2023 US Black Engineer & Information Technology | CONFERENCE - VOL. 47, NO. 1

VOLUME 47 NUMBER 1

DEPARTMENTS

One on One ...................... 12 Ted Colbert, the 36th Black Engineer of the Year, looks back on his past year and offers advice for the next leader.

Education ......................... 16 Morgan State University gets a $9 million boost to build diverse knowledge bases in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Corporate Life ..................20 10 strategies for managing multigenerational teams.

BEYA WINNERS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Since 1986, the Black Engineer of the Year Awards has recognized thousands of people in scientific and technical careers for outstanding achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Over the past 37 years, many BEYA winners have been nominated in categories such as Most Promising Engineer/Scientist, Student Leadership, and Deans Award and taken home the top award. Here are a few winners who have joined the exclusive club of winning a BEYA more than once.

The list includes Dr. Pamela McCauley (Student Leadership, 1989, Educational Leadership College-Level Promotion of Education, 2015), Dr. Victor R. McCrary (Most Promising Engineer, 1990, BEYA Scientist of the Year, 2011), Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. (1991 Black Engineer of the Year finalist, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018), Christopher T. Jones, Student Leadership, 1996, Black Engineer of the Year, 2016, Rodney C. Adkins, (Professional Achievement, 1996, Black Engineer of the Year, 2007) and Dr. Colin J. Parris, a Deans Award winner in 1998, who is the 2023 Black Engineer of the Year.

At least three BEYA winners in our list, which is not exhaustive, went from winning awards in categories such as student leadership, academic leadership, and professional achievement to being crowned Black Engineer of the Year.

What do they have in common aside from being people in the STEM workforce?

• Dr. John Brooks Slaughter (the first Black Engineer of the Year): Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are Necessary, But Poor Substitutes For Justice

• Rayondon Kennedy: Executive Coaching Experience

Throughout the digital revolution, which has been led by the global adoption of the internet, mobile devices, big data, and computing, BEYA winners have shown an incredible ability to leverage innovation and focus their vision to achieve full potential and opportunity in their careers, industries, and communities.

As BEYA gears up to mark our 40th anniversary in 2026, our focus remains to showcase hidden talent, promote significant achievement in STEM, and help employers develop and retain minorities with technical skills.

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DIGITAL PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT

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Terrence Fooks, Digital Products Development Manager

CORPORATE AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, CCG Alumni Committee Chair and President

Dr. Eugene DeLoatch, Chairman, BEYA Alumni Group

Vice Admiral Andy L. Winns, USN (Ret.) National Chair, BEYA Military Alumni

Oliver “Bo” Leslie, Retired Program Manager, Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, Boeing

Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM Conference National Chair

Matt Bowman, CCG Military Program Manager, Stars & Stripes Committee; Executive Director/Chief of Staff for VADM Walt Davis, USN (Ret.)

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US Black Engineer & Information Technology (ISSN 1088-3444) is a publication devoted to engineering, science, and technology and to promoting opportunities in those fields. US Black Engineer & Information Technology cannot be responsible for unsolicited art or editorial material. This publication is bulk-mailed to colleges and universities nationwide. Subscriptions are $26/year. Please write to US Black Engineer & Information Technology, Subscriptions, 729 E. Pratt St., Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. Copyright © 2023 by Career Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Advancing equity. Promoting Black leadership.

We champion Black talent at every level. And we’re using advocacy, supplier diversity and community efforts to drive a more equitable future for all. Learn more about our diversity and inclusion efforts at rtx.com/diversity

by Denise Stephens editors@ccgmag.com

&PEOPLE EVENTS

Hamptonians congratulate alumnus, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, on his retirement

Freeman Hrabowski, Ph.D., retired in the summer of 2022, and Hampton University, a leading historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Virginia, posted a congratulatory message on its website. One of the most illustrious HBCU alums, Hrabowski was part of Hampton’s graduating class of 1970. He served as president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) for 30 years.

“Dr. Freeman Hrabowski has been a truly transformative leader at the University of Maryland Baltimore County for the last 30 years,” said Darrell K. Williams, president of Hampton University. “His intellect, experience, visionary leadership, and overall presence will be sorely missed in higher education. Dr. Hrabowski has more than lived up to THE Standard of Excellence that all Hamptonians aspire to, as he has unequivocally let his life do the singing.” Under Hrabowski’s leadership, UMBC transformed into an institution noted for research and innovation. He utilized a data-driven plan to assist at-risk students by establishing a support system. He transformed entry-level courses to increase retention numbers for first-year students to one of his many accomplishments..

Archive photo of Dr. Hrabowski standing with UMBC’s colorful flags along the main row of the Commons first floor.

(Photo credit: UMBC)

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AAAS ANNUAL MEETING

Online or in Washington, D.C.

March 2–5, 2023

ADVANCING MINORITIES’ INTEREST IN ENGINEERING (AMIE)

Dr. John Brooks Slaughter sounded an alarm ahead of affirmative action hearings

In a rare opinion piece sent to US Black Engineer magazine, Dr. John Brooks Slaughter urged colleges and universities to examine their policies and procedures regardless of whether affirmative action survives.

“They need to ensure there are no overt or covert practices that prevent full access and opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ, disabled, first-generation, and international students,” he wrote. Slaughter, who serves as university professor emeritus of education and electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California and president emeritus at Occidental College, argued that if public institutions do not take an objective look at affirmative action in college and university admission practices, it will prove disastrous— not only for higher education but for the nation. To read the full text of his commentary, go to the Leading Voices section or visit blackengineer.com.

Alicia Boler Davis is now CEO of Alto Pharmacy

Alicia Boler Davis has served as CEO at Alto Pharmacy since September 2022. Founded in 2015, Alto is a fullservice pharmacy that offers sameday prescription delivery. “I have seen firsthand that lack of access to prescriptions and medical noncompliance can cause health to deteriorate, especially in elderly or immune-compromised people,” she said. Boler Davis spent 24 years at General Motors and, in 2019, joined Amazon, where she led several e-commerce teams, including Worldwide Fulfillment, Global Customer Service, and Global Robotics. She was the only Black executive among Amazon’s senior leadership group. S

Washington, D.C.

September 2023

WOMEN OF COLOR STEM CONFERENCE

Detroit, MI, and the WOC STEM DTX platform

October 12–14, 2023

To stay up to date and all news and events, Visit our webpage www.BlackEngineer.com

Left: Dr. John Brooks Slaughter Right: Alicia Boler Davis

Advancing diversity propels us all forward.

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by Gale Horton Gay editors@ccgmag.com

PASSING THE TORCH In Conversation with the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year

The year has passed quite swiftly for Ted Colbert in the role of BEYA’s 2022 Engineer of the Year.

Colbert is executive vice president of The Boeing Company and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, which provides solutions for defense, government, space, intelligence, and security customers worldwide. Beyond the United States, Defense, Space & Security has prominent operations in Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. He is a member of Boeing’s Executive Council.

Before joining Boeing in 2009, Colbert,

who holds bachelor’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering and interdisciplinary science from Morehouse College and Georgia Institute of Technology, was senior vice president of Enterprise Architecture at Citigroup. He also spent 11 years in Ford Motor Company’s Information Technology organization.

US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine (USBE) asked Colbert about his experiences as Black Engineer of the Year, advice for the

next individual to fill the role, and words of wisdom for young people who would like to follow in his footsteps.

USBE: What has the past year been like in your role as Black Engineer of the Year?

Colbert: Rewarding, aspiring, motivating, energizing…you name it. I have been participating in BEYA events throughout my career. I have sat in the audience of this very award. Spending the last year as the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year has truly been a blessing. But this recognition is bigger than me. It is about every BEYA recipient that walked the stage before and all that will walk the stage after me. Each and every day, we need to work together so future generations can look back at this time and reflect on how we paved the way for their lives to be better. Then they, in turn, will hopefully do the same, carrying the torch for the generation after them.

It has also been rewarding and impactful to be a part of encouraging diversity and inclusion as I spend time with my teammates, suppliers, and customers around the world. I have been surprised at how curious my international colleagues are about

“This recognition is bigger than me.

It is about every BEYA recipient that walked the stage before and all that will walk the stage after me.”

Ted Colbert accepting the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year award

the award. The recognition drives conversation spurred by curiosity to learn more and understand similar challenges and opportunities in countries around the world to grow diverse engineering talent.

USBE: Have you received requests asking for your participation due to the recognition? Please give a few specific examples. Which one did you find most engaging/significant and why?

Colbert: Throughout the past year, I have been honored to participate in numerous events: the Clemson Men of Color summit, the 2022 Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering gala, and the Women of Color in STEM Conference, just to name a few.

While all these events and organizations contribute to a common goal, I am immensely proud of my involvement with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The Boeing and TMCF partnership was established in 2018. And in June of this year, I had the honor of announcing a new $8 million, multi-year partnership to support the development of future technical talent. TMCF is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, including HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions. Since partnering with TMCF, Boeing has quadrupled intern hiring and extended the company’s reach to more than 6,800 HBCU students.

The fact is, diverse organizations are more successful. More diverse boards are stronger-performing. A more diverse presentation in leadership leads to more opportunities for all people. Bottom line, diversity is a force multiplier.

USBE: What does this honor mean to you personally?

Colbert: When your mother was a

career social worker and your father was dedicated to labor relations, it is impossible not to have both a serious work ethic and a strong belief in the importance of helping others. This honor has reaffirmed my desire to do both and reminded me how important it is to use opportunities like this award and platforms like leadership positions to drive meaningful change.

This honor also demonstrates that faith, hard work, and support from the “village” really works. I am proud of that, and I hope it gives others inspiration to pursue their most challenging goals in life. I also hope that I have inspired other leaders of influence to do their part in helping grow the spectrum of talent in engineering.

USBE: Have there been any major changes for you professionally or personally during the past year?

Colbert: Professionally, this past April I transitioned from president and CEO of Boeing Global Services to president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In this new role, I have the privilege to work alongside the best in the business to support the men and women who protect us each and every day—and the opportunity to drive diversity and inclusion in another part of the company.

USBE: What advice do you have for the 2023 Black Engineer of the Year?

Colbert: To the 37th recipient of this award, I would say congratulations, and let’s continue stomping the pavement. Yes, we have come a long way, but we also have a long way to go to establish a more equitable future for the next generation of rising engineers. Our work is never done.

USBE: Please share five tips on leadership for young people who consider you a role model and would

like to follow in your footsteps.

Colbert: First, dream big! Also, you are amazing just the way you are…and being a great leader means continuously learning and applying and getting better, no matter how big a leader you become.

Here are a few leadership tips I like to share when I’m talking to young professionals:

• Surround yourself with people who motivate and challenge you—the people who see more in you than you see in yourself. I always ask, “Who are the five people you spend the most time around?” You are only as good as the average of those five people. Are those people inspiring you? Are they pushing you forward? Are they challenging you? Find your mentors—your champions—and never hesitate to lean on them.

• Own your time. There will always be people grabbing for your time, but time is a finite resource. It’s critical that you manage your time in a way that best serves both the business and your schedule.

• Measure the things that are important. Metrics provide an overview of how the business is operating. Without measuring success, how will we ever know what success looks like?

• Run toward the hardest job. Taking the easy path does not create progress for you. If you’re uncomfortable, that means there is a higher probability that you’re going to become a stronger leader.

• How you accomplish your goals is just as important as what you accomplish. Lead with strong values every day. S

Watch the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year, Ted Colbert, accept his award.

by Lango Deen editors@ccgmag.com

HBCUs BUILD DIVERSE KNOWLEDGE BASES IN AI, ML, AND THE METAVERSE

HBCU gets $9 million boost to build diverse knowledge bases in AI and ML

Morgan State University announced a five-year, $9 million grant this fall. The funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is part of a Department of Defense $27 million investment in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to conduct research in technology areas while fostering workforce diversity and entry of minorities into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Morgan was selected from 14 proposals received and evaluated by the military service research offices. The awards are administered through the DOD’s HBCU and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) Research and Education Program. According to the press release, the grant will be leveraged to elevate the university’s standing as a high research institution as ranked by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The resources will be administered through Morgan’s Division of Research and Economic Development to fund collaborative research conducted by the Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS) and the Cybersecurity Assurance & Policy (CAP) Center. The centers will study the development of formal standards and best practices to test and design artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) innovations that mitigate algorithmic bias.

Under the project, CEAMLS and the CAP Center will conduct research and provide education supporting the enhancement of research programs and capabilities in the critical national

security functional area of trustworthy AI/ML for cybersecurity by addressing the detection and mitigation of AI vulnerabilities due to algorithmic bias. The work will also entail the development of new formal standards and best practices in data preparation, feature engineering, model training, and deployment.

Additionally, the effort will provide education and research opportunities for Morgan students while seeking to increase the number of graduates with STEM-focused degrees to fill professional opportunities in critical areas of national importance. The grant also provides for hiring a variety of staffers, including two post-doctoral associates, three graduate students, and eight undergraduates.

“Artificial intelligence is increasingly driving cybersecurity efforts related to the nation’s critical security posture. As technology evolves, there is a fundamental need to ensure that we

employ trustworthy AI solutions in this endeavor. Morgan’s new Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems will play a pivotal role in providing diverse perspectives to improve DOD applications directly impacting our national security posture,” said Kofi Nyarko, Ph.D., director of CEAMLS and a co-principal investigator for the project. “A key part of the Center’s mission is to provide educational and experiential learning opportunities for diverse students at all levels. This will increase the number of STEM graduates contributing critically to the nation’s strategic challenges.”

Using VR for learning at HBCUs to transform the way people learn

Alabama A&M University (AAMU) was one of 10 institutions accorded “metaversity” status in the summer of 2022. According to AAMU, students and professors enter the digital twin replica

using a virtual reality (VR) headset or a computer.

VictoryXR rolled out AAMU’s meta campus earlier in the year on the EngageVR platform. In addition, each student received a Meta Quest 2 VR headset.

Courses are synchronous or multistudent as if they were on a physical campus. Classroom experiences include delving into human anatomy, history field trips through a time machine, and astronomy on a starship.

VictoryXR, a global leader in metaverse

education with partners like Meta, Qualcomm, and T-Mobile, pioneered the first metaversity with Morehouse College in the spring of 2021.

Morehouse College launched two classes in virtual reality, and students received an Oculus Quest 2 from Qualcomm Technologies, allowing them to access the digitized version of the Morehouse campus and select classes. The first two digital twins’ VR campus classes were biology and history.

As part of the agreement, metaversities provide the students, faculty, and curriculum, and VictoryXR supplies the digital campus and learning objects.

“This partnership gives the rest of the academic world a glimpse into the future of education,” said Steve Grubbs, chief executive for VictoryXR. “These classes will be surprisingly close to those imagined in Ready Player One.” S

“Morgan’s new Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems will play a pivotal role in providing diverse perspectives to improve DOD applications directly impacting our national security posture,” said Kofi Nyarko, Ph.D., coprincipal investigator for the project.

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PLAYING IN THE SANDBOX: Effective

Strategies for Managing Multi-Generational Teams

for advancement, to name a few. Interestingly, the pandemic caused many companies to pivot much more quickly. Still, there are many organizations working with leaner teams because employees are looking for employers that meet their lifestyles. Juxtapose these needs with those of Baby Boomers (57 to 75 years old) and Generation X (41 to 56 years old) who, because they’ve been in their fields of study 20 years or more, appreciate the traditional workforce. These employees find working from home to be slightly (or very) foreign. So how can organizations navigate which employees need what accommodations in the workplace? And how can companies make changes in order to retain members of effective teams and continue delivering work that needs to get done?

Meetings may not look the same, and approaches to various tasks may not be handled the same way. Communication styles may vary greatly, also. When working with different generations in the workplace, there is no “right” way to maximize efficiency and synergy. However, there are some very successful approaches to ensure your teams move forward successfully. In the past, many employers would typically look for fresh-out-of-college workers who were ready to hit the ground running. However, studies show that new graduates are looking for jobs that provide more than a salary, a regular schedule, and professional development opportunities. Young workers (Generation Z, 25 years old and younger) are now asking, “what more can you provide?”

That may include work-from-home (WFH) flexibility and multiple options

The solutions have run the gamut from organization to organization. Some businesses offer hybrid or WFH options to everyone. Others offer hybrid work schedules contingent on company tenure. Still others have transitioned into 100 percent virtual offices. Many companies have even brought back retirees who understand traditional office cultures—and may prefer that environment.

These are difficult conversations, but within the different paradigms is a balance of traditional and futureforward experiences that, when brought together, can mesh the best of all philosophies and all generations. Done well, the result can be a wonderful bridging of multigenerational relationships, bringing together team members with diverse learning styles that foster interdependence for the betterment of the entire organization. The key is to cultivate a culture of listening. If individuals can listen to

each other, they can learn to respect each other and differing views. A “seespeak-listen” technique is a great way to champion this. Team members take time to offer important information to their team members, seek to give their full attention (and receive it in return), and sincerely listen to suggestions or responses. Each team member takes time to empower other members that they talk to, and everyone simultaneously gives and receives respect and trust. In most cases, everyone begins to value the input and professional insights of others and see them as trusted collaborators, not “young” or “old” co-workers. Another important solution is to make processes more inclusive for everyone. That includes creating a welcoming environment based on receptivity to diverse thoughts, cultures, and experiences.

Adjusting communication and collaborative engagements is another great way to encourage inclusion. “Happy hour” events may not cater to members with families, and onsite gatherings may not work for those working remotely. However,

Many professionals in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) careers work in teams. Oftentimes, collaboration looks and works differently with multigenerational teams.

Studies show that new graduates are looking for jobs that provide more than a salary, a regular schedule, and professional development opportunities.

crowdsourcing ideas from everyone for teambuilding events may be a way to get thoughts from everyone and begin developing activities that cater more to the general group. The key to any strategy is to recognize that every member, no matter their age or experience, has value. Everyone can and should be respected and appreciated for what they bring to an organization’s table. A

multigenerational workforce is an asset to an organization, as any other aspect of diversity should be. Understanding this as a positive is the first but necessary step in building an effective team within your organization. S

Listen to this full seminar here.

DIVERSE IDEAS INSPIRE innovation

At Abbott, diverse ideas, perspectives and expertise allow us to create the life-changing solutions that help people all over the world live healthier lives.

A global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life, our portfolio of technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries and together, we’re changing the face of healthcare.

Learn more at: abbott.com/careers.

Connect with us:

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity/A rmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Build your future here.

At Jacobs, we work every day to make the world better for all. We embrace all perspectives, collaborating to make a positive impact. From addressing water scarcity and aging infrastructure, to ensuring access to life-saving therapies, protecting against sophisticated cyberattacks and exploring beyond our Earth, we put people at the heart of our business and maintain an unparalleled focus on inclusion.

Together, we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.

Learn how you can join our team of visionaries, thinkers and doers in solving some of the world’s greatest challenges at jacobs.com/careers.

