Search Results

CANA has always encouraged its team members to think outside the box and test new ideas. A recent CANA CRATE project perfectly exemplifies this spirit. CRATE stands for the CANA Research and Technology Enterprise, and it's our way to foster CANA innovation and encourage technical exploration. Our intended result is the creation of new knowledge, theories, models, or datasets that can be used by others for analysis or further research.  Not only that, we often find ways to do things better, and improve the process in which we turn ideas into reality. Structurally, CANA’s CRATE projects are either externally or internally focused. An external example might be exploring energy-efficient technologies for military installations and equipment, while a recent CRATE - the BizOps Chatbot - represents an internal project. No matter what, these are good repetitions -  the more we do it, the better at it we become.  CANA Data Science Analyst, Kiko Whiteley, recently presented "BizOps," a custom-built chatbot designed to streamline workflows and answer frequently asked CANA Business Operations questions. This isn't another off-the-shelf solution – it's CANA ingenuity in leveraging existing tools to create cost-effective and highly tailored AI solutions. The project goals were to address frequently asked questions and free up the team from repetitive inquiries; offer a centralized, editable knowledge base; provide accessibility; and explore in-house AI development by gaining insights into the process of building custom AI tools. A Sneak Peek: BizOps in Action At one of our regular CANA Analytics Roundtables, Kiko demonstrated the chatbot’s capabilities. When asked, "When does my Paid-Time-Off accrue?", the chatbot not only provided a summary answer, but also cited relevant company documents as its source. It also effortlessly answered more general CANA-specific questions demonstrating its ability to pull information from arbitrary text within its knowledge base. A key design element is how the chatbot presents its answers: a concise summary followed by clear assertions or claims directly backed up by evidence. The Secret Sauce: Clever Engineering & Cost-Efficiency Kiko highlighted the strategic approach taken in building BizOps. While managed AI services exist, they often come with a significant cost and less flexibility. CANA's solution combines several Google Cloud functionalities with open-source software to achieve a powerful yet economical outcome. The architecture leverages: Google's Gemini f or natural language understanding and response generation. Google Chat API that  enables seamless integration and accessibility across various devices. Open-source software  forms the backbone of the chatbot's logic and knowledge retrieval. Containerization  allows for efficient and low-cost cloud deployment, minimizing continuous running costs. Decoding the Dialogue: The Power of Prompt Engineering Kiko offered a carefully crafted prompt structure that guides the chatbot’s responses. The most effective approach involved clear instructions that guide the AI on how to interpret and answer; contextual information to provide relevant snippets from the knowledge base; the specific query from the user/team member, and final reminders to reinforce desired output formats and behaviors. The process of fetching the most relevant information is crucial. The BizOps chatbot employs: Document Chunking:  Automatically splitting documents into manageable paragraph-sized segments. Vector Store:  Transforming these text chunks into numerical representations. Semantic Search:  Using machine learning to identify the text chunks most semantically similar to the user's question. Interestingly, the Gemini model's generous context window allowed for the entire knowledge base to be included in the prompt as a safety net. The prompts were also specifically designed to ensure responses included direct quotes and clickable links to the source material, even linking to other Google Chats for announcements. Key Takeaways & Future Potential The team had some powerful takeaways: Combining Existing Tools:  There is power in integrating readily available technologies for cost-effective solutions compared to expensive managed services. Strategic Pre-processing:  It is important to handle as much processing as possible outside  the Large Language Model (LLM) with clear instructions and examples for higher-quality responses. Navigating Platform Nuances:  The project enabled CANA to acknowledge and document learnings specific to Google Cloud for future projects. Continuous Evolution:  There is value in awareness of the constant stream of new tools and features within Google Cloud. Looking Ahead Excitingly, the Business Operations project has laid the groundwork for creating other internal chatbots within CANA. Furthermore, the team has identified potential pathways to leverage this knowledge and the developed tools for external, enterprise-level applications. CANA continues to encourage team members to consider proposing their own innovative CRATE projects, emphasizing that even seemingly small experiments can yield valuable insights and advancements. This project showcases CANA's commitment to innovation and its ability to develop practical, cost-effective AI solutions by creatively combining existing technologies. The future of internal communication and efficiency at CANA looks brighter – and potentially more conversational!

