Mojave Chapter Meeting – August 11th, 2023
Meeting Minutes
The Chapter Dinner Meeting was held on August 11th, 2023 at Prime Bar & Grill in Tehachapi, CA.
The meeting was attended by David Oakey, Danielle Keith, Nick Rochin, Megan Derrig, Scott Goutman, Lily Strong, Bryan Strong, Kevin Tharp, guest speaker Alan Didion, his wife Cathy Lally, Chris Mansfield, Glen Maijala, and Tim Derrig
The meeting was called to order at 6:35PM
The minutes from the last meeting (June 15, 2023) were read by Glen Maijala. The minutes were approved as read by a vote of the chapter members.
Officers Reports
The Treasurer’s report was read by Glen Maijala. There are currently 27 members in the chapter (26 current and 1 in arrears). Megan Derrig and Richard Paquette renewed their memberships. The Chapter reports a total of $12,583.40 in the checking and savings accounts, an increase of $81.73 since the previous report.
The Director’s report was submitted by Kevin Tharp. Discussed the following topics from the recent International Conference:
- Upcoming International Conference Status:
- 2024 conference will be virtual
- 2025 conference in New Mexico approved by the BOD
- 2026 conference status in limbo
- No progress toward joint LA – Mojave Desert chapter event.
Announcements
None
Old Business
Effort to include chapter members not located in the immediate area. Decision was made to have a chapter Zoom meeting in October. Kevin Tharp volunteered to lead the effort to incorporate Zoom for the meeting.
Determine feasibility of Joint Meeting with LA Chapter. Discussed in the Director’s report (see above)
Current chapter treasurer relocated to Texas in July. Options to replace him were discussed. Megan Derrig volunteered to serve the remainder of the term. Megan was subsequently elected chapter treasurer by unanimous vote of all in attendance.
New Business
None
Presentations
Alan Didion, deputy project systems engineer at JPL, gave an excellent presentation on the SunRISE project. SunRISE (Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment) is a constellation of six cube satellites that are used to study solar activity. Alan worked on the program from its beginnings and describe why and how the program came together as well as the problems that were encountered and the innovative solutions that were developed and implemented. The program is a success so far as the satellites have finished all testing and are awaiting launch in 2024.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Meeting minutes recorded by Chapter Secretary Glen Maijala.
Mojave Chapter Members in Attendance of Chapter Dinner Meeting held on August 11th, 2023 at Prime Bar and Grill in Tehachapi, CA.
Mojave Chapter Meeting – June 15th, 2023
Meeting Minutes
The Chapter Dinner Meeting was held on June 15th, 2023 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale, CA.
The meeting was attended by 7 Mojave Desert Chapter members (Jonathan Curtis, Ciara Garrison, Glen Maijala, David Oakey, Bryan Strong, Kevin Tharp and Shane Washburn) and 1 Los Angeles Chapter member (Dan Rowley).
The meeting was called to order at 6:10PM
The minutes from the last meeting (April 13th, 2023) were read by Glen Maijala. The minutes were approved as read by a vote of the chapter members.
Officers Reports
The Treasurer’s report was read by Glen Maijala. There are currently 27 members in the chapter (24 current and 3 in arrears). Roger Grass renewed his membership and Roman Aman transferred to the Texas Chapter. The Chapter reports a total of $12,501.67 in the checking and savings accounts, an increase of $1.73 since the previous report.
The Director’s report was submitted by Kevin Tharp. Discussed the following topics from the recent International Conference:
- 7 members from the Mojave Desert chapter in attendance
- Kevin attended Board of Directors meeting. Voted “yes” on all issues.
- Robert Zimmerman was presented the “Richard Boynton Lifetime Achievement Award”
- John Nakai won best paper award
- Virtual Conference in 2024
- 2025 Conference potentially in New Mexico
- 2026 Conference potentially in Los Angeles
- Training was well attended
- New Recommended Practice in the works – Commercial vs Military aircraft definitions
Old Business
Effort to include chapter members not located in the immediate area. Action deferred to new president.
