INERGI’s Product Development Division has been built on
the core philosophy that "if it is worth doing, its worth doing right".
Terry Johnson, the group’s manager says "Great design goes way beyond the
next presentation. The only good industrial design is design pure enough in
concept to succeed in initial presentations, in mechanical design reviews,
on the production floor, on the store shelf, and ultimately in the hands of
the customer." Experience in developing engineering solutions destined
for the marketplace is what drew Bullington Engineering and INERGI together.
Johnson says, "Bullington Engineering’s team is a tremendous addition to
INERGI’s Product Development Division’s capabilities. They bring deep
experience in developing engineered product solutions for clients like
Intergraph, Silicon Graphics, Z/I Imaging, Fong Kai Industrial, Hewlett
Packard, and many others." INERGI also has the most respected and largest rapid
prototyping and scale model development group in the southeast. Darrin West
and his team produced over 8,500 prototype and short run production parts
for companies worldwide in 2004. Turning product designs into parts for
evaluation, testing, and focus groups is better integrated into INERGI’s
processes than any industrial design firm in the eastern half of the
country. INERGI is growing by focusing on clients who value the
power of good industrial design and engineering as a key to market-driven
solutions. Contact INERGI - The Powerhouse of Design - at (888) 629-5673; by
e-mail keith.savas@inergi.com;
or on the web site at www.inergi.com.
INERGI is located at 3414-A Governors Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805. The Northeast Alabama
Region Small Business Development Center (NEAR SBDC) is a cooperative
venture between the University of Alabama at Huntsville, A & M University,
and the Chamber of Commerce. It is physically located in the
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Building at 225 Church Street,
Huntsville, Alabama, Phone (256) 535-2061. The NEAR SBDC conducts research, counsels, and trains
business people in a wide variety of business topics and provides
comprehensive information services and access to experts in many fields.
Counseling is provided free of charge to all small business owners. Specific areas of counseling topics include, but are not
limited to, actual start up, business planning, financing, marketing,
accounting, etc. One large segment of local counseling covers government
procurement assistance. Several topics in that arena cover bid package
preparation, commercialization, GSA assistance, government marketing,
subcontracting, Federal contacts, Bid Notification. SBDC partnership programs and activities serving small
businesses have contributed significantly to economic growth in our area.
The NEAR SBDC program covers seven counties. Brenda McBride, Procurement Counselor, Northeast Alabama
Region SBDC. Phone: (256) 535-2039; Fax: (256) 535-2050.
Imagine you have a project and you need someone to manage
it. How do you know if they have the background, education, or experience to
complete the project the way it needs to be done and acceptable to the
international community? When the project manager’s certification is from
the Project Manager’s Institute (PMI), you can be certain. Unlike many in-house certification programs, PMI has
rigid standards, education, and experience requirements that are proven by a
comprehensive exam. PMI also maintains the certification by requiring
additional training each year to remain current. If you are interested in becoming a member of PMI and
having your credentials recognized around the world, log on to:
www.PMI.org, or call Gerald Maxwell at
544-1954, or Ken Merwin at 755-1808. To be placed on the e-Bulletin for
upcoming PMI Chapter meetings, send an email to:
Gerald.c.maxwell@nasa.gov
with PMI as the subject. In preparation for the PMI exam, the North Alabama Chapter regularly
sponsors Project Manager Professional training sessions locally and offers
scholarships to help defray some of the cost. A recent PMP Exam Prep Course
began on September 6, 2005. The course is based on the PMBOK Third Edition
and is offered by the North Alabama Chapter and UAH. It will be taught on
Saturdays to accommodate business schedules and travel. Scholarships are
available ($400 toward course fee of $945) for North Alabama PMI Chapter
Members who can list at least one project for which they have provided
project management and can state a "goal" date by which they will take the
PMP Certification exam. Apply for the scholarship at:
http://northalabamapmi.org/pmpcourse/. If you have questions, call
Connie Wallace during business hours at 864-7224 or after hours at 773-6771.
• To promote and maintain better interaction,
communications and relations between and among aerospace and defense
companies and local federal government agencies • To provide government agencies an efficient and
effective single point of broad industry contact • To provide an industry forum for organizing and
promoting activities on important issues of common interest HAMA meets monthly on the second Friday for a luncheon
currently hosted by the Redstone Arsenal Officers’ and Civilians’ Club. The
centerpiece of the luncheon is a guest speaker from government or industry
that address his or her specific area of interest and expertise. There is a
question and answer period at the conclusion of the speaker’s presentation.
Additionally, HAMA conducts several social activities, field trips, plant
tours, and seminars during the year. Typical of the guest speakers are top managers and
officers representing Huntsville customers. This includes NASA Marshall
Space Flight Center, the Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Army Space
and Missile Defense Command, Army Program Executive Offices, local, state,
and federal executives, and industry managers, leaders, and executives. The HAMA format provides guest speakers an excellent opportunity to meet
and talk to a significant number of key industry representatives in an
informal atmosphere. HAMA members are able to interact with and respond to
the guest speakers as well. This interaction often provides clarification to
regulations, provides critical information on policies and priorities, and
provides HAMA members a better understanding of the purposes and intentions
of both government agencies and prime contractors. For more information on
HAMA, visit the web site at www.hamaweb.org.
