Sunday, January 26, 2014

Weekly News & Agenda for Tuesday, 1/28/14

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/28/14:

0700-0730: Introductions & Assistance.
Tell us what's happening in your world these days, especially any networking needs.  It's highly likely that someone in the group can help with business contacts, advice, referrals, job search assistance, or other networking needs. The grad network works!







0730-0800: Speaker - Lindy Blackburn (USMA '69)
Lindy will give an overview of the election process in Colorado, including some aspects that make it unique compared to other states.

2. UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

1/28/14: (this week):  Lindy Blackburn - see above.
2/4/14: TBD/Open.  If there's a speaker you'd like to schedule for this date or any future Tuesday, or if you'd like to lead a discussion yourself, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.
2/11/14:  TBD.  This date is also available if there's a speaker you'd like to invite.
2/18/14:  George Jenkins (USNA '74) will speak about an investment strategy called the Macro Asset Perspective (MAP).

3. GRAD SEEKING ASSISTANCE:

Dave Duff (USNA '90) lives in Louisville, CO and is seeking a new position.  If you can provide him referrals or other assistance, please contact him directly at duff.dave@gmail.com .

Dave writes as follows:

I was laid off by Leidos, Inc. on Monday, and am actively seeking new opportunities. I'm an accomplished IT Project Manager looking for a PM or IT Director role in a growing, privately-held business. My current resume is attached, and my sincere hope is that you would pass it along to appropriate contacts at tech firms in our area. I sincerely appreciate your help.

Here is Dave's resume:
     
Dave Duff


675 W. Sagebrush Drive, Louisville, CO 80027, United States, 858-335-4466, duff.dave@gmail.com

 

Oct 13 – Present: Project Manager, Leidos-  Responsible for delivery of a Global Transition Plan tracker showing progress on >10 IT Transition Service Agreements (TSA’s) between Leidos and SAIC.  Ascertain readiness for TSA elimination through effective communications with stakeholders.  Responsible for update of SSL certificates for all corporate Leidos web servers.  Responsible for ensuring accurate portrayal of data center assets planned for physical movement to new Leidos data hall. 

·    Delivered accurate progress tracking on >10 individual TSA’s by using frequent communication and SharePoint collaboration

·    Delivered >500 updated SSL certificates on Leidos web servers by personal communication with >25 System Administrators

 

Feb 09 – Sep 13: Project Manager, SAIC-  Responsible for delivery of enterprise IT projects (up to $10M) on time, on budget, and to quality standards.  Responsible for transition of Enterprise Computing infrastructure in support of a successful $11 billion company “spin-off” into two new publicly traded companies.  Manage project teams of >40 employees and contractors.  Develop and implement project plans across all life cycle phases.  Procure hardware, software, and third party professional services.  Report cost, schedule, and performance weekly, monthly, and quarterly to stakeholders.  Identify and mitigate project risks.  Ensure project and operations teams are trained.  Deliver project communications and organizational change management to cover user, customer, and provider equities.

·    Delivered a 24,000 user next generation token-based strong authentication capability by partnering with committed vendors

·    Delivered a 24,000 user Identity Management (IdM) solution by ensuring close collaboration between internal team and vendor

·    Delivered >23,000 domain migrated PC’s to support spin-off by careful selection of an effective vendor team and tools

·    Delivered >400 server physical and virtual “sandbox” environments to support spin-off transition using daily standup meetings

·    Delivered a 44,000-user enterprise search project on time and budget by mapping requirements to design components

·    Delivered a 3500-user virtual desktop service on time and budget by leveraging VMware and VCE products

·                                              

Nov 07 - Jan 09: Systems Engineer, SAIC-  Responsible for authoring technical requirements in the context of a 45,000 employee enterprise environment.  As a member of a team of engineers and enterprise architects, responsible for ensuring design components addressed both functional and non-functional requirements.  Responsible for creating concept of operation (CONOPs) documents for new business capabilities.  Responsible for drawing graphical depictions of high level design components. 

