MITRE's Fort Belvoir Site Supports National Geospatial Intelligence Operations
Steve Nary
June 2012
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As the leader of MITRE's geospatial intelligence and engineering department, Steve Nary focuses not only on new research and development initiatives, but also cost-effective acquisition and IT programs for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Fort Belvoir, Va. |
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For Steve Nary, relocating to MITRE's Fort Belvoir site was an opportunity—one he believed would benefit both MITRE and his sponsor, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The NGA is the nation's primary source of geospatial intelligence, or GEOINT, for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence Community. Its work supports national security and defense, as well as disaster relief.
For the past decade, MITRE has supported the NGA with staff located in Reston and Chantilly, Va., Bethesda, Md., and the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard, as well as MITRE's Bedford, Mass., and McLean, Va., corporate headquarters. However, the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the consolidation of NGA operations in a new facility at Fort Belvoir, Va. The NGA completed the relocation of their operations in September 2011. MITRE opened a Fort Belvoir site that same year.
Nary, who first came to MITRE in 1990, is a multi-discipline systems engineer in the National Security Engineering Center (NSEC)—the federally funded research and development center MITRE operates for the DoD.
Career Keeps Evolving
In his early years at MITRE, Nary supported the Army Advanced Technology Program Office with test planning, execution, and analysis. He also planned, identified, and coordinated the instrumentation requirements supporting the operational testing of an Army command, control, communications, and intelligence system.
As his career progressed, he led a number of technical teams in supporting customers in the defense and intelligence communities with information technology, strategic planning, policy, governance, capital planning, and acquisition. During this time, he also spent 14 years supporting the National Reconnaissance Office—a job he truly enjoyed because it had such operational impact.
A New Hub at Fort Belvoir
Nary first began supporting the NGA in 2008 when he was located at MITRE's corporate headquarters in McLean. Since Fort Belvoir is located within Fairfax County and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, it was an easy move for him. "I was happy to come down and run the Fort Belvoir site. The proximity to my sponsor is a real benefit."
MITRE's Fort Belvoir, Virginia, site
MITRE established a site at Fort Belvoir, Va., in July 2011 to provide a MITRE presence close to the NGA Campus East while continuing the planning for a permanent site. Currently, the site supports a mixture of permanently housed staff, touchdown space for in-transit workers, and more than 40 additional MITRE staff located in nearby NGA facilities. |
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As the site leader at Fort Belvoir, Nary relishes the opportunity to work side by side with the NGA. "I wear three hats," he says. "I'm MITRE's NGA project leader, the department head for our geospatial intelligence engineering and acquisition group, and the site leader.
"I work with Cathy Pennington, the NGA Program Director, to manage and direct MITRE's support to the agency. This support includes research and development initiatives, acquisition support, information technology, and intelligence community initiatives."
He continues, "Right now, one of the NGA's primary goals is to develop online, on-demand access to geospatial intelligence. And we are committed to providing technologically advanced, cost-effective solutions that will ensure the agencys' goals are met."
Good Work Makes a Difference
When asked what he likes best about working for MITRE, Nary says it's the numerous opportunities. "When I first came to MITRE, I expected to be here for three or four years and then move on to another company. But from the beginning, I had a variety of customer-focused jobs where the work has been interesting and varied. I never felt the need to move on when I could stay here and contribute to projects of national importance.
"I feel fortunate to have participated in two independent program assessments for NGA. It's gratifying to know that the NGA has successfully implemented our recommendations.
He's quick to add, "Another thing I have liked about MITRE is that it's very employee- and family-friendly. Like many parents, I find myself running a regular taxi service to and from my children's many activities. MITRE's flexible work schedule policy helps make that possible."
—by Kay M. Upham
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