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| Magazine Stories • Issue 9, Fall/Winter 2008/09 |
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ADEPT Technologies
Posted 6/10/09
Opening a New Corporate Campus to Serve the Warfighter
The new Corporate Headquarters represents ADEPT’s commitment to its employees, and its ultimate customer, our soldiers. Featuring nearly 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing, office, and lab space, the Corporate Headquarters combines the Applied Sciences Department (ASD), Precision Manufacturing Department (PMD), and KRB Electronics (a subsidiary) in one facility. Not only does this increase overall efficiency, but just as importantly, fosters a sense of "family" among ADEPT’s workforce. Further enhancing ADEPT’s reputation as one of the best places to work in Huntsville are several perks in the new facility. ADEPT’s Corporate Headquarters features not only a cafeteria, but also a full working kitchen with an on-staff chef serving up a free lunch to employees every day. To keep employees fit and trim, ADEPT provides an onsite fitness center featuring cardio and strength training equipment. Both the gratis daily lunch and fitness center are unheard of perks in these economic times, but according to company Vice President Chad Fielder, "The benefits to our employee health, morale, and productivity are worth far more than the cost. It’s a way of giving back to our employees and investing in our future." Other amenities of the new Corporate Headquarters bolster ADEPT’s ability to perform large integration. Dedicated areas of the high bay provide for component assembly and integration of ground vehicles and missile components. This assembly area is supported by a fifteen ton overhead crane, running the entire width of the high bay. A newly installed hanger door was designed to accommodate the entry and egress of UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook sized aircraft. The new Corporate Headquarters is also adjacent to Northrop Grumman, which just entered a DoD sponsored Mentor Protégé agreement with ADEPT in January. Through the Mentor Protégé program, ADEPT will leverage Northrop Grumman’s experience and expertise in several core areas to grow the business to the next level–becoming a prime contractor with a diversified customer base. In turn, Northrop Grumman benefits from the program by including ADEPT as an integral part of its sourcing plans, leveraging ADEPT’s ability to rapidly provide design and fabrication solutions in support of the Command Post Platform (CPP), Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM), and other programs. Contact Info: Raising Up the Next Generation of Explorers
Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing leader of aerospace products and services, control technologies, automotive products, power generation systems, and specialty chemicals. In Huntsville, Honeywell focuses on defense and aerospace services. Honeywell Aerospace’s focus is to enhance customer value by making flight safer, more reliable and more cost-effective through its capabilities in avionics, flight systems, propulsion engines, auxiliary powerunits, and strong aftermarket service. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, Honeywell is involved in community activities through a unique outreach program called Honeywell Hometown Solutions. The company directs its efforts into four 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. With science and math education, Honeywell is addressing the question of who’s going to continue the country’s success in aerospace. "Our country has enjoyed remarkable achievement, but the workforce that’s made it possible is aging," Don Wilt, Director, Community Relations explains. "Sixty percent are 45 years or older and entering retirement within 10 years. We’ve seen a decline in the number of people interested in engineering and aerospace and we’re working on repopulating these jobs. Only 5% of U.S. students receive bachelor’s degrees in these areas, which may lead to our country’s security becoming at risk as only U.S.-born citizens can fill some positions. To spark interest, we’re providing students (K-12) high-energy, creative programs to raise up the next generation of explorers." Julie Bedell, Senior Program Manager, is one of many Honeywell volunteers. In Huntsville, she coordinated Honeywell’s educational roadshow FMA Live! (Force=Mass x Acceleration), which performed for local students at the Von Braun Center in 2008. Honeywell, in partnership with NASA, 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. "FMA Live! is an educational tool that goes well beyond traditional text book teaching," Bedell says. "Experiencing Newton’s Laws through sight, sound, hands-on, and audience participation is a great way for taking a complex subject and building a fun, innovative approach to learning." Another Honeywell program is Educators at Space Academy. Honeywell brought more than 1,000 teachers from across America and from 34 countries to attend this week-long program in Huntsville. "We’re reaching out to teachers who then reach out to students," Wilt states. "It’s a career-altering experience." In Huntsville, Honeywell provides monetary grants through HATS STEDTRAIN. Jones Valley Elementary School teacher Sylvia Dean, a recent recipient, is using the funds to support learning. Dean states, "Students want to experiment and hypothesize. They love to predict and test. STEDTRAIN grants are instrumental in providing tools and technology to students to test out those dreams." Contact info: Four Steps to Increased Profit and Performance
Monitor, Audit, Report, and Optimize are four steps to increased profit and performance. This is the everyday role Arrowsight plays for its clients in the manufacturing, medical, and retail segments of the U.S. industry. As a web-based application service provider, Arrowsight is the leading developer of remote viewing services and software across wide ranging industry sectors. The company’s tools, technology, and expertise continue to deliver on the promise of striking, sustainable improvements for its clients, often within a 90-day timeframe. Arrowsight has improved practices, compliance, and employee morale across the sectors it serves through a "Game Film"-type data platform, along with real time feedback and statistical trend analysis. Return on investment is typically 4 to 1 in the first year for the clients who choose to implement the service on direct margin impacting items. In other applications, Arrowsight is driving innovations in diverse areas of risk management, such as facility safety, employee welfare, animal welfare, food safety, bio-security, and hygiene. Step 1, Monitor: Arrowsight works with the client to strategically place video cameras overlooking critical control points. Processes are then monitored in the client’s facility with a view towards performance and safety compliance. Step 2, Audit: Arrowsight trained auditors consistently view video associated with procedures, processes, and events. Arrowsight and client managers utilize the data provided through remote video auditing (RVA) to optimize performance, operational efficiency, and safety compliance over short, medium, and long terms. Step 3, Report: The audited video is formatted into reports that are submitted to managers on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Reports provide hyperlinks to video images previously examined by Arrowsight auditors, along with top-line statistics, category summaries, and breakdown of scores. Managers use the reports to coach their staff and to establish baselines for motivating employees to improved performance. Step 4, Optimize: Arrowsight and facility managers utilize the data generated by RVA to optimize performance, operational efficiency, and safety compliance with results often occurring within 90 days. Arrowsight is growing rapidly in the field of animal welfare and meat processing with numerous installations in the Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast regions of the United States. The Northeastern United States has been an explosive market for retail and medical operations that will lead to national expansion plans in 2010 for those markets. Arrowsight currently has its primary Network Operations Center based in Huntsville, Alabama. Its corporate headquarters is in Westchester, New York, with a satellite operations center in India. Clients are located throughout the United States with expansion into Canada planned for the fourth quarter 2009. Contact Info: Business and Life in Perfect Balance
After graduating from Alabama A&M, Alicia began working as a Computer Analyst at Dynetics, Inc., where she performed simulation and modeling tasks in support of the Army and the intelligence world. Years later, Alicia left Dynetics, Inc. and took a huge step of faith to start her own company, Infinity Technology, Inc. It wasn’t long before one of the most sought after contract jobs at the time–to develop the operation flight program (OFP) for the mission-critical F-22 Fighter Jet with Lockheed Martin–was on the table and up for bid. Alicia and her husband, Guy, both experienced software developers and system engineers, knew this contract was a big one. “It was a coveted contract, and we knew we were just as qualified as anyone else,” says Alicia. So the husband and wife team set their sights on winning it, and they did! In 2000, this extensive contract, which included modeling and simulation of numerous operational systems onboard the F-22, also led to Infinity’s winning the coveted Small Business Association’s National Subcontractor of the Year Award. For 16 years, Infinity has been developing software for the finest military aircraft and high-tech defense systems in the world, including the F-15, F-16, C130, and the Apache Longbow. Because Infinity is able to supply precision components to the aerospace and defense industries, producing parts from a prototype stage to utilization using aluminum, brass, stainless steel, plastics, ceramics, super alloys, and Teflon, they are able to provide parts for NASA’s Constellation Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV), which is an ongoing contract. Today, Infinity shows no signs of slowing down. Not only are they supplying engineering, software, and fabrication services for the Orion CEV, they recently became part of a winning team that has begun work on a high-profile defense intelligence support contract. In addition to her love for software programming, Alicia also enjoys managing the administrative aspects of Infinity. As Chief of Operations, she oversees day-to-day operations, including human resources and accounting while Guy, as President/CEO, focuses on promoting the company and performing other activities related to business development. “Guy’s strong managerial skills leave me open to spend more time with our four children,” says Alicia. One of Infinity’s primary community outreach programs involves their own children. Family is all-important to the Juzangs. The Juzang’s daughters, Guielle, Patria, and Marisa make up a gospel singing group called Joyful Noize. In 2007, Joyful Noize started a nonprofit organization named Kidz 4 Kidz, Inc. which hosted several events utilizing other talented children to benefit at-risk or medically challenged children in the Huntsville area. Alicia’s goal is for Infinity to continue to seek perfect harmony and maintain a healthy balance in both life and work.
