Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Wins AFMC Safety Awards Published Feb. 7, 2011 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate's Safety Program was recently recognized with three 2010 Air Force Materiel Command Safety Awards. The command selected Scott Gurney as the Category II, Outstanding Intermediate Safety Program Manager of the Year, and Larry Dukate as the Category V, Outstanding Safety Representative of the Year. The command also selected the directorate as the Air Force nominee from AFMC for Category V, Geographically Separated Unit Organization award. His recognition package lauded Gurney as being an extraordinary leader who manages a safety program supporting $100 million in in-house research, spanning nine buildings and 273 lab modules. Gurney took charge of the directorate's safety program and guided 22 unit safety representatives in becoming true enablers for advanced, high-tech research. Dukate led and developed a comprehensive division-wide safety and chemical hygiene program applicable to five functional branch offices and multiple laboratories employing a diversified government/contractor workforce. He built a cooperative work environment which improved the effectiveness of the safety inspection process and expedited resolution of safety findings. He also resolved a wide range of unusual safety, chemical, and environmental problems. Colonel Joan M. Cunningham, Air Force Materiel Command's director of safety, thanked these people for their efforts. "A culture of safety is important to protect Air Force resources, whether it is our people or the mission to which they contribute," said Col. Cunningham. "It is with great appreciation that these individuals and organizations are recognized for their diligence in keeping safety a top priority."