Explore our talent

Both the SimIS leadership team and supporting staff provide the talent and diversity to accomplish various tasks that are outside of their routine skillset. Innovation and determination remain a key factor in our success, along with the unparalleled relationships we build with each of our partners and clients throughout the defense, healthcare and business communities.

Executive & Administrative Staff

Johnny Garcia, Ph.D.

CEO

Johnny Garcia, Ph.D.

CEO

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Dr. Johnny Garcia is the Founder and CEO of SimIS, Inc. He has over 25 years of engineering experience that includes systems architecture design, software development, database development, C4I systems development, logistics systems development, and new technology insertion for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Garcia has received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree from St Leo College, Master of Business Administration and Masters of Science from Florida Institute of Technology and completed his PhD in Modeling and Simulation from Old Dominion University.

Dr. Garcia is a result-oriented professional with experience, and comprehensive expertise in development of Models and Simulations, Command and Control, Targeting and Service Oriented Architecture applications. He has sixteen years of experience and training in combat, aerospace, and related systems. Dr. Garcia served in the US Navy for six years as an Operations Specialist and received numerous awards and commendations. Dr. Garcia used this experience and simple core values of integrity, quality and honesty to build SimIS.

Amber Horton

VP/Chief Finance Officer

Amber Horton

VP/Chief Finance Officer

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Amber Horton is VP/CFO of SimIS Inc. She has more than 12 years’ experience in accounting and small business supporting the Department of Defense. Amber has grown with SimIS since its inception in 2007.

Amber has earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management from Old Dominion University, and received her MBA in Accounting and Finance from Florida Institute of Technology.

Warren Bizub

VP/Chief Technology Officer

Warren Bizub

VP/Chief Technology Officer

Location: Orlando, FL

Mr. Warren Bizub is the Operations and Business Development Manager, Florida field office, for SimIS, Inc. Mr. Bizub served 35 years working for the Department of Defense. He served as Chief for Technical Solutions, Advanced Concepts Program Director and Joint Advanced Training Technologies Laboratory Director at US Joint Staff J7 and US Joint Forces Command responsible for development and delivery of military training and education with an emphasis on innovation and joint solutions from 2003–2014.

Mr. Bizub began his career in 1976 when he joined the USAF. He served four (4) years as a technician and received an Honorable Discharge in 1980. He started his civil service career in 1983 and graduated from the Defense Logistics Agency Reliability/Maintainability & Quality Assurance Intern Program in September 1986. As an intern he served in rotational assignments at the Fleet Analysis Center in Corona, CA, at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Norfolk, VA, and David Taylor Naval Ship Research & Development Center, Annapolis, MD. Following his internship, Mr. Bizub held positions as a Quality/Reliability engineer, project engineer, Trainer Systems Support Activity Manager, Program Manager and In–Service Engineering Branch Head with the Naval Air Systems Command from 1986–1999. He was the Office of Navy Research Naval Research Science Advisor for the Commander, Naval Air Forces, US Atlantic Fleet from 1999–2003. Mr. Bizub received his B.S. degree in Ocean Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology (1982), M.S. degree in Engineering Management at University of Central Florida (1990), is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College’s Advanced Program Manager Course (1997), graduate of the Navy’s Senior Executive Management Development Program (2001), and is certified as a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III Program Manager and Systems Engineer. He is a MIT fellow of Seminar XXI: Foreign Politics, International Affairs, and the National Interest (2003).

Richard Tirrell

Program Director

Richard Tirrell

Program Director

Location: Stafford, VA

Richard Tirrell is the Program Director for the Stafford field office, for SimIS, Inc. Rick is a career Marine, serving as both Enlisted and as an Officer, from Electronic Counter-measures Technician to Aviation Command and Control. His 23 year career in the Corps included tours in the four Marine Aircraft Wings, two MEU (SOC) deployments, a tour at MAWTS-1 and schools at Army Command & General Staff College. Though his tours of duty were predominantly operationally focused, participating in Volcano Relief in the Philippines, Humanitarian Relief and Evacuation in Somalia and Non-combatant Operations in Burundi, he also served as the USMC Test Director for the Advanced Tactical Air Command and Control Center (ATACC) and Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS). Since retirement in 2007, Rick has supported the Marine Corps Systems Command and Capabilities Development & Integration as an Enterprise Architect. Using his experiences from operations in the Marine Corps in addition to his formal and off-duty education, he has contributed to the advancement of architecture as support to Capability Development for the Marines. Mr. Tirrell is a Certified Enterprise Architect, ITIL Level 3 Credentialed and holds a B.S. Springfield College and his Masters in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University. His results oriented professionalism and team building skills have been successful in providing quality support to the Marine Corps architecture community while providing innovative and lasting contributions to the broader architecture domain within DoD.

