Recent News

February 9, 2012

ITEA WANTS YOU! Call for Volunteers
Volunteers are at the heart of our association, and our strength is a result of the time and effort provided by those who volunteer to serve.

ITEA offers many opportunities at the local, regional, and international levels for its member to contribute their time, talents and energy by giving back to the test and evaluation industry, helping us advance the profession, and supporting the association. If you want to become part of the ITEA volunteer team, now is the time to let us know.

There are many volunteer opportunities to volunteer at either your ITEA Chapter or to serve on an ITEA Board Committee, such as: Awards Committee; Chapter and Individual membership Development Committee; Corporate Membership Development Committee; Communications Committee; Education Committee; Elections Committee; Event Committee; History Committee; Publications Committee; Rules and Bylaws Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; Technology Committee; and the Ways and Means Committee. If you have experience, passion and a willingness to share, please consider participating as a volunteer on one of these committees. One of our goals is to have volunteer groups that represent the diversity of backgrounds, experience and demographics of the test and evaluation community.

If you have a desire to contribute to ITEA’s ongoing development and management of the Association’s governance, services, and guidance for the profession, you are encouraged to learn more about our volunteer opportunities. Please contact James Gaidry, ITEA Executive Director, by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or at 703-631-6220, x204, for more information.

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January 23, 2012

ITEA DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION FOR “TESTERS”
Elevating the Test and Evaluation Profession with a Globally Recognized Credential

ITEA will be working with subject matter experts in the test and evaluation industry to develop a Competency-Based Professional Certification Credential, which would be accredited under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, to establish a global professional standard that provides the test professional with a recognized designation demonstrating that they have attained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to ensure their success in the T&E career field. Availability of the credential is currently scheduled for mid-2013.

Please note that a “professional certification credential” is quite different from the “certificate” programs that are currently available to test professionals. “Certificate” programs award a certificate of completion or achievement to individuals after they successfully complete a course of study or meet some minimum requirements.

In contrast, a professional certification credential is:

• A time-limited recognition and use of the credential’s designation in conjunction with their name (e.g. CSE, CPA, or CPM) by an individual after an assessment and verification that they have met predetermined and standardized criteria;
• Confers occupational identity and provides a method for maintaining quality standards of knowledge and performance, and stimulating continued self-improvement; and,
• Provides differentiation among test professionals, using standards developed through a consensus driven process and based on existing legal and psychometric requirements.

This professional certification credential also differs from “certificate” programs in that the individual is required to:

• Adhere to a Test Professional’s Code of Ethics;
• Maintain their currency, proficiency, and competency in their field through full-time active employment and completion of continuing education; and,
• Submit for recertification every five (5) years in order to maintain their professional certification credential.

Visit the ITEA Web site for news and updates as this effort continues throughout the year.

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January 1, 2012

ITEA LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE WITH “SELF-SERVICE” FOR MEMBERS
ITEA has partnered with Brand Design (www.branddesign.com) and Avectra NetForum (www.avectra.com) to launch a new and improved Web site for our members and others in the test and evaluation profession.

Significant enhancements to the Web site include:

• Listing of all current ITEA Corporate Members on the Home Page.
• Searchable ITEA Membership Directory.
• Searchable ITEA Corporate Member Directory.
• Access to the current issue of The ITEA Journal, The ITEA Journal archives, and ITEA Tech Notes archives.
• Access to online resources such as conference proceedings, recorded webinars, and other presentations.
• Online Store with easy registration for an event or renewing your ITEA membership.
• Access to your contact information for real-time updating.
• Access to your historical event registrations and other transactions.
• Access to Committee information for volunteers serving on one of ITEA’s Committees.
• Access for Chapter Presidents to resources and other helpful documentation.
• Listing of all ITEA Chapters, Committees, and Board members with contact information.

Coming soon the ITEA Web site will be expanded to provide individual Chapter Web pages for quick access to local events and news. Let us know what you think!

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September 15, 2011

ITEA 2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ANNOUNCED
Newly elected President Dr. Mark D. Brown of SRC welcomes five new Board members

Five new Board members were introduced at the International Test and Evaluation Association’s (ITEA) Board of Directors annual meeting, which was held during the 2011 Annual Symposium hosted by the Doubletree Hotel and Resort at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. New members elected to three year terms were Mr. Peter Christensen of MITRE, Mr. Charlie Garcia of TRAX International, Mr. Gene Hudgins of BAE Systems Technical Services, and Mr. Tim Chalfant of the 412th TENG/ENI at Edwards AFB, California. New members appointed to one year terms were Mr. Peter Nikoloff of NOVA Systems in South Australia and Mr. Randy Surch of The Boeing Company.

