The Joint CAD/PAD Program: transition to Joint Program building trust, achieving economies of scale - Energetics & Program Management

Program Manager, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Dennis Chappell, Tony Taylor

Chappell's career in Energetics began in 1964 as a project engineer in the Cast Products Production area working on propulsion components for the Polaris Missile System. He was then assigned as a Project Manager for the design and installation of a new propellant manufacturing capability at Indian Head. He followed this with assignments designing and qualifying a new Chaff launching rocket motor system and evaluating performance of the Navy's Surface Missile Systems. In 1973, he was assigned as one of the original three team members to consolidate the Navy's CAD/PAD program at Indian Head. This grew into the current Joint Service Program of over $140 million per year and 350 direct work years. Chappell held numerous leadership roles in the growth of the CAD/PAD program, serving as Engineering Director and Program Manager, culminating in his current position as Director of the Joint Program Office.

Chappell's awards include commendations for serving on five Source Selection Evaluation Boards for major weapons systems. Recent individual and team awards include: David Packard Award for Acquisition Excellence, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Award for Supply Support Reengineering, Commander Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Excellence Award for Reengineering, Indian Head Award for Quality Achievement, and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He has been published in Program Manager Magazine, Naval Forces Magazine, and National Defense Magazine.

Chappell graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering.

Chappell is the Director of the Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device (CAD/PAD) Joint Program Office located at Indian Head Division, Naval Sea Systems Command Graduating from Michigan State University as a chemical engineer, he has worked at Indian Head his entire career and has been involved with all aspect of the CAD/PAD Program since 1973. Taylor is consultant to the Joint Program. He is a retired Air Force Reserve colonel and former director of the U.S. House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Transportation, Aviation and Materias.