Don Westbrook
JPL NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
Located in the Scenic California Mojave Desert
Greetings!
Thank you for visiting my web page. I hope things are well with you and yours!
Experience
NASA JPL GDSCC (Goldstone) Complex Director - Peraton, Inc.
2015 - Present
Engineering Manager, Product Development - Rockwell Collins
2011 - 2014
General Manager at NTS - National Technical Systems
2006 - 2010
Senior Technical Manager - Honeywell Aerospace
2002 - 2006
Master Engineer - Hamilton Sundstrand/United Technologies
1977 - 2002
Certifications
Six Sigma Green Belt - Honeywell Aerospace
Design for Six Sigma - Honeywell Aerospace
General Class Radiotelephone License w/ Radar Endorsement
Federal Communications Commission
First Class Radiotelephone License w/ Radar Endorsement
Federal Communications Commission
ATF - Responsible Person
Community Service
Fundraising Leader at United Way of San Diego County
Fundraiser at YMCA of Riverside County
Skills & Expertise
Business Management - P&L Responsibility
Business Development/Marketing/Sales
Operations and Maintenance
Program / Project Management
Product Development, Qualification and Certification
Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering
Aerospace Systems Engineering
RF/Radar/Microwave Telecommunications
Process & Continuous Improvement
Six Sigma for Design/Lean Manufacturing
Quality Management System
ISO9001 and 17025 Accreditation
Education
University of Redlands
MBA, Master of Business Administration
Activities and Societies: Whitehead Leadership Society
University of Wisconsin-Madison
BSME, Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering
Pi Tau Sigma Honorary Society, Freshman Orientation Lectures, Cooperative Education Program
Vocational - Cleveland Institute of Electronics
Diploma, Electronics Technician
WISM - Radio - Madison, Wisconsin
Transmitter Operation, Commercial Production, On-Air Programming
Instructional Communication Systems - Madison, Wisconsin
Live Educational Programming and Audio Production
Organizations
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Ethics & Technology Program Committee Chair
ASME Technology and Society Division Volunteer
IMECE Group Representative
Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Senior Member
The TEN COMMANDMENTS of Keeping Test Logs!
1. Thou shall not trust your memory. Protect your rear end by filling out test logs in “real time” as you perform each test.
2. Thy equipment list shall include everything needed for the test setup – test cell or test equipment, support apparatus, fixtures, adapters, safety devices, controllers, instrument ranges, model numbers, serial numbers and calibration dates, signal conditioning settings, etc.
3. Thy handwriting on the log sheet shall be neat and legible, in black ink, so future generations need not decipher cryptic codes in order to duplicate your test results. Number and sign thy log pages. Spell out thy acronyms at least once.
4. Resist thy impulse to be a creative writer. Write the test description in the header using identical wording directly from the customer’s procedure.
5. Record everything from A to Z – your name, date, job number, program manager’s name, ambient conditions, test article part number(s), serial number(s), test paragraphs, test times, durations, data, observations, parameter set-points, calculations, formulas, torque values, location of instruments/sensors, safety overrides, test media (fuel, oil, water, LN2, air, etc.), interruptions, verbal directions, emails, phone calls, power failures, test discrepancies, anomalies, equipment damage, post test condition based upon visual inspection, and other factors affecting test results.
6. Honor thy self and program manager by not deviating from procedure without written authorization. Print thy customer’s name with their signature on the log sheet so that you can prove their deeds long after they have forgotten.
7. Thou shall have only one customer. Do not accept directions from other customers or government representatives. Call thy program manager for help.
8. Demonstrate thy technical expertise by calculating unit conversions to match units listed in the procedure and record these values proudly in the log.
9. Keep thy Uncle Sam happy by correcting errors with a single line cross out, initial and date. Liquid paper and correction tape are messy and illegal.
10.For any equipment damage, take photographs and fill out a Deviation form; submit these to thy program manager.
Remember: The most important part of testing is providing accurate and timely data.
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Tips for First Time Home Buyers
9 steps from the internet for first time home buyers
1. Check your credit
2. Maximize your credit scores
3. Get pre-qualified for a home loan
4. Gather all your documents
5. Pick a Realtor to help kick-off your home search
6. Find a home you love
7. Make an offer and get a signed contract
8. Complete your official mortgage application
9. Let your realtor manage the transaction to closing and get your new home keys
Here’s more detail:
Check your credit reports in advance so you know both of your numbers across the 3 reporting companies. This gives you an advantage when talking with mortgage providers (you can ask them what you can expect in terms of the interest rate).
