2005 Hall of Fame
Robert Featheringham
Mr. Robert Featheringham graduated in 1960 with a degree in Electronic Engineering with math option which he utilized as a systems engineer early in his career. He used this experience to leverage himself to positions in corporate management. As a young engineer, he successfully led several research and development tasks and gained titles of team leader, project engineer, and program manager throughout. In 1979, Robert was tapped to become vice president at the age of 40, which he held for the next 20 years. In that time, he managed contracts with various military branches and developed military systems that incorporated information technologies.
Under his direction as Vice-President and General Manager, his business unit developed, engineered, tested, and supported state-of-the-art ground-based command, control, communications, computer, and automated logistic systems for Army and Marine Corps customers.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) recognized these contributions to the profession by elevating him to Senior Member. As such, he also led and directed operations involving task orders and contracts, and supervision of professionals in the UK and the Middle East.
He used the foundation of Indiana Tech and the professional experience he gained to pursue and obtain his Master’s degree in Technology Management from the University of Maryland.
In October 1999, Mr. Featheringham retired from full time employment, moving to Toms River, New Jersey and married long-time business colleague, Connie Caputo. There, they established Two Feathers Consulting to provide business development and management consulting services to the US Army communications-electronics community at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, where his affinity for assisting young engineers and students define and reach career goals continues to thrive.
Starting in 2001, he served as the first Executive Director of Sigma Phi Delta which allowed him to work with engineering students in the US, Canada, and Bangladesh. In addition to day-to-day administration of the fraternity, he applied his management skills to chapter expansion and alumni fundraising and served as a counselor to undergraduate engineers seeking professional roles.
He also spent time serving on the Ft. Monmouth AFCEA chapter’s Scientific and Engineering Careers Committee, which distributed in excess of $100,000 of annual scholarships and grants to students, teachers and schools in the Jersey Shore area. His contributions also include co-chairing and judging annual science fairs for high school students, serving as liaison to the AFCEA chapter’s young person organization at Ft. Monmouth and judging science projects for the Monmouth Junior Science Symposium to encourage high school students to engage in original research in science, engineering, and mathematics.
In 2005, he was nominated by the Ft. Monmouth Chapter of AFCEA as “Volunteer of the Year” to AFCEA International and was the recipient of the prestigious Meritorious Service Award.