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by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

ACT LIKE A CEO, THINK LIKE A LEADER: Top Leaders Get Real About Gender, Leadership, and Perceptions

Take a moment to reflect on what you thought about the corporate ladder before you became a

leader in your industry. What values did you deem important? When it comes to understanding and being the best leader you can be, there’s much more to your role than a title. Getting a firm grasp on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace takes strategizing. Here are five tips that can help foster a culture of respect and understanding in your environment.

1. Good leaders serve others. Serving others, and putting their

needs before your own, is how you drive growth in people. When you genuinely make an effort to respect and understand the individuals you work with, they will ultimately foster the environment in which your leadership can thrive. Get to know how individuals want to be recognized, what and how they want to be developed, and what’s important to them. Find out what they’re motivated by

Being accountable both to and for your team should never be optional.

and what drives them to show up every day and work their hardest. If you do that, you’ll more aptly create a workspace that will drive positive results.

2. Great leaders know their audience. Do you know what motivates your direct reports? What demotivates them? Knowing both of those is vitally important to team success. It’s imperative to know and understand what they feel is their purpose. Likewise, it is important for them to know their value to the team and organization from your perspective. Many leaders do not take the time to understand the personal dynamics of people on their teams, and that can be detrimental. As the old saying goes, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Don’t ignore the fact that people bring their whole selves to work each day. Spending time getting to know each individual as a person is critical.

As you get to know the audience you have as well as the one you’re working to build, do so with both inherent diversity (gender, race, etc.) and acquired diversity (experiences, education) in mind. Both are important. Not taking the time to understand these aspects

of your audience will reduce your chances of creating followership. Data and studies overwhelmingly show that team diversity produces significant positive results.

3. Excellent leaders know when to ask for help. They also know how to do so. Asking for help is a skill. So many leaders are afraid to use this skill because of a false philosophy that being in leadership means they should know how to do everything. That’s simply not true. There’s no way all leaders know all things all the time. They face new situations and experiences every day. Being humble enough to ask for help helps build safe spaces in your work environment. It can also help create support networks and trusted teams. There are also many external resources, such as professional organizations, that can give solution-oriented support.

4. Sharp leaders value upskilling. Leaders who invest in upskilling themselves and their employees are more likely to develop new, innovative, and effective ways of working. Be curious about knowing and learning something new, and “lift as you climb.” In other words, bring others up with you. Learning is about growth: growing ourselves and others. There is a myriad of resources by which upskilling can be done: books, websites, articles, seminars, and other professionals. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn from other people’s lives, thoughts, philosophies, and experiences. There is so much you can learn simply by understanding their backgrounds and how they approach things. At the same

time, unlearning can be just as important as, if not more than, learning something new. We all pick up bad habits along the way, and we have to be critically honest about the things we need to let go of in order to progress with people and in our professions.

5. Mindful leaders are accountable. Being accountable means you have the resolve to own up to commitments and promises that you made. It means being answerable to the actions and decisions made by yourself and those you lead. Accountability means having both the vision of a leader and the resourcefulness to execute it. Being accountable both to and for your team should never be optional. Your team has to know you’re there for them. You are their voice in rooms they may never be in. It establishes a strong sense of trust, and that will lend well to building any team. Accountability is the connection between your words and your actions, and when those two are disconnected, it means you are transparent about that. S

Listen to the full seminar here

Serving others, and putting their needs before your own, is how you drive growth in people.

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A SAFER WORLD BEGINS WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are united by a single mission: to work for a safer and more sustainable world. Our work begins with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion — because we believe that innovation and brilliance begin with the diverse perspectives and experiences of our collective team.

Accordingly, we are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Charlotte Farmer for her recent induction into the 2023 CCG Alumni Hall of Fame and our colleagues, Dr. Denice Durrant and Wilbert Fletcher, for their Black Engineer of the Year Awards.

Our organizations are proud to support CCG’s important work to promote multiculturalism and diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Wilbert Fletcher 2023 BEYA Modern-Day Technology Leader

Dr. Charlotte Farmer 2023 BEYA Hall of Fame Inductee

Dr. Denice Durrant 2023 BEYA Modern-Day Technology Leader

Tyrone Taborn launched his book Metaquake USA: What the Metaverse Is and How It Will Shape Your Future in STEM City USA, presenting an account that incorporates the views of some of the people behind the internet revolution. They include Mark Dean, Melvin Greer, Chris Jones, Colin Parris, Joseph Saulter, and Kevin Kornegay. Their stories provide insights into the technologies that power the metaverse, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), gaming, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain, which allow for the ownership of virtual objects in the STEM City USA metaverse.

Taborn led the book release event in person, with three avatars hosting from the BEYA Bookstore, (https:// stemcityusa.com/steward-multiculturalcenter-bookstore.html), which is located in the Steward Multicultural Center, a monumental building on metaverse land filled with digital items (https:// stemcityusa.com/).

“This book started on the STEM City USA metaverse platform with virtual interviews recorded for my Metaquake USA talk series,” writes Taborn. “We wanted our first book about the metaverse to start in the metaverse while showing the endless capabilities to network virtually with a focus on social connection.”

In this latest book, which builds on his technology chapter in the 2006 New York Times bestseller compiled by Tavis Smiley, Taborn argues that people of color have been losers in every industrial age.

In the foreword, H. Russell Frisby Jr., an expert on the regulatory and corporate issues that arise as energy and telecommunications industries change, recounts how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was encouraged to get Black people involved in telecommunications 30plus years ago.

“The conference focused on opportunities in the long-distance resale and cellular markets because the barriers to entry were low at that point—

everyone was on equal footing starting at ground zero,” he wrote. Sadly, there were many missed

significant opportunities during the first and second generations of the telecom revolution as Black-owned businesses concentrated in healthcare and social assistance, transportation, and warehousing industries.

Nonetheless, Taborn is sure that as new paths rise in metaverse development, minorities are poised to seize the day in Web3, which encompasses the metaverse, VR, AR, and digital assets like cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Currently, 66.1 percent of computer scientists are white, 25 percent are Asian, and 1 percent are Black or AfricanAmerican.

“As another era-changing technology emerges, Ty Taborn highlights the contributions and lessons of the past for minorities and shows a path for minority advancements in the emerging future,” said Colin Parris, senior vice president and chief technology officer of GE Digital.

Ted Childs, principal of Ted Childs LLC, describes Metaquake as a 21st-century opportunity to defeat the digital divide using a metaverse such as STEM City

“AS ANOTHER ERA-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY EMERGES, TY TABORN HIGHLIGHTS THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND LESSONS OF THE PAST FOR MINORITIES AND SHOWS A PATH FOR MINORITY ADVANCEMENTS IN THE EMERGING FUTURE,”

According to a recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) report, white males dominate private hightech industries. One study found that in Silicon Valley tech firms, 57 percent of employees were white, 36 percent were Asian-American, 1.6 percent were Hispanic, and less than 1 percent were African-American.

With his latest collaboration, Metaquake USA, author Taborn highlights successes, challenges, and lessons learned for Blacks in tech. Each chapter of the book includes the significant contributions of award-winning Black computer scientists, engineers, and technologists.

Nicholas Donofrio, a 44-year IBM veteran who used his leadership position and

TEN THINGS THAT I LEARNED FROM THE BOOK

1. The microchip laid the foundation for the field of microelectronics. Black pioneers like Dixie Garr, Art George, and Melvin Greer helped pave the way.

2. It pays to understand the basic building blocks of the metaverse: AR, VR, AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency.

3. Be familiar with how data impacts small, medium, and large businesses and how that data can be used to provide insight.

4. Teach young people the right and wrong ways to leverage technology, share information, and help them focus on the majors and skills crucial to future success, such as programming languages.

5. A metaverse is the ability to create a digital copy anytime, anywhere for tackling climate change, pandemics, inequality, aging populations, and opportunities in space.

6. Don’t underestimate the power of gaming. Electronic sports have professional teams and are the latest in competitive entertainment.

7. Check out the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Office of Naval Research, and the Army Research Lab websites and see what they’re investing in today.

8. Find organizations that help with technology readiness.

9. AI and quantum technologies are a gateway into the future and the metaverse.

10. Gain experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, Amazon

influence to help create opportunities for minority youth and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, describes Taborn’s book as “well done.”

“For the half-century I have known Tyrone Taborn, he has led a life of extraordinary dedication to bridging gaps of race and inequality. He now stakes out a much-needed critical new agenda for a rapidly changing technological world,” writes Daniel Hirsch, president of the Committee to Bridge the Gap and retired program director of environmental and nuclear policy at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

In 1986, Taborn founded and became the chairman and CEO of Career Communications Group, Inc., a talent management and career development company that publishes US Black Engineer & Information Technology, Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, and Women of Color magazines. He also produced the awardwinning syndicated television show Success Through Education. In 2006,

Taborn was a contributing author for The Covenant with Black America, the New York Times bestseller compiled by Tavis Smiley. Taborn is the founder of the Black Family Technology Week Program, La Familia Technology Awareness Week, and the Native American Technology Awareness Project.

Metaquake is a 136-page book available online at STEM City USA metaverse and from its brick-and-mortar parent company, Career Communications Group, Inc. S

“FOR THE HALFCENTURY I HAVE KNOWN TYRONE TABORN, HE HAS LED A LIFE OF EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION TO BRIDGING GAPS OF RACE AND INEQUALITY. HE NOW STAKES OUT A MUCH-NEEDED CRITICAL NEW AGENDA FOR A RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD,”

—Daniel Hirsch, president of the Committee to Bridge the Gap and retired program director

of environmental and nuclear

policy

at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

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By Lango Deen

2023 BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR is Bullish on the Future of the World

BEING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, DOING THE RIGHT THING

The 37th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) will pay tribute to Colin Parris, Ph.D., on the 25th anniversary of his Deans’ Award, which was presented by the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities at BEYA in 1998.

An alumnus of Howard University College of Engineering and the University of California, Berkeley, Parris launched his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories while completing his Ph.D. studies in distributed network management. Along the way, he won exceptional contribution awards for design while helping to convert a digital telephone switch from centralized call processing to distributed processing. A holder of several early-career awards from AT&T and IBM and a member of the Tau Beta engineering honor society, Parris also was a Sloan fellow at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

He has won several awards since, including a Professional Achievement in Industry Award at the 2009 BEYA

STEM Conference and, more recently, the 2022 Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Innovation Award. He was also one of three GE engineers elected and inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2022.

Becoming an Engineer

One figure not often mentioned in Parris’s trailblazing story is his father, Ashton. The latter grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and graduated with an undergraduate degree in engineering from Howard University. The elder Parris went on to achieve a master’s degree in mathematics at Howard and a Ph.D. in engineering at George Washington University.

His career path as a college professor included teaching engineering at the University of the West Indies, which then served the Caribbean from main campuses on three islands—Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados—while he and his wife raised their family of three children.

“I had a living example,” Parris told US Black Engineer magazine. “Growing up

in the Caribbean, I was surrounded by engineering, math, and science books. It was a natural thing for me. My father was a combination of someone who was good at technology and sports, and was generous with his time, serving on nonprofit and government boards.”

The nonprofit boards included charitable organizations and the state commissions for broadcasting, telecommunications, and energy, which would help power the oil and gas economy of the island nation.

Parris noted that although he got to Howard with his heart set on electrical engineering, he saw something that changed his mind entirely.

“It was computer science,” he explained, adding that all students took introductory engineering courses during the first and second years. “Until then, I was only looking at power systems, which began to feel limiting.”

However, Parris felt more energized when doing computer science projects, providing solutions such as designing a burglar alarm system using wires, a

Colin Parris, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

GE Digital

microprocessor, LEDs, and circuit breakers.

“I was sold at that point,” he said. “I could write code in something that looks like English and solve a difficult problem.”

Although Parris graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, much of his coursework was done in computer science.

“That was one of the reasons I went to Berkeley,” he explained. “Because it had a master’s and a Ph.D. program in electrical engineering and computer science. Initially, my father thought, ‘What is this software thing? You can’t even see it! Code is just something to support real engineering.’ And I said, ‘No. I’m going to run with this.’”

Parris got to Berkeley just as Silicon Valley took off in the 1980s and early ‘90s. His Ph.D. is in distributed network management using analytics and artificial intelligence.

“I was in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing,” he told US Black Engineer magazine. “Sometimes things work out.”

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Over his 35-year career, Parris has contributed significantly to the fields of science and engineering with his groundbreaking work in digital transformation across multiple industries, including banking, retail, high-performance computing, manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, and energy.

Today at GE, he is applying digital innovation in partnership with some of the world’s largest energy producers and utilities to accelerate the world’s transition to a cleaner and more secure energy future.

Lawrence Culp, Jr., chairman and CEO of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, said, “Colin’s extensive knowledge across multiple industries—software, energy, aviation, healthcare, banking, and manufacturing— has been invaluable to GE. In addition to his many contributions to the industry, Colin is a very committed mentor and sponsor of STEM talent, making him an ideal candidate for the Black Engineer of the Year Award.”

Parris joined GE as a corporate officer and vice president of GE’s Software and Analytics Research at the GE Research

Center in Niskayuna, NY, in 2014. In that role, he led the creation, development, and application of industrial analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software systems research broadly across GE. Today, he serves as a GE senior vice president and the chief technology officer for GE Digital, the company’s software arm that is poised to play a key role in its new energy company.

A central part of this portfolio is GE’s industry-leading Digital Twin Initiative, which he co-created and still leads today. Digital twin is a leading-edge engineering

“GE is a vital part of our world’s electric power ecosystem: generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity. Today, GE generates approximately 30 percent of the world’s electricity with our large turbines, and our grid software serves more than 40 percent of transmission and 30 percent of distribution utilities globally. We are working on ways to reduce carbon in all three of these segments.”

modeling and data analytics capability that allows the continuous modeling, learning, and control of industrial assets to increase their availability and performance and optimize their economic value.

Parris has written over 300 articles on digital twins, AI, industrial AI, power systems, and machine learning. He has also published multiple technical papers and holds several patents. He is committed to pushing the boundaries regarding modernday innovation and leading the next generation of GE engineers.

Before GE, Parris spent 20 years with IBM, focused on the digital transformation of many industries as the internet era began. Before that, he worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories as a member of the technical

staff, conducting research and advanced development in high-speed telephone switching systems and algorithms.

LEADING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS

Asked how young people can take advantage of emerging opportunities, Parris said he was bullish on the future.

“This is a time of change on the planet,” he replied. “In times of great change and complex challenges, people get a chance to emerge. People will be judged on their merit. Can you solve the problem? That’s an opportunity. So, how do I translate that opportunity? We have quantum computing and the metaverse emerging, and the IoT (Internet of Things) developing. But all of those are technology building blocks on which we can use our creativity, apply them in the right place, and solve some of the biggest problems of our time, such as climate change, food scarcity, the next pandemic, and healthcare challenges in our aging population.”

“I think it’s a time of great problems,” he added. “But merit will win if you have an idea and can implement it to solve the problem. And you have some great technologies that will be the base of creativity,” he added. “While there are many problems, there’s a massive opportunity in that chaos. I’m very bullish about the future.”

Turning to what he is doing at GE to solve problems, Parris said it takes time to first wean the world off energy from fossil fuels and then become carbon neutral.

“GE is a vital part of our world’s electric power ecosystem: generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity,” he said. “Today, GE generates approximately 30 percent of the world’s electricity with our large turbines, and our grid software serves more than 40 percent of transmission and 30 percent of distribution utilities globally. We are working on ways to reduce carbon in all three of these segments,” he said. “We also build jet engines that are in the transportation industry, and they produce carbon from fossil fuels as well. Here we figure out how to reduce carbon by using data to reduce the fuel consumed on each flight. Less fuel, less carbon. So if you look across the electric power and transportation industries, we have a lot of innovative software analyzing data, which

is where my role and focus on digital twins allows us to do things more optimally— providing electricity and transportation with less fuel and carbon.”

With the digital twin, he can model a gas power and a wind turbine, jet engine, or electric grid and predict when things will happen and then figure out how to optimize what to do next for the best advantage. “That’s the power of the twin, and it can do it on its own with the help of AI or with the help of a human.”

Humans, he said, have an innate ability to understand problems—even without data at the outset. “We know the physical and mathematical fundamentals of our machines. So, humans may be able to recognize and understand the problems earlier than AI systems and then put them in the model. Then we don’t have to wait for things to happen to collect data to analyze. It’s about humans working with artificial intelligence systems to build these models that can adapt quickly to complex problems in the world.”

ROLE MODELS, MENTORS, AND COACHES

On the subject of role models, Parris said he was blessed to have mentors from the Black community and allies from other racial groups.

“I followed these role models because they each gave me insights,” he said.

“From our community, there’s Mark Dean [Black Engineer of the Year, 2000] who invented the main components in the PC industry; Rod Adkins [Black Engineer of the Year, 2007] who integrated computer development and manufacturing to accelerate the PC, server, and pervasive computing eras. People like Linda Gooden [Black Engineer of the Year, 2006], whose leadership drove huge STEM participation in our community. There’s Freeman Hrabowski [Black Engineer of the Year, 2013] at UMBC, where he created a new Black generation of super innovators in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. I saw these great role models at BEYA, and more importantly, I heard them tell their stories. In their stories, you heard their passion,

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Howard University (1985)

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (1987) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (1994), University of California, Berkeley.

• Master of Science in Management (Sloan Fellow), Stanford University (1998).

their pride, and their resiliency. I also have had great allies from other racial groups, like Nick Donofrio [former executive vice president, IBM], who solved some of the hardest industry problems and innovatively blended business and technology.”

He commented on lessons learned from what he called his well-publicized failures, talking about how they made him more resilient and better prepared. Parris said his role as a leader was to get buy-in from the right people and then find a way to create an environment that allowed the team to do their best work together.

“My job has largely been to facilitate. I am

a servant,” he said. “The most powerful leaders are servants. What I used to do before, in my arrogance, is not listen closely. I’ve learned it is important to build the environment that facilitates top talent innovating and executing their plan.”

Parris chuckled when we labeled him “engineering royalty,” as he was a secondgeneration Howard University engineering graduate and practicing professional engineer.

“When I think about the BEYA 2023 theme ‘Becoming Everything You Are,’ I think about context,” he said. “I’ve got to be everything I can be to help the community, industry, and profession. Everything I can be has to be something that delivers value to people, my industry, my profession, and myself, which is all about awareness, vision, learning, and having fun. When I know what I want, I then think about the price I will need to pay. Everybody has a goal. But the price of that goal will be years of hard work. So, look at where you want to go, where you can add value, and then ask yourself what price you’re willing to pay. Commit to that price and then do it.”

HERE ARE 5 THINGS DR. PARRIS WANTS STUDENTS TO DO

1. Look for things that appeal to your passion and that matter: For example, there is climate change. Look at all the technologies needed to solve this immense problem: wind turbines, battery technology, geothermal plants, and grid software, and build a perspective around that problem and a possible solution. Does it appeal to your passion? Do you say: “I want to help here.” Because that is what will motivate you in tough times and during challenging courses and exams.

2. Start with awareness and vision: Don’t only look at the problem from an engineering perspective. Look at the broader systems perspective. How

does climate change affect people who live in developing and developed countries? How does it affect businesses and governments? As you see more aspects of the problem, your awareness increases, and your vision around a solution becomes more informed.