Students may enter projects in two of the following
categories: Multimedia, General Applications, Robotics, Computer
Programming, Website Design, and Video Production. Volunteers judge these
projects. Another category that the students may enter is the Information
Technology Test. This is a 50-question test based on knowledge about
computer terminology and software applications. Finally, as part of the
regional fair, a Team Programming Challenge is held at Randolph School the
night before the Northwest Region Technology Fair for students in Grades
Seven through Twelve. These programming students are required to use
computers to solve four challenging logic problems. In all categories students are judged in a level of
competition, with Grades Three-Four being Level One, Grades Five-Six being
Level Two, etc. Group projects are judged and awarded separately from
individual projects. The first and second place winners from all categories
are eligible to compete at the State ACTE Technology Fair, which takes place
in Montgomery in April. The first place winners in the Team Programming
Challenge are also eligible to compete in Montgomery the night before the
State ACTE Technology Fair. For more information on how your school may participate in the ACTE
Technology Fair, visit the Northwest Regional ACTE web site at
www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/acte, or the State ACTE web site at
www.alcte.org. For further assistance,
contact Sylvia Dean, the Northwest ACTE Technology Fair Coordinator at
sdean@hsv.k12.al.us.
"We must think differently…We must transform not only the
capabilities at our disposal, but also the way we think, the way we train…
There will be no moment at which the Department is ‘transformed’. Rather we
are building a culture of continual transformation." -Donald H. Rumsfeld,
Secretary of Defense Transformation Planning Guidance. April 2003. The Defense
Acquisition University (DAU) heard Secretary Rumsfeld’s call. It is
transforming the way training and education is conducted across the
Department of Defense (DoD). The DAU was established by Congressional action
in 1991 to provide the DoD Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L)
workforce professional educational development and training, and research
and analysis of defense acquisition policy issues from an academic
perspective. The AT&L workforce is comprised of personnel in 13 career
fields, including Contracting, Program Management, Acquisition Logistics,
Systems Engineering, and Test and Evaluation. In 2001, DAU reorganized as part of its own internal
transformation to become the DoD Corporate University for the AT&L
workforce. This reorganization created five regional offices dedicated to
working closely with the department’s AT&L workforce in those respective
regions by providing training, research, and performance support (targeted
training, consulting, and partnering with agencies). The DAU South Region (DAU-S)
officially opened its doors in Huntsville, AL in February 2002 to serve the
largest DoD AT&L population outside of the nation’s capital. Located in the
dynamic Cummings Research Park, just outside of Redstone Arsenal, the main
facility is furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and furniture to
enhance students’ learning experience. A satellite training center is
located at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The faculty and staff of DAU-S focus
the agenda on working with local AT&L organizations and federal policy
officials to stay current on major issues and needs of the AT&L workforce.
The motto for DAU-S is "Knowledge…The Key To Excellence". That motto
is brought to life through the classroom, professional involvement, and
performance support activities of the faculty and staff. Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, DAU-S
provides nearly 100 certification related courses in a full range of basic,
intermediate, advanced, and assignment specific levels for the AT&L
Community. Courses are available via traditional classroom settings and
distance learning offerings. The faculty stays current in the respective
career fields through active participation in various professional
organizations, including the Program Management Institute (PMI), National
Contract Management Agency (NCMA), and the International Society of
Logistics (SOL). Faculty are actively engaged in the local AT&L community
through performance, support, and partnership activities with numerous AT&L
organizations in the region, including the U.S Army Space and Missile
Defense Command, U.S Army Aviation and Missile Command, Eglin and Gunter Air
Force Bases, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Defense Ammunition
Center. A major success of these efforts is the Huntsville
Acquisition Learning Organization (HALO) consortium. Facilitated by DAU,
HALO brings together six major acquisition commands. Each is adopting the
learning organization approach to management by developing the motivated,
agile workforce called for by the Honorable Michael W. Wynne, Acting Under
Secretary of Defense for AT&L. HALO focuses on interactive support between
DAU and the other HALO members to share ideas, lessons learned, and
expertise. It aids each organization in the achievement of the learning
goals and to accomplish the unique missions. To further assist the workforce in career and educational
goals, DAU-S has signed numerous academic partnerships with various colleges
and universities across the region. This includes Drake State Technical
College, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Grambling State University,
University of Tennessee, and Southern Methodist University. While each
partnership varies in the exact details, this allows DoD AT&L employees to
transfer credit for DAU course work to the respective school for credit
towards a degree. The DAU-S is more than a classroom building. It is a
center of excellence in teaching, performance support, community
involvement, and innovative projects. It is designed to transform the DoD
AT&L workforce into the community required to sustain high standards of
quality and innovation in supporting the warfighter of the 21st century.
Additional information on the DAU-S may be found at
www.dau.mil/regions/DAU_South.asp.
HASBAT offers small companies the chance to keep abreast
of the latest business opportunities and developments at NASA, AMCOM, SMDC,
DOT, and others through monthly luncheon meetings. This also provides
company executives with the chance to meet and talk with prominent speakers
and experts in the high-tech field. Networking, new business opportunities,
and legislative influence are other benefits of belonging to HASBAT. HASBAT employs a variety of strategies to meet its goals: • Promotes increased small business participation in high
technology contracts bat AMCOM, MSFC, SMDC, and the Corps of Engineers • Promotes increased small business subcontracting plan
goals by prime contractors at AMCOM, MSFC, SMDC, and the Corps of Engineers,
and encourages achievement of those plan goals during contract performance • Provides a means for the exchange of capabilities
information among member companies • Serves as a point of contact for promoting high
technology small business opportunities, issues, legislation, regulations,
and communications. • Improves community awareness of the capabilities of the
Huntsville-area high technology small business For more information about HASBAT, visit the web site at
www.hasbat.org, e-mail
amy@hasbat.org, or call (256) 830-1939.
