Q: How long have you been involved with The Open Group? 
About 7 years.

Q. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it? 
I’m striving to improve interoperability within and between Air Force weapons systems and avionics through use of open standards and modular architectures. I’ve been pursuing this particular line of work in various positions for about 9 years.  I have over 34 years of military and government service in electrical/electronics engineering, along with a few years of contractor experience.

Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Open Group SOSA™ Consortium and what does your involvement look like? 
 I started participating in the FACE™ consortium in 2012 and aided with the incubation of the SOSA effort.  My involvement ratcheted up with the formal establishment of the SOSA Consortium in 2017, when AFLCMC became a founding sponsor-level member.  I serve on the steering committee and chair the Business Working Group for the SOSA Consortium.

Q: How has membership in The Open Group benefited you, your organization and the industry at large? 
It provides us a unique capability for reaching industry members outside the traditional defense enclaves.  It also gives us a vendor-neutral environment to hear more ideas and opinions than we do through our traditional processes.  Industry can gain a better understanding of government concerns and priorities.  Personally, I have grown in understanding of business models and industry drivers.

Q: What contributions do you hope to bring to The Open Group?
AFLCMC is providing contracted efforts to prove and mature the standard as we provide risk reduction to future adopting programs.

Q: Why is it important for other organizations to join The Open Group? 
Truly unique opportunity to reach and work with organizations and companies around the world for the betterment of all!

Q: What are your hobbies?
Shooting, computer repair, and financial coaching.

Q: What book are you currently reading?
I just finished “Everyday Millionaires” by Chris Hogan

Q. What social networks do you belong to?
LinkedIn for work, Facebook and Twitter for personal use.

Q: Any last thoughts?
I’m very thankful for the hard work of the many dedicated employees of The Open Group that have helped me on this journey.

John C. Bowling is an Air Force senior civilian electronics engineer serving as Technical Expert for Avionics Architectures and Interoperability in the Engineering and Technical Management/Services directorate of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC).  AFLCMC acquires aircraft, weapons and electronics systems to provide airmen the ongoing ability to “Fly, Fight and Win!”  Mr. Bowling’s role encompasses participation in standards bodies, aircraft program office support and technical support to the airworthiness process. He advises programs on open architecture and interoperability requirements and methods throughout the acquisition lifecycle.  He has participated in the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) consortium, the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) consortium and in the Open Mission Systems (OMS) Collaborative Working Group (CWG).  Mr. Bowling serves on the steering committees for both the FACE™ and SOSA™ consortiums and chairs the SOSA Business Working Group.  Having served 25 years on active duty prior to his civilian service, Mr. Bowling has garnered significant, broad experience in Air Force, joint and allied standards, communications, electronics, avionics, interoperability, and networking.