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News Briefs & Events Blog

Welcome to the Wyle News Briefs and Events Blog. It is published on the first of every month and periodic updates are added from time-to-time. It is designed to provide timely information to our external and internal audiences and complement Wyle’s ongoing news release program. We hope you find the Wyle Blog informational.

May 2012

Innovation Day 2012! – Wednesday, May 2, 2012 is the day when Johnson Space Center employees and contractors join together to provide opportunities for new collaborative connections to be made within the JSC community. Wyle will host a NASA@work Live event in which our employees will demonstrate how NASA@work supports inclusion and innovation through engagement of the community during this year’s Innovation Day 2012. This event will bring Challenge brainstorming activities to NASA’s agency wide collaboration and challenge based platform, NASA@work. There are currently five Challenges under development to support the event. These challenges will launch on May 2and Live brainstorming sessions will be scheduled to support solving these Challenges with the community. NASA@work is a discussion-based software platform that provides the opportunity for communication and innovation more effectively on the most pressing research and development activities and business Challenges that matter to NASA. It provides the means for exposure of Challenges to a broader audience and obtaining solutions from employees with whom would not typically interact from across all the NASA centers. Wyle teams will also be supporting 18 innovation activity booths located on the grounds at JSC that day.
Lt. General Patrick O’Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency, recently recognized members of the Wyle CAS Tactical Systems Sector for their outstanding support to the U.S. Army Evaluation Center in evaluating the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System and supporting the THAAD Materiel Release process. The Wyle CAS Tactical Sys¬tems Sector is part of the Test and Evaluation Operating Unit led by Allen Kiezer, the program manager for the Ballistic Missile Defense System which provides continuous evaluation support for the U.S. Army Evaluation Center, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command.

Those employees recognized include: Robert Brassell, the sector manager and 23-year employee; Henry Chavez, department manager/program systems analyst and 22-year employee; Chad Stevens, department manager/systems engineer and 12-year employee; June Buff, systems engineer and four-year employee; Janice Ezell, administrative assistant and 13-year employee; Darla Hursman, software program analyst and five-year employee; Bruce Laferriere, program/systems analyst and eight-year employee; Eddie Main, systems engineer and nine-year employee; Les Potter, operations research analyst and 13-year employee, and George Zabriskie, test engineer and 24-year employee.

The commendation reads, in part, “I received an In-Process Review (IPR) on the status of the THAAD Materiel Release yesterday with MG Jim Rog¬ers (AMCOM), ATEC and AMCOM staff, and my staff. We are proceeding quickly for a conditional materiel release in early February 2012 or sooner. This is critical, given it will be for our first THAAD Battery. This capability is in high demand by the COCOMs. It was clear throughout the materiel release IPR that MDA and Army agencies and staffs are working hard together to make this materiel release occur as soon as possible. A lot is at stake. For example, I just signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the FMS sale of two THAAD units to the UAE this morning (materiel release is a prerequisite for the UAE).”

Wyle will be the Lunch Sponsor for the TechAmerica Federal CIO Survey Event, Thursday, May 3, held at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. This year’s survey, Fiscal Constraints & Future Challenges: Driving Innovation at the Federal CIO Level, will focus on the Federal Government’s transformation to a more transparent and open operation within President Obama’s Administration. Tom Anderson, president of the Science, Technology and Engineering Group, will introduce the lunch speaker at the conference. Additional Wyle attendees will include Lex Allen, Bill Perlowitz, Paul Thomas and Don Carmichael. More details are available at: www.techamerica.org/federal-cio-survey-2012
Bill Perlowitz, chief technology officer of Wyle’s Science, Technology and Engineering Group, was recently interviewed for WashingtonExec. The Question and Answer session was titled “Prepping for the Big Data Overload.” Perlowitz shared his thoughts on the challenges of establishing social media and introducing new technologies to federal agencies. The full interview can be read here:
http://www.washingtonexec.com/2012/04/q-a-with-bill-perlowitz-prepping-for-the-big-data-overload/

Wyle employees Jake Jacobs, Bob Denson and Larry Wells of the Patuxent River, Md., office recently received the NAVAIR Commander’s National Award for Quality of Service for their commitment to enhancing the P-3 Orion, the Navy’s land-based maritime patrol aircraft. They received the awards during the 11th annual NAVAIR Commander’s National Awards ceremony.
The NAVAIR Commander’s National Award recognizes teams that demonstrate effort to improve operational capability, support fleet requirements, and promote a positive work environment that enhances the principles of employee empowerment. According to NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Architzel the dedication and success of the NAVAIR workforce and its colleagues, like the Wyle team, impacts the lives and missions of those in the armed forces. “Our Sailors and Marines rely on our technical, business, and leadership excellence to sustain and deliver the products they need to achieve mission success,” said Architzel. “Always remember that.”
Several employees from Wyle’s Aerospace Group have received the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Commander’s Innovation Award as members of the Navy’s Cargo Resupply Unmanned Aerial System (CRUAS) Team. The award acknowledges team and individual efforts directly related to NAWCAD mission and goals. The employees include Ajay Sehgal, Rocky Rauch, Marty Deppe, Mike Sweeney and Christine Milliken.

