Patrick W. Shier

Mr. Shier has over 15 years of experience in managing complex programs, performing technical assessments and preparing comprehensive technical reports.  Mr. Shier works under minimal guidance and supervision and provides technical assistance and supervision to several professional personnel.  In support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mr. Shier provides support at all levels of system analysis, design definition, program planning and system deployment.  His judgment and creativity are regularly exercised in solving highly complex, major technical problems and he is called upon frequently to provide proper advice and recommendations concerning technology applications for CBP use at and between ports-of-entry in support of border security, anti-terrorism, and counterdrug homeland security missions.  Mr. Shier has been instrumental in support of several technology programs to advance operational concepts and new novel approaches for the detection and identification of contraband materials such as illegal drugs, explosives, and chemical warfare agents and other WMD’s.

Mr. Shier currently supports the DHS/CBP Secure Border Initiative (SBI) and the technology component of the SBI solution the SBInet program management office.  Since 2006 Mr. Shier has provided support to priority technology and tactical infrastructure projects along the U.S. –Mexican Border in Arizona .  Mr. Shier is serving in a business management capacity supporting the government project manager for a project to design and install tactical infrastructure such as pedestrian and vehicle barriers along specific highly vulnerable portions of the Arizona border with Mexico .  In parallel to the tactical infrastructure elements of the SBInet solution, Mr. Shier is supporting the government’s management team overseeing the design and deployment of technology based tools and systems to detect, identify, classify, and respond to unauthorized incursions across America ’s borders. 

From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Shier supported DHS CBP efforts to evaluate and deploy advanced, emerging and off-the-shelf trace detection systems for anti-terrorism applications at U.S. ports of entry.  He developed test plans and protocols for standard testing of devices in an operational environment.  In addition to technology based solutions, Mr. Shier also provided support to the CBP Canine Enforcement Program and coordinated two separate series of performance assessments for CBP canine teams trained in specialized anti-terrorism applications.  He managed efforts to develop canine training aids and test and evaluation programs for these advanced canine deployment concepts.  Mr. Shier has been active in DHS efforts to establish department wide standards for canine training and certification based upon the successful programs from legacy agencies with major canine programs such as Customs, TSA, Border Patrol, USDA, FEMA, and FPS.  He has also supported joint interagency canine efforts with non-DHS federal agencies such as ATF, DOD, and CIA.  

From 1992 to 2006, Mr. Shier has also provided technical / analytical support to the drug policy office within the Executive Office of the President.  He supported multi-agency technology working groups focused on identifying and pursuing technology applications that support a variety counterdrug and related anti-terrorism missions shared by several agencies.  He participated in writing and editing the annual Counterdrug Research and Development Blueprint Updates.  He assisted in preparation of input for Congressional program review hearings, official correspondence with members of Congress, and annual report/briefing to Congress.  He coordinated efforts for distribution and obligation of the annual counterdrug research and development budget.  He provided technical support to a series of conferences for information exchange on technology assessments performed by law enforcement agencies, industry, and government laboratories.

Mr. Shier performed the more difficult assignments involving research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), and modification of existing and planned complex systems and subsystems in support of the Narcotics Detection Technology Assessment (NDTA) Program.  This program was sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (ONDCP/CTAC) and managed by the legacy U.S. Customs Service.  Efforts included using a systems engineering approach in constructing test plans, conducting test site evaluations and technical briefings, and general procedural and programmatic oversight.  Mr. Shier participated in several NDTA laboratory and field evaluations of commercially available and emerging prototype (chemical/trace and x-ray) narcotics detection equipment to address non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology area needs.

From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Shier supported the Office of Naval Research.  He led the team that developed the Technology Transition Planning System (TTPS) under two successive Small Business Innovative Research awards from the US Navy.  The TTPS is an automated decision support tool which draws on insights gained from a variety of disciplines to help a user understand and work within Naval Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E).  The system helps manage the transition of a particular technology development in the “tech base” to a fleet application.

Mr. Shier has experience in the integration of S&T programs across multi Naval and DoD organizations.  In 1993 he supported a bottom-up review and program reorganization effort of ONR’s Joint Mission Area (JMA) project categorization.  This involved a technical and programmatic review of all ONR JMA projects.  JMA projects consisted of Accelerated Research Initiatives to support Navy and DoD wide S&T needs for Littoral operations, Manpower and Personnel, Strategic Sealift, Intelligence and Joint Command and Control, Strategic Deterrence, Tactical Surveillance, Indication and Warning focused on defending the battle space, and Readiness and Support to include fleet training, protection, support operations and safety.

Contact Pat at pat AT kentco DOT net

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