issue message from the president & ceo...message from the president & ceo ... certification,...
TRANSCRIPT
FALL 2014
Message from the President & CEO
Dear Veracity employees,
As Thanksgiving passes into our rearview
mirror and the Holiday Season approaches
on the horizon, I hope that you will join me
in recognizing the many reasons we, as a
company, have to be thankful. I am
especially thankful and proud to be part of
an organization with such exceptional
people. It is the character and quality of the
people at Veracity Engineering that make
working here such a rewarding experience. I am also thankful and grateful
for our prosperity this year. While many companies are still struggling to
overcome the challenges associated with sequester and the crippling
effects of the 2013 shutdown, Veracity has had one of our best years ever.
We have met or exceeded all of our corporate goals this year. Some of
these include obtaining our ISO 9001:2008 recertification, successfully
passing an FAA financial audit, continuing to receive high customer
satisfaction marks, executing three new contracts and eight new task
orders, and hiring over 60 new employees. These achievements are
entirely due to the quality of service that we have provided and continue to
provide to our clients. However, as I indicated during the last all-hands
meeting, how we achieve our goals is as important to me as what goals we
achieve. This year I have witnessed a renewed sense of teamwork,
communication, cooperation, and selflessness. If I could wish for anything
next year, it would be to continue this winning culture into 2015
and beyond.
I am also thankful for the opportunities that we have had to make a real
impact on the aviation industry. With the FAA’s NextGen transformation of
the NAS well underway, Veracity Engineering continues to play a key role
in the execution of NextGen transformational programs, including Data
Communications, NAS Voice Switch, and System Wide Information
Management. The NextGen transition is dependent upon the
implementation of these and other advanced communications and data
sharing capabilities. Veracity Engineering also continues to support the NAC
Priority of Surface Operations and Data Sharing by demonstrating surface
traffic management capabilities aimed at driving collaboration between
system developers, airlines, and the FAA. The progress that we have made
on these and all of our programs would not be possible without the
ingenuity and dedication of so many of you this year.
(Continued on page 4)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Message from President & CEO
What’s New in Corporate
Operations
William J. Hughes Tech
Center/New Employees
Even More New Employees!
Your Money Matters
Veracity’s New Website
Veracity in the Community
What I Do Besides My Day Job
VE Family Fun Days
Positive Points
Kudos Corner
Holiday Party Announcements
2 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
What’s New in Corporate Operations
Where should I begin? Veracity has been
undergoing some serious, positive
g r ow t h a n d w i t h t h a t c a m e
reorganization. For most of who were
here in July, the reorganization did not
change your direct supervisor but there
was a shift in responsibilities for some of
the Senior Management Team. Tom
Lamoureux was promoted to Senior VP and Chief
Strategy Officer, Dave Stroop advanced to VP of
Program Operations and I advanced to VP of Corporate
Operations. Corporate Operations encompasses the
policies and procedures that are not customer-facing
such as Human Resources, Finance, QMS/ISO
Certification, and Project Management. Corporate
Operations has had a busy few months since the initial
reorganization and set some goals for the year.
One goal was the improvement of overall corporate
communication. Veracity’s Internal Communication
Team (VICT) – Brian Lawrence, Danna Hawkins, Peter
Lingesso, Terry Barnes, Vernon Jones, Anne Lewis,
and Al Shetley – identified potential communication
gaps throughout the corporation and submitted
recommendations to Senior Management on best
practices for distributing and receiving effective
communication. They developed a survey pertaining to
corporate communication media; held follow-up with
interviews for the purpose of soliciting input from
individuals throughout the company; document
current processes and submit recommendations to
bridge the gaps. All of their recommendations have
been adopted in full by Veracity.
Another major goal was to recertify Veracity as an ISO
9000 company. I am very happy to say we met that
goal with the dedicate help of our Internal Audit Team
(IAT); Anne Lewis, Danna Hawkins, Terry Barnes,
Linda Powell, Maria Keeton, and Kevin Reidy. The team
was trained and then led all the recertification efforts
and are continuing the review and auditing of every
new process employed by Veracity.