At the national headquarters in Virginia, NCMA maintains
a core group to provide locally chartered chapters the resources they need
to implement the organization’s vision. In addition to providing educational
resource materials for the chapters, NCMA sponsors the annual World
Congress. This offers the membership an opportunity to gather and discuss
the issues facing the profession. NCMA also conducts leadership conferences
around the country to help chapters grow and prosper. A cornerstone of NCMA
is its magazine, Contract Management. Published monthly and mailed to
each member, the magazine provides all the latest news relative to the
contracts profession, as well as a forum for discussion of current issues
and trends. Finally, NCMA headquarters promotes and administers a
certification program that allows members to earn professional designations
that are recognized and respected throughout the industry. At the local level, the Huntsville Chapter of NCMA
consists of over 400 members from government and industry. The Huntsville
Chapter has enjoyed success through the years as evidenced by the number of
awards it has received. In 2004, the Huntsville Chapter earned "gold"
status, the highest rating a chapter can achieve. The focus is to provide
affordable, timely training opportunities to the local contract management
community. The Huntsville Chapter sponsors networking events such as its
monthly luncheons, and its members participate in many local community
projects. To find out more about NCMA, visit the headquarters web site at
www.ncmahq.org, or the Huntsville
Chapter web site at www.ncmahsv.org.
The Army Space and Missile Defense Association was formed
in 1995 in Huntsville, Alabama, as a non-profit, non-political, educational,
and scientific organization designed to primarily support Department of
Defense organizations located in Huntsville and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Specific support is currently provided to the U.S. Army Space and Missile
Defense Command (USASMDC), Program Executive Office for Missile and Space (PEO-MS),
and the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Joint Program Office (GMD JPO). ASMDA
offers both individual and corporate memberships with current membership of
over fifty corporations and five hundred individual memberships. ASMDA Objectives include: To foster communications and
relationships between government activities with responsibilities for or
interests in Army space and missile defense and supporting industries; To
provide an industry forum that can be used for organizing and promoting
areas of common interest; To provide an effective, single point of broad
industry and government contact; To provide an organization that can
professionally benefit the missile defense industry and foster community and
civic interests and goals. In addition to the Annual Space and Missile Defense
Conference and Exhibition, each year ASMDA supports, sponsors, or conducts a
wide array of activities including fifteen Space Camp Scholarships; the
Space and Missile Defense Distinguished Civilians Wall located in the SMDC
lobby on Redstone Arsenal; Space and Missile Defense Technical Achievement
and Service Excellence Awards; ASMDA "Loretta Spencer" Under-graduate /
Post-graduate Scholarships; Adventures in Engineering Day (promoting high
school students’ interest in science and engineering); SMDC’s participation
in the Army Ten Miler; the SMDC NCO and Soldier of the Year; Huntsville’s
Veterans Day Parade Band Competition; the Blue Star Banner Program; North
Alabama’s "Operation Christmas Bear" for children of deployed military
members; and numerous seminars, workshops, and symposia on leading space and
missile defense issues with top level civilian and military leaders. Chapter Overview: The Tennessee Valley
Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA TVC)
Representing North Alabama, Southern Tennessee and Eastern Mississippi. The Tennessee Valley Chapter actively supports the
National Defense industry in a region that includes locations in Alabama,
Tennessee, and Mississippi. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, the
chapter supports the industrial base for the U.S. Army (USA) Aviation and
Missile Command (AMCOM); USA Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC);
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight
Center (MSFC); Missile Defense Agency (MDA); Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA);
Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC); Corps of Engineers Engineering
and Support Center, Huntsville; USA Program Executive Office for Aviation;
USA Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space; and Redstone Arsenal
garrison and tenant organizations. The NDIA TVC serves its members (individual and
corporate) with a variety of functions and events, tailored to accomplish
local chapter and the Association missions. The Chapter sponsors a minimum
of four dinner meetings each year, co-sponsors a number of conferences and
exhibitions, and participates in various community activities. These events
showcase NDIA, the local defense industrial base, and advance the
understanding of national security issues. Each year the Chapter conducts a number of events
including an Awards Dinner honoring both government and industry leaders.
The Medaris Award is presented annually to an individual from the Tennessee
Valley who has made an outstanding contribution to the defense industrial
base. A book scholarship is awarded to two universities for undergraduate
students and fellowships are awarded to five to six students conducting
graduate-level work in space and missile defense at universities or colleges
within the Tennessee Valley region. The Chapter’s overall awards program
includes financial support and scholarships that support technical pursuits
literally from kindergarten through the post-graduate level, as well as
recognition of other individuals who have furthered National Defense
interests in the local area. The Chapter co-sponsors many meetings and exhibits
throughout the year focused on educating the defense industry, the community
and its members. Each year the chapter co-sponsors the Technological
Excellence in Aviation, Missiles and Space (TEAMS) Week, the Southeastern
Software Engineering (SE)2 Conference,
the Army Space and Missile Defense (SMD) Conference, the Army Worldwide
Ordnance and Test Measurements, and Diagnostic Equipment Conference (WOTC),
and Adventures in Engineering. The Chapter sponsors educational seminars
throughout the year including an Overview of System Acquisition Management (OSAM).
In 2004, the chapter instituted an Industry Update Program to provide a
forum for the education of members in defense and national security subjects
that affect the defense industrial base. It also sponsor events that focus
on providing information and provoking thought on current issues affecting
the Defense Industrial Base, such as Defense Funding, Base Realignment and
Closure (BRAC), Defense Transformation, and Advances in Technology. The NDIA TVC sponsors a Space and Missile Defense Working Group, a
subordinate organization that focuses on addressing space and missile
defense issues considered critical to the security and defense of the United
States. The current membership is 1300 strong with 37 local Corporate
Sponsors. Joint events are co-sponsored with the affiliate chapter of the
Women in Defense and other professional associations in the Tennessee
Valley. For more information, visit the web site at
www.ndia-tvc.org/.
