About Us
The Company
Founded in 2001, Patriot Technologies, LLC opened its doors as a member of the high-tech business incubator, MS Enterprise for Technology at John C. Stennis Space Center.
The company was founded on a simple idea—to exploit the maturity of an existing technology to solve a problem. Specifically, if the traffic industry can detect vehicles with a combination of off-the-shelf, low-cost sensors, then wouldn’t it be possible to apply this technology to an airport to detect airplanes and vehicles? Fast forward to present day—through the support of Congress, Patriot has installed and is scheduled to begin testing this year, the Runway Occupancy Warning System ( ROWS™), at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Capitalizing on its capabilities in project management and technical support, Patriot competed for, and won, a contract to provide administrative and clerical services to NASA, located at neighboring Stennis Space Center. The NASA contract has enabled Patriot to expand into new areas and broaden its offerings to the federal market.
Established as an 8(a) small disadvantaged company in 2005, and certifying as a Minority and Woman-Owned business a year later, Patriot’s leadership is fueled by a creative, focused and highly-responsive team of dedicated managers:
Executive Management
Virginia L. Huthoefer (Lori), President
Since its inception, the key member of Patriot's management team is company President and Managing member, Lori Huthoefer. In addition to the executive, financial, and administrative responsibilities of the company, Ms. Huthoefer has successfully lobbied and won funding to pursue the development of the ROWS™ system at Gulfport-Biloxi for five years.
Ms. Huthoefer holds a B.A in Economics from the University of Mary Washington, and an MS in Economics from the University of Arizona. Her career spans a broad range of both private and public sector positions including the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (international economist), U.S. International Trade Commission (international economist), and the Federal Communications Commission/Pricing Division (Economist).
Ms. Huthoefer credits the success of Patriot to a focus on performance and attention to detail. Business excellence is complemented by keeping an open mind to innovation and continual improvement to business processes. While managing the bottom line is critical to success, "I also strive to provide an employee-oriented management strategy that emphasizes the value and contribution of each of Patriot's employees."
Dave Smart, Project Manager (ROWS)
After receiving a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) in 1992, Dave began his career as a mechanical design engineer and worked his way up to the position of a project manager developing sensors systems for harsh environments. With over 17 years of Product Development and Project Management experience with expendable and maintainable underwater acoustic systems, Dave has been involved in all aspects of product development from concept to launch and low-medium volume manufacturing. Now working as part of the Patriot team, he is heading up the development and testing of the ROWS™ system.
A respected and dynamic leader, Dave possesses a keen business sense relating to Project Management, Product Development, and applied engineering. Dave is able to build highly motivated multidisciplinary project teams from both internal resources and subcontractors focused on achieving project deliverables. He possesses strong leadership skills, is highly organized, and able to effectively communicate with all project stakeholders.
Marlena LaFontaine, Project Lead (NASA)
In October 2008, Patriot Technologies, LLC was awarded a 5-year $7 million dollar contract to provide Administrative/Clerical Support services for NASA's Stennis Space Center rocket test facilities. Upon contract award Ms. LaFontaine was named the Project Lead for Patriot's support operation at NASA. Marlena LaFontaine is a lifelong resident of Hancock County, MS and has an extensive background in administrative duties and office management support at Stennis.
Ms. LaFontaine began her career at Stennis Space Center in 2004 is responsible for all Patriot administrative staff on site at Stennis Space Center. Additionally, Ms. LaFontaine serves as the day to day liaison between NASA program management officials and the onsite administrative staff. Ms. LaFontaine’s tenacious leadership and "focus on performance" has provided for effective project leadership while ensuring employee loyalty and positive morale.
4400 Leisure Time Dr. • Diamondhead, MS 39525 • 228-255-8660 • Fax: 228-255-8661 fx