Vantage Engineering & Technology Services, LLC

Joseph Polk, President/Chief Executive Officer

Joe Polk founded Vantage in 1992 and serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Joe started the business with “customer service and satisfaction” as his mission. Vantage has expanded from a one-person software consulting firm to a highly skilled, highly diverse, and well-respected engineering and IT services provider with more than 100 employees. Joe’s singular philosophy has remained: customer satisfaction is priority one.

Joe has over 30 years of technical experience developing aerospace systems for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the United States Air Force, and developing business applications for the United States Army, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, and private industry. His experience includes all phases of software life cycle development from project conception through operations and maintenance. He is still “hands-on” in his day-to-day work with GSFC. He has garnered a multitude of awards for his technical expertise and untiring dedication.

Joe’s areas of technical expertise include spacecraft ground and flight systems development and testing; spacecraft system simulations; systems requirements, design, and analysis; spacecraft software systems integration and test; systems deployment; software systems conversion and rehosting; software systems maintenance; system verification and validation; system configuration management; and system documentation.

Mike Ahan, Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer

Mike Ahan has over 28 years experience in business and technical management with advanced technology businesses with extensive responsibilities in the technical, fiscal oversight, and management of the design, development, and implementation of complex aerospace, IT, and telecommunications systems and projects. Mike has held the positions of CEO, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and was the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of two high-tech start-ups. 

Mike joined Vantage as the Executive Vice President and COO in 2003. His hard work, integrity, and work ethic are key drivers for the company’s success. He has overseen all aspects of strategic planning—market research, pricing, sales, distribution, and infrastructure support.  He has experience with government, civil, and commercial markets, which extend to international markets. Mike is a seasoned executive and technical manager with special expertise in the development of new products, services, and enterprises. Mike is known for his keen ability to create effective teams, oversee corporate finances, and negotiate and manage strategic partnerships.

Mark Todd, Chief Financial Officer

Mark Todd has over 25 years of public accounting and corporate financial management experience. He earned an MBA from Cornell University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He has audited financial statements for a variety of entities including aerospace companies, government contractors, financial institutions, construction contractors, fast food franchises, and nonprofit organizations, among others. Mark has provided tax and business consulting services to individuals and businesses of varying sizes, complexities, and industries. Prior to establishing his own CPA and consulting firm, Mark performed accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services for Big 4 and local CPA firms. Additionally he was the Internal Auditor, Controller, and Director of Accounting for a $30 million engineering firm and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration for a national political organization.

As CFO of Vantage, Mark oversees financial, contractual, and accounting activities. He coordinates financial reporting, tax preparation, payroll services, insurance, and banking activities, in addition to internal control reviews and contract management. Mark works closely with the CEO and COO to ensure financial and administrative efforts dovetail with operational plans. Mark currently serves as President of the Arc of Southern Maryland, a non-profit organization providing support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Michael Fatig, Vice President/Business Development

Mike Fatig joined Vantage Systems in August 2011 to lead business development efforts.  Mike has over 30 years of technical, program, business management, and business development experience in a broad range of aerospace systems for NASA, the Department of Defense, Commercial Aviation, and International Clients.  Mike’s career started at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in ground systems, satellite design, and mission operations where he earned the NASA Public Service Medal and three group achievement awards.  He authored 15 professional papers and was a chapter author in the Larson/Boden book entitled, “Low Cost Mission Operations.”

Mike’s career has spanned technical services and systems technology firms providing a broad and firm grasp on systems and services in satellite, launch vehicle, missile, aviation platforms, and ground vehicles including communications, ISR, guidance, signal processing, and scientific instrumentation.  Mike applies this experience in crafting services for clients that augments and extends their capability to achieve their missions and satisfy their customers.

Ted Sholar, Senior Staff Engineer/Manager

Ted Sholar has over 25 years of experience in aerospace mechanical systems engineering. His areas of expertise include technical program and project management as well as technical supervision of mechanical engineering staff. As Vantage's Senior Staff Engineer, Ted provides leadership on NASA/GSFC’s Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument project. He is the responsible engineer for the Functional Performance Model (FPM), the early validation of the flight design and calibration systems of the TIRS instrument. Prior to TIRS, Ted was the Chief Engineer and Test Director for the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier project at NASA/GSFC. He maintained test schedules, coordinated test requirements with Product Development Leads, and functioned as the Project POC for test facility interfacing, modification, and personnel planning.

Ted’s management role is augmented by his background in systems engineering, requirements definition, conceptual and detail design, LV interfacing, program/project management, functional supervision, static and dynamic finite element analysis, hardware integration, test definition and direction, manufacturing liaison, classic hand stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and fracture mechanics analysis. Ted’s experience relates to spacecraft primary and secondary structures, components, mechanisms, scientific instruments, and ground support equipment for both Experimental Launch Vehicles and Space Transportation Systems payloads.

Ted is a certified Professional Engineer.