HEPBURN AND SONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Chief Financial Officer
- Principal
- Treasurer
Eric Hepburn earned a BSBA in Finance and minor in Economics at Longwood University. He is an expert in Costpoint, accounting, financial functions, and contracting including a thorough knowledge and experience following the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR).
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
Chaz Balkenbush earned her Leadership and Management degree at Bluefield College located in Bluefield, Virginia. She is a Human Resources and Talent Acquisition expert and provides consultation to management on strategic staffing plans, compensation, benefits, training and development, budget, and labor relations.
CAPT Chuck Johnson USN (Ret), is a graduate of Villanova University and has a Masters Degree in Operations Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served for 30 years, having Command of USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and Destroyer Squadron 31. Chuck has been with Hepburn and Sons since 2021, supporting NAVSEA 21 and their efforts with Bridge Integration and Ship Control Systems.
Dr. Daniel Georgiadis has a BS in electrical engineering, a MS in Leadership, and PhD in Systems Engineering. He began his career as an electrical apprentice in 1998. He joined civil service for the US Navy in 2001 in electrical and systems engineering having served at multiple duty locations including NSWC Panama City Division, Pentagon OPNAV N95, PEO LMW, PEO LCS, and PEO SUB where he served as the Acquisition Manager for Undersea Defensive Warfare Systems. He joined Hepburn and Sons in 2015, and is a part time Sr. Engineering Consultant. Dr. Georgiadis was instrumental in starting the company's Technology Transition Division. He is also the Director of Systems Engineering and Professor at Florida State University.
David Rice is a graduate of the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School (Machinist) and a Materials Engineering graduate of Virginia Tech. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) in 2019 after a career that spanned more than 45 years. David held various leadership positions at NNS. He was responsible for Research & Development Programs funded by ONR/ManTech, the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP), ONR, DARPA, SBIRs, and other funding organizations. David is currently a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Department Advisory Board at Virginia Tech. He served as Co-Chairmen for Virginia's Advanced Materials Sector Steering Committee and is a past chairman of the Executive Steering Committee for the Navy's ManTech Composite Center. David served as the NSRP Ship Design & Materials Technology Major Initiative Team Leader. I
Dr. Patrick Lewis has a BS, MS, and PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. His experience includes engineering research and development in power electronics and electric power systems with a focus on power density, modularity, and SWAP-C Navy electrical systems integration. Past employment includes power electronic drives and power systems engineering with Curtiss Wright Electro Mechanical Division, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc., and General Electric Power Conversion Naval Systems. He originally joined Hepburn and Sons LLC in 2019 as an Electrical Engineering Manager in the Technology Transition Division and has been instrumental in leading the engineering team and growing the portfolio.
CDR Frank Gianocaro, USN (Ret.) holds a BS (with Distinction) in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in the Navy nuclear power program for 26 years as both an enlisted Sailor and an officer including tours as the Reactor Electrical Assistant during the DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN 69) RCOH and as XO of NPTU Ballston Spa. In addition to seven sea tours on aircraft carriers, amphibious ships, cruisers, destroyers, and frigates, he planned and conducted testing on the Navy's newest ship classes including the LPD 17, LHA 6, JHSV, and DDG 1000 while serving at Commander Operational Test & Evaluation Force.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
CDR Frank Koye, USN (Ret) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with his BS in electrical engineering and completed post graduate studies in nuclear engineering and business. His experience includes defense and national security with Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Serco including supporting the Navy, Army, Air Force, and international partners. As a naval officer, he worked in submarine and surface warfare, naval aviation, intelligence, and special warfare. As CIO, he ensures compliance with cybersecurity and IT regulatory compliance. Principal investigator for expert witness cases with regards to maritime and Navy matters.
CAPT Jeff Sinclair USN (Ret) is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and has a Masters of Public Administration from Troy State University. He served in the Navy for over 27 years as a member of the Surface Warfare Officer Acquisition Corps, and his Commands included USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), Patrol Coastal Squadron One, and Surface Training Systems (PMS 339). Following his retirement in 2018 he joined Gryphon Technologies (formerly CDI Marine) where he served as a Capture and Operations Center Manager for a diverse portfolio.
