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| Magazine Stories • Issue 8, Fall/Winter 2008/09 |
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COVER STORY: Northrop Grumman* Posted 11/9/08
At Northrop Grumman’s recent ground-breaking ceremony for its second building in Cummings Research Park, there was more than just the moving of earth. There was a celebration to honor its growing Huntsville workforce. Just 18 months ago, Northrop Grumman completed the first of four proposed new buildings on its campus and looks forward to a bright future in Huntsville. "This celebration recognizes our customers, the community, and our employees who are making important contributions to our nation’s security," says Dan Montgomery, Northrop Grumman’s Corporate Lead Executive for Huntsville. "We’re committed to Huntsville because the work we do is technically challenging and supports a number of key customers." The ceremony was attended by Northrop Grumman employees, as well as city and state officials. Featured at the event were the Marine Junior ROTC Color Guard of Johnson High School and Country-western Singer Lee Greenwood. Greenwood, highlighting the celebration’s theme of patriotism, performed the National Anthem and his hit song, God Bless the USA. "This ceremony also marks Northrop Grumman’s plans for growth in Huntsville," Montgomery says. "We are excited to be a business leader and look forward to continuing as an active member of the community." As Northrop Grumman’s leader in Huntsville, Montgomery serves as the principal point of contact for Northrop Grumman’s Huntsville customers. Prior to joining the company in 1999 as Director of the Air and Missile Defense market, he served 32 years in the U.S. Army and retired with the rank of Brigadier General. Also in attendance at the ground-breaking was Philip Teel, Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "We are proud to be a part of the work that is done in Huntsville," says Teel. "This region provides the kind of people we want working for this company and for our nation. The company has been in Huntsville since 1961 and this city remains a very significant part of our future." Former Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer spoke at the ceremony, thanking those who have invested their time and effort into the companies of Huntsville, which contributes to Huntsville’s outstanding reputation and quality workforce. Echoing Spencer’s thoughts was Bruce Anderson of the National Space Science and Technology Center. "The work Northrop Grumman does here and will do in this new building is critically important," Anderson adds. "The state is extremely proud to call Northrop Grumman an Alabama company, and its 1,200 employees fellow Alabamians. We are a better community and better state because of the kind of corporate values, energy, community participation, intellectual capital and financial resources that Northrop Grumman brings to this area." Also on hand was Irma Tudor of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce who praised Northrop Grumman for its outstanding work and involvement in the community. "When you hear the name Northrop Grumman, you immediately associate it with technical excellence," Tudor explains. "Our business community is greatly enriched by its continued presence and increasing growth. I thank and congratulate the employees of Northrop Grumman for the work they do in Huntsville that impacts our community, our state, our country, and literally our world." Developing the second building will be Colonial Properties, which developed the first building for Northrop Grumman. Kyle Collins of Colonial Properties states, "Northrop Grumman and our company have a wonderful relationship. It is a true partnership and we are thankful and excited to be involved with this incredible project. It’s an honor knowing that we are partnering with a company that defends our country." The purpose of these four buildings is to consolidate the company’s presence, optimize operating efficiencies, and provide employees with a superb working environment where they can forge new ground in research and development to help customers solve problems of national importance. This second building is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2010 and will provide offices, laboratories, and state-of-the-art integration, research, and development facilities. Northrop Grumman is a global defense and technology company with more than 1,200 employees in the Huntsville area and 1,330 in Alabama. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company has 120,000 employees and provides innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace, and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. Huntsville employees alone support a massive number of military customers in this region, including the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Aviation and Missile Command, Army Program Executive Office for Aviation, Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, U.S. Missile Defense Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Defense Intelligence Agency, and others. As one of Huntsville’s largest defense contractors, Northrop Grumman’s programs include Kinetic Energy Interceptors, Ground-based Midcourse Defense Fire Control and Launch Control, Enhanced Area Protection and Survivability Demonstration program, Phase 1 of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System program, Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control, Command Post Platform, Longbow Missile and Viper Strike precision munitions, Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar program, logistics support to the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal, and other important programs. With its new building and continued growth in Huntsville, Northrop Grumman is Defining the Future. Contact Info:
Arrowsight, a web-based application services provider, is a leading developer of remote viewing services and software that allow companies in a variety of industries to optimize process control and performance in manufacturing plants and processing facilities. In business environments, such as food processing, food services, manufacturing, and others, driving employee best practices is a continuous task. Improving the effectiveness of labor is a critical and ongoing task that’s necessary to remain competitive. Arrowsight enables management to evaluate, coach, and train labor in ways that reduce risk and optimize processes. "Regardless of the business, everyone strives to optimize operations and provide better services or products to customers," Chief Executive Officer Adam Aronson says. "Until now, one area in commercial business that’s remained virtually untapped is being able to effectively measure labor performance. An industry that’s excelled in this area is professional sports where coaches use video analytics to measure, assess, and improve player and team performance. Arrowsight applies that same methodology to business by providing ‘game video’ for operational reviews on a daily and weekly basis." Arrowsight’s Remote Video Auditing (RVA) is a process optimization solution that combines manufacturing expertise, remote video monitoring, live feedback LED screens, as well as daily and weekly reports so plant managers can more effectively monitor labor performance controls across the plant. It offers a Hot Zones security feature for biosecurity safeguards. Hot Zones includes employee background checks, security access restrictions, biometric readers, and web-based video monitoring. RVA with Hot Zones biosecurity protection allows for real-time, 24/7 monitoring of biological, chemical, and physical hazards, whether they are naturally occurring or intentional. In the Quick Service Restaurant industry, Arrowsight’s service improves customer service times by providing live feedback to in-store managers on employee performance. "The live feedback services component, coupled with daily and weekly performance reports ranking individual shift manager performance, has improved customer service time results by 40-50 percent," Arrowsight President of Manufacturing Mark Moshier states. "Our technology is being used at leading companies, including Limited Brands and McDonald’s franchises." Arrowsight’s Hospital Video Auditing (HVA) service improves and ensures patient safety compliance, reduces medical errors, decreases risk, improves staff processes, and institutes new patient safety benchmarks, among others. "From hand-hygiene guidelines, central-line safety, alarm response timeliness and ventilator safety protocols to surgical-infection prevention and more, HVA’s at every point of care critical to patients’ well being," Moshier says. "It’s monitoring facilities daily, so the hospital’s performance is measured with every patient, every day of the year." Arrowsight auditors monitor performance indicators within the client’s facility to enhance productivity, safety, quality, and plant efficiency. Daily, weekly, and monthly e-mail scorecard reports are sent to management that identifies variances in operating standards. Management teams access these reports through web hyperlinks to video clips and still images that provide visual documentation of events in real time. This information can then be used as a training tool for staff improvement, improving process awareness, and making adjustments to labor processes. Moshier concludes, "With the information we provide, companies see what’s going on from shift to shift. This real-time data can show employees how to follow the company’s ‘best practices’ game plan." Contact Info: WestWind Technologies, Inc.* Posted 11/5/08
