The TCG Scope - The Columbia Group

Program Management Training Day
The TCG Scope
By Rod Buck, President of The Columbia Group
It’s a “New Morning!” While FY
2010 is in the rear view mirror,
FY 2011 is laid out in front of us.
The forecast calls for scattered
showers, isolated thunderstorms
and a little sunshine. Now, it is
up to us at The Columbia Group
to have our umbrellas handy, seek
shelter when we encounter the
storms, and enjoy the rays of sun.
OK … that is enough metaphors
for one letter.
Our customers are in the midst of finding their way through
various sets of challenges. With all the changes our market
faces, it will be a few years before the new “normal” can
crystallize. Yet, several constants remain, which can guide us
through this moment in time. First, we must remember that
Committed to Excellence, Dedicated to Customers
In This Issue
our Warfighters are still at war. They count on us. We count
on them. We cannot take our eyes off the responsibility we
have to support them in every way possible. Every day, we
should pause to make sure we do not forget that this is our
primary role. Second, our customers need us more than ever.
It may seem like we have already heard that before, but it
still holds true. We must continue to work harder, smarter,
faster, and cheaper to meet their needs and to facilitate their
success. This is an opportunity, for companies like ours who
remain focused on the customer, to shine. Third, our rule
#1 and #2 will always carry us through any turbulence we
may encounter. Rule #1: Provide outstanding service to our
customers; and rule #2: Offer a highly desirable environment
for our employees.
As a company, we are focused. Our achievements in FY 2010
(recently enumerated in our Thursday Notes) validate the
strength of our core beliefs. The Continued on page 8.
General E. Gray Payne............. 2 TCG Softball Team.................. 5
PM Day....................................... 1, 6 HR Corner: TTA...................... 3 Hot Topic................................... 6
President’s Message................ 1, 8 Team Feature: Pluto............... 3,4 Community Features............... 7
Employees of the Month........ 2 Management Tips.................... 5 Baby Genius.............................. 8
Editorial Staff: Managing Editor, Allison Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief, Anne Hagen
Next Release:
January 2011
To contribute to the next issue, contact Allison Kennedy at: akennedy@columbiagroup.com.
FALL 2010, ISSUE 21
The Columbia Group’s first Program Management Training Event will take place on
November 9-10, 2010 at our Maritime Plaza location in Washington, DC. In attendance
will be TCG Program Managers, as well as some corporate employees in leadership roles.
The intent of PM Day is to provide workshops that will help managers in:
the performance of their daily duties, such as supporting The Columbia
Group’s Renewable Success Culture, and also in being able to effectively
communicate the company’s values, expertise and capabilities to customers.
The event will kick off with presentations from each division’s program
Top, right: PowerPoint
managers to provide their peers with details on the programs that The
slide template used to
explain Columbia Group currently supports. Program descriptions, statements of
during the each event. program
work and employee skill sets are some of the Continued on page 6.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: It’s a New Morning!
Rod Buck, TCG President

Page 2 The Columbia Group Issue 21
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
Martin Horn accepts his award
from Jacob Andrews.
James Hotsko with his
customers and TCG leadership.
Journalia McCloud receives
her award.
Martin Horn of the Marine
Corps Programs Division
was our July Employee of the
Month! Martin was nominated
due to his outstanding contributions
on two General Dynamics
programs: the Expeditionary
Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program;
and the Saudi Arabian National
Guard (SANG) Foreign Military
Sales Program where he developed
Safety Assessment Reports
(SARs) and Occupational
Health Hazard Analyses for
two programs. Martin’s quality
of work and efficiency gained
him recognition by his General
Dynamics supervisors. Keep up
the great work, Martin!
Congrats to James Hotsko
of the Rosenblatt Ship Design
Division, our August Employee
of the Month! James was nominated
based on his outstanding
on-site support of Military
Sealift Command (MSC). James
received a letter of appreciation
from his MSC customer stating:
“We are very pleased with Mr.
Hotsko’s performance. [...] He
was instrumental in assisting [...
in revision of] several complex
structural drawings for the
USNS ZEUS Stern Sheave
modification. Several times [...]
