Siamak Yassini

Ph: 617-585-9233
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
A highly accomplished visionary leadership with 20 plus years of experience in b
oth technical and managerial fields related to the Engineering, Information Tech
nology and Scientific fields as well as in areas of advanced technology developm
ent, strategic planning, acquisitions, global marketing and ITAR, contracting an
d proposals, financing budgeting and cost, and business development with startup
Aerospace Company, Government Agency NASA Space Programs (HEDS, Space Science,
Aeronautics), and the Boeing Company. Results-oriented and decisive leader with
proven success in new market identification, strategic thinking, and problem sol
ving. Possesses the tendency to thrive in dynamic and challenging environments w
hile remaining pragmatic and focused.
Consistently achieve performance goals through enthusiasm, initiative, and tenac
ity, which complement expertise in:
* Visionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship
* Strategic Policy and Planning Development
* Business Development, VC Funding and Financing
* Program, Project, and Resource Management (NASA PPMI)
* FY OMB Budget, Gap Analysis, Cost/Schedule Performance Indices, Earned/Planned
Values,
Cost/Schedule/Resources Reports (EVMS)
* Building Coalitions and Strategic Partnerships
* Procurements, Acquisition, Contracting, RFPs, Proposal write up ($40 M), Propo
sal evaluation
($20M), contract negotiation, IDIQ, Cost Plus, Fixed Cost, and Grants ($5M)- (N
ASA COTR Certified)
* Organizational Development and Planning
* Government and Industry Advisory
* NASA Risk Management Guidebook Development for PM Training
* Program Criticality Risk Assessment
* Process Improvement: ISO-9000, CMMI, TQM, Six Sigma
* Mission Safety ,QA, Independent Assessment, and Launch Certification
* Innovation, R&D, and Advanced Complex Systems Development Life Cycle (Concept
through Operations)
* Space Shuttle Mission planning and Trajectory Design, GN&C, Crew Training, Lau
nch Operations and
Certification
* Aircraft/Spacecraft Conceptual and Preliminary Design Through Flight Testing a
nd Operations
Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structure)
* Software Life Cycle Development: Requirements, Design, Testing, V&V, IV&V, SQA
, CM (DOD,IEEE,NASA, CMM)
Expert in managing cross-functional, cross cultural teams and building strategic
global partnerships. Demonstrated ability of team building, staff training and
motivation to maximize productivity and control costs through the most effective
ness use of funding, manpower and available resources.
Held Secret Clearance with NASA and Government Contractors from 83-96.
Desired salary and compensation are negotiable.
Thank you for your attention. I certainly look forward to exploring this further
.
Yours truly,
S. Yassini
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Aero Copter, Inc., Boston, MA 7/2000 - present
Founder, Inventor, Business and Product Development of the Next Gen Air Vehicle
Direct contribution to the invention, R&D, operations of an advanced Vertical Li
ft Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft "A Practical Solution to 21st Century Transpo
rtation" utilizing Disruptive technologies: Counter Rotation, Co-Axial Mono Tilt
Rotor (MTR), Electronic Controlled Blade and Magnetic Levitation Rotary System
for Military/Civil VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) as a Front Line Delivery
System for Nation Arm Forces, Home Land Security, and Civil Crisis; Commercial
Very Light Jet and Personal Air Vehicle at Market value of $200M.
* Responsible for bottom-line factors including company mission, vision, long a
nd short term strategic planning, business development, VC funding, and global m
arketing and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and product devel
opment life cycle from invention through design, flight testing and operations
* Directed and managed organizational structure, 10 years financial projection
and budget, venture investment process to obtain $5M Seed level and Series- A fu
nding, product unit cost evaluation utilizing RAND DAPCA IV cost model, market e
valuation, competitive cost analysis, and systems trade studies.
* Developed Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) Analysis and Reports utilizi
ng Milestones Professional Tool to evaluate and monitor project cost/schedule pe
rformance, variances, Indices, earned value, actual costs, total budget and pred
ict future performance trends as well.
* Developed master project plan, master and detailed schedule, systems specific
ation, Systems Breakdown Structure (SBS), SOW and identified major technical mil
estones (SRR, SFR, PDR, CDR, SVR, PCA) as part of overall Systems Engineering Pr
ocess Planning to design, develop, and operation of the Next Gen VTOL Vehicle.
* Release of RFPs, contract negotiation, NDA, MOA, procurements, SBIR, White Pa
pers, Solicited and Unsolicited Proposals to government agencies (DOD, NASA, Arm
y, NIST, Navy, DHS and DARPA), and collaboration discussion with aircraft compan
ies ( Boeing, Bell, Airbus, Sikorsky, Augusta) and academics (MIT, WVU, Cal Poly
).