Contact Info: School Support Curriculum Starts Before the First Bell
The morning welcome is part of Lockheed Martin’s support to Morris Elementary through the Huntsville City Schools Partners-in-Education program. The program encourages businesses to assist public schools in enhancing the quality of education. “Partners-in-Education is a simple but effective program that encourages businesses to actively participate in the education of our community’s youth by assisting where it helps the most–working with the students,” says Jim Tevepaugh, vice president of North Alabama Operations, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. Morris Elementary is one of three schools with which Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company partners. The company began participating in the program when it adopted J.E. Williams Elementary School on Barren Fork Boulevard in 1993. The company next adopted J.E. Williams Technology Middle School in 2002, and Morris Elementary School in 2008. All three schools benefit from reading program assistance thanks to some 15 employees who volunteer their time once a week. The volunteers help the students develop their reading skills by reading to them in the classroom and by listening to them read. In addition to volunteers, the company also provides cash grants, equipment, and supplies. The assistance has included sponsoring field trips for J.E. Williams’ students to the Space and Rocket Center and the Early Works Museum. Another example is the donation to Morris Elementary of 14 cases of math supplemental workbooks for grades two through five, saving teachers many hours of preparation time. “The Partners-in-Education program is a win-win for the schools we support, our employees, and our company,” says Tevepaugh. “Our employees come back talking about the enrichment they receive when working with young students. We are pleased to support these schools in the education of the next generation and to partner with the administration, faculty and students of each school.”
Contact
Info: A Company on the Rise
SPS’s origins lie in providing governmental and defense oriented services such as Program Management, Integrated Logistics Support, New Equipment Training, and Fielding & Sustainment Support. Customers include the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, as well as SAIC, VT Aepco, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, American Systems, and CACI amongst others. With clients and staff located around the globe, swelling corporate momentum, and its GSA and 8(a) certifications, SPS is well positioned to the take the next steps in its journey. "We were recently awarded both the GSA and 8(a) certifications and are working on obtaining our ISO 9001 and CMMI certifications to continue to streamline the processes at SPS," Thompson states. "Our core desire is to give the best possible service to our customers." Beginning in fall 2009, SPS will offer an expanded set of management consulting services focused on business and product strategy, enterprise architecture, systems engineering, and business process optimization. Much like SPS has successfully undertaken reducing inefficiencies and streamlining defense product fielding processes to support our troops deployed abroad, SPS is developing a series of business-centric service offerings to help its clients in business terms, acute economic, strategy, competitive, and product issues in a timely, risk managed manner. "The challenges our clients face are not new," Thompson explains. "However, the nature and rate of the changes in today’s wired world requires innovative approaches in addressing and getting ahead of them." "We realize it’s the client and their true business needs that we must consider and support in every one of our projects," Thompson comments. At the core of SPS are its people and a firm commitment to client advocacy. Steve Rhoades, Director of Operations, states, "We strongly emphasize the importance of treating our employees and customers right and fairly. Listening to and responding to our client’s needs is what makes our company successful." In its three years of business, SPS’s success has prepared the company to go to the next level. Bill Wood has been hired as the new president of SPS to help facilitate this new transition. Wood says, "I’m confident that the growth of SPS will strengthen both our client relationships as trusted advisors as well as our name in the business community. Nothing is more gratifying than knowing clients appreciate both our work and our people." Contact Info: From Concept to Completion
Tom Cash, enrGies Director of Test, is also actively involved in community activities. As a Ham Radio operator and volunteer fireman and paramedic, Tom was recently recognized as the Alabama Emergency Managers Volunteer of the Year. His initiative developing a database and methodology to categorize the level and condition of flooding in Madison County brought him accolades across the state. enrGies has been selected to design and field the first integrated, wide area networked, command and control system tailored for the Homeland Security mission. Business and Operations Chief John Sullivan says, “This project is the culmination of four years effort and merges our core capabilities in data and video management, distribution, high bandwidth deployable networks, and complex integration. Our OASIS network required us to develop multiple enabling technologies, such as an auto aligning antenna system, rugged high capacity video server, and a remote position reporting system that provides very low latency (seconds) three-dimensional position reporting.” The success energies enjoys is attributed to the exceptional quality and ingenuity of the staff located in Huntsville and Ft Rucker. There are closely aligned part-time personnel in Nevada and the Washington, D.C. area. 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. “The bottom line is to really understand the customer’s requirements and develop those requirements into products, systems, and enhancements that enable our customers to effectively perform their missions,” Pierce states. 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 and 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’m proud to serve the Lord, this country, fellow veterans, and the local community,” Pierce says. “The opportunities we have aren’t the result of being an SDVOSB, but because we’re blessed and offer the best work possible from ‘Concept to Completion’.”
Contact Info: JANSON Communications Posted 6/2/09 Keeping it Sold: JANSON Helps Organizations Position for Winning New Business and Expanding the Mission
JANSON Communications was founded on the idea that clients in any market need more from their marketing and communications dollars than just clever brochures and high-impact videos. Founder and CEO Janet Chihocky spent nearly a decade at Orbital Sciences Corporation promoting launch vehicles, satellites, and commercial remote-sensor programs. This led to a key understanding that the opportunities, complexities, trends, budgets, and vernacular of the defense and aerospace markets were enough to challenge any firm attempting to provide strategic communications, branding, and marketing services. Janet’s goal in starting JANSON Communications, however, was simple and straightforward. She felt that helping to bridge the gap between strategy and creativity for organizations within the select aerospace, defense, and government technology markets could enable them to sync an effective communications roadmap with their overall business priorities and effectively engage and influence their stakeholders. This would allow each client to grow their brand, expand capabilities, and improve their bottom line. Janet says, “I knew that if we did this, we would have a marketable business.” Headquartered in Manassas, VA, JANSON now has clients in many different regions across the country. Janet’s initial visit to Huntsville in 2006 brought an important realization. “It became clear that this gem of the South should be a second home for our company because Huntsville and JANSON had several core characteristics in common…creativity, passion, capability, and commitment that intersect with the needs of defense and aerospace customers, both here and around the world,” she says. In 2009, the JANSON team celebrated its 12-year anniversary. Today, the company remains a privately held, woman-owned and managed small business supporting organizations with missions in near space, cyberspace, and battlespace. The JANSON team’s passion comes from being true strategic communications professionals. The company offers many disciplines, from strategic research and analysis to strategy development and planning to messaging and branding, but it keeps one focus: to integrate these elements into communications strategies and solutions that result in effective, measurable engagement with both internal and external stakeholders. The results are informed communications composed of data-driven communication plans, crystallized messaging, award-winning branding programs, and creative products that enable organizations to expand the mission and help "Keep It Sold". There are many resources available to help guide organizations seeking to increase business and grow new opportunities. This is a constant challenge that JANSON can help meet by integrating each client’s business development priorities and strategies with a strategic communications approach designed to reach key influencers and decision-makers. With these results, an organization can have an entirely new set of measureable approaches at its disposal. Janet concludes, “JANSON is blessed to be a part of this amazing 'City of Stars' and Huntsville has our personal and professional commitment, not only to reside here, but also to grow our capabilities as we help integrate strategic communications programs and support for the missions of local organizations and their bottom-line results.”
