Alumni Profile: Dr. David Weiss

Current Position: He left the firm in 1982, and helped start a new graduate program in Reliability Engineering at the University of Maryland; he also consulted for Maryland companies as part of the university's technology outreach program. Although retired, Weiss recently started his sixth year as a volunteer with Project RE-SEED, a program founded with a National Science Foundation grant that recruits and trains scientists and engineers to serve as volunteers at middle schools.

What did you learn at Booz Allen? "When I joined the firm in 1964, our government sector was known as Booz Allen Applied Research and employed only 75 people," says Weiss. "As the firm grew, I had the opportunity to use my consulting skills in very diverse areas, mostly for government clients. In short, I learned how to take my basic consulting skills and apply them over a broad range of disciplines while continuously expanding my own personal knowledge in the process."

What was your best Booz Allen moment? In the '70s, we were trying hard to meld the capabilities of different groups in the company to qualify for more interdisciplinary work. I was asked to support our health systems consulting practice on a $1-million proposal to the National Institutes of Heath to study the U.S. blood banking system. I teamed with a hematologist and produced a detailed logic diagram of all processing options for whole blood. This diagram became instrumental in our winning the award and the doctor used it as a teaching tool at a local medical school.

How valuable was the Booz Allen experience as a foundation to your future career? After such a broad experience, I felt like I could conquer the world. I ended up in a university environment where I could apply my knowledge as a consultant and also teach.

How would you briefly describe the Booz Allen culture and people? I have been away from Booz Allen for 20 years, but from what I know, the firm has embraced the interdisciplinary culture we sought to create.

I'm new at Booz Allen. Any advice? His advice for new Booz Allen staff is to "build a sound base of consulting skills to include technology knowledge, writing skills, and presentation skills, and continue to grow and improve these skills." Dr. Wiess also recommends finding a good mentor and listening carefully to their insights.

profile posted March 2004