Interest rate is everything – need to pay close attention to this while selecting a mortgage – a 0.50% decrease will save you hundreds in your monthly payment.
Take actions to improve your credit ratings. Higher credit rating numbers = lower interest rates = lower monthly payments
Before you go home shopping, get a pre-approval letter from the mortgage company (this tells you what your price limit is and lets the realtor know you are serious and have the ability to make an offer.
Before you contact mortgage companies, decide what type of mortgagee you will pursue – conventional bank loan (10 – 20% of purchase price due at closing) or FHA/HUD options (3 – 10% due at closing).
It is much easier to get approved for an FHA or HUD loan than a conventional mortgage. Buying a house with poor credit is possible with FHA or HUD Loans. Banks and some mortgage companies will not do these loans.
Shop around for a mortgage company, online ones are good, such as lending tree, rocket mortgage, etc. Do not let them run your credit when you first contact them, because numerous credit inquiries negatively impact your credit ratings. Instead, call them (even the online companies) and ask them a set of pre-determined questions designed to allow you to compare companies. Examples:
a) Based on our credit ratings of XXX and XXX, what interest rate can you offer?
b) What special offers/incentives are available to first time home buyers?
c) What is the minimum down payment?
d) Want to compare only 30 year fixed rate mortgage plans.
e) Are interest rates expected to change over the next 6-12 months?
f) Will PMI apply, how much will it add to our monthly payment?
g) Once we lock in the rate to get a pre-approval letter, how much time will we have to find a house?
Terms to know:
Pre-qualified is for up front approval only, needs to be followed up later with a formal loan application to the mortgage company.
PMI = Private Mortgage Insurance – required addition to your monthly payment unless you have 20%+ down payment. Usually $150 - $200 increase in monthly payment.
Escrow account – required by mortgage companies – they collect an additional amount with your monthly payment (equal to 1/12 of your annual real estate taxes and insurance). The insurance and tax bills are paid by the mortgage company on your behalf each year.
Closing costs – mortgage companies are required to estimate these for you when you formally apply for a mortgage. Who pays what closing costs can be negotiated at time of offer/closing, thus the need for a good realtor acting on your behalf/advising you about what is reasonable and customary.
Finding a Realtor and Home Search
Find a local realtor that you trust – if you have a bad feeling about the person/broker’s office, move on. Other realtor things:
· Do not sign an agreement with the realtor to be your “exclusive” representative. No advantage for you whatsoever, only protects them from you working with someone else.
· You want someone working on your behalf to make sure you don’t overpay – the realtor must be willing to walk away from a deal if not in your best interest to proceed.
· The seller pays the real estate commission when purchasing a home, so, as buyer, you don’t care about these percentages, discounts, etc. Not your concern to control these costs.
· A great realtor will offer to discount their commission if needed to close the deal.
Use websites like Zillow.com, Trulia.com or Realtor.com, etc. to find areas/homes that are within your price range. Recall that all real estate value is determined by location, location, location.
Avoid bank owned/foreclosure properties unless you have lots of patience and time – they can take time (6 months+) to get an answer back about your offer. Exception: foreclosures from the government (HUD, VA, FHA) can offer tremendous values if you have the time needed to close the deal (could take many months). Watch out for distressed/damaged properties - usually sold in AS-IS condition (you pay for repairs).
Purchase a home warranty with your mortgage to protect you from unforeseen repair bills.
Most importantly, beware of emotional burnout associated with the entire process – credit, mortgage, home search, offer, financing, inspection, closing. For example, finding the perfect house, making an offer, and losing it to another buyer, having to start all over again. It typically takes several offers to get to the successful one.
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Best Short Story Ever: Norfolk & Chance
The first purple rays of daylight climbed across Valmer Kincaid's face as the sun revealed itself on the eastern horizon. Valmer sat up abruptly and became aware of his surroundings. He realized deep in his heart he had Norfolk and Chance. The End.
Website of
Don Westbrook
JPL NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC)
westbrookd2@asme.org
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