Dr. Som Karamchetty

Sole Member, SomeTechnologies, LLC
Potomac, Maryland

Manager, Martin Marietta Data Systems, Greenbelt, MD, 1985 to 1987

Managed advanced technology projects in expert systems and natural language interface technologies. As Principal Technology Investigator (PTI) for AI for the Company, I promoted AI technology insertion into systems. I assisted VP for Corporate Technology in developing the corporate technology strategy plan.

Intelligent Processing of Materials

In 1985, on behalf of Mechanical Technology Incorporated (MTI), I briefed a Program Manager at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), on the application of expert systems for control of manufacturing processes. He was very interested in my technical concept. Upon his request, and in collaboration with a Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), I presented him with a full proposal. The DARPA PM converted the concept into a major program on Intelligent Processing of Materials (IPM) and asked me to respond to the solicitation. MTI was not interested in competing at that level.

A few months later, I joined Martin Marietta Data Systems (MMDS). I organized a proposal development group at Martin Marietta. I provided two white papers on the subject. I researched and determined which companies and which academic researchers have the best talents and capabilities to contribute to the project. One of the selected manufacturing processes for the IPM was Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) crystal growth. I learned that Cominco had one of the best facilities in the world to develop GaAs Boules. I also found out that a professor at the University of Arizona and another at Florida had the best expertise in crystal growth modeling and facilities. Raytheon had the best substrate testing equipment and expertise. Martin Marietta laboratories also wanted to test the crystal substrates. MMDS had the systems integration capability. Martin Marietta Aerospace Company had one of the best AI development teams with Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV) experience under their belt. I put together a team expeditiously. I played the role of an intermediary and an arbitrator of claims by various parties to a larger share of the proposal. I worked with the DARPA PM at Industry Briefings and other forums. However, for business reasons, Martin Marietta decided not to bid on the final solicitation.

But the effort was not fruitless. DARPA PM recognized my efforts, contributions, and presentation skills and gave me an unqualified reference for a job at Army Laboratory Command (LABCOM). I got the job at LABCOM in 1988. DARPA had a highly successful project on Intelligent Processing of Materials. In this effort, I demonstrated skills in conception of a novel manufacturing process beginning with scientific principles, and in team building.

Martin Marietta Corporation Strategic Technology Plan

At Martin Marietta Data Systems Company (MMDS), I developed the strategic technology plan for the Advanced Technology Department, and assisted the Vice President of the Company in developing the corporate technology strategic plan. I followed the method due to Russell Ackoff of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. At that time, MMDS managed business systems for government agencies and was mainly staffed by COBOL programmers and information management systems analysts. MMDS did not use the latest computer and information technologies. For example, their cost proposal development was very unstructured. The Company was losing bids to competitors on unrealistic cost estimates. And when they won contracts by bidding low, they had severe cost overruns. In mid-1980’s, the competitive scene had worsened. Many competitors were applying advanced technologies and modern business information systems. Martin Marietta Aerospace Divisions had access to advanced technologies, while the business systems culture at MMDS did not catch up with technology and modern business systems.

It was at that time that assisted the Vice President of Corporate Technology in developing the Corporate Strategic plan. I analyzed the company’s business goals, ends and means. I developed several strategic thrusts and made recommendations, especially in terms of acquiring technology for managing the company’s business. I proposed and the corporate plan incorporated my recommendation to consolidate units performing advanced technology work and application of those technologies in proposals. I pointed out that with out a technical parity with the competition, the company would not survive. The Corporation accepted the recommendations and conclusions. The Data Systems Company went out of business within a year. Viable units of the erstwhile corporation were merged into the Information and Communication Systems Company, a technically strong Division of Martin Marietta Corporation.

Management of Technology Projects:

· Natural Language Interface (NLI) Development

· Project Management Assistant (PMA)

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