During the meeting the Board of Directors also elected as its 2012 officers Dr. Mark D. Brown of SRC as President, Mr. Charles “Chas” McKee of Alion Science and Technology Corporation as Vice President, Mr. Gene Hudgins of BAE Systems Technical Services as Secretary, and Mr. Michael T. McFalls of Avion Solutions as Treasurer.

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September 14, 2011

ITEA 2011 CHAPTER AWARDS
Rocket City Chapter (Huntsville, Alabama), Ms. Leigh Christian, President, President, is honored as the 2011 Chapter of the Year Award

ITEA CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Rocket City Chapter- Huntsville, Alabama
Ms. Leigh Christian, President

The Board of Directors recognizes the Rocket City Chapter of ITEA as the Chapter of the Year for 2011. Chapter officers President Leigh Christian, Vice President of Membership Janice Isbell, Vice President of Programs Timothy Cotter, Secretary Dr. Stephen Jones, and Treasurer Gloria Power lead a very active and vibrant Chapter that provides outstanding opportunities for test and evaluation professionals to learn from others and share their own experiences. Through Chapter meetings and events the Rocket City Chapter facilitates the peer networking that test professionals require to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities, and advance themselves and their profession. Along with the recognition, the Rocket City Chapter will receive $500 for their Scholarship Fund. The ITEA Scholarship Program is designed to foster interest and education in technical fields that may benefit the test and evaluation profession. The program furthers the goals of ITEA by providing financial aid to qualified students. Congratulations to the Rocket City Chapter for their superior achievements!

The Chapter of Excellence Award is presented to Chapters that are vibrant and contributing effectively to ITEA's mission and goals to help ITEA in furthering the professional and technical interests of the Test and Evaluation community. These Chapters met stringent guidelines intended to measure their level of effectiveness and are recognized at this time for their excellence. Congratulations to the leadership and membership of these Chapters. Recognized as 2011 Chapters of Excellence were:

Antelope Valley Chapter (Edwards AFB, California), Mr. Michael Berard, President
Emerald Coast Chapter (Eglin, Florida), Mr. Robert Guidry, President
George Washington Chapter (Washington DC area), Mr. Michael Wetzl, President
Greater San Diego Chapter (San Diego, California), Mr. Daniel Phelan, President
Rocket City Chapter (Huntsville, Alabama), Ms. Leigh Christian, President

 

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September 14, 2011

 

INTERNATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION ASSOCIATION'S 2011 AWARD RECIPIENTS RECOGNIZED 
Special awards luncheon honors individuals, groups, and ITEA Chapters that have made significant contributions to advancing the test and evaluation (T&E) profession.

 

The International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) annually presents six (6) Professional T&E Awards to individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to advancing the test and evaluation profession. In addition, ITEA also presents the Board of Directors' Award, the President's Award, Energizer Award, the Chapter of Excellence Awards, and the Chapter of the Year Award to recognize individuals and Chapters for their significant contributions to the Association.

At this year's awards luncheon, Ms. Stephanie Clewer, ITEA Board President, Mr. Al Sciarretta, ITEA Awards Committee Chair, and Mr. Keith Sutton, ITEA Chapter and Individual Membership Committee Chair, led a special ceremony recognizing the recipients of 2011 ITEA Award during last week's 2011 Annual Symposium, which was held at the Doubletree Hotel at Universal Studios, in Orlando, Florida.

Please join ITEA and others involved in the test and evaluation industry in congratulating the following 2011 award recipients. Also, note that nominations for the 2012 Professional T&E Awards are due by June 1, 2012, for the period of performance from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. Award recipients will be honored during ITEA's 2012 Annual Symposium, which will be held September 17 - 20, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Resort in Huntington Beach, California. Please visit the ITEA Web site at www.itea.org for additional information and nomination forms.

ALLEN R. MATTHEWS AWARD
John B. Foulkes, Ph.D.
The Allen R. Matthews Award was established in honor of ITEA's founder. The award is presented to an individual for a lasting, significant contribution to the field of T&E, such as the cumulative effect of a distinguished career. It is the highest award bestowed by ITEA. Over a 30 year distinguished professional career, Dr. John B. Foulkes has made outstanding and lasting contributions to the Test and Evaluation (T&E) community. He has been directly involved in all facets of T&E ranging from hands-on analytical support thru T&E policy and budget development, and has provided oversight of major defense systems and matters pertaining to the strategic planning and assessment of the nation's critical test range infrastructure. His enormous impact on the T&E community goes beyond government defense, and into academia and the technical association sector. He has, throughout his career, taught the next generation the nuances of T&E and has served as an avid and persistent leader within ITEA. Dr. Foulkes has provided exemplary service to the Department of Defense in support of the T&E mission. He provided executive leadership at the command level within the Office of the Secretary of Defense and previously for the Department of the Army. In support of the Army, his accomplishments include the consolidation of testing organizations that resulted in instituting better business practices together with preserving critical personnel. Dr. Foulkes' contributions while leading the TRMC are the highlight of a career focused on T&E, and his dedication reflects in the enormous body of work accomplished under his direction. His management of the Joint Investment Programs and Policy Division is setting standards for how T&E will be supported in the future. In addition, he was responsible for ensuring the DoD Test Infrastructure is available and ready to support acquisition programs, ensuring Department-wide test infrastructure planning and investment is in place to support future acquisition needs, and proactively federating DoD test infrastructure requirements across Government and Industry boundaries. The ITEA organization and its members salute Dr. Foulkes' career and contributions by presenting him with this award.

