Management Team

Introduction:  Nilmini Thompson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and CEO of two (2) successful federal contracting services companies: Systems Products and Solutions (SPS), Incorporated, and Millennium Systems Services Incorporated (MSSI).  Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, her award-winning companies have performed a wide variety of ground and aviation service and product-based contract services in over 20 countries, spanning across 5 continents, and 30 locations. 

Accomplishments:  Nilmini has served on the Board of Directors for the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama.  Nilmini also served as Board of Director for the BBVA Compass Bank Advisory Board and served as a Chair and Board of Director for Madison Visionary Partner (MVP) in Madison, AL. Nilmini continues to be active in community projects and is a member of the Madison County, AL Rotary Club.  In 2011, she was nominated for the City of Madison’s Philanthropy Award.

Experience:  With over 19 years of business executive experience, Nilmini’ s experience include creating, communicating, implementing an organization’s vision, mission, and overall goals; development and integration of an organization’s strategic direction; overseeing implementation and monitoring of company business operational and financial activities; identification and execution of acquisition sales; business development planning and approach; and representing organizational interests in local community and professional association forums.

Education:  Nilmini holds degrees from Central Texas College and is multilinguistic, speaking English, Arabic, and Singhalese.

Arriving as a former Senior Program Manager from the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Jason has over 20 years of expertise in leading complex projects, coaching multi-functional teams, and implementing effective, system-oriented strategies. He is also highly knowledgeable of U.S. Army systems, applications, and command structures with a proven track record of success in leading complex federal contract programs at both CONUS and OCONUS operating sites.

In addition to the above, Jason maintains stakeholder, cost, and training
management expertise with extensive Deltek (Costpoint and Talent) and SharePoint Program user experience. In the area of quality management, Jason has Six-Sigma Green Belt expertise in operational and process improvement planning and implementation.

Jason is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and
holds a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University. In addition to his Six-Sigma Green Belt experience, Jason possesses “Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) experience.

James started his own consulting business, culminating in the transition of manual accounting systems to digital systems for over 800 clients in the Southwestern United States. In 1999, James moved back to the Southeast USA and began practicing in the government contracting world, working with firms in multimedia, information technology, presentation support, and facility support areas. In 2013, he began working with Aviation and Aerospace firms doing logistics support and operations both domestically and internationally.

As the company’s CFO, James primary senior executive responsibilities include managing all corporate financial actions such as tracking cash flow and financial planning; directing and managing accounting and contract team operations; financial management process development and implementation; financial budget planning, management, forecasting and reporting; and analyzing organizational financial strengths and weaknesses with corrective action planning.

Joe is currently assigned as Vice President of Business Development at Systems Products and Solutions (SPS), applying 40+ year’s accrual of knowledge and experience in leading high-performance teams’ major pursuits and must-win efforts. He is responsible for supporting Marketing through Capture applying development of marketing strategies, S&M/Capture budgets, clan plans, M&A/teaming agreements, subcontractor relationships, win themes, workload assignments, thus facilitating winning critical proposals through team building and leadership.  Prior assignments include VP of International Marketing, Director of Field Service Operations, Program/Deputy Program Management at numerous CONUS/OCONUS locations. His aviation experience started as a U.S. Army Aviation Fixed and Rotary -winged mechanic promoted to Maintenance Manager from 1981 through honorable discharge in 1989. He is a graduate of Embry-Riddle University and is holder of numerous professional career related licenses and certifications

Marty has served the US Army for over 45 years as a Department of Army Civilian, a member of the US Army Reserves, and as a Department of Defense contractor.

Marty is a Certified Professional Logistician (CPL #877) and served the US Army Aviation & Missile Command (AMCOM) in many logistics assignments culminating as Deputy Director for Readiness for AMCOM.

Marty served 25 years in the US Army Reserves as an Ordnance Officer and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  His final assignment was Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff G-4, for the 87^th Division – Exercise.  His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

As a Defense contractor, Marty managed the PATRIOT missile Repair and Return program for the AMCOM Security Assistance Management Directorate, led the Army Materiel Command (AMC) contract team to develop the Integrated Logistics Enterprise Program (ILEP), assisted the AMCOM Logistics Center to develop algorithms to link Condition Based Maintenance to the Supply Chain, and led a System Engineering & Technical Assistance team to support development and fielding of the Joint Tactical Ground Station.  Marty is currently the onsite Program Manager for the HQ AMC G-3 Logistics Support & Services contract.

