Finfera
_Enterprises

Resume of Owner

James P. Finfera

2616 Cove Cay Drive; Unit 1002

Clearwater, FL 33760

Phone: 727-565-1909

Capabilities:

Over fourty years of Engineering, Scientific, Supervisory, Management, Program Management, and Executive Experience. Database development and management, Weapon System Survivability Specialist, Marketing for technological support of government defense organizations. Represent Army at OSD level task force, working groups, meetings. Formulate Army and tri service policy. Extensive program management experience (Reengineering of Command, Army Acquisition Work Force, Supervised Program Managers, and Supervised Project Managers). Experienced in international negotiations. Can function as Human Factors/MANPRINT Analyst with experience in the Army: System Evaluation Plans, Emerging Results Briefs and System Assessments. Can managing small (18 people) to very large (greater than 400 people) multi layered organizations. Ability to manage very diverse work force: Professional (to include psychologists), technician, trades and crafts, to administrative, with education through Ph.D. In depth experience in dealing with personnel, union, EEO, environmental, nuclear regulatory, safety and budgetary (financial management) issues to include revolving funds, currently called “Capital Funds”. Ability to manage and/or develop multiple multi million facilities and laboratories (i.e. human factors, materials, nondestructive testing, failure analysis, chemical, POL, sensor technology, quality control, metrology, ballistics, geodetics, automotive, weapon processing, ammunition processing, generator testing, etc.). Extensive science and engineering skills: Nondestructive Testing (to include Ultrasonics, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Eddy Current, Industrial Radiography, etc.), Material Failure Analysis, Material Properties Analysis, Vibrations Analysis, Computer Programming, Flight Testing, Measurements of Dynamic High Speed Events in Hostile Environments (to include Flash Radiography), Analytical Chemistry (to include X Ray Spectrochemical Analysis, Metrology, Internal Ballistics, etc.). Proficient in working with PC's and related Software (MS Word, MS Presentation, MS Access, MS Excel, MS Scheduler, MS Visio, Corel Word Perfect, Corel Quattro Pro, Corel Presentations, various email programs [to include Outlook, Eudora Pro & Lite], various web surfing tools [Navigator, Mosaic, and Internet Explorer], various web designing tools [Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Navigator Composer, etc.] and multiple vulnerability models [FATEPEN, Barrier, and TREMOR].

Accomplishments:

Owner and operator of a growing and developing business, Finfera Enterprises (http://www.finfera.com). Through a contract with Survice Engineering Company (http://www.survice.com) designed, developed, managed and upgraded databases for the General Dynamic’s Survivability Integrated Product Team in addition to providing survivability analysis on their multi billion dollar Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle for the Marine Corps. Through contract with TRW (http://www.trw.com) through TRI-S (http://www.tris.com) assessed the test management processes of the U.S. Army Test Management Command and all of its subordinate Test Centers. TRW’s marketing representative to Aberdeen Proving Ground (establishing new business initiatives in sensor technology and testing arenas). Program Manager on evaluation and recommending improvements of Developmental Test Command’s (http://www.dtc.army.mil) and its subordinate test centers test management processes. Significantly contributed to changing culture of Aberdeen Test Center (http://www.atc.army.mil) to one of “Principled Centered Management.” Was member of Army Acq. Corps, participant in AMC's Senior Manager's Executive Development Program. Managed total reengineering of command (U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Activity). Army's T&E representative in reengineering of Army's Acquisition Workforce. Army's rep on tri service US/UK MOU Committee on Mutually Acceptable Testing Procedures of Ammunition and Explosive Ordinances. Army's representative on OSD Interoperability and Automatic Test Planning Working Groups. Served Analyst performing Human Factors/MANPRINT evaluation of the Multipurpose Integrated Chemical Agent Alarm (MICAD). Served on Proposal Evaluation Board for largest service contract ever undertaken (at the time) by Aberdeen Proving Ground (Over $30M). Managed development of Navy's $28M large UNDEX test facility. Reorganized large and diverse organizations to improve effectiveness and efficiencies (Established separate and identifiable sensor testing and human factors entities to address major Army thrusts, reduced level of management layering of Ballistics Division). Responsible for the revolving fund and technical management of the Army’s cannon/gun tube crusher gage interior pressure systems. Managed the development of instrumentation facility of the congressionally mandated Army live fire testing capability. Developed worlds largest (at the time) flash (pulsed) radiographic facility. Organizer and first chief of largest nondestructive test capability within AMC. Introduced chemistry facility to Materiel Testing Directorate of Aberdeen Proving Ground. Local and national leadership roles in technical and civil societies/organizations such as the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (Chapter President, Technical Meetings Chairperson of National Penetrating Radiation Committee), International Testing and Evaluation Association (Founding Member, Chapter President, Chairperson of Senior Advisors Committee), National Defense Industrial Association (Chapter President of 500 member chapter, Board of Directors), Harford County Chamber of Commerce, North Eastern Maryland Technology Council, National Contract Management Association, etc.

