Team

Mr. Mazurowski has been involved with Navy ManTech projects for almost twenty years, having previously run the Fiber Optics and Photonics Department. He comes to Penn State ARL via Harris Corporation (HF and VHF communications), the General Electric Electronics Laboratory (MMIC characterization, III-V materials and devices, phased array radar), and Corning Incorporated (photonics assemblies). John earned an M.S. and B.S. Physics from Syracuse University, where his MS thesis on adjustable bandgap semiconductors won the university Masters Prize.

He also participates in standards development efforts in the SAE and IEEE at the national level.

Mr. Freyvogel has experience and expertise with the development, manufacture and fielding of electro-optic and electronic warfare systems. He is currently the Technical Director for the ONR Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence and Sensor, System and Signals Department Head at The Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory’s Electro-Optics and Electronics Division. Mr. Freyvogel has over twenty years of experience working Navy ManTech projects.

Previously, Mr. Freyvogel was a Deputy Program Manager at the Naval Air Systems Command leading the development and acquisition of electro-optic and electronic warfare programs. Mr. Freyvogel holds an M.S. and B.S. in Engineering Science from The Pennsylvania State University.

Chrissy Spehar is the Business Manager for the three Navy ManTech Centers of Excellence at Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. A Navy Veteran, her operational assignments include serving as Combat Information Center watch supervisor aboard USS O’Brien (DD 975), Crew Chief at Joint Tactical Action Ground Station (JTAGS) Navy Space Command DET Echo and District Trainer/Recruiter-In-Charge at Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh. She is the recipient of multiple Navy Achievement Medals and various unit and sea service awards. Formerly, she was the Senior Contract Administrator at Curtiss Wright EMD.

Mrs. Spehar holds a M.S. in Project Management and a B.S. in Business Management from the Pennsylvania State University.

Melissa McCandless has been in contracts at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State since 2007. Delivering all aspects of the contract life-cycle including subcontracts ensures effective results for Navy ManTech. With a background both in industry and academia, her previous work includes Assistant Product Manager at Lion Apparel, El Corral Publications at California Polytechnic State University, and Engineering Documentation Specialist at AGR International.

Ms. McCandless holds a BA in Law and Society from Penn State.

Jason Hunnell is Head of the Electro-Optics & Electronics Division in the Material and Manufacturing Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Mr. Hunnell has experience and expertise in light detection and ranging (LIDAR), and other remote sensing and computer vision systems. Previously, Mr. Hunnell was Principal Professional Staff at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where he served as Group Supervisor for Imaging Systems and as Project Manager and Technical Lead for multiple LIDAR programs.

Mr. Hunnell holds a M.S. in Physics with a Minor in Computer Science from The University of North Texas and B.S. in Applied Physics from Grove City College.