News/Events

IMSG's Renee Leduc Clarke Elected President-elect of Women in Aerospace for 2012

Renee Leduc Clarke, Director of International Environmental Strategy and Government Affairs, was recently elected by the membership of Women in Aerospace (WIA) as its President-elect for 2012. She will serve as the President of the international aerospace networking group in 2013.

Women in Aerospace (WIA) is a professional organization of women and men dedicated to expanding women's opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility in the aerospace community. WIA is a critical voice in the field of science and technology and is committed to promoting a broad spectrum of aerospace issues including aviation, human space flight, remote sensing, robotic space exploration, satellite communications, and the policy issues surrounding these fields.

Founded in Washington, DC more than 25 years ago, WIA is continuing to grow across the country and world, with chapters in Florida and California, as well as Europe and Africa.  WIA provides a wide range of professional development programs and networking opportunities throughout the year. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Renee at leducclarker@imsg.com and visit www.womeninaerospace.org.

Congratulations Renee on this prestigious role in aerospace leadership!

IMSG to Launch Environmental Technology at APEC Summit that will be Featured at Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum in Honolulu

ROCKVILLE, Md. (November 7, 2011) – I. M. Systems Group, Inc. (IMSG) is one of 25 companies globally invited to launch an innovation technology at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit this week in Honolulu.  Headquartered in Rockville, Md., IMSG is a leading provider of environmental science and technology services to government agencies in the United States, Africa and Asia. 

IMSG will highlight its new Integrated Aviation Weather System (IAWS), a technology solution that communicates crucial weather information to aviation professionals to enhance aviation safety and regional economic growth.  Targeted toward developing and emerging economies, IAWS collects weather information from satellites, radar and ground sensors, and integrates it into a single, user-friendly application that can be customized to the needs of air traffic controllers, aviation meteorologists and pilots.

“With nearly 40 percent of airline delays attributable to weather, and airline delays costing the U.S. economy as much as $41 billion each year, this technology makes economic sense,” noted Vance Y. Hum, founder and chief executive officer of IMSG.  “IAWS will provide the right weather information at the right time to air traffic controllers and pilots to help them make decisions that minimize delays and enhance safety.”  Hum will also speak during the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Symposium.

IMSG is one of five U.S. companies to be selected by the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce to exhibit at the Innovation Fair during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

APEC is a 21-member association of economies from the Asia-Pacific region working together to advance regional economic integration and prosperity. Established in 1989, APEC has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region, facilitate business interactions between member nations, and improve training and education in international trade.

William “Billy” Brooks, Yolanda “Yolie” Hammrich, and Dr. Paulo Maurin received the Team Member of the Year Award at this year’s National Ocean Service (NOS) Employee and Diversity Awards. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who go above and beyond for NOS.

Billy Brooks, senior geospatial analyst at the NOAA Coastal Services Center, was recognized for his accomplishments in developing a number of coastal management community products, and in redesigning and co-leading CSC’s highly successful Coastal Inundation Mapping Short Course. Yolie Hammrich, an administrative assistant at the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) Pacific Operations Branch (POB), has improved administrative customer service within CO-OPS and the POB and her actions have directly contributed to the economic viability of the marine transportation system and protection of coastal communities and their inhabitants. Dr. Paulo Maurin, Coral Program Specialist for NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), received the award for enhancing the stewardship of the nation’s coral reef resources and increasing the profile of the NOS program.

Congratulations to Billy, Yolie, and Paulo! IMSG is proud of all your accomplishments and recognition.

IMSG appointed Rear Admiral Samuel P. De Bow, NOAA (Ret.), as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President.  RADM De Bow retired from active duty in 2007 as Director of the NOAA Commissioned Corps and Director of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.  He comes to IMSG after almost four years at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (URI/GSO).   In 2008, RADM De Bow became the Director of the Center of Excellence for Research on Offshore Renewable Energy at URI/GSO.  In this capacity, he was the co-principal investigator for a $10M grant to conduct the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP), a first in the nation marine spatial planning effort to site renewable energy projects in Rhode Island waters.  He later became Director of Marine Operations in charge of the National Science Foundation-owned research vessel Endeavor until his departure in August 2011 from URI/GSO. 

RADM De Bow holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and engineering from Drexel University and a master’s degree in hydrographic sciences from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and attended the Leadership for a Democratic Society curriculum at the Federal Executive Institute.