* Developed project plan and involved with FAA certification process and early
planning by applying and understanding of Aircraft/Rotorcraft airworthiness cert
ification FARs 25, 27,29 and other FAA Regulations (FARs), FAA Advisory Circular
s, and FAA Directives Related to Aircraft Certification.
* Familiar with FAR Title 14: Aeronautics and Space: PART 119 Certification: Ai
r Carriers and commercial operators, PART 91General Operating and flight rules.
Involved with NAS product development at NASA and familiar with NAS policy, rule
s, guidelines, certification plan for UAS and PAV and its roadmap transition to
the Next Gen system.
* Represented the company and lobbying its technology with Congressional office
s of Senator Kennedy and Senator Rockefeller for earmarked funding and local eco
nomy development.
* Publication of four papers and participation at international aerospace semin
ars, and exhibits (AIAA, AHS, Farnborough, EAA and NBAA).
* Invention has been published by major National and International Aerospace ma
gazines, major news papers, and including the cover page of Popular Science maga
zine.
NASA - Ames Research Center, Systems Technology Division (IT), Moffett Field, CA
. 1996 - 2000
NASA exceptional Achievement Medal Honoree, being nominated by NASA Ames in reco
gnition for exceptional, innovative leadership and management of the AMES qualit
y systems efforts
Provided strategic planning, business development, personnel manager, coordinati
on, procurement and acquisition, FY financing and budget ($20M), Systems IV&V ($
15M) and research programs ($5M) applicable to NASA Space Programs (HEDS, Space
Science, Aeronautics).
Deputy Division Chief (GS-15 Step 6)
* Assisted three Directors of the facility with resolution of systems Independe
nt Verification and Validation (IV&V) policy issues and concern to the NASA HQ,
NASA Centers, and Congressional offices.
* Developed, implemented, and supervised a five year business plan, operating p
lan, strategic plan, and policy for new NASA facility with staff of 10 CS, 90 co
ntractors and 10 PIs.
* Developed short term and long term business plan and level I technical progra
m plan to identify, develop, adopt and integrate the best systems engineering pr
actices (IEEE, MIL, CMM, and NASA Std) to raise up to level 3 CMM certification
at NASA centers and implementation of systems research initiatives (15 top advan
ced research proposals) into NASA programs that would result of the delivery of
world -class programs and cutting edge technologies throughout each NASA Center
for each NASA Enterprise.
* Performed training, staff planning, position description, interview process,
personnel hiring, annual performance evaluation, and promotions.
* Communicated and advocated the facility's mission and goals to Congressmen of
fices, NASA senior management (OSMA, CIO), private sectors and universities for
achieving the Center Of Excellence (COE).
* Provided a technical briefing and progress report to NASA HQ senior executive
management during quarterly General Management Review (GMR) meeting.
Procurement and Contracting Manager (NASA COTR Certified)
* Developed a project plan, schedule, cost estimate, statement of work, task or
ders, Memorandum of Agreements, RFP and JOFOC.
* Negotiated, coordinated, awarded, and participated on proposal evaluation (ID
IQ, Cost Plus, Fixed Cost, and Grants) according to the FAR and NASA guidelines.
* Monitored the contractor's task order, performance evaluation, and any contra
ct modifications for: Omnibus $10M, SETA $500K, and $5M grants.
* Completed task within the budget and in a timely manner
Resource Manager/Supervisory
* Provided technical direction and training, staff planning, position descripti
on, interview process, personnel hiring, annual performance evaluation, worked w
ith unions, and taken disciplinary actions as appropriated and promotion for 10
Civil Servants
* Performed cost analysis, gap analysis, reviewed OMB and NASA-HQ budget requir
ements, utilized COCOMO, ASKPETE and other cost analysis tools to evaluate progr
am/projects cost, systems software cost development, and developed a budget for
facility $20M). Managed and coordinated the facility's computational infrastruct
ure and procurement activities for three major contracts (90 Personnel) and five
University grants (10 PI's)
Program Manager (NASA PPMI Certified)
* Developed and initiated qualitative and quantitative Criticality Risk Assessm
ent tool and Independent Assessment methodologies to identify the criticality of
the NASA projects and level of systems IV&V required for each project. Performe
d and led staff of 10 contractors and 5 PIs to conduct systems IV&V by working w
ith project development team at each NASA center during early stage of flight Sy
stems Development Life Cycle(SDLC) through integration testing, V&V and launch o
perations for projects:
* Cassini and Mars98 Spacecraft flight systems and ground software and Command
and Data Handling systems.
* SOFIA flight software and Mission Control and Communications Systems (MCCS).
