Montgomery named chief, Scientific Software Branch

Published Dec. 5, 2014
Speler Montgomery

Speler Montgomery

VICKSBURG, Miss - Dr. Reed Mosher, director of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, has announced the selection of Speler Montgomery as chief of the Scientific Software Branch. 

Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mississippi College, including a minor in computer science.   She began her career with ERDC in 1993 as a contract student in the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL).  In 1997, she began working as a DynTel Corporation contractor in GSL until she was hired as a federal employee in 2001.

 "I am honored to be selected as the new chief for the Scientific Software Branch.  For me, being a branch chief means I'm working for the people in my branch,” said Montgomery.  “I'm helping them develop their ERDC careers, building stronger employees, and assisting them with whatever is needed to get their project work done. It's all about helping others while enabling them to conduct research and develop innovative solutions that make the world safer and better. I also look forward to collaborating with other ERDC labs."

Montgomery has spent the last 14 years conducting research in the Survivability Engineering Branch of GSL, including algorithm development, scientific programming and software development focusing on weapons effects on structures and structural components. She also has extensive experience in developing survivability decision support tools that aid the military in critical operational support to enable and increase overall force protection. In this position, Speler has served as a work unit manager for several major Army research programs in the Military Engineering and the Environmental Quality and Installations business areas.

She is a 2010 graduate of the ERDC Leadership Development Program and a member of the Association for Computing Machinery, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society of American Military Engineers.

In 2010, Montgomery was selected by the Vicksburg Post as a Top 20 under 40.  The selection cited her leadership skills, helping her organization grow, being a role model and giving back to the community.  She is a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg, where she has served as treasurer, first vice president and president.

Montgomery, married with three children, has also been active in the Beechwood Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA), where she has served as hospitality officer and as treasurer.  She is currently active in the Bovina Elementary PTA and Warren Central High School PTA.