3. Once you have that passion and vision, then figure out what you want to learn: One way is to take courses. The second is to take a class and do an apprenticeship at the same time, where you learn on the job. The other thing about learning is that you don’t have to know everything. You can form a network of people with different backgrounds, so you’re learning from peers. I’m an electrical engineer and a computer scientist. But I might have to talk to someone who is a material scientist or works in government policy to better understand the problem or a good solution. It is especially important to get a good network of allies that you can personally learn from along your career.

4. Don’t forget to have fun: A small kid playing basketball will miss many hoops, but they’re having so much fun that they continue trying. Even when they fall, they don’t lose energy. They get back up and continue. Why? Because they’re having fun. You learn along the way and improve as you continue to have fun. You’ve got to view the world the same way. Have you ever seen a good basketball player stop practicing? Fun builds resilience. So, it’s passion, awareness, and learning, whether coursework or apprenticeship. And then the next is having fun, being resilient in failure, and constantly getting better. Next, let’s put this all together in a company where you can make a contribution that matters.

5. Get internships or programs: You can start with internships, in a job, or in a

program. GE has excellent internships and several rotational programs for new employees, and the great thing about GE is we have opportunities that can also educate you further. You can also travel around the world to increase your awareness and network. I got a chance to go to the Middle East and see work that’s being done on carbon capture. They’re trying to find ways to pull carbon out of the air and store it on the earth. They are doing similar things in the United Kingdom. So, you might have similar opportunities to travel and see things in different parts of the world and understand new perspectives. Australia is doing things that are unique because Australia has unique problems with its grid. There are things we do in the Texas grid that are unique as well. You could start in electricity generation and transfer to transmission to broaden your perspective and grow your passion. You could look at the work we’re doing in hydro plants where we want to store the energy by pumping water into the dam—creating a battery out of our natural environments. So, there are so many things you could do. Take internships, land a job, and then chart a future based on your perception of what will happen. Your passion, awareness, and learning differentiate you in unique ways.

CAREER TIPS

• In every job you’re assigned, find ways to add value. Be willing to do more and then go above and beyond.

• Don’t always follow that latest wave. Take the tough jobs nobody wants.

• Have a vision or perspective on the future. It could be wrong, but looking ahead provides extra time.

• Know that you can’t learn it all. So, surround yourself with a network of people who know.

• Be self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses and build a plan where you are self-assured that you can deliver on your commitments. S

“We have quantum computing and the metaverse emerging, and the IoT (Internet of Things) developing. But all of those are technology building blocks on which we can use our creativity, apply them in the right place, and solve some of the biggest problems of our time.”

CONGRATULATIONS

Colin Parris on being named

2023 Black Engineer of the Year

2023 BEYA WINNERS

BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

BY ALIZA WORTHINGTON & JESSICA RAFAEIL

AMID

a rapidly changing technological landscape, our 37th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) elevate a diverse group of deeply talented professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for recognition of their unique contributions to their fields. Awardees come from places that span the globe, and geographic and cultural diversity add incalculable value to their work and workplaces.

Delve into each person’s story and accomplishments, and you’ll find everything from an engineer who chose his field of study based on a coin toss with his brother to a woman with a long career in nuclear deterrence whose business it is to make sure nuclear weapons don’t melt down. One of our winners is only the 12th African American to command

a U.S. submarine. Our incredible Black Engineer of the Year, Dr. Colin Parris, is senior vice president and chief technology officer of General Electric Company. He's the creator of GE's Digital Twin Initiative and a trailblazer in artificial intelligence, along with being a fierce advocate for mentoring youth in STEM fields. He’s also partnering with the world’s largest energy producers to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy around the globe.

The depth and breadth of the experiences and brilliance of our honorees extend far beyond their scientific accomplishments, which in themselves are no small feats.

BEYA exists to extol their drive, curiosity, dedication, and insistence on giving back to the communities that helped build them up in the face of systemic disadvantages. Our conference, where these awardees are

honored, fittingly takes place during Black History Month to spotlight the triumphs of historically marginalized groups over obstacles placed in their paths. We’re grateful to them for their intellect, civicmindedness, and generosity of spirit.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Lamar Garrett

Chief, Chemical Biological Center Field Element U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Analysis Center

Capt. Kimberly Jones, U.S. Navy Reactor Officer

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY

Wole Akinyemi, Ph.D. Executive Director, Research and Technology Cummins Inc.

Cleophus Thomas Jr.

VP, Director of Operations - Global Digital Center of Excellence

Jacobs

THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

Justin Simpson

Director, Data Security

Walmart Global Tech

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Lewis Pate Jr., Ph.D. Enterprise Solutions Architect CACI International, Inc.

Anike L. Sakariyawo

Founding-Executive Director S.E.E.K. Foundation

DAVE BARCLAY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Scott Drach

Vice President of Human Resources for Corporate and International

The Boeing Company

Odetta Scott

Indirect Procurement—Associate Director Raytheon Technologies

DEANS’ AWARD

Larry O. Harris PEO-C4I/PMW-120, Assistant Program Manager (APM) – Test & Evaluation (T&E) Naval Information Warfare Center—Pacific (NIWC-PAC)

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP - CORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Nathaniel Price Environmental Engineer/Project Manager

Jacobs

ENTREPRENEURIAL FELLOW

Stella McDonald Project Engineer

Jacobs

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Capt. Melvin Ronald Smith

Executive Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

U.S. Navy

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN GOVERNMENT

Kelan T. Berry

Aerospace Engineer (Propulsion Systems)

Air Force Civilian Service—AFLCMC/LPS

Lt. Timothy C. Horton

Assistant Public Works Officer

U.S. Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN INDUSTRY

Kendric Garmon Software Engineer Leidos

Zephaniah Horton

Senior Systems Engineer Lockheed Martin

MOST PROMISING SCIENTIST IN GOVERNMENT

Lyndsey McMillon-Brown, Ph.D. Research Electrical Engineer National Aeronautics and Space Administration John H. Glenn Research Center

Jamesa Latanya Stokes, Ph.D. Aerospace Materials Research Engineer National Aeronautics and Space Administration

MOST PROMISING SCIENTIST IN INDUSTRY

Houda Kerkoub

Senior Aviation Data Scientist The MITRE Corporation

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT

Kelly Thomas Davis Sr. Lead Information Technology Specialist

The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Software Engineering Center

Crystal Hayden

Deputy Chief, Contract and Program Management Oversight Office National Security Agency

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY

Nalini Ambrose Manager, VA Health Systems & Strategy Department

The MITRE Corporation

Bridget Beamon, Ph.D.

Principal Systems Engineer Raytheon Technologies

Siraaj M. Hasan

Director/Principal—National Cyber Market Lead Booz Allen Hamilton

OUTSTANDING METAVERSE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Ernest L. Smiley

Chief Data Scientist and CISO Kingdom Capital

PIONEER AWARD

Wendell Foster

Executive Director

Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense (DoD) Information Networks

DoD, United States Cyberspace Command

PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Chauncey McIntosh

Vice President and General Manager, Training and Logistics Solutions

Lockheed Martin

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Paige Brown, Ph.D.

Expert Electrical Engineer and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Manager

United States Food and Drug Administration

Patrick G. Taylor, Ph.D.

Chief, Propulsion Test Branch

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command—Aviation and Missile Center

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY

Sean Bradshaw, Ph.D.

Fellow, Sustainable Propulsion

Raytheon Technologies

Candice M. Smith, PMP

Director, Engineering Strategy and Operations

The Boeing Company

RESEARCH LEADERSHIP

Bianica Pires, Ph.D.

Lead Modeling and Simulation Engineer

The MITRE Corporation

SENIOR TECHNOLOGY FELLOW

Cedric Mann

Consulting Engineer Systems Architect—Tech Fellow

Northrop Grumman

Danielle Stephenson

Principal R&D Systems Engineer

Sandia National Laboratories

STUDENT LEADERSHIP - UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL

Erron Williams

Undergraduate Student

Prairie View A&M University

TECHNICAL SALES AND MARKETING

Everton Swearing

Global Head of Sales, 2-Wheeler & Powersports

Customer Group

Vitesco Technologies USA, LLC

Awardees come from places that span the globe, and geographic and cultural diversity adds incalculable value to their work and workplaces.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Lamar Garrett

Chief, Chemical Biological Center Field Element

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Analysis Center

Throughout his 39-year career, Lamar Garrett has made significant contributions to the development and modernization of the full portfolio of U.S. Army and Joint Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, and Radiological (CBRN) Defense systems. He served as a CBRN enlisted soldier for 21 years, where he stood out as an effective leader and retired as a master sergeant in 2005. While on active duty, he began his engineering-focused career. He transitioned to the Army civilian workforce and has continued to serve as an operations research analyst and engineer within the Army Research Lab (ARL) and later the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Analysis Center (DAC). “Mr. Garrett’s continuing work and achievements have provided a high level of impact to the mission and goals of DAC as well as DEVCOM, U.S. Army Futures Command, and the Department of the Army,” said Chief Andrew Bodenhamer of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center. In 2013, he was the recipient of the U.S. Army’s Louis Dellamonica Award for his extraordinary technical and leadership achievements while serving as a human systems integration practitioner and field element chief.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Capt. Kimberly Jones, U.S. Navy Reactor Officer

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)

During the course of her career, Capt. Kimberly Jones has been a trailblazer. She is the first Black woman to serve as a reactor officer onboard a U.S. aircraft carrier and the sixth overall to hold the position. In 1999, Jones entered the U.S. Navy through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. In 2001, she was commissioned as an ensign from Officer Candidate School and subsequently completed the Division Officer Course at Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, RI. She became the only Black woman to serve as an officer in charge, commander of Naval Air Forces Pacific detachment Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Most significantly, Jones is the sixth African-American woman to serve as commanding officer of a Naval warship. “Capt. Jones has distinguished herself through high performance in a career field where many people who look like her are not usually seen. Her achievements are milestones and paved the way for young ladies of color to realize that they too can succeed as an officer in the SWO [surface warfare officer] and nuclear communities,” said Capt. Ray Glenn, U.S. Navy.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY

Wole Akinyemi, Ph.D

Executive Director, Research and Technology

Cummins Inc.

In the late 1990s, Wole Akinyemi, Ph.D. drove improvements to the combustion and performance capability of diesel engine products, which were facing unprecedented change fueled by new diesel emission levels. Employing his knowledge of combustion, Akinyemi and his teams helped develop diesel engines capable of achieving lower emission levels. As part of the combustion and performance development team, he drove investigations into different modalities of engine combustion and enabled the advancement in Cummins’ product emissions and performance capability. After 11 years with Cummins, Akinyemi was offered an opportunity with GE Research to spearhead engine development efforts for their flagship Evolution Locomotive product. He ultimately returned to Cummins in 2021. As executive director of advanced architecture teams in the Research and Technology organization, he leads a team of 250 engineers tasked with the design, technology development, and performance verification of system solutions for all Cummins product lines. “Over the years, I have found him willing to coach and mentor young employees. He is very dedicated to his craft,” said Albert McDonald, Jr., technical director at Cummins Emission Solutions.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY

Cleophus Thomas Jr.

Vice President, Director of Operations, Global Digital Center of Excellence

Jacobs

Cleophus Thomas Jr. is a vice president and director of operations of the Global Digital Center of Excellence. He manages operational priorities to ensure the successful integration of innovations in support of Jacobs’ global mission. He has made numerous contributions to Jacobs in the areas of mentorship, diversity, and equality. Previously, he led the strategic development and line of business market research to ensure critical mission solutions strategic development is optimized to compete and win against the company’s peer competition. Before joining Jacobs, Thomas spent more than two years as a senior manager for the defense and national security market segment at Ernst and Young, LLP. He served for 25 years in the U.S. Army and retired with the rank of colonel. Thomas served as a communications officer, focusing primarily on cyber security. His experience included leading and managing several cyber defense and IT organizations at the highest level of the Department of Defense and the White House. “As the third Black director/commander of the White House Communications Agency since 1942, and as the director/commander of the White House Communications Agency, Cleo provided communications support to the president of the United States (Barack Obama). Cleo was awarded the Presidential Service Badge for his numerous successful missions in support of the president of the United States,” said 2020 Black Engineer of the Year Bruce Crawford.

THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD Justin Simpson Director, Data Security

Walmart

As director of data security for Walmart, Inc., Justin Simpson oversees the $20.3 million enterprise cryptography team’s responsibilities for protecting the assets and data integrity for all stores, clubs, and distribution centers in over 27 countries with 2.3 million employees. He’s also a sought-after industry speaker and philanthropist. Inspired by the hope of addressing racial inequality, Simpson established a nonprofit, A Little Bit of Hope, (ALBH) to support underserved minorities in STEM. His goal is to help marginalized populations have sustainable careers and build generational wealth. Since its formation, ALBH has partnered with three Title I schools to host backto-school events, gifting backpacks filled with school supplies to 1,500 students. Simpson mentors and coaches students at historically Black colleges and universities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he joined North Carolina A&T University to help provide 25 students with new personal computers so that they could continue their education from home. He serves on the Management Information Systems Advisory Board for the University of Alabama and the Computer Science Advisory Board for Florida A&M University. Nick Givens, vice president for security engineering for Walmart Inc., says, “It becomes apparent quickly by anyone who works with him the level of care and dedication he shows when it comes to taking care of others and helping them be successful.”

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Lewis Pate Jr., Ph.D.

Enterprise Solutions Architect CACI International, Inc.

Dr. Lewis Pate has dedicated his life to giving back, especially to people of color and underserved communities in STEM. In addition to his role as site lead at CACI International, he mentors several organizations, promoting STEM education for women and minorities. He teaches two entry-level and four advanced cybersecurity and IT courses annually. For the past three years, Pate has taught dozens of IT/cyber classes free of charge to more than 150 students seeking to earn professional certifications. He also serves as the San Antonio lead for Cyversity, a nonprofit association dedicated to the academic and professional success of minority cybersecurity students and professionals. “Dr. Pate is worthy of this prestigious BEYA 2023 Community Service Award because of his ability to rise above challenges to overcome the barriers that life has presented him and then leverage those experiences to serve others as a role model. Through his passion for STEM education, he has become a champion for ensuring that underserved populations have a bright future and lasting careers in STEM,” said DeEtte Gray, CACI Business and IT Solutions president.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Anike L. Sakariyawo

Founding-Executive Director S.E.E.K. Foundation

Anike Sakariyawo began her 15-year career in education as a kindergarten to thirdgrade teacher in the Miami Dade County Public School District. She worked at Title 1 schools, where many of the children live at or below the federal poverty level. Since resources were scarce in these low-income neighborhoods, she used innovative teaching methods to make science class a fun learning experience for her students. She was inspired to help close the educational gap and bridge the divide for her students. Sakariyawo began implementing STEM programs at different schools using her experience as a science instructor. This led her to create and incorporate the nonprofit S.E.E.K. Foundation in 2012, with the goal of giving children more access to opportunities and bridging the STEM gap in Title 1 schools.

“I see Ms. Sakariyawo as not only an entrepreneur but also as a community activist,” said Mirva Cadet, president of Cornerstone Global Collaborative. “I know the phrase ‘community activist’ conjures a lot of different images for different people. In Ms. Sakariyawo’s case, she fights to ensure that children of color have equitable access to education, particularly STEM education.”

DAVE BARCLAY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Scott Drach

Vice President of HR for Corporate and International

The Boeing Company

Scott Drach is the vice president of human resources for Boeing International and Corporate. One of Drach’s top priorities in setting and executing HR policy is to promote equal opportunities for underrepresented groups. He has taken steps to educate himself on the challenges and disadvantages faced by others so that he can practice better allyship. In his current role, his team has been responsible for an increase by more than 1.3 percent of women hired in non-U.S. locations. As HR vice president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), the representation of people of color grew in sites across America, including Philadelphia, PA; St, Louis, MO; Huntsville, AL; and Heath, OH. Under Drach’s leadership, the BDS HR function also committed to a sharper focus on veteran hiring, attendance, and participation in Women in Aerospace conferences, and embedding into the management system a Boeing enterprise initiative called Seek, Speak & Listen. “In his 32 years at The Boeing Company,” said Pat Cazeau, senior director, The Boeing Company, “he has established himself as an advocate and ally who is committed to using his voice to maintain a level playing field for all.”

Odetta Scott

Indirect Procurement—Associate Director

Raytheon Technologies

Odetta Scott, a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, serves as an associate director of indirect procurement for Collins Aerospace, a division of Raytheon Technologies. Scott has cultivated a passion for helping others through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Over the past 24 years, she has chaired the Leading Inspired Females in Technology (LIFT) Recognition & Retention Committee. The mission of LIFT is to enable women in STEM to obtain extraordinary outcomes by bringing their authentic selves to work. Under Scott’s leadership, LIFT deploys knowledge cafés across Collins nationally and internationally. To date, 19 cafés have been successfully conducted, identifying areas where Collins has opportunities to be inclusive and improve retention. Before joining Collins, Scott worked at Raytheon Technologies for 15 years. In addition to serving in various technical leadership positions, her zeal for DEI was a driver in her accepting leadership and sponsorship roles for Raytheon’s Women’s Network and Raytheon’s Black Employee Network. She mentors at least 20 individuals, coaches two executives, and has trained approximately 150 Six Sigma specialists. “Odetta is passionate about sharing her talents with others, and as a result, is an inspiration,” said Rebecca Stoner, executive director of engineering at Collins Aerospace.

DAVE BARCLAY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

DEANS’ AWARD

Larry O. Harris

PEO-C4I/PMW-120, Assistant Program Manager (APM) – Test & Evaluation (T&E)

Naval Information Warfare Center— Pacific (NIWC-PAC)

Larry Harris, a program manager for test and evaluation at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, has been critical in laying the foundation for future systems testing frameworks and methodologies. Harris works closely with over 16 programs and projects, helping them navigate testing and evaluation requirements and ensuring more reliable and effective systems are delivered to the warfighter. His efforts have improved Navy C41 systems installation, and under his guidance, many programs adopted the Test Automation Framework (TAF). His work with TAF is responsible for the faster delivery of technology to the fleet. Harris, in one example, helped provide savings of 49 hours (95 percent) and $12,000 over two days. Applied across departments and over time, this cost and time savings are a game changer for the Navy. Overall, under Harris’ leadership, TAF has consistently executed tests with over 90 percent time savings. J.W. Hartford, the chief tester in the Office of the Chief Engineer with Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, adds, “Larry is generous with his time and knowledge. He freely mentors junior engineers, testers, and other assistant program managers on the finer points of test and evaluation, and its critical importance in the DOD acquisition process.”

