OFFICER BIOGRAPHIES

PRESIDENT -  Paul A. "Sully" Sullivan, ASEP

Paul A.“Sully” Sullivan is a seasoned systems engineer with over 28 years’ experience in the US Military and Fortune-50 companies in the arenas of Defense, Consumer and Durable Goods, and  Aerospace.  He first learned systems engineering in 1992 while performing project officer duties at the United States Marine Corps; he is now a Project / Lead Systems Engineer at Cubic Corporation.  He has worked in various systems and software roles:  architecting GCCS and the C2PC in the USMC, spearheading Year 2000 (Y2K) remediation and SAP ERP implementations at Procter and Gamble, Mead Johnson, and Harman Becker, representing Human-Systems Integration on the DD-1000 (DDX) Zumwalt Destroyer’s Systems Architecture Team, and implementing Model-Based Engineering for the Boeing 787 Cockpit (Section 41) for Spirit Aerosystems and Barrel to Wingbox (Section 46) for Global Aeronautica, now Boeing.  Paul moved to Huntsville in 2009 to work on the Army Air Traffic Services TAIS for General Dynamics, Army; work on Army IBCS, AMDWS, VBONE and GMD National Missile Defense at Northrop Grumman in 2017, and now works on Navy Virtual Simulation Training for Cubic Mission and Performance Systems as of 2021.

Paul has earned a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from Tennessee Tech and a Masters in Software Engineering from National University; he earned certification Level II Systems Engineering Acquisition Professional Certification at the Defense Acquisition University.  Paul is an INCOSE Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) and IEEE Senior Member; he is (still) working on his CSEP & ESEP packages.  He enjoys spending time with family, exercising, and studying Aerospace and Defense topics when not volunteering for the INCOSE Huntsville Regional Chapter (HRC) and IEEE Huntsville Section.

PRESIDENT-ELECT - Tony Lindeman, ESEP

Mr. Phillip "Tony" Lindeman has over 40 years of project management, systems engineering, business analysis, and operational military experience while supporting the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, academia, and commercial industry. Tony currently working at Dynetics, a Leidos Company, providing expert systems engineering support on a variety of projects in Huntsville, Alabama. He is a retired Naval Aviator who flew CH-46 helicopters while serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to his retirement, he attained his DoD Program Management, Level III, certification.

Tony is a Past President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) - North Alabama Chapter and currently serves as Vice President for the International Council for Systems Engineering (INCOSE) - Huntsville Regional Chapter. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Tony has the INCOSE Expert Systems Engineering Professional – Acquisition (ESEP-Acq) credential, PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) credential, International Institute of Business Analysis' (IIBA) Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) credential, and the OMG Certified System Modeler Professional (OCSMP) - Model User certification. He has served on the Board of Trustees as Enrollment Council Chair for his alma mater, West Virginia Wesleyan College from 2011-2019.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT - David Swinney, DoD Level III Acq-SE, PM, T&E, & IT

Mr. David Swinney is a Professor of Systems Engineering for the Defense Acquisition University (South Region). He teaches courses in systems engineering, test and evaluation, and information technology. He is a member of the DoD Acquisition Corps and holds level 3 certifications in the Program Systems Engineer, Program Management, Test and Evaluation, and Information Technology career fields.  

David came to Huntsville in 2005 after retiring from active duty in the US Air Force. He has extensive experience leading teams in the engineering management of large and complex aerospace systems including the development, test, fielding and support of large body aircraft, space launch vehicles, satellites, and ballistic missiles, and their associated test, launch, and support facilities. He holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University and a graduate degree in astronautical engineering, from the Air Force Institute of Technology. David has a wife and four children, and his hobbies include music, fencing, and shooting

TREASURER - Alberto Duarte

Mr. Luis Alberto Duarte, born in Bogotá, Colombia and a US citizen, has devoted his 30 plus US years to his family, the community, and the Aerospace industry. First, worked for Federal Government contractors (Martin Marietta and Boeing Aerospace) and then for the US Aerospace Agency at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). For the last 24 years in NASA, he has had the privilege to support several organizations and programs and projects (Space Shuttle, National Launch System (NLS), Space Transportation Directorate, Safety and mission assurance (S&MA) and Engineering Directorate) in various technical and management capacities: lead project engineer, S&MA Manager, system engineer; Program risk management manager; director assistant and the X-33 Propulsion Chief Engineer.  Currently he is working under the MSFC Chief Engineer’s Office in the Systems Engineering Management Organization.  

Mr. Duarte holds: BS degree in Chemical Engineering from “National University of Colombia”; Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University of New Orleans; and Master’s degree in Systems Engineering & Engineering Management from University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). He is the President of the Optimist Foundation (over one million dollars fund).

SECRETARY - Sheila Dyas

Ms. Sheila Dyas has over 25 years of systems engineering and project management experience in healthcare, aerospace, undersea and industrial machinery industries. She is currently working at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and supporting the Defense Health Agency in defining processes, optimizing operations and measuring performance for funding management, medical logistics and clinical care. 