ITEA BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S AWARD
Mr. Mark E. Smith
The Board of Directors Award, established in 1997, is presented to an individual who has contributed to the growth, development, goals, and mission of the Association. The ITEA Board of Directors Award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the growth, development, goals, and mission of the Association. For over 16 years, Mark has served ITEA in a selfless manner in various capacities at both the local and international levels. He is a past Vice President of the Roadrunner Chapter, served panel chair, guest speaker, and tutorial instructor at a variety of workshops, and as Technical Chair for the 2002 and 2005 Annual Symposiums. Mark was elected to the ITEA Board of Directors in 2006, serving two consecutive terms from 2006-2012. He distinguished himself by serving as the Chairman of the Chapter and Individual Membership Development Committee from 2006-2010. Mark revitalized the committee by spearheading a number of initiatives to achieve ITEA's strategic goals and to improve vertical and horizontal communications throughout the Association to include: establishing quarterly Chapter President teleconferences and chapter leadership and international participant meetings at annual symposiums; developing and implementing metrics and guidelines to gage chapter vibrancy and revamped the annual chapter recognition program accordingly; and played an instrumental role in developing a Chapter President's Handbook. On top of these numerous accomplishments, Mark also readily volunteered for a remarkable number of "other duties as assigned" while burdened with a heavy workload, both professionally and personally. He recently led a vital Revenue Action Team and played a very active role in the development of the current ITEA Strategic Plan. Since joining the Association, Mark has consistently embraced involvement at every level and, through his many efforts, contributed greatly to the stability and future of ITEA. To say that Mark is a model volunteer and ITEA member would be an understatement. His professionalism and integrity serves as a model that many of us strive for. For that, it is with great pleasure and sincere humbleness that the 2011 ITEA Board of Directors Award is presented to Mr. Mark Smith.


ITEA PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Mr. Randon R. Herrin
The President's Award was established in 1996 to give the president of ITEA the prerogative of acknowledging individuals whom he or she deems worthy of recognition. The President's Award is reserved for an individual who selflessly steps up to assist the president in the execution of the organization's goals and missions. Improving the quality and relevance of our educational offerings is a key goal in the ITEA Strategic Plan, and ensuring the relevancy of ITEA's educational offerings was President Clewer's primary focus. The Association was extremely lucky to have Randy as the Education Chair to "carry the flag", so to speak, with incredible passion. In spite of significant demands on his time, both professionally and personally, he selflessly achieved more this year than was even hoped. During this time, Randy proactively revamped the Education Committee, facilitated a member survey, and began forging partnerships within the test and evaluation and academic communities that I am certain will enable the Association to meet and exceed the Strategic Plan goals for education. ITEA's success relies heavily on the sheer hard work and determination of our volunteers and Randy definitely went above and beyond. It is with great pleasure that Randy is presented with the 2011 ITEA President's Award for laying the groundwork to ensure ITEA is postured to equip our T&E workforce with the skills and training required to face emerging challenges. Thank you, Randy, for a job well done!

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dragon Spear Combined Test Force, Eglin Air Force Base
The 2011 Special Achievement Award The Dragon Spear Combined Test Force, 780th Test Squadron, 46th Operations Group, 46thTest Wing, Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida distinguished itself in outstanding service to the United States from 1 August 2010 to 31 May 2011. In order to meet the urgent warfighter need for an enhanced precision strike capability, Special Operations Command made the Dragon Spear Test Program its number one acquisition initiative. A lean core team was formed to expedite parallel development of multiple aircraft systems. The delivery of 12 MC-130W aircraft fitted with multiple precision strike munitions options, enhanced Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and a 30 millimeter gun system provided close air support for troops in contact. These capabilities were delivered ahead of schedule while exceeding performance expectations. The spin-off capabilities provided to Department of Defense units have bolstered daily combat capability in direct support of both Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. A final surge of 34 missions in 61 days delivered a highly precise weapon system, allowing the high value target-kill chain to be cut from hours to minutes. The professionalism and devotion to duty of the test force members reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Special Achievement Award is presented to the Dragon Spear Combined Test Force Team.

