By NEAL WHITE
Daily Light Editor

When the chief of naval personnel tapped a Waxahachie firm to design a comprehensive software system to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities sailors need to be successful in defending out country, he expected "Top Gun" results. While SkillsNET met the U.S. Navy's expectations, the company also threw in a large dose of Texas hospitality.

"We have a few honors we would like to bestow upon you for all of your work in helping protect and defend our country," SkillsNET President and CEO Michael Brown said to Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing during a recent project meeting in Waxahachie. "While you are already an admiral in the world's greatest navy, you can now say you're also an admiral in the Texas Navy," Brown said, presenting Hoewing with a framed proclamation bestowing the honorary title signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. "We like to do things in Texas in a big way," Brown quipped, as he also presented the admiral with a Texas flag and a replica badge worn by the Texas Rangers. "On behalf of Gov. Perry, the state of Texas and everyone here at SkillsNET, we are honored to provide solutions that will help our military accomplish its mission," Brown said.

SkillsNET, based at 310 W. Jefferson in downtown Waxahachie, provides high-tech solutions to clients around the nation, including the U.S. military. Brown explained because of the scalability and flexibility of SkillsNET's solutions, their military clients have been able to utilize the products and services in a multitude of ways. "Typically military clients look to SkillsNET for the following business needs: job task analysis, job profiling, labor market intelligence, labor exhange, work-based scenario building and career mapping," he said.

"A real example of how our system is currently being used is the U.S. Navy. After an exhaustive analysis of the marketplace, the Navy determined that SkillsNET's SkillObject Technology was the vehicle that will drive all training, education and proficiency requirements for every enlisted rate and officer in the navy community," Brown explained.

The project focuses on five areas of concentration separated into levels of expertise - professional development, personal development, professional military education and leadership, certifications and qualifications, and performance.

The system, when used in concert with their human resource system, PeopleSoft, and their learning management system provided by THINQ, allows sailors to view their personal continuum and view the following items:

• Courses they need to take to prepare them for the next job in their career progression or for their career goals;


• How those courses will be delivered (resident schoolhouses, eLearning, correspondence);


• What qualifications are required and how to obtain them;


• What other opportunities exist for the sailor to seize at any given time.

Photos by Neal White/Daily Light

Michael Brown, president and CEO of Waxahachie-based SkillsNET, at left, provides Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing with a Texas welcome during a recent project meeting in Waxahachie. SkillsNET has designed a system for the U.S. Navy to use for personnel training.

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing, left, is presented with a proclamation bestowing the honorary title of "Admiral of the Texas Navy" by SkillsNET President and CEO Michael Brown. The proclamation was presented on behalf of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.