ATA makes more management changes

  • Published
  • By Patrick Ary
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  More Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) employees are stepping into new roles after last month's departure of former ATA General Manager Dr. David Elrod.

Dr. Elrod left AEDC May 25 to become senior vice president of business development at Jacobs Technology in Tullahoma.

Steve Pearson was named Dr. Elrod's successor as general manager. Pearson's role as deputy general manager was filled by Philip Stich, formerly the director of ATA's Integrated Test and Evaluation (TE) Department.

Effective June 6, Chip Stepanek replaced Stich as the new director of the Integrated Test and Evaluation Department. Stepanek began his career at AEDC in 1981 as a test project engineer in the von Kármán Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). He also worked in the technology area and most recently served as director of the Performance Management Group.

"Chip is a 30-year AEDC employee who has demonstrated an outstanding performance capability in every assignment that he has undertaken," Pearson said.

Christa Herron transfers into Stepanek's former role in the Performance Management Group. Herron is a 25-year AEDC employee with experience in testing, project management, financial management and a myriad of other pertinent skills.

"I am excited to have Christa's financial and strategic thinking skills to support our ATA contract performance," Pearson said.

Herron was previously deputy director of the Integrated Test and Evaluation Department. Dr. Rob McAmis, a 27-year AEDC employee, has stepped into that role. Dr. McAmis began his career at AEDC in the Engine Test Facility (ETF) analysis group and has gained testing and performance analysis experience in turbine and rocket propulsion systems through his progressive assignments. He has headed the Turbine Engine Analysis section under ATA since 2006.

"Rob is a proven technical and management performer who will be a great complement for Chip Stepanek in leading the Integrated Test and Evaluation Department," Pearson said.