Marty earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from North Georgia College and a Master of Science in Systems Management from Florida Institute of Technology.

Over 40 years of combined military, industry, and corporate experience managing a myriad of tasks supporting the National Defense Strategy; managed numerous task orders and contracts both for the military (28 years) and subsequently for corporate (12 years) entities. Notable military assignments include US Central Command, Deputy Assistant Director, J5 Strategy and Policy Directorate; 1st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, AL Brigade Commander; US Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA G3 Aviation Division Chief; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans/Force Development, Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Joint Warfighting Integration Officer. Battalion Commander 17th Aviation Brigade, USFK, assignments also include AVIM Commander 82^nd Airborne Division and AVIM Commander 1^st Cavalry Division.

Awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Meritorious Service (6), Senior Army Aviator Badge (AH-1S and CH-47D), Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge, Quad A Order of St. Michael (Silver)

Corporate Assignments include multiple Positions, from SVP in a Large Corporation, to Business Unit Director and Business Development Director in both Large and Small Companies.  Significant experience at all management levels executing assigned missions, managing budgets/resources, and executing profit and loss objectives.

B.A., Political Science University of South Florida, Tampa Florida 1977

M.S., National Resourcing Strategy (Focus: National Transportation Industry) National, Defense University (NDU), Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), Washington, DC, 1997

Lawrence Alexander served in the United States Army as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant. He retired after serving 20yrs of Active service.

During his active service, his assignments were 6th Infantry Divisions Artic Light 1^st 17^th INF Fort Richardson Alaska.101^st Airborne DIV Air Assault 1^st BDE 2bn 327^th INF No Slack &.3^rd BDE 3^rd bn187^th INF Battle Hard. 2^nd INF DIV 1^st 503^rd INF, Camp Casey Korea. 11^th INF REGT, Fort Benning GA. 1^st 507^th ABN School & 2/11 INF IOBC. Supporting and Deploying to Saini Egypt MFO, Desert Strom, KOSOVO, Operations Uphold Democracy, OIF, and OEF.

His military decorations include. Combat and Expert Infantrymen’s badges, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Accommodation, US Army Jump Master, and Sniper School graduate.

After retirement, he began his second career working to support the warfighter teaching MRAP new equipment Operator, Maintenance, and Recovery courses. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Phoenix and a Master from Grand Canyon University.

Cruz Gonzalez is a former Government Civilian, Logistics Management Specialist assigned to the Aviation Field Maintenance Directorate at Redstone Arsenal.

Cruz is a decorated military veteran, who retired after 20yrs of service, 10 years of which was under the command of the 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).  He served as a crewmember on the highly modified UH/MH-60 Blackhawks deploying to numerous real-world/combat missions accumulating over 2000 flight hours.  

Cruz was selected for the Warrant Offer Candidate’s course (151AE).  After his graduation he served as Platoon Leader for D co. 1-4 Avn Regt (Attack), Ft Hood and 1-2 Avn Regt (Attack), Korea.  Other duties include Facility Maintenance Officer for the TRADOC System Manager (TSM) in support of the RAH-66 Comanche aircraft.

Mr. Gonzalez’s military tenure covered Military Operations such as Urgent Fury, Prime Chance, Just Cause, Desert Storm, Bosnia (SFOR), and GWOT. His military decorations include the Senior Aircrew Badge, Air Medal (3), AFEM w/ Arrowhead Device & Star (2), Asia Service medal w/ Bronze Service Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Army Commendation medal (2).   

Mr. Gonzalez’s education includes the Warrant Officer Professional Development Course, Army Aviation Maintenance Manager Course, Army Warrant Officer Advance Course, and Aviation Safety Officer Course. He earned his Bachelors in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Art Sharpe has been a Deputy Program Manager on the Army Materiel Command Logistics Support Contract since 2014. 

Art served in the United States Army as an Ordnance, Quartermaster and Multi-Functional Logistics officer in the United States Army, the Army Reserve, and the National Guard.  He retired as a lieutenant-colonel from the Army in 2014.

