|
|
| Magazine Stories • Issue 7, Spring/Summer 2008 |
| | View All Magazine Stories | Back to Features | Back Issues | Newsletter | Home | |
| Send a story via e-mail. It's easy! Recipients will be able to click on the link in your message and go directly to the story. PC users, simply right-click on a story link below, and choose "Copy Shortcut". This copies the direct link of that story to the clipboard. Open your e-mail program, and paste the link into the body of the message. Mac users, CTRL-Click on a story link above, choose "Copy Link Location", open your e-mail program and paste the link into the body of the message. |
| Stories by title *=New story for this issue NP=Nonprofit Story P=Partner |
|
Posted 3/25/08
The game is on the line every day. Business competition is fierce and there are no easy contests. Costs and customer expectations are constantly rising while margins are increasingly under pressure from many sides. Sound familiar? Arrowsight delivers competitive advantages to its clients, improving their bottom line results despite an exponentially challenging business climate. Within business sectors currently being served, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and quick service restaurants, Arrowsight is providing leading-edge tools and services to optimize productivity, quality, service, and safety to its clients. Arrowsight has pioneered a leading-edge suite of video and reporting services along with consulting expertise to create a Game Film for Business Success optimization platform for virtually any industrial or service sector. The Arrowsight approach is to utilize Remote Video Auditing and Analysis to support the coaching and management efficiencies of the client’s operations. Arrowsight utilizes a combination of proprietary Internet-based video software, database engines, best-in-class video hardware, and analytical feedback. Together, these elements enhance the discovery and awareness process for business owners and management teams to better exploit opportunities and reduce risk. In the sector of food manufacturing, excellent results have been obtained in productivity, product quality, employee safety, animal welfare, and Bio-security. Alatrade, a regionally based provider of poultry products, is one of many manufacturing clients that have experienced these positive results. By implementing the Arrowsight suite of services, Alatrade has seen positive gains in many areas and has expanded the system throughout its facilities. "The Arrowsight product is the best coaching tool I have ever used," states Davis Lee, President of Alatrade. "Arrowsight has enjoyed delivering Return On Investment (ROI) to its customers in the 4:1 range, and often exceeding 6:1 in the first year," says Mark Moshier, President of Arrowsight’s Manufacturing and Services Group based in Huntsville, AL. "Our client partners are finding new and innovative ways to utilize the system every day to fine tune their business cost performance, safeguard their employees and products, improve their services, and better protect their brands." Arrowsight currently serves Manufacturing clients in several states including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, South Dakota, and Arkansas. Expansion is expected to include 10 additional states by the end of 2008. The principal focal point in the quick service restaurant sector has been to improve service to customers by reducing time waiting in line for that customer’s order. Arrowsight applies audit and reporting services to restaurant operations and provides continuous performance feedback to each individual store on how long its customers are waiting in line. "By reviewing, measuring and reporting appropriately, we have successfully reduced the average time-in-line waiting in the range of 20-30%, whether across the counter or in the drive-through," Moshier states. "And further, we are impacting real time performance for stores in New York City from our base here in Huntsville, Alabama during their peak periods of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s just fascinating to be able to see the range and diversity this approach has on all types of business." The theme of far reaching application diversity is reflected in recent work in healthcare. It is a well-known and concerning fact that hundreds of thousands of patients face the threat of secondary infections every time they enter a hospital or surgery center for treatment. It is a national concern, well documented, and yet unsolved. Hand hygiene protocols are a key element in safeguarding the health and welfare of patients and this is exactly where the Arrowsight approach is being tested with outstanding results. After a successful pilot test in a southeastern United States surgery center, baseline data for hand hygiene compliance rose from a dismal 40%, a number in line with many studies of the U.S. national average, to a level of 90% compliance in 90 days using the Arrowsight services. This study is now in its 13 th month and the 90% compliance scores have been maintained. Arrowsight has been invited to expand its program to large hospital chains in New York and Illinois for ICU studies and evaluations, which should be published on a national scale in late 2008.Arrowsight currently operates offices in Huntsville, New York, California, and Arkansas. A second Network Operations Center has also been established in India. With the game on the line, businesses can count on Arrowsight to deliver successful game film with its leading-edge tools and services. Contact Info: WestWind Technologies, Inc.* Posted 4/28/08
By Barbara F. Nash, APR for WestWind Technologies Aviation. Land systems. Field support. Engineering. Manufacturing. Kitting, warehousing, and distribution. WestWind Technologies is providing all this and more while earning repeated recognition for delivering high-quality products and services, on time, every time. Since its founding in 1999, WestWind has developed a solid history of superior program performance while consistently meeting the time-critical needs of its customers. With engineering, manufacturing, and integration…all on-site, the company has exceeded accelerated development and production schedules for several programs, getting mission-enhancing military technology to the field sooner. When the Army needed to protect aircraft from ground-to-air missile threats, the Aircraft Survivability Equipment Office (ASE) turned to WestWind Technologies with an urgent delivery order for design and integration of the Common Missile Warning System. WestWind delivered the first prototype in record time of 92 days. The "A-Kit" components were then manufactured, sent to the field, and installed immediately on site. Working extended hours to compress the production schedule even more, WestWind enabled delivery of the lifesaving systems to the field a full five months ahead of schedule at less than half the original cost estimate. Worldwide logistics support for ASE is ongoing, and WestWind continues to meet the demands of supporting the Warfighter in the field. When Redstone Arsenal’s Army Aviation Program Executive Office needed flight training systems for the soldiers faster, PM Cargo turned to WestWind for production of the CH-47F Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulators. The CH-47F simulators contain the latest cockpit configuration and give aircrews a dynamic flight training environment for the heavy lift cargo helicopters. Barely 6 months after opening the new simulator production facility in the summer of ‘07, WestWind delivered the first simulators to PM Cargo in January of ‘08 – again ahead of schedule and under budget. Because of this program’s success, WestWind earned the Joseph A. Cribbins Product Symposium Award as the company most instrumental in assisting PM Cargo. Currently, WestWind’s pattern of excellence in meeting customer needs is extending to several other fronts, including facility enhancements and new product development. A planned expansion for 65,000 additional square feet of hangar space at Huntsville International Airport will increase available facilities to nearly 300,000 square feet, giving WestWind customers even more capability to meet growing needs in the aviation industry. The hangar addition will also allow WestWind to offer extended services for existing programs as well as new opportunities for both military and commercial customers. Joining the expansion in facilities is a focus on new product development. In a sustained effort to anticipate and meet future product requirements, WestWind has designed the UH-60 External Hoist Mission Kit that enables enhanced mission flexibility for use on existing aircraft not only in military operations, but in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts as well. The external hoist is a perfect example of the company’s ingenuity working to meet a specific need. When customers want it done right, and they need it done now, they turn to WestWind Technologies. With broad-spectrum capabilities from design through production on-site, WestWind is providing real solutions from start to finish. Contact Info:
KRB Electronics is an industry leader in screen-printing, part marking, labels and more. KRB was founded in 1977 by Ken Brazelton and developed a superior reputation for high quality products and exceptional customer service. KRB electronics continues the tradition as a subsidiary of ADEPT Technologies. ADEPT Technologies has been "making a point of precision" manufacturing components for aerospace, military, and communications applications for many years. Applying the same philosophies that have built a solid business foundation in precision machining and fabrication, ADEPT has expanded capabilities by acquiring KRB Electronics. The addition of KRB’s capabilities means that ADEPT is truly a one stop supplier offering services from design to production, including finishing operation such as silk-screening panels and part markings, control overlays, and a vast array of label products. Although KRB adds important services to ADEPT’s repertoire, it also continues to operate as its own business unit, serving many other hardware manufacturers, locally and nationally. KRB often performs some of the last operations that occur to hardware before final inspection and shipment to customers. These operations include the application of markings, either in the form of silkscreening, part marking, or label application. At first glance, these operations may seem a cosmetic finishing touch. The reality is these operations are often important to the function of many parts. For example, control panels must be clearly and durably marked for use in critical applications. Other items, such as vehicles and equipment, may require weather resistant permanent metalphoto, or photo etched metallic plates for operation instructions, safety instructions, or simply identification. Another common service provided by KRB is the manufacture of vinyl, polycarbonate, and polyester labels and overlays. These products range from three year to nine year outdoor life to essentially permanent decals that are even resistant to fuels and solvents. Many options are available in the label and overlay line, with full color digital process or screen-printing on an array of transparent and opaque substrates. Adding even more versatility is a wide range of overlaminates for increased scratch and environmental resistance. KRB Electronics is a wholly owned subsidiary of ADEPT Technologies, a SDB 8(a) certified, ISO 9001-2000 and AS9100B registered, Native American owned company. For your screen-printing, part marking or label needs, contact KRB for superior service. Company Info:
Providing Engineering Solutions and Science Applications to Benefit Huntsville, Alabama and the World The Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI) is a not-for-profit organization that is helping to build Huntsville’s future. Incorporated in August 2006, VCSI is a member-based group that quickly gained success through its novel collaborative programs. "The Center is the product of an advisory group that was founded in 2006 to seek out ways to better optimize the assets of the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC)," says Marty Kress, Executive Director at the NSSTC and Board Chairman of VCSI. As a not-for-profit charitable trust, VCSI has certain advantages, such as rights to federal intellectual property and procurement tools. The key to VCSI’s success is a business model that focuses on completing customer projects in a timely manner with less risk and at a lower cost by creating innovative solution project teams of the "best-of-the-best" subject matter experts from government, industry, and academia. VCSI’s vision is to become a self-sustaining, world-class Research & Development (R&D) center that blends local and national resources. "We envision ourselves being a highly competitive entity on a national basis," Kress states. In addition to national recognition, VCSI’s goals include further branding the region as a forward-thinking, high-tech R&D area creating a hands-on learning environment for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. "The goal is to make Huntsville a magnet for R&D projects and retain more federal R&D dollars," Kress comments. Huntsville has a very high concentration of science and engineering expertise with which VCSI will foster and promote research. To accomplish this task, VCSI is solidifying its mission of providing solutions and applications for NASA, DoD, and other government agencies and industries. The objectives are to develop and implement requirements-driven technology programs, identify and link emerging technologies from the national R&D community to address customer requirements, promote/implement innovative management approaches to technical solutions, and expand the R&D base in Huntsville. Recent VCSI projects include the U.S. Army Robotic Systems Joint Project Office, the Tawani International Expedition to Antarctica, and work for TVA. In conjunction with the U.S. Army Robotic System, VCSI worked with MFSC and Schafer Corporation on an IRAD development control system for an operational robotic system for exploration of the moon. Ultimately, this work expanded the range and capability of the Army’s robot leading to the development of a Marcbot-N robot to help warfighters detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Kress comments, "We capitalized on these capabilities with both NASA and the Army. Our goal wasn’t to do years of research, but to move efficiently and skillfully to give warfighters and researchers the technology they need now. Currently, we’re assessing the next step in this technology, which is a Battlefield Whiteboard. It would integrate the robots and UAVs to provide increased situational awareness." The Tawani International Expedition to Antarctica is a jointly sponsored NASA and Russian Artic and Antarctica Research Institute research expedition focused on studying extremophiles and microorganisms to better understand the limitations of life on Earth and to prepare human explorers to search other worlds for signs of life. For TVA, VCSI has contracted with UAH to formulate new algorithms to predict rain run-off and accumulation, and thereby reduce the number of sophisticated rain gauges in the field. "TVA is a cost-driven company," Kress says. "Our project isn’t just a research project, it is intended to apply emerging science and technology to a specific customer need so that they can save funds and improve operations." Any VCSI profits go back into the Huntsville community for R&D projects and educational purposes. VCSI is focused on giving academic scholarships, providing hands-on learning experience, and attracting new workers to the area. It has already invested profits from its first year in a four-year scholarship to UAH, and soon, a work-study program in biology. "The key for developing the workforce of tomorrow in Huntsville is for the community to support efforts to increase R&D," states Bill Gurley, SAIC Senior Vice President and President of the VCSI Board of Directors. "We’re aligning companies with regional and national universities and research organizations to provide students and faculty with opportunities to work in R&D. Once these folks are here, we believe they’ll stay here. By doing this we take care of today and position ourselves for tomorrow." The support that VCSI receives from the community, its board of directors, and members is unparalleled. All VCSI members have mutual interests in these projects and have provided considerable pro-bono support. In addition, each member pays dues and represents ways to capitalize R&D investments. Dr. Mike Lowe, Vice President and SAIC Technical Fellow in Huntsville has recently been assigned to provide technical support to VCSI and will be a key asset in the organization’s growth. "There is a special uniqueness with VCSI," Lowe states. "What makes this concept work is the implementation of the truest form of collaboration. All elements have a shared investment, which gives us shared research that reaches across labs, universities, and companies nationwide." Key members on the Board of Directors include government and university liaisons from MSFC, SMDC, AMRDEC, TVA, MDA, and UAH, plus strong relationships with NSSTC and seven Alabama research universities. "Our board of voting members are leaders of the industry; successful people willing to share their company’s strengths for the benefit of the community," Kress adds. Current voting VCSI members include Bill Gurley, Board President and Senior VP of SAIC; Marc Bendickson, Board Executive VP and CEO of Dynetics, Inc.; Ron Gray, Board Vice President and President of Gray Research; Gail Wall, Board Treasurer and Director of Beason & Nalley, Inc.; Joe Ritch, Board Legal Counsel and Partner at Sirote & Permutt; Ron Greenwood, VP for Research UAH; Glenn Priddy, President of Strategic Solutions; Tony DiRienzo, CTO COLSA; John Holly, Vice President of Huntsville Operations for Lockheed Martin; and Martin Kress, Board Chairman and Executive Director of NSSTC. "VSCI is doing something extremely important for this community," Gurley concludes. "The Board has ownership and its commitment is unparalleled. I’ve never seen a community like Huntsville. We have such drive, vision, and teamwork. Huntsville is indeed a special place." Contact Info:
Company owners-engineers Guy and Alicia Juzang want their Huntsville-based aerospace engineering company to mimic an Australian boomerang. "We launched Infinity in 1989 by performing ground-based contracts for AMCOM and DLA," remarks Guy. "Soon, we rose to work on aerospace projects such as the Apache Longbow, F-22, F-16 and C-130. Now, with the NASA Orion/Constellation Exploration Vehicle (CEV) project, we soar into outer space." He continues, "But like the boomerang, we now want to return to our point of origin—performing engineering, fabrication, and avionics work right here in Huntsville for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Army and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) communities, providing online mental health services for our soldiers and veterans." Infinity offers servicemen online mental health services through its partnership with Psychiatric Networks. Its pre-and post-psychiatric evaluation services are available online (establishing the Internet’s first discreet, cost-effective "log-in" clinic), webcasts, and audio/video phones. Infinity is a woman-owned SDB, is ISO 9001:2000 certified and possesses more than14 years of experience in avionics engineering, software services, support on the Lockheed Martin (LM) F-22 and C-130 AMP programs, and supports Lockheed and U.S. Navy with Test Program Set (TPS) software modification on the F-18, KC-130, F-14 and EA-6B. The company serves as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Space and NASA’s Orion/CEV contract, and supplies engineering and fabrication of main engine/solar ray/propellant tank simulators and various flight hardware mechanisms. Previously, Infinity has supported public outreach and education activities for NASA/MSFC’s Microgravity Research Program. "Now, with our additional years of experience and advancement into other expertise areas, we have so much more to offer MSFC," Guy adds. Therefore, Guy states that Infinity now offers many more proven advantages to MDA, U.S. Army, and MSFC, namely:
But even more than citing the boomerang model, Alicia now sees Infinity as the fully matured adult who’s gone away from home to get an education and successful work experience. "Now, we are ready to return home and build up the homefront," Alicia says. Contact Info:
During his 35-year career at Lockheed Martin, Vice President of North Alabama Operations for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Jim Tevepaugh, has experienced many diverse opportunities within one company. "When I meet a young person who is just starting out with us, I tell him or her that you can grow your career and see different places in the country while working for one company," Jim says. "My badge hasn’t changed, but I’ve had the greatest opportunities to grow within one company by working with multiple customers in multiple arenas." Since returning in 2007, Jim is proud to call Huntsville home again and is thrilled to be re-establishing his roots in the place where it all started. "I started here in Huntsville at Lockheed Martin as a college co-op working at NASA," he recalls. "This is my fourth time in this area and I am here to stay." Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company’s Huntsville facility, which is the corporation’s battle management center of expertise, performs program management and engineering for key missile defense contracts, including the Missile Defense Agency’s Target and Countermeasures Programs, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and Multiple Kill Vehicle. Approximately 650 employees, plus 200 subcontractor personnel, work for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Huntsville. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company’s Courtland facility, which performs assembly, integration, and test services for missile defense systems, is the site of the Targets and Countermeasures Single Integration Capability for the Missile Defense Agency. Lockheed Martin also has selected Courtland as its future assembly and integration site for the Multiple Kill Vehicle program. The company employs approximately 40 people in Courtland. With the impact of ongoing BRAC relocations, Lockheed Martin is positioned to meet current opportunities while also laying the foundation for future growth. "It is an extraordinary time to be in Huntsville with the U.S. Army Materiel Command, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, and the Missile Defense Agency moving here," Jim explains. To support the commands in the area, Lockheed Martin is increasing its infrastructure to leverage and broaden existing capabilities. "Our new North Alabama organization aligns the scope of our program performance with that of our engineering performance, ranging from the design and development skills of our Huntsville team to the full-scale production skills of our Courtland team," Jim states. Along with focusing on operational excellence for our customers, Jim stresses the importance of community involvement. "We strive to be good partners and good neighbors by volunteering and being well integrated into this community. Our employees contribute thousands of hours each year in community service organizations and activities. It’s something we all value." "It is critical to our success that we provide our employees with great opportunities for a rewarding career," says Jim. "We must continue to attract and retain an outstanding workforce. We want people to say, ‘I want to be in Lockheed Martin and do interesting and challenging work that will help our country and be part of this great community’, so with our growth, we are enhancing our campuses with upgraded facilities." Lockheed Martin: We never forget who we’re working for™ Contact Info:
Walter Bridges and his wife, Terri, started Southern Digital Products, Inc. (SDPI) 15 years ago with the vision of bringing the digital revolution to Huntsville, as well as throughout the Southeast. "We were digital before digital was cool!" Walter exclaims. "Since our inception, we research and develop communication systems that meet and exceed customer requirements." This small, woman-owned business has more than 120 years of combined personnel expertise and has worked extensively in the broadcast industry, as well as with high-end government facilities. "We have an excellent reputation for being knowledgeable about products, finding the right solutions to our customers’ requirements, and for staying within their budget," Walter states. SDPI focuses on researching, designing, and integrating conference rooms, boardrooms, digital multimedia distribution systems, command & control, video over the Internet, and video conferencing. As more companies and organizations move into the world of high-resolution computer graphic presentations, SDPI pushes the envelope with state-of-the art systems for today and the future. "We integrate technologically advanced audio visual, video teleconferencing and digital signage information systems. These sophisticated presentation and communication systems can enhance, facilitate, and personalize your meetings and presentations, as well as easily communicate within your organization or with your clients," Terri comments. SDPI was recently awarded a Federal Supply Schedule 70 contract (GS-35F-0378T) and, as a result, can now more effectively service its government clients. "Government customers of SDPI can now purchase the development of products, the design, the engineering, and the integration services through SDPI’s GSA contract," Terri states. "This will allow government buyers to purchase directly through our pre-negotiated contract, and SDPI is the only company in Huntsville with a GSA contract that specifically deals with broadcast and audiovisual presentation equipment and integration." Some of the clients that SDPI supports include NASA, DoD, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Dynetics, EWTN, Huntsville Hospital, Vanderbilt University, and ministries such as Willowbrook Baptist Church and T.L. Lowry Ministries. SDPI supports NASA at both the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Kennedy Space Flight Center. SDPI has provided products for the Russian Services Group at the Marshall Space Flight Center that allows the Center to transmit a broadcast quality video and audio signal from Moscow to both Huntsville and Houston in just over a quarter of a second via NASA’s internal IP network. SDPI has also designed the new Radiation Detection Office Control Room at the Kennedy Space Center, and continues to supply products and expertise that support shuttle launches and unmanned rocket launches. Recently, SDPI relocated to a larger and more convenient location at 690A Discovery Drive in Cummings Research Park West. This move to Cummings Research Park West was necessary for SDPI to support its customers in the area, as well as for future company growth. "Our expanded and modernized facilities, coupled with our central location, will allow SDPI to better support our current and future customers more efficiently," Terri says. Two signature services that are available through SDPI are video teleconferencing and its service contracts. As experts in its field, SDPI saw a need to bring video teleconferencing to the local business community. "Video teleconferencing in the early 1980s was generally very expensive and was used mostly by large businesses with large budgets," Walter comments. "But now, with today’s technology, video teleconferencing is becoming more affordable and efficient to use for many companies in a variety of industries. We decided to support and commit to video teleconferencing as an added service for our community. Our video teleconferencing rooms can be rented on a daily or an hourly basis," Walter explains. "And, we offer several customized video teleconferencing packages for purchase." SDPI’s service contracts provide customers with a variety of options for repair, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance, as well as discounted product replacement and labor rates to fit their needs. The three levels are Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Gold contract provides labor for preventative maintenance and other services performed by SDPI for a period of one year on all audio/visual equipment installed and or agreed to be maintained by SDPI. This contract provides for quarterly tests and inspections of all agreed-upon equipment. Its Bronze level is an on-call basis agreement. As a leader in the industry, SDPI is on the cutting edge of its field, both locally and nationally. This past March, SDPI presented a product showcase at the Von Braun Center that featured more than 55 suppliers in the area of presentation and communication systems. In addition, SDPI will once again be present at the Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference & Exhibition this August 2008 at the Von Braun Center. "We will once again have a large booth at the 2008 SMD Conference," Walter states. "We will be displaying command and control, video over Internet, and other advanced technologies of interest." With offices in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Nashville, SDPI is expanding. Terri says, "SDPI is growing. We are constantly looking for high quality installers and design engineers." For more information, go to the web site listed below. Walter concludes, "As solely focused, locally owned experts in the field of broadcast and audiovisual presentations, we are involved in numerous projects, both regionally and nationally. At SDPI, we are continuing to push the envelope by merging high quality with high definition." Hear What SDPI Clients Are Saying: Lauren Luft of B.L. HARBERT CONSTRUCTION in Birmingham, AL, states, "We had a good experience with SDPI and they provided us with a very thorough design and installation. SDPI is a good contractor and we look forward to working with the company again." Brian Green of Dynetics, Inc. states, "Dynetics has received excellent customer service from SDPI over the years and still use its services regularly. SDPI has a professional and courteous staff that is very knowledgeable about the audio/visual industry and offers robust solutions to its clients. SDPI has a solid working knowledge of numerous complex technologies in a constantly changing industry and know how to get it all to work together. Through its services, SDPI has demonstrated that it has and maintains this expertise." Contact Info:
For many small businesses, especially those competing for government contracts, a constant challenge is balancing the demand for business and technical growth with the daily requirements of running a business. From accounting and human resources to proposals and contract administration, businesses must manage all aspects of a company, and often with limited resources. Business Resource Solutions (BRS), a Huntsville-based firm, was founded to provide businesses with an economical solution to that dilemma. "It is our mission to provide quality service through solid procurement practices and a team approach with our customers that enables the risk for a company to be mitigated," says John David Baugher, Contracts Manager for BRS. As a shared services organization supporting multiple clients, BRS provides a cost-effective way to obtain corporate business operations services and minimizes the need to incur full-time expenses for employees, benefits, and associated office expenses. Utilizing BRS means a company’s senior management team is available to focus on business development and technical performance rather than dealing with back-office issues. Increasingly, companies are turning to BRS for assistance with all areas of contract management. "BRS particularly understands the competitive nature of government proposals and contract administration within the Federal Government," Baugher states. "Our staff utilizes its more than 25 years of Federal contracting experience to assist our customers with the competitive bid process, and to ensure their companies meet critical compliance issues." BRS serves as the business management services arm for government contracting firms that are in either the start-up phase, or are growing small and mid-sized companies. It provides support to businesses with a need to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and other government agencies. "Our Contracts Services team has supported companies in their pursuit of GSA contracts in the areas of information technologies, professional engineering, logistics, environmental services, and GSA Stars," Baugher explains. "BRS has assisted in numerous proposals, one in which led to an awarded contract of $94 million." In addition to providing assistance with proposals, BRS can help with every step of the contract administration process, including request for proposals, contract negotiation, and contract award, modifications, and closeout. Making sure that a company’s contracts are in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations is a particularly important service offered by BRS. "It is vital that the company has a thorough understanding of its contract requirements," Baugher comments. "With inadequate knowledge of the process and insufficient data to pass DCAA proposal audits, the company can be put at great risk. It is vital that risks be controlled and limited during the life cycle of a contract." The management team of BRS has extensive experience working with 8(a) and small disadvantaged companies, and currently supports clients across the United States. BRS services client companies with a combined total of more than 700 employees and revenues exceeding $70 million. "We are trained and experienced to provide efficiency and compliance in your business," Baugher states. "Our knowledgeable staff is available to help you achieve the greatest impact on your business." Contact Info:
From Concept to Completion, enrGies is a small, highly motivated business exceeding customer expectations in all areas, such as systems engineering, communications, network operations, innovative prototype development, aviation integration, test & evaluation, and project management. President Steve Pierce founded the company in January 2005. After retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998, Pierce worked for Raytheon as a system engineering manager and then as a project manager. After leaving Raytheon, he joined Miltec and focused on development and engineering support for customers. "My experience and training from the Army, Raytheon, and Miltec can be compared to an internship. I learned and refined valuable expertise and perspective and developed the background to start enrGies," Pierce says. One of the driving forces behind Pierce founding enrGies was to provide veterans a place where they would be welcome. After seeing how some previous combat veterans were treated when returning home, he was committed to doing everything possible to provide opportunity for the current generation of Veterans. In addition, he wanted a business that respected employees for their contributions and an environment where they want to come to work. "At enrGies, it’s all about integrity and respect," Pierce comments. "That is the basis for all our relationships. It means that enrGies team members’ hard work is appreciated and our customers can expect the job to be completed on time, within cost, and done right." enrGies success is directly attributed to these team members. The staff consists of 22 people—four in Ft. Rucker, AL, with some still active Reservists. The company has several hundred years of experience encompassing all aspects of hardware, software, integration, and systems development engineering with more than 100 years of combined expertise in command and control technologies. Addressing why an enrGies solution is so effective, Pierce comments, "The bottom line is to really understand the customer’s requirements and develop those requirements into products, systems, and enhancements enabling our warfighters to effectively perform their missions". Some of enrGies’ successes includes support to the implementation of the latest Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology, Airborne Command and Control, and Open Architecture Secure Information System (OASIS). enrGies sets itself apart by innovative thinking. "Everyone understands Lego® blocks, and anyone can build the picture on the box," Pierce explains. "But we look at all the pieces and think about what you could build if you had that special Lego® that enabled a new design." Just like with the Lego® blocks, enrGies then develop that specialized hardware and software necessary to produce products faster, more efficiently, with performance and capability improvements while leveraging the customers’ current investment." enrGies is classified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and is AS 9100 compliant. Pierce concludes, "I am proud to serve the Lord, this country, fellow veterans, as well as the local community. The opportunities we have aren’t the result of being an SDVOSB, but because we are blessed and offer the best work possible, from concept to completion." Contact Info:
At the core of Honeywell International’s foundation is its strong commitment to corporate citizenship. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing leader of aerospace products and services; control technology for buildings, homes, and industries; automotive products; power generation systems; specialty chemicals; fibers; plastics; and advanced materials. The company is committed to providing quality products, integrated system solutions, and services to customers around the world. In Huntsville, Honeywell focuses primarily on providing Defense and aerospace services. Julie Bedell (pictured), Senior Program Manager, has been with Honeywell for 25 years and oversees the UNITeS (Unified NASA Information Technology Services) program at the Marshall Flight Space Center (MSFC). Honeywell, with 50 employees on this project, has been working this contract since 2004 and provides IT services, still photography, videography, and TV support. Additionally, Honeywell provides propulsion test support at MSFC. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, Honeywell is deeply involved in community activities. In 2007, Honeywell’s financial contributions to education and civic organizations totaled $10 million. In addition, employees regularly donate their time through Honeywell’s volunteerism programs. With the program "Honeywell Hometown Solutions", the company directs its efforts into four important areas of societal needs that align with Honeywell’s heritage, products, and people: science and math education, family safety and security, housing and shelter, and humanitarian relief. Since 2004, the programs have received 45 awards for corporate social responsibility, including the Foreign Policy Association Corporate Social Responsibility award in 2007, the Yahoo! Big Idea and Community Builder award in 2006, and the U.S. Department of Justice Corporate Leadership award in 2005. Julie Bedell is a volunteer leader in Huntsville. She coordinated the Honeywell educational presentation FMA Live! (Force=Mass x Acceleration). Honeywell, in partnership with NASA, has brought FMA Live! to 1,600 students in six middle schools in Madison County, as well as to 180,000 students nationwide. The show features Newton’s law of motion and strives to engage students in math and science. Featuring high-energy actors, music, video, and demonstrations, FMA Live! teaches force and motion, and the process of scientific inquiry in an innovative, entertaining, and memorable way. "We need to capture their interest early on, and then we’ll see the fruits of our labor come back to be our future scientists and engineers," Bedell says. "This show is a creative way to present science and math. It’s amazing to think that the first person to hit Mars is currently in 5 th or 6th grade and we need to encourage these students to pursue careers in these fields. Huntsville is a great place to emphasize science and math!"In addition to FMA Live!, Honeywell employees also took part in revamping the Huntsville Senior Center. "We will continue this beautification effort with the Huntsville Senior Center once or twice a year," Bedell says. "It’s very humbling to do this kind of work with our energetic employees who donate their time and money to such great causes. As a global technology leader, Honeywell depends on a dedicated, inspired work force to bring innovative solutions to our customers and to our communities." Contact info:
Clark Associates is not only the original Xerox wide format dealer in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, but also the largest locally owned dealer in sales and service in all three states. Founded in 1966, Clark Associates is able to make this impressive claim because of a commitment to putting the customer first and providing a high level of expertise. "Wide format is our specialty," says Warren Clark, founder and senior associate of Clark Associates. "All of our employees are dedicated to this area of expertise." This professionalism translates into Clark Associates being known as THE experienced full digital system support provider for Xerox wide format in the region. Clark Associates provides service in the areas of compatibility with existing systems/software, ongoing training and support, and full maintenance contracts for the life of the equipment. Clark Associates offers new engineering copiers, plotters, and scanners, as well as refurbished machines that can be purchased or leased. As a leader in the local business industry, Clark Associates has also built long-standing relationships with its customers. Locally owned Allied Photocopy has been a customer since 1970 and currently uses three Xerox 510 Systems to provide wide format service. "We have used Clark Associates for many years because of its quality equipment and dependable service," Owner Jim Burruss comments. "Our customers expect the best quality and Clark Associates has done an excellent job over the years." Warren Clark adds, "It’s an honor to be able to serve Mr. Burruss and meet his needs. It’s a wonderful thing for us to have this relationship. He is a true professional." Clark Associates and Allied Photocopy’s 37-year business friendship speaks volumes of these two businessmen and their commitment to being leaders with quality products and service in the Huntsville area. Contact info: Advanced Federal Services Corporation* Posted 3/1/08
At Advanced Federal Services Corporation (AFSC), performance is the number one priority. Owner Alfredo Bonilla III founded the small disadvantaged business in 1995 in Madison. The company provides facilities operations and maintenance, logistics, transportation, and administrative support for government clients. Facilities operations is the root of the company’s expertise, and AFSC provides customers with a variety of services, such as facilities maintenance, utility systems and plants operation and management, sophisticated work control, construction management, road and grounds, and energy management, among others. Recently, the company was awarded contracts to support Fort Lee, Fort Eustis, and Fort Story in Virginia. AFSC is teaming with GENCO Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. on the Fort Lee contract to provide Base Operations Support Services for the Directorate of Public Works and Logistics. As the primary subcontractor to GENCO, AFSC performs the installation-wide public works functions of the contract, plus many other additional tasks. At Fort Eustis and Fort Story, AFSC provides public works services as a prime contractor to the Army. AFSC provides facilities maintenance, utility plant operations and maintenance, HVAC systems operations and maintenance, dining facility equipment maintenance, grounds and surfaced area maintenance, pest control, and vegetation management. AFSC and its 350 team members in offices across the country have been succeeded by making performance their priority. Customers include the U.S. Army (Redstone Arsenal, Fort Lee, Fort Eustis, and Fort Story), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Air Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Navy. "We have developed an impeccable reputation for performance, integrity, and full compliance with contract provisions," Bonilla states. "Our approach has always been to strive to exceed our customers’ expectations, anticipating their requirements, and enhancing operations. Performance is our priority." Contact Info:
In August 2007, Koniag Services, Inc. (KSI), an Alaska Native-Owned, 8(a) certified IT services and solutions firm, opened its Huntsville office to bring its IT expertise to Federal clients in the Huntsville area. KSI’s current clients include the National Guard Bureau (NGB), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Headquarters of the Department of the Army (HQDA), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Department of the Interior. KSI’s focus is to develop IT solutions that serve clients’ operational requirements with an emphasis on creating immediate impact and providing enduring value. With this philosophy, KSI’s focus is on Information Sharing Solutions, IT Program Planning and Management, Enterprise IT Solutions, and Assistive Technology Solutions. "Our goal is to provide technical excellence precisely tuned to our clients’ operational requirements within a transparent project management environment," explains President and CEO Ken Drifmeyer. "Exceptional service to our clients is our foremost objective. We fully understand and follow an approach to information technology that places value on projects only to the extent that they solve an operational challenge, enhance a critical capability, or improve operational effectiveness for an organization." Jeff Wright, KSI’s Huntsville Director states, "We look forward to bringing the same tailored and successful solutions we offer to our current clients to the organizations in Huntsville who are executing critical DoD and NASA missions. Our Information Sharing Solutions, such as the Joint Information Exchange Environment—JIEE—which we developed to provide the National Guard Bureau with a common operating picture at their joint operations center and at units in all 54 states and territories, supports their operational challenge of 24/7 situational awareness in a distributed mission environment." Wright continues, "Our other services, such as Assistive Technology Solutions for disadvantaged employees, which we provide to the Social Security Administration nationwide, and Enterprise IT Solutions, such as our work at DTRA to build an agency-wide information sharing capability and integrated e-business processes, are examples of our focus on solving operational challenges and improving organizational effectiveness for our clients using innovative technology and state of the art practices." Contact Info: Automated Systems Design, Inc.* Posted 5/16/08
Since 1986, Automated Systems Design, Inc. (ASD® Now, ASD is a global technology deployment company providing design, engineering, and project management for clients who need voice, data, and video infrastructure services. ASD’s company stability comes from its longetivity in the field and years of experience. It has been recognized four times as one of the fastest growing private companies in America. "We are honored to be named as #3,352 in INC. Magazine’s 5,000 fastest growing privately owned companies in 2006, and being ranked as the 39 th fastest growing private company in the state of Alabama in 2007," Eskew states.In North Alabama, Russell Spiess is ASD’s Branch Manager. Spiess provides expertise to install ASD’s customized information transportation systems, such as voice over IP from Avaya, Interactive Intelligence, and Shoretel; data center design/build; networking; structured cabling with fiber optics; and surveillance and access control. With ASD, clients get overall management for something as simple as a move, add, or change, to something as complex as a global rollout. Thinking globally, Eskew wanted to be able to service many customers on many projects. In 1992 he created the AASDI™ (Authorized ASD Installers; pronounced "as-dee") program of local affiliates. The AASDI program allows ASD to provide on-site support, and at the same time maintain consistencies in project design, engineering, and management. Within the ASD organization, AASDI’s are not sub-contractors; they are partner affiliates. ASD has teamed with Jesse Stutz Electric, Turner Universal, Intergraph, BL Harbert in Birmingham, AL, and the Walsh Group of Chicago. Local clients include the Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Sparkman Center on Redstone Arsenal, Von Braun Center (phases I and II) on Redstone Arsenal, and the International Truck plant at Huntsville International Airport. Contact Info:
Myers Technical Services LLC (Myers Tech) is an information systems and management consulting company specializing in the systems and tools that organizations use to collect, manage, document, analyze, and report key business data. Sharon A. Myers, a Huntsville native and owner of Myers Tech, is dedicated to helping her customers measure and improve business performance, increase productivity, and maintain quality standards. "Our team understands business processes and has a strong background in high-tech environments," Myers says. Myers Tech provides consulting, implementation, and training support to help customers get the most from business software investments. "Our software applications experts work closely with customers to help implement end-to-end solutions that transform technology strategy into measurable business results," Myers adds. "The most important measurement of a successful software implementation is whether or not your employees will use it. People typically fear change. Therefore, providing training for end users is absolutely critical." In addition to offering training for custom-developed software, Myers Tech also offers public training workshops on "off-the-shelf" database, spreadsheet, web development, and project management tools, including customer relationship management applications. Myers Tech also provides documentation, auditing, and training services to companies seeking to earn or maintain ISO 9001:2000 registration. "We provide turnkey solutions for customers with limited resources, or we can augment quality management teams to develop the required documentation and/or train personnel," Myers states. Myers Tech is a certified woman-owned, small disadvantaged business and was recently recognized by the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama as the 2007 Small Business Start-up of the Year. Contact Info:
Huntsville-based WaveLink, Inc. is proud to provide solutions that support America’s soldiers. President Tamela Gibbs founded this small, woman-owned company in 2001 that originally focused on commercial software development for local telecommunications companies before entering the government contract arena in 2007. WaveLink’s mission is to provide dependable, quality technology solutions and support with professionalism and integrity. Its core competencies include systems engineering, software engineering, configuration and data management, IT solutions, and information assurance. "WaveLink currently supports the Aviation community in the area of aircraft survivability," Gibbs states. "Our systems/software engineering staff has made key contributions in the development and fielding of several Army aviation and missile systems, including platforms and weapon systems, while supporting a number of Army program management offices." WaveLink’s strength is an experienced staff, 75% of which hold advanced degrees. "We have talented engineers skilled in interfacing software with various hardware platforms," Gibbs explains. WaveLink’s expertise is fueling a recent company growth spurt. "Currently, we support AMCOM and are pursuing additional work with NASA, MDA, and other customers that can benefit from our company’s strengths," Gibbs adds. A strong area for WaveLink is its configuration and data management services. "WaveLink is unique in Huntsville because we can track information, secure it, and get it into the hands of the right people when needed," Gibbs comments. "We’re experienced in complete data management…through inception, changes, storage, and providing access. In addition, our IT solution focus is upon information assurance. Our staff is proficient and well versed in disaster recovery and network vulnerability testing." Gibbs continues, "WaveLink is growing because of the great work of our employees. We are a fast-paced, flexible, responsive business devoted to our customers. As a homegrown girl educated at UAH, I’m excited to be in business in Huntsville, and proud to be part of a team directly supporting our soldiers in the field." Contact Info: Colonel John Olshefski, Garrison Commander of Redstone Arsenal (NP)* Photo: Kim Henry Posted 2/12/08; Updated 2/25/08
Redstone Arsenal and its Team members know how important U.S. Army families are and the sacrifices they make each day. To support these families, Team Redstone had already put in motion support actions that are now called the Army Family Covenant. This initiative was unveiled by General Casey at the Annual Meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) last October in Washington, D.C. "The Army Family Covenant gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase activities we’ve been doing in support of our soldiers and their families," Garrison Commander Colonel John Olshefski states. The Army Family Covenant recognizes the commitment and increasing sacrifices the families of soldiers face on a daily basis. Because soldier and family service is the foundation of an all-volunteer force, the Army is committed to providing its families with a stable and high quality of life. The Covenant mandates a strong, supportive environment by standardizing and funding existing family programs and services, increasing accessibility and the quality of health care, improving soldier and family housing, ensuring excellence in schools, youth services, and child care, and expanding education and employment opportunities for family members. Redstone Arsenal has led the way in implementing the Army Family Covenant in the areas of housing, new community and children centers, on-post tag and license office, and more. Redstone Communities has put nearly $22 million dollars into the Residential Communities Initiative, which is a home renovations effort that provides soldiers with homes equivalent to civilian homes in Madison County. The garrison recently opened the new Redstone Arsenal Tag and License satellite office at the PX/Commissary Shopping Mall. "Instead of spending many hours downtown, our soldiers and civilian workers can now get a license and tag in less than 45 minutes," Olshefski says. To support children, Team Redstone is building a new school age services center and a child development center, both opening in 2008. The services center will provide a safe environment for after-school children between ages six and twelve. Additionally the Redstone Arsenal Child Development Center recently earned reaccreditation under tough new standards. The National Association for the Education of the Young Child, based in Washington, D.C., inspected the center in November. Criteria included the teachers and their training, the curriculum, child progress, physical environments, program management, health, relationships with the families, and community partnerships. The center was accredited for Jan. 31, 2008 to Jan. 31, 2013. The center’s more than 40-member staff serves 120-150 youngsters, ranging from ages 5 weeks to 4 years. A final cause Team Redstone supports is the Army Emergency Relief fund. This initiative raised more than $240,000 for soldiers and their families in 2007. Along with these projects, Redstone Arsenal’s award-winning Army Community Service (ACS) received accreditation for the third straight time. "I like to brag on our ACS," Olshefski comments. "They don’t wait for the requirements; they just move ahead creatively serving." Olshefski thanks the community for its strong support. "Here at Redstone, the reason we have a great reputation as a top-notch military assignment is the great community support provided by the Tennessee Valley," he states. "At Redstone, everything focuses on supporting the warfighter. Our commitment to them is to take care of everything at home. We’ve been doing that at Redstone Arsenal all along, and I’m proud of that fact." Contact Info: 2008 Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition (NP)* Posted 3/3/08 UPDATED 5/13/08
The 11th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition will take place August 11-14, 2008, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The theme for this year’s event is Space & Missile Defense...the Next 50 Years. The SMD Conference is widely attended by more than 6,000 professionals from throughout the United States and our allies around the world. Event sponsors include the National Defense Industrial Association-Tennessee Valley Chapter (NDIA-TVC), Air Space and Missile Defense Association (ASMDA), and the Air Defense Artillery Association-Huntsville Chapter (ADAA). This year’s SMD Conference will have a greater international emphasis than in previous years, including information on ballistic missile defense in Europe and Japan. The conference will also emphasize a "joint" nature, with each service well represented and their contributions spotlighted. Because of current world situations and national occurrences, it is vitally important to understand how missile defense and space technologies are contributing to the success of warfighters around the globe. Exhibits and presentations on topics such as future technologies, command and control with and without our allies, increasing roles in each of the services, space protection and persistent surveillance will explore these issues with attendees. Confirmed speakers include Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of Joint Chief of Staff; Dr. Thomas H. Killion, secretary of the Army for Research and Technology/chief scientist; Mr. John Rood, under secretary of state for Army Control and International Security (acting); LTG Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command; Lt. Gen. Henry A. "Trey" Obering III, director, Missile Defense Agency; Maj. Gen. Jaap S. Willemse, Vice Chairman, NATO Air Defense Committee; and Bob Barnes, Missile Defense Agency Advanced Technology. Other invited speakers include Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command and the Honorable John J. Young Jr, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. There will be exhibit displays throughout the entire VBC and daily attractions in each hall, including presentations from local and celebrity authors. Another incredible attraction is the Educational Track and its robotic competition on Wednesday, August 13. In the morning, more than 200 local middle school students will attend the conference and view demonstrations meant to encourage them to pursue science and engineering interests in the future. In the afternoon, four high school robotics teams will battle it out in the VBC Arena for a chance to be recognized as the top performers in the Tennessee Valley robotics region. These attractions, along with the viewing of all exhibits, are free and open to the general public. Contact Info:
The 11 th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference is proud to announce its second year providing an Education Day Track for students in surrounding areas. This international Conference will take place August 11-14, 2008, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The theme for this year’s event is Space & Missile Defense...the Next 50 Years.While part of the overall conference, the Education Track is a special day geared towards middle-school students. It is an exciting day filled with presentations, exhibits, demonstrations, and fun geared specifically towards students. The goal of the Education Day Track is to the present the art of science and math in an engaging and stimulating atmosphere to increase interest in these fields. Education Day will be from 8:30am to 3pm on Wednesday, August 13 at the Von Braun Civic Center Arena. A morning session will involve students visiting a variety of exhibits in the arena and receiving demonstrations tailored particularly to their age group and interest. They will see space and missile defense technologies, a Space Camp presentation, unmanned ground and aerial vehicles, and hands-on video game technology. The afternoon will be comprised of a mock FIRST Robotics competition between four local high school teams. Viewing of the robotics competition is FREE to the general public. Please join us! The competition begins at 1pm in the VBC Arena. Approximately 200 students from eight local middle schools have been invited. The participants will be divided into groups of about 15-20 students to tour the different exhibits. The students will also have the opportunity to walk through the main conference area and visit some of the other exhibitors in the rest of the VBC. Education Track volunteers will be present to help make this year’s Education Day as exciting as possible. Contact Info:
The Huntsville Aerospace Marketing Association (HAMA) is the organization for aerospace and defense business development professionals in the Tennessee Valley. HAMA members represent more than 175 companies doing business with local Federal agencies. HAMA was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1990 to:
HAMA meets for lunch on the second Friday of each month at 11:30am at the Redstone Arsenal Officers’ and Civilians’ Club. The HAMA luncheon provides a forum for networking with a significant number of key industry representatives in an informal atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to gain insight from each briefing. HAMA members interact with guest speakers and other business development professionals during a social period preceding lunch. Guest speakers have the opportunity to inform industry delegates of upcoming procurement opportunities, reorganizations, base realignment & closures (BRAC) updates, or other issues of interest to the business development community. The speakers are commanders, program managers, directors, and others from organizations, such as Army Materiel Command, Missile Defense Agency, Army Aviation and Missile Command, Army Space and Missile Defense Command, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, program executive offices, and other government agencies. Additionally, HAMA has an evening get-together in September and a local facility tour each year. Contact Info:
School / Teacher Leader / Project Arab Elementary (Arab City, Marshall Co). Sonja Beam. Magical Music uses Multi-media technology to enhance students’ proficiency in math and increase their scientific knowledge of sound waves. Arab Elementary (Arab City, Marshall Co). Betty Hendrix. Geocaching for Kids teaches students hands-on navigation skills with a hand held GPS to locate places. Arab Junior High (Arab City, Marshall Co). Mikie Gibbs. Lend a Helping Hand allows Eighth grade math students to perform hands-on, self-correcting practice with current class topics in math. Blossomwood Elementary (Huntsville). Lynn K. McQueen. Working to Save the Monarch! Allows the Jr. Master Gardener Club to build a butterfly habitat in the Outdoor Classroom and create Distance Learning Field Trips for other schools. Blossomwood Elementary (Huntsville). Elizabeth Woodruff. Science Inquiry Communicated on the Web lets students learn the scientific method and record their investigations in a journal and on the class blog for others to read. Bob Jones High (Madison City). Carol Bohatch. The Great Chemistry Chill Out provides an introduction to the kinetic molecular theory, and the gas laws. (Charles Law, Gay-Lussac’s Law), linking mathematical concepts to physics. Bob Jones High (Madison City). Daniel Elegante. The Mystery of the Unknown Substance lets students learn laboratory techniques and use centrifuges to investigate solutions and suspensions. Bob Jones High (Madison City). Jeremy Raper. My NeXT Robot lets Bob Jones Engineering Academy students design, test, and market products, work with others to a common goal, and learn how to meet that goal under budget and on time. Central Elementary & Middle (Madison County). Kathy Cornelius. Picture Perfect: A Picture and a Thousand Words lets students work with local photographers to learn the role of critical thinking in the discovery process in multiple subject areas, and to work with others with different talents. Central Elementary & Middle (Madison County). Mary Lee. Science Kits: The Whole Kit and Caboodle applies National Science Education standards for investigation of science questions using evidence and strategies for developing or revising an explanation. Chaffee Elementary (Huntsville). Stephanie Moore. Pop Your Brain for K-3 provides an interactive website to explore, discover, and reinforce skills in all academic areas. Cherokee Elementary (Guntersville, Marshall County). April Mayo. Science Court for the 5 th Grade provides software with compelling and informative courtroom dramas to demonstrate the most challenging areas of the science curriculum.Columbia Elementary (Madison City). Jackie Smith. Project Blast Off lets students construct a life-size space shuttle model from which they will observe movements of Earth, collect and analyze weather data, and conduct hydroponics investigations. Columbia High (Huntsville). Loretta Lynne Weninegar. Bending the Twig...Growing Student Awareness facilitates student understanding of the concepts of photosynthesis, plant growth and function, and the role of plants in the global ecosystem. Danville High (Morgan County). Cinda Preuit. Have Lab…Will Travel allows high school science classes to bring different experiments, hands on activities, and peer teaching to about 220 4 th and 5th grade students and their teachers from a nearby school.Discovery Middle School (Madison City). Robin Dauma. Video Pros engages students in all phases of the video production process, including digital video editing and DVD production. Lead students will mentor their peers. Endeavor Elementary (Madison County). Timothy Gels. Digitizing Endeavor’s Nature Galaxy lets students monitor atmospheric conditions and wildlife activity, develop and produce weather reports, documentaries, and instructional video and audio presentations that will be integrated with the school-wide closed-circuit television studio. Farley Elementary (Huntsville). Dawn Davidson Brown. Data Detectives uses Graph Club 2 Deluxe Software with counters and sorting/graphing trays, glyphs, and daily practice to make data creation, collection, exploring and interpreting fun, while meeting the NCTM and Alabama standards. Highlands Elementary (Huntsville). Linda Hardee. (Map)matics provides high quality maps so students can analyze latitude and longitude, and the topography of an area. Students will also use GPS function to plot movement. Holy Family School (Private Nonprofit, Huntsville). Hallie Kenny. All about Mass and Math teaches students the difference between mass and weight through the use of a triple-beam balance scale and a spring scale. Holy Family School (Private Nonprofit, Huntsville). Betty Snow. The World of Microscopy provides prepared slides of bacteria and viruses to teach students to identify and distinguish characteristics of microbes. Students research vaccines and antibiotics in treatment and prevention of diseases with an emphasis on prevention. Holy Family School (Private Nonprofit, Huntsville). Paul Stranahan. Infusing Excitement into Math provides problem and solution manuals for the newly formed Math Team at Holy Family to practice problem solving and critical thinking skills. Horizon Elementary (Madison City). Jennifer Lee. Sneaky Peeking into Science allows the entire class to view live samples sent by AMSTII through the Elmo TT-02. Huntsville Center for Technology (Huntsville). Jane Bouldin. Animal Attraction, a veterinary medicine module, includes virtual dissection along with hands-on skills such as suturing, venipuncture, and canine CPR using computer software, realistic trainers, manikins, and medical equipment. Huntsville Center for Technology (Huntsville). John Stingel. STEDTRAIN Hunch Robot Project provides students the Microsoft Robotics Studio software (MRS), and electronics to teach autonomous robotic principles. Students will modify an electric shopping cart and a 1:4 scale R/C car to roam autonomously throughout the school using Bluetooth technology. Huntsville Middle School (Huntsville). Kristen Muldoon. My Heros. Students will participate in the global project My Heros to recognize and identify the true heroes who reside in their homes, schools, communities, and world, and create web pages, short films, or photography using the internet and webcam. Jones Valley Elementary (Huntsville). Sylvia Dean. Elementary Engineers lets primary student elementary engineers to cooperatively design and build devices to solve mechanical problems using Lego Engineering Kits in the engineering lab. Jones Valley Elementary (Huntsville). Kristy Dunn. Exploring the Power Puzzle. Fourth and fifth grade JVE Robotic-Technology Team-students will build and program an autonomous robot in 5 months to compete in the 2007-2008 FIRST Lego League research challenge. Madison Cross Roads (Madison County). Patti Boles. Beyond Play: Engaging Young Students in the Art of Design provides building materials to kindergartners to explore the art of design, to include creating, designing and documenting their designs in a student journal. Madison Cross Roads (Madison County). Haley James, Patti Boles. Engineering is Elementary is a researched-based curriculum developed by the Museum of Science in Boston that integrates engineering and technology concepts with concepts and skills from the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. Mountain Gap Middle (Huntsville). Natalie Lane. Is Your School Making You Sick? provides the Mountain Gap Middle School Grizzly Clawing Through Clutter team with instruments to monitor classroom air qualities and estimate the effect of increased enrollments on the school’s indoor air quality. New Century Technology High School (Huntsville). Jane Jones. A Vexing Situation! Provides a 3-D CAD program so the Introduction to Engineering class students can design and build remote-controlled and programmable (using easy C) robots that perform specific functions. Patriot Academy (Madison City). Fitzgerald McQueen. Propagating Live Soft Corals, Hard Corals, and Invertebrates in the Classroom. Patriot Academy students will implement propagation of live soft corals, hard corals, and invertebrates in a previously built classroom saltwater aquarium. St. Ann School (Private, Nonprofit). Jamie Turgeon. Presentations Made Possible involves middle school students in creating a PowerPoint slideshow and then giving their presentations orally using a multimedia projector. Stone Middle (Huntsville). Barbara Murphy. Team America Rocketry Competition (TARC) 2008 provides three teams of mixed Hispanic boys and girls the chance to learn to design and build model rockets using SpaceCAD to compete in the Team America Rocketry Competition national flyoff sponsored by AIAA. West Morgan Middle School (Morgan County). Richard Reynolds. Opportunities for Today and Tomorrow is a pilot project that provides computers and special software to provide Special Ed students with opportunities to improve their SLD Special Ed area to the point that they can graduate. Williams Technology Middle (Huntsville). Leigh Harrison. Through Leonardo’s Window allows students to collaborate with middle school students in Italy to study simple machines, solar power, and the works and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. Upon completion of their project they will publish their results on the Internet. Additional Info:
www.hats.org/STEDTRAIN/stedtr.shtml
Last year, these and other scenes just like them occurred in 37 classrooms in schools all over the Tennessee Valley, from Arab to Huntsville, to Madison to Madison County, and Decatur. In many cases, students volunteered to take what they had done and shared their excitement and learning with other students at various grade levels in their school. Over one thousand students directly benefited from these activities in this past year alone, giving them a hands-on feel for the excitement and challenges of possible careers in these areas, as well as how science and technology directly affect their lives. For some, it was their first exposure to these technologies, and for all, a great opportunity to grow. And in all cases, these tools and materials create a legacy that will continue to enrich future students for years to come. What all these students and their schools shared in common was that each of them benefited from a grant from the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) Science and Technology Education and Training (STEDTRAIN) Program. Since 1988, HATS STEDTRAIN Committee has provided over $230,000 in grants to area K-12 schools to interest local students in science and technology through hands-on classroom projects. In 2006, HATS STEDTRAIN funded 22 grants. In 2007, 37 grants were funded for almost $34,000. In 2008, the HATS STEDTRAIN Program received a record 49 requests for grants that are currently under evaluation by the STEDTRAIN Committee Volunteers. To fund these grants, HATS STEDTRAIN needs to raise $44,000, and YOUR support is needed. Here is what some of the teacher grant recipients have had to say about the value of their HATS STEDTRAIN Grants: "K-12 teachers have almost no funds for hands-on science projects and hands-on has been shown to provide the best kinds of educational experiences. The HATS-STEDTRAIN Grants make possible what otherwise would not be possible." "The best part of the Grant was the extensive parental and community involvement. It is definitely bringing the community together." "The children worked together as teams, with each child contributing, and each child learning from the others." "Some of our students are finding that their participation in this program is helping their college applications. Now they can show research experience on their resumes." Contact Info:
The Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT) is a nonprofit organization founded to increase business opportunities for high-technology small businesses in the Huntsville area. HASBAT serves as a beacon on the latest business opportunities, developments and legislation within the federal government affecting small contracting firms. The organization keeps its members abreast of pertinent issues by inviting leaders from NASA, AMCOM, SMDC, COE and other federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration, to present updates at monthly membership luncheons. In addition to networking opportunities, monthly luncheons also offer HASBAT members a means for exchanging capabilities. HASBAT provides a Corporate Members Profile booklet highlighting the capabilities of its 70+ member companies, an excellent resource for large prime contractors seeking to fulfill specialized requirements or meet small business goals. This document may also be used by small businesses seeking teammates for prime contract opportunities. "HASBAT will be a voice for small business in Huntsville," says HASBAT Board President Jan Phillippe Eiras. "It is a force for communication with our legislators, government procurement officials, and decision makers. There is strength in numbers and working together we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible." HASBAT annually awards scholarships to students majoring in high-technology fields, attending Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama, Huntsville. This year, HASBAT has added Oakwood University to the list, making Oakwood students eligible to receive scholarships. Also, the Small Business Advocate Award for Excellence is presented annually to nominees who demonstrate support through activities and/or undertakings in advising and advancing business interests for local high-technology small businesses. In 2007, the Advocate Award was given to Mr. David Brock, Small Business Specialist at NASA (MSFC). Contact Info:
Nothing is harder to predict than the future of technology. Remember former IBM president Thomas J. Watson’s 1943 remark that there was a worldwide market for "about five computers?" And then there was Bill Gates’s 1981 prediction that 640 kilobytes of computer memory "ought to be enough for anybody." Technology changes rapidly and the advances of the next several years will present opportunities no one can imagine today. Therefore, it’s essential that we have the agility to embrace change and identify opportunities as they occur. The challenges and opportunities associated with rapidly evolving next generation technologies are the theme of the 6 th Southeastern Software and Systems Engineering (Se3) Conference, May 12th – 14th, 2008 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The conference will showcase state-of-the-art systems, software engineering concepts and technologies, and provide a glimpse of what’s in store over the horizon. It will provide a unique forum and venue for systems and software engineers, project managers, and acquisition professionals from government, industry, and academia to discuss the latest trends, developments, and challenges in their areas of interest.The conference will feature three days of invited and refereed presentations, a number of technical workshops, and interactive exhibits. Local, national, and international subject matter experts from government, industry, and academia are participating as speakers, panelists, and workshop leaders. Conference sessions will cover next generation security challenges, future systems procurement processes, and systems engineering integration and interoperability challenges. Conference workshops will be offered on a variety of topics ranging from intellectual property rights to model-based engineering. Keynote speakers include Dr. Mike Hinchey, Irish Software Engineering Research Center; Dr. William Lewis, Director of the Army Aviation Engineering Directorate; and Dr. John Horack, Director of the Science and Mission Systems Office at Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA. One of the highlights of this year’s events will be a Digital Combat Exercise (DCE) in the exhibit area. Teams of students and professionals will have an opportunity to learn first hand about cyber warfare by participating in a simulated cyber battle. The DCE will be complemented by the WAAY TV Internet Safety Tour. This will be the 15th stop on a multi-city presentation where experts go "into the field" to educate parents and kids about the wonders…and dangers…of the Internet. America’s Army Game will also be showcased in the exhibit area. Launched in July 2002, it has penetrated contemporary culture to become one of the most popular computer games in the world, due in large part to its unique inside perspective of the U.S. Army and its exciting game play. The Se3 Conference is sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association Tennessee Valley Chapter, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN), and the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). This year’s industry Titanium Sponsor is Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc. For more information regarding sessions, workshops, exhibits, registration, and sponsorship, please visit the web site. Exhibits are open to the public. Contact Info: www.se3conference.com
|
Providing Businesses with a Game Film for Success
WestWind Technologies Garners Prestigious Aviation
Industry Award 
A Legacy of Excellence Continues
From the Ground Up to Space in One Generation
Jim Tevepaugh of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company:
One Company. One Career. Great Opportunities
We Were Digital Before Digital Was Cool!
Managing Risk and Promoting Growth with Government
Contract Management
From Concept to Completion
A Strong Commitment to Corporate Citizenship
The Leader in Xerox Wide Format in the Region
Performance is the Number One Priority
IT Solutions and Services Meeting Clients’ Operational
Requirements
Excellence in Connectivity
Optimizing People, Processes, and Technology
Solutions that Support Our Soldiers
Team
Redstone: Supporting U.S. Army Families
Helping
Aerospace and Defense Business Development Professionals in the Tennessee
Valley
Since 1988, the all-volunteer STEDTRAIN Committee of the Huntsville
Association of Technical Societies (HATS) has raised and distributed over
$200,000 for hands-on science and technology programs for K-12 classrooms in
Northern Alabama and Southern Tennessee. Funds for the program are derived
from donations from HATS Members organizations, area companies, and
individuals. Over 95% of the money raised is given as grants. Several grant
programs have won recognition from various technical and professional
societies or have gone on to win regional and even state science and
technology competitions. In 2006, STEDTRAIN funded 22 grants and in 2007, 37
grants for a total of $33,798, summarized below. 
The
classroom was filled with an excited murmur as the teacher and students
discussed the results of their experiments, trying to determine if they
validated what they thought would happen in their study of the ideal gas
laws. In another classroom out in the county, students were investigating
the basic concepts of structural engineering using hands-on structural
kits. In yet a third classroom, students were operating robotic vehicles
they had assembled by following detailed plans. Through the use of a salt
water aquarium, a fourth group of students were learning about social
behavior in groups while simultaneously interacting through the Internet
with students in Australia to discuss the varied forms of sea life found in
coral reefs. Yet, other students have learned to use GPS technology to map
their school grounds and emergency assembly areas, and to engage in the new
high-tech activity of geo-caching.
Regional Conference to Focus
on Next Generation Technologies