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIPCORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Nathaniel Price

Jacobs

Nathaniel Price is an environmental engineer and project manager with more than 14 years of experience in the investigation, remediation, and management of contaminated environmental sites. He is the activity manager for Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia and primarily supports the Navy CLEAN program. Price has held leadership roles in the Jacobs VetNet and Harambee Employee Network Groups. He is the university relations recruitment lead and ambassador for the Harambee global leadership team. He also serves as the environmental solutions (ES) business group inclusion and internship initiative lead. In this role, he is responsible for working with ES senior leadership to increase engagement with HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions, with a focus on bringing in a diverse pool of interns and new graduate hires. Price also serves as the talent supervisor for junior and mid-level staff members in the environmental group, including more than 20 direct reports working in Virginia Beach, VA, and remotely across the U.S. “Nate is at the heart of so many of the Jacobs activities that enhance opportunities for minorities in technical careers, and I am honored to recommend him for this award,” said Christine Metcalf, director of environmental solutions talent management.

ENTREPRENEURIAL FELLOW

Stella McDonald

Project Engineer

Jacobs

Stella McDonald is a project manager and experienced chemical engineer. She played a key role in the Jacobs Homeland Security Department, which supported the Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response. Eager to make a difference, McDonald was at the forefront of innovative research related to bacterial decontamination of Bacillus anthracis surrogates research, under a contract Jacobs had with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She rapidly pivoted to a new field of research to address and enhance the EPA’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak by undertaking several research projects to inform and devise strategies for alleviating contamination concerns during a viral outbreak. McDonald is active in her local community in Durham, NC, where her efforts focus on mentoring youth through volunteer work with a local nonprofit. She takes every opportunity to share her knowledge with junior engineers and scientists with whom she works and has trained every new hire who has worked on homeland security research. “Stella personifies scientific curiosity and empathy-led leadership, and embodies Jacobs’ core values,” said Dr. Abderrahmane Touati, department manager at Jacobs. “Her professional and personal contributions will ripple beyond industry so that future generations will thrive.”

Environmental Engineer/Project Manager

Leaders in Innovation.

We are honored to recognize our winners at the 37th Annual BEYA STEM Conference. The men and women of Lockheed Martin commend you for your achievements and thank you for your dedication to excellence and innovation.

Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

Chauncey McIntosh Rotary and Mission Systems President’s Award

Zephaniah Horton Aeronautics Company Most Promising Engineer © 2023 Lockheed Martin Corporation EO-2258

Modern Day Technology Leaders:

Science Spectrum Trailblazers:

Christopher Barr

Denariel Benn Marlon Freeman

Idson Mompoint

Jarvis Sparks

Morizel Hodges

Kenneth Campbell

Dennis Hildebrand

Maurice Powell

Robel Weldegabriel

Livy Cox

Alexis Lewis

Koltan Riley

Channing Wright

Jose Carlo Francis

Felicia McPhail

Detrick Simmons

Keldon McPherson

Suzette Southward

Jacqueline Jackson Ciante McLemore

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Capt. Melvin Ronald Smith

Executive Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command United States Navy

Capt. Melvin Smith entered the Naval Academy two years after enlisting as a sailor, earning his mechanical engineering degree. He served aboard four submarines, the fourth being the most technologically advanced in the force, the USS Jimmy Carter. He oversaw seven Virginia class submarines as squadron commander—only the 12th African American to command a U.S. submarine. Every submarine on which Smith served was awarded the Battle “E” — the best all-around ship in the squadron— the USS Jimmy Carter earning it twice. Vice Adm. Mel Williams, U.S. Navy (Ret.) notes, “As the commodore, he also superbly mentored the commanding officers that were assigned to the Submarine Squadron, and he served as an inspirational role model for the vast number of young people that he engaged.” He was principal assistant to the director of Navy Nuclear Propulsion, submarine assignments branch head, and executive officer detailer at Navy Personnel Command. Smith served the Joint Staff as the division chief for Nuclear Policy and Strategic Deterrence for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was hand-selected by the commander of Indo-Pacific Command to serve in his current role. Smith is authorized to wear the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and other personal and unit awards.

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN GOVERNMENT

Kelan T. Berry

Aerospace Engineer (Propulsion Systems)

Air Force Civilian Service—AFLCMC/LPS

Kelan Berry helped develop and refine a cutting-edge reliability-centered maintenance toolset that gives the U.S. Air Force the ability to make deployment decisions based on expected engine service life. Berry also briefed and demonstrated the use of the toolset for senior leaders at the Department of Defense. His deployment readiness tool is projected to reduce unscheduled engine removals in the area of responsibility by more than 90 percent. He was also fundamental in the Air Force’s deployment of its revolutionary usage-based lifing system on the F119 engine program. Berry’s efforts will pave the way for this next-generation engine life management system to be used on the Joint Strike Fighter and future aircraft platforms. Berry continued his personal development through the completion of a Master of Science degree in engineering, progressing in professional military education, and pursuing numerous training opportunities in the digital engineering environment. “Kelan’s exemplary technical contribution has dramatically changed the Air Force’s propulsion sustainment capabilities for today’s engine inventory and future generations of aircraft systems,” said Chad Soucek, F119/J85/TF34 Engineering Branch chief, U.S. Air Force. “Mr. Berry’s technical accomplishments, initiative, and leadership establish himself as the leading candidate for advancement within the Air Force propulsion technical community.”

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN GOVERNMENT

Lt. Timothy C. Horton

Assistant Public Works Officer

US Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington

Lt. Timothy Horton excels in managing diverse teams in challenging locations from West Africa to South America, whether it is repairing a floating dredge mining plant in Sierra Leone or overseeing the life-cycle facilities management of the oldest U.S. Navy installation. Now a junior officer, Horton is currently serving as an assistant public works officer at the Washington Navy Yard. Along the way, he has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, and many certifications. He has managed the execution of a $2.1 billion facility sustainment program across 71 U.S. Naval installations and directed the construction of a $20 million medical facility in Africa. Horton was selected for promotion to lieutenant commander and plans to further his graduate studies at the Naval Post Graduate School Monterey, broadening his area of service. Capt. M.C. Burns, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Washington, says, “I am extremely confident that he will quickly move up in the ranks and hold positions of higher authority in the military and be a big influence in the engineering community.” Horton also finds time to give back by volunteering as a math teacher during his deployment to the Federated States of Micronesia and mentoring junior and senior engineering officers on the science and application of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN INDUSTRY

Kendric Garmon

Software Engineer

Leidos

Kendric Garmon became an intern for Leidos’ Storefront program at Prairie View A&M University in 2012. He transitioned to Cimarron Software Services in Houston, TX, was mentored by senior engineers, and helped develop solutions for internal customer projects and NASA proposals. Garmon returned to Leidos in 2016, and now supports NASA programs under the Cargo Mission Contract and the NASA-NOAA Portfolio for Leidos’s Civil Organization Integrated Mission Operations Division. He designs and sustains a multi-server/multi-datacenter SharePoint farm utilized across multiple NASA contracts. He has received Leidos Special Recognition Awards for supporting the contract’s mission. “Kendric’s leadership style, professionalism, and respect for others were recognized by management,” said Juan Moreno-Gongora, software engineering manager at Leidos, “which led to a promotion to solution architect for the NASA programs due to his focus on continuous learning and exploring new technologies.” Garmon belongs to Leidos employee resource groups like African American Leidos Network, the Young Professionals Network, and the HispanoLatinx Leidos Asociación, where he serves the operations and administration pillar of the national board. Garmon upholds the company’s values of integrity, inclusion, innovation, agility, collaboration, and commitment through continuous learning and striving to move technology into the future.

MOST PROMISING ENGINEER IN INDUSTRY

Zephaniah Horton

Senior Systems Engineer

Lockheed Martin

Starting his career with Lockheed Martin as a janitor in 2014, Zephaniah Horton actively sought opportunities beyond his job title and duties. In 2018, his determination and perseverance paid off and afforded him an opportunity to break into the engineering field as an administrator for Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (JMATS) program. He served Lockheed’s team for two years as a diversity and inclusion site lead and has created a corporate grassroots initiative that encourages inclusivity and diversity of thought. For his efforts, he would go on to receive Lockheed Martin’s highest honor, the Evening of Excellence Award. He has held the position of president for Lockheed Martin’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter and continues to lead a Bible study for employees.

“Zephaniah remains a well-rounded example of what it takes to succeed as an engineer. His life is a story of challenge, innovation, and perseverance. As his story continues to be written, there is no question as to whether he has the potential to impact this industry and those within it,” said Eric Kreul, a program manager at Lockheed Martin.

MOST PROMISING SCIENTIST IN GOVERNMENT

Lyndsey McMillon- Brown, Ph.D.

Research Electrical Engineer National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Dr. Lyndsey McMillon-Brown is a key member of the photovoltaic technology team at the NASA Glenn Research Center, supporting photovoltaic research, development, and demonstrations for NASA’s space missions. McMillon-Brown recently served as co-principal investigator of a project investigating the impact of Mars dust abrasion on solar cells, where she successfully led the technical team, including student mentoring. Her work on the impact of dust on photovoltaics was awarded “Best Poster in the Space Photovoltaic Area” at the 47th Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Photovoltaic Specialists Conference and was recently published in the Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells journal. The work was also nominated for NASA’s Best Publication award in 2021. She is the principal investigator of an early-career initiative developing perovskite solar cells that can be manufactured in space and on the moon. She is the founder and organizer of “Minority Carriers,” a panel discussion and topic area at a major international conference. “She is a tireless striver for diversity, equity, and inclusion and subsequently published an article in Nature on ‘Implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts at Conferences,’ to describe her experiences, thoughts, and the ‘Minority Carriers’ approach,” said Dr. Timothy Peshek of NASA Glenn Research Center.

MOST PROMISING SCIENTIST IN GOVERNMENT

Jamesa Latanya Stokes, Ph.D.

Aerospace Materials Research Engineer

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center

Even before Dr. Jamesa Stokes joined NASA, she had amassed an impressive list of accomplishments. After graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in physics, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research at the German Aerospace Center Institute of Structures and Design. She interned with NASA while earning her Ph.D. In her current position as a materials research engineer, she studies the behavior of materials in extreme environments. This is an integral part of NASA’s goal to send humans back to the moon, and eventually, Mars, as well as protect air flight vehicles here on Earth. Stokes has pioneered testing on materials that will ultimately determine if coating materials can withstand thermochemical degradation—a key component of design for these vehicles. According to Joyce A. Dever, chief of the Materials and Structures Division at NASA, Stokes “has obtained results that are critical to advancing these technologies for NASA missions. Her expertise also has applications for human missions to the moon where construction technologies are needed using lunar surface materials.” She generates new technology reports, mentors graduate students, and participates in thesis committees. She also sits on critical review panels, regularly reviews manuscripts and proposals, and encourages the education of next-generation engineers. Stokes is also active in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Young Professionals Group.

MOST PROMISING SCIENTIST IN INDUSTRY Houda Kerkoub

Senior Aviation Data Scientist

The MITRE Corporation

As a senior data scientist at MITRE Corporation, Houda Kerkoub supports the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), whose mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the United States and the world. Her technical leadership is informed by her expertise as a licensed airline pilot and flight instructor, giving her unique insights into aviation safety’s human factors. Kerkoub is a principal investigator for independent research through the MITRE Innovation Program, wherein she advanced progress on a research problem the Commercial Aviation Safety Team identified in 2013. Her research addresses items from the Boeing 737 Max accidents’ Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR). Kerkoub led technical efforts for the FAA to develop data-driven processes to prioritize safety analyses across aviation communities, which would enable complex decision-making across the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program. According to MITRE Public Sector’s senior vice president and general manager Beth Meinert, “Houda is never deterred by a problem… She can take a complex system, distill it down into its core pieces, and define solutions.” Kerkoub is the recipient of a NASA award, an active contributor to the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, and a former member of Women Techmakers in Africa.

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT Kelly Thomas Davis Sr.

Lead Information Technology Specialist

The U.S. Army CommunicationsElectronics Command Software Engineering Center

Kelly Davis has put his creativity and ingenuity to work helping U.S. Army software function more efficiently. His ability to understand complex Army communication systems led to the Outstanding Technical Contribution Award. Davis is the technical lead in the Software Engineering Center’s Mission Networks Branch in charge of maintaining solid cybersecurity for one of the Army’s most complex networks. He automated the quarterly delivery process, creating the SharePoint Support Media Generation Tool. This cut the process down from days and weeks to 30 minutes or less.

“Mr. Davis’ immense technical knowledge was key to our success in an extremely resource-constrained and fiscally challenged environment,” said Jennifer A. Swanson, director of the Software Engineering Center. Davis also developed an Organizational Manager Tool to centralize document use, networks, and portals. For his outstanding dedication and success in his short time with the Software Engineering Center, the Army nominated him for a Black Engineer of the Year Award. While in college, he interned at a tech company called Helion, quickly earning technical certifications, and eventually securing a developer position. He was and is a successful game developer, releasing apps in the Google Play Store and on Steam, leading to a partnership with Microsoft.

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT

Crystal Hayden

Deputy Chief, Contract and Program Management Oversight Office National Security Agency

Crystal Hayden is deputy chief of the Contract & Program Management Oversight Office in the Business Management & Acquisition (BM&A) Directorate at the National Security Agency (NSA). She is responsible to the senior acquisition executive (SAE) for oversight of NSA/Central Security Service (CSS) contract and program efforts and has over 15 years of experience. Hayden is responsible for serving as an independent assessor on behalf of the SAE for all programs at the agency and provides guidance on best practices of program management to all agency portfolio execution offices. She integrates all matters related to NSA-designated programs and manages and executes the NSA Federally Funded Research and Development Center program. Previously, Hayden served as the cyber security and enterprise discovery program division chief. In this role, she provided professional program management support to customers in the Directorate of Operations. In total, the division supported seven programs.

“Crystal is an intelligent and passionate leader. It is a privilege to have her as a leader on my staff and to see her impact on so many levels throughout the agency,” said Diane Dunshee, director of BM&A and SAE, National Security Agency.

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY Nalini Ambrose

Manager VA Health Systems and Strategy Department

The MITRE Corporation

Nalini Ambrose is a department manager who works in support of the Center for Government Effectiveness and Modernization (CGEM) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), operated by The MITRE Corporation. With a passion for improving the quality of health care and clinical outcomes for individuals and communities, Ambrose has aligned her career path to demonstrate ever-increasing impact and innovation in developing capabilities to better the lives of the American public. “Throughout her remarkable career, Nalini has led technical projects of critical national importance—projects that have set the stage for large-scale and continued enhancements to improve the health and welfare of the American people,” said Dr. Jason Providakes, president and CEO of MITRE. Ambrose works in collaboration with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Systems and Transformation Division to identify, develop, and effectively execute projects to solve public administration and policy challenges in the VA administration and programs that directly impact the health and well-being of those who served our nation. Ambrose also led a critical high-visibility project to generate real-world evidence to accelerate COVID-19 therapeutics in support of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services.

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY Bridget Beamon, Ph.D. Principal

Systems Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

With over 23 years of industry experience, Bridget Beamon, Ph.D. is a multi-disciplined engineer. Born in a township founded by former slaves, she is the first on both sides of her family to become a high school valedictorian and earn a doctorate. She was part of a team that implemented the original short message service (SMS) offerings in North America and contributed to IBM Watson’s Natural Language Processing (NLP) core algorithms, and works on a number of top-secret Department of Defense initiatives. Beamon rejoined Raytheon Technologies in 2020 as a principal system engineer, filling their need for a rare skill mix of data scientist, machine learning subject matter expert, and ability to bring a product to market. She led groundbreaking research using NLP to perform requirement analysis, which will save tens of thousands of hours of manual work. Dr. Beamon holds several patents and has submitted another for this most recent innovation. “[Dr. Beamon] is a true inspiration. With her numerous patents and publications, she has already accomplished more than most engineers will in their careers,” said Brian Ganus, senior engineering manager at Raytheon Technologies. “She is a role model to peers and junior engineers and is always willing to help share her knowledge and experience with others.”

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY

Siraaj M. Hasan

Director/Principal—National Cyber Market Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton

Siraaj Hasan serves as a principal/director, leading Booz Allen Hamilton’s National Cyber USCYBERCOM Business. As market lead and senior cyber expert for the Department of Defense (DOD), he is responsible for managing over 200 cyber professionals. He is charged with driving business development growth across the Joint Military Combatant Commands as well as the National Security Interagency and commercial and international communities. As a senior cyber technology leader, he leads a team of cyber security experts, network engineers, systems engineers, modeling and simulation subject matter experts, cyber operators, and capability and cyber tool developers. For the past 10 years, Hasan has played a key role in the DOD cyber strategy by working directly with senior leaders and cyber operators. His ability to develop realworld simulations and direct engagement with the cyber force teams has been critical to our nation’s ability to effectively defend and prevent catastrophic cyber attacks and global cyber threats. “Siraaj is a compassionate leader,” lauded Becky Robertson, vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, “who has devoted significant personal and professional time to building and mentoring STEM expertise within Booz Allen and his community.”

OUTSTANDING METAVERSE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Ernest L. Smiley

Chief Data Scientist and CISO Kingdom Capital

As chief data scientist and chief information security officer of Kingdom Capital, Ernest Smiley focuses on data science, machine learning, AI, and predictive analysis within the cyber/information security, human capital management, and healthcare ecosystem. His 25-year career spans work for the U.S. Army, DOD Health Systems, the intelligence community, and commercial organizations. Smiley is also the founder and CEO of Georgetown Analytics, which focuses on data science, AI, and predictive analytics platform, supporting investments, cyber, talent management, and healthcare ecosystem opportunities throughout the United States. Smiley also holds the following certifications: Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified Software Analyst (CSA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Project Manager (CPM), Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC), Certified Leadership Consultant (CLC), and Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA). He has completed several executive leadership programs from Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and was the 2017 BEYA Scientist of the Year.

PIONEER AWARD

Wendell “Dell” Foster

Executive Director Joint Force

Headquarters Department of Defense Information Networks

Department of Defense, United States Cyberspace Command

Wendell “Dell” Foster has a 30-year track record of professional achievements, technical acumen, and leadership in signal intelligence and cyberspace operations. Foster began his career in the Marine Corps as an enlisted air traffic controller. Later he gained a commission as an activeduty Marine intelligence officer. While on active duty and detailed to the National Security Agency, he was responsible for the deployment of emerging technology sensors to intercept, monitor, and disrupt adversary communications in the combat area of operations. The sensors produced valuable battlefield intelligence and potentially saved the lives of countless American servicemen and women. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2012, Foster continued to serve as a civil servant with the newly formed United States Cyberspace Command (USCC.) During his time at USCC, he was charged with ushering cyberspace operations packages through the Review and Approval Process for Cyberspace Operations. Those early efforts helped educate and shape the way the United States approves and executes cyberspace operations. “Dell has successfully accepted the challenging and demanding responsibilities as a technology thought leader,” said David Steward, chairman of World Wide Technology, and the 2012 Black Engineer of the Year.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Chauncey McIntosh

Vice President and General Manager, Training and Logistics Solutions

Lockheed Martin

Chauncey McIntosh supports more than 4,000 Lockheed Martin employees in 65 countries and oversees development, production, and sustainment of mission readiness technologies serving customers around the globe. He led the close-out of the system design and demonstration in the development of the F-35 Lightning II, the largest government defense program in history. McIntosh is not only a respected trainer, he also secured $2.8 billion in sales last year. He is known for creating a culture of inclusion, belonging, psychological safety, and excellence. According to Frank A. St. John, chief operating officer for Lockheed Martin, “What is truly exceptional about Chauncey is not only his success in his career but also his devotion to community service. Chauncey is passionate about being a mentor and staying active within his local community.” McIntosh mentors many Lockheed Martin teammates and as Prairie View A&M University’s executive sponsor, focuses on the development of STEM talent. He also serves on the board for First Tee of Central Florida, whose goal is instilling character through the game of golf. He forged a 2022 partnership with the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to provide STEM mentorship, bringing students on campus for technology tours to encourage them to pursue STEM careers. McIntosh also volunteers with Project Lead the Way, Seminole County, Orlando Science Center, and the University of Central Florida Cyber Lab.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Paige Brown, Ph.D.

