Aleut Corporate Staff Profiles

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The Aleut Management Services (AMS) Management team is committed to continued delivery of exceptional customer services and support to our LLC’s and our Customers. The following staff profiles outline an extensive team of professionals committed to excellence through numerous years of business management and operational support experience.

Mike Mikita
President
Mike Mikita assumed the role of President of Aleut Management Services in December 2007 after serving as Executive VP Operations/COO beginning in April 2005. Mr. Mikita served as President/CEO for TekStar, Inc. (TSI) prior to the merge of SMI International and TekStar into Aleut Management Services. Aleut Management Services was established in October 2004 to take advantage of the branding of the Aleut name and heritage. Mr. Mikita joined the Aleut family of companies in 1991, serving as Project Manager of the USAF Academy Logistics contract, the first contract for Space Mark Inc.

In 1995 Mr. Mikita was promoted to the Space Mark corporate staff serving as the corporate safety manager. Then in 1997 Mr. Mikita was promoted to Director for Quality and was tasked to obtain ISO certification for project and the corporation. After obtaining the ISO certification for Space Mark, Mr. Mikita was asked to transfer to the sister company TekStar Inc. to assume the role of Director of Operations in 1999. In 2002, Mr Mikita was promoted to Vice President of Operations for TSI. In 2003 Mr. Mikita was promoted to President/CEO of TSI.

Mr. Mikita retired from the US Air Force in 1990 with his last assignment at the Air Force Academy where he was assigned in the Cadet Wing, Third Group as Group Sergeant Major. Mr. Mikita served 25 years in the Air Force.

Mr. Mikita is active member of the Professional Services Council, Pikes Peak Partnership Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Directors for CSA. Mike and Linda reside in Monument CO and enjoy their motor-home and ATV’s.

Scott Russell
Vice President / Chief Operations Officer
Scott Russell assumed the role of Vice President / Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Aleut Management Services, LLC (AMS) in January 2008. As COO, he oversees and implements corporate policy to include purchasing, contracts, human resources, and functional operations. He also provides operational support and oversight to five subsidiary companies. Prior to holding this position, Mr. Russell was President/COO of subsidiary companies Aleut Global Solutions, LLC (AGS), TekStar, LLC (TSI), and SMI International (SMI). As President/COO, he led teams of over 700 personnel supporting up to 14 Federal and State Government contracts located from Puerto Rico to New Zealand to Alaska and several states in between. These contracts provided facility support, logistics, communications, and IT support for Federal and State Government agencies.

Prior to entering private industry, Mr. Russell was a United States Air Force Officer for over twenty years. As an Air Force Officer, he held numerous positions at base level, Major Command, and Headquarters United States Air Force. During his career in the military, Mr. Russell was stationed throughout the United States and Europe. His military experience includes Civil Engineering, Acquisition, and Missile Operations. Mr. Russell holds a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Missouri and a Masters of Business Administration from Colorado State University.

Amelia Swenson
Director Human Resources
Amelia Swenson rejoined Aleut Management Services in November 2008 as the Director Human Resources after taking some time to get married and spend time with her family.

Prior to Aleut Management Services, Ms. Swenson served as Director Human Resources for TekStar Inc. and held various HR positions for Junior Achievement and a Johnson and Johnson Company in Colorado Springs. Ms. Swenson is a results oriented professional with unique expertise in development of business systems, processes, and organizational infrastructures.

Ms. Swenson holds certifications for Administrator for Benchmarks 360 Assessments, Instructor for Behavior Interviewing, Administrator for Succession Planning and Executive Development, Davis Bacon and Service Contracts Acts, as well as many employee relations and labor relations certificates.

Ms. Swenson and her husband, Berry reside in Colorado Springs and enjoy outdoor activities along with their two labs.

Mrs. Carolyn Smithhisler
Vice President / Chief Financial Officer
Carolyn Smithhisler assumed the role of Vice President / Chief Financial Officer at Aleut Management Services in September 2008. To this position, she brings more than 18 years of experience, a distinctive record of accomplishment, and exceptional leadership competencies.

Prior to joining the Aleut Family of Companies, Ms. Smithhisler served as Chief Financial Officer at a multi-state government contractor based in Anchorage, Alaska. While there, Ms. Smithhisler played a key role in the company’s fiscal growth by designing, implementing and leading the financial management functions. Her expertise in designing accounting systems for government contractors, tightening internal controls and using in-depth analysis were instrumental in growing revenue for the company 400% in two years.

Ms. Smithhisler is a Certified Public Accountant and an AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional. She earned a Master of Science Degree from the University of California at Davis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she graduated with honors. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jonathan W. Brewer
Director of Information Technology
Mr. Jonathan Brewer assumed the role of Director of Information Technology on December 1, 2008. In this role, Mr. Brewer oversees daily operation of the Aleut Corporate Information Technology department. Prior to moving into this role, Mr. Brewer was the IT Manager with Aleut Management Services with responsibility of implementing, troubleshooting, and maintaining all the IT assets within the company and family of companies.