Our growth has been phenomenal! Since June Veracity
has added 43 new employees, bringing our total to
118. While the bulk of our new coworkers are either in
DC or at the Tech Center in New Jersey we now have
Veracity employees in Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri,
North Carolina, Texas, and Washington state. This
growth would not have been possible without the
oversight of the Veracity Internal Communications
Team (VICT) and the Internal Audit Team (IAT); as
well as the coordination and dedication of our HR
representative, Marilu Sanchez and the Veracity
Finance Team; Sherry Wills, Jason Cole, Maria Keeton
and Devin Arnold.
Veracity employees have received numerous accolades
from customers and their co-workers. Over the past
four months more than $6000 in Spot Awards and
bonuses have been awarded based on customer
inputs, spot award nominations, and employee
referrals. The “Gumby Award” now has a NJ and a DC
version and as a peer-to-peer award continues to
show the strong connection and respect between the
Veracity team at all levels.
Corporate Operations’ mantra has become “You can
find it on the PAL”. The Process Asset Library (PAL) is
the dedicated repository for forms, policies, and
procedures. The most up-to-date calendars and
information are also posted there. New organizational
charts, down to the task-lead level, are finally
available on the PAL. I previously expected it to be out
by Mid-September, but due to some additional
reorganization on the Project and Program Manager
levels, the date had slipped. We will be adding pictures
to the charts over the next few weeks.
Transfer of Veracity’s 401K plan to our new vendor,
Great West, was completed on 24 November.
Employees should find the new vendor much more
responsive and their website if also much easier to
navigate. Additionally the Great West website is
bridged to ProCas, our time and expense program,
eliminating the need for redundant paperwork after
e l ect ron i c changes a re made by an
individual employee.
Over the next quarter, Corporate Operations has a
number of goals and incentives that are underway and
on track for completion. The institutionalization of a
new Performance Evaluation Form will be completed
before the end of January 2015. Training for PMs and
Leads was held and three webinars were offered for all
employees to familiarize themselves with the new
forms and the Performance Evaluation Process. As
always, the new form is posted on the PAL. The Senior
Management Team will review the Corporate Strategic
Business Plan and the revised plan will be posted to
the PAL.
Finally, Corporate Operations is totally dependent
upon your input. If a policy or procedure is not
effective, is no longer valid, or is not even documented
at all, we need to know. Corporate Operations is here
to supply the supportive structure so you can
concentrate on your customers and know that Veracity
is concentrating on your personal and professional
growth. As always do not hesitate to call or email me
directly.
-Dan Wynne
3 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
ECSS/Veracity personnel are based at the FAA William
J Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. We
support AJW-176/177 Organizations through 3 legacy
National Airspace System (NAS) Systems:
NMR - NADIN Message Re-Host System
Message Switching (Passing) of Flight Plan Data,
Oceanic position reports, Weather Forecasts and
Observations, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and
Flight Safety-related message traffic.
ADAS - AWOS Data Acquisition System
Collects, processes, and archives weather data
then disseminates this data to various
NAS systems.
WMSCR - Weather Message Switching Center
Replacement System
Collects, processes, stores, and disseminates
textual aviation weather products and NOTAM
information between NAS systems, the airlines,
and commercial users.
In addition to these legacy systems, we are supporting
a new initiative to combine these legacy systems into
a single platform known as:
IESP - Integrated Enterprise Services
Platform:
Current effort underway to Re-Host the NMR,
ADAS, and WMSCR Platforms into a single unified
System that is scalable and capable of Hosting
additional systems from varied NAS customers.
The primary output method of the FAA AJW-176 and
AJW-177 Functional Based Organizations in supporting
these systems in the NAS, is through System Support
Modifications (SSMs), System Support Directives
(SSDs), and System Technical Release (STRs).
ECSS Personnel are involved in all areas of these key
NAS System projects following the Life Cycle Process
Flow including Maintenance, Upgrades, and Field
Support of Network Enterprise Management Centers
(NEMC) and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
Efforts include Project Coordination, System
Engineering, Software Development, Database
Maintenance, Test, Deployment, Documentation,
Configuration, Troubleshooting, Procurement,
Hardware Engineering, and Field Support".
