MITRE's Sponsor Support Expands with Clarksburg's Growth
Paul Konschak
July 2010
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Paul Konschak |
When MITRE opened a new site in Clarksburg, West Va., in 2008, the site's mission was clear—assist its sponsors in addressing their critical information system technology and biometric challenges. Paul Konschak, a multi-discipline systems engineer, was one of the first MITRE employees to relocate to the new site. "As MITRE's Department of Justice support expanded, I knew it was a great opportunity to help build the work program in Clarksburg," he says.
Konschak, who came from MITRE's McLean, Va., headquarters, first saw the project lead position in Clarksburg on the corporate intranet. He then discussed it with his managers, applied for the position, and within a few months began the move to West Virginia. Since his transfer, he has also taken on the role of associate site leader.
"I moved from McLean to Clarksburg in 2008," he explains. "I began supporting the Clarksburg work program in March, first as a teleworker, and then traveling to the site periodically until I completed my move in October."
From his first day at MITRE in 2004 Konschak has been supporting the DoJ. "When I joined the corporation, one of my first responsibilities was to take over as project lead for several DoJ projects in the Washington, D.C., area," he says. "The bulk of this work focused on assisting the sponsor in developing new internal training policies and processes related to intelligence analysis."
MITRE's Clarksburg, West Virginia, site
MITRE established a Clarksburg, West Virginia, site in October 2008 as a result of expanding support to our Department of Defense and Department of Justice sponsors in the Clarksburg area. Eight staff are located there. The site is approximately 225 miles from MITRE's McLean, Va., headquarters. |
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Konschak found a specific niche for his talents. "Over time, I became embedded into a very specialized unit of the sponsor's organization responsible for the oversight, training, and development of field intelligence activities. This was one of my favorite projects, in part because I was fully integrated into my sponsor's environment. I contributed directly to a new and highly visible effort and had the opportunity to travel to a variety of sponsor locations all over the country in support of its mission."
This work also drew on Konschak's education and experience—his Ph.D. research was in adult education and computer-based training. This academic background combined with several years' experience in law enforcement, homeland security, and intelligence analysis—gave him a number of valuable skills to support his customers.
"Here in Clarksburg we assist our sponsors in improving their biometric capabilities and in sharing critical law enforcement information internally, externally, and with trusted foreign partners," he says. "The core of our work focuses on solid systems engineering, but also involves process improvement, organizational change management, and intelligence."
A Change of Pace
Now after a couple of years at the site, Konschak has found many things to appreciate about his new home. "One of the greatest benefits of moving to Clarksburg has been the lack of traffic as compared to the McLean area," he says. "Moreover, it has been a complete lifestyle change coming to West Virginia. Things are much more relaxed, there is less congestion, and the people here are very friendly. My wife and I love taking advantage of the lakes and mountains in the surrounding area. We enjoy the quiet 'country' life."
While moving to a new location is always stressful, Konschak found MITRE's relocation team to be a big help throughout the process. "The relocation team was great. Wayne Conway was particularly helpful in answering all my questions. He helped me navigate through the various stages and vendors until the move was complete. Even after my move, Wayne and his team were there for follow-up support and to help out in any way they could. My family and I really appreciated knowing that we had the support of MITRE throughout the process."
Konschak is also grateful for MITRE's flexibility in work schedules. "I have always had an interest in aviation and wanted to get my private pilot's license since I was a teenager," he says. "So back in 2006, I decided the time had come, and I was going to enroll in flight training. MITRE's flexibility allowed me to find a flight school at a local airport and take lessons around my regular work schedule, plus nights, and on weekends. A few months later, I passed my checkride and fulfilled this long-time dream."
He also found he wasn't alone in having the flying bug. "During the process, I also found many other pilots and flight instructors who were MITRE employees, and they helped me get through the training."
—by Kay M. Upham
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