NEWS EXTRA

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Saturday Space Sight: Female U-2 Pilot Blazes Trail Through Society, Space

Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal receives a maintenance check on her full pressure suit by Senior Airman Garret McNeely in preparation to take flight in a U-2 Feb. 9, 2015 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  Tengesdal is the 9th Reconnaissance Wing inspector general and a U-2 pilot. McNeely is a 9th Physiological Support Squadron aerospace physiology technician.

ASSIGNMENTS / APPOINTMENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

SOURCE:  Volkswagen of America

Volkswagen Reports New Records in Unit Sales, Sales Revenue and Earnings in Fiscal Year 2014

• Sales revenue up 2.8 percent year-on-year to EUR 202.5 billion; negative exchange rate effects, particularly in the first half of 2014
• Operating profit rises by EUR 1 billion to EUR 12.7 billion; positive impact from volume and mix effects as well as optimized product costs
• Earnings before tax amount to EUR 14.8 billion (EUR 12.4 billion); equity accounted profit of the Chinese joint ventures exceeds the high prior year figure 
• Net liquidity in Automotive Division increases to EUR 17.6 billion(EUR 16.9 billion)
• Dividend proposed to increase to EUR 4.80 per ordinary share (EUR 4.00) and EUR 4.86 per preferred share (EUR 4.06)

Wolfsburg – The Volkswagen Group improved its earnings strength again in 2014 and continued along its qualitative growth path despite major economic challenges. With sales revenue of EUR 202.5 billion (previous year: EUR 197.0 billion) and an Operating profit of EUR 12.7 billion (EUR 11.7 billion), the Group generated new record highs. This was announced by Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft this Friday on conclusion of the Supervisory Board meeting.

The operating margin improved to 6.3 percent (5.9 percent), reaching the upper end of the forecast range of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent. The Group’s profit before tax increased to EUR 14.8 billion (EUR 12.4 billion), while the return on sales before tax rose from 6.3 percent to 7.3 percent. The equity-accounted profit of the Chinese joint ventures exceeded the high prior-year figure. The activities of the Chinese joint ventures have always been accounted for in the financial result using the equity method and are therefore not included in the Group’s sales revenue and operating profit.

“We can look back on the past fiscal year with satisfaction: despite the difficult economic environment, we achieved our goals for 2014. At the same time, our forward-looking efficiency program “Future Tracks” has laid the groundwork that will enable us to continue our successful trajectory with all our strength”, said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, in Wolfsburg.

Profit after tax came in at EUR 11.1 billion (EUR 9.1 billion). Net cash flow in the Automotive Division increased by EUR 1.7 billion to EUR 6.1 billion thanks to the robust business model.

Net liquidity in the Automotive Division rose to EUR 17.6 billion (EUR 16.9 billion) as of yearend 2014.

In light of the successful fiscal year, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will be proposing to the Annual General Meeting to increase the dividend by 20 percent to EUR 4.80 (EUR 4.00) per ordinary share and EUR 4.86 (EUR 4.06) per preferred share. This would result in a distribution ratio of 21.2 percent (20.6 percent). The medium-term distribution target is 30 percent.

The Board of Management expects Group deliveries to increase moderately in full-year 2015 and, depending on economic conditions, Group sales revenue to increase by up to 4 percent year-on-year. In terms of the Group’s Operating profit, Volkswagen is forecasting an operating return on sales of between 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent in light of the challenging economic environment.

“Given the subdued growth prospects in regions outside China, there is no guarantee that 2015 will be a successful year – either for the industry or for the Volkswagen Group. Continuing political uncertainty, strong currency fluctuations and tough environments in markets such as Russia and Brazil present major challenges for the Volkswagen Group this year as well. In light of this, the scenarios underlying our forecast are based on conservative assumptions. Nevertheless, our goal is not only to increase our volumes, but also to lift sales revenue and earnings again”, said Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Pötsch, adding that “The continuing high liquidity and our robust financial position give us the necessary flexibility to successfully implement our Strategy 2018”.

New York / Wolfsburg – Volkswagen Group of America and The Museum of Modern Art team up to create groundbreaking audio component for MoMA’s Bjork retrospective

• Global museum debut for pioneering augmented audio guide
• Customized audio experience for each visitor
• Functionality based on Volkswagen technology

Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) has partnered with The Museum of Modern Art to create a first-ever augmented audio guide as an integral part of Björk, a retrospective of the Icelandic artist and musician Björk, opening at MoMA on March 8, 2015.