-Steve Ahrens
William J. Hughes Technical Center
David Donohue
Configuration Management Analyst Jeffrey Hradowsky
ITAM Specialist Robert Bortu
Network Engineer
David Providakes Computer System Engineer
John DiStefano Network Administrator
Shanan Levin Network Administrator
Debi Zahrend Project Manager
John Neely Sr. Network Engineer
Shannon Sienrukos Technology Asset Management Specialist
Ed Reilly Financial Analyst
Kristof Preisner Technology Specialist III
Shari Troiano Systems Engineer
Francine Cavalluzzi
Associate IT Analyst
Matthew Wilson
Technology Specialist
Stan Fink
Sr. Systems Engineer
Gary M. Okoorian Associate IT Analyst
Nghi Tran ITAM Specialist
Steven Ahrens Program Manager
Hiushan Noel Yim-Levin Technology Specialist II
Nicole Cartwright Configuration Manager
Theresa Basquez Systems Engineer
James R. Rardin Information Technology Specialist
Peter Lingesso Project Manager
Tram Khuu Information Engineer
Jean McLaughlin
Systems Engineer Richard Noble Program Analyst
TECH CENTER EMPLOYEES AS OF 11/6/2014
4 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
Even More New Employees!
Given all that we have achieved together this year, I would ask that you take a moment to reflect on how we
have collectively made our Veracity home a better place to work and our airspace a safer and more efficient
place to fly. You have much to be proud of and I thank you all for your hard work this year. May you all have a
happy and blessed Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Hai N. Tran
President and CEO
CEO—(Continued from page 1)
Anthony P. Beamon Associate IT Analyst FAA
James Thwaite II Sr. Computer Systems Engineer (AFN) HQ
J. Shannon Price Intermediate I IT Analyst OK Client Site
Iliana Parra Business Analyst Portals
Chauncia Jones Information Technology Analyst FAA
Jason Cole Financial Analyst HQ
Rachael L. Hodgen Associate IT Analyst OK Client Site
Jay Kenneth Goldberg Sr. System Engineer Portals
Elijah Banks Intermediate II IT Analyst FAA
Linda Powell Office Admin/Admin Asst HQ
Aaron Cohen Sr. Program Analyst Portals
John T. Flynn Sr. System Engineer Portals
Jason Byron Admin Support Analyst FAA
Lisa Burton Sr. Computer Systems Engineer HQ
Adam Drzal Sr. Enterprise Architect Portals
Kent Cheung Program Analyst/Project Lead Portals
Jordan E. Liedholm Program Analyst FAA
Nirosha Peiris Engineer I HQ
Angela Concepcion Subcontractor Administrator Portals
Kevin Cook Systems Engineer Portals
Marlene Merriweather Contract Analyst FAA
Rick Lyon Sr. Financial Analyst HQ
Annie Peregory ITAM Analyst Portals
Leonard Myers ITAM Analyst Portals
Melanie Andreichuk Intermediate I IT Analyst FAA
Roshni Shah Financial Analyst HQ
Blondell King Project Control Analyst Portals
Leonid Felikson Technology Specialist III Portals
Russ Driscoll Technology Specialist III FAA
Sherry Wills Sr. Manager, Finance HQ
Cam Dang Systems Engineer Portals
Mark C. Kipperman Senior Cost Analyst Portals
Shailesh Mishra Engineer II FAA
Taylor Reeves System Engineer HQ
Carlos Ifarraguerri Sr. System Engineer Portals
Marlene Savage Sr. Enterprise Architect Portals
Bernice Graham-Fein Project Administrator GA Client Site
Tuduy Tran IT Technical Support Specialist HQ
Charles Martin Sr. Financial Analyst Portals
Nabil Sandhu Sr. Systems Engineer Portals
Doyle Smith Program Analyst GA Client Site
Marcella L. Shelton Associate IT Analyst MO Client Site
Christine Ahad Sr. Contract Manager Portals
Navpreet Kohli Systems Engineer Portals
Dan Courain Sr. Program Manager HQ
Robert W. Sharp Intermediate I IT Analyst MO Client Site
Deidra Carter Prpgram Analyst/Admin Asst Portals
Peadar Harmon Technology Specialist III Portals
David Barstow Sr. Manager HQ
Charles Kusnyer Information Engineer NC
Dennis Crown Systems Engineer Portals
Russell Zeman Sr. Project Manager Portals
Devin Arnold Financial Analyst/Payroll HQ
Clyde James Associate IT Analyst OK Client Site
Heidi Auzaud Sr. Program Manager (ECSS) Portals
Terry Barcus Sr. Enterprise Architect Portals
Devon Douglas Administrative Support II TX Client Site
Sabrina Nelson Associate IT Analyst WA Client Site
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, AS OF 11/6/2014
5 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
Your Money Matters!