Energy resilience and independence are not just desirable – they are mission-critical. Consider the impact of Hurricane Florence on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in 2018. An 11-day power outage at Camp Johnson, a key training area, resulted in major operational disruptions, training and deployment delays, and an estimated $1M loss daily during the power interruption. The recovery for the base lasted nearly a year. This reality underscores installation vulnerability, a key concern at the TEVCON event CANA attended this spring in San Diego, California. Key federal and commercial industry stakeholders were on hand to address the major challenges and identify opportunities in advancing energy resilience. So what are some ways the military is taking action? Natural disasters aren’t once in a lifetime events, and are, in fact, occurring with greater frequency as the world grapples with climate change. C oncerns like aging infrastructure, rising energy demands, supply chain disruptions, and cyber and physical threats, among others, increase the urgency of developing a wide range of energy solutions. Microgrids:  Localized, independent energy networks with distributed resources like solar, wind, battery storage, and gas generators are being implemented to ensure on-site power generation and operational continuity. Renewable Energy Investments:  Increasing on-site clean energy generation to reduce reliance on the grid and lower environmental impact. Energy Efficiency Measures:  Reducing overall energy consumption to minimize demand. Exploring Advanced Technologies:   The future includes microreactors .  Small, modular nuclear reactors offer the potential for secure, reliable, and independent power generation, even in remote locations like those likely in dispersed operations. The DoD's ANPI program   has a goal of two operational microreactors at military bases by 2030. The intent is for these reactors to provide 100 percent of all critical loads.  Solutions will be found all along the spectrum, reinforcing the need to not rely upon a single source for energy needs. CANA's work includes research and testing on the utilization of 5G as a source of wireless power transmission, offering a potential capability that is widely available, plentiful, and discrete. Investing in energy resilience isn't just about preventing disruptions; it's about enhancing military readiness, reducing operational costs, and ensuring our forces can effectively respond to any challenge.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is essential to CANA to honor the remarkable individuals whose contributions have shaped our world and inspired generations. Among them stands General Colin L. Powell, a towering figure in American history, renowned for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to service.  Colin Powell's journey started on April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York. He grew up at a time when racial segregation and discrimination were pervasive in American society. Despite facing formidable obstacles, he refused to be defined by the limitations imposed upon him by society. After graduating from the City College of New York with a degree in geology, he joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and embarked on a distinguished United States Army military career spanning 35 years. Rising through the ranks, General Powell shattered barriers, becoming the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military position in the Department of Defense. However, General Powell's legacy extends far beyond his military accomplishments. In 2001, he made history once again by becoming the first African American to serve as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. In this role, General Powell brought his unparalleled diplomatic skills to bear, advocating for peaceful resolutions to global conflicts and advancing America's interests on the world stage. Beyond his professional achievements, Colin Powell was a beacon of integrity and moral courage. He embodied the principles of honor, dignity, and respect, inspiring millions with his words and actions. General Powell once famously remarked, "[t]here are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." His life story serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and determination. Colin Powell's indelible mark on history serves as a reminder of the limitless potential that resides within each of us. His life is a testament to the enduring power of hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the promise of a better tomorrow. As we celebrate Black History Month, let us celebrate the extraordinary contributions of General Colin Powell and all those who have paved the way for a brighter future for generations to come.  #GeneralColinPowell #CANA #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM

CANA recently had the valuable opportunity to participate in the Wargaming in the Southern Region Workshop , held in Miami, Florida, in February 2025. Our team members, including Margaret and myself, attended this important meeting, which was designed to explore the complex challenges and strategic considerations within SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility, encompassing Central and South America and many Caribbean islands . The workshop kicked off with classified briefs at USSOUTHCOM Headquarters. These sessions provided essential background information on the current Southern Region threats and global impacts, as well as the future joint operating environment and emerging threats. This classified portion helped set the stage for the subsequent unclassified days held at the Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West. A key takeaway from the workshop was the unique nature of wargaming for SOUTHCOM. Unlike traditional military wargames focused on kinetic operations, discussions centered on transnational criminal organizations (TCOs)  and the complexities of addressing them. We learned that these organizations can have significant, even positive, impacts on local economies, making their simple elimination a potentially destabilizing factor. The diverse political landscape of the region, featuring countries at various levels of stability, along with critical elements like the Panama Canal  and major economies such as Brazil , were also highlighted. The growing interest of external actors like China  in the region's natural resources and strategic ports added another layer of complexity to the discussions. The prevalence of drug trafficking and other illegal activities , where local militaries and law enforcement often face resource disparities compared to TCOs, underscored the need for non-traditional approaches to influence . The workshop extensively explored modeling diplomatic, informational, economic, financial intelligence, and law enforcement collaboration (FIL)  as key instruments for projecting future effects in the region. The importance of cooperation across various federal departments and international agencies was consistently emphasized. We noted the successful influence of Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) , headquartered in Key West, on drug trafficking through multi-agency and multinational collaboration as a concrete example of such an approach. The significant roles of the Coast Guard and DEA  in enforcement, operating under different regulations than Department of Defense units, made the wargaming exercises crucial for understanding the interplay of different agencies. On the final day, we actively participated in a war game. I played the role of China, and Margaret played Russia, with our objective being to assist Venezuela following a hypothetical UN Security Council act calling for its leader's removal. This exercise, despite its brevity, offered fun way to gain valuable insights into the political complexities of the region  and explored potential collaboration between Venezuela, China, and Russia against UN forces led by the United States, without escalating to a global conflict. Margaret's creative approach even led to a scenario where Russia temporarily controlled Venezuela, achieving its objectives while posing significant challenges to the UN and US. Overall, our attendance at the 2025 Wargaming in the Southern Hemisphere Workshop provided critical understanding of SOUTHCOM's unique challenges and the indispensable role of wargaming in effectively addressing them . The diverse range of topics and the active engagement with professionals from various agencies and nations offered a comprehensive perspective on the strategic landscape of this vital region. We look forward to applying these insights in our future work. #Wargaming #SOUTHCOM #MilitaryStrategy #GlobalSecurity #StrategicWargaming #JointOperations #SOUTHCOMChallenges #MilitaryWorkshop #CANALLC Walt DeGrange Walt DeGrange is the Senior Director of Analytics  here at CANA. You can contact Walt via email at wdegrange@canallc.com   or on Linkedin .