Huntsville Aircraft Modification and Integration Center to Be Built at International Airport by Barbara Nash, APR for WestWind Technologies As an award-winning small business and leading provider of aviation services, WestWind Technologies is taking the initiative to meet the ever-growing demand in the aviation industry. The Huntsville Aircraft Modification and Integration Center will be going up soon on Wall Triana Highway at the Huntsville International Airport with an estimated completion date of July 2009. With approximately 65,000 square feet, the new hangar facility will offer extensive capability for both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft. WestWind will be able to provide modification and integration services simultaneously on multiple aircraft such as the C-130, UH-60, CH-47 and others performing vital missions. The operations facility will also be able to accommodate various commercial aviation industry needs. The expansion is a pioneering effort for Huntsville and the first to utilize an airport-owned land/small business constructed and operated partnership. By locating at Huntsville International Airport, WestWind will provide customers with extended runway access and other services not otherwise available in the region, providing enough space to land even the largest aircraft. Roger Messick, Chief Operating Officer for WestWind Technologies, says, "Through this unique partnership with Huntsville International Airport, WestWind Technologies will be able to offer additional capability to the military and commercial aviation industry resulting from BRAC and other increased aviation needs." As the 2008 winner of the Joseph P. Cribbins Product Symposium award for Cargo Helicopter Project Office, WestWind continues to support production manufacturing for the CH-47F Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulator program. Additional company capabilities include engineering, systems integration, manufacturing, maintenance & repair, power management and distribution hardware, warehousing and kitting, fabrication, and logistics for the multiple programs. The Huntsville Aircraft Modification and Integration Center is just one more way WestWind Technologies is providing high-quality, cost-effective services…Right. Now. Contact Info:
ADEPT Technologies supports our armed forces with cutting edge technology and superior service. With products that range from HMMWV armament to flight critical parts of the UH-60 Black Hawk, ADEPT is proud of its role in protecting our country’s warriors. Expanding on this tradition, ADEPT is currently developing technologies that will make soldiers safer during Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) scenarios. ADEPT’s Applied Sciences Department is developing multiple technologies that will remove soldiers from high risk situations such as interior building reconnaissance, clearing, and causality extraction. The primary platform for this development is DRAGON, an acronym for Dynamic Reconnaissance with Autonomous Guided Obstacle Navigation. DRAGON is a robotic Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) platform, designed from the ground up for interior building operation. While there are many fielded UGV’s for exterior missions such as bomb disposal, few are few suitable for interior building reconnaissance. Some of the unique requirements of the interior environment are narrow hallways, stairs, and doorways. DRAGON operates in this environment with a unique solution. While the locomotion is provided by tracks that will function outdoors, they are specifically designed to run quietly on typical indoor surfaces. However, the key feature of the DRAGON platform is its dynamically balanced mast. This feature allows the drive unit to cover varying terrain, while the upper portion of the robot, the mast, maintains a vertical position. Dynamically balancing the mast allows the drive unit to be small enough to easily maneuver in confined areas, yet still operate on extreme angles such as stairs. As mentioned, other common obstacles in buildings are doorways. More specifically, closed doors can pose a challenge to typical robots. While many can open a door with direct control from an operator, it is a slow, laborious task. To solve this problem, ADEPT is developing an autonomous door opening mechanism. All that is required of an operator will be positioning the DRAGON near a desired entry door. From there, the door opening mechanism locates the entry device, actuates it, and opens the door, speeding the process and removing burden from the operator. An additional technology under development is DRAGONFLY, a miniature aerial reconnaissance vehicle that is deployable from DRAGON. While useful for quickly exploring difficult to reach areas and determining DRAGON’s navigation path, DRAGONFLY can also serve as a distributed telecommunication link. This will allow deep penetration into structures with a relayed wireless communication link between the robot and operator. Technologies being developed on the DRAGON platform promise increased mission capability for UGV building reconnaissance, and provide stepping stones to the ultimate challenge, fully autonomous operation. Contact Info:
The Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI), a Huntsville not for profit Research & Development organization, is moving ahead into phase two of its business plan. Marty Kress, the current Executive Director of the National Space Science and Technology Center and the Chairman of the Board of the VCSI, will focus full time on VCSI after the first of the year. To date, VCSI has secured seven collaborative projects from TVA, NASA, NOAA, Tawani Foundation, AMRDEC, and the Army Robotic Systems Joint Program Office. The VCSI is currently deploying 15 researchers from the United States, Austria, Russia, and New Zealand for a 45 day mission in Antarctica to study microorganisms and ecosystems in support of NASA exploration activities. Students from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and researchers from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and The University of Alabama Birmingham are working on this project. In addition, NOAA recently awarded a grant to VCSI for the development of a hurricane forecasting instrument. This project capitalizes on prior NASA MSFC in-house Research & Development activities and research currently performed at UAH, The University of Michigan, and The University of Central Florida. VCSI also initiated a grant with NASA MSFC to develop a lunar lander robotic exploration test bed. It will provide MSFC the ability to test core lunar systems in cold and hot fire modes. The core team includes SAIC, Teledyne Brown, and NASA MSFC. More firms will be engaged as the project evolves and the testing of enabling technologies begins. Marty Kress says, "So far, the VCSI concept is proving its value to customers, members and the community. As such, it continues to expand and enable some exciting collaborative projects. VCSI is currently working with NASA and DOD to develop several new initiatives. If all goes well, by the next edition of this magazine, VCSI will be working on a new spacecraft bus and supporting AFRICOM on a new remote sensing initiative in Africa." Contact Info: Infinity Technology, Inc.* Posted 11/10/08
Infinity Technology, Inc. has been supporting our soldiers and exploring space since 1994. Recently, Infinity became a subcontractor for NASA on the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) program, and is engineering and fabricating simulators, mechanisms, and flight hardware for the Orion CEV. Besides supporting space exploration, Infinity has made strides to provide support to our soldiers and veterans in the Armed Services by enabling the capability to provide soldiers with mental health care electronically. You’ve heard of Mental Health clinics. Now, the Infinity Technology, Inc. (Infinity) Virtual E-Clinic, a total turnkey solution, is pleased to announce the consummation of a Virtual E-clinic on the Internet. This technology is especially beneficial to our troops because it enables mental health professionals to make face-to-face calls, whether a soldier is back at home, stationed at a military base, or deployed overseas. There is a great need for this technology because:
By using the Internet as its office, Infinity’s Virtual E-Clinic will help change these facts for the better and open the door to vitally needed psychiatric and psychological services that are more accessible and convenient, as well as discreet and cost-effective. Infinity’s Virtual E-Clinic will also open the door to online services that are offered in an interactive, face-to-face, real-time format using new-generation video solutions and encrypted Internet technology. Additionally, for soldiers without an Internet connection, services will be made possible using audio/videophone technology. There are numerous benefits to be gained by using Infinity’s Virtual E-Clinic software. Using the Virtual E-Clinic system allows physicians to:
