2022 Judges

Dr. Kenneth Allendoerfer is the manager of the Human Factors Branch at the Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center. The branch conducts human-centered research and development in the areas of air traffic control (ATC), traffic flow management, technical operations, and unmanned aircraft systems with a goal of increasing aviation safety and improving human-system performance.

Dr. Allendoerfer has led human factors activities supporting many of the major ATC automation and communication systems used today nationwide, including the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). His research focuses on developing effective human-machine interfaces, helping users manage data-intensive environments, and improving the interactions between humans and highly automated systems.

Outside of work, Dr. Allendoerfer is deeply involved in improving educational opportunities in his community. He is an FAA Aviation STEM ambassador and speaks regularly to schools and community groups about aviation and research. He is the lead organizer and coach for the Odyssey of the Mind creative problem-solving program in his hometown, Collingswood, New Jersey, and President of the Board of Trustees of the Collingswood Public Library. He is an active member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University in experimental psychology.

He holds a BA in psychology from Carleton College, an MA in psychology from SUNY Buffalo, and a Ph.D. in information science and technology from Drexel University.

Mr. Armando Gaetano is the Flight Program Liaison for the Laboratory Services Division. He coordinates and provides subject matter expertise in support of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation programs requiring flight testing. Previous to this assignment, Mr. Gaetano led the R&D Flight Test Program, a highly diverse and experienced team of Pilots, Engineers, Technicians, and Aircraft Mechanics, for over ten years. The team’s mission was to maintain, modify, and operate six flight test aircraft in support of Agency programs requiring airborne testing. These programs included; Microwave Landing Systems (MLS), Traffic Collision and Avoidance Systems (TCAS), and Global Positions Systems (GPS).

Mr. Gaetano holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University. He had been a certified Flight Engineer and holds a Patent based on his work with the U.S. Navy.

Armando is especially proud of being selected for the White House 1999 Closing the Circle Award presented by Vice President Gore.

Jerome Johnson is an Architect for the ANG Division of the federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) and also serves in the US Army Reserve as an Engineer Officer.

Mr. Johnson begun his federal career at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in November 2016. Jerome analyzes ways to introduce technology and innovation into the workplace through renovation. His responsibilities have included providing architectural design and consultation services to support WJHTC programs through project coordination and scheduling within budget to satisfy the project objectives and building tenants.

Prior to joining the FAA, Mr. Johnson worked with the United State Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Fort Shafter, HI. As a service member, Mr. Johnson has provided operational support in the following countries as an architect to further base camp development and the sustainment of life safety for US Soldiers, US Embassy, Coalition and NATO Forces, and Foreign Nationals: South Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. He has managed small design teams aiding in the completion of design, renovation, maintenance and repair, and existing condition reports for a variety of projects.

Mr. Johnson holds a Masters’ of Architecture first professional degree from Hampton University. During his personal time, volunteers locally in Atlantic County, with the American Engineering Science Robotic Academy (AESRA) and with the FAA AvSTEM Program to introduce career opportunities aligned with a student’s personal interest. Jerome also mentors students and soldiers pursuing civilian and/or military careers in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) pass the collegiate level. For fun, Jerome enjoys the random adventures of solo-traveling and fine dining. He currently resides in Galloway Township.

Dr. James Jones is Technical Staff in the Air Traffic Control Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He currently serves as the principal investigator on a number of aviation-related projects, developing advanced technology and prototypes. His current efforts lie in the areas of weather-related air traffic management, commercial space vehicle integration and advanced air mobility concepts. During his time at Lincoln, he has also worked on aircraft collision avoidance, trajectory-based operations and military airlift planning applications. He has a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland with a focus in aviation operations research. Prior to completing his Ph.D., James worked at Northrop Grumman where he developed algorithms for airborne surveillance and tracking systems on the EA-18G and P-8 aircraft.

Lauren Rainier is a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration at the William J. Hughes Technical Center. She has been with the FAA since 2018, initially as an intern with the Pathways Internship Program. She has discovered her passion in providing people comfort and safety throughout their lives.

Along with maintaining the health and safety of the employees at the Technical Center, Ms. Rainier is the Secretary of the Southern New Jersey Field Federal Safety & Health Council. This council consists of local federal employees, safety, and health professionals who collaborate to improve safety and health in the federal government. She is also a member of the NJ Medical Reserve Corps. In 2020, Ms. Rainier became the Lead of the WJHTC’s Employee Engagement Team.

Ms. Rainier holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Stockton University. During her free time she likes to go to the beach, read, and travel. Ms. Rainier has goals to change the world for the better in even the slightest way. She currently resides in Smithville, NJ with her cats Autumn and Herbie.

Martin Seuch serves as the Operational Integration and Test Strategic Coordinator in the Air Traffic Systems Test and Evaluation Services Division at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. As a senior technical staff member, he supports the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation (NextGen) vision for Trajectory Based Operations (TBO). He serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) liaison between the FAA (test teams, program offices, etc.), other partners, and contractor personnel in order integrate and test National Airspace System (NAS) enterprise capabilities and services, as well as identifying enterprise risks and associated mitigation.

Marty managed and led the Test Fielded Systems Team in the En Route and Oceanic Second Level Engineering Group in the Program Management Organization. His teams supported the successful operational integration of the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system at all twenty Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) across the National Airspace System (NAS).

Marty began his 32 year career in the United Stated Air Force as a RADAR Technician and then later as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. He served with honor and was awarded the prestigious Lt General Gordon A. Blake Aircraft Save Award for his extraordinary dedication to duty and application of knowledge in the field of Air Traffic Control.

Dr. Anthony Tvaryanas is the manager of the Aerospace Medical Research Division at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). The division conducts basic and applied research in the biomedical, biodynamics and survivability/cabin safety sciences with the goal of enhancing crewmember, passenger, and air traffic control specialist health, safety, and performance in current and forecasted future civilian aerospace operations.

Dr. Tvaryanas has nearly 30 years of experience in aerospace and occupational medicine serving in clinical, research, and management positions. He served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, starting his career as an operational flight surgeon. He transitioned to research and development at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he led multiple projects addressing human systems integration challenges related to the adoption of unmanned aircraft systems. Later research explored the application of big data analytics and techniques to very large, combined operational and healthcare datasets to inform operational risk based decision making. In 2017, he left the government and worked in the commercial sector as a senior scientist and program manager for an operational focused life sciences research program. Dr. Tvaryanas returned to the government in 2019, when he joined the FAA at CAMI.

He holds a BS in chemistry from the George Washington University, a MPH&TM from Tulane University, a MD from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and a Ph.D. in modeling, virtual environments, and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Mr. Ralph Venuto started working for the FAA through the Intern Pathways Program in 2017 during his senior year of undergraduate studies. Later that year, he graduated from Stockton University with a degree in computer science. He currently works at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, in the communications section of lab maintenance as a computer scientist.

Ralph Venuto and his team support various testing activities in the labs as well as installing, modifying, and configuring computer systems, computer networks, and digital voice communications systems. He has solely developed multiple web applications that support lab maintenance for data management such as an inventory management system, and a system for submitting, approving and recording system changes.

When away from work, Mr. Venuto enjoys many hands on activities, including but not limited to building DIY home improvement projects, spending time with his dog Vanna, and playing chess and puzzle games.