Virginia Tech. Pamplin Executive MBA Program - Meet the Students

POTOMAC COHORT

September 2005 – January 2007

	JAMES P. BAKER Jamie is currently a senior sales engineer at ObjectVideo, where he is responsible for leading all technical aspects of the pre–sales cycle of an Intelligent Video Software platform. As a team lead for ObjectVideo's sales engineering department, Jamie acts as a liaison between the sales force and engineering and coordinates technical support for customer demonstrations, tradeshows and site surveys. He began his career working at SAIC as a network design engineer focused on large–scale DoD systems. He has worked with several other venture funded companies in sales engineering roles for the past eight years. He has a bachelor's in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.
	CHARLIE BAUGUESS, P.E. Charlie is the manager of closed operations for Consol Energy. Consol Energy (CNX) is a multi–energy producer of coal, gas and electricity. CNX is the largest coal producer east of the Mississippi and the largest natural gas producer in Virginia. The services, ventures and land companies operate power generation, transportation systems, timbering, farming, commercial development and mineral leases. CNX has 6,523 employees with annual revenues of 2.8 billion. Charlie has been with Consol Energy for 25 years and has held various positions in project management, production, engineering, construction and reclamation. Currently he manages a group of company engineers, consulting firms, contract laboratories and construction companies that assures compliance with short and long term environmental obligations. Charlie received his bachelor's in mining engineering from West Virginia University and his master's in environmental engineering from Marshall University. He is a registered professional engineer in W.Va and Va.
	SCOTT M. CARMODY Scott Carmody is a senior manager responsible for software infrastructure at Perot Systems Corporation's Owens & Minor medical account. Scott is responsible for evaluation, selection and life cycle management of off the shelf business applications. Scott also oversees the enterprise data management as well as the Electronic Data Interchange systems (EDI) between Owens & Minor and its business partners. Scott's current role includes aligning business and IT strategy, providing innovative solutions to business challenges and managing customer relationships. Prior to Perot Systems, Scott served five years in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare officer where he worked with the U.S. Navy's Smartship program to apply commercially available technology to warships to improve combat efficiency and decrease operational fleet costs. He was hired into Perot Systems' Engineering Development Program. Before assuming his current role, Scott held a variety of positions within Perot, including business analyst, distributed systems programmer, project manager and team lead. Scott received his bachelor's in computer science from the United States Naval Academy.
	JACOB A. CROCKER Jake Crocker is a partner and brand marketing director at Martin Branding Worldwide, a marketing and advertising firm in Richmond. Jake manages brand planning and strategic marketing programs for the firm's major clients. He was formerly on the brand marketing management team at Swedish Match North America, an international consumer products manufacture, with responsibilities including competitive market analysis, retail marketing and product development. Before joining Swedish Match, he had roles with other Richmond marketing and advertising firms, as vice president of account services for Communication Arts Associates and as a media buyer and planner at Edelmann Scott. He is also a former president of the Richmond Ad Club and currently a member of the Richmond chapter of the American Marketing Association's board of directors. Jake received his bachelor's in media studies from Radford University.
	NIDHI DHUPER Nidhi Dhuper is a principle systems engineer for Computer Sciences Corporation's (CSC) federal sector in Chantilly, Va. She works on a Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contract providing integrated management capabilities for the Department of Defense's global backbone voice and data infrastructure. Nidhi left CSC for a year in 2004 to pursue opportunities in the counter intelligence field with Unisys Corporation. Before joining CSC in 2000, she worked in Visual Basic programming and software design for AT&T's internal billing system. She earned her bachelor's in management science and information technology from Virginia Tech.
	BRYAN DREXLER Bryan Drexler is a practice manager for Prolifics, a software consulting firm specializing in IBM's WebSphere, Portal and Business Integration technologies. His current role is the management of the Washington practice, supervising all federal consulting projects nationwide and private sector projects within the Mid–Atlantic. Before establishing the Washington office, he was the project manager and architect for the Department of Interior's Quicktime application, a time and attendance system that pays over 25,000 federal workers throughout NASA, FEMA and the Department of the Interior. Previous to his six years at Prolifics, Bryan worked for President Clinton's pollster, Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates initiating its Internet polling program. Bryan received his bachelor's in computer science from American University.
	MATTHEW A. FORSTER Matt Forster worked as a principal financial analyst in the Network & Data Center Operations division of America Online (AOL) for four years. Matt is responsible for the financial and capacity planning for the wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), Web cache and streaming complexes. This includes annual budgeting and forecasts, developing Sarbanes–Oxley compliant processes for the network accruals. Matt also develops business models, pricing and runs ROI analysis for new projects/investments. Before joining AOL, Matt worked as a consultant for BOEING IS. They hired him after they were acquired by SAIC to facilitate a smooth financial & administrative transition. Before BOEING IS, Matt was an operations controller at SAIC. Matt received a bachelor's in management from Gettysburg College.