Contact Info: Providing Expertise in Engineering, Program Management, and Business Management
The company’s core capabilities of manufacturing, producibility, and quality management grew to include program and business management. "Soon after the company started, other companies acknowledged our capabilities and contacted us for projects," Senior Vice President Tammie Hayes comments. MTS exhibits a broad range of engineering, business, and management expertise and provides services to the DoD, NASA, and the Corps of Engineers. The company specializes in systems and industrial engineering, mission assurance, and lean manufacturing solutions to enhance customer programs. In program management, MTS offers earned value management, scheduling, integrated baseline review support, and training. MTS is certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Global Registered Education Provider. With this certification, MTS is able to award Professional Development Units to students and customize project management courses to meet customer needs. In business management, MTS provides government customers with budget, financial, cost modeling, and acquisition services. MTS is a NASA prime contractor providing program/project planning and analysis to major programs and is a teammate to Jacobs Engineering on the Manufacturing Support and Facilities Operation Contract at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. It’s also a teammate on numerous support contracts, including AMCOM Express, SETAC, and the upcoming MiDAESS solicitation. MTS looks forward to continuing its growth and focusing on providing top-quality services to customers. The company’s mission statement promises it will "…always be an energetic and enterprising business that consistently exceeds our customers’ expectations. We strive to provide our customers with innovative technical and business management solutions." Contact Info: Providing Safe Solutions
APT, which stands for Analysis, Planning, and Test, offers a broad range of engineering services, focusing on safety engineering, specifically in the areas of explosives, range, software, and system safety. "Safety engineering is often viewed as an impediment to conducting an operation and thought to only add cost to a project," Pfitzer states. "It can be difficult to prove the importance of this type of engineering because the success of a safety engineer is the avoidance of an accident. It is difficult to demonstrate credit for things that did not happen. Our goal is to minimize these hazards and offer safe solutions. Despite this challenge, APT has thrived on creating safe solutions that allow our customers to accomplish their mission safely without impeding its functionality or efficiency." Other APT capabilities include flight test planning, quality engineering, standards development, and software development. A growing area of business is in the test management support area. Numerous APT senior managers have overseen tests at many of the U.S. and international test areas. Through the Safety Engineering and Analysis Center (SEAC), a corporate division, APT provides training that deals with safety and quality issues before they become problems, fulfilling the company’s motto of "Safe Solutions". Proper practice of safety engineering is offered in a variety of continuing education units (CEUs) training and is open to corporate and government organizations, as well as to the public. Some of the featured courses are in risk management, system safety, range safety, software system safety, and explosives safety. The original materials for these training courses were developed by Pat Clemens, compiled while teaching the subject to more than 2,000 practitioners, before joining APT. Clemens has more than 30 years of experience in system engineering design, risk assessment, and safety analysis, and is known as the "mentor in residence" at APT. He is widely recognized and respected by professionals throughout the community and the country. "His contribution to our company has been invaluable," Pfitzer says. APT’s corporate theme is "Providing Safe Solutions to Government and Industry through Risk Management, Engineering, Analysis, and Planning". One example of this work is APT’s participation in the development of numerous national standards, including the DoD standard for safety of unmanned vehicles and the recently released ANSI standard for best practices in safety engineering. These standards provide solutions that are timely, responsive, and innovative, which are direct indicators of the company’s impact. As APT continues to grow, it is proud to now be a prime contractor bidder for MiDAESS, the Missile Defense Agency Engineering and Services Support contract. "APT is excited to be involved in the MiDAESS Quality Safety and Mission Assurance procurement," Pfitzer remarks. "We have worked hard to develop a team with a strong nationwide capability for this new competition." Contact Info: Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. Posted 6/10/09 Innovative Technical Solutions for the 21st Century
MTSI, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, began in the aerospace business, then expanded into other markets, such as missile defense, intelligence support, homeland security, and unmanned systems. MTSI has grown to nearly 300 employees at more than 10 geographic locations. The company provides services in six mission areas: Ballistic Missile and Air Defense, Flight Test Operations, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Air Vehicle Survivability Analysis, Homeland Defense, and Intelligence Community Analysis. Within these areas, MTSI’s core competencies are systems engineering and integration, test and evaluation, program management, acquisition planning, modeling and simulation, operational concept development, software engineering, and mission assurance. In Huntsville, MTSI currently focuses on three main areas: Modeling and Simulation, Acquisitions, Program Operations and Missile Systems. Primary customers for its office here include the Missile Defense Agency, Army Aviation Missile Command, and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, MTSI’s customers are the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, NASA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and various aerospace companies. What sets MTSI apart is its "employee-first" approach coupled with the fact that it is employee-owned. "The foundation of MTSI’s exceptional growth is its repeated ability to retain employees and clients," King says. "MTSI maintains an employee-first mentality, which provides a positive impact to its clients in terms of workforce stability and productivity." MTSI’s employee owners are highly skilled and educated. All work directly with programs and are involved in business development. "We don’t have employees just tied to new business development," King says. "Our management works directly with customers, on projects, and is always engaged." The staff consists of employees that are problem solvers, entrepreneurs, and business developers all wrapped up in one. MTSI boasts a more than 90% retention rate within its operational business units and one of the company’s mantras is to "think like an owner". Recently, MTSI was selected as one of the Best Places to Work in 2009 by the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Under its "MTSI Gives Back" initiative, a percentage of company revenues are directed to donations for the homeless, America’s warriors, and other community-based organizations assisting those in need. The company supports the Azalea Charities Aid to Wounded Soldiers and also works with Wounded Warriors, Inc. to support the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. "MTSI is always recruiting top-quality technical experts with a proven track record of excellence," King says. "We’ll continue to leverage our current capabilities into horizontal markets and take advantage of the anticipated Huntsville business opportunities as a result of BRAC with innovative technology for the 21st Century." Contact Info: Interweave Technologies Posted 6/18/09 Creating IT Freedom for Your Business
Interweave’s goal of providing IT freedom for its customers is found in its cost-effective services. Interweave customizes a program for each business, allowing them to be more productive and efficient. “Our extensive capabilities, coupled with our knowledge and experience saves the customer time, money, and frustration,” President Ravi Kolli says. “It is all part of our plan to create IT freedom for our customers, so they can focus on what they do best.” The backbone of Interweave is its Network Integration Services. Joni Miles, Business Development Manager, states, “We are able to fulfill any project from printer repair to disaster recovery. The advantage to our customers is that by allowing us to handle their IT concerns, they are free to concentrate on their business.” For example, Interweave made improvements to the Huntsville Museum of Art’s computer network which improved system reliability, usability, and functionality, enabling them to focus on their service to the community. The Structured Cabling division originated from Kolli’s close relationship with Mark and Tim Steele. “Their commitment to quality, customer service, and high standards fit seamlessly into the opportunities at Interweave,” Kolli says. “Cabling is the last thing on your mind when you think about technology. You just want to plug something in and have it work. Our professionals make sure that happens.” Interweave is currently providing cabling services on construction projects for several public schools in Birmingham, as well as Decatur’s Heritage Elementary School. At Heritage Elementary, Interweave’s work includes installing the phone system and the cabling for voice, data, IP video surveillance, and the public address system. Kolli continues, “We are excited about our expansion into the Federal arena. We have recently secured several projects, including the National Guard Readiness Center in Montgomery, where we are installing cable for voice, data, fiber, and cable TV distribution.” Interweave Technologies began in 1989 as Varsity Computing. After working with Varsity for 14 years, Kolli acquired the organization in 2005. Kolli has overseen business growth of more than 400% and extended the company’s concentration area into 22 states throughout the Southeast. He has added the Structured Cabling division, phone systems from their partnership with Huntsville’s Digium Corporation, IP surveillance, video conferencing, and off-site computer backup. From the beginning, Kolli built on Varsity’s friendly work environment and great customer service by adding to its capabilities and by integrating all the IT technologies. “Our new name, Interweave Technologies, accurately describes what we do,” Kolli explains. “Technology today is all encompassing and, sometimes overwhelming. We take all of a company’s technologies and integrate them into a common computer network. We ‘weave’ these technologies into a cohesive system that is easy to use and easy to manage. Interweave Technologies becomes a partner with our customers…a partner they can trust and a single point of reference for all their IT services. Through our commitment and expertise, we provide IT freedom.”