Thanks to Infinity’s Virtual E-Clinic, psychiatrists and psychologists can now provide valuable mental health care to soldiers and veterans via the Internet. Most importantly, military personnel can get the mental health support they need, confidentially and cost-effectively. Infinity’s Virtual E-Clinic opens up new psychiatric treatment possibilities that will ultimately benefit many people who might not be able or willing to seek help otherwise. Contact Info:
Celebrating a legacy of partnership in midcourse missile defense, Lockheed Martin brought together more than 300 military, government, community, and industry personnel August 11. Held at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, the celebration marked the 30 th anniversary of the successful government-industry partnership.This event traced the history of this mission and honored past and present pioneers of the nation’s missile defense systems designed to intercept missiles in the midcourse phase of their flight. "These people are true pioneers in this field, and it’s our honor to recognize their accomplishments," states Jim Tevepaugh, vice president of North Alabama Operations for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. During the last three decades of continuous partnership in the midcourse missile defense mission, Lockheed Martin has been supporting the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and its predecessors, the Strategic Defense Initiative Office, and the Ballistic Missile Defense Office. In 1978, Lockheed Martin began its involvement with the Homing Overlay Experiment (HOE) program, with much of the work done in Huntsville. In 1984, HOE achieved the first-ever hit to kill intercept of a target missile outside the earth’s atmosphere. The importance of HOE cannot be overstated and it laid the foundation for future programs. Dr. Ed Wilkinson, a member of the Army’s HOE team who attended the celebration, says, "I saw HOE as the way to a real missile defense, and we needed to prove it. Many critics thought missile defense was impossible." Assigned as a project engineer on HOE in 1979 and named program manager in 1981, Wilkinson notes that "when the Smithsonian requested the HOE missile, I knew we had changed the course of history", referring to the HOE Test Vehicle on display in the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. In addition to Wilkinson, the entire HOE team was honored at the event, including Major Gen. (Ret.) Grayson Tate, Bill Davis, David Bouska, Tom Cogdill, Andrew Dull, Ed Montgomery, Fred Lackey, and Gwen Campbell. "These great Americans worked together on the program to ensure a better defense for our nation," Tevepaugh comments. After HOE, came the Exo-atmosphere Reentry Interceptor Subsystem (ERIS) program. The experience of the earlier HOE tests yielded key improvements, with the ERIS kill vehicle being significantly smaller and lighter. ERIS conducted two successful flight tests, including an intercept of a mock ballistic missile warhead outside the earth’s atmosphere in 1991. Next up for Lockheed Martin was the Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV) program, which supported 10 flight tests for National Missile Defense, including five successful midcourse intercepts with the Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) from 1997 to 2002. This progression then led to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Boost Vehicle-Plus, which was designed to be a booster for GMD interceptors. Lockheed Martin Space Systems was selected for this program in 2003, and a successful first flight validated the booster in January 2004. "We delivered two boosters: the booster (BV5) flown in the 2004 flight test, and a pathfinder booster," Tevepaugh says. Employees in Huntsville and Courtland supported this program. In 2004, Lockheed Martin was awarded the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) contract, which is the first payload designed to destroy multiple threat objects with a single interceptor. Today, Huntsville employees are developing onboard battle management systems for the MKV-L Payload System. In May, Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated engagement management algorithms in a software test bed environment in Huntsville. "In December 2007, we responded to the Missile Defense Agency’s Request for Information for GMD Follow-on, and we continue to support this effort," says Tevepaugh. "Huntsville is the hub for our GMD Follow-on effort, and we look forward to having the opportunity to expand our presence in North Alabama." Since the early days of HOE, the company’s Huntsville and Courtland facilities have focused on helping to meet the nation’s ballistic missile defense needs, "making the world a safer place," notes Tevepaugh. Lockheed Martin is celebrating not only its heritage in midcourse missile defense, but also its time in Huntsville. "We first opened our doors here in 1963," Tevepaugh explains. "We’ve been a proud member of the business community, and 2008 marks our 45th year in Huntsville." Among the distinguished guests at the August celebration was Loretta Spencer, who, as mayor of Huntsville, presented Tevepaugh with a proclamation announcing August 11, 2008, as Lockheed Martin Day in Huntsville. The proclamation reads: "In recognition of good corporate citizenship in our community and supporting the U.S. Department of Defense in the development of missile defense systems, we are honored to declare this Lockheed Martin Day. Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville team has never rested in its three decades of support to this critical national mission." As Lockheed Martin reflects on its past accomplishments, the company looks forward to new ones. "We will continue to work in ballistic missile defense for years to come, and we plan on hosting another celebration of our milestones down the road," Tevepaugh states. Lockheed Martin: We never forget who we’re working for™ Contact Info:
Southern Digital Products, Inc. (SDPI) is advancing and redefining the future with its high-tech capabilities. Walter and Terri Bridges founded SDPI in 1993 and focus the company’s core competencies on researching, designing, and integrating conference rooms, boardrooms, digital multimedia distribution systems, command & control, video over the Internet, and video conferencing. "We integrate technologically advanced audio visual, video teleconferencing, and digital signage information systems," Terri states. "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." With a proven-track record year after year, SDPI capped off a successful 2008 fiscal year and looks forward to ongoing success in 2009. "In the first and second quarters of this fiscal year, we had the best quarters in company history," Walter explains. "Our goal for first quarter 2009 is to continue our success and we’ll do that by outfitting TV stations to provide the HD signal that is replacing analog. We feel confident that this side of our business will continue to grow, along with our video teleconferencing services." As a sign of its continued growth, SDPI has relocated its Huntsville headquarters to a new office and also has expanded into new territories in the Southeast. The larger and more convenient location in Cummings Research Park West supports the many SDPI customers in the area and allows for future growth. "Our expanded and modernized facilities, coupled with our central location, allows SDPI to better support current and future customers more efficiently," Terri says. "We’re commemorating our 15 years in business as well as showing off our new location at a ribbon-cutting and open house event on January 21 st. Everyone will be able to view our capabilities in our conference rooms and also experience our videoconferencing capabilities that are available to rent."SDPI’s conferencing and video conferencing rooms offer local businesses a cost-effective way to hold meetings instead of paying travel expenses. "Corporations with multiple offices that have been meeting face-to-face can now use our video teleconferencing capabilities," Walter says. "These offices can still meet face-to-face, via video teleconferencing, and save money because they don’t have to pay for travel expenses. In this economy, travel budgets are decreasing. Our video teleconferencing rooms can be rented on a daily or an hourly basis and we offer several customized video teleconferencing packages." Along with the Huntsville corporate headquarters location, new SDPI offices have opened in Florida and Tennessee, increasing SDPI’s stronghold in the Southeast. Walter states, "We’ve opened three new offices. The first is in Cocoa Beach, FL to support work at Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and Kennedy Space Flight Center. The second is in Knoxville, TN to support projects and customers in Tennessee. The third is in Vero Beach, FL to support activities and projects in other parts