Our Experts
Melissa
Britton
Senior
Associate
Specializing in Systems
Acquisition and Management
"We guide our clients through the modernization process and empower them for the future with long-term, repeatable process improvements."
An experienced systems specialist, Ms. Britton specializes in supporting the engineering, acquisition, and deployment of commercial technology for U.S. Navy and foreign military defense programs. Since 2006, she has served integral roles at Herren across various military programs, developing expertise in large-scale IT Program Management, enterprise architecture alignment with emergent system and compliance requirements, acquisition planning for multi-year weapon system procurements, and complex cost modeling for over $1B of defense hardware and engineering service acquisitions. Ms. Britton is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and has helped clients in both the defense and private sectors realize millions of dollars in cost savings and cost avoidance through strategic process improvements.
Ms. Britton has a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering and a minor in business administration from the University of Florida. She is an ASQ certified Six Sigma Black Belt and is trained in earned value management, SAP for the federal sector, Crystal Ball, and SEER for IT.
Adrienne
Gifford
Senior
Associate
Specializing in Portfolio
and Resource Management
"The Herren team knows systems, and we enable our clients to make informed acquisition and program decisions that successfully balance resources with requirements."
Ms. Gifford has over nine years of consulting and project management experience, providing a full range of business and financial strategy and analysis to support various C-suite Intelligence Community and DoD clients. Her expertise is a combination of strategic planning, systems and financial analysis, process improvement, and project management best practices. She has extensive experience providing comprehensive, objective systems analyses, strategic recommendations, and cost-effective resource management to support both information technology (IT) and weapons systems programs.
At Herren, Ms. Gifford has served as project manager and lead analyst for several defense task forces. Previously, she led multiple tasks and projects at Booz Allen Hamilton, providing a full-suite of IT program management office services including portfolio management, capital planning, enterprise architecture, and IT strategic planning subject matter expertise and analysis. She also managed and led the development of multiple lifecycle cost estimates, cost-benefit analyses, and financial analysis to support budget formulation and justification. Her efforts contributed to successful re-baselines of multiple programs, resulting in reduced total ownership costs and additional program resources.
Ms. Gifford graduated with honors from the American University with a degree in international finance and possesses a certification in business strategy from the Roundtable Group. She has received formal training in performance-based acquisition, earned value management, project risk management, contracts management, software estimating/function point analysis, life-cycle cost estimating, and SEER-SEM.
Herren understands the Federal Government’s challenge to balance competing priorities, as well as the steps required to adopt and maintain successful acquisition processes and organizational systems. From preliminary analysis through execution and sustainment, our proven SAEM team provides clear, objective, end-to-end support to meet every critical milestone.
We help agencies evaluate and acquire critical systems and technologies in a manner that ensures the highest possible return on investment while continuing to achieve mission objectives. Herren manages programs and contracts throughout the acquisition lifecycle, identifying the best solutions and creating a plan for implementation. We inform decision-making by evaluating requirements, collecting detailed data, analyzing costs, and benchmarking program and industry trends. The result is smarter federal systems, as we ensure our clients improve organizational effectiveness and overall operational efficiency.
Slick Sheet: Systems Acquisition & Engineering Management
Presentation: Reducing Fuel ConsumptionKatie Schneck presented "Reducing Fuel Consumption: A Maritime Energy Portfolio Management Approach" at NDIA's Environment, Energy Security & Sustainability Symposium on 11 May in New Orleans. In her brief, she discussed a methodology for discovering, assessing, prioritizing, and monitoring NAVSEA energy initiatives to ensure that they achieve the Secretary of the Navy's and the Chief of Naval Operations' Energy Goals.
View more Presentations
White Paper: All Electric Warship (AEW) Weapon Integration Read about the All Electric Warship (AEW) as the ideal platform to provide the needed power to support the future advanced weapons of the Navy and is, by definition, an engine employed as a weapon.
View more White Papers
Program Management
Systems
Acquisition
Herren understands the link between systems acquisition and execution. We determine best practices for our clients that maximize performance and convert resources into deployable and sustainable integrated systems. Our full-range of program management solutions enables our clients to strengthen their planning and execution capabilities through SMART program development, project management, and decision analytics.
Program Development. Successful systems acquisition requires processes that effectively inform, influence, and empower program teams and resource sponsors. Based on industry-recognized best practices, Herren provides clients with informed and impartial expertise, support, and program-specific advice tailored for their needs and development goals. Working at all levels of an organization, we deliver innovative solutions and introduce plans for long-term sustainment. We have significant experience initiating and implementing strategies that transfer capabilities and empower organizations with the skills and methods necessary to continue a program's development.
Project & Portfolio Management. Herren helps its clients make informed decisions by prioritizing projects that compete for scarce resources. We evaluate the complex factors and constraints of each project to mitigate risks and facilitate program successes. By having the means to efficiently coordinate numerous projects, business leaders can achieve program objectives on time and within budget.
Decision Analytics. Herren takes an analytical approach to solving problems, and our solutions are individually catered to our clients' specific needs. Our solutions are designed, measured, and balanced to manage risk. They enable rapid analysis to assess cost and schedule impacts.
Engineering
Management
Herren simplifies complex systems through an interdisciplinary, multi-phase process involving Systems Requirements Analysis, Systems Engineering & Design, and Systems Integration & Testing. We ensure business missions are met by providing integrated technical management that supports the planning and execution of major programs.
Systems Requirements Analysis. Herren advises decision makers and stakeholders on issues related to technical planning, conceptual design analyses, and requirements development. Our work and experience spans multiple organizations, for which we develop and integrate new initiatives, emerging technologies, and industry benchmarks.
Systems Engineering & Design. Through disciplined systems engineering processes and proven program management fundamentals, Herren ensures activities are controlled and delivered in a low-risk, efficient environment. Between our strong systems engineering background, analytical expertise, and acquisition knowledge, we provide unique, inter-disciplinary approaches to meet challenges and improve program performance. We understand how to manage and facilitate acquisitions driven by requirements for design, development, and retirement. We develop dynamic plans that take into account the ultimate requirements of the end users.
Systems Integration & Testing. Herren applies engineering principles to help clients meet schedule and cost thresholds. We analyze multiple performance specifications and systems architectures, ensuring successful program delivery and deployment. We enable clients to meet systems and program requirements while adhering to design criteria and acquisition milestones.
For more information about our services, please contact us.
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