Contact Info: Helping Businesses Grow by Providing Essential Services and Professional Training
With a low-cost annual membership, the benefits of OSBO extend to business owners and their employees, offering live and online training, association health care programs, discounted programs, owner-to-owner interaction through monthly marketing events at OSBO member locations, and more. Additionally, OSBO invites educational institutions, such as colleges and universities and nonprofit organizations to take advantage of the program. Jerry and Lynn Kronk, owners of multiple successful businesses in the area, and the new owners of Madison County OSBO, plan to continue their success by helping business owners locally through promoting OSBO. “Lynn and I have a heart focused on helping people,” Jerry says. “OSBO’s an organization providing solid services and meaningful mentoring.” The Kronks have scheduled local training and marketing events (found on myosbo.org) for OSBO members and non-members to assist business owners in saving money, making money, and growing their business in this current economy. Lynn and Jerry also plan to continue their involvement in the community and partnerships with local business organizations, including the Chambers of Commerce, BNI, WBCNA, IRS and SBA. “With Lynn and Jerry’s experience in the business community and successful real estate and investment companies, they have a unique opportunity to grow the organization in Madison County,” Tana states. Jerry adds, “Through OSBO we can successfully and professionally support old and new friends as they advance their entrepreneurial goals. We believe the Lord has placed us in this position and we’re very excited!” OSBO is currently accepting referrals and applications for member consultants to provide expertise in their profession to OSBO Members.
Contact Info: Myers Technical Services LLC Posted 5/4/09 Optimizing People, Processes, and Technologies
Utilizing trained engineers and systems experts, the Myers-Tech team offers a powerful combination of domain knowledge, functional skills, and practical engineering experience in systems development. "We use our information and systems engineering expertise to support our customers in managing requirements and processes, controlling change and configuration, reporting performance and earned value, and updating complex schedules," says Sharon A. Myers, President/CEO. Myers-Tech is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in five states and currently supports the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) training requirements as a team member to Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Myers-Tech integrates subject matter and technical expertise to deliver compelling training experiences and materials. Its integrated training solutions address a wide range of intelligent information systems and program management topics. "Taking our knowledge of the transportation industry and adding best practices from other government and commercial clients allows us to deliver technical and engineering services using an interdisciplinary approach," adds Myers. Myers is Huntsville born and educated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Alabama A&M University and a Master’s degree in Management focused on technological environments from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her professional experience includes software engineering, knowledge management, marketing/business development, and quality management. Contact Info: Air, Land, and Sea Solutions
Team WorldWide is a diversified logistics provider that offers best-in-class solutions for its customers. “Over their 30 years in business, Team WorldWide has evolved from a traditional freight forwarder into a Global logistics provider,” Bishop says. Team WorldWide is comprised of the service companies of Team Air Express, Team Customs Brokerage, Team Ocean Services, and Team Transportation. Team’s offerings include domestic and international air cargo services, ocean transportation, domestic surface transportation, and warehousing/distribution services. One of the specialty areas for Team WorldWide Huntsville is its trade show freight service. “Trade shows are an important factor in many company’s yearly marketing strategies, and Team WorldWide is fortunate to have many of Huntsville’s largest companies entrust the movement of their trade show materials to Team Huntsville,” he states. “Our customers understand the importance of getting their booths and materials to shows on time and intact. Trade show freight is time sensitive, and that is why they choose to use Team WorldWide Huntsville. We are a transportation company, and that’s what we do best.” Bishop continues, “Because of our network of independent owners, Team is able to give its customers top-of-the-line service. From the smallest of booths to the largest custom exhibits, companies consistently call Team Huntsville for all of their trade show needs.” Team WorldWide Huntsville General Manager Rick Cousins adds, “When I am talking with a prospective customer, I always like to find out what challenges they are having with regard to their trade show logistics. The flexibility within our system allows us to do just about anything to meet our customers’ challenges and exceed their expectations.” Contact Info: Corporate Resource Solutions Posted 6/4/09 Where Compliance Meets Convenience
CoRe Solutions is poised to continue its growth as a federal contractor company. Eddie Littrell, founder and CEO, created the company to compete for federal HR and Administrative Support Service contracts with the unique focus of providing affordable HR and Recruiting services to small and start-up government contractor clients. Companies now teaming with CoRe Solutions have taken notice of Eddie’s successful reputation as a technical recruiter for some of Huntsville’s most successful companies, his distinct military personnel background, and his technical education. With this solid foundation, along with the incorporation of the best practices in the government contractor industry, CoRe Solutions is known for consistently maximizing the business operations efficiencies across multiple departments. "CoRe Solutions is very different from typical headhunter services and HR consultants," Littrell says. "Not only do we bring superior candidate sourcing capabilities, we also deliver more senior-level HR experience to manage the entire recruiting process from pre-solicitation recruiting and applicant tracking to new hire on-boarding best-practices. And, we extend to clients our own recruiting resources like Monster.com, ClearanceJobs.com, and a fully customizable Cyber Recruiter applicant tracking database as value-added services. We’ve proven our abilities in the private sector and we’re eager to demonstrate our capabilities to our future government clients." He adds, "CoRe Solutions delivers only the highest quality HR and Recruiting services with affordability and proven process efficiencies, saving our clients valuable time and money." Contact Info: Delivering Mission-critical Exhibit and Marketing Support
Extensive experience in highly specialized fields draws companies such as Finmeccanica (the multinational, multibillion dollar corporation, which owns DRS Technologies) to select SCS to design and develop new North American exhibit standards and to build its new exhibit. From HP to Digium, NBC to NASA, and the U.S. Army to Cooks Pest Control, SCS serves clients from every industry and region. SCS’s long partnership with the Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition has helped it grow into one of the premier defense expositions in the United States. SCS also produces hundreds of other trade shows, conferences, and meetings annually. It’s no secret that exceptional people make SCS successful. The fast-paced environment rewards imagination and offers variety and travel. "As we launch new business units and prepare to expand to new locations, SCS has become a great place for sharp business people to find rapid success," CEO Curt Brannon says. Still, this company founded in 1987 remains a mystery to many. Few visit the first time without expressing surprise at SCS’s comprehensive capabilities. "We’ve grown into a multi-million dollar company with services applicable to any company anywhere," COO Bryan Boyd states. "It’s time our secret is revealed!" Each SCS division offers clients top-notch services. SCS Exhibits designs, builds, and manages custom exhibits of all sizes. Its graphic division, Imagine Media, offers cutting-edge graphic services with special emphasis on large format digital printing. SCS Events produces corporate, government, and public events of every description. SCS will soon announce a new business unit providing audio-visual and computer rentals, plus technical support services. Contact Info: Our Strength is Our People
