ECS Celebrates 23rd Anniversary by Giving Back to Local Communities

Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) observed its 23rd anniversary on May 12th quietly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its offices were closed as most team members worked from home in observance of Stay at Home orders issued in Florida, Alabama, Texas, and other parts of the world. At the company’s April All-Hands meeting held via Zoom, the team decided that, rather than celebrating the milestone with a party upon reopening, they preferred to give back to those affected by the pandemic.

Waymon Armstrong, ECS CEO/President, explains: “The modeling, simulation and training industry was considered an essential business due to our work supporting the military and first responders. ECS has been blessed to not only continue working, but also to be awarded new contracts throughout these challenging times. Because we have been so fortunate, we feel that it is critical to give back to those who may need assistance.”

ECS contributes its resources and finances throughout the year to various local and professional organizations, however, in light of these unprecedented times, they wanted to find additional meaningful opportunities to commemorate their anniversary.

As one of the first businesses in the Central Florida MS&T community to support the COVID-19 Response Scholarship Fund, coordinated by the National Center for Simulation, ECS also publicly challenged other MS&T small businesses via social media to join them in supporting this initiative, which will assist students who have been affected by the virus.

ECS is offering its Emergency Management Staff Trainer (EMST) to any government agency at no charge to assist with hurricane preparedness training during these challenging times. Used to train First Responders and agencies providing assistance related to Hurricane Katrina, this virtual trainer includes hurricane preparedness and emergency scenarios to assist First Responders, individuals, teams, and multiple agencies working together with hurricane preparedness training.

At ECS headquarters in Orlando, Florida, the team chose to contribute to Feed the Need Florida, which is part of the 4 Roots Foundation. Based in Central Florida, this organization provides meals to local children and their families in need.

In addition, ECS is contributing to Lift Orlando, an organization created to close the gaps created by under-investment in the Communities of West Lake. This group of business and community leaders is working together to assist the West Lake residents through these difficult times.

In Huntsville, Alabama, the team chose to provide meals to families that were unemployed or homeless due to COVID 19 via the Food Bank of North Alabama.

To give back to the San Antonio, TX community, the team worked with BG Wendy L. Harter, Commanding General at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) to donate the 100 meals to military service members and first responders at BAMC/San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC).

Several ECS team members have family members working in healthcare, as first responders, and in the military. Office Manager Allison Goldenberg identified an immediate need in March and began sewing masks using supplies purchased by ECS while also working from home. She has been sharing the masks with team members and their families and also sending them to her sister who is stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico to distribute to military service members and their families.

Mick Golson, ECS COO adds: “One of our ECS core values is the word Inspiring, which to us means being motivated to make a difference. Our team collectively decided that we wanted to help those who have been affected by COVID-19 and we are very proud of this decision.”