| The first issue of ASK
Magazine was released in January 2001, the brainchild
of Dr. Edward Hoffman and Dr. Alexander Laufer. I came
to work on this project in May of 2001, and at that time
the Knowledge Sharing Initiative at APPL was a 'start
up'. As with any 'start up' the hope within the new team
was that we would be successful, but the question loomed
large: What did success look like?
Dr. Edward Hoffman, the APPL Director, wrote in the
first issue of ASK, "ASK will provide
a format that is easy, accessible and open. The stories
and columns that appear in this bi-monthly magazine
will offer simple yet powerful advice, lessons, insights,
humor and narratives that underscore what makes NASA
projects so meaningful -- the competence and passion
of the people who work on them."
We have come a long way since then. Success has been
glimpsed on many occasions. This success, as Dr. Hoffman
pointed out, can be attributed to the competence and
the passion of our team, and of course all of the wonderful
storytellers over the years. The Knowledge Sharing team,
through their hard work and dedication, elevated ASK
from a 'start up' to the award-winning publication that
it is today. I would like to express the sentiments
of the entire APPL team by commending the work that
Todd Post and, more recently, Jody Brady did in contributing
to taking this publication from obscurity to become
a premier project management publication.
The APPL Knowledge Sharing Initiative with its many
tangible benefits and ASK as its premier produuct,
is now recognized across NASA, the Federal Government,
and the Private Sector as an example of innovation in
government. Todd had been with ASK from the beginning
and was instrumental in crafting and shaping the magazine.
As with any innovative initiative, there were times
when Todd had to fight and scratch to gain ground and
achieve the next level of success. It was Todd's unwavering
dedication for which we always remember him. The team
and I wish them all the best as Todd and Jody move on
to pursue new opportunities.
In the next issue of ASK Magazine we will be
introducing you to the new Editor, who will be working
with the Editor in Chief, Dr. Alexander Laufer, to launch
ASK to the next level of success. Until then,
I will be Acting Editor and can be contacted for any
questions or requests that you need addressed. (Please
use the + Feedback link at the bottom of each
page of the magazine to submit your questions or requests.)
Your comments, as always, are appreciated on the interviews,
stories and columns shared in this issue of ASK
Magazine.
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