Established in 1995 as a Limited Liability Company by Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company, USA has experience in all aspects of processing, maintenance, integration, and operation of complex multipurpose space systems. The company serves as NASA’s primary industry partner in human space operations and is applying its broad range of capabilities to the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constel¬lation programs, as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors. USA is also a member of the APT Research MiDAESS team. Doering joined USA in May 2008 and moved to Huntsville that September. Her previous work experience includes 10 years of supporting NASA in the private sector before joining NASA in 1994. Doering was selected to U.S. Government Senior Executive Service ranks in 2006 where she served as Space Shuttle Deputy Program Manager. "USA brought me here to Huntsville to translate what we do for NASA into the sort of support the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army, and Marshall Space Flight Center needs," Doering states. "Our strength is in our people," Doering adds. "Not only the expertise we bring, but the fact we’re a company with thousands of experienced engineers and technicians, and Huntsville has a need for engineers and technicians to support the DoD and NASA." USA is set to expand its strong team in Huntsville to support the missile defense industry. "For the last 14 years, every one of the 9,500 people in USA has made sure that the job they do has been done right to ensure NASA’s mission success ," Doering explains. "We bring that dedication to the work ahead of us in Huntsville." Contact Info: Safety: The Win-Win Solution
2009 marks the 27th annual ISSC. This year’s theme is "Safety: The Win-Win Solution". The conference is presented by the System Safety Society, with a membership of more than 1,000 individuals that span 24 countries across the globe. Every odd number year, the ISSC is held in conjunction with the Joint Weapon Systems Safety Conference (JWSSC). The JWSSC emphasizes safety across DoD services with specific topics on weapon safety, unmanned systems, system-of-systems, software, and programmable logic devices. The JWSSC theme is "Changing Threats, Evolving Technologies…Responsive Safety". Historically, this conference has been directly involved in producing guidance and regulatory products, and furthering knowledge necessary to design and build safe products. Various technical session forums are presented, including paper presentations, CEU-credit tutorials, workshops, roundtable panel discussions, interactive collaboration, and keynote speakers. Registration will be accepted on Sunday August 2nd at the Embassy Suites or on Monday, August 3 at the VBC North Hall. Visit the web site for details on the technical program as well as registration, speakers, sponsors/exhibitors, and social activities. For questions or additional information, please contact Rhonda Barnes. Contact Info: "Quality is the Key to Customer Satisfaction" -Dr. Marvin Carroll
TMI recently received the prestigious 2009 "Best Places to Work" award and TMI’s President, Dr. Marvin Carroll, was inducted into the Dreamweavers Hall of Fame by Alabama Governor Bob Riley. TMI brings unsurpassed dedication, quality, and reliability to every task performed. "Our products are valuable, but our people are priceless," Dr. Carroll says. TMI’s state-of-the-art Multimedia & Video Production facility, coupled with their award-winning staff, provides customers with a one-stop shop. TMI specializes in Course Design, Instructional Development, conducting and managing Instructional Programs, as well as Multimedia and stand-alone Video Production. TMI also offers Video Teleconferencing services through an on-site studio with the latest technical equipment. This provides training and communication for a fraction of the cost of face-to-face meetings. Beyond TMI’s Multimedia capabilities, the TMI team also provides all Video/Digital Imaging services "from script to screen". From the Pre-Production process through Post-Production finalization, TMI uses the latest technology and equipment for "In the Field" location shooting as well as Studio/Greenscreen "In House" productions. "Our talented team of professionals inspires dynamic and creative products. Whether it’s educating or interacting with an audience, TMI’s expertise will meet your requirements on time and within budget," says Jim King, Multimedia Producer. "Quality is the key to customer satisfaction," Dr. Carroll states. Contact Info: Davis Strategic Innovations, Inc. (DSI) Posted 6/10/09 Engineering and Technical Services for Aerospace, Defense, and Homeland Security
DSI is a veteran-owned, service-disabled, HUBZone small business dedicated to providing the highest quality research, analysis, solutions, and education to enhance national security and space programs. Davis founded DSI in August 2006, dedicating it to the support of our country and its Warfighters. He’s a retired Colonel, having served in the U.S. Army and Air Force, and is a passionate patriot, author, and educator. DSI excels in Aerospace Engineering, specifically NASA, BMDS, MDA, and hopes of expanding soon to support Army Aviation. DSI also focuses on Homeland Security in the areas of agrosecurity, weapons of mass destruction, and pandemic influenza. Currently, DSI’s aerospace engineering support includes propulsion and mechanical design, guidance and navigation controls, communications, modeling and simulation, as well as other engineering services. "We have a group of top-of-the-line experts in DSI, and with them, DSI provides top-notch strategic and technical services for various U.S. government agencies and local and state governments," Davis comments. He continues, "We’re excited to be a part of the APT Research and MiDAESS Team. We offer quality safety and mission assurance engineering support to MDA that’s vital for missile defense. DSI is looking to build more strategic relationships with key prime contractors who have our similar values and interests." Davis places as much importance on the attitude behind the work as he does on the work itself. "Our core values are to put integrity first, to provide the highest quality service, and to strive for a better America in all our actions," he states. Contact Info: A Small Business with a Big Passion and Purpose
Carey, a former Army Colonel and Program Manager of the Year, is first and foremost dedicated to success and survivability for soldiers. In 1994, Carey was given his first assignment at Redstone Arsenal, which, Carey says, has the strongest bond between community and military that he has ever seen. His enthusiasm for the Army and Redstone are a great fit with WaveLink’s Warfighter support. One of Carey’s areas of emphasis will be to expand the company’s outstanding support to the aviation community, which is currently focused in aircraft survivability equipment. Carey comments, “My vision is to foster business success and longevity for WaveLink by making us the strongest link between industry and soldiers on the battlefield.” WaveLink currently supports the U.S. Army PEO IEW&S (Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors) and other DoD area offices with its seasoned and experienced staff. “WaveLink strives to hire the best,” Gibbs states, “and we appreciate each and every employee’s contributions.” Carey adds, “One of the most important abilities a person can have is to inspire passion in the daily pursuits of others. At WaveLink, this is a passion for our nation’s soldiers and their welfare. We translate the importance of our jobs into their role in protecting our soldiers’ lives every day.”