SMD Conference Completes its Eighth Successful
Exhibition The Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition
took place August 15-18 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL. The
conference, in its eighth annual celebration, had a theme this year of
"Weaving the Fabric of Global Security: the Technology Threads". The conference included military, government, academia,
and industry presenters who provided the latest information on global
security issues, space enablers, and the evolution of the Ballistic Missile
Defense System. Notable speakers included Gen. James Cartwright, commanding
general, U.S. Strategic Command; Lt. Gen. Henry "Trey" Obering III,
director, Missile Defense Agency; Lt. Gen. Larry Dodgen, commanding general,
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and Rear Admiral Kathleen K.
Paige, program director and commander for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. Besides the line-up of impressive presentations, the
Space and Missile Defense Conference offered an extensive amount of exhibits
and hands-on learning experiences. Each year since its conception, the
conference has grown in both attendance and the number of exhibits. This
year was no exception. In 2005, the attendance reached a record high of more
than 1,000 attendees, with about half of them registering from out of state.
There were also approximately 2,500 exhibitors and another 1,500 walk-in
visitors. Mayor Loretta Spencer of Huntsville was on hand daily,
and both Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Representative Robert Aderholt
(R-AL) showed their support of this successful event. The exhibit portion of
the conference also showed tremendous growth, filling all three halls in the
Von Braun Center, an increase from the two it usually spans. The conference
filled more than 500 exhibitor booth spaces, another growth from last year,
as well as representing more than 90 small business organizations in the
East/West Hall. Nearly 350 different exhibiting organizations participated
in this year’s event. The conference had several new elements this year as
well. First, morning speaker sessions were supplemented with afternoon
breakout sessions, smaller groups of more thorough discussion that centered
on topics such as academia’s role in the government, industry contribution
to missile defense, and homeland defense. Held in conjunction with the Space
and Missile Defense Conference was also a homeland security workshop for
Alabama’s First Responders, the dispatchers first on the scene of an
emergency. This group also presented Spencer with a key to the first of
seven emergency vehicles they were delivering throughout the state. "The 2005 SMD Conference was a tremendous success," said
Mike Howell, industry chairman for the event. "I am amazed with the
phenomenal range of technology that is displayed here each year. The
exhibits were very informative and the academic presentations, a first this
year, were quite impressive in scope and content." The 2006 Space and Missile Defense Conference is scheduled for August
14-17, 2006. The conference committee planning members say they are looking
forward to next year’s event. Plans are already underway to prepare for
another successful conference in 2006, and nearly 70 percent of the exhibit
floor space has already been reserved. If you are interested in exhibiting
in 2006, please visit the web site at
www.smdconf.org. Exhibit information for 2006 is already available on
that site, and other information for the 2006 event will be added as next
year’s conference draws closer.
Contract work for the government can be rewarding, but
specific guidelines and rules must be followed to be successful. Mark Lumer,
principal assistant responsible for contracting for the United States Army
Space and Missile Command (SMDC), provides would-be government contractors
with information that can assist them in improving their opportunities and
performance when contracting with the government. Mr. Lumer is a nationally known expert and author in the
field of government contracting and has received many awards. He is listed
in several editions of Who’s Who, including the 1995 and 1996
editions of Who’s Who in the World. The U. S. Army awarded him
the Meritorious Civilian Service medal, the Superior Civilian Service medal,
and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service twice. As the Army Policy Representative on the Defense
Acquisition Regulations (DAR) Council for four years, Mr. Lumer established
the Army’ s position on revisions and changes to the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) and the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS). He also served as
the acting Director, Army Procurement Policy in the office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army immediately before joining SMDC. According to Mr. Lumer, the experience base in government
contracting is shifting from the government to industry. Because many
government-contracting personnel are retiring, industry will have to know
the rules and will also have to train new government-contracting personnel.
Mr. Lumer provides five critical points a brand new small business must
focus on to be successful in doing business with the Government. 1. Register with the government’s Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) and follow all appropriate procedural steps. (www.ccr.gov/);
2. Contact the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office (SADBU)
at the appropriate government agency (www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/); 3. Take
advantage of all existing socioeconomic programs that help small businesses:
Service Disabled Vets, Women Owned, Hub Zone, Small Business set-asides,
Black Historical Colleges, Other set-aside programs currently being tested;
4. Obtain security clearances for individuals and facilities prior to
submitting an offer. Do not submit an offer on a contract if your
business does not have the appropriate security clearances. Currently,
there is a one to one-and-a-half-year application backlog; 5. Networking is
essential to successful contracting with the government. The importance of
face-to-face contact cannot be emphasized enough. Government contracting is totally different from
commercial contracting. FAR and DFARS documents are "critical bibles" for
doing business with the government. Eighty-five percent of what a business
would need to get started is found in these documents. Small businesses MUST
understand both documents. These documents are available for free at FAR:
http://205.130.237.11/far/ and DFARS: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/index.htm.
Every word and piece of punctuation has significance in the FAR and DFARS.
However, contractors do not totally read FARS, DFARS, and government
contract solicitations. More than 600 laws govern the relationship and
conduct of a contractor. Violation of these laws, even unintentionally, may
result in criminal penalties under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Contractors
should understand what they are getting into. Businesses are encouraged to submit a contracting question to our
Who’s Who in Huntsville Technology web site (www.whoswhointechnology.com).