	JOHN M. FOSSACECA John Fossaceca is Vice President of Engineering at Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation. CMDC offers secure, real-time packet data messaging and position reporting products and services using L-Band satellite networks worldwide. John's team of engineers and managers create end-to-end satellite based solutions including transceivers, earth stations, ruggedized mobile terminals, and tailored software solutions to meet and support their customers' critical needs. Prior to joining CMDC, John was VP of Engineering for 3e Technologies International where he led the development of 3e’s 802.11 secure Wi-Fi wireless product line which were the first products to achieve FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria security accreditations. He was instrumental in 3e’s quest to become an Intel™ Capital Portfolio company and eventual acquisition by EFJI, Inc. John has held a variety of software development and engineering management positions at companies such as General Electric and AT&T/Lucent Technologies. At Lucent, John developed several products ranging from high volume consumer products to next generation voice over packet technologies. He was the Software Engineering Director for a truly converged (voice and data) network element jointly developed by Bell Labs Research and Lucent Technologies' Internetworking Systems Business. In addition to having an extensive background in telecommunications, wireless, embedded systems software and engineering management, John has a great deal of experience with engineering development process implementation for both government standard and commercial hardware and software lifecycle methodologies. He has served as principal investigator for many Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs funded by the U.S government. John received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Manhattan College and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University. John has two patents in the area of wireless communications and has published several technical papers.
	SAMUEL FOSTER Samuel Foster is owner and founder of FosterSoft, a mission–oriented business focused on enterprise data management, systems engineering, and business consulting and services. Since founding FosterSoft in 1999, Samuel continues to lead the company through a period of uninterrupted growth, with a professional staff that has doubled in size from 2004. As president and CEO, Samuel's primary focus and responsibilities are in the areas of business development, contracts management, finance and administration. Under his leadership, FosterSoft has developed a culture of contributing time and money to ensure the professional growth of each employee as well as to the programs and communities in which FosterSoft employees live and work. Stemming from his devotion to nurture young talent, Mr. Foster established the FosterSoft Academy, an in–house program geared toward broadening the technical and professional abilities of college juniors and seniors. He is a strong advocate for cancer research and is active with the Lombardi Association. Samuel earned a bachelor's in computer science from Jackson State University. He has over 15 years of experience in software development, information management and systems engineering.
	EMIL G. FRANK Emil Frank is a principal consultant with the Premium and Subscription Services Group of America Online. During most of his career, he focused on managing and coordinating the implementation and integration of large scale Internet based services. Before he joined America Online in the United States, he worked with Netscape Communications in Germany, with Alcatel in France, with Ericsson in Austria and in Sweden and with Siemens in Austria. He received a bachelor's in electronics and data systems technology from the Georg–Simon–Ohm University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg, Germany.
	ANNE GARDNER Anne is the director of education and member services with the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS (NVAR), a local trade association representing more than 12,500 real estate professionals. NVAR is part of the largest federated trade organization in the country, the National Association of REALTORS, with more than 1.3 million members nationwide. Anne first joined the staff in 2001 first in the Education Department and then in 2002 assumed oversight of the Membership and Store Departments and earlier in 2004, opened NVAR's two new satellite service centers in Herndon and Alexandria. Since 1993, she has represented various professional and medical societies in the Washington Metropolitan area. Her background includes managing corporate training programs, marketing, meeting management and membership development initiatives. Anne is an active volunteer with local and national organizations.
	JOHN HANSEN John Hansen is a senior program director for Oracle Corporation. Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company providing database and enterprise wide application software. John is based in Reston, Va. He is responsible for directing high-profile consulting teams and delivering Oracle enterprise application software, outsourcing and consulting solutions to clients including government, middle–tier and Fortune 500 companies. John has global IT project management experience having led engagements in Canada, Europe and Latin America. John attained Oracle's highest level of project management certification and recently earned a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute. Before joining Oracle, John was a senior executive and management consultant to the high tech, healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. He was founder and president of Staff Advantage, a start–up venture providing management consulting and human resource outsourcing solutions to small and middle–tier companies. Previously, John was recruited by Inova Health System and relocated to Northern Virginia in 1994 to rebuild Inova's home health care division. Earlier, John has held various operational and financial management positions at Air Liquide Group, Tenet Healthcare and ITT Corporation. John received his bachelor's in business administration from the University of San Francisco.
	JERRAD D. HENDRICKS Jerrad Hendricks is a program manager for Denver–based Qwest Communications, a telecommunications firm that provides services to residents, small businesses, enterprises and the government. Jerrad works in Chantilly, Va. as a part of the Government Services Division management team. He is responsible for various aspects of the division that include personnel security clearances, physical security, safety and business continuity. Before joining Qwest, Jerrad worked in security for about five years specializing in the physical security field. Four of those years were spent as a training specialist/manager conducting research and writing lesson plans that meet government standards for physical security. Jerrad also spent four years as a member of the U.S. Army Honor Guard and was a training specialist for the Color Guard Team. He conducted numerous high–profile missions including the 1997 Presidential Inauguration of William Clinton. Jerrad received his bachelor's in organizational leadership and management from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va.
	KAY M. KALE Kay Kale is a certified project management professional with over 13 years of project management experience around the world. After earning her bachelor's in civil and environmental engineering at the United States Air Force Academy, Kay started her Air Force career as an environmental program manager, which resulted in earning the Washington State Governor's Award. Afterwards, Kay was sent to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of "Operation Southern Watch" as a project manager where she provided over $6.5 million dollars worth of engineering construction projects. After being in field operations, Kay was assigned to Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., performing design and construction management for over $120 million dollars worth of projects. Following her headquarters tour, Kay became the Director of Civil Engineering Operations and Maintenance, at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, in support of President Carter's Camp David Peace Accords (1978). From Egypt, Kay went to Korea where she commanded another engineering team and managed major construction projects for all of the U.S. Forces in Korea. After returning from Korea, she became a systems engineering project manger for Siemens Corporation in Michigan, where she also became a certified negotiator for contracts. Currently, Kay provides Program Management and engineering support on multi-million dollar engineering and acquisition programs at Booz Allen Hamilton global strategy and consulting firm and is responsible for new business of well defined client organizations of strategic importance to the firm.
	JEFFREY LAWRENCE Jeff Lawrence is the Technology Director for McClatchy – Tribune (MCT) Information Services, NewsCom and the McClatchy Washington Bureau. Jeff is known for capitalizing on untapped revenue opportunities by leveraging new technology strategies to drive sales and increased productivity and reduce cost. Jeff is known for implementing productivity measures to improve accuracy, efficiency and reduce labor costs by creatively exploiting emerging technologies. At Knight Ridder /Tribune he lead key technology projects such as KeywordMaker, a keyword standardization tool for images and graphics, “AutoSlotter,” which automatically categorizes more than 84 percent of the stories with more than 96 percent accuracy and “AutoDelivery” tool, which increased productivity by more than 250 percent with minimal labor costs. During the Iraq War Jeff coordinated the technology and communications efforts for Knight Ridder reporters and photographers. His efforts were recognized as part of the prestigious James K. Batten Excellence Awards Special Citation for the Iraq war coverage. Jeff is a veteran of five Olympics, covering the games in Atlanta, Nagano and Sydney, Salt Lake City and Athens. Jeff is veteran of four Eco-Challenges, the world’s toughest expedition race as a media liaison, technology coordinator, photo editor and photographer. Jeff served as the Treasurer for the White House News Photographers’ Association for four-years and has served on several boards including the White House News Photographers’ Association, Macromedia Freehand and Blue Pixel.
	NEIL MANNING Neil Manning is director of sales engineering for Custom Network Solutions (CNS) at Nextel Communications. CNS designs and delivers customized wireless solutions for key corporate and public sector clients on behalf of Nextel. Neil sets strategy and objectives for a national team of sales engineers who support direct sales personnel, assess customer requirements, create cost estimates and associated deliverable documentation. His team then engages a matrix support structure within the company to finalize designs on successful opportunities. Neil has been at Nextel since 1997. Before his current role, Neil held positions within the Site Development organization managing the construction and maintenance for cell sites on behalf of Nextel. Neil then took on project management and senior manager roles with CNS starting in 2002. Before joining Nextel, Neil worked as a mechanical engineer for Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CB&I), which is an international engineering, procurement and construction company. Neil earned a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y.
	JENNY LYNN MARUSCHAK Jenny Lynn Maruschak is the program liaison for the office of the chief operating officer and senior vice president of Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC). CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development professional services organization that moves high technology concepts from laboratories to practical applications by government and industry. Jenny Lynn currently contributes to business development, company operations and program management in direct support to the COO and senior vice president. Before her current position, she performed materials research for CTC in Largo, Fla. as a metals recovery engineer. Jenny Lynn worked for Commonwealth Aluminum in Uhrichsville, Ohio as a plant metallurgist and quality systems engineer, where she controlled the equipment in the material testing laboratory and managed the calibration system for a plant that produced 30 million pounds per month. Jenny Lynn received her bachelor's in metallurgical engineering from the University of Missouri–Rolla.