At IMSG, RADM De Bow will assist in developing and implementing its strategies related to climate, weather, and natural resources management policies as the firm continues to grow in the U.S. and internationally.  

IMSG went on a trade mission to Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Feb 7 to 11, 2011. The IMSG team met with officials from the US embassy and Cambodia's ministries. The team presented climate-resiliency programs to help Cambodia adapt to the effects of climate change and address the country's national environmental strategic plan.

The trade mission was led by IMSG CEO Vance Hum. With him were VP of International Programs Sean Lam, Director of International Business Development Sacha Sirovica and Director of International Environmental Strategy Renee Leduc Clarke. They were also joined by senior consultants John Jones, Jr. and retired Rear Admiral Sam De Bow, Jr.

Renee Leduc Clarke joined IMSG as Director of International Environmental Strategy and Government Affairs. Renee will assist IMSG in developing and implementing its strategies as it grows internationally.  

A former Fulbright research fellow in southern Africa, Ms. Leduc Clarke has more than ten years experience in governmental and international affairs with a focus on environmental policy. For more than seven years, she worked at the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where she advised two different Administrators on technology policy issues and advocated for NOAA’s programs with the U.S. Congress and abroad. Her international work at NOAA was focused on making environmental information more accessible to policy makers in developing countries to fuel sustainable development. She played a significant role in the development of the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) where she chaired the effort to develop its capacity building strategy, successfully engaging partners in many corners of the world.  

Welcome to IMSG, Renee! 

IMSG Manager Jeff Skahill completed his Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP® credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers and recognizes demonstrated competence in leading and directing project teams.

We are proud to add Jeff to our list of PMP®-certified staff.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) engaged IMSG to provide 25 CAAC weather forecasters with training on state-of-the-practice science, technology, and application systems.

IMSG Trains Chinese Air Traffic Bureau Officials

IMSG continues to support NOAA on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. IMSG is providing NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) with scientific and technical support services as the agency addresses the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

IMSG Supports NOAA's Oil Spill Response Efforts.pdf

NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) recognize outstanding individuals who go above and beyond for NOS with the National Ocean Service Employee and Diversity Awards. IMSG’s Denise Carpenter, Joe Inslee and Tracy Parsons are recipients of this year’s Team Member of the Year award and Kathy Chaston is nominated for the same award. The award presentations were held on September 30, 2010 at the NOAA auditorium.

Congratulations to Denise, Joe, Tracy and Kathy for a job well done!

Sinisa “Sacha” Sirovica joined IMSG in September 2010 as Director of International Business Development. Sacha brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development in the fields of water resources, environment and energy.

Prior to joining IMSG, Sacha served at Burgess and Niple, Inc. (B&N) for 22 years as Director of International Business Development and Project Manager. Sacha conducted strategic planning and marketing including business lead and funding evaluations. He managed feasibility studies, design and construction services in flood management, water distribution, wastewater, waste management, hydroelectric, gas and geothermal power plants.

Sacha acted as technical advisor to US state government agencies in reviewing environmental permits and to industry associations in negotiating environmental compliance regulations. He was co-founder of a US-Asia Environmental Partnership (USAEP) business forum. On behalf of B&N, Sacha received Ohio’s Department of International Trade 2001 “Export” award from Governor Bob Taft.

Welcome to IMSG, Sacha!

Every year, ESRI selects from 300,000 supported organizations approximately 150 distinguished members to be recognized with the Special Achievement in GIS Award. The winning organizations receive this honor for their vision, leadership, hard work, and innovative use of ESRI's GIS technology. In 2010, NCDC was selected for this award for the work of Glen Reid (IMSG) and Rich Baldwin in the implementation of ArcGIS Geoportal extension. NCDC was given an inscribed award along with a citation; Reid and Baldwin also received citations. This was presented during the ESRI annual national conference in San Diego.

Vance Y. Hum, President & CEO of IMSG and Board Chairman of Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP), attended Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2010. He also attended Water Leaders Summit, an annual meeting of distinguished water industry leaders, heads of organizations, government officials, researchers and practitioners.

IMSG is currently hiring GIS Spatial Analysts as well as other Scientific Staff to lead efforts in the current Gulf Region Oil Spill Disaster.

• Spatial Analyst (available in FIVE locations)
• Communication Specialist - Baton Rouge, LA

Dr. Paul Chan attended the Space Technology & Geo-Information for Sustainable Development workshop in Cairo, Egypt from June 14 to 18. He presented a paper on Decision Support Systems for Managing Natural Hazards.