Mark Lumer will select and answer two important questions. The questions and
answers will be posted on the web site.
Usually in October, the National Space Club – Huntsville
sponsors the annual Dr. Wernher von Braun Memorial Dinner honoring the life
and visions of this leading international space pioneer. Awards at the
dinner include Astronautics Engineer, Media Award, von Braun Scholarship,
Community Service, and Aerospace Educator Awards. This is a premier event in Huntsville that attracts
national participation among the government, industry, and educational
institutions. There is also an annual Leadership Luncheon in January with
speakers to address topics of interest aerospace industry and government.
This provides a networking opportunity for civil and military organizations,
local aerospace contractors, and local government. Membership in the National Space Club – Huntsville is open to U. S.
citizens and the dues are $20 per year. To learn more, visit the web site at
www.nationalspaceclub-hsv.com/nsc/index.html.
Huntsville Association of Technical Societies 2005 Professionals Of the Year Awards Dinner*
(non-profit)
The Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS)
hosted its annual Professionals Of the Year Awards Dinner on June 28, 2005
at 7pm at the Holiday Inn Select downtown. The event was sponsored by ASD,
Inc. for the second consecutive year. Each professional organization that
is a member of HATS is allowed to nominate an active individual for
Professional Of the Year recognition. The Professional of the Year Awards
are bestowed upon individuals who most thoroughly achieve the goals of the
society during the past year and are selected by the individuals’
organizations. Each of the 2005 recipients engaged in professional
activities that resulted in broad social, technological, or economical
consequences to benefit the science and engineering community. They have
all exhibited an extraordinary amount of dedication, creativity, and
leadership in their work. HATS recognized these individuals at the 2005
Professionals Of the Year Awards Dinner, where they were presented with a
certificate recognizing their contributions. The Huntsville Community, the Huntsville Association of
Technical Societies, and ASD, Inc. congratulate the 2005 Professionals Of
the Year: Mr. Edwin Pruett, American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics (AIAA) Mr. Garth Bloxham, Army Space and Missile Defense
Association (ASMDA) Staff Sergeant Kathy A. Cade, Association of the United
States Army, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter (AUSA) Mr. Robert Dowling, Huntsville Aerospace Marketing
Association (HAMA) Mr. Robert Darnall, Huntsville Association of Technical
Societies (HATS) Mr James Anderson, Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) Mr. Hugh Marshall Arney, International Test and
Evaluation Association (ITEA) Mr. Joel Thomas, National Defense Industrial Association
(NDIA-TVC) Mr. Bruce Fowler, Operations Research Society of Alabama
(ORSA) Ms. Connie Wallace, PMP, North Alabama Chapter of Project
Management Insitute (PMI) Mr. Wayne Johnson, Society of Cost Estimation and
Analysis (SCEA) Mr. David West, System Safety Society, Tennessee Valley
Chapter (SSS-TVC) For more information about the Huntsville Association of Technical
Societies, visit the web site at www.hats.org. PHOTO: Front Row LR: Ms. Connie Wallace, PMP, North
Alabama Chapter of Project Management Institute (PMI); Mr. Hugh Marshall
Arney, International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA); Mr. Wayne A.
Johnson, Society of Cost Estimation and Analysis (SCEA); Mr. Joel F. Thomas,
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Tennessee Valley Chapter Rear Row LR: Mr. David P. West, System Safety Society, Tennessee Valley
Chapter; Keith Jadus for Mr. James W. Anderson, Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers Huntsville Section; Mr. Robert (Bob) Darnall,
Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS); Mr. Bruce W. Fowler,
Operations Research Society of Alabama (ORSA); Staff Sergeants for Staff
Sergeant Kathy A. Cade," Association of the US Army (AUSA),
Redstone-Huntsville Chapter
The recent Space Shuttle Return to Flight mission was just the latest NASA mission with an Arnold Engineering Development Center stamp on it. Center engineers conducted wind tunnel testing at speeds the shuttle would encounter from liftoff to Mach 1.5 in a 16-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. Engineers also tested the effects of foam hitting solid rocket boosters in Arnold Engineering Development Center’s Ballistic Impact Range S-3. Arnold Engineering Development Center’s Huntsville connection doesn’t end with NASA. Over the years the center has conducted several tests in its 58 facilities for the Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal. Among the systems tested for the Space and Missile Defense Command are the Theater High Altitude Area Defense Missile, tested in the center’s hypersonic wind tunnels, and Ballistic Missile Defense impact tests conducted in the center’s high altitude ballistic impact range. The center maintains several facilities vital to U.S. aviation. Among those are vacuum chambers used to test sensors and electric propulsion. There is also the Mark I Space Chamber, the second largest in the U.S., with the capability to test the operations of an entire satellite for extended periods of time. Ballistic ranges used to test high-speed aerodynamics, facilities used to test materials for the high-pressure and temperature of reentry into the earth’s atmosphere, and the world’s only simulated altitude rocket test cells, used to test upper-stage engines at simulated altitudes are located at the center. For more information regarding Arnold Engineering Development Center or for tour information, visit the web site at www.arnold.af.mil or call (931) 454-4204. Huntsville Reproductive Medicine*
Infertility is a common disorder that affects one in seven couples at some time in their reproductive lives. Many of these couples will ultimately require specialized care from a fertility expert. To fill the need for a fertility specialist in North Alabama, Dr. Andrew J. Harper established Huntsville Reproductive Medicine in 2003. Huntsville Reproductive Medicine is North Alabama’s first practice specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and it offers treatments for all infertility disorders including ovulation dysfunction, tubal disease, male-related infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss. The in vitro fertilization (IVF) program has enjoyed tremendous success with some of the highest pregnancy rates in the region. Dr. Harper’s goal is to provide the highest quality fertility care in a compassionate, communicative, and consistent manner. Dr. Harper, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Washington in Seattle. His special interests include the treatment of ovulation disorders, male-related infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Huntsville Reproductive Medicine Center is conveniently located near the Crestwood Medical Center campus at 185 Chateau Drive, Suite 301, Huntsville, Alabama 35801. Contact Huntsville Reproductive Center by phone at (256) 213–2229 (BABY) or by e-mail at admin@HsvRM.com. You may also visit the website at www.HsvRM.com. National Defense Industrial Association, TVC Chapter* (non-profit)Representing North Alabama, Southern Tennessee and Eastern Mississippi The Tennessee Valley Chapter actively supports the National Defense industry within a region that includes locations in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, our chapter supports the industrial base for the U.S. Army (USA) Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM); USA Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC); Missile Defense Agency (MDA); Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC); Corps of Engineers Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville; USA Program Executive Office for Aviation; USA Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space; and Redstone Arsenal garrison and tenant organizations. The NDIA TVC serves its members (individual and corporate) with a variety of functions and events, tailored to accomplish local chapter and the Association missions. The Chapter sponsors a minimum of four dinner meetings each year, cosponsors a number of conferences and exhibitions, and participates in various community activities. These events showcase NDIA, the local defense industrial base, and advance the understanding of national security issues. Each year the Chapter conducts a number of events including an Awards dinner honoring both government and industry leaders. The Medaris Award is presented annually to an individual from the Tennessee Valley who has made an outstanding contribution to the defense industrial base. A book scholarship is awarded to two universities for undergraduate students and fellowships are awarded to five to six students conducting graduate-level work in space and missile defense at universities or colleges within the Tennessee Valley region. The Chapter’s overall awards program includes financial support and scholarships that support technical pursuits literally from kindergarten through the post-graduate level, as well as recognition of other individuals who have furthered National Defense interests in the local area. The Chapter co-sponsors many meetings and exhibits throughout the year focused on educating the defense industry, our community and our members. Each year the chapter co-sponsors the Technological Excellence in Aviation, Missiles and Space (TEAMS) Week, the Southeastern Software Engineering (SE)2 Conference, the Army Space and Missile Defense (SMD) Conference, the Army Worldwide Ordnance and Test Measurements, and Diagnostic Equipment Conference (WOTC), and Adventures in Engineering. The Chapter sponsors educational seminars throughout the year including an Overview of System Acquisition Management (OSAM). In 2004, our chapter instituted an Industry Update Program to provide a forum for the education of our members in defense and national security subjects that affect the defense industrial base. We also sponsor events that focus on providing information and provoking thought on current issues affecting our Defense Industrial Base, such as Defense Funding, Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), Defense Transformation, and Advances in Technology. The TVC sponsors a Space and Missile Defense Working Group (SMDWG), a subordinate organization that focuses on addressing space and missile defense issues considered critical to the security and defense of the United States. Our current membership is 1300 strong with 37 local Corporate Sponsors. Our website is www.ndia-tvc.org. Joint events are co-sponsored with our affiliate chapter of the Women in Defense and other professional associations in the Tennessee Valley as appropriate. U.S. Army MWR: For All Your Life*
The mission of MWR is to provide programs and activities that are at least equal to, if not better than, those located in the larger community. These programs and activities support Soldiers and their families as they tend to important tasks. Some of the services offered are family advocacy, child care, counseling, libraries, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, swimming pools, and fitness centers. An auto hobby shop, arts and crafts, and bowling offer leisure recreation for everyone in the family. MWR is proud to announce its new director, Derrick Gould. Gould graduated from Georgia Southern College with a degree in Recreation and, because his father is a retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer, Derrick grew up in the military. He spent most of his childhood in Europe and has used MWR services for his entire life. Since 1987, Gould has worked for U.S. Army MWR, spending the last eight years in various communities in Europe. Gould and his wife, Hilary, have two daughters, Samantha (10), and Daniela (6). While in Mannheim, Germany, he applied, interviewed for, and was selected to lead Redstone Arsenal MWR. "We were looking for an opportunity to come to a good community," says Gould. "We were very interested in Redstone Arsenal because we heard nothing but good comments about the installation and the Huntsville area. We couldn’t be more pleased about our decision and experience so far. It has been an incredible move for us, with everything falling into place." Gould is very impressed with the MWR Program at Redstone Arsenal. When asked about his vision for MWR, Gould replied, "I want to take what we already have and elevate it. My goal is to expand relationships between the Huntsville-Madison Community and Redstone Arsenal." The Directorate of MWR on Redstone Arsenal is located at building 1500 Weeden Mountain Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898. For more information, visit the web site at www.redstonemwr.com or call (256) 876-5232. Webs 2 Impress*
One of the first steps in obtaining an Internet presence is domain name registration. The domain name of your choice must be leased from a company that provides this service. There are numerous web sites where the domain name may be obtained and prices vary from about $8.95 a year upwards to over $50.00 a year. Building a web site can be accomplished in a variety of ways. A person in your business might know web site code and be able to construct a site for you. You might purchase an out-of-the box product such as FrontPage and attempt to design a site yourself. Webs 2 Impress recommends that you hire a professional web design company such as Webs 2 Impress, with over 10 years experience, in order to produce a professional product that represents your company or organization in a way that makes you proud. Designing an impressive site involves more than just a basic knowledge of the codes used in the construction of web pages. A person needs at least an elementary knowledge of graphics and how to resize and optimize them for the web. That person should have some artistic ability to create attractive logos, link buttons, and an overall appealing format. He should know how to link files and move them to a hosting server. In