The augmented audio guide provides an intimate sound experience customized by each visitor, developed through a collaborative research program between MoMA, Björk, the VWGoA Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Silicon Valley, California, and the German sound agencies Klangerfinder and S12. Volkswagen Group of America collaborated on development of a suite of advanced audio technologies working with a range of international collaborators, helping MoMA to achieve the creative vision for the show.

The innovative technology is based on the application “Sound Journey” developed by Volkswagen, which generates a personalized sound track using data gathered from driver inputs such as rate

of acceleration/deceleration, steering angle of the steering wheel, and vehicle speed. With Sound Journey as a platform, the augmented audio guide for the Björk retrospective creates a 3D listening experience by building on the combination of signal processing, location-based trigger points, and movements of each individual visitor to create a customizable experience for each visitor of the exhibit.

The sophisticated Björk audio guide software uses Bluetooth® signals emitted from transmitters that are seamlessly integrated into the design of the exhibition, location information, and a tracker that monitors the head movement to provide the visitor with a unique experience. The specially developed music and narrative content was composed and created by Björk and the Icelandic author Sjón, and directed and narrated by the Icelandic actress and storyteller Margrét Vilhjámsdóttir.

Volkswagen Group of America is supporting the exhibition as part of a multi-year partnership with MoMA and MoMA PS1.

Tina Unterländer, Head of Operations, Volkswagen Group of America Electronics Research Laboratory in Belmont, California, explains: “Just as Björk’s work revolutionized the world of music, the team at the ERL strives daily to delight our customers by creating experiences supported by new breakthrough innovations. We are grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with Bjork to develop a new pioneering form of augmented audio technology that will provide MoMA visitors with an unparalleled 3D audio experience unlike any other.”

“Our goal was to create a personalized experience of the narrative for our visitors,” said Klaus Biesenbach, Chief Curator-at-Large at MoMA and Director of MoMA PS1, who is organizing the exhibition. “The exhibition’s augmented audio guide marries scientific research with sound and music composition to create an immersive experience. We were thrilled to collaborate with our partners at VW, and their Electronic Research Lab, and to benefit from their innovative technology.

Volkswagen Chattanooga’s Plant Expansion Underway

Construction Will Add 2^nd Vehicle Line: New Midsize SUV

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Construction is underway at the Volkswagen Chattanooga manufacturing facility in preparation for production of an all new Midsize SUV. The first phase of construction started in early January 2015 and will continue for the next two years.  Volkswagen Chattanooga CEO and President Christian Koch gave a site tour to Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger on Tuesday, highlighting the necessary expansion of the production areas in the body shop, paint shop and assembly areas.

“This is a very exciting time in the history of Volkswagen Chattanooga,” said Christian Koch, CEO and president of Volkswagen Chattanooga, “A lot of hard work is going into adding this second vehicle line to the plant, but it is crucial to our efforts to move forward in America.”

 A total of 512,886 square feet will be added to the already existing plant. The assembly, body and paint shops will each undergo a major expansion to accommodate the new SUV line.

“The all-new midsize SUV is a vital component in Volkswagen’s growth strategy for the U.S. market, meeting the demands of the customer and dealer network,” said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We’re thrilled that work has begun on the expansion of our US manufacturing home, Volkswagen Chattanooga, the facility that will be responsible for building the midsize SUV and home of the award-winning Passat.”

The body shop will add additional space on the north and south sides of the plant, the assembly shop will expand to the west, and the paint shop will add a complete second automated production line. A new warehouse will also be built at the east side of the plant.

“We’re excited to see the construction under way,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “This means jobs and opportunity for construction workers and vendors over the months to come. Ultimately this brings us closer to the day when Volkswagen will be hiring 2,000 workers to produce their new SUV,” Mayor Coppinger said.

“Not only will Volkswagen’s expansion create thousands of new jobs, it will strengthen their roots in our city,” said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. “From the construction at the plant to the development of a visitors center, there is no doubt that Volkswagen is invested in Chattanooga,” Berke said.

Soon the National Engineering and Planning Center will take up temporary residency in a building adjacent to the factory, as hiring for the more than 200 engineers is now underway.

