Program manager recognized for initiative and leadership Published Oct. 6, 2008 By Molly Lachance Air Force Office of Scientific Research ARLINGTON, Va. -- As many would agree, the success of a program requires both a good workforce and solid management. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is proud to recognize those individuals who have worked hard to make their programs and the organization better. AFOSR is continually expanding the horizon of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force's basic research program. In this function, it is always rewarding when an employee gets positive recognition for a job well done. In the spring of 2008, the Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Mr. Raheem Lawal the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program Manager of the Year award for his initiative and "gung ho!" spirit. Mr. Lawal manages the STTR program, which provides funding to small businesses working in collaboration with research institutions. The goal is to develop innovative technologies that can be transferred from Air Force-relevant defense research to commercial applications for the advancement of U.S. economic competitiveness. Since its inception, the STTR program has resulted in several AFOSR-funded successes, ranging from a stress analysis tool for composite structures to the world's smallest silicon modulator. Managing such a wide array of programs successfully is a challenging task, but one that Raheem meets with hard work and determination. "Raheem has taken great initiative to bring the STTR program into compliance with Air Force expectations," explains Mr. Stephen Guilfoos, a member of the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Management Team at AFRL who selected the winner. "This year Raheem has stood head and shoulders above his peers." Mr. Lawal modestly adds, "I was happy to be recognized for all the hard work and sacrifice put into the STTR program." He hopes that this award will mean bigger and better things for his career at AFOSR. In addition to this award, Mr. Lawal was also selected for the prestigious American University Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program at the beginning of last month. He is currently taking classes toward this certification.