November 2024
In this season of celebration and thanksgiving, our level of gratitude is off the charts.
It starts with the veterans who make up nearly 17% of our company’s workforce and extends to our government sponsors and partners. And, of course, each of our 9,000+ employees.
In summary: You power our impact for public good. Thank you!
5-minute read time
OUR CULTURE IN ACTION
A Military Calling
Shaquan Williams’ decision to join the U.S. Air Force surprised no one. Her father and grandfather served in the Army, and Williams says a military life felt like home.
The former college cheerleader became a military police officer and went on to lead an all-male quick-reaction force. Today, Williams is a special security officer at MITRE.
“I feel very supported by MITRE, being a veteran and a service member who’s still serving,” adds Williams, a master sergeant in the Virginia Air National Guard.
WHO'S NEXT
From Puzzles to Cryptography
Channeling interests: Lauren Brandt applies her love of math and puzzles every day at work. The early career cybersecurity engineer specializes in cryptography—the practice of keeping information secure from those who want to access it.
An eye for detail: Brandt was just a year into her full-time role at MITRE when she identified an error in an algorithm published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
She surprised herself by spotting and solving the error during NIST’s public comment timeframe. Today, she’s researching the use of AI in protocol analysis to improve the overall protocol design process.
“I’m so fortunate to be doing something technical that I love,” says Brandt.
WHAT'S NEXT
Onward and Upward
Imagine a world…where drones deliver 20 million packages to American consumers every day, 18,000 law enforcement agencies use uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to monitor crime scenes, and automated air taxis transport passengers across town.
These scenarios aren’t far down the road—or far from the sky. Key to this reality? Device-to-device communication in place of full dependence on GPS or cell towers.
Zooming out: Before any of this is cleared for takeoff, the larger aviation community must ensure safety takes priority.
Enter aircraft-to-everything—or A2X. At the FAA’s request, we’re leading a public-private-sector collaboration to lay the groundwork for an A2X system that meets a high safety bar and works for all National Airspace System stakeholders.
Why MITRE? “We have in-depth knowledge of UAS avionics, applicable regulations, FAA operations, and current use of the radio frequency spectrum,” says software and systems engineer John Mayo. “We also have extensive experience helping government and industry partner on integrated concept development. And we’re objective.”
PIN DROP
A Debt of Gratitude
On Nov. 2, veterans arriving from Stuart, Fla., and Madison, Wis., on Honor Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport received a warm welcome and gratitude for their service.
Dozens of MITRE employees and their families greeted the distinguished guests with American flags and handmade signs. The next stop: visits to the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials on the National Mall.
Our volunteers got as much as they gave through this small gesture of appreciation for veterans’ enormous contribution to our nation.
Thanks to our teams in Baltimore, Quantico, Fort Meade, and McLean, in partnership with our Veterans Business Resource Group, for organizing.
THE BIG PICTURE
A Public-Service Commitment
Why MITRE? Many veterans here say our public interest mission drew them to MITRE. Another factor: The opportunity to translate military experience to help solve some of our nation’s most complex challenges.
From our Veterans Business Resource Group to our career workshops for service members transitioning to civilian careers, we value the expertise veterans bring to our mission. But don’t take our word for it:
- “‘Solving Problems for a Safer World’ and speed, risk taking, adaptability, and collaboration are core attributes I experienced during my time in the service. I strive to uphold these same principles in my work at MITRE,” says Christopher Kobyra, a former Army paratrooper and intelligence officer, now a counterterrorism strategist.
- “…The work we do here is mission-oriented. I’m excited to work on projects that truly have an impact on our country and the world,” says Jessica Chronister, who served as an Air Force astronautical developmental engineer and as an intelligence officer. Today, she’s a systems engineer in our Intelligence Center.
WE’RE HIRING
Join our talent community of innovators, learners, knowledge-sharers, and risk-takers. Check out opportunities to amplify your impact for public good.
READ ON
MITRE at APHA 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo
Informing Threat Awareness at the Nexus of Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology
Integrating Orbital Carrying Capacity into International Policy Constructs: Leveraging Best Practices from Aviation's Risk-Based Norms
NIST Renews Five-Year Contract with MITRE to Operate the National Cybersecurity FFRDC
MITRE’s Response to the NSTC RFI on Cyber-Physical Research