·    Delivered a $1.2 million project on schedule and budget to bring >25K Windows-based PC’s under central management

·    Improved the company’s endpoint risk exposure (# of malware incidents) by leading a two-week, 21-member Working Group  

·    Delivered a best practice presentation to +500 participants at a SoCal regional technology conference as a team member

 

Feb 05 - Oct 07: Deputy Project Manager, SAIC-  Responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining a DoD software program used by 22,000 military personnel.  Responsible for addressing an Urgent Need Statement from US Army and Marine Corps operational units with the mission of detecting, reporting, and responding to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attacks.  Supervised third-party code developers, testers, security professionals, and configuration leads to ensure delivery of bug-free code to target platforms, including Windows.  Established and maintained strong, sincere relationships with users, platform managers, and sponsors.  Controlled project budget in the context of a cost baseline and negotiated new funding. 

·    Ensured user adoption and ongoing feedback by revitalizing a relationship with a Germany-based user via 3 personal visits

·    Won a $70 million value re-compete for Technical Project Management work by leading a technical proposal team 

 

Nov 00 - Jan 05: Systems Analyst, SAIC-  Serve as a technical bridge between customer and service provider for a 303,000 seat, 550 site desktop services implementation.  Responsible for generating revenue as a contract team member providing technical integration services to customers.  Created technical documents to articulate and address requirements.    

·    Reduced the number of US Navy legacy applications from ~17,000 to < 1,000 by building a rationalization process

·    Ensured customer fulfillment using ITIL practices to verify IT service delivery was anchored to defined and measurable SLA’s

 

Mar 91 - Aug 00: Officer, U.S. Marine Corps-  Responsible for leadership of Marines and accomplishment of assigned warfighting missions.  Supported Marine commanders by planning, installing, and operating secure tactical communication systems including satellite, radio, telephone, and data networks.  Led a unit of >60 Marines for deployed operations overseas. 

·    Provided reliable (# of unplanned outages) communications services to 450 Marines deployed to East Africa by planning ahead

·    Served (10) years active duty as a regular commissioned Marine Corps Officer; promoted to the rank of Major

 

MS Systems Technology- Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 1996

BS History- United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, 1990

 


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Have a great week.

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). There are no dues or fees. Our schedule, roster and other information are posted at www.academybiznet.org.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Colorado Bar Association's Free Denver Legal Clinic




2014 Free Veterans Legal Clinic
2nd Tuesday of Each Month • Noon–2 p.m.
Auraria Campus, Tivoli Student Union “Senate Chambers”

900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204

Meet with an attorney free of charge and get information on topics such
as veterans resources, benefits, taxes, housing and family law.

For more information visit http://www.cobar.org/COLawyers4COVeterans
Dates

• Feb. 11
• March 11
• April 8
• May 13
• June 10
• July 8
• Aug. 12
• Sept. 8
• Oct. 14
• Nov. 11
• Dec. 9

Parking in Tivoli Parking Garage directly north of Tivoli Building. Passes given at clinic.


A service provided by the CBA Military & Veterans’ Affairs Section.




Sunday, January 19, 2014

Weekly News & Agenda for Tuesday, 1/21/14

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/21/14:

0700-0730: Introductions & Assistance.
Tell us what's happening in your world these days, especially any networking needs. Chances are good that someone in the group can help with business contacts, referrals, advice, job search assistance, or other networking needs. The grad network works!







0730-0800:  Speaker - Jason Clark (USMA '92)
Jason will make an official public announcement of his next political campaign for the 2014 election cycle.

 
2. UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

1/21/14: (this week):  Jason Clark - see above.
1/28/14: TBD or Open Forum. If there's a speaker you'd like to schedule for this date or any future Tuesday, or if you'd like to lead a discussion yourself, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

3. GRAD SEEKING ASSISTANCE:

Ian Norwalk (USMA '08) will be entering the civilian world soon and has begun his job search.  See below for details.  If you can provide him referrals or other assistance, please contact him directly at ian.norwalk@gmail.com or 505-331-3492. 