Prior to joining the Aleut Team, Mr. Brewer was the primary engineer for a small computer technologies company. His knowledge extends from minor client systems to complicated mainframe computer systems. During his career, he has led teams that have engineered and implemented several networks and systems. Some of the systems have included high visibility, high fidelity systems explicitly designed for governmental use. Prior to entering private industry, Mr. Brewer was in the United States Air Force for twenty years. Throughout his career he proved himself invaluable as a Senior Secure Communications Electronics Engineer supporting high level governmental personnel from many countries.

Mr. Brewer holds a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from Colorado Technical University with a minor in Electronic Engineering. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Colorado Christian University and an Associate in Space Operations from the Community College of the Air Force. Mr. Brewer also holds many certifications such as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, a Microsoft Certified Instructor, A Microsoft SQL Certified Administrator, a Solaris/Unix Certified Administrator, and holds an A+ Certification from Comptia. Mr. Brewer has also been certified as a member of the National Alliance of the Telecommunications Industry.

Larry Davis
Executive Director of Contracts
Larry Davis assumed the role of Executive Director – Contracts in April 2007. Mr. Davis served as Executive Director of Finance from May 2006 and Director of Contracts at AMS from March 2005. Mr. Davis retired in 1986 as a Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army where he served in numerous command, logistics and contracts management positions. Since his retirement he has held senior management positions at Knowledge Engineering, Inc., a subsidiary of US West, ConferTech International, Inc. a telecommunications company, and Global Crossing, Inc. Most recently, he served as a Procurement Analyst at 50th Contracting Squadron, Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs.

Mr. Davis’ management experience includes government procurement and contracts management as well as financial management. In the private sector he has managed all aspects of commercial and government contracts from negotiations to financial management. Additionally, he managed 3.5 million square feet of facilities of a global telecommunications company in North America.

Mr. Davis’ education includes a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Masters Degree in Procurement and Contracts Management from Webster University.

Roger Gagnon
Director of Business Development
Mr. Roger Gagnon assumed the role of Business Development Director on February 1, 2008. In this role, Mr. Gagnon oversees daily operation of the Business Development department for winning strategy and implementation of capture and proposal development solutions. Prior to moving into this role, Mr. Gagnon was a Proposal Manager with Aleut Management Services with responsibility of leading IT/Communications technical proposal team development and review.

Prior to joining the Aleut Team, Mr. Gagnon supervised, managed, and led numerous Information Technology and Communications departments and most recently led the Network Operations, Telephone Communications, and Information Security for Colorado Springs Utilities. Prior to entering private industry, Mr. Gagnon was a United States Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer and a Commissioned Officer for twenty four years. As an Air Force Officer, he held numerous positions at base level and Major Command. During his career in the military, Mr. Gagnon was stationed throughout the United States and Europe as well as with temporary duty in Southeast and Southwest Asia. His military experience includes Aircraft Maintenance & Logistics, DoD Acquisition, and extensive IT/Communications expertise.

Mr. Gagnon holds an Associate of Science degree in Airframe Technology Repair from Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Chapman University, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix.

Birgit Cegielski
Compliance Manager
Birgit Cegielski assumed the role of Compliance Manager in September 2003 after serving as Quality Control Specialist beginning in October 1995. In addition to managing the ISO 9001:2000 Certified Quality Management System for the Aleut Family of Companies, she also manages the Workers Comp program and safety. Birgit Cegielski’s experience includes: 21 years as a quality auditor. Managed the process of obtaining ISO 9001:2000 Certification for of all six of the Aleut Family of Companies. She spent nine years on active duty in the US Air Force.

Mrs. Cegielski is a Member of the American Society of Quality and Member of the Colorado Safety Association. She is a Certified ISO Internal Quality Auditor and has completed ISO 9000:2000 Lead Auditor Training TÜV ESSEN, California ISO 9000 Consulting. Theory, Practice and Techniques of performing ISO 9001 Internal Quality Audits, Burnham Associates International, Inc.

Michael de Bettencourt
Director of Health, Safety and Environment
Michael de Bettencourt assumed the role of Director of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) for Aleut Management Services, LLC (AMS) in July 2009. As the Director HSE, he develops and implements the HSE program across the organization. Mr. de Bettencourt has worked as an HSE Director for the defense services business sector since 2005, and has worked in the private sector in environmental services since 1997.

Prior to entering private industry, Mr. de Bettencourt served in the U. S. Coast Guard for over 20 years as a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Officer. He worked extensively in commercial vessel safety, port operations, and port security. He also served extensively as an emergency response manager for natural and industrial disasters. Mr. de Bettencourt holds a Master of Science Degree in Studies of the Future from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from the University of the State of New York. He is a Board Certified Safety Professional.

Carole Horst
Executive Assistant – Public Relations Coordinator
Carole Horst joined Aleut Management Services in May 2009 in the capacity of Executive Assistant/Public Relations Coordinator. To this position, she brings more than 15 years’ experience in office administration, public relations, and corporate event planning.

The record of accomplishment that Ms. Horst brings to Aleut Management Services was earned in her work with Fortune 500 Companies, including Pulte Homes Corp. and Deluxe Corporation. Her successes include partnerships with local and national media in the marketing of patented products; coordination of leadership conferences, summits, and retreats; and innovative process development that streamlined procedures and reduced expenses.

Ms. Horst is a native of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, with additional study at UCLA. In 1992, she moved to Colorado Springs and began community service that included leadership roles in her church and homeowners’ association.