Expert Electrical Engineer, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Manager

Food and Drug Administration

Dr. Paige Brown began her career as an electrical engineer with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in 2011, serving in the Avionics Department. In addition to her professional work at NAVAIR, Brown was an active member of the NSBE. She chartered the award-winning Southern Maryland NSBE Jr., the precollege category for K-12 students. For her work, she was awarded the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Golden Torch Award for Pre-College Initiative Director of the Year (2014). While obtaining her master’s in education, Brown transitioned to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a lead scientific reviewer and electrical engineer in 2015. At the FDA, Brown led multidisciplinary teams and performed the regulatory review of obstetrics and gynecological medical devices in the Office of Product Evaluation and Quality.

“Paige has a myriad of accomplishments and achievements,” said Dr. Ariel AshShakoor. “She is not only an engineer but an educator, mentor, role model, author, and champion for DEIA [diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.” Brown completed her Ph.D. in engineering education from Purdue University in 2022. She recently began a new position with the Department of Labor as a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Patrick G. Taylor, Ph.D.

Chief, Propulsion Test Branch

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command—Aviation and Missile Center

Not everyone’s career is determined by a coin toss, but when Patrick Taylor was in graduate school at Vanderbilt with his brother, they did not want to pursue the same field of study. With the flip of a coin, an electrical engineering star was born. Taylor has fueled advancements in power and energy technology during his 15 years in the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC). He is a subject matter expert (SME) in research and development to advance technology in aviation and missile systems. He’s also an SME in electrical generation/rotating machinery, electric propulsion, power systems, power storage, and management. Taylor’s also an expert in electrical safety relating to ammunition and explosive test operations, and in data acquisition and control systems. Christi H. Dolbeer, a director and senior executive service member of the Technology Development Directorate Aviation and Missile Center, said, “Dr. Taylor has made a tremendous impact for our soldiers in delivering combat capability that will ensure the Army’s dominance in the 21st century.” Taylor coordinates technical support for research and development customer programs and provides guidance to junior engineers in their own project planning. He supervises 15 government employees, providing conflict resolution, performance evaluation, and mentorship.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY

Sean Bradshaw, Ph.D. Fellow, Sustainable Propulsion

Raytheon Technologies

As a fellow of sustainable propulsion, Dr. Sean Bradshaw sets the direction for Pratt & Whitney (whose parent company is Raytheon Technologies) on environmentally sustainable aircraft propulsion systems. He formed a team of experts across Raytheon Technologies to study the company’s history of fuel testing, come up with a list of engine requirements, and develop an aircraft testing strategy. These efforts were critical to the successful geared turbofan engine ground and flight demonstrations. All of this is helping identify the impact of aircraft engine emissions on the environment. The insights generated from this work will support Pratt & Whitney’s sustainable technology development, future studies, and aircraft engine design, and ultimately it will enable customers to meet their commitments to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Bradshaw is a member of multiple technical organizations and founded the Pratt & Whitney Sustainability Employee Action Group. Geoff Hunt, Pratt & Whitney’s senior vice president for engineering, commends Bradshaw’s passion for “educating, mentoring, and developing the next generation of engineers on university campuses as an adjunct professor and serving the gas turbine community through boards and commissions.” He teaches graduate courses at Columbia University and volunteered with a team of engineers to work with Hartford Public School students to consider careers in aerospace engineering. Bradshaw holds five U.S. patents and has published 10 peer-reviewed publications.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY Candice M. Smith Director, Engineering Strategy and Operations

The Boeing Company

During her 20 years at The Boeing Company, Candice M. Smith has climbed the career ladder from co-op engineering student to director for engineering strategy and operations and engineering people strategy—a groundbreaking role she developed with Boeing executive leadership’s support. Smith is responsible for a strategy that ensures 50,000 engineers at Boeing have a world-class experience as they advance through their careers. She oversees Boeing’s Technical Fellowship Program and ensures the program prioritizes inclusivity toward women, people of color, and all marginalized groups. She served on the first Boeing Engineers Week steering committee and emceed the 2019 Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit, attended by more than 1,000 employees. Dennis A. Muilenburg, Boeing’s former chairman, president, and CEO, notes that “Candice uses her influence, intelligence, and business savvy to illustrate that she cares about the task and people involved in ensuring successful results.” Smith is active in multiple professional organizations, like the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. She is the board chair for Project SYNCERE, a program engaging youth in STEM careers. She’s also the industry advisor for the NSBE Jr. chapter at a Chicago high school and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

RESEARCH LEADERSHIP Bianica Pires, Ph.D. Lead Modeling and Simulation Engineer

The MITRE Corporation

Helping her mother study for her GED and seeing firsthand her hard work to win a scholarship to community college helped shape Bianica Pires’ talent for math and science into a career. Now a lead modeling and simulation engineer at The MITRE Corporation, Pires is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, and the only one in her family to hold a doctorate. Her computational social science research focuses on developing social simulations to predict how policy might directly impact the American public in areas like defense, healthcare, and climate change. Her contributions impact the U.S. Army, U.S. Census Bureau, National Science Foundation, and others. A subject matter expert and thought leader, she advises colleagues seeking to incorporate the use of artificial societies into their own research. Pires mentors students and serves those in underserved communities. Dr. Christopher Glazner, MITRE’s director of the Modeling and Analysis Innovation Center, sings her praises, saying, “Dr. Pires is clearly a technical research leader of the highest caliber, and her star is shining brightly. She conducts work that leads to understanding and solving critical realworld problems in highly diverse domains while retaining an excellent demeanor that makes those around her better.”

SENIOR TECHNOLOGY FELLOW

Cedric Mann

Consulting Engineer Systems Architect— Tech Fellow

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Cedric Mann has over 20 years of experience in the intelligence community and in DOD acquisition programs. He joined Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2020 as a senior consulting engineer systems architect supporting payload and ground space systems. He was selected as a tech fellow in 2021 and is assigned to an internal research and development project for advanced onboard processing. Working with the intelligence community (IC), he focused on resiliency algorithms to protect against space-based threats.

“His background in signal processing and experience with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has allowed him to make immediate technical contributions to multiple programs for Northrop Grumman,” according to McCenna, vice president of engineering at Northrop Grumman. “With his processing expertise, he stepped in on a critical research project to work with a specialized team to improve Northrop’s capability to process advanced algorithms for onboard processing.” Mann is an enthusiastic guide for early and midcareer engineers in Northrop’s Technical Mentoring program. He also was an active member of the Aerospace Black Caucus and the Black Engineering Network. His handson advanced research and development, and leadership in radar technology projects for both IC customers and Northrop internally reflect his versatility and talent.

SENIOR TECHNOLOGY FELLOW

Danielle Stephenson

Principal R&D Systems Engineer

Sandia National Laboratories

Danielle Stephenson’s work is critical to Sandia’s Nuclear Deterrence (ND) mission and to the nation. As a technical area quality lead for War Reserve and Joint Test Assembly Cables, she leads a team of 13 engineers and technologists who support all weapon systems. Stephenson does critical work to ensure the interior of the weapon is protected from environmental impacts over the span of its life. She interacts with subject matter experts (SMEs) and partners with other agencies in the Nuclear Security Enterprise to ensure the successful delivery of ND products. She herself is the SME for the surety engineering and weapons quality staff in the areas of cable qualification. Retired senior technical manager Mary E. Gonzales recalls how, “Danielle reflects all the characteristics of a successful quality engineer including strong attention to detail, desire to continuously improve, and great analytical skills. She has always been a wonderful team member and leader; she listens to her team making collaborative decisions”. Stephenson is deeply involved in the promotion of diversity and inclusion initiatives at Sandia and served as colead for the Sandia California African American Outreach Committee from 2016 to 2018. Also involved in her community, she inspires and motivates interest in STEM education and careers, participating in Maryland MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Conference, the Tri-Valley Expanding Your Horizons Conference, and the Sandia California Design-to-Manufacturing Academy event.

STUDENT LEADERSHIPUNDERGRADUATE LEVEL

Erron Williams

Student

Prairie View A&M University

Erron Williams stood out from the crowd even as a freshman at the University of Houston. Williams is a Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES) Scholar, enabling him to attend BEYA—his first conference. He joined the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), serving on two chapter executive boards. During his tenure, the chapter won the Texas Most Outstanding Chapter award and the Regional and National Chapter of the Year award. As Pre-College Initiative (PCI) chair, he oversaw 30 NSBE Jr. chapters over a 10-state region. After transferring to Prairie View A&M University, Williams remained the NSBE Region 5 vice chair, where he created the operating guidelines and accountability system still in use today. As PCI chair, he launched the NSBE Jr. Ambassadors Program. His service to others and impressive scholarship— he maintains a 3.41 GPA—earned him induction into Tau Beta Pi and Omega Chi Epsilon Honor Societies. Williams has completed two internships, one for Halliburton and the other for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. “He has a passion for serving others and a desire to elevate not only himself but all those whom he encounters. He is a person who is highly intelligent with a very high emotional EQ, self-motivated, and takes extreme ownership,” said Ashton S. Harper, PMP, Regional Advisory Board Co-Chair of NSBE.

TECHNICAL SALES AND MARKETING

Everton Swearing

Global Head of Sales, 2-Wheeler & Powersports Customer Group Vitesco Technologies USA, LLC

Everton Swearing began as a design engineer with Motorola, spending two decades focused on product design, product development, and program management for the automotive market. He managed a variety of multidisciplinary teams, preparing him to lead business development and sales teams. Swearing became head of sales for the Americas for Vitesco Technologies’ Ford Account, with annual sales of $140 million. His team helped the business unit meet its financial targets and led margin improvement teams. In 2015, he became the executive responsible for the Ford Asia Pacific business. This involved a three-year assignment in Shanghai, China. Swearing’s success there brought valuable insights for the Ford Business and advancement of the business relationship. Returning to the United States in 2018, Swearing moved into a sales and business development role in Vitesco Technologies’ non-automotive business. As global head of sales for the 2-Wheeler and Powersports customer group, he focuses on increasing Vitesco Technologies’ impact in this segment of the market. “Whether it is with the advanced engineering teams, the purchasing teams, or with the executive leadership teams, Everton has constantly managed to develop the confidence with our key customers to choose and trust Vitesco Technologies as their supplier partner,” relays Axel Staudinger, vice president Commercial, Customer Group BMW & Mercedes, GKN Automotive.

BECOMING EVERYTHING YOU ARE 37 years of Black Engineer of the Year

2022 - Theodore Colbert III, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services

2021 - Gerald Johnson, EVP, General Motors

2020 - Lt. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford, CIO/G-6, U.S. Army

2019 - Anthony Mitchell, EVP, Booz Allen Hamilton

2018 - Alicia Boler Davis, EVP, General Motors

2017 - Eugene DeLoatch, dean emeritus, Morgan State University

2016 - Christopher T. Jones, corporate VP/president, Northrop Grumman

2015 - Ed T. Welburn, VP, General Motors

2014 - Stephanie C. Hill, president, ISGS, Lockheed Martin

2013 - Freeman A. Hrabowski, president, UMBC

2012 - David L. Steward, chairman, World Wide Technology, Inc.

2011 - Lloyd Howell, EVP, Booz Allen Hamilton

2010 - John D. Harris, VP, Raytheon

2009 - Wanda M. Austin, president and CEO, The Aerospace Corp.

2008 - Reginald Van Lee, SVP, Booz Allen Hamilton

2007 - Rodney C. Adkins, VP, IBM

2006 - Linda C. Gooden, president, Lockheed Martin IT

2005 - William D. Smith, president, Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade & Douglass

2004 - Anthony James, president and CEO of Savannah Electric

2003 - Lydia Thomas, president and CEO of Mitretek Systems

2002 - Rodney O’Neal, EVP, Delphi Automotive Systems

2001 - Shirley Ann Jackson, president and CEO, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2000 - Mark E. Dean, director, IBM Research Laboratory

1999 - Paul Caldwell, chairman and GM, Mobil Producing Nigeria

1998 - Joe N. Ballard, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

1997 - Arthur Johnson, corporate VP Lockheed Martin Corp.

1996 - Albert J. Edmonds, director, Defense Information Systems Agency

1995 - Walt W. Braithwaite, VP, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group

1994 - William R. Wiley, principal exec, Battelle Memorial Institute

1993 - James W. Mitchell, research department head, Bell Laboratories

1992 - Arnold F. Stancell, professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

1991 - Guion “Guy” Stewart Bluford, astronaut, NASA

1990 - Arlington W. Carter, VP and GM, Boeing

1989 - Donnie Cochran, aviator, U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels)

1988 - Erroll B. Davis Jr., president of Wisconsin Power and Light Company

1987 - John B. Slaughter, chancellor, University of Maryland, College Park

Science advances when everyone can.

Every employee should be empowered to be their authentic self at work. At Boston Scientific, you’ll find:

• Diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives aimed at eliminating bias, racism and other forms of discrimination in our workplace.

• 10 employee resource groups, including BRIDGE, which is dedicated to positively promoting the recruitment, development and retention of Black employees and improving the healthcare of ethnically diverse patient populations.

• Meaningful work that helps save and improve millions of patients’ lives each year.

• Inclusive benefits and an award-winning culture built on shared values.

• Mentorship, sponsorship and other career development opportunities for all employees. Join our team: bostonscientific.com/careers

The Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) first introduced the Legacy Award category in 2016 as a fitting tribute to a generation of awardees, many of whom continue to light a path in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Every year since, we have recognized new winners at the Engineering Deans’ Event with awards that bear the names of past winners so that future BEYA generations will be reminded of their impact on innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. Consistent with the award event’s focus on engineering education and excellence at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other MinorityServing Institutions, student awardees as well as early-career scientists and engineers are also recognized. As per tradition, we are proud to present the 2023 Legacy Award winners.

THE BEYA LEGACY AWARDS

Anthony R. James Legacy Award - Anthony R. James (2004 Black Engineer of the Year) served as executive vice president of Southern Company and president of the Shared Services organization, which provided services to Southern Company, one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States.

Capt. Donnie Cochran Legacy Award - Capt. (ret.) Donnie L. Cochran (1989 Black Engineer of the Year) was the first Black aviator assigned to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) in 1986. He later assumed command of the Blue Angels.

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III Legacy Award - Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III (2013 Black Engineer of the Year) rose to prominence bringing stability to Coppin State, an HBCU. He became president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in 1992. During his 30-year tenure, UMBC has consistently ranked as America’s No. 1 producer of Black undergraduates who go on to complete a Ph.D. in the natural sciences or engineering and No. 1 for Black undergraduates who complete an M.D./ Ph.D.

Dr. James W. Mitchell Legacy Award - Dr. James W. Mitchell (1993 Black Engineer of the Year) is a noted researcher, inventor, author, and speaker who joined Bell Laboratories in 1970. He rose to become head of the Inorganic Analysis Group and then led the Analytic Chemistry Research Department at Bell Labs. He was the first Black scientist to be made a Bell Labs fellow.

Dr. Lydia W. Thomas Legacy Award - Dr. Lydia W. Thomas (2003 Black Engineer of the Year) was the second woman to receive this prestigious award. She’s the former president and CEO of Noblis, a company specializing in civil, defense, and homeland security services. She was responsible for the general management and direction of the company’s overall technical, financial, and administrative activities.

Dr. William R. Wiley Legacy Award - William R. Wiley, Ph.D. (1931–1996) was a lifelong believer in the ability of research to drive development and, through it, change

Admiral Michelle Howard Legacy Award - Adm. Michelle Howard, a 2008 winner of the Women of Color in STEM Achievement Award and Career Communications Group Hall of Fame honoree, is the first woman in history to be promoted to four-star admiral by the U.S. Navy and the first African-American woman to captain a ship.

AWARD WINNERS

people’s lives. He joined the Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a research scientist in 1969 and rose to become the laboratory director. He was the 1994 Black Engineer of the Year.

General Johnnie Wilson Legacy Award - Retired United States Army four-star Gen. Johnnie Wilson is a founding member of BEYA Stars & Stripes, an integral part of the annual BEYA STEM Conference. He last served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command from 1996–1999.

Linda Gooden Legacy Award - Linda Gooden (2006 Black Engineer of the Year) retired as executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) business area and an officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. She was one of the most respected business leaders in defense and aerospace during her 40-year career. Gooden is currently chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Gooden is one of a select number of people who have presented awards named after them at BEYA.

Rodney Adkins Legacy Award - Rodney C. Adkins (2007 Black Engineer of the Year) was responsible for leading the transformation across IBM and developing strategies for a new era of computing, new markets, and new clients. Adkins, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physics, retired from IBM after a trailblazing career managing multibillion-dollar business units and delivering product innovations and enterprise solutions.

Stephanie C. Hill Legacy Award - Stephanie C. Hill is the 2014 Black Engineer of the Year. She joined Lockheed Martin as a software engineer in 1987 and has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility during her time with Lockheed. Deeply committed to talent development, she is a champion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

Walt W. Braithwaite Legacy Award - Walt W. Braithwaite (1995 Black Engineer of the Year) helped perfect Boeing’s use of computer-aided design in the manufacturing process, ensuring that engineers avoid any flaws in the smallest bolt as they assemble entire planes.

ADMIRAL MICHELLE HOWARD LEGACY AWARD

Capt. Timothy C. Moore Jr. Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command

U.S. Navy

Capt. Timothy C. Moore Jr. is a trusted advisor to those holding the lives of fleets of sailors in their hands. As executive assistant to the commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, he helps oversee the acquisition, delivery, and support of ships, submarines, weapons systems, and ordnance. He coordinates on behalf of the commander with other threeand four-star general officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) members, and field activity commanders across the 86,000-person enterprise. Prior, Moore was critical to the successful execution of programs of key importance to the U.S. Navy, along with allied and international partner navies. He has commanded both at sea and ashore and has won an award for Excellence in Surface Warfare Research. “His performance in what is arguably the most challenging of assignments over his 25-year career has been nothing short of spectacular. His peerless technical acumen, inspirational leadership, and unwavering professionalism make him the perfect candidate to represent this award with grace, pride, and distinction,” lauded M.W. Troy, chief of staff to the commander of Naval Sea System Command. Moore is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and

BEYA37Legacy

Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy Achievement Medal, in addition to various service and unit awards.

ANTHONY R. JAMES LEGACY AWARD

Larry Laws

Director of Distribution System Operations

Baltimore Gas & Electric

As director of distribution system operations, Larry Laws has consistently delivered topquality electrical service to 1.3 million customers.