RICHARD G. CROSS AWARD
Mr. J. James McCue, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School 
The Richard G. Cross Award is presented to Mr. J. James McCue in recognition of outstanding achievements in the development and administration of T&E education. This year, Mr. McCue provided over 200 hours of classroom instruction. He has spent the year updating his performance model. The model and associated computer program used for performance data reduction was created by Mr. McCue and has become a widely accepted model throughout the U.S military test community. His constant adaptation to modern challenges and the incorporation of the product of those efforts into the syllabus have a lasting effect on the quality of instruction and the students. In addition to supporting the Test Pilot School’s main curricula, Mr. McCue developed lectures and courses specifically targeted at certain issues to aid Navy and Marine Corps test program development. Mr. McCue’s work and instruction on high altitude helicopter performance issues and compensation strategies for operations of heavy helicopters in both extreme hot and cold environments had an immediate impact in preparing Navy and Marine Corps aircrews deploying to Afghanistan for their demanding assignment. Mr. McCue’s tireless devotion to development and administration of T&E education reflects great credit upon himself, the US Naval Test Pilot School, and the US Navy. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Richard G. Cross Award is presented to Mr. J. James McCue.

PUBLICATIONS AWARD
Dr. Roy Campbell, Mr. Tim Owen, and Mr. Rob Scott, DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program
The Publications Award is presented to Dr. Roy Campbell, Mr. Tim Owen and Mr. Rob Scott for their outstanding contribution to the written body of knowledge and understanding in Test and Evaluation as the co-authors of, “Joint Sensor: Security Test and Evaluation Embedded in a Production Network Sensor Cloud” published in the December 2010 issue of The ITEA Journal. In this article, the authors explain the limitations with traditional approaches to network security. The article reveals innovation and insight in merging research and development with production networks to realize more timely technology insertion while ensuring greater cyber security. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Publications Award is presented to Dr. Roy Campbell in recognition of his significant contribution to test and evaluation literature.

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Urgent Operational Needs Weapons Analysis Facility Study Team, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division – Newport 
It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Technical Achievement Award is presented to the Urgent Operational Needs (UON) Weapons Analysis Facility (WAF) Study Team of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport for its diligently executed response to an Anti-Submarine Warfare UON statement from Commander, Fifth Fleet. Team members conducted a modeling and simulation (M&S) study to assess heavyweight and lightweight torpedo performance in an emerging threat scenario of high interest to the Submarine Fleet utilizing Division Newport’s high-fidelity, hardware-in-the-loop Weapons Analysis Facility (WAF). Evaluating both current Fleet and newer, developmental torpedo variants side-by-side under exactly the same conditions, the team gathered meaningful weapon effectiveness comparison data and identified areas where future torpedo changes could improve performance. This highly dedicated, innovative, and extremely responsive team pursued answers to an urgent Fleet need in a high-tempo, short-deadline situation. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Special Achievement Award be presented to the UON WAF Study Team.

JUNIOR ACHIEVER AWARD
Captain Travis Bryce, AWACS Joint Test Force 
Captain Bryce distinguished himself through outstanding service as the Deputy Chief for flight test at the E-3 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) Joint Test Force, Aerial Air Surveillance Division, Electronic Systems Center, Seattle, Washington from 1 January – 31 December 2010. Captain Bryce skillfully and tirelessly supported seven AWACS test programs; accumulating 15 test sorties and 97.1 flight hours, and becoming a designated instructor Test Director. These programs include Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operation and Navigation, Transitional Network Capability (TNC), Advanced Modern Electronic Warfare, Next Generation Identification Friend or Foe, AWACS Block 40/45 mission system upgrade, E-3 AWACS, Rivet Joint net centric demo, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force E-767 AWACS. Capt Bryce’s superb skill allowed the delivery of TNC two months early and $300K under cost, and seamless transition of the Japanese E-767 AWACS to flight test. The test data that Capt Bryce collected provided top DoD officials to make acquisition decisions on programs totaling over $680M and allowed AWACS operators to develop tactics to defeat advanced electronic attack. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Bryce reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Junior Achiever Award is presented to Captain Travis Bryce.

