Meet our Pathfinders

---

Patrick’s 32 years of active military service included key leadership roles held while supporting operations in Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF). Throughout his numerous tours of duty, Patrick served as the Chief of Contracting, providing critical service and support to combatant operations and theater reconstruction. Responsibility entailed top level project development, review, approval, oversight, and execution across a vast array of construction projects, commodities and service initiatives aggregately totaling into the billions of dollars.

Upon retirement in 2013, Patrick diversified his business portfolio with the development of a series of niche companies, however his primary focus is the development of PM13 Consulting to become the industry’s modern-day Pathfinder, comprised of formidable professionals skilled in identifying the appropriate pathways through the DoD Acquisition maze; while leveraging the military industrial complex to derive innovative solutions and tailored approaches to achieve our client’s requirements.

Stephen (Steve) Tegge, is a retired Army Major with 20 years of service in both the Marine Corps and the Army.  He was an Airborne Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader and deployed to Afghanistan, and then served as a Mechanized Infantry Company Commander in Iraq.  Following his infantry service, Steve transitioned to Army Acquisition where he learned program management on the Ground Combat Vehicle Program and as a Special Project Officer for the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) - now GVSC.  He transitioned to civilian life in 2015 where he joined Pat Maloney as a consultant with PM13 Consulting, where, in addition to helping companies do business with the DoD, they created a concept for a vehicle that would later become a successful bid for the Army's OMFV program.  

Brigadier General (RET) Blackburn is the senior consultant for PM13 Consulting and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Keshik - Mobile Power Systems, where his responsibilities include enterprise-wide leadership, oversight, strategic planning and operational deliverables. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of Mistral Incorporated in Bethesda MD, where he was instrumental in bridging the urgent operational requirements of our Department of Defense, and Homeland Security entities with high readiness and innovative solutions from a variety of defense companies in Israel. Brigadier General Blackburn retired in 2017 after 31 years of Active Federal Commissioned Service as an Armor and Cavalry officer leading soldiers in war zones from every rank, Lieutenant through Brigadier General. He is a 1986 Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a Master of Science Degree in National Security from the U.S. Naval War College, and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Melandrei Maloney is a Registered Nurse with over 13 years of medical experience. Since joining PM13 Consulting as the CMO, Melandrei’s primary focus is on the identification, vetting and integration of technologies, capabilities and processes that enhance patient care throughout the DOD. Melandrei is a consummate professional and a patent advocate with a passion for searching out new technologies, vetting them through evidence-based practices to assess their integration value Once vetted, she leads the team in the constructing of the penetration strategy and its integration into DoD.  Melandrei’s background includes eight years of experience in the operating room, after which she went on to specialize in cardiology caring for cardiac patients. She has had experience working in various hospitals across the United States; such as UCLA medical center, Cedar-Sinai, St Barnabas Medical center and Hilton Head Hospital. Melandrei is a firm believer of staying abreast on the latest medical advances and continuing education to provide the highest level of care. In her career as a nurse, she has had the special opportunity to change people’s lives and leave a lasting impression. 

Patrick has over 40 years of experience in the US Army and defense industry managing and leading large acquisition programs, associated scientific and experimental material development programs, and large military organizations. He supervised 350 industry and military service acquisition members and associated field service representatives who supported various US Army development programs. He is a retired military officer with combat experience in Afghanistan and has held positions that include deputy commander, chief of staff of a combined/joint task force, and brigade commander.

Ladd is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who has been consulting within the Defense industry since his military retirement in 2021. Ladd served and commanded in multiple light armored reconnaissance battalions and billets throughout his 30-year career retiring from Headquarters Marine Corps Plans, Policies, and Operations where he was the Light Armored Reconnaissance Advocate and Deputy Director of the Marine Corps Crisis Action Team. He also served as the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Portland, the Counter Improvised Explosive Device cell officer-in-charge to the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, and the Senior Advisor to the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard Reconnaissance Command.  Ladd is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BA in Political Science, a distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps University with a Masters of Military Studies, and a Department of Defense Level C Requirements Manager.  

Mike is one of our operations and concepts experts with 13 years of service in the Army. He's served as a platoon leader in Iraq, cavalry troop commander in Afghanistan, Maneuver Captains Career Course Team Chief and Instructor, and Chief of Operations for Eastern Europe. Following the Army, Mike developed and ran modeling and simulation experiments in support of DARPA, NGCV CFT, and Soldier Lethality CFT. Most recently, Mike was a senior program manager leading development of an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle concept. He holds degrees from West Point (BS), Auburn University's Harbert College of Business (MBA), and the USAF's Air University (MMOAS).

Steve is a proven leader with over 35 years of defense and aerospace industry experience with increasingly senior management roles with several OEM contractors. He has unique experience with numerous domestic & foreign tracked & wheeled combat vehicles generating impressive revenue from both US and international customers. He's run live fire demonstrations (Main Battle Tanks & Wheeled Combat Platforms) and has expatriate experience in Asia, Europe & North America.

Steve's education includes a BS (Hons) Electronics and Control Systems Engineering.

His previous roles include: 

GEC Marconi, Test and Development Engineer. 6 years

Cadillac Gage Textron, Test and Demonstration Engineer, Gunner 105mm, 10 years

HR Textron, Turret Drive and Fire Control Design, Business Development, 10 years

BAE Systems, FCS Business development, HBCT Business Development, 5 years

FTEC Thailand, Program Lead M109A5 an M88A1 rebuild program, 4 years

Wittenstein North America, Business Development Actuation Systems, 2 years

John Cockerill Defense America, Chief Engineer, 1 year 

Rick Zappella is our in-house lethality subject matter expert with extensive knowledge in the areas of direct fire weapons, missiles, sensors, optics, AiTDR and human machine interfaces and the engineering intricacies involved in integrating these technologies into ground combat platforms. Rick is a United States Marine Corps veteran, having deployed to Iraq four times. He rose to become the Battalion Master Gunner and platoon Sergeant for the Battalion Commander's Jump Platoon and then served in the US Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) supporting the Program Managers Office – Light Armored Vehicles as the assistant operations chief. He spent the next two years heavily involved with the Fleet Sustainment and Rapid Acquisition teams, helping bring platform upgrades from inception to fielding. Rick exited active service as a Staff Sergeant in 2012 and joined PM-LAV where he remained for the following 4 years. Rick then transitioned to the Project Managers Office – Stryker Brigade Combat Team and was integral in the development and fielding of the Stryker MCWS. Rick worked closely with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and General Dynamics Land Systems to rapidly integrate and field the PROTECTOR MCT-30 turret on a Stryker Flat Bottom ICV. In 2021, he joined John Cockerill Defense America as their Director of Programs, working on the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) competition. Rick has since transitioned to PM-13 Consulting supporting customer needs in the lethality and program management areas. 

William (Bill) is a project and operations manager bringing his vast knowledge and experience in fires, C2, and test and evaluation to PM13. He's served in a multitude of Field Artillery positions, in various locations both deployed and stateside. Upon completion of Basic Officer Leadership Course II (BOLC II) and the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course (FAOBC), was assigned to the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey, South Korea, serving as a Platoon Fire Direction Officer for Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Battalion. Following this assignment, CPT Maloney deployed as a Task Force Fire Support Officer for the 3rd Battalion, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division to Operation Enduring Freedom XI in support of Regional Command East. Following his deployment to Afghanistan, he served in numerous Field Artillery positions while assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He then served as a test and evaluation chair for numerous Artillery munitions and fire support platforms as well as the military subject matter expert supporting the ATEC Long Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team Integrator. After transitioning out of active service in 2021, William entered service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and went on to work as a Program Management Team Manager and Senior Military Analyst for SAIC.  

Melvin is our in-house mechanical engineer and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He retired from his position as Division Chief of the Engineered Systems Division of the Soldier Sustainment Directorate of the Combat Capabilities Development Command – Soldier Center. He has been involved in the development and integration of Tactical Shelters since 1987 and has been leading this same team of engineers and technicians since 2004. He led the development of the S-788 Lightweight Multipurpose Shelter (LMS) and its derivative, the S-787 Standardized Integrated Command Post, for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. He has worked with V Corps, III Corps and 3rd Army to develop their Main Command Posts all of which were comprised of multiple Army Standard Family ISO Shelters and, in the case of 3rd Army, also used several Modular Extendable Rigid Wall Shelters. His last major Command Post effort was with US Army Central Command in the emergency development of their Deployable Command Post shortly after 9/11.

He has also overseen R&D efforts exploring the use of fiber reinforced plastic composites resulting the design of a nuclear hardened S-788 LMS and the development of an all-fiber composite Two-Side Expandable ISO Shelter whose technology is being used to extend the useful life of shelters fielded by the US Army Medical Command.

He has been awarded two patents for a Modular Shelter System and, prior to retirement, developed and pushed concepts to improve the setup and teardown times of command posts such as flexible LED lighting for tents and inflatable antenna masts with embedded graphene antennae in order to support the PdM Command Post Integration and Infrastructure program.

Prior to his work with Tactical Shelters, Mr. Jee worked in the Individual Protection Directorate for 4 years on laser and ballistic protection for the eyes and face using thermoplastic resins and dyes resulting in the initial fielding of ballistic eye protection which is now commonly worn by the warfighter.

Brandon is our resident automotive and mobility engineering expert. His education includes

BSME and MS from Michigan Technological University in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Controls Engineering

Conventional Powertrains - Design/Simulation, Prototype, Instrumentation/Testing and Calibration, Heavy Duty, Light Duty, Passenger Car, Agricultural, and Recreational Applications

Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems - Design/Simulation, Advanced Controls Development/Testing/Integration, Prototype, Instrumentation/Testing and Calibration

Autonomous Vehicles and Systems - Design/Simulation, Advanced Controls Development/Testing/Integration

Product Development and Engineering - Concepting, Systems Engineering, Design/Modeling, Validation and Verification, Life Cycle Analysis and Planning

Big Data - Application Development, Systems Engineering, Big Data Analytics and Management