Contact Info:
Space and Missile Defense Pre-Conference (NP) Posted 5/19/09
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 China. 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, Army Way Ahead, tactical perspectives, operational perspectives, increasing roles in each of the services, space and missile defense in the Pacific, and operationally responsive space will explore these issues with attendees. Confirmed speakers include Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of Joint Chief of Staff; Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander, US Strategic Command; LTG Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command; LTG Patrick O’Reilly, director, Missile Defense Agency; and Ambassador Dr. Richard G. Harrison. Other invited speakers include representatives from U.S. Pacific Command and members of Congress. There will be exhibit displays throughout the entire VBC and daily attractions in each hall, including presentations from local and celebrity authors. These attractions, along with the viewing of all exhibits, are free and open to the general public. To register for the conference, visit the web site listed below, or contact Jeanne Weaver at (256) 533-6986; fax (256) 533-4508. Register before June 28, 2009, to save! Contact Info:  L-R: Philomena Grodzka, Ph.D., HATS Interim President; Robert King for Dr. Sam Crews, American Helicopter Society (AHS); Dale Hudson, Ph.D., American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); Danny Duke, Calhoun Community College – SpaceTEC; Cindi Branham, HATS; Ronald D. Hackett, HATS STEDTRAIN; William A. Seidler, II, Ph.D., IEEE; Doug Parker for Paul Stover, IEEE Electro-Magnetic Capability (EMC) Society; Jan P. Eiras, Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT) and the 2009 Recipient of the HATS Fourth Annual Joseph C. Moquin Award; Jimmy Parker, The International Society of Logistics (SOLE); Sherry Hilley, International Test & Evaluation Association (ITEA); Tony Stedman, National Contract Management Association (NCMA); Dean Kimmel, Society of Cost Estimating & Analysis (SCEA); Mary Horneck, Society for Technical Communications (STC); Gary Braman, System Safety Society (SSS); James Brelsford, Von Braun Astronomical Society (VBAS) Colonel Robert Pastorelli (NP) Posted 6/2/09Redstone Arsenal is “On Track” for Growth
BRAC expansions are ongoing across the Arsenal and are scheduled for completion in 2011. These expansions include the Army Materiel Command–the United States Army Security Assistance Command complex that is about 15% completed on its 400,000 square-foot facility. The Missile Defense Agency is currently moving its workforce to Redstone and its three facilities, and 840,000 square feet of office space is under construction. The Aviation Technical Test Center’s hangar space and headquarters are almost finished. “Overall, these BRAC projects should be completed by February or March 2011,” Colonel Pastorelli states. Helping to assist with BRAC expansion and to meet the space requirements for private firms that support the DoD, RSA is also undertaking a project called Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL). EUL is a three-party collaboration involving a private developer, the city of Huntsville, and RSA and will add approximately 4 million square feet of administrative and academic space to the Arsenal. “We are an Army installation today, but you could almost make the statement that we are looking more like a Federal office park,” Colonel Pastorelli explains. Colonel Pastorelli recognizes that with all of the positive growth come concerns. “My number one challenge is the security of our workforce,” he says. With more than 48,000 vehicles entering the Arsenal a day, plans are underway to upscale the gates, increase the guard force, and expand the roads, specifically Martin Road West from two to four lanes. RSA is also working with the community to meet other challenges presented by BRAC, such as expanding the qualified workforce and providing access to medical care and quality school systems. Focusing on the needs of the Soldiers and their families, Redstone continues to uniquely support the Army Family Covenant. This initiative aids military families through various programs, such as child development services, instructional courses, and family discounts. “We have created these programs, and more, to ensure military families have a quality home life commensurate to the level of commitment they give to their country,” Colonel Pastorelli comments. Also available to families of Soldiers is the Family, Morale, Welfare & Recreation (FMWR), which provides key support services to RSA and the local community. “All in all, we’re in position to grow, both as an installation and in partnership, with our community,” Colonel Pastorelli states. “We want to work together for the common objective to support our own expansion, as well as industry expansion in the Tennessee Valley. We’re fortunate to have extraordinary people that work hand in hand with us to make our community a better place to live.” Contact Info: International Association of Administrative Professionals - Huntsville Chapter (NP) Posted 5/17/09 E nhancing the Success of Career-minded Administrative Professionals
The association’s certification programs are recognized as the industry standard of proficiency. With three annual conferences a year, members have numerous opportunities to learn and grow…not just at their job, but in their lives. Huntsville Chapter IAAP is included in the Alabama Division. The Alabama Division currently has 15 Professional Chapters, eight Student Chapters, and more than 500 members. The Huntsville Chapter membership is strong with more than 60 professional and 15 student members. J.F. Drake State Technical College Student Chapter was chartered in 2007 as the first student chapter. Companies such as Analytical Services Inc., CSC, Siemens, Redstone Federal Credit Union, and DRS Test Management are just some of the companies represented by its professional members. The annual fundraiser for the Huntsville Chapter IAAP is the “Pride in Professionalism” Annual Seminar and Education Forum, which takes place during Administrative Professionals Week, the third Tuesday in April. The Chapter has provided this educational forum for the past six years. This all-day event consists of a morning keynote address, lunch, and choice of two afternoon workshops in either career development or technical applications. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 11:30am at Redstone Federal Credit Union’s Technology Center at 220 Wynn Drive in Huntsville. If you’ve been searching for a community to help you thrive in today’s office culture, check out IAAP. Come join them in creating a better workplace, one admin at a time.
Contact Info:
AMC (U.S. Army Materiel Command
(NP)
Posted 5/15/09 If a Soldier Shoots It, Drives It, Flies It, Wears It, Communicates with It, or Eats It…AMC Provides It!
