2024 2nd Quarter Silver BEAR Awardees: Driving Success through Leadership and Innovation

Barrios Technology’s BEAR Awards Program recognizes superior performance and outstanding support of customer and company goals. This quarter, the outstanding leadership and innovation of our 2024 2nd Quarter Silver BEAR Awardees – Jason Barbour, Cooper Burleson, Tom Horn, Gary Kilgo, Erika Peters, and Victoria Rivera – have been instrumental in driving successful program execution and operational efficiency, ensuring the achievement of our customers’ missions.

Jason Barbour, Consumables Mission Resource Manager on our Human Space Flight Technical Integration Contract (HSFTIC), receives the award for his exceptional leadership and innovation as the International Space Station (ISS) Consumables Mission Resource Manager. He led analysis and management of ISS consumables tracking and resupply . Jason’s expertise has been instrumental in addressing major program risks and providing strategic recommendations for critical resupply and vehicle manifesting.

As Lead for NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) on HSFTIC, Cooper Burleson has been recognized forhis exceptional dedication to both his co-workers and NASA customer. His trusted role in leading Headquarters-level meetings with the NASA Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) Program Manager highlights his leadership. Cooper’s initiative to automate processes has improved efficiency. Additionally, his commitment to mentoring future Barrios employees through the Internship Program showcases his dedication to developing the next generation of professionals.

With his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Orion program, Tom Horn, Orion to Gateway Integration Lead on HSFTIC, effectively managed a diverse team for nearly six months while balancing his Orion to Gateway Integration Lead responsibilities. His ability to navigate team transitions, contribute to hiring and training, and represent the Orion program in key interface issues demonstrates his commitment to the program’s success and collaboration.

Gary Kilgo, Image Analyst on the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Technology and Sciences (JETS II) contract, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to ISS operations through his expertise in collecting real-time imagery. Notably, Gary managed extra ground-based surveys during the Russian Soyuz leak in 2022, providing invaluable data without the need for costly EVAs (Extravehicular Activity). He demonstrates exceptional dedication, technical expertise, and innovation in supporting ISS missions, managing complex surveys, and improving processes.

Initially hired as a writer, Erika Peters, Technical Editor on HSFTIC, took on and excelled at additional responsibilities, including social media management, video capture, and web publications. Her specific recognition is for editing Callisto payload videos for quick release and single-handedly migrating the Orion web content to the new format, making Orion the first Artemis program to complete this migration. Erika has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Orion strategic communications team.

Victoria Rivera, Meeting Support Services on HSFTIC, has been acknowledged for her exceptional commitment and professionalism during the Gateway Program’s Level 2 Subsystem Critical Design Review (CDR) Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) from January to July 2024. Her outstanding surge support during this critical period played a key role in the seamless execution of over 40 multi-day meetings across 30 systems and disciplines. Victoria’s contributions set a new standard for Barrios HSFTIC Meeting Services.