Ian writes as follows:

      I am looking for a job in Denver, but would be willing to work anywhere in the Rocky Mountain region. I have actually applied for a few jobs at WPX located in some of the smaller Rocky Mountain towns (Parachute, Rifle, etc.). I have also been looking at quite a few jobs in Houston.
      I have been primarily looking for jobs in exploration and production companies. I have applied for several entry level engineering and project management positions. I have been most interested in reservoir/completions/facilities engineering positions. Some of the companies I have been researching and trying to network with include: Kinder Morgan, Noble Energy, Anadarko, WPX, Bonanza Creek, Forest Oil, Bill Barrett Corporation, National Renewable Energy Labs, Kodiak Oil and Gas, Whiting, CH2M Hill, and even Ball Aerospace.
 
Ian's resume:
 
Ian K. Norwalk
5200 Greystone Summit Drive, Apartment 1016, Columbus, GA 31909-7556
C:  505-331-3492   E:  ian.norwalk@gmail.com
Available:  April 20, 2014
EXPERIENCE:  May 2008 – Present, Captain, Infantry, United States Army
Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC) Resource Manager, Captain - Ft. Benning, GA             May 2013-Present
Manages resources for 4 training teams, each consisting of 120 Captains, coordinates with external entities for transportation and training resources, validates future training plans and curriculums.
·   Selected to participate in the Army’s Network Integration and Evaluation Exercise; tested/collected data on long range communication equipment; provided vital information used to determine if equipment met purchase/fielding requirements.
·   Managed calendar and external resources for 40+ MCCC classes; significantly enhanced training capacity.
Security Force Assistance Operations/Executive Officer, Captain - Kandahar, Afghanistan         May 2012 – May 2013
Advised and mentored the Operations Officer of a 700-soldier Afghan National Army (ANA) Battalion operating in Kandahar, Afghanistan; coordinated and evaluated all combat operations; tracked maintenance, vehicle readiness, and managed the supply chain for the ANA Battalion’s fleet of over 100 combat vehicles and engineer equipment.
·   Planned and executed a major ANA engineering project to build 7 outposts and 5 miles of road in a contested area of southern Kandahar, denying operational area and decreasing enemy activity by 15%.
·   Designed/implemented a new system to forecast fuel, ammunition, repair parts, and training requirements for Afghan counterparts; increased combat readiness from below 20% to approximately 75% in a 9-month period.
·   Trained ANA Engineer Company to operate/maintain a fleet of heavy equipment; enabled ANA engineers to execute vertical construction projects independently and support other security forces with engineer assets.
·   Rated by Battalion Commander “in top 3 of 37” captains; earned Bronze Star Medal for leadership during deployment.
Mortar Platoon Leader, Captain - Ft Carson, CO                                                                                         Oct 2011 – May 2012
Led and trained a 25-person platoon. Maintained 5 Mortar Carrier Vehicles and 3 armored trucks valued at over $8 million. Managed ammunition and fuel resupply; responsible for the health and welfare of all soldiers in the platoon.
·   Selected out of 23 Lieutenants to serve as the Battalion Mortar Platoon Leader, a specialty position reserved for officers who demonstrate tactical proficiency and technical aptitude.
·   Conducted cost analysis on over 20 training events, developed and advised the Battalion Commander on cost effective alternate courses of action for each event, saving the battalion over $40 thousand.
·   Developed and implemented a 5-week mortar training program that successfully enabled the platoon to certify on 12 vital tasks, increasing the platoon’s combat readiness from 40% to 100%.
·   Rated by Battalion Commander as the “best platoon leader” out of 23 and in “top 5%” of 37 captains rated.
Rifle Platoon Leader, Second Lieutenant - Ft Carson, CO and Basra, Iraq                                             Aug 2009 – Oct 2011
Led 41 soldiers executing operations in support of a 900-person battalion deployed to Iraq for 12 months; maintained and accounted for 4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and other mission essential equipment valued in excess of $20 million.
·   Planned/led logistics to move over $2 million worth of platoon equipment to Iraq with no losses; enabled platoon to initiate combat operations rapidly upon arrival and maintain 100% mission readiness throughout the deployment.
·   Selected out of 12 platoon leaders to manage a $1 million project to construct a base in Basra; managed construction timeline, local contracts, and risk mitigation; increased joint US and Iraqi operations  by 15%.
·   Completed 3-month Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1-month Mechanized Leader Course, and 2-month Ranger School leadership course; earned Bronze Star Medal for leadership during combat operations.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science 2008, Mechanical Engineering – Aerospace Focus
United States Military Academy - West Point, NY 10996
CPA – 3.51
Honor Graduate; Dean’s List; Study Abroad (rotary wing aircraft stability - QinetiQ Engineering, England); Project Black Dart (multidisciplinary engineering design project for unmanned aerial vehicle capable of autonomous flight for Defense Intelligence Agency); Intramural Sports; Passed Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
SKILLS                                                                                                                                               
Leadership, management, planning, finance, budgeting, systems development,  proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, experienced in Auto CAD, Solid Works, MATLAB, Mathematica, and Geographic Information Systems.
ADDITIONAL                                                                                                                                                                                   
• Current Secret Government Clearance
• Recreational snowboarder, kayaker
• Physical fitness; avid runner and hiker