of Florida. And, remember, our Birmingham office is still going strong after six years." To better serve its government clients more effectively, SDPI now holds a Federal Supply Schedule 70 contract (GS-35F-0378T). "Government customers of SDPI can purchase the development of products, the design, engineering, and integration services and products through SDPI’s GSA contract," Terri states. "This allows government buyers to purchase directly through our pre-negotiated contract. SDPI is the only company in Huntsville with a GSA contract that specifically deals with both broadcast and audiovisual presentation equipment and integration." Walter continues, "One of our first contracts using the GSA contract was the Radiological Detection Control Center (RADCC) at the Kennedy Space Center. For this project, SDPI designed and installed a turnkey system to monitor launches of manned and unmanned payload launches. SDPI installed nine plasma monitors, four projectors, 11 digital cable TV inputs, and DVD recorders for video analysis and more." Additional recent SDPI work includes projects at Northrop Grumman, the City of Huntsville, Progress Bank Building for Ahern & Crunkelton Commercial Investment Real Estate, Calhoun Community, College, and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. For Northrop Grumman, SDPI provided signage for the lobby at the Wynn Drive office. At the new company headquarters at 301 Voyager Way, SDPI performed an audio and control system upgrade to the main conference room. For the City of Huntsville, SDPI provided a turnkey installation of a "smart board" and projector with integrated audio that can be used to train city employees. At the Progress Bank Building, SDPI upgraded the conference room with a plasma monitor and an integrated audio system with wireless teleconferencing capabilities. For Calhoun Community College, SDPI upgraded the broadcast department’s Master Control and Production Control equipment with a 16x16 QuStream Router, which allows Calhoun to send audio and video signals to and from classrooms, two editing stations, as well as to the campus-wide cable system and local cable providers in Decatur and Athens. SDPI is a small, woman-owned business that has the personnel and expertise in the broadcast industry, as well as with high-end government facilities, to advance and re-define the future. SDPI work at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (HAIB) SDPI was proud to be a part of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s ground-breaking science education experiment in April 2008. "As part of Governor Riley’s distance learning initiative, we set up videoconferencing equipment that allows HAIB teaching labs to share experiments with outlying labs," SDPI’s Tim Taylor, Lead Technician, states. He continues, "This was the first time experiments coordinated through videoconferencing were performed at the same time at different locations with different students in the state of Alabama, and Governor Riley was on hand to see this event take place. This experiment was part of a preview of HudsonAlpha’s distance education capabilities and it was offered to the governor during the institute’s grand opening in April. SDPI provided the hardware, installation and oversight to access and display the experiments. Students and scientists in the HudsonAlpha education lab connected with two of the state’s public middle school classrooms in Boaz and Madison." The HudsonAlpha lab is connected to schools throughout the state’s Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS) system. Contact Info:
From Concept to Completion, enrGies is a small, highly motivated business exceeding customer expectations in all areas of systems engineering, communications, network operations, innovative prototype development, aviation integration, test & evaluation, and project management. President Steve Pierce founded enrGies in January 2005. After retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, Pierce worked for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as a system engineering and project manager. Next, he joined a seven-year-old local company focusing on development and engineering support. "My experience and training from the Army and defense contractors is comparable to an internship. I learned and refined valuable expertise and perspective and developed the background to start enrGies," Pierce says. EnrGies was born from Pierce’s motivation to provide combat veterans a welcoming environment when they return home from war. After seeing their struggles firsthand, he committed himself to providing opportunity for the current generation of veterans. He is also involved in several veterans organizations, dedicated to assisting in the transition of disabled veterans. He wanted a business that respected employees for their contributions and an environment where people enjoy coming to work. "At enrGies, it’s all about integrity and respect," says Pierce. "That is the basis for all our relationships. It means 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 comes from the 22 staff members, four in Ft. Rucker, AL and some active reservists. The company boasts several hundred years experience encompassing all aspects of hardware, software, integration, and systems development engineering, and more than 100 years of combined expertise in command and control technologies. Pierce says the enrGies solution is highly effective. "The bottom line is to really understand the customer’s requirements and develop those requirements into products, systems, and enhancements that enable our warfighters to effectively perform their missions". Recently, enrGies delivered initial quantities of the RAPIDS system-an element of the suite of friendly force tracking systems. Other successes include support for the latest Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology, Airborne Command and Control, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and supporting the National Guard with their OASIS wide area network and video dissemination system. 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® enabling a new capability. Just like with the Lego® blocks, enrGies then develops 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. "I am proud to serve the Lord, this country, fellow veterans, and 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: Booz Allen Hamilton* Posted 11/18/08
For more than 90 years, Booz Allen Hamilton has been driven by its people serving people. Booz Allen has been at the forefront of management consulting and has grown to provide a broad range of services in strategy, operations, organization and change, information technology, systems engineering, and program management. Headquartered in McLean, VA, the firm has 20,000 employees. The Huntsville office has grown successfully, one person at a time, over the last four years to more than 200 employees. "In 2004, Booz Allen did some consulting on itself and looked at prime locations where the company could grow," states Huntsville Principal Tom Hancock who joined the company in 2005. "Huntsville was one of the top two locations identified, so we brought leadership and eight functional capabilities here, all designed to support the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Army, and NASA. To date, our business has grown in all three markets, thereby validating that our plan is working here." The eight core competencies Booz Allen provides to the Huntsville market are assurance and resilience, economic benefit analysis, information technology, intelligence and security services, modeling and simulation, organizational strategy, supply chain and logistics, and systems engineering and integration. With these capabilities at the center of its Huntsville operations, the firm’s success was accomplished using its value-based organizational model. "This model is the ‘secret sauce’ of Booz Allen," Hancock explains. "There are five business values that we stress that, in turn, lead to our clients’ success. These are client service, diversity in thought and staff composition, entrepreneurship, excellence, and teamwork." The firm’s recruiters search for professionals with character, passion, vision, ability to make a decision, professionalism, fairness, integrity, respect and trust…all characteristics that align with Booz Allen values. "You have to have passion for what you do," Hancock says. "You also have to have vision. Combine these characteristics with our firm-wide resources, and you create energy for the team and your client. We’re all vectored in the same direction to provide clients with services for success." Hancock explains that there are two rules: (1) Give help when asked for it and (2) ask for help if you need it. In addition, Booz Allen ensures its continued success by supporting a mentoring program that is tied into the appraisal process. Employees, from the administrative associates to the chairman of the firm, participate in the development of a written plan designed to help each person succeed at his or her job. Focusing on individuals with unifying values and vision sets Booz Allen apart and provides the company with the ability to use its intellectual capacity to benefit clients. "We don’t make things or build products," Hancock states. "We ensure our clients’ success by utilizing the intellectual talents and expertise of our employees. This is what separates us from the rest." As further validation of its success, the Huntsville office recently received an award from the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce as a ‘Best Place to Work’ for companies under 250 employees. "Our growth goal is to have 500 employees in Huntsville in two to three years and to move up as a winner to the next category," Hancock states. "Booz Allen Hamilton is a collaborative organization focused on helping each other, our clients, and being a part of the fabric of the community. Our model works with our people and it works here in Huntsville." Contact Info:
As a Senior Leader, you traditionally reward exceptional achievement in the workplace with a bonus check at a general year-end recognition party. It is a heartfelt way to reward high achieving employees, yet often it seems inadequate. In fact, studies show the best workers, especially those designated as Team Leaders through Middle Management, report employee recognition as the number one problem with Senior Leadership. Directly tied to positive performance motivation in their employee base, these studies show proper employee recognition is the key to accomplishing future corporate initiatives. Your solution is the Falcon List–High Achiever’s in Technology Gala–the most distinguished reward for industry professionals in Madison County. Company Senior Leadership nominates for recognition, employees whose performance during the past year has placed them within the top 5% of their peer group. Inclusion on the Falcon List with all its benefits is a top shelf expression of thanks and an unambiguous way to reward those few whose performance over the past year has been truly differentiating. Nominees must have displayed excellence in the following five areas: Teamwork, Leadership, Innovation, Community Service, and Exceptional Achievement. This recognition fosters high achievement throughout your employee base. Awarded annually, Falcon List Golden Ticket Passports go to no more than 250 of the topmost deserving professionals in technology. Companies submit nominees to Falcon List and once approved, the sponsoring company issues a Golden Ticket Passport to the Falcon List Honoree at a place and time of their choosing. Given the reward of a Cruise-On-Land during the 1st Annual High Achiever’s in Technology Gala held on January 9, 2009 at the new Westin Hotel at Bridge Street, Falcon List Honorees receive a luxury package for two. It includes an overnight retreat and black tie evening at the Westin; spa treatments for two; an elegant dinner, drinks, champagne, flowers, morning brunch, and live entertainment in the 500-person Mediterranean Ballroom. Rewards also provide a number of gifts befitting their accomplishments, including a new suit, shoes, leather-bound folio, monogrammed pen/pencil set, and more. Employer and Distinguished Company Sponsorships cover all costs. "We are delighted to sponsor the Falcon List High Achievers Award Gala," says Danny Hiatt, General Manager of the Westin Hotel. "We feel there is a perfect match between the excellence and high achievement attained by these Honorees, and the standards we set for ourselves. The Westin looks forward to hosting this Falcon List event and we congratulate this year’s slate of Honorees." In addition to the benefits associated with nomination, Falcon List offers tailored services that include leader development training and seminars. Falcon List gives back to the community in the form of scholarships and mentorship assistance to college and high schools students identified as rising High Achievers. Falcon List educates and trains young leaders on how to aspire to excellence. Contact Falcon List for additional information on nominee submissions, sponsorship opportunities, and Leader Development Seminars. Contact Info: Announcing the Arrival of the NEW Xerox 6279 Wide Format Printer
"Clark Associates is the most experienced full digital system support provider for Xerox wide format in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and northwest Georgia," Founder and Senior Associate Warren Clark states. "We are the original Xerox wide format dealer and the largest provider of sales and service in the region. Wide format is our specialty. All of our employees are dedicated to this area of expertise." Clark Associates, founded in 1966, provides superb full digital system support in the areas of compatibility with existing systems/software, ongoing training, and support in the region. The company also offers full maintenance contracts for the life of the equipment. In addition, new engineering copiers, plotters, and scanners, as well as refurbished machines can be purchased or leased. Clark Associates is committed to the pursuit of excellence! Contact Info:
Myers Technical Services LLC (MyersTech) 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. "Our goal is to help our customers measure and improve business performance, increase productivity, and maintain quality standards," states Sharon A. Myers, President/CEO of MyersTech. MyersTech offers evaluation, integration, customization, user support, and training for a variety of business enterprise and project management software systems. "We use our software development and systems engineering expertise to support our customers in managing requirements and processes, controlling change and configuration, reporting performance and earned value, updating complex schedules, and implementing internal communications programs," adds Karen Moore, Vice President and Chief of Operations. MyersTech also provides documentation, auditing, and training services to companies seeking to earn or maintain ISO 9001:2000 registration. The company can provide turnkey solutions for customers with limited resources, or augment the quality management team to develop the required documentation and/or train personnel. Recently, MyersTech received certification as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) from the Department of Transportation (DOT) in five states. "We are currently providing marketing and technical training support to the Alabama DOT as a subcontractor to Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham," says Myers. "We are eagerly looking forward to providing similar DOT support for the states of Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas next year." MyersTech is a certified woman-owned, small disadvantaged business with the Small Business Administration, and was recognized by the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama as the 2007 Small Business Start-up of the Year. Contact Info: WaveLink, Inc.* Posted 11/18/08
Founded in 2001, WaveLink grew quickly and entered the government contracting arena in 2007. This woman-owned business is led by President and CEO Tamela Gibbs and her husband, Paul, who now serves as Vice President of Engineering and Project Manager. WaveLink is currently supporting the U.S. Army Aviation community. Paul comments, "Our customers have always considered us to be firefighters. We provide support where the Army has a critical operational need, and we assist Program Managers to transition systems from development to fielding with the urgency and efficiency that today’s acquisition environment demands." WaveLink’s mission is to provide dependable, quality technological solutions and support with professionalism and integrity. Core capabilities and business specialties include systems/software engineering, test engineering, technical data management, and IT support. The company is currently applying its expertise to support fielding of aircraft survivability equipment upgrades for the Common Missile Warning System, which protects aircraft from an infrared missile launch. Additional projects within the aircraft survivability equipment area include the development of next generation capability, including an upgraded processor and laser-based directed energy countermeasure. WaveLink also has ongoing business development with several large prime contractors, and has teaming arrangements with many other small businesses in the area, in efforts to expand their customer base. "I think WaveLink is uniquely situated," Tamela states. "We hire people with a high degree of competency and strong educational backgrounds. Nearly all WaveLink employees have technical certifications and/or advanced degrees and experience in a wide variety of technical fields. We’re a very fast-paced, flexible business with a devoted team that is growing. WaveLink is always interested in talking to talented engineers, computer scientists, and IT personnel and offers highly competitive benefits to full-time employees." WaveLink is a proven and adaptive small business of choice in Huntsville’s technical landscape. Contact Info: Corporate Resource Solutions, LLC* Posted 11/18/08
