Miriam Plachta
About Miriam Plachta
Miriam Plachta serves as a Program Manager at Smiths Detection in Washington, D.C., where she has worked since 2011. With a background in security studies and extensive experience in program management, she has successfully led significant contracts and initiatives in the field of chemical detection and transportation security.
Work at Smiths Detection
Miriam Plachta has been employed at Smiths Detection since 2011, currently serving as a Program Manager in Washington, D.C. Over her tenure, she has held various roles, including Program Analyst for Federal Programs from 2008 to 2011 and Programs Process Manager for a brief period in 2011. In her current role, she manages significant contracts and projects, contributing to the company's objectives in security technology.
Education and Expertise
Miriam Plachta holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University, which she completed between 2009 and 2010. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, focusing on Regional and Comparative Studies: Western Europe and South Asia, from 2003 to 2007. Additionally, she studied Politische Wissenschaft at Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München from 2005 to 2006. Her educational background supports her expertise in security and program management.
Background
Before joining Smiths Detection, Miriam Plachta worked as a Consultant for the DHS Transportation Security Administration at Kadix Systems from 2007 to 2008. Her career at Smiths Detection began as a Program Analyst, where she contributed to federal programs before advancing to her current position as Program Manager. This progression highlights her experience in program management and security technology.
Achievements
Miriam Plachta has managed key projects, including the development of an air sampling system for a chemical detector under a $1.8M contract with the US Technical Support Working Group. In September 2013, she was selected to oversee a ten-month $9.2M contract with the US Transportation Security Administration for Bottled Liquid Scanners. She also achieved revenue and margin targets for contracts with the British and Japanese Ministries of Defense, totaling approximately $5M in 2013.
Project Management Experience
In her role at Smiths Detection, Miriam Plachta has led strategic initiatives, including developing a strategy for future chemical agent detection business. This involved aligning efforts across various projects, including two classified testing contracts totaling $733K and securing over $1M in Internal Research and Development funds. Her project management experience is evident in her ability to handle complex contracts and coordinate team efforts effectively.