addition, if you want your web site to be found on the internet, he must know how to submit your site to the search engines or otherwise optimize it for the engines. If your business needs something more than a basic site, hire a web programmer who can set up extra features such as an online shopping environment, a Flash presentation, interaction with PayPal or a merchant account, or some other more sophisticated internet interaction. Hosting is another issue that has to be determined before a web site can "go live" on the Internet. Again, there are many thousands of companies who offer hosting services and prices can range from $4.95 a month to over $100 a month, depending on your needs. You need to make sure you choose a reliable hosting company that has been in business many years - one with high-speed servers and an aggressive support team. Webs 2 Impress handles all the elements of domain name registration, web design, graphics manipulation, hosting, and search engine optimization and there is NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE for these services. The company builds any type of site that you need – from basic to complex. See these satisfied clients: www.lawlersbarbecue.com, www.mullinsrentals.com, www.allneedzrental.com, www.leemarshallmusic.com, www.gibsonsbbq.com, www.willowbrook.org, www.flowersalc.com, www.rosenblumrealty.com. Please call toll free at (800) 831-6045, or locally in Huntsville at (256) 650-0993, visit the web site at www.Webs2Impress.com, or e-mail at sales@webs2impress.com. Blazin' Inc.*
This past quarter has been a time of success and growth for Blazin’ Inc. The company has won its first large Federal Contract as a subcontractor to EG&G to provide logistical support to NASA. Blazin’ Inc. has also received a contract with the Veterans Administration to perform Recovery Audit of Telecommunications Services for eight medical locations nationwide. To insure that the company meets its objectives in the accomplishment of these tasks, Lisa Davis has been appointed Vice President of Administration for Blazin’ Inc. and ten employees have been added to the staff. Lanona Sykes, Founder and President of Blazin’ Inc., says, "Our company continues to move forward perfecting our skill sets and working with our family of clients on a daily basis. With greater demands being placed on small and mid-size businesses for GSA Schedule Contracts, new business and proposal management has become a large part of our focus during these days of bundled procurements. We continue to work very hard to bring all of our clients, from California to Italy, the same exceptional quality of work and support. Receiving these contracts is an exciting JUMP for Blazin Inc." Founded in 1998, Blazin’ Inc. is a Woman-owned, Minority-owned, and Veteran-owned business that offers Business Management Services to businesses large and small, including the federal government. Its four areas of specialization include Business Administration, Business Management, Collections (Federal and Commercial), and Contract Management. Blazin’ Inc. is a GSA Schedule Holder, is versed in the Federal Acquisition Requirements, and offers Recovery Audit Services to both Commercial and Government clients. "Blazin’ Inc. has a very unique position in the Huntsville business community," Sykes states. "No other company with this level of experience provides these services." Blazin’ Inc. is located at 702 Blake Bottom Road, Huntsville, AL 35806. Contact Blazin’ Inc. by phone at (256) 746-8223, by fax at (256) 858-0127, or visit the web site at www.blazin1.com. Northrop Grumman*
Northrop Grumman Corporation executives and Alabama elected officials broke ground on Northrop Grumman’s new five-building complex in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama at a ground breaking ceremony on June 27, 2005. Many of the company’s 1,200 local employees expect to begin moving into the new facility, which will house offices, laboratories, integration labs and research development centers, in September 2006. The company selected developer Colonial Properties Trust for the $80 million project to be located off Interstate 565. Colonial Properties is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. "I am extremely pleased that Northrop Grumman has chosen to locate this campus in Huntsville’s Research Park; this decision demonstrates a great deal of confidence in our city and its bright future," said Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. "Northrop Grumman continues to be a leader in technology and its presence in Huntsville enhances the city’s reputation as one of the best places in the country for businesses to succeed." "Northrop Grumman’s considerable growth the past few years has made us one of Huntsville’s largest employers," said Daniel L. Montgomery, Northrop Grumman vice president and corporate lead executive for the Huntsville region. "We project even more growth in the years ahead, with Huntsville supporting or managing several major programs and new contract wins." Among those programs is Kinetic Energy Interceptors, a mobile, land-based missile-defense system that, when deployed, will be able to destroy a hostile threat during its boost and ascent phase of flight. The team managing the Kinetic Energy Interceptors battle-management portion of the program is in Huntsville. Huntsville-based employees also support other missile-defense programs, including providing the fire control and communications subsystem for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System. Other Huntsville activities include developing and fielding advanced tactical command posts under the Command Post Platform program; serving as the prime contractor for Forward Area Air Defense, a command and control capability that helps protect ground forces against enemy aircraft while protecting friendly aircraft; and producing the Longbow missile and Viper Strike munition. The company’s major area customers include the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Army Program Executive Office for Aviation, the Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, and elements of the Missile Defense Agency. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 125,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government, and commercial customers. Lockheed Martin*
