Local Awards – Examples from the Greater Huntsville Section

Presentation Topic: “Recognition at the Local Level”Regional Leadership Conference (RLC), San Diego, CA7-8 August 2014

Award Nomination Process

• Each year the Greater Huntsville Section solicits nominations for its Section awards

Section Awards Committee recommends recipients to the Section’s Board of Directors for its approval

Awards are presented at the annual Installation and Awards Dinner– Award recipients are determined NLT 30 days prior to dinner– Recipients are contacted and information secured– Awards announcements are made via email and other sources– Recipient’s employer are informed

Must be a past or current Section member (in By-laws) A recipient of a specific award can only receive it once (in By-laws)

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The Hermann Oberth Award (created in 1959)

• Presented in recognition of outstanding individual scientific achievement in the field of astronautics or for the promotion and advancement of the aeronautical sciences

Named for the German physicist and engineer who is considered one of the founding fathers of rocketry and astronautics.

– Worked with Dr. Wernher von Braun in Huntsville in the late 1950’s A bust of Professor Hermann Oberth and a framed

certificate are presented to the recipient

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2014 Winner: Mr. Gordon Woodcock.Consultant and Retired Program Manager and Chief Engineer at the Boeing Company; over 60 years of aerospace engineering experience.

In photo (L-R): Outgoing Awards Director Kurt Polzin, award recipient Mr. Gordon Woodcock, Outgoing Chairman Ram Ramachandran, and Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Hallion (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne).

The Martin Schilling Award (created in 1961)

• Presented in recognition of outstanding service to the Section, such as major contributions to its growth, technical programs, or administrative functions

Named for the former Peenemunde rocket scientist, Huntsville engineer, and the Section's founding president

An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient

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2014 Winner: Ms. Sheree Gay.Aerospace Engineer and Group Lead for the Missile and Space Intelligence Center at Redstone Arsenal.

In photo (L-R): Outgoing Awards Director Kurt Polzin, Outgoing Chairman Ram Ramachandran, award recipient Ms. Sheree Gay, and Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Hallion (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne)

The Holger Toftoy Award (created in 1963)

• Presented in recognition of outstanding technical management in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics

Named for MG Holger Toftoy, US Army; former commander of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville

– Helped bring the Von Braun Rocket Team to Huntsville An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient

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2014 Winner: Mr. James Chilton.Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Strategic Missile & Defense Systems (SM&DS)

In photo (L-R): Outgoing Awards Director Kurt Polzin, Outgoing Chairman Ram Ramachandran, award recipient Mr. James Chilton, and Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Hallion (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne)

The Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year Award

• Presented in recognition of outstanding service to education and promotion of math and science within the community

Named in recognition of Mr. Konrad Dannenberg, a German-American rocket pioneer who was an avid proponent of education, an active member of the AIAA and an inspiration to the aerospace community

An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient– Currently presented by Mrs. Konrad (Jackie) Dannenberg

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2014 Winner: Dr. Joseph Majdalani.Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Endowed Professor and Chair, Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University.

In photo (L-R): Outgoing Awards Director Kurt Polzin, Outgoing Chairman Ram Ramachandran, Jackie Dannenberg, award recipient Dr. Joseph Majdalani, and Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Hallion (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne).

The Earl Pearce Professional of the Year Award

• Presented in recognition of extraordinary dedication, creativity, and leadership while engaged in professional work or activity within the aerospace community

Named in recognition of Dr. Earl Pearce who was on the Section's Board of Directors and served as Supernumerary for many years

An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient

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2014 Winner: Mr. John Dankanich.NASA/MSFC technology lead for the Small Body Assessment Group, lead for the Mars Ascent Vehicle, managing the Micro Electrospray Propulsion (MEP) efforts and the project manager for the iodine Satellite (iSAT) mission.

In photo (L-R): Outgoing Chairman Ram Ramachandran, award recipient Mr. John Dankanich, and Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Hallion (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne).

The Ed Pruett Young Professional of the Year Award

• Presented to a Section member of 35 years of age or younger who has demonstrated extraordinary technical skill and dedication in the practice of the Aerospace Engineering profession

Named in recognition of Mr. Ed Pruett who has been on the Section Board of Directors and served the Section for many years

An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient

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2014 Winner: Mr. John Wall.Deputy Lead of the Space Launch System Flight Controls Working Group for Dynamic Concepts, Inc. in support of the Flight Mechanics and Analysis Division at NASA/MSFC.

In photo (L-R): Mr. John Wall receiving his award plaque from Mr. Ed Pruett (photo taken by Dr. Arloe Mayne).