His commitment to operational excellence shines through in each position he’s held at Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). Laws is an Army veteran who joined BGE as a relay and control technician trainee in 2006. He advanced to become director of distribution system operations, a critical operation leadership position. Laws is a founding member of BGE’s RISE (Racially Inclusive, Safe, and Equitable) employee resource group. He plays a fundamental role in upholding BGE’s and its parent company Exelon’s commitment to creating a workplace environment in which discrimination is not tolerated. The impact of RISE is directly due to his participation and direction. His drive for inclusivity and racial justice has helped BGE roll out educational series, panel discussions, and community partnerships. “The impact of this work and his leadership has been felt at every level of the BGE organization and is a model for the broader Exelon,” said Jen Herwig, vice president of human resources at BGE. Additionally, Laws is the president of the board of directors at Paul’s Place, a nonprofit in southwest Baltimore that offers individuals and families a space to nurture their spirits and gain self-sufficiency.

CAPT. DONNIE COCHRAN LEGACY AWARD

Camille Daniel, D. Eng. Cybersecurity Executive Leader Johns Hopkins University

Applied Physics Laboratory

Dr. Camille Daniel is leading the revolution in how the Navy fights cyberattacks and has changed the way submarine fleets fight cyberattacks. Daniel is frequently sought out to help solve cyber-technical challenges the Navy faces in acquiring and maintaining the systems it needs to retain its military technological edge. Vernon Parks, program area manager of submarine warfare at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) raves, “She inspires, motivates, and organizes highly effective teams which strive to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive. She lives and breathes innovation and impact while committing monumental effort to STEM and diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Since joining APL in 2005, she’s taken on leadership roles of increasing scope and complexity— including assistant group supervisor, project manager, and program manager— and served as technical liaison to the Navy’s Pacific Fleet commander in Pearl Harbor, HI. She has had a huge impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion through mentorship, leadership, and compassion. Daniel’s awards include the 2015 and 2016 JHU-APL Director’s Diversity Recognition Award and the 2015 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 21st Century Trailblazer in Engineering Award. She’s a member of the APL Diversity Forum, the Women and Minority Advisory Council, APL’s Society of Women Engineers, and The Mathematical Association of America.

DR. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI III LEGACY AWARD

David Canada

Director of Business Operations, Boeing Global Services

The Boeing Company

David Canada has a passion for developing leaders. As director of business operations of the Boeing Global Services

(BGS) business unit, he leveraged digital transformation to improve operational excellence and efficiency. His role in community reinvestment initiatives at The Boeing Company further sets him apart. He chaired Boeing’s Potomac Region Diversity Council, and through his work on Boeing’s Racial Equity Task Force helped increase the number of Black Boeing employees in the U.S. by 20 percent, as well as diversity outreach and recruitment at Howard University. “He has great passion in regards to working with and for our scholars as he knows firsthand about success in corporate America as a Black male in STEM leadership. His influence has made a huge impact in partnership opportunities and impact for diverse communities in STEM,” extolled Black Alliance of Colleges and Employers (BACE) President and CEO Shannon Stone-Winding. Canada works with people who are newly released from prison and helps connect them to workforce training, housing, therapy, and employment. He’s a career coach with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington and helps kids through the National Urban League. Through his fierce advocacy, he demonstrates an inextinguishable faith in the ability of all people to succeed.

DR. JAMES W. MITCHELL LEGACY AWARD

Jared C. Gavin

Specialist Software Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Jared Gavin joined L3Harris in 2018 as a new engineering graduate and in this short time has become the “go-to” person on satellite

waveform research in communications. Gavin has made significant improvements in test automation, and because of his impressive navigation through complex problem-solving, he’s been consulted by many teams. He is an Agile/Scrum team developer and provides feedback on peer reviews and designs. While working fulltime, he’s also pursuing a master’s degree in computer science and participating in multiple employee resource networks at L3Harris. His emphasis on improving communications and pursuit of knowledge and connection has Senior Engineering Manager Thomas J. Morgan, PMP impressed, saying, “Jared is highly regarded within L3Harris as an up-andcoming young engineer on a trajectory to go far within the leadership career ladder.” In high school, he excelled in math and science and was a member of the First Robotics Team, where he was an electrical sub-team leader for robot development. At the University of Buffalo, he was an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

DR. LYDIA W. THOMAS LEGACY AWARD

How-Kai (Helga) Tong Cyber Systems Engineer Technical Specialist Peraton

Inc.

How-Kai (Helga) Tong has distinguished herself as a cyber security expert and has spent her career supporting the military and intelligence community (IC) in its defense against cyber threats. Hailing from an immigrant family, Tong is no stranger to challenges. In college, she helped provide a voice for the Asian community with the nonprofit newspaper Asiannola and was awarded the University of New Orleans Outstanding Woman Graduate Award. Over the course of her 18-year cyber security career, Tong has supported the military and IC. At Peraton, she performs audits in the IC community to help them find and correct weaknesses in their security systems to shore up their defenses proactively. Working on four

proposal teams at a time doesn’t keep her from devoting time to promoting STEM education. Tong participates in the Technical Professional Mentoring Program and teaches Cantonese. She’s the first to graduate from college in her family. Tong inspires a new generation by sharing her experiences with elementary school students through STEM outreach programs, sowing the seeds for a more diverse workforce. Lee Calvert, director of enterprise platforms at the Office of the CIO at Northrup Grumman, describes Tong as “a guiding light for those seeking a career in cyber security and readily shares that knowledge across our entire organization.”

DR. WILLIAM R. WILEY LEGACY AWARD

Tammye Michelle Turner, DC Director, Global Service Technical Operations—Immunoassay and Clinical Chemistry

Abbott

Dr. Tammye Turner is the director of global service technical service operations for immunoassay and clinical chemistry at Abbott Laboratories. She is also the first Black director in Abbott’s Global Service Technical Operations division. Turner has managed clinical laboratories on patient care while spearheading her hematology department’s transition to automated laboratory diagnostics of hematological and blood-borne diseases. Having begun her career in hematology, she went on to earn a chiropractic doctorate before running her own practice. Summing up Turner’s breadth of talent and discipline, John Frels, Ph.D., vice president for Research and Development at Abbott Diagnostics said, “Tammye’s career has been marked by her ability to balance the significant technical and operational challenges of the technology, strong and

caring leadership of her teams, and an enduring connection to our laboratory customers borne out of her experiences running a clinical laboratory early in her career.” Turner channeled that experience into a career with Abbott in immunology and developing laboratory technology. She supports service organizations and customers and their census of more than 34,000 immunology and chemistry analyzers all over the world. Turner earned Abbott’s President’s Award in 2019 and 2020. Her devotion, enthusiasm, and determination to drive cutting-edge in vitro diagnostics technology in the service of bettering the lives of others propel her visionary approach.

GENERAL JOHNNIE WILSON LEGACY AWARD

William J. Croghan Senior Principal Systems Engineer BAE Systems—Navigation and Sensor Systems

William J. Croghan is a 20-year Army veteran who has made major contributions to the field of global positioning systems (GPS). As a senior principal systems engineer for BAE Systems, he supports military GPS products and receivers for the Department of Defense (DOD). Military GPS is essential to DOD operations to monitor intentional and unintentional electromagnetic interference from spoofing and jamming that can sabotage military missions. BAE Systems delivers GPS receivers to early adopter platforms within the DOD. Croghan has played a crucial role in the design and customer integration of BAE Systems’ military code (M-code) GPS receivers. As a veteran, he brings real-world experience to the creation of military GPS products. According to Ryan Sanger, BAE Systems’ discipline lead, “Through his own technical effort and team mentoring, William is a key

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contributor to the success of the BAE Systems M-code product development and fielding.” He has also developed courses to help non-veterans understand the use of these GPS receivers via BAE Systems’ Academy. Croghan is the primary engineer responsible for customer integration support. His decades of service in the Army and trailblazing technological innovations to keep members of the military safe render him uniquely suited for this honor.

GERALD JOHNSON LEGACY AWARD

Dale C. Killins

Engineering Supervisor - Steering Mechatronics & Electro-Hydraulic Systems

Ford Motor Company

Dale Killins is a pioneer of electric power steering systems at Ford Motor Company. Using his expertise in auto-steering systems, he was an integral part of the team developing a new internally designed steering gear for Ford’s commercial vehicle segment. His unique point of view had a heavy influence on the design, and on development of the manufacturing process. Killins then led an international team at Ford Mexico, where he cultivated and transformed engineers into managers. His development of a significant talent force is reflected in the fact that 25 percent of the people on his team later went on to become supervisors at Ford. Since coming back to the United States in 2018, Killins has led a portfolio worth $150 million annually and holds eight U.S. patents. He’s continually focused on team growth, business delivery, and guiding his team of engineering and technical experts, regardless of their level of experience. Michael Puleri, engineering manager at Ford Motor Company, says, “His technical depth, outstanding leadership, and business acumen make him a wellrounded and excellent manager.”

Legacy

LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD

Linda D. Dorsey

Director, Cyber Security, Engineering, Privacy and Resiliency Operations General Dynamics Information Technology

Linda Dorsey is an expert in cyber security and online privacy. She is also an Army veteran who has earned a Bronze star. She has over 35 years of information technology experience, starting out as an engineer and working her way into management with tremendous leadership skills. She supports local, state, and federal government agencies with their cyber and privacy needs, leading her team of more than 50 cyber engineers and analysts. Paul Guthery, GDIT’s senior director of the North Carolina Medicaid Management Information Systems Program, says, “It is critical to have someone as talented as Linda when the objective of the program is ensuring the neediest citizens receive the quality health care that they deserve while respecting their privacy rights.” Dorsey served on General Dynamics’ first Rising Leader Program to increase employee retention at the company. She is a member of the Black Employee Network at GDIT. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, she has two master’s degrees and has earned leadership certificates: one from Cornell and the other from Harvard. Dorsey also volunteers with elementary school students to foster their love of STEM.

RODNEY ADKINS LEGACY AWARD

Huntley B. Myrie

Vice President, Strategy and Business Development—Commercial Programs Spirit

AeroSystems

Huntley Myrie’s experience in the aerospace industry has a unique origin story. Growing up in Jamaica in

a house with no electricity or running water, he walked two miles each way to school, marveling at the airplanes he saw in the sky. At the age of 17, he moved to Brooklyn, NY. After taking the GED, he joined the Army Reserves and earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering while serving in the Army. He joined General Electric, eventually earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Living out his childhood fascination with airplanes, Myrie went from being an engineer at GE to becoming a senior executive, before moving to Eaton Aerospace, where he navigated COVID-19 and improved sales by 18 percent at the same time. Continuing his career advancement, he became vice president of strategy and business development for Spirit AeroSystems, where he was responsible for developing growth strategies for the $5 billion commercial business. Jack Ryan, COO and managing director of Rockefeller Capital Management, described Myrie’s impact saying: “Huntley is an incredible ambassador for whatever organization he represents. In addition to his stellar job performance, he was always committed to helping early-career professionals, students, and the broader community.” His success in the aerospace industry didn’t keep him from multiple volunteer and charitable pursuits, including the United Way and The Mayor’s Alliance for Unity and Culture for the City of Southlake, TX.

WALT

W.

BRAITHWAITE LEGACY AWARD

George Ndayizeye

Structural Analysis Engineer

The Boeing Company

George Ndayizeye may be a mechanical and aerospace engineer at The Boeing Company, but recently he was on the team redesigning Air Force One. “In

every role assigned to George, he has demonstrated technical prowess and competence, placing him in demand for some of our most important projects,” says Steven A. Chisholm, vice president and chief engineer of Boeing Structural and Mechanical Engineering. His ability to adapt and learn is part of his life story. Ndayizeye grew up in Burundi, East Africa, where he spoke three languages, including French. When he moved to the United States, he learned English as he attended school. His versatility and intellectual flexibility are in high demand at The Boeing Company, where he was crucial in the launch of the Boeing 777-9 twin-aisle jetliners, along with playing critical roles in other airplane development programs. He is not only a valued engineer, sought out for guidance on trailblazing projects, but he’s also a valued participant in recruitment and retention programs. Not content to rest on his laurels, Ndayizeye volunteers with inner-city youth as well. His impulse to lift up others, while maintaining professional excellence in his field of developing Boeing aircraft is what makes him such a treasured member of the STEM community. S

FROM THE ARCHIVES

US Black Engineer & IT Magazine, BEYA 2017

Patty J. Meggs, AT&T, Rodney Adkins Legacy Award

George White, Black & Veatch, Lt. Gen. Joe Ballard Legacy Award

Naveed M. Hussain, Arlington W. Carter Legacy Award

William Martin, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Capt. Donnie Cochran Legacy Award

Demica Robinson, U.S. Air Force, Lt. Gen. Albert J. Edmonds Legacy Award

Elton Akins, SAIC, Linda Gooden Legacy Award

Yoghana Mercer-Bey, GDIT, Linda Gooden Legacy Award

Edward H. Baine, Dominion Virginia Power, Anthony R. James Legacy Award

George Sey, PECO Energy, Anthony R. James Legacy Award

Edouard Benjamin, Leidos, Dr. John Slaughter Legacy Award

Danielle Grant, Leidos, Dr. John Slaughter Legacy Award

Steven Handy, JHUAPL, Dr. William R. Wiley Legacy Award

Priya Khanchandani, Boston Scientific, Dr. William R. Wiley Legacy Award

Solve Something Important

Leidos is seeking powerhouse talent for positions in the areas of IT, engineering and science. Our diverse workforce is dedicated to solving some of the world’s toughest challenges.

– join us and help make a difference.

Leidos is proud to support its

2023 Black Engineer of the Year Award Winners

AD

Most Promising Engineer of the Year

Modern Day Technology Leaders

Science Spectrum Trailblazer

Michael Burroughs Senior Network Engineer

Davon Conaway Senior Cyber Information Security Engineer

Jade Crockem Distribution Design Engineer

Natasha Cross Senior Network Engineer

Hasan Culver Systems Administrator

Boubacar Diallo Chemical Engineer

Krashenda Greene Quality Assurance Quality Lead

Ernest Henderson Principle Unified Communications Engineer

Gregory Holt Senior System Engineer

Kayla Johnson Software Development Engineer

Allen Jones Senior Network Engineer

Randall King IT Security Information Engineer

Thomas LaGon Cyber Architect

Robert Nelson Senior Systems Integrator Engineer

Angela Perkins Senior Network Engineer

Brian Ricks Server Administrator

Jeffery Sampson Solutions Architect

Michele Smith Project Manager Engineering Supervisor

Aaron Maitland Robotics Engineer

Deon Williams Network Monitoring Analyst

Jordan Thompson Lead Supply Chain Engineer

MODERN-DAY TECHNOLOGY LEADERS

The Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA)

Modern-Day Technology Leader award recognizes Modern-Day Technology Leaders for their commitment to the future of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), developing cutting-edge technology, or doing research for leading industries.

Take Warrick T. Williams, a manager in design engineering for Huntington Ingalls—Ingalls Shipbuilding Division. He was nominated by Ingalls Shipbuilding’s first Modern-Day Technology Award winner and a Huntington Ingalls representative on the Black Engineer of the Year 2019 Selection Committee. “I am always on the lookout for undiscovered talent within our organization,” the nominator wrote.

Gina Guillaume-Joseph, Ph.D., was recognized at the 2016 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) for her contributions to systems engineering. In the spring of 2022, she announced on Twitter that she was embarking on a new journey as chief technology officer at Workday. Guillaume-Joseph said one of her goals was to leverage her technology implementation experience and network to align Workday with the federal government’s technology strategy.

Prior to coming to Workday, she served as director of technology at Capital One, where she supported the HR and People Technology team as a technical advisor. She matured agile practices by training the team and implementing the framework to scale resulting in improved product value delivery across the organization.

Guillaume-Joseph spent 16 years supporting the federal government as a contractor with Booz Allen Hamilton, L-3 Communications, and MITRE. As a systems engineer, she was responsible for implementing key frameworks, solutions, and technology platforms to assist agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration overcome technology gaps. Guillaume-Joseph earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Boston College, a master’s degree in information systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and a doctorate in systems engineering from George Washington University.

A

Ray Gaines Jr.

Systems Integration Specialist in Design Validation and Human Factors Engineering

Abbott

Racheal Hill, D.Eng.

R&D Systems Integration Laboratory Manager

Abbott

Trindell Major

Principal Software DevOps Engineer

Abbott

Sabina Minta-Jacobs

Associate Systems Integration & Lab Services Engineer

Abbott

Dana Robinson

Principal Engineer

Abbott

Amanda Neuenfeldt

Electrical Engineer

Actalent

Daré Obasade

Structural Engineer

Actalent

Desai Priyanshkumar

Project Engineer

Actalent

VK Raghavan

Program Manager

Actalent

Brianna Tijerina

Electrical Engineer

Actalent

Reginald Turner, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for the School of Systems and Logistics

Air Force Institute of Technology

B

Clarence Alston

Principal Engineer

BAE Systems

Keith Boykin

Senior Principal Test Engineer

BAE Systems

Stephen Brown

Program Manager II

BAE Systems

Ivan Edwards

Senior Systems Engineer

BAE Systems

Ryan Edwards

Business Development Director

BAE Systems

Riyad El-Laithy

Senior Principal Software Engineer

BAE Systems

Mariano Figueroa

Principal Test Engineer

BAE Systems

Kristen Hurley

Senior Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems

Torrae Jackson

Senior System Integration Engineer

BAE Systems

Janet Johnson

Regional Field Services Manager

BAE Systems

Tanya Johnson

Program Director

BAE Systems

Quinten Long

Electrical Engineer

BAE Systems

Benjamin Puthukeril Director of Quality

BAE Systems

Nate Serrant Engineer II

BAE Systems

Monica St. Julien

Production Program Manager

BAE Systems

Khalid Umar Program Manager II

BAE Systems

Corey Williams Manager II – Systems Analysis

BAE Systems

Leondre Yarbrough

Senior Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems

Danielle Turner Systems Engineer

Ball Aerospace

Hamid Abdurrahim

Manager Engineering

BGE, Exelon

Justine Baker

Senior Lead Technologist

Booz Allen Hamilton

Jacklyn Ebiasah

Associate

Booz Allen Hamilton

James Hampton

Senior Lead Technologist

Booz Allen Hamilton

Leslie Johnson-Stevens

Senior Program Manager

Booz Allen Hamilton

Anthony Lambert Jr.

Cyber Automation Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton

Christina Leggett, Ph.D.

Lead Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton

Paul Robinson

Chief Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton

Vaughn Stevenson

Cybersecurity Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton

Samira Willis

Lead Associate

Booz Allen Hamilton

Tanya Zanders

System Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton

Jeri’Ann Hiller, Ph.D.

Senior Health Equity Manager

Boston Scientific

George Omae

R&D Engineering Director

Boston Scientific

C

Maurice Craft

Senior Principle Systems Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Russell Hobbs

Senior Systems Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Dominique Hollomon

Identity and Access Management (IdAM) Functional

Lead

CACI International, Inc.

