Meet the 2022 NJ&EE Mentors

Every year at NJ&EE, students are supported by U.S. Army mentors that help guide them through the week. Each grade level is mentored by a U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and a Scientist or Engineer (S&E), who help them do everything from preparing beforehand, rehearsing their presentations, or even just navigating the venue! This year’s mentors are an awesome set of individuals that come from all different backgrounds and U.S. Army organizations. Whether you’re joining us in person or via livestream, be sure to give them a shoutout if you see them!

6^th Grade

SFC Kishara Fann, NCO

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL)

SFC Kishara Fann was born and raised in Waterbury, CT before joining the U.S. Army Reserves in 2002. After completing Advanced Individual Training, she chose to go Active Duty. She has served in a variety of assignments and positions throughout her career, including SR Special Electronic Repairer in HAAF, GA from 2006-2012; Army Recruiter in Pottsville/Allentown, PA from 2012-2015; Technical Writer in Fort Lee, VA from 2015-2018; and, beginning in 2018, she is currently the Electronic Maintenance Chief at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL). Her awards and honors include the Army Commendation Medal (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Army Recruiter Badge. SFC Fann has many goals. Professionally, she hopes to finish her BS with Columbia Southern University and achieve the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Personally, she hopes to one day retire from the military and enjoy successes in the civilian workforce, do more volunteer work, learn about investing, and spend more time exploring with her daughter. In her free time, SFC Fann enjoys crafting, reading, and family time.

Mr. Cole Becker, S&E

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC)

Mr. Cole Becker grew up in South Jersey in a small town called West Berlin. He graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering in 2020. From there, he started his career at the U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal with the System Safety Office under QE&SA. In his free time, Cole loves outdoor activities such as sports, hiking, or fishing. He also enjoys traveling and eating food from all regions.

 

7^th Grade

1SG Phillip Tally, NCO

Army Public Health Center (APHC)

First Sergeant Phillip R. Tally serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and First Sergeant for HHC, APHC. He is responsible for the health, morale, and welfare of 105 Soldiers and their Families and serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the APHC Director and HHC Commander for all Soldier matters He assists the Commander in ensuring maximum compliance with medical readiness, training, counseling, inspections, Army programs, and professional development. He oversees the Company's daily operations including accountability, supply, training, and administrative tasks. He manages barracks housing for eight tenant units to ensure safe and healthy living quarters for Soldiers.

First Sergeant Tally is a native of Clayton, North Carolina. He is married to SFC Losivale, Tally (20th CRBN), the father to Andrea Tally (10), Phillip Tally Jr (6) and Madisyn Tally (5). First Sergeant Tally attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and complete Preventive Medicine Occupational Skills Advance Individual Training at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

First Sergeant Tally’s previous assignments include 38 Preventive Medicine Detachment, Yongsan, Korea, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, 3rd Battalion, PM NCO at 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, Operations NCOIC for Raymond W .Bliss Army Health Center, Fort Huachuca Army Health Center, S4 SGM and BDE PM NCO at 1st Medical Brigade Fort Hood.

During his military career, he has deployed to Afghanistan twice in support of Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, and to Katy, Texas in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

First Sergeant Tally’s military education include the Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course (Commandants List), Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course (Commandants list), Masters Leaders Course, Commander/First Sergeant Course, Senior Preventive Medicine Course, Battle Staff, AMEDD Junior Leadership Course, SHARP Certification Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Combative’s Level 3 and the Pregnancy Postpartum Program Leader Course.

His awards include the Bronze Star (2 oak leaf clusters); Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters); Army Commendation Medal (3 oak leaf clusters); Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC); Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award); Afghanistan Campaign Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; NCO Professional Development with numeral 4; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3; NATO Medal; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Public Health Service Commendation Unit Award Ribbon; Parachutist Badge and Driver Mechanic Badge.

Mrs. Karla James, S&E

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)

Mrs. Karla James has worked for the Department of Defense since 2009, under the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. She started her engineering career as a test conductor for missile programs at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM, and then moved to Fort Bliss, TX as the Deputy for the Program Support Division and a Contracting Officer Representative. Karla is currently the Test Officer at WSMR for programs such as Boeing’s Starliner Space Capsule, Virgin Galactic, and Spin Launch. She is responsible for command direction, resource management, supervision, and leadership of a team of civilian and contractor personnel engaged in test activities providing technical test program design, planning, test conduct, funds management and reporting. She graduated in 2009 from UTEP receiving a BS in Mechanical Engineering and obtained a Master’s degree in System Engineering in May of 2016.