Education/Training:

B.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Saint Louis University, 1963

9 Cr Hrs Graduate Study, Systems Engineering, University of Delaware, 1974

18 Cr Hrs Graduate Study, Business Administration, Central Michigan University, 1990

Professional Experience:

Owner

Finfera Enterprises (http://www.finfera.com/) Jan. 1966 – Present

I have been a part time business owner since 1966. In 2001, become involved on a full time bases in the operation of Finfera Enterprises, a life long dream. Originally I was the owner of photography studio originally called Finfera Photos. This was a part time business while I performed my engineering duties listed below. Was responsible for wedding, portrait and commercial photography. Greatest concentration of work was in wedding photography. Photographed over 600 weddings in a 30 year period. Was recognized as one of the best photography studios in Harford County and the greater Baltimore area. Because of pressing demands of my professional engineering duties listed below, (1994 thru 1998) had to suspend my business for a short period of time. In 1999 reinitialized my business under the name of Finfera Enterprises. The business included both a photo gallery illustrating a collection of some of my best photographs and a web designing/hosting business. In March of 2001, Finfera Enterprises increased its concentration to include both personal and organizational development. In April 2001, Finfera Enterprises also increased its focus to include Consulting and Support Services. I left TRW to dedicate my complete efforts to the expansion of Finfera Enterprises. Finfera Enterprises’ consulting and support FOCUS is small businesses (organizations) and large businesses (organizations). There are no businesses that are too small and none that are too large. We will give our best regardless of size. Our GOAL is to help our customers do their jobs better. Our INTENTION is for them to not only survive, but also thrive in this time of fiscal instability. Our capability that sets us apart from others is our ability to understand the laws/principles of the physical, organizational and interpersonal dynamics and apply them to the current situation with is both unique and uncharted. The areas we have expertise include but are not limited to: Database Development, Program Management, Engineering, Assessment, Analysis, Evaluation, Testing, Instrumentation, Technology, Sociology, Logistics, Software, Metrology, Data Collection, Data Reduction, Change Dynamics, Conflict Resolution, Organizational Dynamics, People Dynamics, Marketing, Coordination, Training, Personal development, etc. Some of our direct customer we have supported are: Survice Engineering Company, TRI-S, TRW, Harford Machine Shop, Catholic Review, etc.

Area Manager, APG/Harford County Office

TRW, Systems & Information Technology Group Oct. 1999 – Apr. 2001

Area Manager of TRW’s Aberdeen Proving Ground/Hard County Office. Responsible for establishing a TRW presence at Aberdeen Proving Ground. I identified and developing customer base in over 20 areas at the Proving Ground needing TRW contract support: a) Multiple areas of the Developmental Test Command (DTC); b) Multiple areas of Aberdeen Test Center (ATC); c) Multiple areas of the Army Evaluation Center (AEC) located at Aberdeen Proving Ground; d) Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED); e) U.S. Army Research Institute of Chemical Defense; f) Multiple areas of the Army Material System Analysis Activity (AMSAA); etc. Developed in-depth TRW capabilities briefing addressing TRW’s structure, products, markets, management approach in such areas as: quality assurance, logistics support analysis, system RAM analysis, software evaluation analysis, data management support, MANPRINT, methodology support, modeling & simulation, live fire testing, instrumentation planning, training, etc. Under contract with the Army Evaluation Center, I also functioned as analysis in support of the MANPRINT evaluation of the Multipurpose Integrated Chemical Agent Alarm (MICAD). I monitored and evaluated tests, prepared MANPRINT portion of Emerging Results Brief, and prepared MANPRINT input to the System Assessment. Currently I am the Program Manager of a TRW study to improve the Army’s Developmental Testing Command’s Test Management System.