ENERGIZER AWARD
Ms. Leigh Christian, Amtec Corporation 
The Energizer Award is presented to Ms. Leigh Christian for her tireless efforts both at a local and national level in both ITEA and in the Test and Evaluation community. She has served as the ITEA President for the Huntsville Rocket City Chapter (RCC) since 2009, and immediately upon joining ITEA in 2005 she was instated as the Vice President of Programs. During her involvement with ITEA RCC, attendance at meetings increased threefold; she nominated two members of the Huntsville chapter to serve as officers on the National ITEA Board; she coordinates ITEA meetings jointly with other local groups’ meetings, such as Rocket City LabVIEW User’s Group, Women in Defense, and others; exposing many others in the T&E community to ITEA. A member of the ITEA Chapter of Excellence award and the only non-LabVIEW user to be awarded LabVIEW Champion, representing ITEA at the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies as secretary, and assisting with ITEA tutorials at Test Week, the impact Mrs. Christian has is clear on the Huntsville T&E community. Her dedication to each of her responsibilities does not waver, weaving together seamlessly a professional and positive, upbeat attitude. Under her leadership, the ITEA Rocket City Chapter has established a local education committee and is working closely with Redstone Test Center team and Defense Acquisition University to formulate a path for T&E courses in conjunction with ITEA. It is with great pleasure that the 2011 ITEA Energizer Award is presented to Ms. Leigh Christian.

 

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August 30, 2011

 

ITEA 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED 

Board welcomes newly elected Directors Mr. Tim Chalfant, Mr. Pete Christensen, Mr. Charlie Garcia, and Mr. Gene Hudgins.

 

The ITEA Elections Committee, chaired by Mr. Gary Bridgewater, announced on Monday the results of the recently completed 2011 Board of Directors election. Returning to the Board for a three-year term is Mr. Gene Hudgins, Engineering Manager with BAE Systems of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and a member of the ITEA Emerald Coast Chapter. Joining the Board for three-year terms are: Mr. Tim Chalfant, Division Chief, Instrumentation Division for the 412th TENG / ENI at Edwards AFB, California, and a member of the ITEA Antelope Valley Chapter; Mr. Pete Christensen, Department Head of the Naval Sea Systems Department for The MITRE Corporation in McLean, Virginia, and a member of the ITEA George Washington Chapter; and, Mr. Charlie Garcia, Vice President of Range and Engineering Services for TRAX International in El Paso, Texas, and a member of the ITEA White Sands Chapter.

The ITEA Board of Directors, the membership, and the ITEA Executive Office staff wishes to thank the following outgoing Directors for their dedication, service, and especially the time that they gave to the association while volunteering to serve on the Board: Mr. Bert Johnston, Vice President and General Manager of Systems Engineering for Wyle in Lexington Park, Maryland, and a member of the ITEA George Washington Chapter; Mr. John Smith, of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) in Norfolk, Virginia, and a member of the ITEA Tidewater Chapter; and, Mr. John Wiley, Manager of Technical Strategies & Integration for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a member of the ITEA Southern New Jersey Chapter.

 

The newly elected Board members will be introduced at the 2011 Annual Symposium which will be held September 12 - 15 at the Doubletree Hotel at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. For more information please visit us at www.itea.org.

 

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September 16, 2010

 

ITEA 2010 ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The following individuals were recognized during the 2010 ITEA Annual Symposium.

 

BEST PAPER: Performance Assessments of Two-Way, Free Form, Speech-to-Speech Translation Systems for Tactical Use - Mr. Brian A Weiss and Mr. Craig I. Schlenoff.
BEST PRESENTATION: Integrated Mission Based Testing - MAJ Garth Winterle, JITC
BEST PRESENTATION 2nd PLACE: Challenges to Effective Cyber T&E - Mr. Jon Callahan, General Dynamics C4 Systems
BEST PRESENTATION 3rd PLACE: The Multi-Relationship Evaluation Design Framework: Producing Evaluation Blueprints to Test Emerging, Advanced, and Intelligent Technologies - Brian A. Weiss, NIST, and Dr. Linda C. Schmidt, University of Maryland
BEST POSTER PRESENTATION: Development of a Test, Evaluation and Analysis (TE&A) Methodology for the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office - Mr. Scott W. Tousley, DHS, and Dr. Marshall Millett, ManTech SRS
BEST TUTORIAL: Fundamental Statistical Concepts and Methods needed in a Test and Evaluator’s Toolkit - Mr. Mark Kiemele, Ph.D.

 

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September 16, 2010

 

ITEA 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ANNOUNCED
Newly elected President Stephanie Clewer of CSC welcomes seven new Board members

 

Seven new Board members were introduced at the International Test and Evaluation Association’s (ITEA) Board of Directors annual meeting, which was held during the 2010 Annual Symposium hosted by the Renaissance Glendale Hotel in Glendale, Arizona. New members elected to three year terms were Mr. Michael T. McFalls of Trideum Corporation and Dr. Charles “Chas” McKee of Alion Science and Technology. New members appointed to one year terms were Mr. Stewart “Stu” Burley of Strategic Theories Unlimited, Mr. William “Bill” T. Keegan of SAIC, Mr. Ted McFarland of Booz Allen Hamilton, and Mr. Keith Sutton of Syzygy Technologies, Inc. Also joining the Board is Mr. Gene Hudgins of BAE Systems Technical Services who was appointed to complete the remaining year on the term of a vacant Board position.