Determine feasibility of Joint Meeting with LA Chapter. LA chapter will have a Zoom meeting on Saturday June 17th. Discussed holding a joint in-person meeting on a Saturday. Kevin Tharp to engage with Dan Rowley and other LA chapter to hash out details.
New Business
Swearing in of new chapter officers. Kevin Tharp swore at in the new chapter officers: Bryan Strong (President), David Oakey (Vice President) and Glen Maijala (Secretary)
Discussed issue of current treasurer moving to Texas later this summer. Decided to address issue in a chapter officers only meeting.
Presentations
Shane Washburn – presentation based on his thesis “Supply Chain Management Under Modern Uncertainties”. Shane gave an excellent presentation on the ramifications of adopting “lean” processes in today’s environment using the Airbus A350 as an example.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM.
Meeting minutes recorded by Jonathan Curtis filling in for Megan Derrig and edited by Glen Maijala.
Mojave Chapter Members in Attendance of Chapter Dinner Meeting held on June 15th, 2023 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale, CA.
Mojave Chapter Meeting – April 13th, 2023
Meeting Minutes
The Chapter Dinner Meeting was held on April 13th, 2023 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale, CA and featured guest speaker Leif Hillshafer, manager of test pilot engineering for HALE at Northrop Grumman.
Those in attendance included 6 Mojave Desert Chapter members (Jonathan Curtis, Sharon Gofas, Glen Maijala, Nick Rochin, Kevin Tharp, and Andy Walker) and 1 guest speaker (Leif Hillshafer).
The meeting was called to order at 6:48 PM.
Officers Reports
Glen Maijala prepared and read the Treasurer’s report. There are currently 27 members in the Mojave Chapter. Ciara Garrison joined the Chapter. At the time of the meeting, only 9 members had paid their dues. The Chapter reported a total of $12,499 in checking and savings accounts, up $1 from the previous meeting.
No Director’s Report was submitted.
Old Business
Discussed SAWE Mojave Chapter openings and due renewals.
New Business
Kevin Tharp nominated Bryan Strong, David Oakey and Glen Maijala for President, Vice President and Secretary, respectively. All accepted their nominations. Mr. Tharp motioned to accept the officer nominations; Mr. Curtis seconded and all else agreed.
Presentations
The presentation was delivered prior to the business meeting. Leif Hillshafer presented “History of HALE at Northrop Grumman” prior to the Chapter Business meeting. It was primarily focused on Global Hawk and its derivatives with insight from his experience as an operator.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Meeting minutes recorded by Glen Maijala.
Mojave Chapter Meeting – February 16th, 2023
Meeting Minutes
The Chapter Dinner Meeting was held on February 16th, 2023 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale, CA.
Those in attendance included 6 Mojave Desert Chapter members (Sharon Gofas, Bryan Strong, Kevin Tharp, Jonathan Curtis, Shane Washburn, and Iyad Sabrah) and 1 Texas Chapter member (Frank Malambri).
The meeting was called to order at 6:22 PM.
Officers Reports
The Treasurer’s report was read by Bryan Strong. There are currently 25 members in the chapter. Jonathan Curtis and Shane Washburn transferred to the Mojave Chapter and Chris Knagg transferred to the Texas Chapter. The Chapter reports a total of $12,498 in the checking and savings accounts.
No Director’s report was submitted.
Old Business
Discussed SAWE Mojave Chapter openings and due renewals.
New Business
A discussion was held regarding the expansion of the Mojave Chapter outside the typical A.V. area and how to support the larger group. Further, a suggestion was made to hold a combined meeting with the L.A. Chapter in some capacity.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 PM.
Meeting minutes recorded by Sharon Gofas filling in for Megan Derrig.