The CRUAS Team received the award in the acquisition support category for developing a fast-track contracting and technical strategy, enabling the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and U.S. Marine Corps leadership to deploy the first Unmanned Vertical Lift Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). “Our Wyle team was a resource to the Navy by helping implement efficient acquisition, management and engineering processes that were required because of the fast pace of the Cargo UAS Program,” said Rauch, Wyle’s program manager for Vertical Take Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Wyle will be a Platinum Sponsor at the upcoming annual Tom Brantley Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, May 21, which will kick off the 2012 Montgomery IT Summit. The golf event will be held at the Wynlakes Country Club with the conference being held at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel & Spa, Montgomery, AL. This year’s theme is "Fostering Joint IT: AF’s IT Endgame is the Exploitation of DISA". Hosted by the Montgomery AFCEA Chapter, this event allows attendees to engage with speakers, panel members, and other Government and Industry leaders in understanding how the Government can work with their contractor partners to deliver collaborative IT solutions and make them operational in a timely and effective manner for the Warrior. Wyle attendees will include Lee Terrell, Don Carmichael and Derrick Percival. More details are available at: http://montgomery.afceachapter.org/index.htm

Wyle will be exhibiting at the ATCA/FAA/NASA Technical Symposium held May 22 to 24 at the Resorts Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In collaboration with the FAA and NASA, ATCA will host its premier technical conference focusing on the latest ideas, research, products and services in the air traffic control arena. In booth No. 200, Wyle will demonstrate the IC4D (Interactive Calibration in 4 Dimensions), a tool for aviation weather forecasters. Wyle representatives will include Holly Uhlenhake, Darren White, Marty Holtz and Ty Bachus. More details on the event are available at: www.atca.org/techsymposium
As a result of personally experiencing several devastating national disasters including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the tornadoes of April 27, 2011, one Wyle CAS employee decided to change the way people react to disasters. Dennis Stapp, CAS Senior Analyst supporting MEADS Systems Engineering and Analysis, founded the Madison Institute Association in Madison, Ala. This organization prepares individuals and the community to stay safe during disruptive events and works with state and local politicians to provide for safe and good government.

The Madison Institute Association helped found the Madison County Chaplin’s Corps that serves the Madison County Sheriff’s office. In addition, they conducted many presentations for the community that addressed what to do if you get caught in a burning building, get mugged in a parking lot, or if your community has a hazardous material spill, like a train derailment. Last year, eight days after completing one series of training sessions on what to do when the lights went out and keeping safe in, and after a tornado outbreak, North Alabama was hit with the record April 2011 tornadoes that devastated Madison County and many other North Alabama communities and turned out the lights for a week. “When something like that happens and you are able to help someone in distress it makes all the effort worthwhile,” said Stapp.

Wyle will again be well represented at the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) 83rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia to be held May 13 to 17. Wyle will represented with posters, booths and multiple award and event sponsorships, including the Joe Kerwin, Ellingson, Tuttle, Bauer Lecture Awards, and the Associate Fellows Breakfast. AsMA 2012 is the forum for the latest information on travel medicine, health, and human performance in aerospace environments. For more information, please go to: http://www.asma.org/meeting/index.php
Northrop Recognizes Wyle CAS Employee as “Go to Expert” Each month, Northrop Grumman recognizes contractors supporting the JNIC Research and Development Contract Missile Defense Agency (MDA) contract they feel exemplify the commitment and professionalism their leadership places on support for the customer.

Recently, Mikki Dalbec who serves as an information assurance officer, was the recipient of this recognition. Dalbec is the “Go To Expert” for Wargames Ballistic Missile Defense Integration information assurance needs. His technical expertise, motivation, collaborative attitude and ability to multitask effectively have enabled him to address both Warfighter Event and Mission Enclave Integrity actions successfully. Dalbec collaborated with stakeholders to work Wargame and Exercise Support Center/Wargames, Exercises and Training Local Area Network Plan of Action and Milestones actions to secure a three-year Authority To Operate for the WETLAN. Dalbec established extensive credibility with information assurance stakeholders in JRDC and Missile Defense Agency /ICVA in this undertaking.