The Small Business Program (SBP) is a key element of AMC which is a large government organization relocating to Redstone Arsenal as a part of the BRAC 2005 initiative. Army Materiel Command (AMC) is an enterprise that exists to provide superior technology, acquisition support, and logistics to the United States and its allies. It accomplishes this extremely complex mission by relying on the industrial base, comprised of both large and small businesses and higher education institutions. With plans for a new building by early 2011, AMC now has a growing presence at Redstone Arsenal with more than 230 current employees and another 200 expected this summer. This, however, is only the foundation for the 1,800 employees that AMC will have in Huntsville over the next two years. Believing that small business is everybody’s business, AMC’s Small Business Program mission is to ensure a fair portion of contract awards is placed within small businesses. Its vision is achieving optimum small business participation by seeking small business solutions first. “Every business starts as a small business,” Nancy states. “That’s why our focus is to provide a fair portion of business to small businesses. Our focus for the Small Business Program for 2009 is to first build the Army Materiel Command Small Business enterprise. We want to become one community and one voice to communicate our one mission. The second thing we want to do is enhance and market the BRAC opportunities for small businesses here. Mainly, we recognize the innovation and support that small businesses provide and want to make sure that we are allowing them the opportunity to support the warfighter.” This philosophy of investing in small business is evident in the results of AMC’s SBP. In the fiscal year 2007, of the $56 billion that was spent by AMC, $8.1 billion went to small businesses. Currently, in fiscal year 2008, out of $86.4 billion, $16.9 billion was spent with small businesses. Alabama received $1.9 billion, the second highest amount spent in the Unites States—behind the Washington, D.C. and Virginia areas. Furthering its outreach into the community, AMC, along with TEAM Redstone, will be participating in the Tennessee Valley Region Federal Small Business Conference this June 30–July 2 at the Von Braun Center. Sponsored by National Defense Industrial Association, several major federal organizations will be in attendance. The conference will provide a forum for one-on-one meetings by facilitating match-making with large and small businesses, as well as government representtSBP has in store for Huntsville, Nancy is optimistic about the extraordinary task at hand. “It is super fantastic to be here,” Nancy explains. “I’ve traveled all over the world and this is the first time I’ve ever been in an environment where organizations really team and work together as a unit to accomplish the United States’ government mission. What a great feeling that is!” Basic
Information: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (NP) Posted 5/19/09 Quickly Transferring Discoveries in
the Lab to Patients in Need Contact Info:
Project management is a professional discipline with a distinct body of specialized knowledge and skills. Unlike routine operations, projects by their nature are temporary and when they deliver results, they end. What all projects have in common is the management of change. Organizations that succeed recognize what is unique about projects, understand they need a different skill set, and recruit/train people who specialize in project management. PMI today has 450,000 members and credential holders in 182 countries with 248 chapters around the world. Business, government, and other organizations increasingly recognize that project management is a critical business driver. Worldwide, 20% of the gross global product…$12 trillion per year…is spent on fixed capital projects worldwide. Trillions more are spent in projects for IT, as well as new product and service development. Project management is the discipline of execution–linking strategy to performance through systematic planning, processes, review and feedback. The North Alabama Chapter (PMI-NAC) is dedicated to providing organizations and project management practitioners with the critical knowledge needed to be successful. Since 1990, PMI-NAC has grown to more than 450 members, and was the fastest growing chapter in the United States for the past two years. This growth comes as a result of the growth of Huntsville and the increasing local recognition of the value of project management skills and certification. Approximately 49% of PMI-NAC’s members hold one or more PMI certifications. PMI-NAC has a strong certification program to help its members earn the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification. The PMP® certification is the most highly regarded project management certification program, which was listed by CertCities.com as #4 among the top 10 hottest professional certifications in December 2007. Contact Info: NASA|ART: 50 Years of Exploration
Throughout NASA’s development, artists have observed and interpreted each event, from Apollo 11’s historic landing on the moon to the tragic reentry of the space shuttle Columbia. Diverse artists are united under one roof at the Museum to display the goal of NASA Administrator James Webb, who wanted to use other art forms besides photography to commemorate the historic events in space exploration. NASA’s art program began in 1962, just four years after NASA’s founding. Nearly half a century later, artists have commemorated the adventure of space flight in ways that no camera could match. The Huntsville Museum of Art is proud to present 65 works by renowned artists, such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, Annie Leibovitz, Nam June Paik, and William Wegman. Through the individual creative expression of these artists, NASA’s profound accomplishments are documented for generations to come. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum partnered with NASA to showcase the collection of works at museums across the country and this exhibition will be on view here May 24 until August 16. The Huntsville Museum of Art encourages members of the local and national community to embark on their own exploration of space through this historical exhibit. The Museum provides generous discounted memberships to employees of its corporate supporters. Contact Info:
Increasing Business Opportunities for High-technology Small Businesses 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 member companies represent a dynamic group of business people who work for the development of, and promote opportunities for, small businesses in advanced technology. By combining the efforts of many small high-tech firms, the voice of small business is strong and makes a positive impact. 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 100-plus member companies, an excellent resource for large prime contractors seeking to fulfill specialized requirements or meet small business goals. "HASBAT members are, by definition, small businesses consisting of 1,000 employees or less," says HASBAT Board President Sharon Myers. "Collectively, they contribute significantly to the great economic engine of America through their proven innovation and excellence in the fields of science, engineering, and technology." HASBAT annually awards scholarships to students majoring in high-technology fields attending Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In 2008, HASBAT added Oakwood University students as 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 2008, the Advocate Award was given to Ms. Pat Phillips of the Alabama Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Contact Info:
Semper Fi Community Task Force is helping our Wounded Warriors In today’s society there are few Americans who haven’t felt the effects of war. Whether its death, loss of limbs, paralysis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury, Wounded Warriors are being sent home from the war, to live a life unlike they knew before. The Semper Fi Community Task Force (SFCTF) is helping these Wounded Warriors deal with their healing process by showing them that their country is thankful for their sacrifice. Additionally, SFCTF is helping the Wounded Warriors adjust to this new found life. It’s unfortunate, but very few of them will ever see such recognition. SFCTF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in early 2007 by a small group of retired Marines who wanted to continue with their lifelong commitment to taking care of fellow Marines, whether they are active duty or retired. Its primary mission is to assist Marines, with a special focus on Wounded Warriors. In just two years, SFCTF has hosted more than 50 Wounded Warriors, from all services, for Hero’s Weekends. This success has changed SFCTF’s primary focus to assisting Wounded Warriors from all branches of the military. The SFCTF will be holding its 3rd Annual Hero’s Weekend November 6-12, in conjunction with the Veteran’s Day holiday and the Marine Corps’ 234th Birthday. The SFCTF will invite 60 Wounded Warriors, their spouses, and caretakers from all over the United States. Some of the events for this annual weekend include a bass fishing tournament hosted by pro bass fishermen, a riding with "Vets with Vettes" during the Veteran’s Day Parade, special recognition at the Marine Corps’ Birthday Ball, career counseling provided by Still Serving Vets, and a major sporting event. SFCTF volunteers not only donate their time and service to conduct these efforts, but also rely heavily on community support. Please consider making a generous contribution to the Hero’s Weekend. Without the community’s assistance, this recognition to our fine Wounded Warriors would not be possible. Contact Info:
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ADEPT Technologies has expanded its
facilities with a new corporate headquarters in Huntsville’s Jetplex
Industrial park. Adjacent to Huntsville’s International Airport and just
minutes from Redstone Arsenal, ADEPT’s new facility adds additional large
scale integration capacity to an already impressive range of services.
An aging workforce and the need to develop the next
generation of engineers (scientists and technicians that will carry the
industry forward) are major concerns for the aerospace industry. One company
doing its part to address these concerns is Honeywell, which describes its
efforts as, "raising up the next generation of explorers".
Alicia
Juzang has come a long way since winning a state competition for typing. As
a teenager, her typing ability led her to consider a career in which she
could utilize those skills. This in turn put her on the path to discover
computer science and in very short order, her destiny lay before her.
Before
starting the work day, Lockheed Martin employees help kick off the school
day at Louis J. Morris Elementary School. Each morning, three to four
“Morris Morning Greeters” welcome students as they arrive at the school on
Bob Wallace Avenue, two miles from Lockheed Martin’s Bradford Drive
facility. Tina Greer, principal of Morris Elementary, says the volunteer
greeters give a great start to the students’ day. 
Originally
founded in December 2005 as a global solutions provider to both government
and commercial clients, Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. (SPS) is
an 8(a) minority woman-owned company that is beginning to lengthen its strides and transform itself into a global
management consulting firm. Early successes, superior client advocacy,
consistent quality, and execution excellence have resulted in a vast
increase in client demand and a call for SPS to broaden its consulting
service offerings. Founder and CEO Nilmini Thompson comments, "We are
pursuing certifications and programs that help further align SPS with our
clients. Our goal is for our customers to say, ‘Wow! This company is great
and they’re my ‘go to’ guys with an outstanding reputation for reliability
and customer service’. We have a variety of process improvement initiatives
underway in order to provide the proper internal structures necessary to
support our future growth."