 

Re-elected to the Board for three year terms were Ms. Stephanie Clewer of CSC and Mr George R. Ryan of DHS. Other Board members include Dr. Mark D. Brown of Scientific Research Corporation, Dr. Steven Hutchison of Defense Information Systems Agency, Rear Admiral Charles “Bert” Johnston (Ret.) of Wyle, Mr. John Smith of COMOPTEVFOR, Mr. Mark E. Smith of Mark Smith Associates, and Mr. John L. Wiley of the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

During the meeting the Board of Directors also elected as its 2011 officers Ms. Stephanie Clewer as President, Dr. Mark D. Brown as Vice President, Dr. Charles “Chas” McKee as Secretary, and Mr. Michael T. McFalls as Treasurer.

 

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September 14, 2010

 

ITEA 2010 CHAPTER AWARDS PRESENTED
Antelope Valley Chapter (Edwards AFB, California), Mr. Tim Chalfant, President, is honored as the 2010 Chapter of the Year Award

 

Also recognized as 2010 Chapters of Excellence were:

Antelope Valley Chapter (Edwards AFB, California), Mr. Tim Chalfant, President
Emerald Coast Chapter (Eglin, Florida), Mr. Rob Crist, President
Francis Scott Key Chapter (Aberdeen, Maryland), Mr. John Schab, President
George Washington Chapter (Washington DC area), Mr. Charles McKee, President
Greater San Diego Chapter (San Diego, California), Mr. Jack Sears, President
Rocket City Chapter (Huntsville, Alabama), Ms. Leigh Christian, President

 

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September 14, 2010

 

ITEA 2010 TEST AND EVALUATION PROFESISONAL AWARDS PRESENTED

Dr. James J. Streilein is honored with the 2010 Allen R. Matthews Award

The Allen R. Matthews Award was established in honor of ITEA’s founder. The award is presented to an individual for a lasting, significant contribution to the field of T&E, such as the cumulative effect of a distinguished career. It is the highest award bestowed by ITEA. Dr. James J. Streilein is cited for a distinguished career in test and evaluation during which he made significant and lasting advances in the quality and efficiency of test procedures and analysis. Over a period of 40 years he formulated, practiced, led, and mentored in virtually every critical improvement in Army test and evaluation of weaponry and other materiel systems. As one of the most respected members of the reliability, availability, and maintainability community, he has been pivotal in improving state-of-the-art test engineering. As an innovator and leader in Army analysis, he has been a key driver in the introduction and refinement of many of the analytic processes underlying evaluation. As a director of increasingly higher level analysis, test, and evaluation organizations up to and including the Army Test and Evaluation Command, he has been and continues to be the mentor and inspiration for the thousands of practicing professionals in Army test and evaluation. Dr. Streilein is a recognized expert and advisor to other military services, the Department of Defense, and the entire international test and evaluation community. It is with great admiration that the 2010 ITEA Allen R. Matthews Award is presented to Dr. James J. Streilein.

Dr. J. Michael Barton is honored with the 2010 Board of Directors Award
The Board of Directors Award, established in 1997, is presented to an individual who has contributed to the growth, development, goals, and mission of the Association. It is with great pride that ITEA recognizes Dr. J. Michael Barton for his years of service as Chair of the ITEA Publications Committee. Among his many contributions to the committee and the ITEA community at large, Dr. Barton: Restructured the Committee and actively revamped the volunteer composition to include diversity representation; Focused major effort on expanding content to non-traditional T&E topics outside of our typical membership perimeters; Spearheaded the decision to outsource the publication of The ITEA Journal and its managing editing, thus providing the Association with significant annual expense savings; Was instrumental in developing an improved look for The ITEA Journal; and, established the concept of recognizing contributing cover art work for the Journal by sending contributing partners a framed copy of the issue featuring the cover art. Dr. Barton works tirelessly to improve the Journal, with little fanfare and need for recognition, has never missed the scheduling of the quarter publications meetings, and is an amazing taskmaster at pulling together dozens of contributing authors for each issue and reviewing their contributions, while always working on the next issue. Dr. Barton’s work ethic and volunteer efforts are exemplary and the ITEA Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge his dedication to this Association.

Mr. Michael Schall is honored with the 2010 President's Award
The President's Award was established in 1996 to give the president of ITEA the prerogative of acknowledging individuals whom he or she deems worthy of recognition. It is with great pride that ITEA recognizes Mr. Michael Schall for his over twenty years of outstanding service as a member of the Association. Currently serving as the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and as a member of the Revenue Action team, Michael previously served as Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee and the Corporate Development Committee. As President of Quadelta, Inc., a veteran owned, small business ITEA Corporate Member, he has ensured that Quadelta has been a strong corporate supporter of ITEA. Mike continues to dedicate his valuable time and efforts to ensure that ITEA maintains its position as the premier Association for the Test and Evaluation community.

Mrs. Cathy Pritts is honored with the 2010 Energizer Award
The Energizer Award recognizes the “behind the scenes” volunteer contributions that have supported the Test and Evaluation community and/or member organizations. The Energizer Award is presented to Mrs. Cathy Pritts for exemplary performance and outstanding achievement during the period May 2000 through August 2010, while serving as a member of the Francis Scott Key (FSK) Chapter of the International Test and Evaluation Association. Mrs. Pritts embodies the tenets of the “Energizer Award” through her vigorous support to local and National level ITEA events; to improving information exchange and networking opportunities by teaming with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA); to emphasizing careers in Test and Evaluation not only through the scholarship program but through assistance with internships; to the acquisition of senior level speakers of FSK Chapter luncheons. If there is something the Chapter needs Mrs. Pritts is there to support. Mrs. Pritts’ cooperation, dedication, and professionalism reflect greatly upon herself, the Francis Scott Key Chapter, and the International Test and Evaluation Association.

Mr. Rick Dove is honored with the 2010 Publication Award
The Publication Award recognizes outstanding contributions to test and evaluation literature. ITEA presents this award to honor individuals whose published books and technical papers have improved and increased the general body of knowledge relevant to better understanding and development of test and evaluation technology. The literary works considered may be broad in scope or may address a single functional area that is included under the test and evaluation umbrella. The Publications Award is presented to Mr. Rick Dove for his outstanding contribution to the written body of knowledge and understanding in Test and Evaluation as the author of the two-part article, “Paths for Peer Behavior Monitoring Among Unmanned Autonomous Systems” and “Methods for Peer Behavior Monitoring Among Unmanned Autonomous Systems” published in the September 2009 and December 2009 issues of The ITEA Journal, respectively. In this article the author explains peer behavior in autonomous and self-organizing systems. The article identifies technical issues, safety concerns and potential solutions for both testing and implementing these systems. It is with great pleasure that the 2010 ITEA Publications Award is presented to Mr. Rick Dove in recognition of his significant contribution to test and evaluation literature.

Mr. Ralph E. Hughart is honored with the 2010 Cross Award
The Cross Award was established in honor of the late Major General Richard G. Cross, Jr., USAF (Ret), one of the most highly respected individuals in the field of test and evaluation in the 20th century. ITEA presents this award to recognize outstanding achievements in the development or administration of test and evaluation education. The Richard G. Cross Award is presented to Mr. Ralph E. Hughart for significantly advancing the quality of Army test and evaluation education since 1986. He has directed every presentation of the Army’s Operational Test Command basic training courses for twenty-three years; he successfully developed course materials, coordinated instructors and distinguished guest speakers, arranged facilities, supervised the courses, and provided oversight to other instructors in an increasingly effective manner; and he partnered with other course directors in reorganizations to merge his course with parallel courses of other commands into the present-day US Army Test and Evaluation Command’s Test and Evaluation Basic Course for all military and civilian personnel entering Army T&E. He is a classroom instructor and is one of the prime developers of the computer based training component of the course. Throughout a distinguished career as a T&E educator, Mr. Hughart has been continuously commended by students, other instructors, supervisors, and senior oversight officials for developing, presenting, and improving Army T&E education. It is with great pleasure that the 2010 ITEA Richard G. Cross Award is presented to Mr. Ralph Hughart in recognition of his significant contribution to test and evaluation education.

Major Benjamin C. Both is honored with the 2010 Technical Achievement Award
The Technical Achievement Award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding achievement of applying Instrumentation, Information Technology, Modeling and Simulation, or the Time-Space-Positioning Information (TSPI) data collection and electro-optics (E-O) to cause a test and evaluation program to be better, faster, and less expensive. It is with great pleasure that the 2010 ITEA Technical Achievement Award is presented to Major Benjamin C. Both for his excellence as Bomber Test Operations Division Chief, B-2 Test Director, and B-2 Operational Test Pilot at Detachment 5, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC). Major Both validated $4.7 billion in combat system upgrades while operationally testing the B-1 Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL), B-2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP), B-2 Extremely High Frequency and Computer Upgrade Program (EHF), and B-52 Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT). As the B-2 RMP operational test director, Major Both highlighted capability shortfalls two years before low rate initial production, allowing the systems group to resolve every major system shortfall and to avoid a Nunn-McCurdy breach. He championed integrated developmental and operational testing (IDT/OT), collecting 41% of B-2 RMP operational test data during developmental testing to save four million dollars. Major Both’s IDT/OT experience helped reduce the total B-2 EHF test timeline by six months, saving an additional eight million dollars and driving a 25% reduction in dedicated operational testing for the B-52 CONECT and B-1 FIDL programs. Finally, Major Both led AFOTEC’s 2009 Modeling and Simulation Team of the year, driving development of seven bomber suitability modeling and simulation programs that reduced operational test flight hours by 25%. Major Both’s ability to balance detailed analysis with high-level test management directly impacted the United States Air Force’s global strike combat capability.

NUWC Division Newport Lightweight Torpedo Mk 54 Red Path Testing Team is honored with the 2010 Special Achievement Award
The Special Achievement Award recognizes a recent outstanding achievement in test and evaluation engineering, technology, or management such as the solution of a major problem, or a notable project success for which there is evidence that tangible benefits have accrued. The 2010 Special Achievement Award is presented to the NUWC Division Newport Lightweight Torpedo Mk 54 Red Path Testing Team for using innovative engineering and management processes during Lightweight Torpedo Mk 54 Fire Control Interface testing to discover and resolve safety anomalies. Utilizing aggressive techniques including Red Path Testing and SCRUM, the Team implemented continuous improvements in execution of tasks, increased efficiency, and finished testing ahead of schedule. During testing, the Team discovered three possible sets of conditions outside the specifications that could have catastrophic performance results. The team assimilated the data and provided quick, accurate, and responsive feedback to the sponsor, PMS 404. Since the identified risk levels would have been difficult to pass through the necessary independent safety organizations and still meet the deadline, the Team, with a significant amount of overtime, accommodated two unplanned re-work cycles and developed and implemented a solution that corrected the anomalies and passed testing, all ahead of schedule and within budget. Through innovative process improvements, outstanding dedication, and superlative effort, the Team has made significant contributions to the Fleet. It is with great pleasure that the 2010 ITEA Special Achievement Award is presented to the Lightweight Torpedo Mk 54 Red Path Testing Team.

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July 26, 2010

ITEA Welcomes James M. Gaidry, CAE, as New Executive Director
The ITEA Board of Directors is pleased to introduce our new Executive Director, Mr. James Gaidry to the T&E community. James brings with him an engineering, military, and technology industry background, combined with a solid track record in association management. He will make his debut appearance at the Annual Symposium in Glendale, Arizona the week of September 13. Please feel free to contact him directly at 703-631-6222 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

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ITEA Bylaw Change
In accordance with the bylaws, policies, and procedures of this Association, any amendments to the governing bylaws must meet with the desires of the Board of Directors and the general membership. On June 9, 2010, the Board approved the following amendment to Article VI, Board of Directors, Section 2. Membership and Composition. The bylaw as written will be adopted on July 7, 2010.

Number and Composition. The number of Directors of the Association shall be eleven. The Board should include a broad spectrum of the T&E community and include representatives from Government, Industry, and Academia. An ancillary goal is that the Board reflects the functional diversity of the T&E community to include members of the technical, management, policy, and analysis sectors. To ensure diversification, the Board of Directors may appoint up to four additional Board members for terms of one year, renewable no more than twice. ITEA Board of Directors must be members in good standing of ITEA.

 

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New ITEA Chapters
On March 24, 2010, the ITEA Board of Directors welcomed three newly established chapters to ITEA: The Southern Nevada Chapter, with Mr. Steve Moraca as President; The Charleston Chapter, with Mr. Phillipp Charles as President; and The Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) Chapter, with Mr. Robert Olson as President. Thank you to all of the new Chapter officers for your dedication to ITEA.

The leaders of the Southern Nevada Chapter are off to a great start as they announce their partnership with the Antelope Valley and China Lake Chapters in hosting the 2010 Test Instrumentation Workshop at the Tuscany Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 10 - 13.

The site of the 2010 Technology Review Conference will be at the Marriott in Charleston, South Carolina, July 19 – 22 where the leaders of the newly formed Charleston Chapter will be on hand to support the program as they introduce the local T&E community to their new chapter!

The leaders of the Valley of the Sun Chapter, located in the Phoenix Greater Metropolitan area, are in the process of building their team to support the ITEA Annual Symposium, being held September 13 – 16, 2010 at the Renaissance hotel in Glendale, Arizona. 

 

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