Q: How long have you been involved with The Open Group FACE™ Consortium?

I started with my attendance at the second meeting held in Boston, MA in 2010 and I haven't missed a meeting since.

Q. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it? 

For Rockwell Collins, I've been a marketing and business development focal for avionics software products for many years. For the FACE Consortium, I first served as chair of what we now call the Business Strategy subcommittee before being elected as the FACE Steering Committee Vice-Chairman.

Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Open Group FACE Consortium and what does your involvement look like? 

Rockwell Collins has been a provider of open architecture products since the early 2000s, and our organization recognized that the FACE initiative was the next step in advancing open standards. It was a no brainer to go in big as a sponsor member, bring a large team of contributors to each meeting, and bring to market the first FACE Conformant Certified products. 

Q: How has membership in The Open Group FACE Consortium benefited you, your organization and the industry at large?

I've personally benefitted from working with a cadre of world-class colleagues who participate and contribute to Consortium meetings, and I'm humbled that they support me as SC vice-chairman. Rockwell Collins has benefitted not only from the additional business that has come from adopting the FACE Standard in our products, but from the increase efficiencies the Standard has provided to our internal development teams. Although not fully developed yet, I see the industry beginning to reap benefits from the opening of new market areas created by the introduction of portable and reusable software.

Q: What contributions do you hope to bring to The Open Group FACE Consortium?

The Consortium has accomplished a huge amount of effort in a relatively short period of time, so much so that I'm now focused on figuring out what our next five year strategic plan should be with the fine assistance of the Enterprise Architecture team under Paula Moss. Once that plan is in place, I look forward to executing the initiatives we've identified.

Q: Why is it important for other organizations to join The Open Group FACE Consortium?

It's no secret that avionics functionality will continue to shift from hardware-to software-centric. This is our future, and the FACE Consortium is in the right place to influence that future. If you are on the outside looking in, you will miss out.

Q: What are your hobbies?

I'm a geek - I've done a lot of geeky stuff, including software writing, amateur radio, and helping next generation engineers through STEM volunteering. I'm also into road bicycling and other fitness activities. 

Q: What book are you currently reading?

Honor Before Glory: The Epic World II Story of the Japanese American GIs Who Rescued the Lost Battalion, by Scott McGaugh is a tale of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team where many members had been subject to forced relocation by the U.S. Government after Pearl Harbor. Yet they fought with distinction to become the most highly decorated unit of its size in the U.S. Army. It reminds me of the resolute spirit the best of us have to do things right when reward, even survival, is uncertain, and that we all need to look at a person's character - not appearances.

Q.  What social networks do you belong to?

My social networks are mostly up-front and personal. I regularly attend a local church, participate in radio club and service organization meetings and activities. My amateur radio friends span the globe. My wife of 27 years handles the Facebook account, and yes I maintain a Linkedin page.

Q: Any last thoughts?

The United States Merchant Marine Academy has a motto that I'm fond of and want to emulate:  acta non verba. Deeds Not Words.

December 2017