====================================

Have a great week.

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). There are no dues or fees. Our schedule, roster and other information are posted at www.academybiznet.org.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Weekly News & Agenda for Tuesday, 1/14/14

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/14/14:

0700-0800: Introductions, Assistance, and Open Forum Discussion.
.
Tell us what's new for you these days, especially any networking needs. Chances are good that someone in the group can help you with business contacts, referrals, advice, job search assistance, or other networking help.  Since we have extra time with an open forum discussion, you're most welcome to mention any other items of interest or topics for discussion.     







 
2. UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

1/14/14: (this week):  Open Forum.
1/21/14: TBD or Open Forum. If there's a speaker you'd like to schedule for this date or any future Tuesday, or if you'd like to lead a discussion yourself, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com

3.  JOB OPPORTUNITY - Research Professor for the Study of the Army Profession and Ethic:

Thanks to Lindy Blackburn (USMA '69) and Steve Shambach (USMA '74) for passing along this item.  It's a civilian faculty position at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA.  When you click on the USAJOBS link below, you'll probably need to scroll down a bit to get to this particular item.


The Title 10 job announcement for Research Professor for the Study of the Army Profession and Ethic (NEDQ141020651) located in the Strategic Studies Institute, can be found at the USAJOBS link below. Please follow the instructions in the announcement to apply.
https://armycivilianservice.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Search/GetResults?Keyword=

Thank you.
Iris E. Baker
Program Technician G1
Anne Ely Hall Room 233
(717)245-3404
DSN 242-3404


====================================

Have a great week.

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). There are no dues or fees. Our schedule, roster and other information are posted at www.academybiznet.org.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Agenda for Tuesday, 1/7/14

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/7/14:

0700-0730:  Introductions & Assistance.
Share a little (or a lot) about what you're up to these days, especially any networking needs.  Chances are good that someone in the group can help you with business contacts, referrals, advice, job search assistance, or other networking help.  The grad network works!   







0730-0800:  Annual White Elephant Gift Exchange.
Bring your unwanted gifts (wrapped) for this fun Biznet tradition. First we'll determine the selection order by picking numbers out of a hat, then proceed with gift selections. We spice it up with rules that allow for choosing a gift that has already been selected.  We always have plenty of gifts to go around, so please come even if you don't have a gift to share. 

2. UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

1/7/14: (this week):  Annual White Elephant Gift Exchange.
1/14/14:  TBD or Open Forum.  If there's a speaker you'd like to schedule for this date or any future Tuesday, or if you'd like to lead a discussion yourself, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com
 

====================================

Have a great week.

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). There are no dues or fees. Our schedule, roster and other information are posted at www.academybiznet.org.