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Message from the Chairperson
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI), I would like to thank you for taking time to access the VCSI web page and for your interest in this Huntsville, Alabama-based, not-for-profit, R for D organization.
VCSI was established in August 2006 by a group of Huntsville businessmen and university officials. Our goal was to create a nationally recognized R for D organization committed to the design and development of engineering concepts and prototypes responsive to the needs of key federal customers. To meet this goal, VCSI proposed the integration of government, industry, and university assets. In reality, the VCSI model was as much about business innovation as it was about technology innovation.
In the last three years, we have made significant progress in converting our concept into a reality and in creating highly successful, collaborative, teams. In addition to putting the necessary in-house processes in place, VCSI has also secured a suite of procurement vehicles and has executed some valuable projects. Our initial results have exceeded our expectations. But, like most new initiatives, VCSI still has much to accomplish before it achieves our community’s collective goal of a sustainable, nationally-recognized, R for D organization.
At the outset, we relied upon a variety of solutions and recruited numerous volunteers who shared their time and energy to make VCSI work. Today, we still receive strong support from the community and the member-firms of VCSI. However, we have now five professionals on staff who will help us better shape our future. We also have several work/study students on the team who assist with the execution of VCSI projects and activities while representing the commitment of VCSI to invest in the workforce of the future.
Today the VCSI team is involved in a wide range of projects and activities for a broad array of customers, ranging from federal agencies to foundations and commercial firms. The team just finalized a robotic initiative for the US Army and two expeditions to Antarctica for a private foundation. In addition, the team is currently building a new, privately financed microsatellite for the DOD Space Test Program and, in coming months, will take delivery of a new lunar lander prototype and finalize development of a hurricane forecasting instrument for flight on a UAV. These projects are successfully integrating technical assets and capabilities in the Tennessee Valley Corridor with nationally recognized research groups.
As Werner Von Braun so wisely noted, you must capitalize on your local assets, and attract national assets, if you want to turn our Nation’s research and technology goals into realities—be they in support of our civil, commercial, or defense needs.
As the Chair of the VCSI Board of Directors, I can assure you that a deep commitment to both the concept and development of a nationally recognized R for D organization still drives the Board and the community. I am proud to recognize the members of the Board and their contributions and I am pleased that, over the course of the last three years, we have been able to actively engage UAHuntsville, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Alabama A&M University on the Board. Equally rewarding for me is to witness the day-to-day interaction with UAHuntsville and the involvement of researchers and students in our projects and organizational activities.
The collective hope of the Board is that VCSI will successfully capitalize on the incredible technical expertise of our community so that one day the Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation will rival other great research institutions that have preceded us.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the VCSI, I would like to thank you for taking time to learn more about us and I hope that one day we might work with you and your organization to turn our nation’s dreams into realities.
Sincerely,
Marc Bendickson
Chair
Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation
Board of Directors