Headed by Dr. Matthias Erb, the engineering and planning center will serve as a high-level research and development hub and will house product-related functions such as technical scouting, innovation management, and product management.  Also in the planning stages is the Volkswagen Visitor Center, which will be located 18 miles from the factory in Downtown Chattanooga and is set to open in Summer 2016.

Production of the facelifted Passat is scheduled to start in the summer of 2015. The new Midsize SUV, which was assigned to be built by the Chattanooga plant in the summer of 2014, is scheduled to be in production at the end of 2016.

PHOTO(s) OF THE DAY

SOURCE:  Department of Defense /Defense News Lead Photo

AMIYA ALEXANDER NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 100 AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MAKERS BY THEGRIO AND NBC NEWS

SOURCE:  Blacknews.com

Detroit, MI — Dancer and aspiring Obstetrician Amiya Alexander, is the owner of the only dance studio on wheels, Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy. She started her business as a 9-year-old entrepreneur who provides dance training and community programs for all youth. Since the start of her business, Amiya has been featured on the Tyra Banks Show, Disney, CBS News, Fox 2, and The Doctors TV show, just to name a few. Her business has been a true accomplishment. Amiya’s positive attitude and elimination of “can’t in her vocabulary has contributed to her success. Amiya’s entrepreneurial spirit comes from her mother who is a Registered Nurse; she also owns businesses that help the community.

With her mother’s support, Amiya did not allow her age to limit her ability to do everything she set her mind to do. Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy’s mission “is to further the art of dance in an extended cultural community which will provide dance training and community programs for all youth. She targets under privileged youth, who may not have an opportunity to do what they love because of their circumstances. She encourages them to rise above all odds and pursue their dreams. As a role model, many of the participants look up to Amiya and would like to follow in her footsteps. Amiya’s response to her positive influence is, “building the kids self-esteem makes me feel really good because it lets me know that I’m doing something right.

As a result of her doing things right, the doctors on The Doctors TV show donated a $25,000 scholarship and created a website so others can contribute to help Amiya as she strives to go to college to pursue her dreams of being an Obstetrician. Children and teens join Amiya, as she teaches dance in her personal dance studio on her pink dance bus. Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy travels to various communities to bring dance to its participants. The dance bus has festive décor that resembles a hip hop dance studio. Amiya teaches modern, African, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Jazz, Lyrical, and Salsa dance to her eager students. The variety of dance keeps her students intrigued and allows Amiya to reach many age groups and ethnicities.

Amiya has been dancing since the age of two and because it has been her passion for over a decade, she can relate to many of the participants of Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy. This allows the students to feel close to Amiya and creates an atmosphere that cannot be described. This atmosphere is boosted once the families are informed of Amiya’s non-profit company; Rising Stars Dance With Me Program. This program offers scholarships and garments to the underprivileged. It helps them with funds to receive dance lessons and provides leotards, tap shoes, and other gear to ensure the dancer’s success.

Through her dance academy, Amiya has created a fun way to eliminate a serious issue in our community. Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970’s. Between 16% and 33% of children and adolescents in America are considered obese. This means that about 1 out of 3 kids in America are overweight or obese, and the figures keep on growing! The annual cost to society for obesity related conditions is over $100 billion! Not only is obesity expensive but it is life threatening. Being obese or overweight puts many at risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, and other very life threatening costly conditions. Amiya chooses not to stand by and watch it continue. Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy is determined to get as many as possible in physical shape to defeat this epidemic.

At the young age of 16, Amiya is still working hard at maintaining above a 3.0 grade point average at Detroit Country Day School while passionately working to rid her community of obesity. This is an example of her “Academy Accomplishments, which states that “AMDA students are expected to achieve both artistically as well as academically. Not only does she set the goals, but she also meets the goals. As Amiya grows and travels through communities, she inspires children of all ages to be successful! Her genuine spirit and influence on children not only helps the obesity in the community, but also helps the next generation to set high goals and become the leaders of our future. Parents are very pleased with the effect that Amiya has on their children. One of the parents from a class taught by Amiya states, “AMDA has shown my daughter an effective way to spend her energy.  She has been dancing since birth and now has form and structure.  I trust she will pick up some of Amiya’s strengths, character and grace.”

As of today, Amiya is still traveling and effecting communities one by one. As Amiya continues to put God first, her prosperity will continue to increase. Don’t be surprised if Amiya rides by your community just join the fun!