Melbourne's Critical Frequency Design earns certifications

Critical Frequency Design, an advanced aerospace and defense photonics technology company headquartered in Melbourne, recently announced it achieved ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certifications for its quality-management system.

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognized standard for quality-management systems, and it is the most widely used quality-management systems standard in the world.

AS9100 incorporates all of ISO 9001 standards, but includes additional industry requirements for the safe development, production and distribution of quality parts and products for the aviation, aerospace and defense industry.

“We are thrilled with achieving this important milestone," said Rebecca Warren, chief executive officer of Critical Frequency Design. "It demonstrates the maturity of our systems and teams, and it reinforces that we know how to deliver the quality, cost and schedule performance that our industry demands.”

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Kim Phung, Critical Frequency Design’s operations manager, said: “The certification process was incredibly thorough, and I am truly proud of the team and what we have accomplished. It is great to receive the validation that, even though we are a small business, our processes are world-class and meet the standards needed for mission-critical solutions.”

The ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications will enable Critical Frequency Design to ensure it provides the most efficient delivery times and high quality for its customers by leveraging end-to-end supply-chain management, with a focus on continual business process improvement.

Both standards require periodic internal audits to maintain certification.

Barnes named client service leader at BRPH

BRPH, a nationally ranked architecture, engineering and construction firm, recently named Casey D. Barnes, formerly with the Orlando Economic Partnership, as the client service leader for its growing aerospace and defense markets.

Barnes, a certified master practitioner in economic development and a certified economic developer, spent 10 years at Orlando Economic Partnership, where he served as vice president of economic development, managing a $1.1 million budget and a 10-person team.

During his tenure, he led the team to win more than 300 projects, which created more than 41,000 new jobs and $4.3 billion in capital investment, to place Orlando at the top of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas in job growth for four consecutive years (2015-2018).

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Prior to that, he spent eight years in business development for Enterprise Florida Inc., where he landed more than 100 projects, creating and retaining more than 22,000 jobs, resulting in $1.8 billion in capital investment.

“This is an exciting time in the aerospace and defense industries, and the opportunities, both domestically and internationally, are abundant,” Barnes said. “I look forward to leveraging my existing relationships and expertise, as well as exploring new partnerships and development opportunities, to benefit both BRPH and our clients.”

Over the years, Barnes has partnered with aerospace and defense firms, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Embraer, Pratt & Whitney, JetBlue, Piper Aircraft and Signature Flight Support, among many others.

While at Enterprise Florida, he served as the state-level project manager for the Embraer Phenom manufacturing and research-and-development facilities, and was responsible for providing location assistance and state/local incentives negotiation/execution to bring the $50 million project to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport in Melbourne.

As project manager for Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control research-and-development expansion in Orlando, he spearheaded the incentives negotiation process to secure the $50 million construction project.

His work with KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing tax advisory services, resulted in the construction of a $450 million, 800,000-square-foot global learning center with a lodge and training/convention center in Orlando.

“We have worked alongside Casey Barnes over the years, and seen firsthand the incredible results he’s produced in terms of economic development for Florida and the Central Florida area, particularly with leading aerospace and defense contractors,” said Brian Curtin, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for BRPH. “We are thrilled to have Casey on the BRPH team to help us enhance our service offering and develop opportunities for our current and future clients.”

Barnes currently serves on the Florida Economic Development Council board as vice chair of finance.

He earned a Master of Arts in international affairs from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and French from Roanoke College.

Bress honored by Brevard County Legal Aid

Brevard County Legal Aid recently awarded Pam Bress with its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

Bress founded WAYS for Life, a nonprofit that provides wraparound youth services for young adults formerly in foster care and those experiencing homelessness. She currently is executive director of the nonprofit.

Bress is a former staff attorney for Brevard County Legal Aid (from March 2010 to Novenber 2019).

She has volunteered for several organizations that serve youth, including coaching academic teams in the public-school system (Odyssey of the Mind, Future Problem Solving and Mock Trial); coaching Special Olympics, TOPSoccer and traditional sports teams; Justice Teaching at Central Middle School and Hoover Middle School; and serving on the board of directors for Club Esteem, Promise in Brevard and the statewide Future Problem Solving Program.

She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, then graduated law school from Nova Southeastern University Law School in Davie.

Aiken wins Young Women in Public Affairs Award from Zonta Club

Emma Aiken won the 2023 Young Women in Public Affairs Award from the Zonta Club of Melbourne.

The $2,500 award was presented at the club’s business meeting on May 18 at the Ellingson Properties office.

Zonta officials said Aiken is an exceptional young woman who demonstrates leadership skills, and a commitment to public service and civic causes.

She served as the president of the National Honor Society and senior class vice president for student government at Heritage High School. She was a teaching assistant for two biology classes and four chemistry classes. She received her Cambridge Diploma and associate in arts degree from Eastern Florida State College.

Aiken received the Brevard Public Schools’ Senior Volunteer of the Year Award for showing her outstanding dedication and commitment to her school through volunteer services. She is talented, caring, dedicated and focused on her future pursuits.

In her spare time, Aiken volunteers at an animal rescue. CH Lives Matter is an organization that specializes in rescuing animals with cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that impairs an animal’s basic motor skills while heightening the affection center of the brain. Aiken enjoys helping these animals, who are often overlooked because of a disability, finding their forever homes.

Aiken's career path is to attend the University of Central Florida, and receive a bachelor’s degree in forensic science with an emphasis in chemistry.

The Zonta Club of Melbourne has been making a difference in women’s lives for many years. It has provided more than $50,000 in scholarships to women in the community who have pursued studies to advance their careers.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two certifications achieved by Melbourne's Critical Frequency Design