Featured
It with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of a member of our Board of Regents, and Senior Research Fellow at PIPS, Dr. Fred E. Saalfeld.
Dr. Saalfeld received his B.S. degree cum laude with majors in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1957. He was awarded his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with a major in Physical Chemistry with minors in Inorganic Chemistry and Mathematics from Iowa State University in 1959 and 1961.
Dr. Saalfeld dedicated his life to Science and Technology and spent 40 years in civil service. He may be best known for his role as the Technical Director and Deputy Chief of Naval Research for ONR. His was a career filled with scientific firsts and achievements. He joined the National Research Laboratory in 1962. While there, he and his team lead pioneering research, developing the Central Air Monitoring System (CAMS) that makes recycled air breathable in submarines. That research into atmospheric monitoring and life support is used today in nuclear submarines, firefighting gear, spacecraft and other equipment using recirculated air. Potomac Institute CEO Michael Swetnam said, “Dr. Saalfeld was one of this country’s foremost supporters of science, technology, and policy based on science and technology. He was responsible for decades of US Navy research that became the foundation of our national defense. He is a hero in every sense of the word.”
Four U.S. Presidents recognized Dr. Saalfeld’s achievements. He became a charter member of the Senior Executive Service, SES, under President Carter. President Reagan named him to the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank in 1986, named to the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank by President Bush in 1989, and Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank for a second time by President Clinton in 1996.
The honors didn’t stop there. Several civilian employees have received the Dr. Fred E. Saalfeld Award, which recognizes lifetime achievements in science for those with the Department of the Navy, members of the military service on active duty, or contractors funded by the Department of the Navy.
Dr. Saalfeld and his wife Elizabeth were a frequent presence at PIPS. Those who knew him say he always gave sage advice and pushed PIPS staff to be bold and to think outside the box.
His contributions to PIPS are too many to list. PIPS CEO Michael Swetnam describes Dr. Saalfeld as a mentor and friend whose contributions to Potomac Institute are immeasurable. “Dr. Fred Saalfeld encouraged and supported the creation of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and he mentored us throughout our early years ensuring that we began and remained focused on national service, science, technology, and education. He was a visionary and leading voice in the development of science and technology that our freedoms so depend on today. The human race is measurably better because of him and diminished with his passing,” Swetnam said.
Upon his retirement from ONR, Dr. Saalfeld was honored and thanked on the floor of the U.S. Senate. The official record reads: “In times of adversity and challenge, America has always been blessed with men and women who have stepped forward to fight our battles and serve our country. Dr. Fred Saalfeld is such a man, much like those Founding Fathers who were patriot scientists and dedicated public servants. I wish we had more like him.”
Read National Defense Magazine’s “Viewpoint: Network Technology a Growing Liability” by John C. Johnson, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow to learn more about the realities of digital intrusion, vulnerabilities in network technology, and the U.S. approach to the future battlefield.
As VP, GM & Deputy to the President of Electronic Systems of Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mr. Johnson has oversight responsibility for developing, producing, and providing critical technologies, systems, and services for the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and commercial and international customers. Mr. Johnson joined Northrop Grumman in 1989 following a distinguished 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force. He has held a number of executive positions in the Business Development, Systems Development &Technology (SD&T) and Aerospace organizations. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors for IEC Electronics. He retired as a colonel and commander of flight operations for the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing.
Read Nation Defense Magazine’s “Viewpoint: Network Technology a Growing Liability” by John C. Johnson, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow here.
University of Waterloo: DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORESIGHT GROUP
Watch Defence and Security Foresight Group (DSF-G) webinar on the roll-out of 5G technology in Canada. Our panelists discuss the importance of 5G adoption to Canada’s competitiveness and its digital economy. They also discuss some of the arguments found in public and security sector debates about the threats and challenges of foreign ownership of this key infrastructural development. As different countries will experience unprecedented digital change connecting more of our critical business applications and infrastructures to the Internet — driving innovation and GDP growth, 5G technology will be essential to our economic growth. However, along with these opportunities comes unprecedented vulnerability. This panel highlights the associated risks of 5G deployment and adoption and will explain what risk mitigations are being explored by countries and companies globally. Visit the webpage here.
Melissa Hathaway is Senior Fellow and Member of Potomac Institute Board of Regents
Melissa Hathaway, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow, leading cybersecurity expert and Cyber Readiness Index (CRI) principal investigator was the featured speaker in the “5G Digital Transformation in the New Economy,” the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s COVID-19 Expert Webinar. The event encompassed discussion of the great digital divide in our current environment, digital asset transformation, 5G evolution, and the digital economy.
"Our countries and companies are racing to capture the #digital opportunity of #IoT (127 new devices connect every second!) and #5G — they will generate $13 trillion of economic value by 2035." -Melissa Hathaway
Melissa Hathaway, cyberspace policy and cybersecurity leader, brings a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional perspective to strategic consulting and strategy formulation for public and private sector clients. She developed a unique methodology for evaluating and measuring national levels of preparedness for certain cyber security risks, known as the Cyber Readiness Index (CRI). She has served in two U.S. presidential administrations, spearheading the Cyberspace Policy Review for President Barack Obama and leading the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI) for President George W. Bush. At the conclusion of her government service, she received the National Intelligence Reform Medal in recognition of her achievements.
Watch Melissa Hathaway in the “5G Digital Transformation in the New Economy” here:
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow is the first human to traverse both space and full ocean depth. She is the first American women to walk in space, and the first women to extend to the deepest point on Earth. On 6 June 2020, Dr. Sullivan dove to Challenger Deep, the bottom of the ocean, in the "Limiting Factor" on the Caladan Oceanic's "Ring of Fire" voyage. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan has a long career as a distinguished scientist, astronaut and executive. Learn more about Dr. Sullivan’s dive here.
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan was one of the first six women to join the NASA astronaut corps in 1978 and holds the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space. She flew on three space shuttle missions during her 15-year NASA tenure, including the mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. Since leaving NASA, Sullivan has held a variety of senior executive positions, including Presidential appointments to the National Science Board and as Chief Scientist, Deputy Administrator and Undersecretary/Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As President and CEO of Ohio’s Center of Science & Industry (COSI) from 1996-2006, she oversaw the construction of a state-of-the-art new facility and comprehensive re-design of the museum’s hands-on science exhibits and educational programs. Recruited to The Ohio State University in 2006, she was the inaugural director of the Battelle Center for Science and Technology Policy within the John Glenn School (now College) of Public Affairs. An experienced corporate director, she currently serves on the board of the International Paper Company.
Read more about Dr. Kathryn Sullivan here.
- Watch C-SPAN’s “Q&A with Kathryn Sullivan” here.
- Listen to Kathryn D Sullivan: What is it really like to walk in space? on Science Focus Podcast here.
- Listen to Kathy Sullivan: Spacewalker on The Oath with Chuck Rosenberg here.
- Watch The Royal Institution’s “Rescuing The Hubble Space Telescope - with Kathryn D. Sullivan” bellow: