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Ira Shapiro

With a background in communications theory and a technical interest in information systems and enterprise management, Ira Shapiro has devoted his career to supporting the intelligence community. He started at the Harris Corporation then moved on to the National Security Agency before coming to MITRE's Center for Integrated Intelligence Systems (CIIS) in 1977. After a number of years at MITRE's McLean, Virginia, headquarters, Shapiro wanted a change and moved to MITRE's Chantilly, Virginia, site, which allows him to work more closely with his customer.

Shapiro, a lead information systems engineer, spent his early years at MITRE using his communications theory background to help design various communications and information systems for the U.S. European Command. Later he supported the White House through the design and testing of communication information systems aboard Presidential aircraft. (This work involved flying in the communications plane that follows Air Force One.) Over time his growing expertise in information systems and enterprise architectures led him to MITRE's Chantilly site where he is a project manager directly supporting the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

His experience at both the corporate headquarters and at a site has given Shapiro a unique insight into working at MITRE. "You have a totally different perspective when you are working at a site," he says. "As a project manager, I don't recommend going directly to a site if you are just starting at MITRE. I think it is important that new employees work at one of MITRE's headquarters to understand what MITRE stands for and how the company works before they go out to a site. MITRE is different from for-profit companies that do similar work, and it is important that they understand that. Later, employees would benefit from working at a site where they are with the sponsor every day so they get to know sponsors' businesses and issues a little better."

The atmosphere at a site is also different. At Chantilly, MITRE is co-located with the NRO and virtually all the project work directly supports that sponsor. That is one of the things that Shapiro likes the most about the site. "The NRO is a good customer to work for and to work with," he says. "They treat you as an equal and they appreciate MITRE's help.

"I think MITRE has a unique opportunity to help the government solve some complex problems," he continues. "We provide technical guidance and help our customers formulate strategic plans. Personally, I like knowing that we are making a contribution to moving the customer forward and that we are supporting their mission."

Happy with his work, Shapiro feels like he has the best of both worlds. "I've enjoyed my time in Chantilly," he says. "I was ready for a change and I got it. The commute is easier and I didn't have to move or uproot my family. Plus, I've always liked what MITRE has to offer and what MITRE stands for. That has made me want to stay. I think that there's a lot to be said for job satisfaction, especially if you believe in what you are trying to do."

—by Kay M. Upham

MITRE established a site at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) facility in Chantilly, Virginia, in 1994. The site, located approximately 15 miles northwest of MITRE's McLean corporate headquarters, employs 64 staff.