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ON THE MOVE SWRI’S THACKER NAMED FELLOW OF AIAA Ben Thacker, director of the materials engineering department in Southwest Research Institute ’s mechanical engineering division, has been selected to the class of 2017 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Fellows. AIAA confers the distinction of fellow upon individuals in recognition of their notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics and astronautics. Thacker was cited “for exceptional leadership and technical contributions in probabilistic analysis, uncertainty quantification, and model validation, and for longstanding service to AIAA.” “This is a very prestigious honor for Southwest Research Institute,” said Danny Deffenbaugh, vice president of the mechanical engineering division. “Ben has been instrumental in furthering our research activities in probabilistic mechanics and uncertainty quantification. We are proud of his accomplishments in obtaining the position of Fellow in AIAA.” Thacker, who joined the SwRI staff in 1988, specializes in developing and implementing advanced probabilistic methods and model verification and validation methodologies for computational solid mechanics. For NASA’s Space Shuttle return-to-flight effort, he led the development of a probabilistic debris transport model and software tool for predicting the probability of critical damage to the orbiter’s leading edge and tile. He also was a key contributor to NASA’s Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods for Select Propulsion System Components

program, a nine-year effort that led to the development of NESSUS. This probabilistic analysis software is used today by both government and industry to predict a diverse range of problems in aerospace structures, automotive structures, gas turbine engines, nuclear waste packaging, offshore structures, and pipelines, among others. At SwRI, Thacker leads a staff of more than 70 involved in a variety of programs related to materials engineering including materials development and characterization, failure analysis, surface engineering, musculoskeletal biomechanics, life assessment and prediction, probabilistic mechanics, corrosion, and mechanical testing. ALBERT SIMEONI, PH.D. HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF WILDLAND FIRE SERVICES FOR JENSEN HUGHES JENSEN HUGHES announced the addition of Albert Simeoni, Ph.D. as the new director of wildland fire services in their Framingham, Massachusetts office. Simeoni has 19 years of experience and is an internationally recognized leader in wildland fires, building protection, and fire science. He is a certified fire and explosion investigator and has developed experimental, analytical, and numerical techniques to better understand fire dynamics and to predict fire behavior. Simeoni will play a vital role to develop and guide the wildland fire research and development program and develop scientific tools and methods to help support root cause analysis, fire event reconstruction, structural design, and vegetation management. His extensive research background will also allow him to work on a wide range of fire-related

R&D projects. Brian Lattimer, vice president of research and development, noted, “We are very excited to have Albert join our team as we continue to expand our research and development program to support our existing clients and advance the science of safety.” Simeoni serves as a visiting professor with the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K., where he provides guidance and leadership for wildfire research. Prior to joining JENSEN HUGHES, he served as senior manager where he developed and supported projects related to design in fire safety and failure analysis. Prior to that he served as a full professor and research chair of fire safety engineering at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K. where he developed research and teaching programs in fire safety, as associate professor of fire protection engineering at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, and as associate professor of physics at the University of Corsica in Corte, France. He spent more than 10 years volunteering for the fire department of North-Corsica, France, serving in several roles including fire lieutenant, firefighter, and corporal, and is fully trained in management and wildfire firefighting operations. Simeoni’s technical expertise and leadership experience supports JENSEN HUGHES’ mission of advancing the science of safety and providing unparalleled research and consulting services to their clients and for the industry.

JC: We have had no M&A yet, but our organic growth has been from returning employees with new clients and/or old clients that move to new geographic areas and ask us to fol- low. “We have had no M&A yet, but our organic growth has been from returning employees with new clients and/or old clients that move to new geographic areas and ask us to follow.”

CONFERENCE CALL, from page 7

company’s “Four Cornerstones” – Best People, Fulfilling Work Environment, Growth and Profitability, and Exceptional Cli- ent Service and Outstanding Results. Cash awards ranging from $100 to $3,000 are awarded to staff as a result of peer recommendations. TZL: How do you raise capital? JC: Not applicable; we are privately held. “Through the implementation of payroll and self-service modules, employees can check their wage statements, request time off, verify PTO balances, review benefits and tax information, and accomplish a variety of other activities.” TZL: What’s your preferred strategy for growth, M&A or organic? Give us a synopsis of how your firm effected growth in the recent past.

TZL: What’s the greatest challenge presented by growth?

JC: Distance, clear communications, and accountability.

TZL: What’s your prediction for 2017 and for the next five years? JC: Good growth, 2 to 5 percent; five years, 3 to 5 percent. I’m a trend follower. I read and attend both local and re- gional events that discuss our economy. There’s lots of cal- culated risk.

THE ZWEIG LETTER May 8, 2017, ISSUE 1199

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