With the end-of-year quickly approaching, Veracity
Engineering’s Finance Department would like to
highlight a few changes that might affect you in 2015.
The Social Security Administration has approved an
increase to the salary cap for social security
withholding from $117,000.00 to $118,500.00. The
tax rate will remain at 6.2% for both employee and
employer; therefore, the maximum benefits
employees and employers will be responsible for is
now $7,347.00, an increase of $93.00 from 2014.
The Internal Revenue Service
has released its 2015 401K
contribution maximum which
has increased from $17,500.00
to $18,000.00. Employees that
are eligible for 401K catch up
(persons 50 and over) have
been allowed an increase from
$5,500.00 to $6,000.00
Pre-tax fringe benefit amounts for parking and metro
remain unchanged at $130.00 and $250.00 monthly
through tax year 2015; while the pre-tax allowable for
a qualifying health flexible spending program
increases from $2500.00 to $2550.00
-Devin Arnold
Veracity is proud to announce the release of the new
company website, www.veracity-eng.com. Along with
the brand new look and feel of the website, we have
added a full Content Management System (CMS),
which allows for quick content updating so page infor-
mation is always accurate and up-to-date. The website
has a brand new Careers Section that shows the latest
Veracity job openings at each of the company offices
and provides the ability to submit applications. The
new website was designed with a mobile friendly lay-
out that contains a search bar for quickly finding docu-
ments, and has integrated with our social media ac-
counts, Facebook and Twitter. The next phase of the
website, planned for 1st quarter 2015, will be updating
the Veracity PAL, allowing for a single sign-on authen-
tication. If you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions for the new website, please send an email
t o t i m . n g u y e n @ v e r a c i t y - e n g . c o m o r
-Brian Lawrence
Veracity’s New Website
6 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
Veracity in the Community (VITC)
2014 Walk to End Alzheimer's
Currently, more than 5 million Americans have
Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow to
as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk
unless we can find a way to change the course of this
disease. The Alzheimer's Foundation is comprised of
members and organizations across the U.S. Team
Veracity proudly participated in the Walk to End
Alzheimer's held in the Nation's Capital on October 25,
2014. We walked with strength of mind to help
reclaim the future for millions through awareness and
in support of the Alzheimer research into prevention,
treatments and ultimately a cure. Team Veracity
consisted of Dan Wynne, David Stroop,
Maria Keeton, Devin Arnold, Nirosha Peiris,
and Anne Lewis.
-Anne Lewis
Autism Speaks
Veracity helped kick-off Autism Awareness month in
the Nation’s Capital by Lighting it Up Blue, on April
2nd. Everyone wore blue and made donations to
Autism Speaks. And in the true spirit of charitable
giving, Veracity matched each employee’s donation.
We raised a total of $800 for the organization.
Autism Speaks is an advocacy organization that
funds research and provides outreach and support to
individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and
their families.
Every year in April people around the world celebrate
“Light It Up Blue”, in commemoration of the United
Nation’s World Autism Awareness Day. On this day
many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues,
concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores, in
addition to homes and communities “Light It Up
Blue”. This global event helps raise awareness about
Autism.
Did you know Autism is the fastest-growing serious
developmental disability in the U.S.? According to the
U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) it affects 1 in
68 children and 1 in 42 boys. We all probably know of
at least one person with an ASD. It could be a
relative, or the child of a friend, or a neighbor. Or in
my case, it could be your own child. If you would like
to know more about “Light it Blue” and Autism
Speaks, please visit their website for additional
information and to learn how you can do more.
www.autismspeaks.org
-Danna Hawkins
7 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
Nuri Shakoor
I am a nat ional l y
r e cogn i z ed c e r t i f i ed
personal trainer and
wel lness consul tant,.
certified through the
Nat ional Counci l o f
Strength and Fitness. I also
coach a professional
international team of elite
female fitness athletes who
excel in power training,
physique and fitness
modeling, body building,
and advance functional
fitness. I am also a
member of an elite professional fitness team called
Plyotechnics (www.facebook.com/plyotechnics)
members of the World Street Workout Federation
(WSWF). In addition to working with these elite teams,
I work as a consultant to other high profile trainers on
the East Coast who are looking for customized
programs to assist with their personal training clients
or simply to challenge themselves to take their fitness
to the next level. I work with trainers from New York
to D.C. Some of my high profile clients in this area
include Baltimore local celebrity and socialite Susan
Smallwood, and celebrity
trainer/ fashion model Kethia
Clairvoyant of KC Fit for Life.
I also work closely with Naudi
Agu i l a r , a na t i ona l l y
recognized and highly sought
-after MMA trainer who also
trained former King of
Queens star Kevin James as
well as several pro MMA
trainers, such as Danny Woo
( legendary bodyweight
specialist who recruited me
for Plyotechnics and trained
with Naudi Aguliar), and L.A.
actress and bikini model
Cheryl Elizabeth Taylor. In
addition to working with these
high profile people, I develop
customized weight loss and
total wellness programs in
conjunction with companies
who promote fitness and
nutrition from all natural
sources.
What I Do Besides My Day Job
8 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
We held our First Annual Family Fun Days.
Headquarters’ picnic was on September 6th at
Fort Hunt Park in VA. And, New Jersey’s was on
August 23rd at Morey’s Pier in Wildwood, NJ.
To view more photos from our family fun days, as
well as other events, please visit V:\Public\Event
Photos, on the shared drive.
Are you a shutterbug? Gifted at putting pen to paper? Got a critical eye? Looking to get involved at Veracity? We are currently recruiting talent to help with the newsletter. The following positions are available: Writers Editors Photographers Layout Designers Communications Coordinators If you would like to like to be a part of the team, please email us at [email protected]!
TNT Tied the Knot
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Terry
Barnes! Terry and his beautiful
bride Tracey made it official
and said their “I Dos” on
Saturday, September 20th
in the garden of Mrs. K’s
Restaurant & Barrel Bar in
Silver Spring, Maryland. The
beautiful garden, filled with
black-eyed Susans, hibiscus,
impatiens, cox comb and a classic Gazebo,
provided the picture-perfect backdrop for
the day.
Positive Points :)
And Baby Makes Three!
Brian Lawrence and his wife
Lindsey welcomed their son
Tucker Joseph Lawrence on
Tuesday, October 22, 2014
at 7:47 pm. He weighed 6
pounds 8 ounces and
measured 20.5 inches long.
Congrats to them both!
9 Veracity Voice | Fall 2014
Tucker Lawrence
Staff Editor in Chief – Danna Hawkins Contributing Editor – Daniel Wynne Publication Designer – Maria Keeton Copy Editor – Terry Barnes NJ Liaison—Theresa Basquez We would like to thank all who contributed to this this newsletter.
Contact Us! If you would like to share any news, or if you have any suggestions or feedback, please email us. We’d love to hear from you!
Visit Us Online
www.veracity-eng.com
Annie Peregory
Iliana Parra Jason Cole
Lee Myers
Linda Powell Nghi Tran
Peter Lingesso Stan Fink
Terry Barnes
Theresa Basquez Tuduy Tran
Kudos Corner
Our very own Executive VP &
Chief Strategy Officer, Tom
Lamoureux, was honored by
The George Mason University
School of Business as one of
the 2014 Prominent Patriots.
Recipients of this peer-selected
award represent the ideal Ma-
son Graduate, demonstrating
citizenship, scholarship, and
leadership in their daily lives.
The ideal Mason Graduate is an
engaged citizen focusing on
the well-being of others; is a
well-rounded scholar thinking
critically and creatively and
demonstrating professional
competence; and is prepared to act innovatively and
resourcefully to make a positive and meaningful
change in society. We always knew he was ideal!
Congratulations Tom!
Prominent Patriot Spot Award Winners
This award recognizes outstanding customer support,
innovation, and/or dedication to Veracity’s goals. The
awardee may be nominated by any Veracity employee
and sent up the chain for approval.
Where’s Gumby?
The “Gumby” is an employee to employee award for an individual
who has been always flexible (Semper Gumby) in their duties to
handle additional tasks, unexpected customer requests,
volunteering or being “volunteered” to assist with company projects.
Only VE employees are eligible.
Linda Powell — HQ
Tuduy Tran — HQ
Shanan Levin — NJ
Robert Bortu — NJ
Steve Ahrens & Shanan Levin Linda Powell Tuduy Tran
Gumby & Friends—NJ