Christopher Barnes: Empowering supercomputer users

Name: Christopher Barnes

Age: 34

Organization: Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions

Title: Business Process Analyst, Senior Staff, High Performance Computing Modernization Program

Nominated for: As primary project manager for one element of the Defense Department’s High Performance Computing Modernization Program, he enabled six geographically disparate organizations to combine into a single enterprise, serving supercomputer users in government, industry and academia.

First IT mentor: Dr. Robert Leland of Sandia National Laboratories. Dr. Leland first introduced me to high-performance computing and the idea of a career change from technical recruiting to IT project management.

Latest accomplishment on the job: I’ve been in charge of the planning of a next-generation project, called the Enhanced User Environment, to make scientific research data more usable for the the Defense Department’s High Performance Computing Modernization Program. It’s a complex, $30 million project that includes numerous subcontract teammates partnering with Lockheed Martin, the systems integrator. We’re planning to deliver capabilities to supercomputer users across the DOD by spring 2011. I created the integrated master schedule, serve as project manager and have primary responsibility for day-to-day project decisions.

Career highlight: Envisioned, created and managed a strategic staffing event at Sandia National Labs called Science and Engineering Expo (SEE) SANDIA. This annual event invites top master's/Ph.D. candidates to Sandia for three days of tours, interviews and strategic hiring.

Favorite job-related bookmark: HPCWire, a news and information site covering high-productivity computing.

Favorite app: Shazam. It identifies song name, artist, etc., playing in its vicinity — and is largely correct in doing so.

Dream non-IT related job: TV personality chef.

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