Mr. Hotsko remained late into
the evening to complete the
drawings.” Bravo, James.
Congratulations to Journalia
McCloud, our Corporate
Facility Security Officer, who
is our September Employee of
the Month. Journalia has grown
our Corporate Security Program
to a point where it can now be
considered outstanding. Journalia
has developed and standardized
the company’s Security
Program in many areas such as:
Export Control and Standard
Practice Procedures. Journalia’s
performance is tested annually
by the Defense Security Service,
and each year her dedicated
efforts have produced a rating
of ‘Commendable’ for TCG.
Way to go, Journalia.
Introducing Major General E. Gray Payne,
USMC (Ret), Senior Vice President
EXECUTIVE
PROFILE
As many of you already know, The Columbia Group recently welcomed aboard Major
General E. Gray Payne as the newest member of our Senior Leadership Team.
Having joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1970, he brings to The Columbia Group over
40 years of military operational and strategic expertise alongside significant experience in
the private sector. He has a solid track record of analysis, innovation, leadership, and change
management, and has successfully improved the operations of many companies. During
his military career, Major General Payne served as Commanding General of CENTCOM
Deployment and Distribution, the 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Logistics
Command, and Marine Corps Mobilization Command. While serving as a reservist, he
was active in several small to mid-size businesses as a CFO, COO, and CEO providing
successful corporate leadership across different industries.
Major General Payne is the past Chairman of the Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board and currently serves on the MCA Board of
Governors. His personal awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star. He
holds a Master’s of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and Bachelor’s of Science in Economics from North
Carolina State University.
Within The Columbia Group, Major General Payne will assume the role of Senior Vice President overseeing USMC programs, as well
as several corporate staff functions including contracts and pricing and information technology.

The Columbia Group Issue 21
Page 3
HR CORNER
By Ruth Dickey, HR Generalist
Total Time
Accounting …
Next year, The Columbia Group will be moving to a
Total Time Accounting system.
excess of the pay period will only be paid if an overtime
authorization form is approved in advance.
What is Total Time Accounting?
Total Time Accounting (“TTA”)
is a method of time recording.
TTA is essentially accounting
for the cost of labor utilizing all
hours worked.
When will the change occur?
“[Total Time Accouting] is essentially
accouting for the cost of labor
utilizing all hours worked.”
• Each pay period, you will receive 1/24th of your
annual salary.
• If you fall below the number
of hours in the pay period, accrued
leave must be applied to your
timesheet. If an employee has
exhausted their accrued leave, advanced leave may be
approved in certain circumstances.
This change will occur on January 1, 2011.
How does this affect me?
Full-time non-exempt and all part-time employees will
not be affected by this change in time recording and will
continue to record their time as they do today.
Full-time, salaried, exempt employees will be affected
as follows:
• All hours worked must be recorded. Hours worked in
What if I have additional questions?
Between now and January 1st, brown bag sessions will be
scheduled at area offices to address questions and further
explain this upcoming change. In addition, Program
Managers will be trained on this change during PM Day
Training, to be held in November.
Questions regarding this change may be directed to Mary
Anne Matsko, VP Human Resources at: mmatsko@columbiagroup.com
or Norman Welsch, CFO at: nwelsch@
columbiagroupva.com.
Pluto Plus Mine Neutralization Systems
for The Egyptian Navy
By Ross Lindman, Senior Vice President
Marine Engineering Division
One of the projects underway at the Marine Engineering Division in Panama City Beach, Florida is part of the United States’
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program with the Navy of Egypt. Sponsored by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)’s
International Fleet Support Program Office (PMS 326), this effort involves the fabrication, testing, and installation of three
Pluto Plus Mine Hunting and Neutralization Systems onboard three of the Egyptian Navy’s mine hunting ships home ported
at Alexandria, Egypt. The Columbia Group (TCG) will also provide training in the operation of these vehicles to the Egyptian
Navy. The Pluto Plus system is centered on a remotely operated undersea vehicle that uses multiple sonar and video systems to
hunt for mines which it then destroys by deploying an explosive charge. The vehicle is capable of operating at depths up to 300
meters (980 ft) deep, and provides real time sonar and video feedback to the command center Continued on next page.

Page 4 The Columbia Group Issue 21
PLUTO PLUS MINE NEUTRALIZATION SYSTEMS continued from page 3.
Pictured above, from left to right, part of the Pluto Plus Team: Nick Thiessen, Austin (Rhett) Graham, Christine
Lawrence, Wilma Majors, Ross Lindman, Alcide Favagrossa, Antonio Ruggeri, Alberto Ruggeri and Diego Dal
Molin.
onboard the mine hunting ship from which
it is deployed. The Pluto Plus system is one
of a family of vehicle-based mine hunting
and neutralization systems developed
in Italy and Switzerland by IdRobotica.
The Columbia Group holds the exclusive
license for building these systems in the
United States.
Work on the project takes place at four
different locations. Fabrication of components
and assemblies, and final acceptance
testing, occurs in Panama City Beach,
Florida. Assembly of the vehicles, control
consoles, and factory acceptance testing
takes place in the town of Balerna, Switzerland
and on Lake Lugano in Switzerland.
Installation of the systems aboard
ships and operational training take place
in Alexandria, Egypt. Finally, customer
liaison and program status reporting occur
in Washington, DC. Not surprisingly, travel
on this project has been extensive with
nine different people traveling to northern
Italy and Switzerland to work with IdRobotica
in managing the project and learning
to build the vehicles and support equipment.
Several of these individuals will also
be traveling to Alexandria, Egypt during
installation and training.
Ross Lindman, Senior Vice President for
the Marine Engineering Division manages
the program, and is supported by a large
team (23 people) in Panama City, Florida
that includes engineers, designers, drafters,
analysts, electronics technicians, machinists,
welders, fiberglass workers, fabricators,
quality control technicians, and
purchasing personnel. The group includes:
Joe Colamaria, who manages the Earned
Value Management System reporting and
program status reports; Pam Tancredi
who provides project cost accounting and
financial management support; Austin
Graham and Nick Thiessen who provide
engineering support; Christine Lawrence,
who coordinates the overall production
effort and oversees the technical
data package; Jo Allen Davenport who
prepares production drawings; Joe Davenport
and Mike Wilsdorf who supervise
production in the machine shop,
and composites and painting
shops; Kelly Iwansky provides
purchasing support; Mark
Tannock and Connie LeVasseur
who act as quality control; Wilma
Majors who provides build up
of electronics components and
cables; Dave McMillin, Terry
Hobbs, and Tyler Gingrich who
are the machinists for the project;
Charles Carlton and Gary
Elemore who do the welding;
Darrell Wertanen, Alan King,
and Kenneth Davenport who
provide painting and polishing
of components; and Michael
Wilsdorf and Mickey Britcher
who provide assembly of subassemblies
and material handling
support.
Additionally, Corporate Staff
in Washington, DC assist in this
effort as well. Critical to this
support is Mary Anne Matsko,
Vice President, HR & Administration,
who liaisons between the team in
Panama City and the customer at NAVSEA
in the Washington Navy Yard.
The current program is scheduled to run
through December of 2011, with delivery
of the first complete system taking place
at the end of October 2010. Factory
acceptance testing of the first system was
successfully completed the third week in
September 2010. Installation of the first
system onboard ship in Alexandria, Egypt
will take place in January of 2011. The
future of the Pluto program is one that
is filled with the opportunity to provide
additional systems to the Egyptian Navy
and other foreign customers through the
NAVSEA FMS program. It is a line of
business we hope to be involved with for
several more years, and is a program that is
popular among our employees.
To the team: Great work and congratulations
on the first system’s successful factory
acceptance testing!

The Columbia Group Issue 21
Page 5
Management Tips
By Mary Marris, Corporate Training Manager for Eagle Systems and Services, Inc.
Developing Your
Employees
Your role as a manager and leader is to provide support
to your work teams, but often times it’s the type of
support which is given that makes all the difference.
Whether performance levels are above average, below, or
just average, all individuals can benefit from the right kind
of personal support.
