Latest Air Force Scandal
Has Ex-TV Producer Sweatin’
The man at the center of the latest Air Force scandal - in which the FBI is investigating allegations that the service’s highest-ranking officers steered a $50 million contract to a friend’s company - could be in serious trouble.
Ed Shipley, a Navy veteran and former TV producer, is the president of Pennsylvania-based Strategic Message Solutions (SMS).
Soon after retired Air Force general Hal Hornburg joined SMS, top-ranking officials reportedly steered the contract to the company to produce a video promotion accompanying the Thunderbirds air show. That’s despite the fact that its bid was $25 million higher than a competing proposal.
Now, those officials - General T. Michael Moseley, the senior uniformed official in the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Maj. Gen. Stephen Goldfein - are being probed by both the FBI and the Pentagon’s internal inspectors.
But maybe Shipley should be punished for an earlier crime: producing and directing those awful “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” videos by Richard Simmons. From 1988 to 1992, Shipley collaborated with the manic fitness legend on his popular workout videos. During one episode, in which Shipley was driving Simmons to the airport, the fitness guru embarrassed Shipley by falling to the carpet and grabbing his feet, sobbing “Don’t leave me, Ed!”
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4 Responses to “Latest Air Force Scandal
Has Ex-TV Producer Sweatin’”
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May 20th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Ed Shipley was never in the military. You should check your facts. Maybe you should read the Air Force Times…it is at least more balanced. Why don’t you check and see if the protesting company was even remotely in the running? Why not see if there were higher priced companies than Shipley’s company. I’m sure other companies bid but they don’t seem to be filing a protest. Repeating bad journalism is pretty shoddy…Althought the Richard Simmons comment was funny.
June 9th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
In response to the comment, yes, SRO was in the running and there were higher and lower bids. As one of the losing bidders with intimate knowledge of the protest, the protester and the other bidders, this RFP had early warnings of favoritism even before the RFP was published.
However, most of us didn’t have the energy or the 60k for a GAO law firm to engage in the protest. Luckily, SRO had a producer who was former law student (someone with the guts) and angry enough to follow through with the protest. And they are dead on with every allegation.
After spending $15,000 to produce all the required material for this bid, you bet we’re mad.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Mr. Shipley is berated for running a successful company. No where do you mention what the contract was for. Might that be because Mr. Shipley, solely developed the concept for a multi-media air show, or perhaps it would require you to mention the one million dollars worth of previously completed work for this contract the Air Force owes to SMS. Your failure to consider facts leaves you smelling like the workout towels of one of Mr. Simon’s tapes.
September 30th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I was fortunate to meet Ed Shipley years ago at an airshow in Hamilton Ontario Canada. I have had the pleasure of enjoying Ed’s airshow participation many times over the years. Ed has always been a gentleman.
I just got back from “The Gathering of the Mustangs and Legends” in Columbus. The video work done by Ed’s company was first rate. I have never seen anything so professional at an airshow. Large TV screens to compliment the actual show. First rate work. It certainly would have alos complimented the wonderful Thunderbirds. Ed has expertise in the airshow business and is highly respected.