General Manager

Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Jul. 1997 – Sep. 1999

First Chief (General Manager) and organizer of Vulnerability/Lethality Team. Team composed primary of program managers, project managers, and facility managers. Responsible for vulnerability, lethality, and congressionally mandated/oversight live fire testing. Responsible for over $30M of facilities (DU Containment Facility, Live Fire Complex, Ballistic Track, etc.) I was responsible for the testing of four major live fire programs on four major weapon systems: BFV, C2V, HAV and the BAT. I was also responsible for lethality and vulnerability analysis of multiple armor systems and weapons systems. I had reviewing and proving responsibility on test reports of these systems.

Special Projects Officer

Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Sep. 1996 – Jul. 1997

Special projects officer for Commander/Tech Dir of Aberdeen Test Center. Responsible for developing Federation Concept as a vehicle for more effectively replacing BRAC. Set up and served as Command’s Acquisition Career Management Advocate for Acquisition Work Force. Introduce and implemented Principled Centered Leadership to leaders & work force.

Army's Test & Evaluation Representative

ASA(RDA); Acq. Workforce REE Team; Fort Belvoir, VA Nov. 1995 – Sep. 1996

Special assignment as Army's sole test and evaluation representative on the Army's Acquisition Corps Reengineering Team. Kept T&E leadership informed and advised of progress of the reengineering initiative. Assured Army’s T&E interests were addressed. Significantly contributed to identifying, developing and implementing Army Acquisition Work Force policies. Performed and documented assessment of multiple career referral systems with a recommended system to be used by the Army Acquisition Corps. My recommendations were implemented by the Army’s Acquisition Corps. First introduced concept of Acquisition Career Management Advocate as a vehicle of having a direct link from the individual members of the Army Acquisition Corps to the Army’s Deputy Director of Acquisition Career Manager. This concept was implemented by the Army’s Acquisition Corps.

Program Manager

Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Dec. 1994 – Nov. 1995

Program Manager for Reengineering (REE) of Aberdeen Test Center. Managed command's $7M+ REE and modernization budget. Managed establishment of HUB’s as a vehicle for co-locating and consolidating like operations. Established a Reengineering Advisory Panel (Composed of elite young and motivated engineers and scientists willing to think out of the box), brought other teams into the REE process, initiated plan for multi-skilling the work force, etc. The concept of Strategic Business Units (Self Directed Teams) was first introduced to Aberdeen Test Center by my Reengineering Advisory Panel. This concept was implemented by Aberdeen Test Center.

Engineering Analyst

TEMA, Office of Chief of Staff of the Army, Pentagon Mar. 1994 – Dec. 1994

Responsible for staffing Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP). Supported the DUSA(OR) in resolving specific program and/or Test and Evaluation (T&E) issues. Provided guidance and resolved issues brought to the Test and Evaluation Management Agency (TEMA). Conducted studies at the request of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for Operational Research or Director of TEMA. Represented the Army on ad hoc panels, etc.

Chief, Advanced Projects Division

Live Fire Vulnerability Dir, CSTA APG / MD May 1993 – Mar. 1994

Responsible for managing the Advanced Projects Division. This division was responsible for managing over $42M of programs and facilities: I was responsible for the construction of $28 million Underwater Explosive Test Facility, operations of $16 million Depleted Uranium Containment Facility, etc. Provided live fire vulnerability technical support for the command.

Chief, Physical Test Division

Engineering Directorate CSTA APG / MD Feb. 1988 – May 1993

Responsible for managing the Physical Test Div. Most complex and diversified division within Command. Division was responsible for providing technical support to the testing side of command. Had 80 government employees and has been supported by up to 64 mission support contractors. Composed of five branches responsible for 12 mission areas, laboratories and/or facilities. I was responsible for nondestructive testing (quality assurance), materials testing (to include failure analysis), sensor testing, human factors testing, and metrology for the Combat Systems Test Activity. Was approving authority for technical reports. I recognized the value of and established sensor testing and human factors testing as individual branch entities. Because of concerns for the release of ozone depleting substance into the atmosphere, I fostered the concept of the development of a contained fire testing facility, Fire Box, within the command. This concept was accepted and developed.

