MITRE Engineers Recognized as Technology Leaders by the National Women of Color

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

McLean, Virginia, November 6, 2007 — Two MITRE systems engineers have been named 2007 category winners by the National Women of Color Technology Awards Conference for their technical accomplishments and leadership abilities. A third was nominated for her outstanding work achievements.

Sandra Aguirre won in the Special Recognition category, and Levonia Moore was named a Technology Rising Star. Both women work in MITRE's Department of Defense federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). Amy Pierce was nominated in the Professional Achievement category. She works for the FFRDC sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.

"These three women exemplify what is best about MITRE," said Bill Albright, director of MITRE's Quality of Work Life & Benefits division. "They are talented systems engineers who are helping solve some of our nation's most pressing issues."

Aguirre and Moore will accept their honors in November at the National Women of Color Technology Awards Conference (NWOC) in Atlanta, Ga. Founded 11 years ago, the NWOC champions the accomplishments of minority women working in information technology. The awards program honors innovators who demonstrate excellence in science, engineering, or technology; leadership in their workplaces and communities; outstanding work as role models and mentors; and commitment to recruiting and retaining minorities in the nation's science and technology enterprises, according to sponsor Career Communications Group.

Sandra Aguirre

Aguirre was honored for her outstanding leadership ability in managing a technology division. Since joining MITRE in 1994 as an information security engineer, Aguirre has risen through the management and technical ranks at MITRE to her current position of department head for Cyber Analysis & Investigation. She also wears two additional management hats as a site leader and project leader for MITRE's Center for National Security Programs.

"It was pretty powerful," said Aguirre when she saw the book compiled for her nomination. "To reflect on more than a decade of work—reading about past accomplishments and seeing nomination letters—made me realize how much I've learned."

Last March, Aguirre earned her master's in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). She was among the first graduates to complete the MITRE-supported on-site graduate program in partnership with JHU. She holds a bachelor's degree in integrative studies/business administration from George Mason University.

Levonia Moore

Moore, a senior information systems engineer, was recognized as a young minority woman who is helping shape technology for the future. With MITRE since 2000, Moore has provided security engineering support to the U.S. Transportation Command and the Department of Defense. She currently provides support to the Internal Revenue Service's Treasury Division and the Department of Justice's Information Sharing Policy Board.

Moore is a member of MITRE's Corporate Diversity Awareness Committee and consistently encourages minority candidates to apply for positions at MITRE. An avid volunteer, she mentors and tutors young women as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and speaks to students about careers in engineering. She also teaches information systems as an adjunct professor at Strayer University and University of Maryland.

"Just to be nominated by MITRE was unbelievable," said Moore. She was "shocked and delighted" when she read the completed award application. "I do what I do because it's what I'm supposed to do, and volunteering is something I do anyway."

Moore holds a master's in computer systems management from the University of Maryland University College and a bachelor's in computer science from Hampton University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in information technology from George Mason University.

Amy Pierce, Ph.D.

Pierce, a financial crimes expert with more than 26 years of experience in information technology and finance disciplines, was nominated for her professional accomplishments. As a principal information systems engineer with MITRE since 2004, Pierce works for the company's civil-agency sponsors and is helping the IRS modernize its business systems. She was also integral to MITRE's work with the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Bank Secrecy Act project.

"I feel privileged and honored for the recognition," she said about her nomination. "I also feel fortunate to be surrounded by seasoned professionals who care about quality of work." A proponent of life-long learning, Pierce holds more than a half-dozen professional certificates. "The world changes so fast; you need to keep up with continued professional development."

Pierce has authored numerous position papers to support critical decisions relating to Federal Reserve System operations, payment systems, and global banking and IT issues, as well as internal publications on financial management, project management, IT, and anti-money laundering program compliance.

She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a doctorate in business administration in management from the Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University, Fla., and a master's of business and finance from Johns Hopkins University.

MITRE (www.mitre.org) is a not-for-profit company that provides systems engineering, research and development, and information technology support to the government. It operates federally funded research and development centers for the Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service, with principal locations in Bedford, Mass., and McLean, Va.

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