Degree(s) and Year(s) Degree(s) Conferred: MMgt, 1996
Graduate Academic Program(s) at Penn State: Business Administration
Current Professional Title: Vice President and Chief Engineer
Current Employer: Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies
Briefly describe your professional career, including your employment history and notable accomplishments
Currently, I am vice president and chief engineer of SGT Inc., a 2,500-person engineering, science, and IT Government services contracting business unit of KBRwyle corporation. For the last 20 years, I have primarily worked in the space industry – designing, building and operating satellites, science instruments, ground systems and other payloads for NASA, NOAA, the US Geologic Survey and the Air Force. Working on these satellites has allowed me to work closely with both engineers and scientists and has provided continuous learning opportunities throughout my career. The science data produced by these spacecraft have many applications that provide great benefit to society. These include earth observation, climate research, land monitoring, solar system exploration, and weather monitoring and prediction.
I have worked for several large aerospace, defense and Government contracting companies, including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. I started my professional career working for RCA corporation. I have also worked for small businesses, designing consumer products including magnetic card readers used in ATM and other vending systems, public fax machines and direct mail printing equipment. My career has spanned several different disciplines including hardware design and software design. It has involved working in many engineering disciplines including electrical, mechanical, structural, manufacturing, software, guidance, and communications. As my career has progressed, I have taken on increasing management responsibilities, including team leadership, project and program management, contract management and eventually corporate management. I have managed small teams of 2-3 engineers to major engineering services contracts of over 450 engineers. This broad experience led to my growth as a systems engineer and eventually to Chief Engineer of my company.
Please list honors, awards, and professional achievements
I have received numerous individual and group achievement awards throughout my career. In October 2016, I received the Penn State Alumni Fellow Award on behalf of the Graduate School.