Below are three different approaches you can take to deliver
one-on-one guidance. Each is best suited for particular situations
and proficiency levels so choose what is appropriate
for your situation.
Coaching
• Best for: Average achievers to improve job performance;
to help members formulate personal strategies
for increased success and self-assurance to step outside
of their comfort zone.
• What it does: Provides motivation and support to
strengthen confidence and encourage improvement.
Coaching is supportive, not prescriptive.
• How to do it: Motivate future actions (not dictate them)
to instill a sense of achievement belonging solely to the
team member.
• Look for what your team members are doing right—
don’t focus on their mistakes.
Counseling
• Best for: Correcting performance problems with underachievers.
• What it does: Confronts team members with their unacceptable
performance and provides them with the tools
to correct it. Counseling is a prescriptive approach.
• How to do it: Confront negative behavior—decrease
in productivity, or cooperation—before it becomes a
habit.
• For more tips on counseling contact the Human
Resources department.
Mentoring
Mentoring involves leading by example.
• Best for: Above average performers to obtain new skills
that help their professional development.
• What it does: Gives recognition to star performers who
can be largely ignored because managers and leaders
tend to focus their attention on poor performers.
• How to do it: Show how certain tasks are done; explain
how tasks fit into the context of a specific job; let individuals
observe every aspect of the task; give them as
much information as possible and be willing to answer
questions.
• Don’t dismiss any part of your role as easy. Once your
team member has a grasp of what’s involved, he or she
can try it out first by working with you, and then by
doing it alone under your observation.
Using the right approach, your one-on-one training will
make a positive difference on the effectiveness of your
team, no matter how “fresh” or skilled they may be.
TCG’s Softball Team Champions
On Tuesday, August 24th, The Columbia Group beat Dell Blue to
become the 2010 Crystal City League Champions. It was a close game,
with Blue coming back from a seven run deficit, but in the seventh
inning, with a run on first, Mike Stevens made an unassisted double
play to end the game. The final score was 9-7.
This is the second year in a row that The Columbia Group beat out
seven other teams to win the Crystal City League’s Championship.
The league is composed primarily of defense contractors to include:
BAE Systems, Sayres (SAC) and Dell Services. The games are held at
fields in the Northern Virginia. For more information, please contract
Patrick Brockert at: pbrockert@columbiagroup.com.
Above: The Columbia Group’s softball team poses for a photo on
home plate.

Page 6 The Columbia Group Issue 21
PM Day continued from page 1.
information that will be shared in this forum.
Following the presentations, the attendees will be divided into
teams that will participate in seminar-like meetings to focus on
a series of professional tracks: The Recruiting Process, Business
Development, Understanding & Working with Diverse Groups
and Developing Your Employees. These tracks have been established
to cover various types of management challenges and
opportunities. Subjects related to the different tracks will change
with each new Program Management Training Day. All subjects
related to the tracks will include tangible instruments for managers
to use in their daily duties, as well as lively dialogue led by industry
experts and TCG leadership. Following Day 1, participants will be
invited to dinner and bowling.
Day 2 of the event will wrap-up with specific discussions on
Spend Plans/Contract Set-up and Total Time Accounting in addition
to an open discussion between PM Day attendees and The
Columbia Group’s Senior Leadership Team.
Program Managers can expect to gain a lot from the expertise
and information shared during PM Day. With all of that said,
the most popular aspect of the workshop may be the camaraderie
formed from the team-building bowling event!
PM Day Schedule
November 9, 2010 November 10, 2010
0730-0815
Breakfast & Welcome
0830-1215
Program Manager Briefs
1215-1330
Lunch
1330-1430
PM Briefs continued
1430-1530
Team Sessions
1545-1645
Team Sessions
1645-1730
Conclusion
1800-1900
Bowling Activity
0730-0800
Breakfast
0800-0900
Teams Sessions
0900-1000
Team Sessions
1015-1100
Spend Plans/Contracts
1100-1200
Total Time Accounting
1200-1300
Lunch/Open Discussion
1300-1400
Future Direction of TCG
1400
End of PM Day
Hot Topic Question: What Company Provided Perks Mean the Most to You?
