Keeping secure spaces secure. A nice Scotch and a barbeque. And a home whenever and wherever his “crew” gathers. Learn more about Robert O. in this installment of MELE’s Five Questions.
Your title is TSCM Senior Technician. Can you explain in plain language (and without divulging sensitive info) what TSCM is and what your role is at MELE?
As a Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) Senior Technician, I help ensure our government’s most secure spaces stay one step ahead of sophisticated surveillance threats. It’s a high-stakes mission, but essential for keeping our nation’s most critical information private.
You spent over 10 years working in the U.S. Department of Defense. You also spent some time at the NNSA. How does this experience at the DoD and NNSA inform your work as a contractor for MELE?
With over 23 years of experience in the Department of Defense and the NNSA, I’ve dedicated my career to the world of technical security. I spent over a decade and a half as a TSCM Technician for the US Army, eventually rising to Deputy Program Manager. Today, I leverage that decades-long expertise to stay ahead of the complex technical threats faced by the US government.
MELE is a partner in the DoD SkillBridge Program, which helps military members transition out of the service and into the private sector. For someone thinking about making this transition, what advice would you give them to help them navigate the process?
I tell everyone I meet: the DoD SkillBridge Program is an incredible opportunity that every service member should look into. It essentially allows you to step into the civilian world and start your transition before you’ve even taken your terminal leave.
Transitioning out of the military can be a high-stress time, but SkillBridge helps take the pressure off. It gives you the space to learn new skills or adapt your military expertise to the civilian market. The best part? In many cases, it leads directly to a job offer upon completion. Having that career path waiting for you before you even hang up the uniform is a massive advantage.
What do you like to do when you have downtime, and why is this something you enjoy doing?
When I finally get some downtime, my ‘reset’ routine is pretty simple and follows a bit of a theme. First, I love lighting up a good cigar paired with a nice Bourbon or Scotch. If I’m not doing just that, you’ll likely find me firing up the grill for a family cookout—usually with that same cigar and glass of Scotch in hand! The ultimate trifecta, though, is a day out fishing. If I’m lucky enough to catch something, it leads right back to the grill for a family meal. For me, those moments are the best way to unwind, let go of whatever the day threw at me, and really focus on enjoying time with my family.
What is your dream trip and why?
To be honest, the ‘where’ doesn’t matter nearly as much as the ‘who.’ I’m happy anywhere in the world as long as I’m with my family. That means my wife, Lisa, our four children—Giovanni, Xaiver, Marisa, and Alexia—and our two grandkids, Lylah and Rai. And of course, we can’t forget our little four-legged buddy, Tohru. As long as the whole crew is together, I’m right where I need to be.
