Tim Davidson, BSEE

bio_tim-davidson.jpgTim Davidson, BS Electrical Engineering
In the technology field since 1984
With Centennial since 1998

 

 

 

  • Help desk - CHIPS connectivity and all non-CHIPS technology issues
  • Technology Contracts - Identify requirements, develop specifications, obtain quotes, evaluate bids, oversee task completion, report budget/schedule performance
  • Workstations - Install standard suite of software, set user profiles, add approved limitations (screensaver timeout, password protection, etc), check for and remove inappropriate software
  • Website - Create, post, and maintain public, corporate, management, board, and all other Centennial websites
  • Training - Develop on-line training modules for use by Center personnel
  • Inventory - Track all computer inventory including access points, firewalls, switches, etc. Report unapproved use of or missing equipment.
  • Connectivity - Monitor and maintain all WAN/LAN connections in and between Centennial's 14 offices, monitor surfing/email activity and report inappropriate/suspicious events
  • Security - Maintain workstation virus scan software, firewall firmware/settings, monitor bandwidth usage for possible viral infection/hacker intrusion, maintain all user accounts and passwords, HIPAA security team member
  • Research - Investigate new software/hardware needed to meet new requirements, test all new products for compatibility with existing equipment, plan and implement roll-out of approved technologies
  • Support - Support all technology efforts such as CHIPS updates as required

Click here for a list of what Tim doesn't do

Career Summary: Eleven years of technical and managerial experience in a variety of complex military weapon system programs. First hand experience with implementing quality initiatives such as Total Quality Management and ISO 900X. Skilled in evaluating complex problems (technical or administrative) and developing the most efficient solution, experienced in dealing with engineers as well as senior military and civilian managers. Over 24 years experience in the technology field.

In my last year of college I joined the Air Force using their officer program. In my first job at Los Angeles Air Force Base I was responsible for continuing the development of the Anti-SATellite (ASAT) missile system. This included evaluating and approving everything from clean-room specifications to micro-electronics along with constant quality inspections and contract writing/negotiation. Along with a team of officers I worked with multiple test ranges through two successful test launches (one knocking out a functioning satellite) with a missile launched from the belly of an F-15. I worked with Boeing in Seattle, Washington and Vought (LTV Aerospace) in Dallas, TX to get the program up to initial operational capability before the program was moth-balled.

After that I went to work at the Defense Support Program - DSP (putting satellites up instead of shooting them down). I was responsible for the integration of the DSP satellite with the space shuttle cargo bay. This included evaluating electronic, mechanical, and chemical safety and compatibility requirements to determine necessary payload modifications. I directed satellite, booster rocket, and support contractors' efforts to implement changes. Before I left the program I had completed the integration of the DSP with the space shuttle on schedule for what was later a successful launch. This was pretty difficult due to the stringent safety requirements implemented after the 51L space shuttle disaster that had happened the year before.

The next job was in Alamogordo New Mexico where I was responsible for test planning and analysis of Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) test programs. As chief of the Components Analysis section, I completed the planning and analysis of five major test programs including the National Security Agency's Tightly Integrated Multi-platform Inertial Navigator with GPS aiding (TIMING). This was the first embedded INS with GPS. I also had the pleasure of developing test procedures for the Enhanced GPS (EGI) receiver for the F-117 (stealth) and the first EGI demonstration. This was to be the prototype of all modern navigational systems.

Moving up in the organization I eventually supervised a team of 31 people responsible for over 45 Global Positioning System (GPS) test programs totaling over $35 million. My responsibilities included the planning and executing programs in addition to the analyses and documentation of test results. I directed the budgeting, planning, and overall operation of testing at six supporting Army, Air Force, and Navy test agencies. The most interesting time was spent defining and implementing processes to reduce test planning and reporting time. This was done by developing a core test plan that reduced the schedule by about 50% and was also used to assure the assistant secretary of defense that the test agencies should be used for all Department of Defense GPS testing.

As an Air Force officer and manager I had the opportunity to take in a lot of quality, technology, and management training. To keep sane I took evening classes for a masters in Electrical Engineering, Computer Architecture. Between that and work with contractors on everything from budgeting to propellants to pressure vessels I got quite a breadth of knowledge and got to apply things I learned in books to real world situations.

I left New Mexico to take up residence in a quieter town near family hoping to raise children. For nine years I was owner and sole employee of Omnibus Consulting. I provided consulting on equipment, software, contracts, grants, procedures, and quality assurance. My services range from technical writing to computer system specification, purchase, and configuration. Working with Centennial, I developed an enterprise solution for a technology infusion (prior to this the technology consisted of less than a dozen DOS based computers, no Internet, and one Novell file server). I identified low-cost connectivity solutions for Internet access and email over the ten county service area. The initial start of the upgrade began in 1997 funded by $20,000 from grant requests I wrote to the Petteys Memorial Foundation.

The project included adding 12 Local Area Networks (LAN) joined together by VPN tunnels over the Internet to form a Wide-Area Network (WAN) and nearly 150 state-of-the-art workstations and servers. Using a "Fat Client On A Diet" topology Omnibus researched the hardware and software requirements, defined the specifications, wrote and submitted multiple requests for proposal, reviewed and compared the proposals and submitted recommendations to Centennial for selection. After the selection was made, I worked with local offices and suppliers to track vendor activity ensuring that the project stayed on schedule and was completed as planned and budgeted. Omnibus also defined how the LAN file/print services would be used and provided training to the users. The configuration was intended to be low maintenance using local office computer "gurus" and living website based "how to", software, and FAQ pages (maintained on a secure corporate server). Maximum use of the websites to distribute information and provide "always available" information for the users provides a built-in fault tolerance and reduces the "emergency" aspect of any specific hardware failure.

As Centennial continues to grow in the use of technology I'm now spending a lot of time working out the issues associated with wireless equipment, video conferencing, windows 2003 servers, exchange servers, web servers, and scheduling functions. This is in addition to maintaining the technology currently installed while implementing new ways of communicating.

Education & Experience

  • 30 credits MS EE, New Mexico State University, 1994
  • Certified Total Quality Management Instructor, 1991
  • Management Training, Air Force Institute of Technology, 1985 - 1990
  • 20 credits MS EE, California State University, 1989
  • Certified Acquisition Manager, USAF, 1987
  • Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 1984

 

 
|