Authors
Ali Reza Manouchehri (Chief Executive Officer) – Thought Leader, Strategic Thinker, Bet on Mobile Technology, Loves White Boarding, Writing, and Reading. Working on Ideas to Better Engage People and Cultures; Enjoy Public Diplomacy and Helping Our Neighbors’ Around the World Better Understand Each Other.
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Chieu Lam (Business Analyst) – Not a big blogger in sense of volume, but I do have an opinion and a different sense of humor, so there’s a phrase that an author said that I think is very fitting for me: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind!” Dr. Seuss. And that’s how my writings are, so if my writings touch, mention, or is directed at you, it is without out malice and is completely arbitrary..
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Christopher Lincoln (Systems Engineer) – Despite graduating from Gettysburg College with a degree in Economics, I just can’t seem to stay away from computer technology! Professionally, I’m a little hard to label as I primarily engage in SharePoint customization and business logic but have experience as a graphic designer, web developer, and DBA. Unprofessionally, I love gadgets, music, video games, and snowboarding. I despise inverted yield curves.
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Daniel Nguyen (Social Media Community Manager) – At MetroStar Systems, I’m using social media tools and strategies to build communities and engage with people from all over the world. I am also involved with the marketing, public relations, and strategic communications of our company, services, and products. Outside of work, I enjoy music, sports, comedy, travelling, cooking, movies, concerts, spending time with friends & family, and playing FIFA2009 on XBox360.
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Gerald Irish (Senior Software Engineer) – Lately I have become one of the office specialists in databases and business intelligence. I am particularly interested in the challenge of making things that are usable and have the right balance of simplicity and detail. Outside of work I thoroughly enjoy the intense primeval thrill of motorcycles and other means of achieving velocity. I also like to partake in the rich flavor of foreign language and the limitless surprises of foreign horizons.
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Gitendra Malla (Software Engineer) – Originally from Nepal, I came to the US as an international student in 2003. I graduated from Gettysburg College in 2007 as a Computer Science and Math major and have since been working at MetroStar Systems as a Software Developer. Learning through experience is my priority and motto.
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Hector Portillo (Graphics / Web Designer) – Prior to joining MetroStar in 2000 as an intern, I had not cared much for computers. Actually, I spent the majority of my free time outside running around wild. I saved up my big money from my internship and purchased my first pc. I took interest in web design and started re-designing existing sites already on the web. That same year I published my first website for a staffing agency. Between you and I…. that website’s html code was solid!.
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Janak Patel (Senior Software Engineer) – Greetings! Deeply spiritual but “religious” just the same, coming with an intense faith in the human condition and doing my best to contribute to the world of enterprise software from my ever-growing, curious, humble and sometimes befuddled intellect. I can’t say the mental landscape has the same charm and excitement as the college days of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but the gray skies of my mind today hold promise with all the vital cut-throat competition that the world presents in web technologies. Though recent years have drawn me into the Microsoft fold (.NET 2.0+), it is the opportunity that all modern managed-runtime technologies provide for amazing solutions - Java and others included – that really fascinates me as far as as enterprise applications are concerned; software development these days is more than ever before like the giant block of marble out of which David was sculpted, and all of us are looking for the Michelangelo within. My other interests include low-level software and hardware – being an electrical/computer engineer by training – and cryptography.
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Janis Hall (Instructor) – Having worked in technology for about 14 years, she’s worn several hats, but enjoyed none more than those associated with work in SharePoint and Social Media. Currently a SharePoint Instructor and a Social Media Diva-want-a-be, she is continuing her focus and analysis on the functional efficiencies and business benefits available through these tools. Out of work, she continues efforts to keep up her amateurishly-advanced skills in shoe shopping, chocolate eating and wine tasting. She advises that these are harder than they sound- kinda 
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Jennifer Hubacher (Marketing Manager) – Cows. Cheese. Pop. Bubbler. “You betcha!” These all pertain to my true identity. Wisconsin of course! For 11 years, I lived in a suburb outside of Madison, Wisconsin. I moved to Virginia after graduating from college with an emphasis in Marketing. Adapting to this state was a lot easier than I thought it would be, but one thing I will never be comfortable with is the traffic.
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Jonathan Bouder (Systems Administrator / Developer) – I am originally from Carlisle, Pennsylvania where I lived until I graduated high school. From there I joined the Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer, where I deployed to Iraq twice. After getting blown up numerous times I decided I was ready for something new and applied to George Mason’s IT program. I now live in Centreville, Virginia and am currently a junior majoring in Computer Science along with working for MetroStar Systems as a Systems Administrator and Developer. I greatly enjoy programming and hope to become a senior level software developer as fast as I possibly can.
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Jorge Vasquez (Vice President of Application Services) – Who would have thought that Soccer could lead onto Software Engineering? There are a lot of similarities, all of which can be traced back to Team building. And just like I love to play soccer, I love to play with new technologies and constantly researching on new software engineering techniques that efficiently speed up the software engineering life-cycle.
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Lee Kohn (Intern) – I was born in Arlington, VA in 86 and have lived there all my life. I’m currently enrolled in the IT program at GMU which I should be done with in 2010. My interests include cars, guitars and playing inline hockey!
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Mahdi Gharavi (Business Analyst & Instructional Designer) – Mahdi “Padawan” Gharavi joined the MetroStar Systems team in May of 2008, coming from a Computer Engineering background, and a lifetime of moving around. You’re probably better off asking Mahdi what he’s not interested in. Unapologetically, he is an aspiring “jack-of-all-trades,” currently serving MetroStar as a business analyst, instructional designer, and writer. But we suggest you check back with him tomorrow.
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Matt Louderback (Senior Software Engineer) – When I am not building software I am dreaming about building software. I have built a number of commercial software products over my career. I have seen enterprise software move from mainframes to client server and then to the web. I am looking forward to building cloud solutions and true smart client RIA’s. Software development is never boring and it just keeps getting better. When I am not building software I am spending time with my family, but when they have other plans I quickly throw my bike on the truck and head to the motocross track. There is nothing like an adrenaline rush to clear the head.
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Michael Robucci (Network Engineer/Admin) & Certifiable Technologist – If it uses electricity, has a button, and blinks I want to know about it. I’m a Maryland native, drawn to VA by the saturation of tech companies and opportunity. Graduated from UMBC in Information Systems (emphasis in networking of course). I sink my hands into everything electronic and I feel like my life is spent in tech articles. Computers may not make the world go round, but they can do just about everything else.
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Ross Beurmann (Technical Solutions Specialist)- I like the Redskins. I have been a diehard fan since I moved to the DC area in 1987. I was in the Army from 2001 to 2005; it was a great experience. I like Process Management; there is nothing better than helping people get things done quicker and more efficiently. I like new technology such as Gaming and Web 2.0 even though it is not my specialty.
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Shawn Arnwine (Chief Information Officer) – Undaunted by failing his comp sci professor’s “code yourself out of a paper bag” exam, Shawn began his career as web programmer. Thus spawned a diverse career of working for various large system integrators on various large projects in various capacities. Years later he found a home with MetroStar, which combined with his passion for people, processes and technology (and more importantly realizing he gets along better with people than computers), Shawn was appointed to serve as CIO. In his spare time (which he has little of), Shawn enjoys home improvement projects, eating, sleeping and making himself laugh.
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Tanya Hilleary (Vice President of Marketing & Communications)
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