From Concept to Completion, enrGies continues to exceed customer
expectations in all areas of systems engineering, communications, network
operations, innovative prototype development, aviation integration, test and
evaluation, and project management. President Steve Pierce reports enrGies
is continuing the steady, sustainable growth seen since inception in January
2005. He reiterates enrGies was born from his 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. Pierce is involved in
several veterans organizations, dedicated to assisting in the transition of
disabled veterans. When enrGies began, 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,” Pierce
says.
Today’s economy and an
increasingly tight budgetary climate means that even organizations focused
on the defense and aerospace markets must find a way to precisely define and
promote their value proposition. JANSON Communications understands, because
it has effectively helped clients set themselves apart from the
competition–and win new business–since 1997.
Founded
in 2001, Manufacturing Technical Solutions (MTS) began with a strong
foundation of core manufacturing competencies–a result of the seasoned
professionals on staff. These senior personnel brought experience to the
veteran-owned business that resulted in early accomplishment of its first
tasks and MTS was on its way to expanding its services. President Paul Curd
states, "We initially used our expertise and were awarded new tasks through
the broadening of our capabilities." 
As a result of a reputation for providing customers with
state-of-the-art safety solutions, APT Research, Inc. has steadily grown to
have numerous government and international customers. President Tom Pfitzer
comments, "I began the company in 1990 as a consultant in the area of safety
engineering. Now we have 40 government agencies that call on us periodically
for their safety engineering and analysis needs." In addition, the employee
ownership program provides a shared and motivated culture that supports the
key components of success. 
Since
it was founded in 1993 by Co-presidents Tom McMahan and Phil Soucy, Modern
Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) has been providing innovative technical
solutions for the 21st Century. "Modern Technology Solutions Inc. is
employee-owned and operated technology firm, providing highly specialized
technical and management services to a variety of Government clients,"
General Manager Tim King says.
The
mission of Interweave Technologies is to free customers from their IT burden
so they can focus on their business. Interweave’s focus is to provide its
core competencies of Computer Network Integration, Telecommunications
Cabling, Fiber Optic Installation, and Wireless Data Communications with
integrity and skill.
The
Organization Supporting Business Owners (OSBO) has a mission to provide a
reliable support system for local large and small business owners. Founded
in Huntsville in 2002 by Tana Torrano, OSBO is a membership-based
organization providing an avenue for businesses to grow by consolidating
needed services and professional training. Since its initial launching, this
business owners association has catapulted from a locally owned and operated
organization to a national franchise, servicing business leaders across the
country by attracting corporate sponsors and partners such as Staples, AT&T,
COSTCO and The Heritage Club.
Myers Technical Services LLC (Myers-Tech) is a North
Alabama based small business specializing in delivering information,
engineering, and management solutions. The company defines, generates, and
maintains the programmatic and technical plans, analyses, reports, and
baseline documentation needed to support concept development, demonstrate
technological feasibility, and initiate systems development activities in
accordance with milestone information requirements, decision authority
criteria, and contracting options and procedures.
Fifteen years ago, Tim Bishop had a
vision. He wanted to run and operate his own transportation company and in
the spring 1994, he joined forces with Team WorldWide.
Corporate Resource Solutions, LLC (CoRe Solutions) held a
ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony on March 12, 2009, marking its
one-year Anniversary along with a new office location in Cummings Research
Park. Additionally, CoRe Solutions has been verified as a veteran-owned
small business by the Center for Veteran’s Enterprise. However, the
company’s recent crowning achievement was the awarding of its first
government contract by the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) on May
22, 2009.
SCS (Southern Convention Services) delivers
mission-critical exhibit and marketing support to sophisticated clients
across the globe through its divisions SCS Exhibits, SCS Events, and Imagine
Media. It may also be one of Alabama’s best kept secrets.
With an unrivaled set of skills and experience from more
than 14 years of human space operations, United Space Alliance (USA) looks
to extend its capabilities to support the DoD with the strength of its
people. "USA is excited about expanding into the defense arena," Vice
President of USA’s Huntsville Operations Kim Doering says. "We’ve developed
processes and expertise which can lend themselves to the critical missile
defense missions."
In
2006, Huntsville’s Mayor Spencer issued a proclamation of Huntsville as "the
International Center of Excellence for the practice of System Safety
Engineering". So what better place to conduct the 27th International System
Safety Conference (ISSC) than Huntsville Alabama! During the week of August
3–7 more than 500 safety professionals from around the globe will
descend upon the Von Braun Center (VBC) for collaboration, training,
networking, and learning, which is essential to keeping them at the top of
their field. This forum covers many safety critical areas such as
explosives, software-intensive systems, missile systems, nuclear, space, and
aviation.
Tec-Masters, Inc. (TMI) is a proven source for creative
engineering and technical support. TMI’s focus is to provide robust
solutions for Defense, Federal, and Commercial Customers 100% of the time.
This can be traced to TMI’s commitment to ISO Certification, CMMI, Lean Six
Sigma, and Earned Value Management System (EVMS). TMI’s technical services
are diversified to include weapon system engineering, software development,
IV&V, logistics, information technology, modeling and simulation, multimedia
production, web based training, NASA hardware prototyping, and training and
doctrine development.
Davis Strategic Innovations, Inc. (DSI) is a company with
a mission that can be found in its logo. President and CEO Dr. Jim Davis
explains the orbit stands for DSI’s support of the Aerospace industry. The
globe represents our military deployed around the world that DSI commits to
support, and North America is centered on the globe representing the support
for Homeland Security.
WaveLink
may be a small business today, but it has big passion and purpose for
tomorrow with the addition of Mr. Philip J. Carey as its new Vice President
of Army Programs. WaveLink President Tamela Gibbs states, “Phil’s background
is impressive. His experience in a variety of Army programs, along with his
leadership and team building skills are a terrific asset to WaveLink. We are
excited about having Phil join us in our business expansion and he will be a
key player in helping guide WaveLink’s strategic plans for the future.”
The
12th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition will take
place August 17-20, 2009, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The theme
for this year’s event is Space & Missile Defense...the Path Forward.
With BRAC plans underway on
Redstone Arsenal (RSA), Colonel Robert Pastorelli, Garrison Commander, is on
track and eager to tackle the major expansions and challenges facing the
Arsenal. “As far as BRAC gains are concerned, we have three major success
stories already,” Colonel Pastorelli says. “The Space & Missile Defense
Command (SMDC) and the 2nd Recruiting Brigade are currently moved
into their new facilities and the 2nd Medical Recruiting
Battalion is also with us now.”
The
International Association of Administrative Professionals is a
not-for-profit professional association for office professionals with
approximately 40,000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters
worldwide. For more than 60 years, its mission is to enhance the success of
career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for
growth through education, community building, and leadership development.
Director of the U.S. Army
Materiel Command Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) Nancy Small says,
“Small business equals big business!”
Dr.
Jian Han, faculty investigator at the HudsonAlpha Institute for
Biotechnology, recently developed a rapid response, molecular-level assay
for the current strain of the H1N1 virus. The test, which can confirm swine
flu in less than six hours, has been incorporated into a viral respiratory
panel made available by Diatherix Laboratories. The panel will detect the
current strain of swine flu, as well as Influenza A, Influenza B and other
viruses, all in a single process.
The
Huntsville Museum of Art has fused art and technology together with its
current exhibit NASA|ART: 50 Years of Exploration to commemorate NASA’s 50th
anniversary. This latest exhibit incorporates a vital part of the Huntsville
community through artistic media and provides a look at the development of
NASA’s stellar achievements and setbacks in space exploration.