Every quarter we ask our employees to tell us what they think about a particular topic. Below is what they had to say about this issue’s subject:
Company Perks. You may also view the responses on the Corporate Communications page of the Employee Intranet under ‘Announcements.’
Stephanie Gibson
Program Analyst
“I have enjoyed the company sponsored
events in the past, let’s try
and have more of them!”
Sean Durkin
Financial Management Analyst
“I’m excited about starting the
school age reading program
through Everybody Wins DC. Our
company’s President was generous
enough to sponsor Crystal Groves
and I through a personal donation.
The HR staff at The Columbia
Group has always provided excellent
service and are willing to
answer questions at any time.”
Korey Gross
Marine Engineer
“The perks that mean the most
to me are the company sponsored
lunches or happy hours celebrating
events such as contract wins.
There’s usually some free food
and it’s a good way to get to know
everyone who you don’t directly
work with day to day.”
Mick Shah
Sr. Network Administrator
“I am thankful for the shuttles
from the metro station first and
foremost. I am also happy with
The Columbia Group’s E-Learning
program, QOVs, and the dynamic
group of individuals that make
coming to work well worth it every
day! The people I work with on a
daily basis make it well worth the
trip.”

Community
Volunteers for the EVERYBODY
WINS! DC Reading Program
Lunches” which are one-on-one reading
sessions.
The Columbia Group Issue 21
Page 7
The charity has received a lot of accolades
from local politicians and the press, and
was even featured on NBC’s Nightly News
with Brian Williams in their “Making a
Difference Segment.” According to the
program’s website, assessments sponsored
by the U.S. Department of Education
have shown that the charity has successfully
raised student abilities in: “reading
comprehension and fluency, vocabulary,
interest in reading, class participation
[and] social interaction with peers.” The
program serves about 4,000 underpriveledged
students in elementary schools in
the District of Columbia.
Top: A Power Lunch Student and Reading
Mentor at Brent Elementary School in the
District. Permission by Everybody Wins! DC.
Recently, some employees of The
Columbia Group were given the
opportunity to volunteer in the “Everybody
Wins! DC” Reading Program. Beginning
October 18, 2010, Sean Durkin and
Crystal Groves will each be paired with a
child from the Amidon Elementary School
in Washington, DC for weekly “Power
On why he joined the program, Sean
Durkin commented: “I wanted to give
back to the community and help a child
improve his or her reading skills. As a
child I had trouble reading at first but I
continued to read more as a result encouragement
from my parents and educators.
Now [...] I would like to help a young child
get a head start with reading and in life.”
Thanks Sean and Crystal for giving back.
Please contact Sean Durkin at: sdurkin@
columbiagroup.com. with any questions.
TCG Employees Will Support Toys for Tots Again
Employees of The Columbia Group (Washington, DC region) are encouraged to donate toys to
needy children during this year’s YHoliday Party at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.
ou don’t need a red suit or white beard
to be Santa. Each year, The Columbia Guidelines for Toy Donations
Group proudly collects new, unwrapped
toys its employees have donated at its annual
Washington, DC region Holiday Party, which
are then given to the U.S. Marine Corps
The Toys for Tots website provides a
few guidelines for people wishing to
donate gifts for distribution.
Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program. This year’s
celebration takes place on December 17th,
2010 at the Army Navy Country Club in
Arlington, VA. Employees who attend
are asked to bring a new, unwrapped
toy valued at $10 or more to the party to
•
•
New, unwrapped toys preferably
around the $10 or above price
range are welcomed.
Please note while shopping that
the age groups in greatest need
Above: Some employees of The Columbia be distributed to underprivileged children
in the local area. Community service and ages 15-17
of donations are children ages 0-2
Group help Marines load a truck full of the toys
donated at last year’s holiday party.
provided by our company and employees
reflects an important pillar of our motto to be “Committed to Excellence.” Donating
to Toys for Tots epitomizes excellence - tied up in a bow.