PROGRAM CHAIR - Susan Askew, CSEP-Acq

Ms. Susan Askew is a Professor of Systems Engineering for the Defense Acquisition University (South Region). She has over 25 years’ experience as a DoD civilian and defense contractor, having worked for the US Air Force, the US Army, and for the Missile Defense Agency.  She served as the Chief Systems Engineer for Complex Medium and Long Range Targets for the Missile Defense Agency.  She has supported test range activities and test asset development and operations across the full product lifecycle and across the country.  She has owned her own business in the US and overseas, and served as Engineering Supervisor and Team Lead for multiple organizations. She is actively involved in supporting STEM education activities here in Huntsville at the K-12 level, and in the 100+ Women Strong program through the Auburn College of Engineering as a member of the Retention Committee and Mentor for female engineering students.

Susan received her Bachelors of Electrical Engineering degree from Auburn University and a Master’s of Science in Management (International Business) from Troy State.  She has been a member of the DoD Acquisition Corps since 2009, and holds Level 3 certifications in Engineering and Program Management, and Level 1 certifications in Test & Evaluation and Program Systems Engineering career fields.  She is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Systems Engineering Professional – Acquisition (CSEP-Acq).

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR - Daniel Cobb, CSEP

With 12 years in the Defense Sector as both a federal civilian and contractor, Mr. Daniel Cobb has Systems Engineering experience working on a variety of systems in all phases of the product lifecycle. Starting out as a civilian Design Engineer for a prototyping shop, Mr. Cobb was quickly exposed to the benefits of a quality SE process. For the past 5 years, he has developed an expertise in Systems Architecture with a focus on utilizing Models-based System Engineering (MBSE) in both a traditional system design as well as the development of System Simulations on a large scale. He currently works at MTSI in Huntsville, AL, architecting in missile defense programs, supporting Digital Engineering (DE) initiatives for both his company and customer, and creating and providing training for MBSE and DE. He is a Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).

WEBSITE COMMITTEE CHAIR - Logan Mitchell

Mr. Logan Mitchell began his career in systems engineering earlier this year with Quantum Research International.  He provides Digital Engineering/Model-Based Systems Engineering (DE/MBSE) support to the DoD.  His job duties include modeling and architecting multi-disciplinary systems as well as training engineers from various project offices in the use of MBSE languages and tools to promote a shift toward a digital/model-based acquisition environment.  Logan graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.  He is currently preparing to take the exam for the OCSMP: Model User certification.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR - Bradley A. Biehn

Mr. Bradley A. Biehn has been an active INCOSE Member since June 2011 with more than 26 years of experience on project and program management in government and industry.  His primary areas of expertise include Verification and Validation, Risk Management, Systems Engineering, Space Systems, Ballistic Missile Defense, Interdisciplinary Space Technology research and development, and Test, Evaluation.  He will be working with current members to develop additional members of the local INCOSE organization.

INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE - Maurizio Mazza, ESEP

Mr. Maurizio Mazza is the Vice President for Defense Systems Strategic Business Unit (SBU) at TriVector. He has over 35 years of leadership experience in both the military and commercial sector executing extensive complex developmental and operational weapon system programs.

Maurizio is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering & Integration and a Certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional specializing in leading and executing engineering/scientific/technical support on systems, system design, systems assessment, including flight and ground testing. He has supported the Missile Defense Agency, BMDS Operational Test Agency, Dynetics, and U.S. Army Programs.

Mr. Mazza received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Charleston Southern University, an MBA from Western New England University, a Master of Science in Military Operational Arts and Science from Air University, and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also attended the Senior Officials in National Security program at Harvard University.

GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE - Dr. Eric Sholes, CSEP

Dr. Eric Sholes is an INCOSE  Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) and is currently serving as the INCOSE-HRC government representative. He is currently supporting NASA Marshall Space Flight Center as Deputy Manager of Advanced Concepts Office.  Dr. Sholes has 19 years of experience in systems engineering and project management supporting development and support of unmanned systems, tactical missiles, missile defense systems, hypersonic missiles, and space systems with a tailored focus specializing on digital transformation and the intersection of systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and programmatic/acquisition.  He holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

ACADEMIC REPRESENTATIVE - Dr. Charles McCurry, ASEP

Dr. Charles McCurry joined Tennessee State University (TSU) as an Assistant Professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department in 2015. He obtained his B.S. (1995) in Electrical Engineering, M.E. (2005) in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. (2011) degree in Computer Information and Systems Engineering from TSU.   Prior to his current position, Dr. McCurry spent the last five years as a system and control engineering consultant (Booz Allen Hamilton) to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).  His research interest which correlated with his work at AFRL include the evolution of system engineering in the DoD,  integrated system health management (ISHM) and state awareness and real-time response (SARTR) methodologies and applications for aerospace systems, decision-making architecture based upon human cognition, decision-making in human and machine teams, computational intelligence methods (i.e. neural networks, fuzzy logic) in decision-making, and human performance and workload assessments.  His accomplishments to date include 10 conference publications, 5 conference presentations, and authorship of a textbook chapter.  He is also certified as an ASEP by INCOSE and faculty advisor to the INCOSE student division and IEEE chapter at TSU.