CANAers Scott Cohick , Principal Operations Research Analyst, Nick Ulmer , Principal Operations Research Analyst, and Walt DeGrange , Senior Director of Analytics, recently attended the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) 2024 Emerging Techniques Forum (ETF) from December 3–5 in Alexandria, Virginia. This year's theme, "Analytical Edge in the Decisive Decade,"  brought together analytics professionals to discuss military and government operations research innovations. The event emphasized three main topics: the cyber and space domains, AI advancements, and the growing role of graph databases. KEY TAKEAWAYS The key takeaways  from the forum underscored both opportunities and challenges in applying emerging technologies to military and government operations. Scott Cohick reflected on, “...the challenges of incorporating the powerful AI tools available into military and government efforts,”  highlighting the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration and alignment with mission objectives. “Zero Trust Queries emerged as a fascinating topic,” noted Walt DeGrange, explaining how they enable secure, aggregated, and anonymous data querying, with significant implications for medical research and classified data usage. He also emphasized that, “[i]nteroperability remains a pressing challenge as siloed solutions often fail to fit into broader frameworks.”   Nick Ulmer stressed the urgency of focusing on the Cyber and Space domains, stating, “[t]he fight is already happening in Cyber and Space, and we lack analysts with domain expertise.”  Drawing lessons from Ukraine as the first drone war, he highlighted that, “[g]raph databases interrogated by LLMs represent a powerful AI application”,  while urging more significant investment in infrastructure and targeted learning to maintain a competitive edge. Notable Sessions and Speakers Scott Cohick (far left) moderating the panel for career transitions. The forum featured several notable sessions and speakers that left a lasting impression. From the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), John Richardson delivered a compelling keynote introducing the DHS AI Corps, a groundbreaking initiative to integrate emerging technologies into the department's operations. Scott Cohick moderated a panel on workforce development, which explored career transitions and underscored the opportunities for analytics professionals to make meaningful contributions to national efforts. The Visco Prize presentations were another highlight as the Columbia University winner showcased innovative game theory applications for deception operations. The runner-up provided an insightful analysis of AI-human interaction from a General AI (AGI) lens, emphasizing the growing importance of understanding advanced AI systems in modern operations. Insights to Apply Scott Cohick attending a session! CANAers walked away with plenty of valuable insights from the forum—along with some plans for action: Scott Cohick shared, “I plan to leverage new contacts to enhance the OBELISK analytical model,”  underscoring the value of networking and collaboration. Walt DeGrange highlighted his interest in emerging technologies: "I’ll dive deeper into Zero Trust Queries and explore their integration into CANA’s projects.”   Nick Ulmer attending a session! Meanwhile, Nick Ulmer expressed a renewed focus on critical domains, noting, “I’ll refine my expertise in Cyber and Space domains while expanding my knowledge of LLMs and AI-driven tools.” These takeaways demonstrate how the event’s insights will directly inform and enhance their future projects. Memorable Moments Nick, Walt, Rob, and Scott attended a CANA dinner! The forum was filled with memorable moments that left a lasting impact. The Forum’s Senior Leader Panel offered valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of delivering timely, relevant analysis and maintaining proactive engagement with clients throughout projects. A special highlight was a CANA-hosted dinner, where the team had the opportunity to gather with Rob Cranston, CANA's President and CEO. It was a fantastic chance for CANAers to connect in person, strengthening team bonds while reflecting on the event’s standout moments. Advice from CANAers Are you planning to attend next year's MORS Emerging Techniques Forum? Here's some advice! The best way to enhance your experience is to involve yourself by submitting an abstract, presenting a topic, or joining a panel. Stay connected with the professional community to maintain your skills and strengthen your network. As the forum demonstrated, the future of military operations research relies on innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Final Reflections The 2024 MORS Emerging Techniques Forum showcased the transformative power of analytics, AI, and collaboration in shaping the future of military operations research. With its rich blend of innovative discussions, expert insights, and networking opportunities, the forum proved to be an invaluable experience for attendees. As we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the decisive next decade, it’s clear that staying engaged, pushing boundaries, and fostering interdisciplinary connections will be essential. Here’s to building on the momentum from this year’s forum and driving meaningful progress in the years to come! For more information on MORS Emerging Techniques Forum, please visit: https://www.mors.org/Events/Workshops/Emerging-Techniques-Forum #MORS2024 #CANA #MilitaryResearch #AI #CyberSpace #TechInnovation #Operations Walt DeGrange Walt DeGrange is the Senior Director of Analytics  here at CANA. You can contact Walt via email at wdegrange@canallc.com   or on Linkedin . Nick Ulmer Nick Ulmer is the Principal Operations Research Analyst  here at CANA. You can contact Nick via email at nulmer@canallc.com on Linkedin . Scott Cohick Scott Cohick is the Principal Operations Research Analyst  here at CANA. You can contact Scott via email at scohick@canallc.com on Linkedin .