During his military career, he served in multiple active duty and reserve units, culminating as the deputy chief of plans and operations for Army Materiel Command where he was the senior military officer in the AMC Operations Center.  As a combat veteran, his awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, multiple Meritorious Service Medals and Army Commendation Medals as well as multiple wartime and peacetime campaign and service medals.

As a civilian, Art has led or managed large government organizations, including the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Health Regulation and the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response.  He was the onsite Incident Commander for health and medical support during the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina.  He has served as an Assistant Attorney General, an administrative judge and has been a lawyer for over 36 years. Art earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Russ McDonald is a lifelong resident of Madison County and has worked for contractors supporting the DoD/NASA community for 32 years

Russ’s professional career includes 26 years with Camber Corporation where he was one the early employees who contributed to the long term growth of that company. The majority of his experience is in Information Systems where he was a Task and Project Manager supporting Army and MDA customers and in Proposal Planning and Development. Russ held a PMP certification from 2010-2019.

Russ earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Alabama in 1980.

Angela Parnell relocated to Huntsville in 2018 working as a Human Resources Manager in the education industry. Angela has several years for HR experience and leadership in the finance industry. Angela specializes in onboarding, benefits, recruiting, and compliance.

Angela earned her Bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and earned her Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She also earned a graduate certificate in Human Resources.  Angela is currently a member of the Sigma Alpha Pi chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.  She is also a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) and a member of the North Alabama Society of Human Resource Managers (NASHRM).

Bill brings over 45 years of combined military and business experience and knowledge to his position with SPS.

Bill was commissioned and trained as an Army Infantry Officer serving over 23 years serving in various Army staff and troop assignments including the 1^st and 2^nd  Infantry Divisions, the Training and Doctrine Command, Beckley West Virginia Recruiting Battalion, USA Infantry School, Deputy Commander Rock Island Arsenal, and Inspector General for Depot Systems Command (DESCOM). His military decorations include the Expert Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, and 4 Army Commendation Medals. 

After his military retirement, Bill served for 13 years as the Director of Human Resources and Safety for a unionized manufacturing company. Bill joined Millennium Systems Services (MSSI) in 2006, serving as the Business Operations Manager, Program Manager, and President. Bill transitioned to Systems Products and Solutions in 2017 where he serves as the Senior Capture and Proposal Manager. Bill is also one of the Facility Security Officers and the Assistant Quality Manager. Educational highlights include a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration from Marshall University, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University, Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced courses, Recruiting Commanders Course, Army Command and General Staff College, Installation Commanders Course, and the Inspector General Course.

Stephan Sheppard-Cathcart currently serves as the IT Manager. Stephan has 10 years of professional Cyber Security experience; seven of those years include his current position with the United States Army Reserve. Stephan has held IT positions managing 500+ Office 365 accounts, as well as leading different projects. He has worked in various types of conditions in many different IT roles within the aerospace/defense sector overseeing over $700,000 worth of Information Systems.

Stephan received his high school diploma from New Century Technology School May 2013. With focus and hard work, he has gained his wealth of knowledge through personal studying and job opportunities.

As Contracts Manager for Systems Products and Solutions (SPS) Karen brings 35 years of experience in the US Government Acquisition Arena to our Management Team.  She is our acquisition subject matter expert possessing diverse leadership experience in both the private and public sector acquired during her tenure in progressive roles, focusing upon contract management & administration/acquisition, procurement, logistics, supply chain management and regulatory and process compliance.  Prior positions have included VP Contracts, Procurement and Compliance, Corporate Compliance Officer, Executive Director LOGCAP III, Director Contracts, Pricing, and Export/Import Control and US Government warranted Contracting Officer.   Her base of Operations has included the Middle East, Europe, Eastern Europe, Central and Far East Asia, the Horn of Africa, the Mediterranean and the USA.  She has represented high-profile organizations and led teams to successfully secure, manage and administer contracts from $500k to $33 billion.  She holds dual Master’s Degrees in Program Management and Business Administration and attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterrey, CA on the Naval Facilities Engineering Command’s Acquisition Scholarship Program.