* Mission Control Center (MCC) systems SW/HW platform upgrades
* Boeing 757 TRF project avionics systems display upgrade
* NASA/FAA Air Traffic Automation Systems to enhance the safety of aircrafts as
part of the FAA Next Gen Systems
Risk Management Development
* Developed Continuous Risk Management guidebook and training materials under NA
SA NPG 7120.5 with collaboration of CMU/SEI.
* Two days risk management course taught at nine NASA Centers and 237 project ma
nagers participated.
* Training materials included: tools, guidelines and technologies to discover, m
anage, mitigate, and control the risks of inadequate requirements, technical ris
ks, cost overruns, and mission failure.
* Managed and chaired the first Workshop/seminar on Risk Management for NASA Ame
s IV&V Facility at WVU.
Quality Manager (ISO Lead Auditor Certified)
* Developed ISO-9001 Quality Management System (QMS), System Level Procedures,
and Work Instructions
* Completed ISO-9001 follow up audits process and transition to ISO 9000-2000 f
or the NASA facility.
* Managed to complete ISO-9001 certification as one of the first five NASA Cent
ers for the NASA IV&V Facility.
* Managed the internal and external follow up audits without any Non - Conformi
ties and provided ISO training to senior management and employees in preparation
of ISO 9001 certification.
NASA - HQ/JSC Prime Contractors - Vitro / Tracor / BAE and McDonnell Douglas Spa
ce Division 1982-1996
Systems Analyst, Safety& Quality Assurance Manager, Mission Design and Operation
s
Supported NASA-HQ and NASA JSC: Space Flight (Code M), Office of Safety and Miss
ion Assurance (Code Q), Mission Operations and Design (MOD) to evaluate and over
sight the development and operation of critical NASA Space Projects for SQA, Spa
ce Shuttle Mission design, and Certification and Launch Readiness.
* Performed systems analysis and implemented safety and QA processes throughout
the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) for major Space Shuttle systems enhan
cement projects such as Multiple Electronics Display Systems (MEDS), Guidance, N
avigation, and Control (GN&C), Global Positioning System (GPS), and General Purp
ose Computer (GPC).
* Performed qualitative and quantitative risk assessment. Reviewed and analyzed
the Hazard, Criticality Item List and Failure Mode reports in preparation of ov
ersight evaluation and assessment of Space Shuttle launch readiness status.
* Completed analysis reports with probability of mission failures as part of mi
ssion certification report to NASA HQ administrative for signature of Certificat
ion of Flight Readiness for 20 plus Space Shuttle Launches.
* Performed and led staff of 15 engineers to coordinate the technical efforts o
f flight design organizations to support all phases of mission planning and desi
gn that integrates all of the flight systems during conceptual and operational f
light profile for more than 40 Space Shuttle Missions.
* Developed Guidance Navigation and Flight Control (GN&C) systems algorithm and
initial-loads for Primary and Backup flight control system for the General Purp
ose Computer (GPC) during ascent and descent flight operations.
* Conducted real-time flight simulation testing and maintained a math model to
the latest database to evaluate the Orbiter integrated software/hardware and ext
ernal interfaces in the Space Shuttle Avionics Lab (SAIL).
* Analyzed real ascent flight data from lift off through Main Engine Cut off (M
ECO) during each Shuttle launch (STS 8-51L) at Mission Control Center and report
ed anomalies to the launch director.
* Provided crew training within real-time flight simulations (SAIL, SMS) while
performing system integration testing of the Space Shuttle missions.
 * Involved with real time mishap investigation of Challenger STS-51L on day of
launch at JSC Mission Control Center to review all ascent trajectory data and lo
oking for anomalies, performance and GN&C miss behavior during launch operation.
Awards:
NASA-HQ, NASA Manned Flight Awareness (MFA) Honoree, being nominated by NASA Ass
ociate Administrator for Space Flight in recognition of high-level contribution
to the NASA Space Programs
NASA JSC, Achievement Award- Mission planning and analysis of Space Shuttle Flig
hts
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA 1979 - 1982
Aircraft Design Engineer
* Performed conceptual configuration design, preliminary design (Aerodynamics,
Propulsion, Structure), wind tunnel testing, competitive cost analysis, and syst
ems trade studies for the Boeing aircraft 777, 767, 737-200, Boeing 747 double l
ube body, and Super Sonic Transportation (SST).
EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING & OTHER CREDENTIALS
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. 5/1979, Bachelor of Science Degree, Ma
jor in Aerospace Engineering. Dean List
Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, Ca. 3/1990 Master of Science Degree, Ma
jor in Engineering Management, with emphasis in Systems Information. Learning di
stance education
Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, Ca. 5/1991, Doctor of Philosophy Degree
, Major in Systems Engineering, with emphasis in Spacecraft Avionics System. Lea
rning distance education.