This past October, I had the privilege of participating in the MORS Global Critical Infrastructure Workshop in Garmisch, Germany. With over 40 participants from across the globe, the energy and collaborative spirit were high. This workshop provided a crucial platform for addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing critical infrastructure today and into the future... The workshop was structured around three core focus areas: Development and Modernization, Threats and Vulnerability, and Resilience. I led Focus Area 2: Threats and Vulnerability , where our team delved into the diverse risks impacting critical infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on analyzing both adversarial and natural threats. The Looming Shadow of Climate Change A significant portion of our focus centered on the escalating impact of climate change. The undeniable reality is that climate change is amplifying the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, posing a growing threat to critical infrastructure worldwide. We explored strategies for adaptation, including: Enhanced Resilience:  Designing and constructing infrastructure with robust materials and innovative techniques to withstand extreme weather events. Early Warning Systems:  Developing sophisticated systems to provide timely alerts, enabling proactive responses and minimizing damage. Weather and Maritime Environmental Conditions in Extreme Environments: Research the effects on land, maritime, and air operations in a hostile polar environment that is cold and dark half the year. Peering into the Future: Prototyping 2040 A highlight of our work was using future prototyping to proactively identify potential vulnerabilities and emerging threats. This powerful technique involves creating plausible future scenarios. For example, we constructed a scenario for the year 2040 that focused on building bases to support air and maritime operations in the Arctic Circle. This scenario highlighted potential challenges such as: Receding polar ice opening up new commercial shipping lanes Extreme weather events overwhelming existing systems Increased reliance on technology leading to more sophisticated cyberattacks Adversaries building manmade structures and declaring Economic Exclusion Zones Through this exercise, we were able to brainstorm mitigation strategies and proactive measures to address these future challenges. Key Takeaways Our discussions yielded several crucial takeaways: Critical infrastructure faces a complex web of threats, both human-made and natural. Climate change is a threat multiplier, exacerbating the risk of natural disasters. Future prototyping is an invaluable tool for proactive risk management. Further research is urgently needed to understand the long-term impacts of climate change on infrastructure. Collaboration between governments, industry, and academia is essential to develop comprehensive solutions. Focus Area 2 provided a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. I am deeply grateful to all participants for their valuable contributions and to MORS for organizing this impactful workshop. The insights gained will undoubtedly shape future efforts to safeguard our critical infrastructure in an increasingly uncertain world. The workshop findings will be summarized in a comprehensive paper and presentation, designed to provide senior leaders with key insights generated during the event. To request a copy of the paper or presentation, please email me at wdegrange@canallc.com . Walt DeGrange Walt DeGrange is the Senior Director of Analytics  here at CANA. You can contact Walt via email at wdegrange@canallc.com   or on Linkedin .

Work-Life Balance has always been an ideal goal for workers. However, the dramatic "work from home" shift caused by the pandemic has made it a hot topic as of late. The search for balance, often associated with Eastern practices, didn't necessarily fit into many of our lives in the Western world. Here, we often associate our ability to take on more and more tasks as a strength. We’ve convinced ourselves that our daily lives should include multitasking and full schedules with constant movement from one thing to the next, leaving little to no time to take inventory of how we are really doing. Well into the shutdown, it became increasingly evident that there was a blurring of work and home boundaries, increased mental health concerns, and an overall decrease in productivity. We were, in a sense, forced to re-evaluate and make some necessary changes to how we approached work, leisure, our physical health, and our mental health.  