Chief, Ballistics Division

Engineering Directorate, CSTA APG / MD Aug. 1985 – Feb. 1988

Managed Ballistics Division. Division was responsible for providing technical support to the testing side of Command. Had up to 75 government employees and been supported by 50+ mission support contractors. Composed of four branches. I was responsible for Combat Systems Test Activity’s: geodetics and ballistic data acquisition, reduction and analysis in such areas as exterior ballistics, interior ballistics, terminal ballistics, and range coordinate measuring systems. I introduced GPS as a tool for accurate range coordinate measuring capabilities. I reorganized the division to increase its effectiveness. I was tasked by my director for instrumenting the congressionally mandidated and the United States first full scale Live Fire Testing Range. I was given a $6M budget and a four month time frame to accomplish this task. I coordinated this effort with six organizational entities and accomplished this back breaking task on time and within budget. Was approving authority for technical reports.

Chief, Operations Branch

Technical Support Div, MTD APG / MD Dec. 1983 – Apr. 1984

Temporary Promotion (120 day). Managed the largest organization within Directorate. Its mission was to provide automotive, weapons, ammunition, demolition, nondestructive testing, and reliability & maintainability/logistic support. Composed of 423 employees, 21 first line supervisors, seven second level supervisors, and five upper level supervisors.

Chief, Nondestructive Test Branch

Engineering Dir, CSTA APG / MD Aug. 1975 – Aug. 1985

First chief and organizer of the Nondestructive Test (NDT) Branch. I organized that branch into three facilities: flash x-ray, industrial x-ray, and conventional nondestructive testing. Triple productivity of branch without increasing our staff. Developed the flash x-ray facility into one of the largest and most versatile in the free world. Developed and designed flash radiographic system to measure large scale ballistic events such as terminal effects of impact of kinetic rounds on multiple targets and dynamic characteristics of large scale shaped charge (in excess of a metric ton) jet formation. This system was copied and used as a reference by multiple agencies and countries. Was invited speaker at the first Flash X-ray Symposium held in the US. Proceedings were published in hardback book: Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 77-5224. My chapter in the book was titled, “Flash X-Ray of Large Scale Ballistic Events at Aberdeen Proving Ground”.

Chief, Materials & Evaluation Branch

Material Testing Directorate, APG / MD Oct. 1974 – Aug. 1975

First supervisory assignment. Supervised professionals and technicians involved in material, chemical and physical testing which included metallurgical analysis, failure analysis, analytical chemistry, wet chemistry, stress analysis, industrial/flash radiography, thermal analysis, textile testing, etc.

Mechanical Engineer

Materials Evaluation Br, MTD APG / MD May 1967 – Oct. 1974

Expert in flash radiography, dynamic unbalance analysis, analytical chemistry, magnetic field analysis, dynamic thermal analysis, stress analysis, tensile testing, charpy impact testing, hardness testing, metallurgy, metallography, and material failure analysis. Developed and established the first Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for directorate.

General Engineer

Rocket and Missile Branch, D&PS APG / MD Apr 1966 – May 1967

Was involved in dynamic testing rockets, warheads, and fuzes. I was project engineer/manager for: (1) a product improvement test of the XM423 and XM427E1 rocket fuzes, (2) an engineering design and safety release test of the air burst XM429 rocket fuze, and (3) several smaller tests on various types of rockets, warheads and fuzes.

Aerospace Engineer

Applied Physics Br, Naval Propellant Plant Indian Head MD Feb 1965 – Apr 1966

Independently evaluated by static test firings: the Polaris A-3 rocket propellant, and various double base propellants produced by a new process known as Inert Diluent. I was also tasked by the Navy to be contract monitor of a sounding rocket study project Space General Corporation was performing for NASA.

Aerospace Engineer

Naval Air Test Center, NAS, Patuxent River, Maryland Jan 1964 – Feb 1965

I was responsible for testing: (1) Automated power control system and in flight rain repellant system for the A3B bomber, (2) Canadian S2F aircraft for catapult launches and arrested landings, (3) and bomb and store configurations on various air crafts for clearance and structural integrity in aircraft carrier catapult launches and arrested landings.