Lockheed Martin has been a presence in Huntsville since 1962—due in a large part to the quality of its people. Originally started as Lockheed Corporation, it now employs more than 750 employees in more than 10 different facilities located throughout Huntsville. "Its success can be found in its employees," says Steven Humphrey, Vice President of Army Programs and Corporate Business Development. Lockheed Martin focuses its efforts on the missile defense and aerospace industry with such programs as Tactical High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD), Patriot Advanced Capabilities Missile (PAC3), Payload Launch Vehicle, Multiple Kill Vehicle, Medium Extended Air Defense System, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Advanced Tactical Army Missile System, Compact Kinetic Energy Missile, HIMARS, and NASA’s Shuttle External Tank. Lockheed Martin’s capabilities include aerodynamic analysis, tactical and threat system analysis, simulation and modeling, battle management, propulsion technologies for NASA, C4ISR and information technologies. Some of Lokheed Martin’s major clients in Huntsville are NASA, AMCOM, PEO Missiles and Space, PEO Aviation and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. The long history of Lockheed Martin dates back to the 1910 era when two brothers, Allan and Malcolm Loughead, started in the airplane production business. Lockheed Martin, in one form or another, has been a contributing force in all United States military engagements starting with World War I and into today’s battles in Afghanistan and Iraq. Over the years, Lockheed began to expand its services and eventually became an integral part of the space industry when they joined forces with Martin Marietta. "Martin Marietta was more NASA oriented and serviced the Marshall Flight Space Center," Humphrey says. In 1995, the two merged and became known as Lockheed Martin. During the past 10 years, the company has added other mergers and acquisitions. Some of the most notable are GE Aerospace, and the Vought Company. As one of the largest defense contractors in the world, Humphrey says Lockheed Martin can offer a variety of technologies, capabilities and products because of the unmatched quality of its more than 130,000 employees. "Without the quality embodied and achieved by the employees, being the largest doesn’t mean anything," Humphrey says. Lockheed Martin is a family-oriented company and has been recognized for it. Most recently, they have received awards such as the Alabama State Family Friendly Award and the Employer of Choice designation from the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Humphrey says employees have the highest integrity and ethical standards, and the company looks to hire people with those same values. "While working at Lockheed Martin, employees can achieve personal and professional growth," Humphrey says, "and they are recognized as individual and team members while contributing to the defense and space industries of the United States." Not only does Lockheed Martin contribute to our Nation’s security, but also, its employees have been contributing to local charities for the past 43 years. One of the latest projects the company is undertaking is helping Hurricane Katrina evacuees get back on their feet. Lockheed Martin’s strength is in its people. For more information on
Lockheed Martin, contact the corporate office at 1500 Perimeter Parkway,
Suite 123, Huntsville, AL 35806, (256) 830-9200 or visit their web site at
www.lockheedmartin.com. |
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Providing Tomorrow’s Solutions — Today
Putting more POWER in the Powerhouse of Design!
The Huntsville Aerospace Marketing Association (HAMA) is
the organization for aerospace business development professionals.
HAMA members represent over 100 companies doing business with local federal
government agencies. An incorporated, nonprofit organization, HAMA was
founded in 1990 to meet the following objectives:
For over ten years now, the
Alabama Council for Technology in Education (ACTE) has hosted its annual
Northwest Regional Technology Fair in Huntsville. The fair is for students
in Grades Three through Twelve from Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Colbert,
Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan, Marion, Winston and Cullman Counties. The
Northwest Regional Technology Fair takes place during March in conjunction
with the TEAMS Exhibit at the Von Braun Center East and West Halls.
More
Than a Classroom
The
Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT)
is an association of approximately 70 Huntsville-area small businesses in
advanced technology. A non-profit organization, it serves the needs and
represent the interests of its members. By combining the efforts of many
small high-tech firms, the voice of small business will be strong, and will
be heard. That’s what HASBAT is all about.
The
National Contract Management Association (NCMA) was formed in 1959 with the
vision to lead and represent the contract management profession. It
currently consists of over 17,000 members worldwide. The leadership is
comprised of volunteer elected officers. NCMA exists to establish values,
develop best practices, assess individual organizational competency against
professional standards, and enable the contract management workforce to grow
professionally.
The Army Space and Missile Defense Association (ASMDA) is a non-profit
organization promoting the defense of the nation through strong space and
missile defense programs. ASMDA’s fundamental purpose is to provide programs
and support for activities contributing to the advancement of a common
understanding of the vital importance of space and missile defense systems
to national defense. 
How Brand New Small
Businesses can do Better Business with the Government
The National Space Club
– Huntsville is a non-profit organization established in Huntsville, AL
since 1985 and a regional committee of the National Space Club in
Washington, D.C., founded in 1957. The purpose of the National Space Club –
Huntsville is to promote United States space leadership; stimulate
advancement of civilian and military applications of rocketry and
astronautics; to bring persons from federal government, industry,
educational institutions, and the press together to exchange information on
rocketry and astronautics; and to honor individuals that have made
contributions to rocketry and astronautics.
The 2005 Professionals Of the Year
Awards Dinner Presented by: Huntsville Association of Technical Societies
(HATS)
A short drive north from Huntsville
will quickly take you into the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee where
you can take in picturesque pastures with Tennessee Walking Horses or a tour
of the historic Jack Daniel’s or George Dickel Distilleries. What many
people don’t know about is the Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development
Center that has a 55-year history of partnering with NASA Marshall and
Redstone Arsenal.
North Alabama’s First and Only In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Center
With all the talk in the news lately about the Government Base Relocation
and Closure issues, have you ever wondered if there is a program to help
those being relocated adjust to new surroundings? The U.S. Army on
Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal offers the Directorate of Morale, Welfare, and
Recreation (MWR) to the Redstone Community for just this task. 
Acquiring a web site for your company or organization can be a
daunting task for many business owners or managers. There are several steps
involved in the process and, unless you hire a professional company like Webs
2 Impress, you may become frustrated and get lost in the process.
Your
Key to Business Solutions!
Northrop Grumman –
enhancing Huntsville’s reputation as one of the best places in the country
for business to succeed!
Its Strength is its
People