Eddie Littrell, founder/CEO of Corporate Resource Solutions (CoRe Solutions), is excited to bring his years of experience and unique professional services to the Huntsville business community. His company is dedicated to providing HR compliance that meets convenience. Eddie created CoRe Solutions to compete for government Set-Aside opportunities as a Veteran-Owned Small Business and to provide affordable Administrative Support Services to small businesses and start-up government contractors. Companies who team with CoRe Solutions gain Eddie’s HR expertise as well as his distinct technical recruiting knowledge and experience. His formal education in Electronics Engineering Technology and Business Administration has contributed to his rapid career progression into the most senior management levels of HR within some of Huntsville’s most respected companies. Incorporating the best practices he’s seen throughout his career overseeing HR, payroll, security, facilities and IT departments, Eddie has branded these business operations efficiencies into what he calls Compliance Process Optimization. His understanding of leading technologies that collaboratively maximize the business operations efficiencies across multiple departments, together with his passion for small business is what makes CoRe Solutions so unique. CoRe Solutions offers affordable tools and personnel to manage Affirmative Action compliance data and processes, on a contract or hourly basis. One advanced tool, DelTek-friendly Cyber Recruiter, automatically posts positions to the company’s career page, allows candidates to apply online, collects applicants’ information in a centralized searchable database, and collects data for compliance reporting. CoRe Solutions also utilizes many leading online resume databases to find qualified candidates, all at a shared cost to maximize affordability. Eddie comments, "We take great pride in our ability to offer a wide range of innovative and comprehensive solutions to HR issues. We have the ability to work as the client’s personal recruiter (billed hourly) while offering commitment, online resources, affordability and professional HR expertise." Contact Info: Systems Products and Solutions, Inc.* Posted 11/19/08
Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. (SPS) is a solutions provider for government and commercial clients that is effective, efficient, professional, and trustworthy. Nilmini Thompson, President/CEO, and Jeff Thompson, Vice President, founded this minority woman-owned company in December 2005 based upon their desire to serve the warfigther and help reduce the government’s costs for services through effective and efficient processes. SPS specializes in Program Management, Integrated Logistics Support, New Equipment Training, and Fielding & Sustainment Support. The company’s first contract was supporting Program Managers and their staff traveling to the U.S. Central Command AOR. SPS currently has a footprint in Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and services government clients such as AMCOM, AMC, PM Radar, REF, and NAV EOD. Commercial partners include VT Aepco, CACI, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, LSI and ASI among others. SPS provides services for the Synchronized Redeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) program for HQAMC. Jeff explains, "SPOT tracks all contractors and their movements. If a contractor is missing while deployed to the AOR, we can retrieve information that provides real-time situational awareness." Lieutenant Colonel Richard Faulkner, SPOT Project Manager, commented that "SPS is one of the most trustworthy companies I’ve worked with." Additionally, SPS provides integrated logistics support focusing on accountability and Life Cycle Management Processes. Jeff explains, "We reduce Government cost by consolidating, planning and executing using lean processes. We are a BEST VALUE provider to our government and industry partners." SPS is anticipating the awardance of its in-progress Small Disadvantage Business 8(a) and GSA Schedule Certifications. These certifications assure their customers the highest quality products and services at a pre-negotiated rate. Nilmini states, "We’re good stewards of the government’s money. We do each job with 110% effort and we value our reputation. Nothing is more gratifying than knowing our work is supporting our soldiers!" Contact Info: Colonel Robert Pastorelli (NP) Posted 11/8/08
Redstone Arsenal is proud to introduce Colonel Robert M. Pastorelli, Garrison Commander, to the Huntsville community. A highly educated and decorated soldier, Colonel Pastorelli comes to Redstone with years of experience, including assignments at the Department of the Army Headquarters in Washington, DC. "Redstone Arsenal is a phenomenal place," says Colonel Pastorelli. "Nowhere else in my 23 years of military service have I seen this level of community involvement and love of the nation." As the new Garrison Commander, a major focus for Colonel Pastorelli and the Redstone Arsenal team is the BRAC personnel and commands that are relocating here. "BRAC will bring considerable capabilities to Redstone," Colonel Pastorelli states. "We will have a Four Star command, three major Army programs, and the headquarters for the Army Materiel Command." In addition, the Space and Missile Defense Center, under the leadership of General Kevin Campbell, will be joined by the Aviation Technical Test Center. "All of these programs are positive gains, not only for the Arsenal, but for the community," Colonel Pastorelli explains. A major focus in preparation for BRAC is the improving and updating of Redstone Arsenal. Currently, the expansion of Martin Road West leading to gate seven is a top priority. And, with Zierdt Road and James Record Road looking to expand from two to four lanes, Redstone is focused on avoiding a significant bottleneck at the gate. Coinciding with the road expansion is the process of upgrading all gates in order to ensure force protection. A large responsibility for Colonel Pastorelli is making sure that Redstone remains on track with the construction timelines for BRAC. "We have to ensure a quality product is built," says Colonel Pastorelli. "We must integrate and receive organizations when they arrive and ensure they’re ready to go to work on day one." With the new demand for space due to BRAC, the Arsenal is also focusing on providing Enhanced Use Leasing. "Under Enhanced Use Leasing, Redstone will enter into a public/private partnership with developers where they’ll use a certain part of our garrison land to bring in capabilities that we don’t normally have funding for," Colonel Pastorelli explains. "We’re working on finalizing packets to go forward to the Secretary of the Army for approval." With all this movement, certain challenges arise. "We must have a workforce in place by 2011 when all these activities are finally here," states Colonel Pastorelli. "We need to make sure adequate medical facilities and schools will be in place for the Arsenal workforce and their families. I’m optimistic about the completion of all these construction projects and I am very excited about this command! Nowhere else have I seen a more dedicated, loving group of people than the people of the Tennessee Valley. And together, we will continue to improve Redstone and support our soldiers," he adds. Contact Info:
11th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition (NP)* Posted 11/12/08Space & Missile Defense...the Next 50 Years The 11th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition took place August 11-14, 2008, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL. The theme for this year’s event was Space & Missile Defense...the Next 50 Years. The SMD Conference was attended this year by more than 6,000 professionals from throughout the United States and our allies around the world. Event sponsors included 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, there were more than 250 exhibits in the conference halls, coupled with more than 3,000 exhibitors working those booths, both a record of incredible measure. For 2008, the recorded attendance was nearly 1,200 attendees and there were also another 2,400 walk-in visitors, making this the largest space and missile defense conferences in this region. This year’s SMD Conference had a greater international emphasis than in previous years, including information on ballistic missile defense in Europe and Japan. The conference also emphasized 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 explored these issues with attendees. Besides the exhibit displays throughout the entire VBC, there were daily attractions in each hall, including presentations from local and celebrity authors. Another incredible attraction was the Educational Track. More than 200 local middle school students attended the conference and viewed demonstrations meant to encourage them to pursue science and engineering interests in the future before eventually viewing four high schools demonstrate their competition robotics teams in the VBC Arena. The 12 th Annual SMD Conference is scheduled for August 17-20, 2009. Exhibitor registration is accessible online at the web site below.Contact Info:
HATS STEDTRAIN (NP)* Posted 11/8/08 Working to Grow and Motivate K-12 for Engineering and Science Careers Huntsville is THE Rocket City, and today it faces a growing challenge of building the future science and engineering workforce. To quote the May 2008 Special Task Force Report sponsored by International Aerospace, Working Together to Build the Aerospace Workforce of Tomorrow, "The regeneration of our professional workforce is the leading challenge confronting the aerospace community. Too few young people are choosing engineering and science careers. We must begin now, working throughout the entire educational and social value system. Our efforts must be coordinated among all aerospace employers and the broader community at-large that will eventually be the main beneficiary of these efforts. Teachers need to gain better understanding of what’s involved in engineering. All stakeholders in K–12 education need to be included…parents, teachers, and employers, as well as the students themselves." Since 1988, the HATS STEDTRAIN program has addressed this issue in the greater Huntsville community, working to grow and motivate that K-12 feedstock. Studies have shown that such motivation is most effective when students are exposed early and often to science and technology in interesting and innovative ways. Since its founding, the all-volunteer HATS STEDTRAIN Committee has raised and distributed over $270,000 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. STEDTRAIN has funded 97 grants in just the past three years, and 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. STEDTRAIN success stories have been presented at national and international conferences by invitation. However, in a way, STEDTRAIN is a victim of its own success, as it has been receiving increased numbers of qualified proposals. This is due to increased publicity of the program and word of mouth from successful teacher to successful teacher. In 2008, STEADTRAIN found itself with more qualified project proposals than it could fund. STEADTRAIN expects this trend to continue in 2009 and beyond. Also, with the currently tough economy, it’s anticipated that education budgets throughout the states of Alabama and Tennessee will be even more inadequate in meeting math, science and technology curricula needs. Consequently, the HATS STEDTRAIN Committee is appealing to past benefactors not just to continue their support, but to increase it to ensure the future supply of rocket scientists for Huntsville and the greater Tennessee Valley. The goal for 2009 is $50,000 and everyone’s support is needed. An invitation is extended to contact STEADTRAIN volunteers and accompany one of them to a STEDTRAIN Class to witness these success stories first-hand. Contact Info: The Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) honored 21 recipients at its third annual Professionals of the Year (POY) Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. The Huntsville Association of Technical Societies was founded June 17, 1969, as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization comprised of technical and professional societies dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering. Its mission is to help coordinate the professional, educational, and civic activities of Member organizations and to promote common goals, particularly those that can best be performed by cooperative action. HATS sponsored technical and business exhibitions and symposia (TABES and TEAMS) during the period, 1985-2005. These served the local business and technical communities by providing a forum for displaying their products and talents to the international community. Since 1988, the HATS STEDTRAIN Seed Grant Program has provided 278 individual grants and over $286,000 to K-12 programs for learning activities, such as hands-on science projects. This year, 22 HATS STEDTRAIN 2008-2009 grant recipients were guests courtesy of donors. Each teacher gave a brief overview of the Grant projects. Mr. Albert Joseph Fitzgerald received a HATS Service Award for his many years (20+) of service to HATS, its many Member organizations, and the Huntsville community.
Bill Wahlheim, HATS Past President and Board Advisor, Joe Fitzgerald, HATS Past President, POY emcee, and twice POY recipient.
This year, 20 professionals were nominated and selected for the HATS POY Award by their Member organizations for outstanding contributions toward the mission of their awarding organization. Because the professional activities of these professionals have resulted in broad social, technological, and/or economical consequences benefiting the science and engineering community, it is fitting that their hard work has been recognized. Their extraordinary dedication, creativity, and leadership will be an inspiration to all. The 2008 Professionals of the Year
Left to Right: Seated: Vicki Kitchens, Society of Cost Estimating & Analysis (SCEA), Emily Hewitt, HAL5 Society, Dr. Philomena Grodzka, Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS). Standing: Joseph (Joe)Fitzgerald, HATS Service Award, Melissa Snider, Von Braun Astronomical Society (VBAS), Nick Giordano, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Bob Darnall, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), James Blanteno, System Safety Society (SSS), Dr. Frankie Stewart, Women in Defense (WID), David Hewitt, HAL5 Society, Bob Robinson, Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers (IEEE) POY and the 2008 Recipient of the HATS Joseph C. Moquin Award, Allen Green, Program Management Institute (PMI-NSC), Morton Archibald, Alabama Solar Association (ASA), Troy Daugette, Calhoun Community College - SpaceTEC, Staff Sergeant Robert Bryan Henderson, Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Ed Martin, American Helicopter Society (AHS), Mike Swensen, American Society for Quality (ASQ). No Photo: Jim Marks, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) [Accepted by Nick Giordano], Steve Kuffner, Army Space & Missile Defense Association (ASMDA), Kurt Weidenthal, Society Logistics Engineers (SOLE)[accepted by Bob Hardison], Don Sanders, Huntsville Aerospace Marketing Association (HAMA). The 2008 Joseph C. Moquin Award, named for one of Huntsville’s most outstanding technical and business leaders throughout the past 50 years, was presented to Robert (Bob) Robinson of the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers (IEEE) in recognition for his extraordinary technical contribution to the North Alabama technical community. This award is selected each year from among the Professional of the Year honorees.
Left to Right: Jeet Gupta, Ph.D., HATS President, William (Bill) Craig, Ph.D., the 2006 Recipient of the HATS Joseph C. Moquin Award, Robert (Bob) Robinson, IEEE POY and the 2008 Recipient of the HATS Joseph C. Moquin Award.
The special guest speaker, Dave Christensen, Space Industry Historian & Space Exploration Pioneer, gave the slide presentation "The History of the US Space Program" and discussed his activities to document the many historical documents from individual and group sources.
Dave Christensen
2008 POY emcee, Jerry Hayes, WHNT-TV Channel 19 News Anchor
The POY08 Script is online. Video DVDs and photo CDs available. Contact Info:
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (NP)*
Posted 11/1/08
There are few people who haven’t been impacted by cancer.
Losing a friend or fellow worker to cancer is difficult, but when a son or
daughter falls victim, the grief can seem unbearable. Alabama Governor Bob Riley knows the feeling. In 2001,
Bob and Patsy Riley lost 33-year-old daughter Jenice to cancer. The governor
has since turned to advocacy for greater cancer awareness. He accepted an
invitation from the HudsonAlpha Institute earlier this fall to participate
in public service announcements encouraging Alabama residents to support
efforts aimed at cancer prevention and research. The 30-second spots have
been distributed to television and radio outlets across the state. "Better cancer treatments and diagnostics start in the
lab," noted Bob Feldman, vice president of development at the
Huntsville-based, nonprofit HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. "The
fight against cancer is taken up daily by researchers at HudsonAlpha."
Feldman is getting that message out across the region with targeted mailings
to organizations and households. According to Dr. Rick Myers, director of HudsonAlpha,
research spurs scientific innovation while collaboration expedites it.
Investigators and scientists at the institute understand that collaboration
between their labs and academic and industry partners will expedite the
creation of tools and treatments for patients in need. Using genomic approaches, HudsonAlpha is making a
difference in the fight against cancer and other diseases. "We can now
examine DNA at the finest detail to look where the changes have occurred
between cancer and non-cancer cells. The speed of discovery is truly
exponential, and breakthroughs in diagnoses and treatments are occurring at
a rapid pace," Myers says. While HudsonAlpha currently receives federal funding for
competitive projects, budgets for such grants are shrinking. Private
funding, Feldman asserted, ensures stability and enables scientists to
pursue science where it leads. Contact Info:
The local chapter of the Association of the United States
Army and the Redstone-Huntsville community have much to celebrate this year!