Dr. Randall Garrett, Ph.D

Chief Scientist

Dr. Randall Garrett, Ph.D

Chief Scientist

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Dr. Randall Garrett is the Chief Scientist for SimIS, Inc. He is actively involved throughout the Modeling & Simulation and Research & Development communities. This includes successful application of science and engineering for full-spectrum training and immersive game applications for Live Virtual Constructive integration. He actively participates in the National Modeling and Simulation Coalition community and co-chairs the NMSC Technology, Research and Development Committee. Dr. Garrett leads various R&D teams with the responsibility for practical evaluation of emerging technologies and identification of next generation architectures supporting scientific and operational needs. His interests include the application of M&S principals for computational dynamics, analytics and autonomous system controls along with the effective use of Artificial Intelligence for immersive games and robotics.

Dr. Garrett received a B.A. from the University of Arkansas and a M.S. from Marshall University and holds a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University with a degree in M&S.

He also served as a commanding officer in the United States Navy. In addition, Dr. Garrett serves on regional, state and national boards and task forces which address information technology standards and policies.

Phoebe Stelle

Contracts Officer

Phoebe Stelle

Contracts Officer

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Phoebe Stelle is the Contracts Officer for SimIS, Inc. She has over 15 years of dedicated experience in contract administration with both large and small organizations. Phoebe has been negotiating contracts for SimIS since 2013. Detail oriented with a versatile skill set in the areas of DoD and Commercial contracts, accounts receivable and payable, procurement, business development and website design and implementation.

Sheridan Moncion

Finance Assistant

Sheridan Moncion

Finance Assistant

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Sheridan Moncion is the Finance Assistant at SimIS, Inc.

Chris Blancett

IT Director

Chris Blancett

IT Director

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Chris Blancett is a Senior Engineer at SimIS, Inc. Mr. Blancett is an Engineer / Analyst and a Manager with 10 years of experience in Systems Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Architecture, Software Engineering, Research, Analysis and Project Management. Mr. Blancett has a Master of Engineering in Modeling and Simulation from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in Information Science from Christopher Newport University. Mr. Blancett has supported many Department of Defense customers such as the Joint Staff, the United States Navy, the United State Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force.

Jesse Barboza

Senior Business Systems Analyst/ Program Manager, PMP

Jesse Barboza

Senior Business Systems Analyst/ Program Manager, PMP

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Jesse Barboza is a Senior Business Systems Analyst/Program Manager, PMP for SimIS, Inc. He is responsible for the business/systems analysis of Information Systems development and innovation of upcoming concepts of Modeling and Simulation solutions.

Mr. Barboza brings experience to the development of information technologies, software development along with strong project management in the implementation of customer resource management software to his project teams. Mr. Barboza has a B.S.B.A. from Old Dominion University where he majored in Information Systems and Technology with a minor in Business Analytics, and a Master’s of Information Technology from Virginia Tech. Mr. Barboza is a certified Project Management Professional.

Thomas Sugg

Senior Test and Evaluation Engineer/Facility Security Officer

Thomas Sugg

Senior Test and Evaluation Engineer/Facility Security Officer

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Thomas Sugg is a Sr. Test and Evaluation Engineer/Facility Security Officer for SimIS, Inc. He currently serves as Project Manager for Operational Test and Evaluation supporting a Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Acquisition Program.

Mr. Sugg has extensive Defense, Aerospace and Acquisition experience. He served 20 years in Navy Tactical Aviation as a Naval Aviator, including a brief stint in Commercial Aviation as an Airline Transport Pilot. He has 10 years of experience in Acquisition, managing Operational Test and Evaluation of complex Navy and Federal Agency Acquisition Programs.

Mr. Sugg is a certified Project Management Professional, and is Defense Acquisition University Certified in Test and Evaluation. He brings expert leadership ability to cross-functional integrated project teams, internal direct support and external oversight agencies, ensuring successful, regulatory compliant project activities. Mr. Sugg received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Florida.

Amanda Dunn

Administrative Assistant

Amanda Dunn

Administrative Assistant

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Amanda Dunn is the Administrative Assistant at SimIS, Inc.

Larry Heitzman

HR Coordinator

Larry Heitzman

HR Coordinator

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Larry Heitzman is the Human Resources Coordinator at SimIS, Inc.

Ross House

System Administrator

Ross House

System Administrator

Location: Portsmouth, VA

Ross House is the System Administrator at SimIS, Inc.