However, this re-evaluation was not necessary at CANA. CANA is unique in many ways, and one area that truly sets it apart from most workplaces is the amazing culture. An essential part of that culture is how work-life balance has been woven into its fabric since its inception in 2010. When the pandemic occurred, CANA didn’t miss a beat, ensuring their balanced approach remained consistent. Being a fully remote work environment since it began, CANA was not shaken by the shutdown and actually offered training to other organizations to assist them with how to do virtual work well.   So, how can your organization achieve a work-life balance? Well, for starters, evaluate the vision statement of your place of work. For CANA, work-life balance is baked right into their vision statement: “Create an environment that allows our team and clients more time to focus on the things that matter most.” The bottom line is if your company's vision recognizes that their employees' priorities outside of work are key to their successful contribution to work, everyone wins.   Next, review your company’s value statements and assess if they align with your culture. A common statement we make at CANA is, “We live our values.” This isn’t just a saying or a lofty goal we hope to achieve without action. Our entire team demonstrates a commitment to living our values, which cultivates a culture of transparency, accountability, support, and community. We are intentional with each other, where, despite having colleagues all over the country, we make great efforts for in-person co-work events. We are a “cameras on” organization, where value is placed on seeing one another, not just hearing each other. Our values are reviewed regularly, starting with the first day of employment, and reiterated in our internal meetings to maintain a cadence of truly living our values at each level within our organization.   Another step is to build community with your fellow employees through wellness initiatives and a steady process of reviewing and updating your business rules and policies that impact wellness. Allowing a flexible work schedule is one example of a business rule that truly supports work-life balance. Presently, at CANA, we are participating in a Fall Wellness Challenge , where we work within teams to spark our competitive nature and spur each other on in various whole-health activities that promote work-life balance and overall wellness. We have a chat space designated to capture our progress, as well as to include friendly and fun chatter to encourage one another. Each challenge includes activities that positively impact three areas: physical health, nutrition, and emotional health. Scavenger hunts, move goals, virtual team activities - these are just a few items included in our challenges to build comradery and connection, which are essential in team building within other areas of work.  As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, where I primarily worked within the mental and behavioral health services field for over 25 years, my move to CANA as the Director of Business & People Operations almost two years ago opened my eyes to what a balanced and healthy work environment should be. Working for a company that has built itself around its mission statement and lives its values - well, that is the definition of balance to me. Anna Sterrett is our Director of Business & People Operations here at CANA. You can contact Anna at asterrett@canallc.com  or on Linkedin .

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou Kerry joins CANA as a Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellow as she transitions from over 20 years of active duty military service. Kerry spent her career in the Marine Corps as a Manpower Officer and later as an Operations Research Analyst. She has a passion for improving the lives of employees through data-informed solutions and policy analysis. She is a co-founder of the Marine Women’s Initiative Team, a grassroots organization (not an official presence of the Marine Corps) whose mission is to identify and address barriers to entry and retention in female Marines. While at CANA, Kerry will be supporting work in the Business Operations Team on HR Analytics, Policy Analysis, and gaining experience in civilian HR. Kerry also graduated from Rice University with a B.A. in English and the Naval Postgraduate School with an M.S. in Operations Research. Kerry can be reached at khogan@canallc.com  and on Linkedin .   #hiringourheroes   #teamCANA   #CANA LLC   #CANAConnect   CANA LLC is a veteran-owned, woman-owned, equal opportunity company based out of Gainesville, Virginia in the United States of America.