John Biddle is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where he earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering. During his 10 years in the Navy he served as the Electrical Officer and Assistant Chief Engineer onboard the USS Farragut (DDG 99), the Assistant Chief Engineer of USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and the Executive Officer of Navy Operational Support Center San Jose, CA. As a member of the Engineering Support Services division of Hepburn and Sons, John supports NAVSEA 05T's research and development of fleet energy initiatives.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Accounting
Mark Hetz earned a BSBA and MBA in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh. He has over twenty years of experience in corporate finance, accounting, and government contracting. Since 2018, he has been the Director of Finance and Accounting for Hepburn and Sons LLC. In this role, he leads the budgeting/forecasting, pricing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and audit functions.
Mr. Scott D. Strider has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering with the Nuclear Engineering Option, and a MS degree in Public Administration. He began his career initially working in the civil service as a Mechanical Engineer for the U.S. Navy before being called to active duty as a commissioned officer in the USAF where he worked as a FAA certified Air Traffic Controller and Engineering Project Officer. In 1978, he returned to civil service supporting NAVSEA PMS-410 and the NATO Sea Sparrow Project Office (NSPO) Consortium as a Guided Missile Launching Systems Integration Engineer and MK41 VLS and MK48 Guided Missile Vertical Launching System (GMVLS). He joined Hepburn and Sons LLC in 2019, as a Senior Consulting Engineer and now works part time as a Mechanical Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) and is assigned to the company's Technology Transition Division (TTD).
Richard Worth has his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University. For over 30 years, Richard Worth had worked for the Navy in the R&D department of NSWC Philadelphia Division as an Electrical Engineer. His In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) duties included performing shipboard troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading of the technical manuals for power conditioner units. He also performed as the Program Manager Test Director who developed test plans, test requirements, test platforms, and performed full power testing on Navy shipboard electrical system prototypes. He was a lead investigator for the Insulated Bus pipe Navy Shipboard Certification Program. Since 2013, Worth also served as the Navy's Electrical Technologies Panel representative for the National Shipbuilding Research Program. He retired from NSWCPD with almost 34 years of Navy service during January 2018.Mr. Worth joined Hepburn and Sons, LLC in May 2018 as a senior engineering consultant and subject matter expert, in the Technical Transition Division and Engineering Support Services Division.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Development
CDR Rob Medve USN (Ret) is a graduate from Ohio State University with a BS in Industry and Product Design (BSID) and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a MS in Systems Engineering and Technical Management (MSSE). He is the Director of Strategic Development for Hepburn and Sons LLC, where he assists the company with developing and executing partnership strategies for technology development transition. He also assists with creation of company long-range goals, and helps identify new technologies to be considered for the company portfolio.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Principal
- Secretary
Samantha Hepburn Hertel earned a BS in Sociology from George Mason University. She has 10 years of experience in sales with Marriott International and 11 years of experience with Hepburn and Sons LLC. She served as the Vice Chair and Chair of the ASNE Flagship Section, winning section of the year multiple years in a row. She was past Marketing Director at American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association. She currently handles all travel, conferences, social events and marketing for Hepburn and Sons LLC.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
- Vice Chairman
Scott Hepburn, PMP, earned his BS in Finance with a Minor in Economics at Virginia Tech and his MS in Finance at The George Washington University. He earned his PMP in 2008. Scott worked both in the civilian federal government sector and management consulting before co-founding Hepburn and Sons LLC in 2010. As COO at Hepburn and Sons LLC, he developed from the ground up the BD B&P and client execution portfolio into four independent business operation divisions. He served as the COO for 12 years and is now our new President/ CEO.
CAPT Tim Crone USN (Ret) is a graduate of the US Naval Academy has a MS in National Security Policy and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College as well as a MA in Justice, Law, and Society from American University. Tim served in the Navy for over 27 years, with 7 years in Command at sea and ashore. He is a member of the acquisition workforce and brings his experience of leading two Navy major programs (PMS 470 / PMS 443) during his Navy tenure. Tim joined Hepburn and Sons following his retirement from the Navy in 2018. He also serves on the executive committee for the Maritime Sustainment Technology and Innovation consortium (MSTIC).
CDR Todd Peltzer, PE, USN (Ret.) graduated from MIT where he earned a BS in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, an MS in Mechanical Engineering, and the degree of Naval Engineer. He served in the Navy for 20 years as an Engineering Duty Officer and Salvage Officer, developing expertise in project management, ship repair, ship salvage and towing, and systems engineering. Prior to joining Hepburn and Sons in 2020, he gained broad experience over two decades in the private sector managing defense-related science and technology research programs. A licensed Professional Engineer, he is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He has written, published, and presented extensively throughout his career.