Ernst Volgenau is the president and CEO of SRA International Inc., a company that he founded in 1978. SRA provides computer, communications, and management consulting services and software to business and government organizations. Since its founding, SRA has sustained rapid growth and now totals about 1,800 people. Dr. Volgenau has 30 years of experience analyzing, designing, and developing large technological systems of all types. He received a Ph.D. in engineering in 1966 from the University of California at Los Angeles. Dr. Volgenau also holds a master's degree in electrical engineering and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Helen M. Wood is the director of the Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She directs the real-time collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of data gathered from environmental satellites operated by NOAA and other agencies. This operation aids the protection of lives and property through improved weather and climate forecasting and provides support for U.S. search-and-rescue operations. Ms. Wood is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has held numerous positions in computer science and engineering societies, including president of the IEEE Computer Society. She was elected IEEE Engineering Manager of the Year and received the Richard E. Merwin Award for distinguished service to the computing profession. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Award of the American National Standards Institute, the U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal, and the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award. She holds a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in computer science from the American University.