For an unprecedented five years in a row, the chapter has once again been
named the AUSA international "Best Chapter Overall". The Chapter leadership
accepted the award at this year’s AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition,
October 6-8 in Washington, D.C. This year, Redstone shares the honor with
Fort Hood, TX. "It is a particularly remarkable achievement," says Mike
Howell, AUSA chapter president. With about 3,000 members, it is very
difficult to compete in the large chapter category against other chapters
such as Fort Bragg, North Carolina with 15,000 members or with Fort Hood,
Texas with 12,000 members." Howell credits much of the Chapter’s success to the
overall leadership and support of the Redstone-Huntsville community. "We
have a great leadership team—the Executive Committee and Executive Board, a
great group of corporate and individual members, and a very supportive Team
Redstone led by Major General Myles, including SMDC with Lieutenant General
Campbell," Howell adds. While at the Third Region Breakfast, Major General James
Myles, commanding general of Army Aviation and Missile Command, stated that
any success the chapter has garnered is due to the time and effort dedicated
by the membership to support our American Soldiers. "Each chapter has
Soldiers deployed," Myles comments. "When they leave, it makes it harder to
run a Soldier community. AUSA continues to be the voice for the Soldier
because of chapters such as Redstone-Huntsville and everyone in Third Region
who are willing to do more for others than themselves." This year at the annual meeting, the chapter again hosted
Team Redstone’s Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer for the Year as part of
its delegation and provided a "HOOAH Tent" at the Army Ten Miler to cheer
Team Redstone’s winning teams. "One of the most important contributions to
Soldiers this Chapter focuses on is reaching out to local corporations and
businesses in the community, coordinating and uniting their efforts to
support our Soldiers," states Steve Taylor, executive VP for the chapter.
"Our Redstone-Huntsville AUSA Chapter provides the vehicle that allows our
local civilian communities to support our Army Family in many ways. It is
through AUSA’s initiatives that we’re able to ensure that the support
provided reaches the coordinating agencies such as Redstone Arsenal’s MWR,
and in turn reaches the Soldiers and their Families." Contact info:
Story to come
JIAMD Summit 2008
Post-conference
(NP)
Posted
Story to come
Huntsville Inner City Learning Center
(NP)
Posted 11/10/08
Every day, 29 students…equal to an average-size
classroom…drop out of high school in Alabama. According to the Alliance for
Excellent Education, if the nearly 25,000 high school dropouts from the
class of 2008 had earned their diplomas instead of quitting school,
Alabama’s economy would have seen an additional $6.5 billion in wages over
those students’ lifetimes. Locally, the Huntsville Inner City Learning Center (HICLC)
is working to improve Huntsville’s dropout rate. The mission of HICLC is to
offer students an opportunity to attend the Center after school, receive
special counseling and tutoring, and focus on their studies. The volunteers
and staff of HICLC provide academic support, supervised instruction, and
learning resources, among other tools, that our inner city youth need to
make good grades and graduate high school. This safe and education-focused
environment is offered instead of the distractions that are part of today’s
American society. In two short years, the Center’s success rate is
extraordinary and it is working to expand the Center’s programs to help more
of Huntsville’s youth. What can you do to help? Participate in the
Recycle2BreaktheCycle recycling Ink and Toner campaign. Your efforts
will help recycle their chance of success. Recycle2BreaktheCycle benefits: Huntsville Inner City Learning Center Huntsville Operation Green Team Our Community Each donated ink & toner cartridge raises funds for the
Huntsville Inner City Learning Center. And, recycling ink and toner
cartridges keep these products out of our waste streams and land fills. Here’s how you can help. Start collecting used ink and toner cartridges. Drop off your empty cartridges at one of the locations
listed on the web site below. Or, have your organization contact
Recycle2BreaktheCycle at the e-mail below. Recycle2BreaktheCycle
will pick up your empty cartridges. Every dollar raised will help our Inner City Youth be
successful in school AND Keep Huntsville Green. Contact Info:
International
Association of Administrative Professionals - Huntsville Chapter
(NP)*
Posted 11/14/08
With today’s business world changing so rapidly, it is
more important than ever to network with other professionals and keep
up-to-date on the latest trends. The International Association of
Administrative Professionals Professional Networking – linking you with other office professionals, executives, and a wide range of resource people locally and nationally. Professional Information – increasing your knowledge and skills with seminars, workshops, conferences, books, OfficePro® magazine and many other educational programs. Professional Image – promoting high professional standards through such activities as IAAP’s Certification program. IAAP is a great professional resource. Through IAAP, you can obtain professional certification, learn new business techniques, and guarantee your customers the most informed, qualified service possible. If it is "not what you know, but who you know", then IAAP is the place to be. As a member, you can build relationships, tap your peers’ expertise, swap ideas, and discuss mutual concerns. Members also have access to the latest industry information and research. Cutting-edge research by IAAP provides new market trends, reports on challenges in the field, and informs members on ever-changing skill and knowledge requirements. IAAP produces and disseminates research and industry data that assist members and provide career advantages. Finally, there is certification. In today’s ever-changing business environment, you need every advantage to stay on top. Professional certification provided by IAAP shows employers, clients and associates you are committed as a professional. Certification is a mark of excellence you carry with you everywhere you go. IAAP can be a valuable partner in your career growth. All of this is available to you through the local Huntsville IAAP chapter. Contact Info:
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Northrop Grumman Breaks Ground on Second Facility
Analyze,
Verify, and Train
Breaking Ground to Meet Growing Aviation Needs
Developing New Technologies to Protect Our Armed Forces
Moving Ahead Into
Phase Two of its Business Plan
Infinity’s Technology Enables Space Exploration & Mental Health Care for
Soldiers and Vets
Lockheed Martin Traces Partnership in Midcourse Missile Defense Over a
30-year Path
Advancing and Re-defining the FUTURE
From Concept to Completion
Our Business is Driven by People Serving People
Flying High in the Pursuit of Excellence
Clark
Associates proudly presents a new era in wide format printing technology –
the Xerox 6279 Wide Format System. This system, utilizing a new breakthrough
in wide format technology, offers operating simplicity along with increased
efficiency, productivity and flexibility. It has design options that include
a "printer only" set-up, a copier/printer combination with onboard scanner,
and a multi-function system with a wide scan system. The 6279 is upgradeable
from seven to nine D/A1 prints-per-minute and is available in 2-roll,
4-roll, or 2-roll/2-tray media configurations. This system is designed for
demanding wide format applications, such as architectural or construction
plans, engineering renderings, schematics, mechanical 2D and 3D renderings,
solids modeling, scientific/medical drawings, seismic graphing, GIS/mapping,
and electrical diagrams.
Optimizing People, Process, and Technology
Your Small Business of Choice in Huntsville’s
Technical Landscape
Where
Compliance Meets Convenience
Effective,
Efficient, Professional, and Trustworthy
The
New Mayor of RSA!
HudsonAlpha
launches cancer awareness campaign • Governor Riley featured in public
service announcements 
Record
Five-year Best…Redstone-Huntsville Chapter Celebrates in Washington, D.C.
and in Huntsville
Providing Academic Support to our Inner City Youth
Networking With Other Professionals