The Global Expeditionary Logistics Symposium (GELS) 2024, co-hosted by the Association of Marine Corps Logisticians (AMCL) and Christopher Newport University's (CNU) Center for American Studies (CAS), was a notable event for industry leaders, logisticians, and Marine Corps members alike. Among the attendees were CANA's Shawn Charchan, Technical Director of Energy Solutions , Rob Cranston, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark Bowmer, Principal Logistics Analyst. Mark Bowmer, attending GELS for the first time, found the event to be an inspiring learning experience. "As a first-time GELS attendee, it was amazing to learn from fellow logisticians and be inspired by Marine leadership to achieve new expeditionary capabilities," said Bowmer. "The opportunity to develop and exchange ideas was enormous. I can’t help but recall some poignant words by Russell Rumbaugh, assistant secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller, who said, 'Having people who are willing to be those interlocutors and help put that together, identify operational needs, identify technological solutions and bring those together is invaluable. The more tools we have to reach out [and] create relationships that continue on to the benefit of everybody, the better off we are.' GELS was the perfect interlocution. Industry and the Marines are better because of opportunities like this." Rob Cranston echoed Bowmer’s sentiments, highlighting the event's ability to bring together diverse participants. “It was really awesome to reconnect with several USMC in and out of uniform and old business owner friends at the Global Expeditionary Logistics Symposium (GELS) 2024,” Cranston said. He praised the hosts, AMCL and CNU CAS, for organizing a phenomenal event, particularly noting the interactive war game led by Travis Reese and Kevin Williamson, which engaged attendees in unique collaborative sessions. "Guest speakers like MGen Bill Bowers, CG, MCRC, Pat Kelleher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness, and the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps, Dave Berger, really challenged and interacted with the audience on challenges in logistics distribution facilities installations as a war-fighting position, supply chain failures, maintenance planning and positioning, and health and wellness of recruiting." Cranston expressed enthusiasm for the future, stating, "The CANA Team is 100% looking forward to participating once again at GELS 2025 at the same CNU location!” Shawn Charchan also valued the networking opportunities GELS provided. "GELS was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old classmates and colleagues from the Marine Corps logistics community," said Charchan. Representing CANA, Charchan had the honor of moderating a panel alongside industry leaders in DOD energy. "In that capacity, we aimed to ask questions that would be both insightful and actionable for the audience, particularly the many uniformed AMCL members in attendance. The panel highlighted both specific emergent tech and how audience members could effectively balance DOD acquisition guidelines with the need to calibrate requirements based on the current state of the art for DOD and industry technologies related to alternative fuel sources, energy storage, and energy transmission." Overall, GELS 2024 proved to be a rich forum for sharing ideas, learning from industry leaders, and exploring innovative solutions in logistics and expeditionary capabilities. With its successful outcome, anticipation for GELS 2025 is already building among attendees like Charchan, Cranston, and Bowmer, who look forward to furthering the dialogue and collaboration initiated at this year’s symposium. #AMCL #CANA #GELS

The 2024 NFL season marks 105 years of thrilling gridiron action. With 32 teams playing a grueling 17-game schedule, the league generates a staggering amount of data. Yet, despite this abundance, the NFL presents a unique challenge for data analysts: predicting the unpredictable. Football, unlike many other sports, is inherently unpredictable. Every play is a new opportunity for momentum to shift, and the outcome can be drastically influenced by a single errant pass or a lucky bounce. The game's unique dynamics, coupled with the limited number of possessions per game, make it challenging to extract meaningful patterns from the data. This unpredictability is further compounded by the constant evolution of strategies and rule changes, which can render previously effective models obsolete. Compared to other major sports, the NFL plays a relatively small number of games, both in the regular season and the playoffs. This limited dataset poses significant challenges for analysts seeking to develop accurate predictive models. Moreover, the changing nature of the game, with evolving strategies and rule modifications, can render previously effective metrics obsolete. To address the data limitations, analysts can turn to simulation techniques. By running thousands of simulated games, it's possible to generate synthetic data that can supplement the real-world data and improve the accuracy of predictive models. Simulation can help to create a larger dataset, allowing analysts to explore more complex relationships between variables and develop more robust models. When working with limited data, there's always the risk of overfitting models to noise or assigning undue importance to metrics that have little impact on the outcome of the game. This is particularly true in football, where the unpredictability of the game can make it difficult to distinguish between meaningful patterns and random fluctuations. It's crucial to approach data analysis with a critical eye and to continually validate the effectiveness of key predictors. The challenges faced in NFL analytics, such as limited data and the unpredictable nature of the game, are not unique to this sport. Many other analytical problems, particularly in fields like finance, healthcare, and social sciences, also involve dealing with small datasets, complex systems, and the need to predict future events based on limited information. For instance, financial analysts may struggle to predict stock market trends due to the volatile nature of the market and the limited historical data available. Similarly, healthcare researchers may face challenges in developing accurate disease prediction models due to the complexity of human biology and the limited availability of patient data. By understanding the challenges and techniques used in NFL analytics, researchers in other fields can gain valuable insights and apply similar approaches to their own problems. Key Takeaways for Applying Analytics to Football Embrace the challenge of limited data:  The NFL's unique characteristics present a formidable obstacle for data analysts. Utilize simulations to augment data:  Synthetic data generated through simulations can help overcome the limitations of real-world data. Continuously validate key metrics:  As the game evolves, it's crucial to regularly assess the effectiveness of predictive metrics. By understanding these challenges and leveraging innovative approaches, data analysts can continue to contribute to the fascinating world of NFL analytics and help teams make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty and, when applied more generally, other challenging business decisions. #NFL #NFLanalytics #Sportsanalytics #footballseason #NFL2024 #DataAnalytics #PredictTheGame Walt DeGrange Walt DeGrange is the Senior Director of Analytics  here at CANA. You can contact Walt via email at wdegrange@canallc.com   or on Linkedin .