	ROBERT MORALES, CFP® Robert Morales is the managing director of retirement services for one of the nation's leading providers of public employee retirement plans, IMCA Retirement Corporation. Robert is responsible for overseeing and directing the Retirement Services Division, which is responsible for participant retention and financial planning education and services. Retirement Services consists of a field and headquartered Financial Planning Unit, a Direct Marketing Unit, and a Retention Services Unit. Before his current responsibilities, Robert was the Southwest financial planning manager for IMCA–RC responsible for developing Financial Planning Educational curriculum. Previous to joining ICMA–RC, Robert was the president of Strategic Wealth Management Inc, a fee–only financial planning and investment advisory firm. He was ranked as one of Bloomberg's Top Wealth Managers from 2001 to 2003. Prior to that, he worked with a regional CPA firm with the responsibility for the firm's financial planning and investment management services. Robert has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. He received a bachelor's in business administration from California State University, San Bernardino. Robert is also a Certified Financial Planner™.
	RITA PAGNOTTO Rita is a CPA with 20 years of accounting experience. A graduate of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, she has spent most of her career with Feld Entertainment. Feld Entertainment is the world's largest live family entertainment company which produces Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice and Disney Live. Rita is currently the director of accounting, international operations where she oversees the accounting for touring shows and operations in over 50 countries worldwide.
	WESLEY POFF, P.E. Wesley is an engineering manager for Accellent, the largest manufacturer of components to the medical device industry. He is located at the Salem, Va. facility as a part of Accellent's Cardiology group manufacturing components for interventional cardiology including internal pacemakers and defibrillators. Wesley is responsible for the technology used in the production of existing products as well as new product development. Before joining Accellent, he worked for an OEM equipment supplier and consulting firm to the optical fiber industry where he spent time working in India, Turkey, Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan. Wesley graduated in 1992 from Virginia Military Institute with a bachelor's in mechanical engineering and is a certified Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.
	DALLAS RICHARDS, P.E. Dallas Richards currently serves as a project manager for HDR Engineering in Alexandria, Va. where he leads engineers and technicians in the design of major railroad projects throughout the United States. As a member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance–of–Way Association (AREMA), Dallas serves as vice chair of Committee 24, which is responsible for providing education and training to the industry. This committee recently published the Practical Guide to Railway Engineering and developed training seminars hosted by Dallas as moderator and presenter. Dallas is a native of Roanoke, Va. and a distinguished graduate of Virginia Military Institute, earning his bachelor's in civil engineering and a licensed professional engineer. While at VMI, Dallas served as a midshipman aboard the USS Florida, a submarine based in Bangor, Wash.
	GREGORY A. SCOVEL, Jr. Greg Scovel is a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, and is currently assigned to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Multiple Threat Alert Center where he is chief of the Current Intelligence Directorate. In that capacity, he is responsible for the division that delivers Anti–Terror/Force Protection intelligence briefings to senior level Navy decision makers in addition to providing the director of NCIS with a weekly intelligence briefing. Before his current assignment, Greg was a naval aviator stationed in San Diego where he was assigned to Fleet Replenishment Squadron 30 serving as a C–2A Greyhound pilot. He has deployed several times, including a 10–month deployment onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and has flown missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Greg has logged over 1100 hours as pilot in command, and has over 110 carrier arrested landings. He received his bachelor's in international affairs and a minor in economics from James Madison University.
	NANCY SPRINGER Nancy Springer is a senior buyer for Hecht's, a division of May Department Stores. May was recently acquired by Federated Department Stores and will be renamed Macy's in 2006. Nancy is responsible for one of the top three volume businesses in the store driving an annual business of $44 million. Last year she was named "Buyer of the Year," for the company. Her expertise is in negotiating, marketing, financial forecasting, strategic planning and product development. She emerged as a leader in the accessories industry, ranking as number one jewelry buyer across all May divisions. She serves on a corporate steering committee, negotiating and buying for over 350 stores. Nancy has been with May for 17 years, having started her career with Lord & Taylor in New York. While at Lord & Taylor, Nancy was part of an MIS team that programmed and launched a pilot merchandise planning system for the May Corporation. She received "Assistant Buyer of the Year" for her role in that process. Nancy earned a bachelor's in multinational management and a bachelor's in international relations from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
	JOHN S. VILLASENOR John Villasenor is the senior director of professional services for RealOps, a start–up company in Herndon, Va., focusing on integrated operations automation. John is responsible for the successful project scoping during pre–sales activities in addition to the project planning, deployment services and post–sales activities. John has over 17 years of IT operations experience where he has served as director of server operations for Digex, director of operations for Onyx Networks, director of professional services for RiverSoft, senior manager of data center operations and director of customer operations for NTT/Verio. John received his associate's in MIS from the College of the Redwoods and spent some time at Virginia Tech working towards is bachelor's in computer science and mathematics. Ultimately, he received his B.S.B.M. from the University of Phoenix.