Keith Honore

Systems/Software Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Laronda Lee

Cyber Security

CACI International, Inc.

ShaLaka Moton

Insider Threat Analyst

CACI International, Inc.

Marshall Pearson

System Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Avezou Petit-Frere

Software Engineer

CACI International, Inc.

Anthony Robinson

Project Manager

CACI International, Inc.

Alise Smith

SEACATS/SPVAA Operations Manager

CACI International, Inc.

Seth Wooten

Software EMT Discipline Lead

CACI International, Inc.

Harold Brown

QA Engineer II

Cornerstone Brands

Woodlens Jean

Process Engineer

Corning Incorporated

Oladapo Bello, Ph.D.

Senior Reliability Scientist

Corning Research & Development Corporation D

Kunmi Akingbade Senior Manager

Deloitte

Kamryn Austin Manager

Deloitte

Joelle Jordan Specialist Master

Deloitte

Olivia McPhaul Consultant

Deloitte

Derell Nathaniel Specialist Master Deloitte

David Nyarko

Senior Consultant

Deloitte

Deidra Reed

Manager

Deloitte

Jolito Rivera

Senior Consultant

Deloitte

Kevin Belcher

Cybersecurity Engineer

Department of the Air Force

MSgt Randy Rogers

Flight Chief, Plans and Resources

Department of the Air Force

F

Shawn Bernard

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Rashaun Phinisee

Senior System Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Zahra Taha-Marks

Manager, AV Ecosystem and Integration, Ford Next LLC

Ford Motor Company

Levasseur Tellis

Manager, AV System Safety, Ford Next LLC

Ford Motor Company

Shaunise Williams

Lead Process Engineer

Ford Motor Company

G

Angela Butler

Capture Director

GDIT

Myster Duck

Cyber Defense Engineer

GDIT

Ronald Harris II

Senior Business Administrator

GDIT

Winkens Henri Systems Engineer Advisor

GDIT

Aziza Johnson Technical Manager

GDIT

John Johnson

Information Security Analyst Senior Advisor

GDIT

Jylinda Johnson

Vice President and General Manager

GDIT

Dwayne Jones

Cyber Security Manager

GDIT

Evelyn Kimble

Senior Functional Analyst

GDIT

Lateef Law

Solutions Architect

GDIT

2023 MDTL AWARD WINNERS

Katie Manthe

Studies Manager

GDIT

Thomas Mathis

Functional Analyst Expert

GDIT

Delena McFadden-Mello

Configuration Analyst Senior

GDIT

Kortnie Mills

Senior Systems Administrator

GDIT

Nolasko Monk

Senior Network Engineer

GDIT

Terry Mulligan

Training Integrator/System Engineer

GDIT

Terence Pace

Network & Server Administrator/Systems Engineer

GDIT

Devon Reynolds Information Systems Manager

GDIT

Stephanie Rizzo Program Analyst Advisor

GDIT

Maury Smith Systems Analyst Senior Advisor

GDIT

Drew Sylve

Cyber Engineer Advisor

GDIT

Renita Friese

Program Manager

General Dynamics

Shunnar Mitchell, Ed.D.

IT Service Desk Manager

General Dynamics

Ikechukwu Chima

Operations Supervisor I

General Dynamics Electric Boat

Christopher Wells

Engineering Supervisor – Structural

General Dynamics Electric Boat

Marin Wilkerson

Engineering Supervisor – Emergency Planning

General Dynamics Electric Boat

Delano Wilson

Engineering Supervisor – Systems

General Dynamics Electric Boat

Emily Koshay

OMFV Systems Staff Lead

General Dynamics Land Systems

Sophia Vaughn

Software Engineer – Software Loader/Verifier

General Dynamics Land Systems

Marjorie Zelaya

Software Lead

General Dynamics Land Systems

Robert Johnson

Engineering Manager

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Ashley Tyler

Senior Manager, IT Cybersecurity Identity and Access Management

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Jabari Carrington

Engineering Supervisor

General Dynamics Missions Systems

Danelle Anderson-Burnett

Senior Controls Engineer

General Motors

Fernanda Alaniz Guevara

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Mario Almazán García

Manufacturing Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Yefte Apodaca Beltrán

Special Process Manufacturing Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Victor Arenas Galván

Production Control Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Roberto Arias Corona Sr.

Finance Analyst

Gulfstream Aerospace

Gabriela Cabrera Mendoza

Planning Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Alonso Cachu

Industrial Engineering

Gulfstream Aerospace

Aldo Carreón Bahena

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Emanuel Castelo Martínez

Manufacturing Planner Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Héctor Corona Urias Sr.

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Fernando Del Rayo Higareda

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Miguel Diego Galicia Sr.

Stress Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Denisse Duarte Monge

Engineering Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Roberto Eng Arreola

Manufacturing Manager

Gulfstream Aerospace

Denisse Espinoza Juárez

Quality Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Ignacio Espinoza Verdugo

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Juan Figueroa Marrufo

Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Pedro Flores Ramirez

Materials Planning Specialist

Gulfstream Aerospace

Juan Gaeta Sánchez

Electrical Planning Test Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Soriel García Gómez

Manufacturing Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Areli Melina García Reyes

Operations Leader (Supervisor)

Gulfstream Aerospace

Germán García Romero

Operations Manager

Gulfstream Aerospace

Miguel González González

Manufacturing Planning Manager

Gulfstream Aerospace

Michael Gutiérrez Esteves Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Marco Gutiérrez García

Operations Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Manuel Higareda Arias

Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Mario Lafarga Ascencio

Production Control Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Ivette León Valenzuela

Electrical MRB Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Mayra Lizárraga Salas

Tooling Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Kevin López Arenas

Electrical Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Yiset López Lugo

Quality Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Federico López Rodríguez Sr.

MT Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Fernando Márquez Hurtado

Engineering Group Head

Gulfstream Aerospace

Alberto Nuñez Beltrán

Quality Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Eros Omassi Herrera

Mechanical Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Manuel Pantoja de León

Operation Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Katia Peña Serrano

Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Xóchitl Richarte Meza

Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Blas Romero Aceves

Planning Leader

Gulfstream Aerospace

Mario Rubalcava Corona

Planning Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Jorge Sato Bermúdez

Lider de Ingenieria Aeronautica

Gulfstream Aerospace

Eduardo Solorio Benitez

Manufacturing Engineer Planner

Gulfstream Aerospace

Karla Soltero Loaiza

Materials Planning Lead

Gulfstream Aerospace

Pablo Uzueta González

Production Programmer Specialist

Gulfstream Aerospace

Filiberto Valenciana Alzúa

Manufacturing Engineer V

Gulfstream Aerospace

Oscar Zamora Rodríguez

Industrial Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Antonio Zamudio Rochín

Operations Manager

Gulfstream Aerospace

Alan Zavala Guerra

Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

Marco Zazueta González

Senior Design Engineer

Gulfstream Aerospace

H

Victoria Castaneda

Analytics Engineer

Health Catalyst

Tamika Gray

Proposal Project Manager

Health Catalyst

Yvette Kleckner

Senior Client Success Manager

Health Catalyst

Yuting Li

Analytics Engineer

Health Catalyst

Nadine Louis

Director, Client Success

Health Catalyst

Sudha Srikantaswamy

Analytics Director

Health Catalyst

Zach Barron

Senior Production Technician

HSN

Eullas Brinson Manager, Customer Service

HSN

Prince Lloyd

TD/Director

HSN

Preshus Boone

Mechanical Engineer

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Isaiah Green Manager, Project Management

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Marcus Jackson

Nuclear Engineer

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Ryan Jenkins

Engineer Electrical

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Dillan St. Clair

Project Manager

Huntington Ingalls Industries

I

Jennifer Ard

Senior Managing Consultant

IBM

Andrea Lucas

Senior Managing Consultant

IBM

Kyler Mitchell

Managing Consultant

IBM

Gerard Vanloo

Software Engineer

IBM

Johnavae Campbell, Ph.D.

ICF, Consulting Senior Manager

ICF

Mellina Stephen

Senior Communications Specialist

ICF Next

J

Jelani Jarvis

Electrical Engineer

Jacobs

Rebecca Scott

Resource Manager

Jacobs

D’Shawn Thomas

Structural Engineer & Project Manager

Jacobs

Malcolm Taylor

Senior Cybersecurity Engineer

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

L

Devon Brown

Lead Systems Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Terrance Burt

Manager, Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Vladimir Fabre Scientist – Electrical Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Ronaldo Hepburn

Associate Manager, Electrical Engineering RF

L3Harris Technologies

Jahmar Ignacio

Senior Engineering Director

L3Harris Technologies

William Jackson

Lead, Software Quality Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Erik James Systems Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Oyetunde Jolaoye, D.Eng.

Senior Manager, Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Celebrating Innovation and Diversity in STEM

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

CACI’s 13 BEYA honorees are paving the way for greater diversity in STEM while helping CACI drive the future of national security and innovation. We are committed to strengthening our inclusive environment where all employees are enabled to excel to their fullest potential.

CACI is proud to support the BEYA STEM Conference and share its mission of showcasing and celebrating diversity in STEM.

Learn more at careers.caci.com

Russell Hobbs (posthumous)

Maurice Craft ShaLaka Moton Laronda Lee

Alise Smith Keith Honore

Avezou Petit-Frere

Anthony Robinson

Dominique Hollomon Jason Grimes Marshall Pearson Seth Wooten

Dr. Lewis Pate

BEYA PROFESSIONAL AWARD: STEM COMMUNITY SERVICE

Southwest Airlines® is dedicated to your Community.

Our mission is to make the connections that empower communities to thrive. Through our meaningful relationships, we proudly support your efforts in the many communities we call home. Whether in the air or the ground, we believe community is more than a place – it’s at the Heart of what brings us together.

Southwest Airlines® is proud to support the BEYA STEM Conference.

Christina Kennedy

Systems Integration & Test Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Lori Moore

Lead Systems Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Darren Navaroli

Lead, Integration & Test Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Roderick Nelson

Senior Manager, Project Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Elliot Pittman

Manager, Operations Management

L3Harris Technologies

Florence Tela

Cyber Security Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Malcolm Thomas

Senior Associate, Systems Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Sharon Thomas

Manager, Systems Integration & Test Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Sarah Waldon

Chief Engineer, ISRN

L3Harris Technologies

Brian Wynn

Lead, Systems Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Zahna Andrews

Engineering Supervisor

Leidos

Michael Burroughs

Broadcast Network Engineer

Leidos

Davon Conaway

Senior Cyber Information Security Engineer

Leidos

Jade Crockem

Distribution Design Engineer Leidos

Natasha Cross

Senior Network Engineer

Leidos

Hasan Culver

Network Administrator

Leidos

Boubacar Diallo

Chemical Engineer

Leidos

Krashenda Greene

Quality Engineering Lead

Leidos

Ernest Henderson

Unified Communications Principal Engineer

Leidos

Gregory Holt

Senior System Engineer

Leidos

Kayla Johnson

Software Development Engineer

Leidos

Allen Jones

Senior Network Engineer

Leidos

Thomas LaGon

Cyber Architect

Leidos

Aaron Maitland

Robotics Engineer Leidos

Robert Nelson

Senior Systems Integrator Engineer

Leidos

Angela Perkins

Senior Network Engineer

Leidos

Brian Ricks

Server Administrator/AWS

Leidos

Jeffery Sampson

Solutions Architect

Leidos

Verna Smith

Project Manager

Leidos

Deon Williams

Network Monitoring Analyst Leidos

Christopher Barr

Engineering Project Manager Senior Staff

Lockheed Martin

Denariel Benn

Senior Member of Engineering Staff

Lockheed Martin

Livy Cox

Chief Engineering Senior Manager

Lockheed Martin

Jose Carlo Francis

Electrical Engineer Staff

Lockheed Martin

Marlon Freeman

Systems Engineer, Staff

Lockheed Martin

Dennis Hildebrand

Machining Operations Center Deputy General Foreman

Lockheed Martin

Morizel Hodges

IT Program Staff

Lockheed Martin

Alexis Lewis

Senior Proposal Analyst

Lockheed Martin

Felicia McPhail

Engineering Project Management Senior Staff

Lockheed Martin

Keldon McPherson

Systems Integration/Test Evaluation Manager

Lockheed Martin

Idson Mompoint

Systems Engineer Staff

Lockheed Martin

Maurice Powell

Senior Computer Systems Analyst

Lockheed Martin

Koltan Riley

System Integration/Test Engineering Manager

Lockheed Martin

Detrick Simmons

Engineering and Technology Manager

Lockheed Martin

Suzette Southward

Subcontracts Manager

Lockheed Martin

Jarvis Sparks

System Integration/Test Engineer

Lockheed Martin

Robel Weldegabriel

Engineering Project Management Senior Staff

Lockheed Martin

Channing Wright

Research Engineer Associate Manager

Lockheed Martin

M

Sabin Ahmed, Ph.D.

Group Leader and Principal Economist

MITRE

Lariel Feliciano

Enterprise Solutions Architect, Principal MITRE

Abdul Noor

Associate Biomedical Engineer

MITRE

Kunal Sarkhel

Artificial Intelligence Project Lead

MITRE

N

Quentin Johnson

Software Engineer

National Security Agency Georgia

Richard Bowling Jr.

TACAMO Recapilization (E-XX) Chief Engineer

Naval Air Systems Command

Angeline Brown, ESQ

Computer Scientist

Naval Air Systems Command

Phillip Charles

Head, Weapons & Data Links Strike Test

Naval Air Systems Command

Eddie Clemmons

Advance Technology and Innovation Lead

Naval Air Systems Command

Jonathan Ortega

Electrical Engineer

Naval Air Systems Command

John Ross

Deputy Director National Cyber Range Complex

Naval Air Systems Command

Joshua Willard

Engineer

Naval Air Systems Command

TyDarius Peasant

Construction Manager

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems

Command

Gregory Ray

Project Management and Engineering Branch Head

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems

Command

CAPT Christopher Carter

Special Assistant for Fleet Operations

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

Denzel Bridges, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineer

Naval Sea Systems Command

Darius Johnson

Director, USS COLUMBIA Class and Nuclear Turbine Generators

Naval Sea Systems Command

Calvin Roldan

Lead Project Engineer

Naval Sea Systems Command

Rachel Haynes

Digital Marketing Inbound Specialist

NetApp

Ondrea Adger

Software Engineering Manager

Northrop Grumman

Dolapo Afolabi

Associate Pathways Engineer SW

Northrop Grumman

Cameron Alsgood

Principal Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Anthony Alston

Technical Systems Engineering Lead

Northrop Grumman

Isaac Arega

Staff Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman

William Boiquaye, Ph.D.

Staff Engineer Systems

Northrop Grumman

Myra Burris

Manager, Business Management

Northrop Grumman

Kayla Clay

Engineer Systems Modeling Simulation

Northrop Grumman

Evander Cook

IT Program Manager

Northrop Grumman

Ebenezer Dadson

FTL Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Gerald Demby

Program Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman

William “Bill” Furr

Capture Manager

Northrop Grumman

Charles Garrett

Manager Systems Engineering 1

Northrop Grumman

Anthony Hickman

Senior Principle Engineer Software, CSQE

Northrop Grumman

Brandon McCleese

Tool Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Matthew Okabue

Section Manager – Product Development Manager

Northrop Grumman

Keyshawn Phelps

Systems Architect Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Emun Prince

Staff Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Ronald Steward

Manager Engineering 3

Northrop Grumman

O

Abdul-Raheem Adeleke

Mechanical Engineer

Oceaneering International

Joel Lawes

Associate Engineer, E&E Engineering

Otis Elevator

Orfa Silfa

Technical Product Manager

Otis Elevator

Q

Anthony Jones

Manager, Software Engineering

Qurate Retail Group

Cornell Keith

Systems Administrator

Qurate Retail Group

Danae Richardson

Senior Product Manager

Qurate Retail Group

John Skepple

IT Manager

Qurate Retail Group

Michél Washington

Project Manager

Qurate Retail Group

Derek Bennett

Technical Director

QVC

Christopher Clay

Talent Service Coordinator

QVC

Kristen Hazel Manager, Talent Operations

QVC

Dominique House

Assistant Director

QVC

Blaine King

Line Producer

QVC

Jakia Nur

Senior Operations Manager

QVC

Rafael Oquendo

Senior Process Improvement Engineer

QVC

Ebony Roberts

Senior Associate Producer

QVC

Lateef Scott Manager, Broadcast Operations

QVC

R

Steven Austin Sr.

Associate Director, Cyber Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Rhonda Dixson

Senior Manager, Materials

Raytheon Technologies

Takia Easley

F119 LPM Site Manager

Raytheon Technologies

Jean-Marie Erie, Ph.D.

Senior Hardware Engineering Manager

Raytheon Technologies

Marcus Evans Engineering Fellow

Raytheon Technologies

Julia Hampton

Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Markus Henderson

Senior Manager, ECAD & Design Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Darnell Industrious

Senior Electrical Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Jordan Jackson

Principal Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Todd Paul

Senior Manager, Electrical Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Vanessa Perry

Senior Manager

Raytheon Technologies

Jill Shade

Senior Manager, Electrical Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Charles Sims

Engineer II

Raytheon Technologies

S

Boris Bates

Cyber GRC Analyst Principal

SAIC

Calvin Coker

Digital Engineering Chief

SAIC

Alanzo Granville, Ph.D.

Digital Engineer Chief

SAIC

Obinna Okoroma

Senior Cloud Administrator

SAIC

Ned Adams Jr.

Information Technology Solutions Architect

Sandia National Laboratories

T

Joshua Bosire

Experimental Flight Test Engineer

Textron Aviation

Derek Settles

Supervisor Engineering

Textron Aviation

Alexandria Garland

Engineering Manager

The Aerospace Corporation

Michael Roberts

Engineering Manager

The Aerospace Corporation

AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT FOR PUBLIC GOOD

DISCOVER, CREATE, LEAD AT MITRE

Our teams discover solutions to the world’s toughest challenges in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, 5G, biometrics, and more. We’re built on innovative problemsolving, where diverse perspectives are essential. That’s why we’re committed to an inclusive environment where we all have a sense of belonging and thrive. A proud supporter of BEYA since 1985 | mitre.org

Niabelle Thelemaque

Member of Technical Staff

The Aerospace Corporation

Julian Ametsitsi

Real Time Software Engineer

The Boeing Company

Delorean Andrews

Aircraft Electrician

The Boeing Company

Carla Armstrong

Product Review Engineer

The Boeing Company

Charlton Azuoma

Mechanical Design Engineer

The Boeing Company

Sandra Barton

Software Quality Engineer

The Boeing Company

Erin Bayles

Lead Structures Engineer

The Boeing Company

Shawn Blake

Project Engineer

The Boeing Company

Victrail Blount

Supply Base Management Specialist 4

The Boeing Company

Erika Carter

Phantom Work Quality Manager

The Boeing Company

Randi Clayton

Test Requirements & Analysis Engineer

The Boeing Company

Lensa Desta

Procurement Agent

The Boeing Company

Andrew Ellis

Wire Design & Install Engineer

The Boeing Company

Gabriel Towolawi

Test & Evaluation Manager

The Boeing Company

Tiffania Ham Fayall

Government Operations Analyst

The Boeing Company

Frank Hatten

Program Manager – Education Relations Specialist

The Boeing Company

Michelle Hayes

Software Engineering Manager

The Boeing Company

Tyler Housey

Rotor Design Engineer

The Boeing Company

Fethya Ibrahim

Data Analyst, Boeing Global Services

The Boeing Company

Ashley Jackett

Procurement Agent

The Boeing Company

Ramanna Jakkanagoudar

MP&P Engineer (Metals/Joining/Metallurgy)

The Boeing Company

Jeanelle James

IT Product Manager

The Boeing Company

Hervens Jeannis, Ph.D.

