Daniel Koehr
Class of 2022-2023
Catholic University of America, 2014
Civil Engineering Major
Why did you choose ESTEEM?
My passion for entrepreneurship and experience as an engineer and project manager is why I chose ESTEEM. Here, I can combine the two.
As an active-duty Army engineer officer, opportunities for business innovation are rare. ESTEEM provides the chance to hone the creative skills and leading-edge thinking I have not had the chance to perfect. The opportunity to immediately and directly apply classroom skills to my side businesses is invaluable.
What is your Capstone Project and why are you excited about it?
The U.S. Navy’s fighter jets are some of our country’s most expensive and important assets — my brother even flies in one. Helping the Navy to better detect and characterize any debris that enters those critical jet engines is why I am thrilled for my capstone project.
I’ll be working with Vital View Technologies on its Polarization Mode Dispersion RF sensor, developed by the University of Notre Dame’s own Dr. Tom Pratt, which does just this.
The Foreign Object Damage (FOD) System-of-Systems Approach (SOSA) prototype enables the integration of multiple sensor suites, automation, and data logistics, fusion, and analysis. We hope to help integrate it into the Navy’s systems and cut down maintenance diagnostic time to improve the force’s readiness — which is very important to keeping our military strong.
I am eager to work alongside the University, Vital View Technologies, and Naval Air Systems Command to find this game-changing tech’s best application. I also am eager to learn more about the military’s acquisition processes.
What do you hope to do after ESTEEM?
After ESTEEM, I will return to the active-duty Army and work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. To remain high caliber, the Corps always needs leaders with inventive approaches and process modernization plans — and I hope to be the man for the job.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to play sports, volunteer, and ride my motorcycle on long distance trips. The winding Skyline Drive through Virginia’s Shenandoah mountains is my favorite place to be.