Jim Ashburn
 After graduating
valedictorian of his high school class in 1982, Jim Ashburn enrolled at the
University of Alabama in Huntsville. As an undergraduate, he began his work
as a laboratory assistant in the areas of superconductivity and
microgravity-processed materials. To further his research, he continued at
UAH as a graduate student under a NASA Fellowship. In 1987, he formulated
and tested the first material to superconduct above the temperature of
boiling nitrogen, bringing worldwide attention to the university. The paper
resulting from this achievement was the most cited technical paper in the
world that year and the sixth most cited of that decade. It was recently
listed as the second most cited paper in the history of Physical Review
Letters, the highest journal in physics.
In 1988, Jim was recognized with a resolution of the UAH Board of
Trustees for "distinguished service to UAH and the community." In 1997, a
historical marker was erected on his behalf at UAH recognizing the 10th
anniversary of his superconductor discovery. In 2002, Jim was inducted as
one of UAH's "Alumni of Achievement."
Upon graduation from UAH in 1990 with his Ph.D. in physics, Jim joined
the senior technical staff at Nichols Research Corporation. He rose to the
level of Fellow before leaving NRC in 1999. He then joined a small company
called ELMCO Inc., an Inc 500 company of about 200 employees where he
served as Chief Scientist. In December 2003, ELMCO Inc. was acquired by
Westar Aerospace and Defense Group. Within a year, Westar was acquired by
QinetiQ North America.
Jim lives in Huntsville with his wife Greta and their five children --
Christopher (16), Matthew (15), and triplets Kathryn, William, and Laura
Grace (10).
Paul Colvert
 After graduating
from high school in 1986, Paul Colvert enrolled at the University of
Central Arkansas. As an undergraduate, he majored in physics with a minor
in mathematics. Upon graduation from UCA in 1990 with his B.S. in Physics,
Paul joined the staff at Nichols Research Corporation in Huntsville,
Alabama. It was during his time at NRC that Paul first met and became
friends with Jim Ashburn.
After a year at NRC, Paul joined another company in Huntsville called
Coleman Research Corporation where he served as software engineer for
various defense related modeling and simulation efforts until November
1995. It was at this time that Paul joined a small business that was just
starting called ELMCO, Inc. Over the next eight years, Paul served as a
Senior Software Engineer at ELMCO which grew to over 200 employees and was
an Inc 500 company for the years 2002 and 2003.
In December 2003, ELMCO Inc. was acquired by Westar Aerospace and
Defense Group of St. Louis, MO. But, less than a year later Westar was
acquired by QinetiQ North America (QNA) which is one of the worlds leading
defense technology and security companies. Paul continues to work for QNA
as a Senior Software Engineer on various weapon system programs.
Paul lives in Madison, Alabama with his lovely wife, Jeanette, and their
two daughters, Lauren (12) and Sarah (10).
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