Dalbec’s initiative in developing the accreditation package for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center Senior Leadership Seminar, reviewing the Interim Approval to Test and its associated risk instruction and then leveraging an existing package, was the enabler for mission success in this US Central Command/Gulf Coast Coalition event, the success of which was lauded by Missile Defense Agency /DI.

Wyle CAS Employees Phil Britcher and Todd Piret were recognized by Will Eledui, program director of the Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Office, for their outstanding job supporting Program Director CRAM with the Network Integration Exercise (NIE) at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Eledui indicated that Britcher and Piret were constant and dedicated representatives from the TCM ADA Brigade during the NIE process. Eledui additionally recognized Britcher for his outstanding support in the RAM Warn effort over a two year period with not only supporting NIE 11.2 and 12.1 but also Load Plan exercises for the Target Acquisition Platoon.
On May 18 to 19, Wyle CAS Employees will participate as one of more than 130 teams from across North Alabama relaying to celebrate more birthdays during the 2012 American Cancer Society Relay for Life Effort. The community-wide 2012 Relay for Life event is being led by Loren Traylor, Test and Engineering East Business Development Manager. The Wyle Team is led by Toni Duncan, Test and Engineering East RIAC Support Specialist. This year’s event is expected to raise more than $400,000.

The money raised will support: assistance for patients traveling to and from treatment; cosmetic make-overs for women undergoing treatment for cancer; prostate cancer support groups; a program for cancer patients, family and friends conducted by trained healthcare professionals that provides information on cancer treatment, side effects, psychosocial aspects, financial aspects, pain and nutrition; free wigs to women undergoing cancer treatment; a college Scholarship Program for young cancer survivors who wish to further their education after high school; 24-hour assistance to direct patients, their families, the public to cancer information, resources, programs, experimental programs; and so much more.
Relay for Life-WYLE is making a difference by teaming up to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life-of Greater Bay Area in Houston, Texas. On May 18 to 19, the Wyle Houston’s team of 12 will join thousands of Relay for Life participants camping out overnight and taking turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness. Gabrielle Cockrell, Kenneth Cockrell, Becky Agen, Brooke Loofboro, Bob and Donna Patlach, Karen Adkins, Pamela Baskin, Kathryn Keeton, Mary McFather, Sara Perry, Kim Seaton, and Beth Turner are Wyle participants. For more information on how to help the team reach its $1,000 goal, please visit Wyle ACS Relay for Life.
Wyle Community Service Committee members and Wyle Leadership Association members are partnering with the Bay Area Habitat for Humanity to complete a home building project for families residing in Dickinson, Texas. On Saturday, May 12, volunteers will install rafters and framing, will paint and caulk on a couple of neighborhood streets in an underserved neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and has provided housing to more than 1.5 million people across the world.
Wyle Talks Big Data on Capitol Hill
Bill Perlowitz, Chief Technology Officer for Wyle’s Science, Technology and Engineering Group was recently involved in a discussion on Capitol Hill to help educate Congressional Staff on the emergence of Big Data. The panel discussed the definitions, the innovations, and benefits of the manipulation of large data sets. Some of Perlowitz’s comments were then quoted by NextGov.com: http://www.nextgov.com/big-data/2012/05/big-data-could-remake-science-and-government/55549/.

Video of the panel discussion can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-auladuasd4.
Wyle Helps Lead Big Data Commission
Data in the world is doubling every 18 months, and the Federal government is curious how this new technology will transform the nation. Wyle joins TechAmerica, the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry worldwide, in the creation of a new Big Data Commission, to answer those very questions. How will we define Big Data, how will it define us? How will it affect Federal agencies while still protecting the privacy of our citizens?

The Commission will be chaired by senior executives from IBM and SAP with vice chairs from Amazon and Wyle’s own Bill Perlowitz, CTO of the Science, Technology and Engineering Group. The Commission will assemble 25-30 industry leaders and a government advisory board with the objective to provide guidance to Federal senior policy and decision makers on how Big Data can improve the efficiency and efficacy of the Federal Government. TechAmerica has additional information at http://www.techamericafoundation.org/big-data-commission.
Wyle hosts TechAmerica “Big Data” meeting
On May 22, from 9 to 10:30am, Wyle will host a Public Sector Big Data Task Group Meeting at their Science, Technology and Engineering Group’s McLean Headquarters. The industry speaker for the meeting will be Bob Gourley, former Chief Technology Officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The task group will further refine their mission and major focus areas as well as their approach to workforce development, open source considerations, and the best method to liaison with universities and other organizations. Wyle is proud to host the meeting as part of their continuing initiative to help further understanding and herald Big Data initiatives in the Federal market. TechAmerica has posted information at http://www.techamerica.org/Events/eventDetail.cfm?eventid=a0E4000000SsdW1EAJ