Jill Matalavage – Associate
Since she joined the firm in 1999, Jill Matalavage’s involvement in a range of increasingly challenging projects continues to strengthen her expertise in aerospace engineering, requirements analysis, and architecture planning.
Jill Matalavage
“I lead a team that performs modeling and simulation analyses of spacecraft operations and data distribution for a civil space organization,” she says. “The results of these analyses are critical to ground communications, evolution planning, communications scheduling, network design, and spacecraft mission operations.”
When she graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in aerospace engineering, she knew she wanted to support missions in space-based communications and exploration. But she didn’t know she’d end up with so many awards and certificates of appreciation in only a few short years.
“I was honored with the firm’s VIP award for client service, dedication, and development of quality products,” she says. “I also received two awards for my contributions to the successful development, launch, and activation of two of NASA’s missions to study earth science phenomena.” In addition, she received certificates of appreciation from the client for her outstanding project management and performance.
Jill says it was her own determination as well as comprehensive firm-sponsored training that helped her win the awards. “What I like about Booz Allen training is that it gives you the fundamental tools you need to perform well at the company. Classes such as ‘Developing Winning Proposals’ and ‘Project Financial Management’ incorporate lessons useful in my day-to-day tasks.”
Ongoing Opportunities to Develop a Variety of Skills
Knowledge of technical engineering analysis was one critical skill Jill needed to perform evolution studies for client projects. Her efforts helped ensure spacecraft communications for near-earth missions and develop communications strategies to support plans to explore the moon. She and her team have provided a variety of other client support, from technical analyses to determine optimal station locations based on new orbital regimes, to strategic thought leadership.
Jill also coordinated the development of a client repository which provides a quick reference to spaceflight projects to facilitate communications among client senior staff. The team uses the repository to aid project management during the formulation phase of mission development.
Jill especially enjoys the regular client meetings to discuss hot-button issues. “I think there’s a joy in knowing my products are supporting real client issues. I have a responsibility for products that assist senior NASA clients in making strategic decisions.
“I love the culture and work – life balance at Booz Allen,” she continues. “I love having the opportunity to work with such a high caliber of people at our firm. And they’re all such great people personally, and fun to hang out with.”
And when she’s not hanging out with her co-workers, Jill makes time for volunteer efforts that fund a number of worthy causes, including long-distance cycling events of 100 miles or more to raise funds for charity. One of her most memorable was the 2002 ride from New York City to the Pentagon to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. “I had the opportunity to ride with survivors from the attacks as well as with professional cyclists,” she says.
She also participated in a smaller ride in D.C. to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research. “Like so many others, I lost several people who were close to me to cancer, so it’s always important to me to help raise money for the cause.”
Jill is also the Workforce Leadership Council community relations lead at her Booz Allen Maryland office and organizes charity events such as the annual Daffodil Days and a school supplies drive for Iraqi children.
profile posted June 2007
