AFRL/RX recognizes annual awards winners

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recognized its top performers during the 58th Annual AFRL awards recognition luncheon at the Hope Hotel here Jan. 14.

Stephen Shapiro, a motivational speaker and a past-president for the New England Chapter of the National Speakers Association delivered the keynote. Dr. Katherine A. Stevens, director for the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, presented the awards.

The Charles J. Cleary Scientific Achievement Award, recognizing scientific achievement at all levels of the directorate, was bestowed upon Dr. Michael Caton for his independent individual research contributions in the area of small crack growth of metallic materials. Dr. Caton's nomination noted "his research has uncovered dramatic microstructural behavioral influences that are fundamentally needed to support the Integrated Computational Materials Science and Engineering framework in metallic materials."

Receiving the Engineering Expertise Award, for demonstrating outstanding engineering expertise in providing a rapid technology solution to meet an urgent operational need, was Jay Jira. Mr. Jira was recognized for his applied engineering expertise in gas turbine engine sustainment and modeling, which combined with his initiative and responsiveness, significantly impacted the readiness of the Air Force's F-16 and F-15 fighter aircraft fleets.

T he International Award, for contributions which leverage multi-national opportunities that benefit the directorate's priority research areas, went to Dr. Paul Fleitz, an internationally recognized technology leader and an expert in light manipulation and infrared countermeasures. He orchestrated and conducted the first ever joint U.S./U.K. field testing of protected Mid-Wave Infrared Focal Plane Array detectors in the United Kingdom.

Jennifer Brown received the R. Lee Kennard Science and Technology Manufacturing Heritage Award, recognizing outstanding performance and accomplishments in establishing a world-class manufacturing and industrial base capability. Ms. Brown received this for leading the Seal Extrusion Development and Demonstration program, and overcoming challenges associated with access panel treatments on low observable/stealth aircraft.

Dr. Jaimie Tiley received the Program Management Award, which recognizes significant contributions in helping achieve the best value for the government through effective management of a technical program. Dr. Tiley earned the award for his "phenomenal management of the Institute for Science and Engineering Simulation Program." He developed and led the $11 million program, leveraging support for Integrated Computational Materials Science and Engineering.

Mark Schmitt received the Supervisor Excellence Award, given to individuals who ensure employees under their direction have the training, tools, and materials needed to carry out their duties while embracing Air Force core values. Mr. Schmitt was noted as a "mission-driven leader, who provided consistent direction as Survivability Materials Advanced Development section chief during times of change and uncertainty. "

The Vincent J. Russo Award , honoring outstanding performance and accomplishments in the management and leadership of activities, people or organizations went to Doug Carter. He was honored for work as the directorate's lead for low observable maintainability, developing and transitioning solutions to Air Combat Command and Global Strike Command.

Traci Haerr received the Mission Support Award, which recognizes significant individual contributions in a mission support role. She was cited as the Metals Branch's "bellwether, having made outstanding impacts to the mission and morale as a trusted force in the branch financial officer position," and as the "go-to" person to solve mission-related issues.

The Advanced Mission Support Award recognizes 'higher grade' individual contributions in a mission support role and was presented to Jeffrey Conroy. With only one year of government service, Mr. Conroy was cited for "ability to get things done like a seasoned buyer. He has awarded an astounding 47 separate contract actions valued at over $34 million, and has aggressively resolved issues on another $85 million in ongoing contracts to keep them on track."

The Nonconforming Titanium Team earned the Director's Team Award, which acknowledges significant contributions that have had an impact on the directorate and the Air Force. The team of Dr. Jeffrey Calcaterra, John Brausch, Dr. Lawrence Butkus, and Steven Thompson provided "world-class materials and processing leadership to a project aimed at identifying and mitigating risks associated with improperly processed titanium in the DoD supply chain."

There were two winners for the Director's Junior Workforce Award, which recognizes contributions by a junior workforce member that have had a significant impact on the directorate's credibility and image. 1st Lt. Ryan Thompson exhibited "excellent understanding of the manufacturing discipline and has the ability to identify manufacturing risks and associated mitigations." Dr. Augustine Urbas collaboratively defined and technically led the directorate's Applied Metamaterials program and promoted new research directions interacting with other directorates and the Army.

The Director's Individual Award honors one individual for significant contributions to the directorate's image and for accomplishments that have had a significant impact on the Air Force. Walter Johnson received this award based on an accumulation of significant professional achievements in Rugate coatings. "A national technical asset, he single-handedly revolutionized the optical coatings technical field."

Capt James Shields received the Director's Military Award, which recognizes a military member's achievements, duty performance and overall contributions to the directorate's mission. He was nominated for being a proactive, inspirational and strategic leader who led a 48-member, $6.8 million program that developed a tagging, tracking and locating materials in support of Air Force Special Operations Command.

Receiving the Robert T. Schwartz Engineering Achievement Award, which recognizes the most outstanding materials or processing engineering achievements, was the Common O-Level Tester (COLT) Evaluation Team of David Johnson, Steven Gerken and Michael Manders. This team investigated reliability and availability problems impacting COLT, which is the primary tester used to certify B-2 and F-2 stores management systems for mission readiness.