NCS’ CEO to retire

The National Center for Simulation (NCS) announced that itspresident and CEO, Thomas Baptiste, is retiring effective April 1, 2019. NCSChief Operating Officer George Cheros is named interim president and chiefexecutive officer to oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Baptiste was hired in January 2010 and throughout his tenurewas a recognized and convincing voice for Modeling, Simulation and Training(MS&T) in the Central Florida region, as well as across the state andthroughout the nation. Under his leadership, NCS chaired the Metro OrlandoDefense Task Force, which includes the University of Central Florida, OrlandoEconomic Partnership, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Orange County,the City of Orlando and the Central Florida Research Park Authority. This taskforce galvanized the community to secure funding from the state legislature, soUCF could expand the John Hitt Partnership Complex by acquiring an additional207,000 square feet of office space to protect and set the conditions forfuture growth of the military simulation industry in Central Florida.

Additionally, under his leadership, NCS developed andlaunched an industry-accredited certification aligned with M&S frameworkand standards, which were also developed by NCS in conjunction with teachersand other industry professionals. These were successfully executed in Floridabefore being offered and extended across the country.

NCS Board of Directors Chairman Brian Holmes will convene asearch committee to consider candidates for the position. The board isfinalizing details regarding the CEO search and will post related informationto the NCS website no later than March 1, 2019.