The U.S. Military Engineer Analysis and Improvement Middle (ERDC) has chosen Dr. Jerrell “Jerry” Ballard Jr. as the brand new director of the Excessive Efficiency Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP). With 33 years of expertise on the ERDC, Ballard will lead the HPCMP, which leverages rising state-of-the-art applied sciences, to assist Division of Protection (DOD) companies and businesses to fulfill their mission-critical aims.
Ballard was a senior in highschool in 1983 when his plans to pursue both a profession in forestry or ecology modified course. “It was love at first sight,” Ballard stated, remembering the primary time he noticed an Apple IIe laptop that was donated to his college. “I needed to study every thing about computer systems and the huge potentialities for his or her use.”
After this realization, he obtained a bachelor’s diploma in laptop science and a grasp’s diploma in arithmetic from Mississippi Faculty. He then went on to earn his doctorate diploma in computational engineering from Mississippi State College.
“The factor that motivates me is the huge potential of computational engineering to enhance our every day lives, enhance understanding of complicated programs and assist higher shield our nation,” stated Ballard.
His fascination for timber and the atmosphere collided along with his profession path when he was employed as a analysis laptop scientist within the Environmental Laboratory on the Waterways Experiment Station (WES), house to the longer term ERDC. Later, he served because the affiliate technical director for army engineering within the ERDC’s Geotechnical and Constructions Laboratory, from 2009 to 2015.
“These have been difficult occasions the place we have been requested to speed up and quickly push drive safety applied sciences into the arms of the warfighter,” stated Ballard. “We realized how to achieve success in delivering vital safety applied sciences to our Troopers on time and inside finances.”
Seven years in the past, he joined the ERDC’s Info Expertise Laboratory because the chief of the Computational Science and Engineering Division after which served because the affiliate director for software program functions within the HPCMP.
“The Excessive Efficiency Computing Modernization Program is vital as a result of it helps our nation develop superior weapon programs, on-time and on-budget,” Ballard stated. “I can not overemphasize this level — HPCMP has been a key a part of a few of the most vital developments in DOD programs and capabilities.”
As director, Ballard’s three aims to allow the HPCMP to attain and supply outcomes that considerably affect DOD priorities are to extend utilization of the HPCMP’s sources by acquisition packages, develop the person base and develop programs and processes that drive correct, well timed and significant outcomes for the DOD.
“I’m excited and humbled to be chosen to guide the HPCMP. I had no concept after I began working on the Waterways Experiment Station in 1986 as a system administrator and laptop programmer that I may find yourself main a program like this,” Ballard stated.
For extra info and every day updates, readers can join with the Excessive Efficiency Computing Modernization Program on LinkedIn. “You may be amazed by the variability and magnitude of the work we do,” Ballard stated. “There may be often one thing new to have a look at on daily basis.”