A Marine Corps reservist, Major Bill Hendricks, began Toys for Tots in 1947 after
learning that no local charity focused on distributing donated toys to children in the
community. Major Hendricks decided to gather all the Marines he could to help him
collect and distribute toys to disadvantaged children. Toys for Tots was formally established
the next year. Since then, Toys for Tots has collected and distributed more than
19 million toys to more than 9 million needy children across the nation.
The Toys for Tots program strives to play an active role in the development of one of
our nation’s most valuable natural resources - our children. Marines personally distribute
the collected toys wherever possible: to hospitals, special children’s events, and shelters.
There has never been a greater need. Even if you are do not attend the The Columbia
Group’s Holiday Party, please find a donation site locally.
Toys For Tots cannot accept:
• Toys with a military theme.
• Toys related to weapons or law
enforcement
• Toys with candy.
• Used toys
• Toys containing chemicals (i.e.
experimental labs, acid, crystal
projects, etc.).
For more information, please visit the
charity’s website at: www.toysfortots.
org, and remember to purchase a toy
for a needy child this holiday season.

The Columbia Group Issue 21
Page 8
Dear Baby Genius:
What virus protection would you recommend for my
home computer?
-- Security Novice
There isn’t “best antivirus” software per se, but the three
most popular will do: Symantec Norton, Kaspersky, or
AVG Antivirus.
Dear Baby Genius:
I have antivirus software on my computer, but what else
do I need to do to protect it?
-- Conscientious PC User
Bonne question! Antivirus alone will not protect you. You
should look into purchasing what’s called an “Internet
Security Suite.” It has antivirus, firewall, anti-spam, antiphishing,
anti-spyware, etc. All three vendors mentioned in
the last question offer it.
Dear Baby Genius:
TCG Tech
Tips:
Ask the Baby
Genius
Ok, Baby Genius, I have Internet Security Suite on my
computer, am I safe now?
President’s Letter continued from page 1.
Columbia Group’s key accomplishments in FY 2010 demonstrate
our desire to fortify our hold on the market and to expand:
• We submitted proposals that totaled approximately $1B in
value.
• The Rosenblatt Ship Design Division grew about 100%.
• The Marine Engineering Division considerably broadened
its customer base to include the U.S. Special Operations
Command, and submitted one of the largest proposals in the
company’s history.
• The Navy Programs Division, which includes the Navy
Ships and Financial Management and IT Support
Services Divisions, significantly reinvigorated its strategic
plan for the future. In addition, the division significantly
expanded its business development activity, and submitted
several hundred million dollars worth of new bids.
• The Marine Corps Programs Division has validated its
business development efforts with two small but strategic
wins.
• We significantly broadened The Columbia Group’s market
presence across the Department of Defense with the
purchase of Eagle Systems and Services, Inc.
FY 2011 will prove to be an exciting test for our company.
Across The Columbia Group, our three-year strategic plan is
taking shape, which will provide us all with a roadmap into the
future. Not surprisingly, this plan will lay a stronger and more
mature foundation based on customer and employee satisfaction,
while continuing our efforts to grow … yes grow, even in
a contracting market filled with turmoil. Your leadership team
looks forward to the official adoption, communication and
launch of this three-year plan in the early part of CY 2011.
-- Nervous Nelly Thanks to all of you for your service to our customers and Warfighters.
Stay focused on helping as they need even more from all
Mais non, pas du tout! Staying away from less than reputable
websites, including file sharing sites, and not opening thanks to all of you who contributed to this issue.
of us. Finally, enjoy this edition of The TCG SCOPE. A special
emails from untrusted/unknown sources will keep you safe.
Sincerely,
Have a technology question for our little wise guy.
Feel free to email him at:
babygenius@columbiagroup.com.
Rod Buck
ABOUT THE COLUMBIA GROUP
The Columbia Group, a technical services support company, has a successful history of providing the United States Military with acquisition,
training, integrated logistics, engineering, design, fabrication, test and evaluation, information technology and financial management
support services.
Based in Washington, DC and Lawton, OK with regional offices in Virginia (Alexandria & Quantico), Florida (Panama City Beach &
Tampa), and Georgia, The Columbia Group employs over 1,000 professionals, providing client-focused solutions across all armed forces
in over 33 locations nationwide.