8^th Grade

SGT Nissa JnoCharles, NCO

U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC)

SGT Nissa JnoCharles was born on the Island of Dominica. She enlisted into the Army Reserve in October 2009. She went to Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Loenardwood, MO and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Upon completing training she was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 68X- Behavioral Health Technician. SGT JnoCharles re-enlisted into the Active Army in June 2016 and was assigned to the 101st AASSLT, Fort Campbell, KY.
SGT JnoCharles’ civilian education includes a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs among several certifications in other areas of concentration.
SGT JnoCharles’ military education incudes: Traumatic Event Management Course, Equal opportunity Management Course, Army Retention Course, Basic Leader Course, Security +, Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation Training and Combat Stress Control.
Throughout her career, SGT JnoCharles has served as a Research Technician with the Warrior Performance Group (WPG) at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), Training NCO, HQ, USAARL Behavioral Health NCO, WPG, USAARL, NCOIC, Family Advocacy Clinic, Medical Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K), Republic of Korea (ROK), Behavioral Health NCO, Warrior Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic, ROK, NCOIC, Inpatient Behavioral Health, MEDDAC-K, ROK, Behavioral Health Tech, Inpatient Behavioral Health, MEDDAC-K, ROK, Behavioral Health Tech, 426 BSB, 1BDE, 101ST AASSLT, FT Campbell, KY, Behavioral Health Tech, 134th MED Det Army Reserve, FT Carson, CO, Physical Evaluation board Liaison Officer, Army Reserve, FT Carson, CO and a Behavioral Health Tech, 6252nd United States Army Hospital, San Diego, CA.

Mr. Apurva (AP) Shah, S&E

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center (DEVCOM C5ISR)

Mr. Apurva (AP) Shah serves as an Electronics Engineer in the Cyber Technology Division in the Research Technology and Integration Directorate (RTI) of the C5ISR Center, Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland.

Mr. Shah began his Department of the Army career while in high school, as a participant in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Army Research Laboratory and in the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Program.
Passionate about all-things information and cyber technology, Mr. Shah supports multiple programs in the Cyber domain, including a broad spectrum of capabilities and initiatives that provide tactical decision makers with the assurance, awareness and protection needed to operate effectively in the cyberspace environment and the ability to exploit, deny and disrupt the adversary's use of it.
Mr. Shah graduated with Honors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Mr. Shah also holds a Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology. He received an Official Commendation from the Department of the Army in 2011. In 2018, Mr. Shah was awarded the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.
Mr. Shah is an avid fan of Philadelphia sport teams and enjoys mentoring young STEM learners.

9^th Grade

SFC Darius Raines, NCO

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL)

SFC Darius Raines was born and raised in Atlanta, GA before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2006. He has served many assignments, including a Recruiter for the North Bay Company in Fairfield, CA from 2014-2018; Platoon Sergeant from 2018-2019 and Master Gunner from 2019-2021 in Fort Bragg, NC; and at present is a Research Development Test & Evaluation NCO at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) in Adelphi, MD. His awards and honors include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), and Army Achievement Medal (4OLC). SFC Raines has many goals. Professionally, he would like to complete his Bachelor's of Science in Engineering and PMP Certification. Personally, he hopes to complete a full marathon, open an auto detail shop, and continue to push himself to learn new things and obtain new skills. In his free time, SFC Raines enjoys sports cars, house plants, woodworking, videography, art, and his two-year-old dog, Titan.

Ms. Haley Fica, S&E

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC)

Ms. Haley Fica is a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal where she works on large caliber weapons systems, focusing on test and evaluation of prototype systems. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in Physics from Barnard College and has a Master degree in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. She has taught physics to undergraduates for over 5 years and previously interned at places such as NASA Ames Research Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Observatories. Along with engineering, she supports local Girl Scout Troops and dances professionally in New York City.

All Grades

SFC Curtis Avery, NCO

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Headquarters (DEVCOM HQ)

Sergeant First Class Curtis T. Avery Jr is the Higher Headquarters Detachment (HHD) First Sergeant of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). In this role, SFC Avery serves the senior enlisted advisor to the HHD Commander, a focal point in ensuring mission readiness for all CONUS & OCONUS Soldiers assigned to DEVCOM.
SFC Avery entered the United States Army in January 2009 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training earning the MOS 13B, Cannon Crewmember, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
SFC Avery has served in various positions as a Cannon Crewmember throughout his career, including all positions from cannon crewmember to Howitzer Section Chief with 1st Battalion, 377th AASLT Field Artillery Regiment; Gunner to Gunnery Sergeant with 3-319th AFAR, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82D ABN DIV; Platoon Sergeant to Operations Sergeant with 4-319th AFAR, 173rd Airborne Brigade; G3 Operations NCO to First Sergeant with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM).
SFC Avery’s overseas assignments include a tour in Kosovo and Germany with deployments to Africa, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland. He has one combat deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
SFC Avery’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (1 silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, and NATO Medal. SFC Avery has earned Expert Field Artillery Badge, Driver’s Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge, as well as Spanish and Netherlands Parachutist Badges. SFC Avery is also a member the Order of Saint Barbara.

 

The 2022 eCYBERMISSION National Judging & Educational Event takes place from June 27 – July 1 in Washington, D.C. Join us from home by taking part in the following events:

• National Showcase livestream – June 30 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET
• Votingfor the People’s Choice Award – June 30 from 1:30 – 4:30 PM ET
• National AwardsBanquet livestream – July 1 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM ET

 

 

 

Faith Benner
Senior Communications and Marketing Specialist