Larri A. Rosser
Senior Principle Multi-Disciplinary Engineer
Raytheon Training, LLC
Nominated by: Wilma Davis (and other co-workers)
Excerpt from nomination: "What adjective can best describe Larri Ann Rosser? Successful? She is that. When Larri hired my co-workers and me several years ago she was the Technical Lead for our small group. Now she is a Senior Principle Multi-Disciplinary Engineer. Perceptive? Larri has the ability to quickly identify problem areas while maintaining a global perspective. About two years ago she identified a set of risks that one [of] our projects would face that could, if not addressed immediately, lead to complications. Her recommendations were ignored and sure enough the project was delivered six months late; the risks she identified are to this day still plaguing the project. Inspiring? Larri inspires all who are around her by not letting barriers get in the way of achieving her goals. Even in the face of overwhelming odds Larri maintains her perspective and holds to her convictions. Smart? Larri shows her intelligence by being able to think outside of the box and look at the big picture to solve a problem. Tenacious? Few people I've met could match Larri's tenacity. If she believes in something she doesn't back down. Not that she is inflexible. To the contrary, Larri is willing to listen and learn from others when their arguments have merit. Trusting? When Larri assigns a task she gives both authority and responsibility along with it. Her trust in us has instilled self-confidence and created a group of engineers sought after by other organizations. To Larri we are not just co-workers but friends.
Choosing a single adjective to describe her is difficult. She is all of the things mentioned and more. But perhaps there is a single adjective that fits: role-model. Under her tutelage we have all become not just better engineers but better people. What more needs to be said?"
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was working in a sugar cane field in the summertime. I
learned that manual labor is hard and hot and makes your body ache, and
that I really wanted to go to college.
Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?
My mentors have been my mom and dad, who demonstrate daily how to be
dedicated professionals and caring ethical people at the same time.
The person I admire most is Arthur H. Rostron, for doing the right thing
under pressure. He was the captain of the Carpathia and was responsible
for saving most of those who lived through the Titanic disaster.
My hero is Rosa Parks. She did what needed to be done.
What is your favorite book?
Just one? Can't I have a dozen? O.K., if it must be just one, I'll take
"The Timeless Way of Building" by Christopher Alexander. It has everything
- engineering principles, philosophy, thought-provoking prose, beautiful
photographs and the most elegant layout I've ever seen.
What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?
I expect to see systems engineering applied much more widely to
commercial development. I expect serious changes in the paradigm of
systems. I expect tremendous advances in biotechnology and
nanotechnology, and perhaps a return of the Turing machine.
What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?
Problem solving. Systems engineering is, in my mind, the purest form of
engineering because you are not limited to working with electronics, or
software, or chemicals but are free to incorporate whatever technology
will contribute to resolving the problem.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
I would say my awesome, wonderful daughter, but I'm not sure how much
influence I had on her development. I think she was special when she got
here.
So instead, I'll say the formation and nurturing of a group of engineers
who did, and continue to do, amazing things, including implementing
elegant object oriented designs in languages that are purported not to
support OO, integrating complete systems in less than 48 hours,
identifying and capturing their own work with no help from the program
office or marketing, development and deployment of innovative processes
to support their work, and personal and professional stardom on the part
of every single member of the team.
What was your greatest challenge and what did you learn from it?
So far? My greatest challege is my current one: as a Raytheon Six Sigma
Expert-in-training, my job is to provoke a paradigm change in a huge,
well established culture. What I've learned so far is that the
fundamental challenge in any difficult job is to tell the difference
between what has always been done and what needs to be done in the
current situation, and to find a way to make what needs to be done work
for everyone.
What strategies do you use to maintain balance in your life?
I have identified certain things that are crucial to me personally,
professionally and in my relationships with others. I actually have a
list of the things that I consider to be imperative in my life. Every
day, I run over this list in my mind and make sure I'm addressing the
important stuff, not getting caught up in firefighting or nitpicking.
What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
Love your work. If you do something that brings you joy, chances are
you'll be successful, and if not, you'll still be happy. Strive to be
broad as well as deep in your knowledge. Learn everything you can about
your specific field of endeavor, and a little bit about other areas that
interest you. The juxtaposition of different domains is where the
interesting stuff happens.
And I'd also like to say something to the single moms - those struggling
to get through high school or college and all of the ones trying to
balance their work and their families: Hang in there. It can be done,
and it can be worth it. Concentrate on what's important. Read to your
kids, take time for yourself, focus on your work. Don't worry whether
there are dust bunnies under the bed or whether the car got washed. Ten
years from now, no one will care about that, but your family and your
profession will still be a source of pleasure and pride.