In today’s busy business world, it’s easy to get caught up in numbers and targets, but we must not overlook the importance of workplace culture—the true heart of any organization. A positive culture impacts everything from employee happiness to overall success. When employees connect with their workplace culture, they feel valued and engaged, leading to lower turnover rates. This not only saves time and money but also helps retain experienced talent. In a competitive job market, candidates are increasingly looking for more than just a paycheck; they want to join a company that shares their values and passions. A strong, positive culture becomes a magnet for top talent. Moreover, a healthy workplace culture inspires collaboration and innovation. When employees feel trusted and empowered, they’re more motivated to perform at their best. Even in times of conflict, a culture built on respect and open communication allows for quicker, constructive resolutions. Employees are more willing to voice their concerns, which helps maintain a harmonious work environment. A vibrant culture also promotes diversity and inclusion, enriching ideas and solutions. HR plays a crucial role in fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Additionally, a culture that prioritizes integrity helps organizations comply with laws and regulations, reducing risks and building trust within the team and with external partners. Change is a constant in the business landscape, whether through new strategies or technologies. A strong workplace culture can help employees embrace these changes with confidence, fostering adaptability and resilience. Finally, organizations known for their positive cultures often enjoy strong reputations, attracting loyal customers and partners. A good reputation not only enhances brand loyalty but also positions the company as a preferred choice in the market. In conclusion, workplace culture is not just a buzzword; it’s essential for success. By investing in a positive culture, HR can create an environment where employees thrive, innovation flourishes, and businesses succeed. Let’s embrace the power of culture and work towards creating workplaces where everyone can truly shine! #work placeculture   #WFH   #CANA   #HR   #HRAnalyst   #humanresources   #HRTips  #workculture Megan Randolph is our Human Resource Analyst here are CANA. If you would like to get in touch with Megan, you can do so at mrandolph@canallc.com   or on   Linkedin .

THIS IS HOW CANA DOES SUMMERTIME ☀️ You know the saying, "Work Hard, Play Hard"? Here at CANA, we excel in that arena! CANA values work-life balance to keep our team refreshed, motivated, and inspired. CANAers are embracing sunny days with activities like fishing, DJing, off-roading, and more this summer. Here's to a summer filled with fun, relaxation, and great memories! Check out some photos from our CANAers and their summer activities below 😎 Not only have CANAers been having fun in the sun on their own time, but the Business Operations team also had the opportunity to meet up in person for a mini offsite in Pennsylvania! The Biz Ops team had a great time working together face to face while enjoying the beautiful views of Seven Springs Mountain Resort  and quality time together. They even went down the infamous Alpine Slide! As we go back to working together virtually, we are forever grateful for the times we are able to get together in person. Check out some photos from the offsite below! CANA IS HIRING! BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THINGS CANA!