Attendees:

WCA Board

• Heather McAllen

• Vince Cassara

• Nick Lutzio

 

NASA Representation

• Kyle McAllen; Program Manager Heliophysics Strategy Technology Office (HESTO)

 

Contractor Presentation

• Marianne Simko; Program Manager Bluestone Environmental Group Inc.

 

Notes:

Heather McAllen: 

• Quick opening for the meeting and an overview of some of the initiatives we are taking this year in the WCA to refresh everyone’s mind as well as letting new participants know

• There was an emphasis on welcoming and valuing everyone’s ideas and opinions so please reach out to one of the board members if you have thoughts

Marianne Simko:

• Introduced us to Bluestone Environmental Group Inc

• They are 8(a) and EDWOSB and manage the environment at Wallops

• Responsible for Environmental Management Services at Wallops where they manage compliance and monitor water quality, air quality, ozone depletion, global warming, hazardous wastes and much more

Kyle McAllen:

• Presentation on HESTO, the leadership team and for what HESTO is used

• This program facilitates NASA’s Heliophysics Technology Program (HTP) investments, assists with project maturation and promotes technology infusion

• Discussed the use of NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) for solicitations to provide grants to institutions/organizations

• Showed the website where people could access and get more information on the program

Heather McAllen:

• Updated the participants on some of the initiatives we working and updated them on the discussion we had in our board member meeting

  • Website – we are proceeding with updates to the website as discussed in the first meeting.  McCallie Associates will own it as they are performing the updates and we should make progress over the next month

  • Discussed the concept of forming committees.  Four immediate recommendations for committees are branding, social media, outreach and fundraising.  We received positive response from the membership to help out with these committees

  • Gave an update on forming a non-profit.  We will still pursue this and Nick Lutzio will work with some of his contacts to figure out how this is done.  Open to other ideas as well if anyone has an idea

Closing with Heather McAllen:

• Thanked everyone for being a part of a changing organization which will make a positive impact on Wallops

• Discussed some of the things we already started to implement such as monthly meeting, spotlight focus on a current company working at Wallops and having a civil servant present one of the projects to the members

Actions:

1. Jim to work with General Counsel on wording of the donation request so there are no issues with companies participating

2. Board Members provide picture and bio to Heather for the website

3. Update the by-laws to make sure we are incorporating our new initiatives

4. Determine presentations for next month

5. Notify company representatives of golf tournament on September 20 at Great Hope Golf Course.  Cost is $100/person to participate

6. Begin WCA branding initiative across Wallops

7. Heather to begin 501c3 efforts

   1. Nick to discuss efforts with Lee Rizzo on non-profit

   2. Nick to discuss how to set up a non-profit with either MSBR or Maryland Aerospace Alliance leaders