PIVOTPOINT TECHNOLOGY - Key Persons

Cris Kobryn

Job Titles:
  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • PivotPoint 's Founder and CTO
Cris Kobryn founded PivotPoint Technology Corp. (PivotPoint) in 2003, and currently holds the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), PivotPoint is at the forefront of advanced technology, adopting a remote-first strategy and focusing on Model-Based Digital Engineering + AI℠ solutions. The company provides cutting-edge services and products that synergistically blend Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Modeling & Simulation (ModSim), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twin technologies. For over two decades, PivotPoint has leveraged these integrated technologies to solve wicked problems in science, engineering, and business for its distinguished international clientele. Cris Kobryn is an American software engineer, systems engineer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for leading large international teams of vendors and users to specify the Unified Modeling Language (UML) v1 and v2 standards for software engineering, and the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) v1 standard for systems engineering. He is an internationally recognized expert in architectural modeling languages (UML, SysML, AgileML, CyberML, ArchiMate), enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF, UPDM, UAF, TOGAF), and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes and tools. In recognition of Cris's contributions to the UML the Object Management Group (OMG) presented him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and in acknowledgement of his contributions to the SysML the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) presented him with its Outstanding Service Award in 2006. Kobryn began his software engineering career in the early 1980s specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming languages (Prolog, Lisp, CLOS) and applications (knowledge-based expert systems, natural language processing). He led the applications group at Harlequin Limited in the early 1990s that developed two innovative commercial AI application products: 1) KnowledgeWorks, a Knowledge-Based Expert System (KBES) toolkit built on top of Harlequin's flagship LispWorks product, which supported rule-based or logic programming (including support for Prolog) and a SQL database interface; 2) Watson, a version of KnowledgeWorks customized for police investigative analysis applications, which was eventually acquired by Xanalys Limited. Before founding PivotPoint, Kobryn held senior technical positions at Telelogic, EDS, MCI Systemhouse, Inference, Harlequin, and SAIC. Prior to working as a software and systems engineer, Kobryn served as a commissioned officer in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, and was infantry, armor, airborne and Special Forces qualified. Kobryn received a BA degree from Colgate University and a BSCS degree from San Diego State University. His multi-disciplinary graduate studies at SDSU and UCLA explored the synergies among linguistics, computer science and artificial intelligence. He is a former computer science instructor at the University of California, San Diego Extension, where he taught AI programming languages. Cris is an internationally-recognized expert in enterprise architecture modeling languages (UML, SysML), enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF, UPDM, TOGAF), Model-Based Systems Engineering (SysML, various SysML tools), and Modeling & Simulation (ModSim). He chaired large international teams of software tool vendors and power users to specify the Unified Modeling Language (UML) 1.x and 2.0 standards for Model-Driven Development (MDD), and the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) 1.0 standard for Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). In recognition of Cris's seminal contributions to the UML, the Object Management Group (OMG) presented him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and in acknowledgement of his seminal contributions to the SysML, the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) presented him with its Outstanding Service Award in 2006. In 2007, Cris accepted the SD Times 100 "Modeling" category award on behalf of the SysML Partners' open source specification project that he chaired. Cris has been designing and architecting fault-tolerant, cybersecure distributed systems since the Internet was called the ARPANET (early 1980's). Recently, he has combined his expertise in enterprise architecture modeling language design and distributed computing environments to develop CyberML™ (Cyber Modeling Language™), a UML/SysML profile and model library with recursive network design and cybersecurity patterns for fault-tolerant distributed systems that are also cybersecure. CyberML supports the specification of network nodes, network communication protocols, network connections, network topologies, cybersecurity devices, and strong encryption techniques. Cris began his software engineering career in the early 1980s, and quickly gained recognition as an expert in AI programming languages (Prolog, Lisp, CLOS), and their practical applications (knowledge-based expert systems, natural language processing). He has successfully implemented AI technologies in both commercial and defense applications. Cris received a BA degree from Colgate University, a BSCS degree from San Diego State University, and pursued multi-disciplinary graduate studies at SDSU and UCLA, where he was a graduate fellow. Cris's graduate studies explored the synergies among Linguistics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Cris is a frequent invited speaker at industry conferences and workshops that are concerned with Model-Based Engineering, UML and SysML. He is a former computer science instructor at the University of California, San Diego Extension and is a member of the ACM, IEEE, INCOSE, and AAAI. , organized and led the SysML Partners, the group of software tool vendors and industry leaders that convened in 2003 to create the SysML (Systems Modeling Language) for Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) applications. In 2006 the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) presented Kobryn with its Outstanding Service Award for his contributions to SysML and Systems Engineering. In 2007, Kobryn accepted the SD Times 100 "Modeling" category award on behalf of the SysML Partners' open source specification project that he chaired. As the CTO of PivotPoint Cris has extended the UML + SysML language family with two proprietary general-purpose profiles and model libraries: AgileML™ (Agile Modeling Language™) and CyberML™ (Cyber Modeling Language™). AgileML is a UML/SysML profile and model library which supports recursive System Analysis, System Design, and System Architecture patterns for Agile MBSE applications. CyberML further extends AgileML with recursive network design and cybersecurity patterns for fault-tolerant distributed systems that are also cybersecure. If you are looking for a 'silver bullet' or magical tool solution to wicked problems in science, engineering, and business, please look elsewhere. (Keep in mind that 'fools with tools are still fools, and are easily separated from their money.') On the other hand, if you are convinced that there has to be a 'smarter way' to architect and design fault-tolerant, cybersecure, distributed Systems-of-Systems, and you are also willing to think hard and work hard, PivotPoint would like to show you that smarter way. Cris Kobryn, Founder & CTO

Diane White

Job Titles:
  • Director of Professional Services for PivotPoint Technology Corp.
Diane White is the Director of Professional Services for PivotPoint Technology Corp., a systems and software engineering services company that delivers Custom Digital Engineering Solutions℠ for a distinguished international clientele. Diane is a senior manager and professional training expert with 15+ years experience growing and leading professional training services. She is currently responsible for managing all of PivotPoint's Professional Services, which include Training, Consulting, and Technical Support services. Diane has played a key role in establishing PivotPoint as a leading international provider of Model-Based Digital Engineering (MBDE) Professional Services. Prior to joining PivotPoint, Diane was the Clinic Director/Director of Education for the UROK Learning Institute. Diane received her B.A. in Literature and Writing from California State University San Marcos.