This is a work of fiction-based-on fact (roman a' clef). The author draws on his fifty plus years of experience in many aerospace companies. Not Invented Here (NIH) tells the stories in an entertaining manner of the post WW II of several aerospace companies that has now been integrated into the two and a half aerospace giants listed on Wall Street.
This book is filled with political, technical, financial and management insights. The related episodes of romance bring realism to the main characters life experiences.
The lead character, Ben, and the rest of his "team", are real, down-to-earth men, complete with family problems, a real-life lifestyle, and problems in the workplace. After completing his WW II duty as a Naval Aviator, Ben begins his aerospace industrial career. When the Moon Mission is ordained by President Kennedy, he becomes a major contributor to his company being awarded the program. He and his "team" work to streamline the management of divisions of his large aerospace employer and together, they come up with many innovative projects for military aircraft, missiles, commercial air transports and management techniques.
Along with being a great read, these stories will give much insight to present day entrepreneurs and managers as to ways they can improve their own techniques.
Shapiro was a senior manager for over forty plus years. His varying degrees of expertise, in many industries and fields, stem from diverse technical and management positions. These required him to always be on the leading edge of technology and marketing strategies.
After directing departments in major corporations, he became a Proposal and Program Manager for Contel's federal Systems. Here he managed the design and installation of the first sites for the U. S. Drug Interdiction Communication Network just prior to his retirement, when GTE acquired Contel. Prior to that, he worked for North American Aviation (prior to and after) they "bought" Rockwell, and the Hughes, Douglas, Boeing, Piasaki/Vertol Aircraft companies, as well as Tracor and Sanders Corporations.
In addition, Shapiro formed and operated two companies of his own and partners, and was a consultant for Contel, ITT, TRW, Systems and Applied Sciences, Ketron, Gargoyles, Proximity, ASI International, Timoney LTD, and SCI.
During the investigation of the TWA 800 explosion, he was featured in several segments on ABC News. In one segment, he recalled a related study he and his missile counter-measures company, Sanders Associates (now a part of Lockheed Martin), performed for the U.S. Air Force before they took delivery of the first Jumbo Jet Air Force One for President Reagan.
David is currently semi-retired and lives in Gainesville Virginia, with his wife, Marilyn. He is on the Board of Directors of several hi-tech businesses and still loves consulting, as well as having a sequel to NIH, and another novel as a work in progress.
