Fred, Staff Engineer

Fred was recruited straight out of college by the NSA, where he worked for nearly five years. After his stint at NSA, Fred joined AST’s Virginia office in December 1988. After several years on the east coast, it became necessary for Fred to rendezvous with the “mother ship” in Sunnyvale, where he has been ever since.

Fred states that AST has always made sure that he and his family have been well provided for during his tenure here.

In Fred’s words, “For me personally, there exists an environment here at the Company where nearly every individual can find something they care about and become a champion for that cause or technology. Even entry-level engineers (if they only knew!), frequently have opportunities to become the expert in some area of our business, including entire product lines.” According to Fred, “This company has never really stood on formality, and individual responsibility is generally whatever you’re willing to tackle.”

Fred left AST and the industry for a two-year “sabbatical” several years ago, but easily recalls the reasons he had for returning. Fred remembers saying to himself, “It is time to get back to work and do something that really matters again!” Fred said that one thing that has been painfully obvious since 9-11-01, is that, “We ARE one of the national resources this country calls upon during times of crisis. That alone makes it worth the ride.”