Mojave Chapter Holiday Dinner – December 8th, 2022
Director’s Minutes
The Mojave Desert chapter celebrated its annual holiday dinner on Thursday Dec 8 at the Vincent Hill Station restaurant. In attendance were Jonathan Curtis, Megan and Tim Derrig, Glen and Gail Maijala, David and Rika Oakey, Sharon Gofas, Nick Rochin and Danielle Keith, Bryan and Rose Strong, Kevin Tharp, and special guest Teresa Valentine. No business meeting was conducted but a good time was had by all.
Aerospace Valley Air Show – October 15 – 16, 2022
Minutes
On the weekend of October 15 thru 16, a few of our chapter members attended the Edwards Air Force Base airshow including most of the chapter officers. It was the first open house at the base for 13 years. 2022 marked the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, while October 14, 2022 marked 75 years of breaking the sound barrier over the sky above Edwards. While not an official chapter meeting, the experience was fun and very educational given the vast array of airplanes showcased at the event.
Mojave Chapter Meeting – September 15th, 2022
Director’s Minutes
The chapter Director, chapter President and chapter Vice-President met for a social meeting in Tehachapi at Red House Barbeque on September 15th, 2022. It had been a suggestion of one of the chapter members to meet there because the food is so good. And we wanted to have a meeting at that location in hopes of encouraging more remote members to join us. We will continue to explore those kinds of options. A good time was had by all.
Mojave Chapter Meeting – August 18th, 2022
The Mojave Chapter held its most recent meeting on August 18th, 2022. This particular meeting was held at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Lancaster, CA and featured guest speaker Mike Buonanno, LM Fellow and Air Vehicle Engineering lead on the Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST (Quiet Supersonic Technology) aircraft. The meeting minutes are available below.
Meeting Minutes
Mojave Desert Chapter of the Society of Allied Weight Engineers
The Chapter Dinner Meeting was held on August 18th 2022 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Lancaster, CA.
The meeting was attended by 5 Mojave Desert Chapter members (Sharon Gofas, Glen Maijala, Nick Rochin, Bryan Strong, Kevin Tharp and Andy Walker), 1 Texas Chapter member (Jonathan Curtis) and 1 guest (Mike Buonanno).
The meeting was called to order at 6:09PM.
The minutes from the last meeting (June 23rd, 2022) were read by Glen Maijala. The minutes were approved as read by a vote of the chapter members.
Officers Reports
The Treasurer’s report was read by Andy Walker. There are currently 25 members in the chapter, an increase of 4 since the previous meeting. Ric Preciado renewed his membership and Todd Brown, Keith Howe and Doug Seaton transferred from the San Diego Chapter. The Chapter reports a total of $10,893.47 in the checking and savings accounts, an increase of $4.19 since the previous report.
No Director’s report was submitted.
Announcements
Announced the disbanding of the San Diego chapter. Also announced International’s intent to encourage the San Diego chapter members to transfer to the LA or Mojave Desert chapters. Announced the effort by International to finally disposition a $3600 donation by Lockheed Martin to the 2018 Southwest Regional conference.
Old Business
Reviewed the upcoming chapter meeting schedule. The next two chapter meetings are scheduled for October 13th and December 8th with the December meeting being the annual holiday soiree tentatively at Vincent Hill Station. A chapter social get together is also planned for September 15th at Red House BBQ in Tehachapi.
Potential tours of U-2 facility on hold pending availability of Megan Derrig to organize them.
Andy Walker to take lead on initial Panel Discussion Event. Proposed topic “Chief Engineers Vs Mass Properties Engineer view on weights.”
New Business
No new business.
Presentations
Mike Buonanno – LM Fellow and Air Vehicle Engineering lead on the Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST (Quiet Supersonic Technology) aircraft. Mike gave an excellent presentation on the design and build of
the X-59 vehicle with an emphasis on the unique weight and balance challenges associated with the vehicle.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Meeting minutes recorded by Andy Walker filling in for Megan Derrig.
Mojave Chapter Members in Attendance of Chapter Dinner Meeting held on June 23rd, 2022 at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale, CA.
