This letter provides a strong recommendation for Joseph Insalaco from his supervisor Mary Wade. Wade has known Insalaco for many years as both a colleague and friend at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, where Insalaco worked as a skilled microbiologist and molecular biologist. Wade describes Insalaco as having an excellent work ethic, being highly reliable, and always eager to take on more responsibilities. Wade believes Insalaco would be a valuable asset and team player for any new organization. The letter expresses regret that budget cuts necessitated Insalaco's departure from ECBC, but assurance that his skills will allow him to contribute greatly elsewhere.

1. Printed on Recycled Paper
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
US ARMY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING COMMAND
EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
5183 BLACKHAWK ROAD
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010-5424
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
From: Branch Chief, Detection Spectrometry Branch, Physical Sciences Division,
Edgewood Chemical Biological Center R&T Directorate
Subject: Recommendation for Mr. Joseph Insalaco
It has been a privilege to have worked with Joe Insalaco for many years at the Edgewood
Chemical Biological Center. At ECBC I have known Joe as both a colleague and friend, as well
as serving as his government supervisor and Principle Investigator. I have known Joe since
January of 2004 at which time I was hired at ECBC and Joe was already a researcher employed
at the center. Joining the branch that Joe served on, I quickly gravitated towards Joe and counted
on him for the experience he had already gained at ECBC that I lacked. Joe was a tremendous
help to me, “showing me the ropes” at a new facility with a very steep learning curve for new
employees, especially those new to the government. Joe was always eager to help, eager to share
his knowledge and experience and always expressed a very consistent positive personality
towards me and other colleagues.
At ECBC, Joe was assigned to work on various projects I was leading and he worked on
projects of mine for many years. I found Joe to be an invaluable asset both in and out of the
laboratory. Joe quickly became my lead technician in the laboratory, overseeing multiple lab
workers. Joe is a very skilled microbiologist and molecular biologist conducting operations in
BSL2 and BSL3 environments with both surety and non-surety agents during the time he served
on my projects. He led the daily lab operations for programs involving detection of biological
agents and toxins as well as persistence of those agents in the environment. He helped with all
aspects of the projects from test plan development, execution and data analysis. He always
worked very well with his fellow lab mates, being extremely courteous, reliable and informative
on a daily basis.
On both a personal and professional note, Joe is a self-starter with one of the best work
ethics I have ever seen. He is honest, hard working and always eager to expand his capabilities
and contributions on a team. He is someone I think anyone would find quickly to be a team
player and most importantly someone you can count on in word and deed. I have the utmost
respect for Joe as he is someone with a wide breadth of experience from serving our Nation as a
soldier for approximately a decade to laboratory work as a scientist at ECBC, to program
specialist with JPEO and most recently as a trainer with our Advanced CBRNE Training Team.
Joe has very strong communication skills that are demonstrated when interacting with his
colleagues or communicating up the chain or outside the organization. He is easy to get along
with and is very enthusiastic about the work that he performs. As his government PI and
supervisor, Joe always kept himself engaged in work and was very proactive and many times
came to me asking to do “more”.
It is sincerely without reservation that I would recommend Joe Insalaco for employment
outside our center. It is sad that budget cuts have led to the loss of such a knowledgeable and
skilled individual, but I am certain someone as skilled as Joe will have no issues contributing in a
variety of ways to a new organization. Please do not hesitate to call me if you would like more
information or have any questions.

2. Sincerely,
Mary Wade, Ph.D.
Branch Chief, Detection Spectrometry, PhysicalSciences Division
US Army RDECOM – ECBC
5183 Blackhawk Rd
Bldg E3160, Rm 5 (RDCB-DRD-I)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5424
Office: 410-436-9077
Blackberry: 443-307-3416