Episodes

  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 19: Shaping Innovators: NIWC Pacific's Pathways to Excellence

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 19: Shaping Innovators: NIWC Pacific's Pathways to Excellence
    Jan 7 2025
    In this episode of Empowering Excellence with Art and Frankie, we’re joined by Mike McMillian, aka "Spock," the Executive Director of NIWC Pacific for part two of his interview. Spock sheds light on the incredible career opportunities at the Navy’s premier research lab, highlighting the New Professionals Program, which offers rotational technical tours across departments to build diverse skills and experiences. He also explores the importance of diversity—particularly diversity of thought—and how it fuels innovation to solve the Navy’s toughest challenges. He dives into NIWC Pacific’s robust STEM outreach programs, which span K-12 through college, inspiring and preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers. These efforts are critical to building a talent pipeline that will tackle complex problems and deliver solutions to support our warfighters. Finally, we discuss the lab’s impactful community partnerships, including its collaboration with the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR), which opens doors for individuals with unique talents. Tune in to discover how NIWC Pacific is shaping the future of innovation and excellence through outreach, diversity, and opportunity!
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    15 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 18: Innovating Across Domains - Inside NIWC Pacific with Mike 'Spock' McMillan

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 18: Innovating Across Domains - Inside NIWC Pacific with Mike 'Spock' McMillan
    Dec 16 2024
    In this episode of Empowering Excellence with Art and Frankie, we are joined by Mike "Spock" McMillan, Executive Director of Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC). Spock provides an in-depth overview of this extraordinary organization, which stands as one of the only entities within the U.S. Navy to oversee programs spanning the entire technology lifecycle: research and development, prototyping, test and evaluation, production, and sustainment. With 800+ active programs supporting all warfighting domains—from land and sea to space and cyberspace—NIWC PAC plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and ensuring operational readiness. Join us as Spock highlights the unique contributions of NIWC PAC, the groundbreaking work being done across these domains, and the vital impact this organization has on advancing the Navy’s mission.
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    15 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 17: From Crypto to Analytics – Safeguarding Navy Networks

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 17: From Crypto to Analytics – Safeguarding Navy Networks
    Sep 27 2024
    In this episode of Empowering Excellence for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are joined by Jeff Sanders, Program Manager of the Navy’s Cybersecurity Program Office (PMW 130). Together, they explore the critical role that PMW 130 plays in defending Navy networks against evolving cyber threats. From cryptography and key management to network security and cyber analytics, Jeff shares insights into the programs and initiatives that ensure the Navy’s operational readiness in the face of modern cyber challenges. Tune in to learn more about cybersecurity careers at NAVWAR and PEO C4I and how these efforts are shaping the future of Navy cybersecurity.
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    15 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 16: Nurturing the Next Generation

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 16: Nurturing the Next Generation
    Sep 9 2024
    In this episode of Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie, we explore NAVWAR’s impactful STEM Outreach and Academic Engagement programs, which are designed to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers. Join us as we chat with Christina Roc, STEM and Academic Engagement Director at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, to discuss the exciting work being done to engage students from K-12 all the way to university level. We’ll dive into how these programs create pathways into the workforce for STEM graduates, foster academic partnerships, and address real-world challenges in information warfare. Whether you're interested in education, innovation, or how NAVWAR is shaping the future, this episode offers a fascinating look at the role of STEM in national defense. Don’t miss out on hearing about how these initiatives are changing lives and contributing to a stronger, more innovative future!
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    21 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 15: Inside NAVWAR - Personal Stories of Performance and Engagement

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 15: Inside NAVWAR - Personal Stories of Performance and Engagement
    Jul 17 2024
    Are you able to meet the needs of your customers? Do you make meaningful contributions to your organization? How well do your leaders lead? What is your intrinsic work experience? According to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), all these questions (and more!) play into performance confidence and the employee engagement index. On this episode of Empowering Excellence with Art and Frankie, NAVWAR cyber guru Sarah Do, shares her unique experiences and perspectives on these topics and their role in shaping organizational success.
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    20 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 14:Lessons Learned from a Highly Engaged Navy Organization

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 14:Lessons Learned from a Highly Engaged Navy Organization
    May 30 2024
    In this episode of Empowering Excellence, explore NAVWAR's recent achievements in employee engagement and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) and discover how NAVWAR topped the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) with impressive rankings: #1 in Employee Engagement, Global Satisfaction, and DEIA, and leading in Performance Confidence and Employee Experience. In this first part of a two-episode series, Frankie welcomes special guest Nicole Taylor to discuss NAVWAR's innovative strategies for fostering an engaged and inclusive workforce. Learn how the command’s approach to employee engagement and DEIA can serve as a model for other organizations aiming for excellence. Hear directly from NAVWAR employees as they share what keeps them motivated and engaged. This episode is packed with insights, lessons, and practical tips that can help any organization enhance its own employee engagement and satisfaction.
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    20 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 13: Charting the Course for Continuous Improvement

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 13: Charting the Course for Continuous Improvement
    Apr 17 2024
    In this insightful episode, Art and Frankie chat with Jeremy Ireland, director of continuous process improvement (CPI) at NAVWAR, to explore the critical concepts of CPI and the Navy’s Get Real, Get Better initiative. These topics are not just buzzwords; they are essential to growth and efficiency as a systems command. By the end, you will: * Understand the methodologies that can streamline our workflows and enhance operational efficiency. * Learn about the Navy’s approach to fostering a culture of honest assessment and continuous development. * Discover why these initiatives are particularly significant for us at NAVWAR and how they impact mission and objectives. This episode is more than just a discussion; it’s a tool for empowerment and excellence.
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    17 mins
  • Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 12: Shaping the Economic Landscape of America’s Finest City

    Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie-Episode 12: Shaping the Economic Landscape of America’s Finest City
    Feb 29 2024
    How do you quantify the relationship between a major employer and the city they reside? It takes a lot of factors, but if you get the right experts involved, it can be done! That’s just what NAVWAR did when we partnered with both the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) and the University of San Diego (USD) Knauss School of Business to publish the newest edition of the NAVWAR economic impact study. On this episode, Art and special guest host, Greg Geisen, chat with USD’s Dr. Jeremy Gabe, to dig into the findings and shed light on the synergies and mutually beneficial relationship between NAVWAR and San Diego. With the NAVWAR’s total gross regional product economic impact calculated to be between $3.14 and $3.38 billion during fiscal year 2022, and the increasing and evolving technical mission requirements, it leads to the conversation about NAVWAR’s slated revitalization of its outdated HQ facilities.
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    21 mins