L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.

Dan became Chief Executive Officer of SSG Precision Optronics, Inc. in 2001 after a very successful twenty-seven year career at Kollmorgen Corporation, where he was Group President and Corporate Vice President of the Aerospace and Defense Group. He brings extensive experience in electro-optical manufacturing and corporate development, including successful integration of world-wide acquisitions. He has a proven track record of profitably growing high-tech electro-optical businesses in the global defense and aerospace markets. In addition to an MBA, Dan holds Bachelor and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering.

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Rob worked as an engineer in the Physical Research Division of Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ for almost 24 years. Now he is a Software Unit Manager with L3 Communications in Camden, NJ. Rob has a BS in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Case Western Reserve University and an MS in Solid State Physics from Stevens Institute of Technology. Rob has been addicted to sailing since his first experiences with the sport back in 1973. He has been sailing every year now since 1989. In 1993, Rob joined the Sailing Club. He became a club-qualified skipper 2 years later. He has held several posts with the club including Commodore and Training Coordinator. Rob loves sailing the Chesapeake Bay and will passionately share that love with anyone who will listen. Other memorable experiences include skippering in two Lucent Regattas in the Netherlands and skippering a 45-foot tugboat for the National Park Service while in high school. Rob is certified by the American Sailing Association to teach Basic Keelboat Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, and Bareboat Chartering. When it comes to sailing, Rob believes that the journey IS the destination. His essays and poems on sailing have been published in the Sailing Club's newsletter and elsewhere.

Derek graduated High School from The Lawrenceville School, NJ. Since 8 years old, Derek developed his interest and passion in Astronomy. From age 11 until age 17, Derek belonged to the Amateur Astronomy Association of Princeton where special outings to Canada and Africa occurred with the group to observe solar eclipses. Derek attended California Institute of Technology (Caltech) initially in Astrophysics, and then switched after his 2nd year to Electrical Engineering with the pressure to learn a profession that provides a "job" vs. his life long dream. For the past 25 years, Derek has been a top Scientist specializing in Encryption and Secured products to Government agencies and civilian companies. He has worked for the past 19 years at L3 Communications (past 4 years as Chief Engineer). Derek's only other company of employ was with Hughes Aircraft (Space and Communications Group) which later was sold to Boeing. Derek's focus with AINA will be Science and Technology. His first responsibilities will be to develop a Robotic Telescope Program throughout North America as well as a Satellite Telescope Placement Program. Derek's other duties include Research and Outreach Education to schools and the public.

While at the Sanders division of Lockheed Martin, Mr. Blanda was the chief engineer of all communications programs. His experience includes managing a team from Motorola, Telcordia Technologies, L-3 Communications, Northrop Grumman's Xetron Corporation, ViaSat Inc., Scientific Research Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and Sanders. The team, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, designed airborne wireless networks that provide personal communication and Internet-like services to mobile subscribers.

Johnny Tharp is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Greenville High School robotics team. Johnny teaches Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at the New Horizons Learning Center. He graduated from Texas A&M University at College Station with a B. S. in Engineering Technology (Computer Specialty) and from Texas A&M University at Commerce with an M. S. in Computer Science. Johnny has been employed at E-Systems (now L-3 Communications) as a Computer Systems Programmer and has been self-employed before becoming a teacher. He has received the honor of Who's Who Among America's High School Teachers.

Matt is the webmaster for Austen's Website. He currently works as a Systems Analyst with L3 Communications at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. In his spare time, he has jumped into web authoring and working with PHP and MySQL. He was more than happy to help the Duncan Racing Team out when we asked him to create a website for us. Matt continues to provide all technical and web support for the team.

Michael Crawford, Senior VP of Engineering, brings to Syntricity over thirty years experience managing the definition and creation of advanced software and hardware products. Prior to Syntricity, Crawford was Senior Vice President of Engineering at EMC/Prisa Networks. Crawford's background also includes 20 years engineering and executive positions at Loral/Lockheed/L-3 Communications where he managed the creation of software and hardware for high speed telemetry systems. Crawford served in the United States Navy as Naval Aviator and Command and Control Officer, achieving the rank of commander while in the reserves. He earned a BSEE degree from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Rich Shimano is a Director of Reading to Kids. He holds a B.S. and an M.S. in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Shimano is a senior research engineer for L-3 Communications.