Staff Resumes
John R. Cannon, Ph.D.
Biographical Sketch
Current Position:
Education:
Executive Vice President
Ph.D., Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo
John Cannon has more than 30 years of experience in human services, Instructional Systems
Design, management systems development, and human performance improvement. He has
worked for Human Technology (HT) for the past 28 years. During this time, he has overseen
the successful completion of all HT projects and has personally managed over 100 projects.
In his role as project manager, Dr. Cannon helped the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
pioneer the use of cognitive task analysis methodologies. Dr. Cannon currently serves as
HT’s internal consultant on research methodology and experimental design.
Prior to joining HT, Dr. Cannon was on the faculty of the College of Human Development at
the Pennsylvania State University. He has also taught human resource development courses
at the American International College and Marymount University. He has published more
than 100 articles, monographs, technical reports, and books.
Recent Relevant Experience
Currently advising HT staff on the design and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation
study on the effectiveness of the U.S. Customs Service e-Learning pilot program. The data
collection methods include web-based instruments, telephone surveys, and focus groups.
Currently serving as an advisor to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian
Wildlife Service on experimental design, research methods, statistical analysis, and program
evaluation. Developed computer-simulation models to project the viability of endangered
species and interpreted the results for action planning. Worked with scientists to identify
biological and social values to be incorporated in decision models for planning and
evaluation.
Provided technical input to the HT staff on the research methods and statistical content
presented in a 30-hour web-based course titled, Evaluation of Training for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Served as an internal consultant to the HT team on the design of the workload assessment and
human resource planning project for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The project will establish a reporting system and baseline data for estimating human resource
needs.
Designed sampling strategies and data analysis methods for four FEMA survey research
projects in which data were collected from disaster victims, local officials, and State officials.
Assisted the Conservation Biology Institute (CBI), a private nonprofit organization for largescale conservation planning, to clarify its mission and strategic direction. Worked with staff
and board members to realign and reengineer CBI’s internal management practices to achieve
the organization’s mission. This intervention has improved both the organization’s
effectiveness and its operating efficiency.
Revised: February 2001
Staff Resumes
Recent Relevant Experience
John R. Cannon, Ph.D. (page 2)
Consulted with HT staff on the design and implementation of leadership, management, and/or
supervisory needs assessments for more than 25 organizations, including such clients as:
Defense Acquisition Corps, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice,
FAA’s Senior Executive Service, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Designed methodologies used for data collection and analysis in usability studies conducted
on web-based training products developed for FEMA, the Defense Acquisition University,
and the Department of Education.
Conducted survey research on the instructional practices used to train conservation biologists
in human interaction skills for the University of Maryland. Used the survey results to help
formulate curriculum materials for graduate education.
Designed consulting methodologies and evaluation interventions for the University of
Maryland Conservation Problem-Solving Group. These interventions were implemented with
numerous State and Federal conservation agencies.
Consulted with HT staff on business process reengineering methods for the FAA’s Aircraft
Certification Office and Manufacturing Inspection District Office managers. The re-designed
processes included human resource planning and workload reporting.
Selected Publications
Computer Simulations of Possible Futures for Two Flocks of Whooping Cranes. (With C.
Mirande, and the University of Maryland Conservation Biology Problem-Solving Group.)
Proceedings of the 1996 North American Crane Workshop.
Whooping Crane Recovery: A Case Study in Public and Private Cooperation in the
Conservation of Endangered Species. Conservation Biology.
Training Conservation Biologists in Human Interaction Skills. (With J.M. Dietz and L.A.
Dietz.) Conservation Biology.
Cognitive Task Analysis of Expertise in Air Traffic Control. (With T. Seamster, R. Redding,
J. Ryder, and J. Purcell.) International Journal of Aviation Psychology.
Analysis of En Route Air Traffic Controller Team Communication and Controller Resource
Management (CRM). (With T. Seamster, R. Pierce, and R. Redding.) Proceedings of the
Human Factors Society.
Clearances
TOP SECRET, Defense Security Service
References
Tom Stehn, U.S. Whooping Crane Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
361-286-3559
Jim Dietz, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, 301-405-6949
Revised: February 2001