NASA-ARC, 1997, Program/Project Management Initiative (PPMI) Certificate
NASA-ARC, 1997, Contractor Officer Technical Representative (COTR) Certificate
NASA-GSFC, 1997, Continuous Risk Management
West Virginia University, 1997, Systems Life Cycle and Configuration Management
NASA-HQ, 1992, Risk Management Concepts and Safety/Reliability Analysis
McDonnell Douglas Company, 1991, Total Quality Management System Development, Mo
dern Control Theory, and Management Training
Rockwell International Company, 1987, Supervisory Training and Effective Present
ation Techniques
University Of Washington, 1981, Propulsion System Acoustics
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
* NASA-ARC, 1997, Program/Project Management Initiative (PPMI) Certificate
* NASA-ARC, 1997, Contractor Officer Technical Representative (COTR) Certificat
e
* NASA-ARC, ISO-9000/ASQC, 1997 Lead Auditor Certificate
* NASA-HQ, 1995, Selection and use of Metrics for Cost Quality
PUBLICATIONS & PATENT
* United States Patent US 6,402,088 B1 "Passenger vehicle employing a circumfer
entially disposed rotatable thrust assembly" date of patent June 11, 2002
* American Helicopter Society, AHS FORUM 63 "Riding the Wave of New Vertical Fl
ight Technology"
Title: A VTOL Front Line Delivery System UAV Utilizing Counter-Rotating Mono-Til
t-Rotor Technology"
Authors: S. Yassini, AeroCopter, Inc., Boston, MA, May 2007
* American Helicopter Society, "Vertical Flight Transformation", Forum 61
Title: Canard Wing for Compound Helicopters with Rotor Innovations
Authors: Siamak Yassini and George Syrovy, AeroCopter, Inc., Andover, MA, June 2
005
* American Helicopter Society 59th Annual Forum, "Vertical Flight Transformatio
n", S.Yassini " Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft with advanced VTOL Capabi
lity", May 2003.
* AIAA Aircraft Technology, Integration, and operations (ATIO) 2000 Technical F
orum, S.Yassini "Advanced Tiltrotor Technology VTOL Aircraft with a Single Rotor
", October 2002
* NASA Technical Assessment Reports: Performed more than 10 different technical
assessment reports for NASA HQ, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance for the
Space Programs launch readiness such as: Mission Control systems SW/HW upgrade,
Cassini and Mars spacecrafts systems, Small Satellite Technology (Clark) systems
Development Life Cycle, Space Shuttle Multifunction Electronic Display Subsyste
m (MEDS) SW/HW, etc.
HONRS, AWARDS & SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Popular Science Magazine, Front Cover Page - The future of travel "RADICAL GE
TAWAYS" the commercial jets- VTOL PAV 5/09
* Boston Herald -Boston designer's aircraft could change Aviation- VTOL-PAV 12/
08
* NASA-ARC, Exceptional Achievement Medal Honoree-Innovative Leadership and Man
agement 5/99
* NASA-HQ, NASA Manned Flight Awareness (MFA) Honoree- High level contribution
to NASA Programs11/95
* NASA-JSC, Achievement Award- Development and implementation of new Space Shut
tle Day-of-Launch systems upgrade 6/96
* NASA HQ, Letter of commendation by Col. Fred Gregory/AA of Office of Safety a
nd Mission Assurance for contribution to Safety and Mission 9/95
* NASA JSC, Achievement Award- Mission planning and analysis of Space Shuttle F
lights 6/86
* West Virginia University , outstanding academic achievement, Engineering Dean
List and Sigma Gamma Tau ( National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering 1976
-79
TEAM /COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
* Advisory board member to West Virginia University, Computer Science and Elect
ronic Engineering Department.
( 00-Present)
* Member of Industrial Advisory Board for the Software Engineering Research Cen
ter (SERC) (FY 98-00)
* Coordinated and managed first NASA IV&V conference and workshop at WVU (FY-99
)
* Chaired Workshop On Risk Management (WORM 98-99)
* Technical Reviewer: NASA Standards and Guidebooks (Safety, Quality, and Assur
ance) and active member of the NASA Software Engineering Workshop at GSFC, Softw
are Engineering Institute (SEI), and National Institute of Standards and Technol
ogy (NIST)
* Technical Reviewer: member of three proposals and member of red-team to revie
w RFPs and proposals for Vitro/Tracor Corporation: NASA Code Q S&MA Contract( $1
5 M), DOT Space Vehicle Safety Certification Contract ($25M), and NASA IV&V Omni
bus Contract ($10M)
* Technical Reviewer: National Research Council (NRC), Assessment of Space Shut
tle Flight Systems Development Processes and Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (AS
AP) on variety of Space Shuttle Systems Safety Issues.