Systems Engineer

The Boeing Company

Shanell Jett

H47 Contracts Representative

The Boeing Company

Carmeal Johnson

Information System Security Officer

The Boeing Company

Rohan Johnson

Senior Manager, Supplier Management

The Boeing Company

Yeakia Johnson

Senior Project Manager for 787 Interior

Responsibility Center South Carolina

The Boeing Company

Ty’Quish Keyes

Integration Engineer, Future Vertical Lift

The Boeing Company

Marky Kidd

Quality Engineer Lead

The Boeing Company

Robert Leek Jr.

Operations and Manufacturing Manager

The Boeing Company

Myella Leiba, Ed.D.

Senior Manager Project Engineering – Global Services Sustainability

The Boeing Company

She-Andra Lowe

IT&DA Product Services & Support Manager

The Boeing Company

Amelia Lucas

Quality Support/Training Coordinator

The Boeing Company

Willie Luckett

Senior Manager, Global Engineering People Strategy

The Boeing Company

Ciara Lynton

Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Enterprise Domain Engineer

The Boeing Company

Patrick Makuma

Senior Operation Manager

The Boeing Company

Jordon Miller

Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Specialist

The Boeing Company

Samantha Mitchell

International Programs Project Manager

The Boeing Company

Edward Mwanza

Technical Lead Engineering Data Scientist

The Boeing Company

Erica Parrott

Director, Production Engineering, 787 Prog

The Boeing Company

Jefferson Reese Jr.

Optical Sensors Senior Manager

The Boeing Company

Tony Richardson II

Production Engineering

The Boeing Company

Jeff-Fauna Robinson

Lead Manufacturing Engineer

The Boeing Company

Issa Sall

Business System Manager

The Boeing Company

Eldred Stephens

Industrial Engineer, Phantom Works

The Boeing Company

Daniel Thompson

Mechanical Design Engineer

The Boeing Company

Megan Tucker

IT Business Partner

The Boeing Company

Lydia Underwood

Vertical Lift DE&I Champion & Senior HR Generalist

The Boeing Company

Yolanda Wade, D.M.

Industrial Security Manager

The Boeing Company

DeMario Webb

Systems Engineer

The Boeing Company

Robert Wesley Jr.

Supplier Program Manager

The Boeing Company

Arnice Wheaton

Executive Assistant

The Boeing Company

Emily Wright

Versatile Technologist

The Boeing Company

Larry Yates

Senior Leader, Industrial Engineering, 747/767

The Boeing Company

U

Aisha Brown

Cyberspace Engineer

U.S. Air Force

Senior Airman Camry Green

Public Health Technician

U.S. Air Force

Karen Hudson

Avionics Engineering Division Chief

U.S. Air Force

Tamika McKinney

Lead Engineer

U.S. Air Force

Shava Meadows

Model Based Systems Engineer

U.S. Air Force

MSgt Gregory Miller

Communications Flight Chief

U.S. Air Force

Quentin Morales-Perryman

Programming Lead

U.S. Air Force

Janaan Parms

Client Systems Craftsman

U.S. Air Force

Keith Sylvester

Lead Systems Engineer

U.S. Air Force

TSgt Stevie Thomas

NCOIC, Operations

U.S. Air Force

1st Lt Richard Washington

Modeling and Simulation Engineer

U.S. Air Force

CPT Kevin Betton

Chaplain

U.S. Army

Danielle Spencer

Supervisory Engineer

U.S. Army

Hampton Terry

Electronics Engineer

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development

Command

Terrance West, Ph.D.

Division Chief, Plans Programs and Support (A)

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development

Command

Quatina Austin

Chief, Installation Support Branch

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Juan Baret

Civil Engineering Technician

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jasmine Ford

Civil Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Kameel Hall

Senior Design Manager

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Resa Holmes

Civil Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

LyTreese Lee

Chief, Management Support Branch

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jonathan Malone

Civil Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Abdul Mohamed

Computer Scientist

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Shawn Murphy

Deputy Resident Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Beatrice Nwafor

Mechanical Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Willie Thomas

Civil Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

James Bowman III

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Software Lead

U.S. Army Futures Command

Harold Goodridge Jr.

Electronics Engineer/NH-0855-03

U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering

Command

Owen Rose

General Engineer

U.S. Army South

Ayobami Adebowale

Biomedical Engineer

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ph.D.

Senior Biomedical Engineer

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Reginald Avery, Ph.D.

Lead Biomedical Engineer/Acting Assistant Director

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Justin Thompson

Lead Scientific Reviewer/Biomedical Engineer

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Alan Philpott

Program Manager (Acting) and Deputy Program

Manager for Ship Integration Program Office (PMW 760)

U.S. Navy

LCDR Christopher Thomas

Operations Officer

U.S. Navy

Denice Durrant, D.Eng.

Engineering Program Manager

UL Standards & Engagement

Wilbert “Wil” Fletcher III

Senior Standards Engineer

UL Standards & Engagement

Bryan Higgs, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering

University of the District of Columbia

V

Armand Foreman

FORD Software Engineering Manager

Vitesco Technologies

W

Yaw Agyemang

Cybersecurity Engineer

Walmart

Irina Bushmanova

Technical Expert, Cybersecurity

Walmart

Michael Douglas

Senior Network Engineer, Cybersecurity

Walmart

Emy Emmanuel

Risk Lead – Cybersecurity

Walmart

Derrick Gray

Senior Manager, Security – SOC(ISD), Information

Security

Walmart

Qui Le

Technical Expert, Cybersecurity

Walmart

Chiranjeevi Nakka

Senior Systems Engineer, Security

Walmart

Amee Nelson

Technical Expert

Walmart

Tony Asante

Principal Solutions Architect

World Wide Technology

Michael Ferrell

Associate Consulting Systems Engineer

World Wide Technology

Aaron Freidenberg

Director, Advanced Technology Center

World Wide Technology

Marlan Hardie

Director, GSP Solution Consultant

World Wide Technology

James Hogan

Systems Engineering Manager

World Wide Technology

Aliya Lyons

Analyst

World Wide Technology

Tujuania Reese

Associate General Counsel

World Wide Technology

Eric Shannon

Senior Practice Manager

World Wide Technology

Chris Webber

Strategic Engagement Manager

World Wide Technology

Z

Adekunle Mumuni

Senior Technology Product Manager

Zulily

Aida Ndoye

Senior Technology Product Manager

Zulily

MODERN-DAY TECHNOLOGY LEADERS ARE ENGINEERING THE FUTURE. THEY ARE EITHER DEVELOPING A CUTTINGEDGE TECHNOLOGY OR DOING BASIC RESEARCH FOR THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE INDUSTRY. THEY ARE MANAGERS OR STAFF MEMBERS OF HIGH-TECH PROGRAMS, BOLD AND TALENTED ENTREPRENEURS, OR INNOVATORS RISING TO MEET THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

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Our culture is one that believes in POWERING YOUR POTENTIAL. We provide global opportunities to develop your career, make your community a better place, and work alongside today’s most innovative thinkers to solve the world’s toughest problems. We believe in flexibility for you to explore your passions and make an impact through meaningful work within our diverse workforce.

Please scan here or visit beya.cummins.jobs to see open opportunities with Cummins.

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We have long believed in the power that diverse perspectives bring to our business. That’s why we are committed to nurturing a workplace where our associates feel a sense of belonging, so they can best serve our customers. At Fidelity, you’ll find endless opportunities to build a meaningful career that positively impacts peoples’ lives, including yours.

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SCIENCE SPECTRUM 2023

The SCIENCE SPECTRUM TRAILBLAZER AWARD is a part of the BEYA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) category, which recognizes individuals who actively shape the future of engineering, science, and technology in the workforce. Nominations are reviewed and recommended for an award by a panel of leaders from industry, government, and academia.

Science Spectrum Trailblazer award winners are honored for creating paths for others in research and development. Some are C-level executives, others are at the midpoint of their careers, or recent graduates. Regardless of the career point, Science Spectrum Trailblazer award winners distinguish themselves by constantly setting their sights higher, striving to innovate, and opening doors for others.

Ranell Franklin, a natural resources program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District, received a Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award at the 2022 BEYA STEM Conference.

Amy Cobb, chief of the natural resources management section and the person who nominated Franklin for the award, said that Franklin works tirelessly to support the Mobile District in protecting valuable natural resources while providing diverse outdoor recreation opportunities to the public.

“He also serves as a mentor,” she added. “Supporting counterparts within his community of practice and exposing youth from underserved communities to career opportunities in the STEM field.”

Nelson Sanchez, Mobile District chief of operations, said Franklin is a true trailblazer.

“He has a 20-year federal civil service career and a successful record of providing leadership, project management, and coordination of natural resources management activities for vital recreation projects throughout the Mobile District,” Sanchez said. “Outside of his official responsibilities, he also actively participates in community service and recruitment initiatives that expose youth from underserved communities to the mission of the Corps and STEM professions. He is a role model within the agency and to potential STEM professionals.”

A first-generation college graduate, Franklin currently provides oversight of Mobile District’s recreation program, one of the most visited nationwide. Franklin, who is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College, a historically Black college and university in Louisiana, said he hopes his award can be an inspiration to others and help them to be passionate in their work.

John Lasekan, Ph.D.

Principal Research Scientist

Abbott

Tim Chang

Telecommunication Planning Engineer

Actalent

Theron Easley

Distribution Group Manager Actalent

Gary Hall Jr. Engineer I

Actalent

Ricardo Jimenez

Program Manager

Actalent

Chandra Jogulababurao

Program Manager

Actalent

Damodar Valluru

Lead Engineer

Actalent

Kenny Johnson Chief, Air Force Restoration

Program Office

Air Force Civil Engineer Center

Kelvin Spencer

Lead Systems Engineer

ARMA/GDIT

Valerie Adame

Quality Manager

BAE Systems

Paapa Amponsah

QLDP II

BAE Systems

Troy Cole

Space Vehicle Systems Engineer

Ball Aerospace

Dedrick Davison

Principle Industrial Engineer

Bell Flight

Tony Kirk II

Senior Engineer

Bell Flight

Kindra Porter

Manufacturing Engineer

Bell Flight

Howard Foard

Principal Booz Allen Hamilton

Ricky Reid

Vice President

Booz Allen Hamilton

Ebony Thomas Senior Associate

Booz Allen Hamilton

Jason Grimes

Electrical Engineer CACI International, Inc.

Brandon Bennett Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Defense Contract Management Agency

Stacey Neloms

Program Director, VAERS

Portfolio

GDIT

Lazare Balossa

Software Staff Engineer –

Abrams Fire Control

General Dynamics Land Systems

Cemone Moy

Talent Development Staff Specialist

General Dynamics Land Systems

Xiaomin Wang

Senior Engineer and Engineering Specialist

General Dynamics Land Systems

Michael L. Harper

IT Manager

General Motors

Guy Kennerly

Technical Specialist Head Up Display

General Motors

Tasha Austin Managing Director Deloitte

Katherine Brooks Senior Manager

Deloitte

Edana Jones

Team Manager – Launch

Ford Motor Company

Ricardo Smith

Lead Hardware Engineer Ford Motor Company

Jacques Arrieux

Senior Clinical Research Associate

GDIT

Akilah Crowner Systems Engineering Manager

GDIT

Tyrone Dell Senior Network Engineer

GDIT

Cameron Mims

Software Engineer

GDIT

Dom Lester Chief Engineer, Performance

Variants, Performance Parts and Motorsports Engineering

Performance Variants, Parts, & Motorsports

General Motors

Derrick Parson

Assistant Plant Manager

General Motors

Clevon Patrick Sparks

Safety Forensic Engineer

General Motors

Delaurence “Randy”

Johnson Director R&D

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Cliftoria Stokes Engineer III

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Harry “James” Anderson

Agile Team Lead/Solution Train Engineer

Jacobs

Isaac Hubbard

Business Relationship Manager

Jacobs

Kristin Jones

Architectural Designer Jacobs

Tendayi Munyebvu, Ph.D.

General Manager/Program Director

Jacobs

Toni Ndika

Contracts Manager Jacobs

Saeideh “Niki” Nekouee

Architecture Designer Jacobs

Gillray “Gill” Brown II

Human Systems Engineer

Johns Hopkins University

Applied Physics Laboratory

Nicole Brown

Data Scientist

Johns Hopkins University

Applied Physics Laboratory

Jamie Porter, Ph.D.

Senior Radiation Engineer

Johns Hopkins University

Applied Physics Laboratory

Gregory Ivey

Lead, Software Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Sabrina Morton

Senior Engineer Manager, Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Andrea Williams Manager, Technical Writing/ Publications

L3Harris Technologies

Randall King

Senior Network Engineer

Leidos

Jordan Thompson Supply Chain Engineer

Leidos

Kenneth Campbell Systems Engineering Associate Manager

Lockheed Martin

Jacqueline Jackson

Systems Engineer Senior

Lockheed Martin

Ciante McLemore

Software Engineer

Lockheed Martin

Rodney Bollie

Lead Communications Network Engineer

MITRE

Corrina Brown

Principal Next Gen Cyber Capabilities Group Lead

MITRE

Michael Clark

Project Leader MITRE

Justin Kennedy Ship Design Manager

Naval Sea Systems Command

Andre Wright Computer Scientist

Naval Sea Systems Command

Jeffrey Avery, Ph.D. Manager, System Engineer Northrop Grumman

Victoria Gray Systems Engineering Manager 2 Northrop Grumman

Taylor Jacobs Principal Systems Engineer Northrop Grumman

Kas Williams

Technical Product Manager

Otis Elevator

Vern Bangole Senior Manager, Systems Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Bryant Beeler Jr.

Senior Systems Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Shadd Bradshaw

Senior Structural Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Krystal Cunningham, Ph.D.

Shemecca Grimsley

Principal Group Leader MITRE

Nicholas Kasdaglis, Ph.D.

Project Leader – Principle Cognitive Engineer MITRE

Ali Obaidi, Ph.D.

Principal Data Engineer

MITRE

Troy Bennett Training Systems

Interoperability Branch Head

Naval Air Systems Command

Kyle Robinson-Jordan

Electronics Engineer

Naval Air Systems Command

Habib Sanusi

Electronics Engineer

Naval Air Systems Command

Abner Barros

Electrical Engineer

Naval Sea Systems Command

Senior Materials and Processes Engineer

Raytheon Technologies

Derrick Stanley Director of Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Osyria Webster, DDS Operations Lead, Military Programs

Raytheon Technologies

Richard Truesdale

Program Management Senior Manager

SAIC

Thomas Wilson Test Engineer Principal

SAIC

Coby Davis Manager, R&D Science and Engineering

Sandia National Laboratories

Jimmy Carter

CMP Equipment And Innovation Engineer

Texas Instruments

Glenn Bean, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

The Aerospace Corporation

Leard Bell Jr.

Department Director

The Aerospace Corporation

Eric McCary, Ph.D.

Engineering Specialist

The Aerospace Corporation

Twain Summerset Systems Director

The Aerospace Corporation

Sam Ndaro Director, MH-139 Services

Program

The Boeing Company

Erica Sanchez

Boeing Research & Technology

Senior Director

The Boeing Company

Tinalee Smallhorne

Director, Program Management

The Boeing Company

Kenellias Smith

Senior Director, 777/777X

Everett

The Boeing Company

Joshua Taylor

Network Strategist

The Boeing Company

Harry Williams III, Ph.D.

Senior Manager, Facilities & Asset Management

The Boeing Company

Jean-Luc Duckworth

Evaluator Pilot, C-130J

U.S. Air Force

SheKenta Tibbs

Chief, Data Analytics Division

U.S. Army

Claudinette Purifoy-Fears

Senior Programmer for Military Construction

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command

Tamla Knox

Director, Army Acquisition

Workforce Recruit & Sustainment Center of Excellence

U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA)

Kushan Patel

Electronics Engineer

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities

Development Command

Erin Cumbo

Project Manager

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Akilah Martin, Ph.D.

Planner

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Arthur Saulsberry

Deputy for Small Business

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Kenith Ward

Resident Engineer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Fay Seymour

Computer Scientist

U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command

Elvin Simpson

Production Value Stream Manager

Vitesco Technologies

Joe Wright Manufacturing Support Manager

Vitesco Technologies

Ryen Gillespie

Senior Risk Specialist

Walmart

Daniel Gomez

Software Engineer III

Walmart

Christopher Luo

Technical Expert, Cybersecurity

Walmart

Andy Nguyen

Software Engineer III, Cybersecurity

Walmart

Qurate Retail Group is a proud sponsor of the 2023 BEYA STEM Conference

Congratulations to our 2023 BEYA award nominees!

“On behalf of Qurate Retail Group, congratulations to our 2023 BEYA Modern-Day

awardees. Your talent, skills and hard work not only contribute to your outstanding work performance but impact the success of our company. Thank you for your contributions and we know you will continue to reach new heights of excellence.”

Karen

Harold Brown QA Engineer

Prince Lloyd Eullas Brinson

Zach Barron

Anthony Jones

Mgr, Cust Svc Sr Prod Tech TD/Director SW Eng Mgr

Danae Richardson John Skepple Sr Product Mgr IT Manager

Michel Washington Project Mgr

Blaine King

Chris Clay Line Producer Talent Service Coord

Cornell Keith Derek Bennett Technical Director Systems Admin

Dominique House Assistant Director

Sr Associate Producer

Ebony Roberts

Gerald Bradley Prod Coord

Jakia Nur

Kristen Hazel

Lateef Scott Sr Ops Mgr Talent Operations Mgr

Broadcast Ops Mgr

Rafael Oquendo Sr Process Improvement Engr

Aida Ndoye

Nanya Origbo

Adekunle Mumuni Sr Tech Product Manager Sr Software Engineer

Sr Tech Product Mgr

Technology Leader

Etzkorn, Chief Information Officer

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US Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine launched the maiden issue of Leading Voices (LV) in the fall of 2017. Broken up into three or four columns written by inventors, entrepreneurs, and STEM policymakers, the section spotlights the 14 challenges outlined by the National Academy of Engineering, and disruptors such as artificial intelligence and bioengineering. During its first few years, LV has provided perspectives on smart cities, building a weather-ready nation, and where AI is in your future. An auspicious start for one of USBE magazine’s newest sections. Leading Voices is available in print and online at www.blackengineer.com

Leading Voices

Contributing Editors

John Brooks Slaughter, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education and Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Southern California President Emeritus, Occidental College

Rayondon Kennedy Manager, Digital and Print Operations, Career Communications Group, Inc.

John Brooks Slaughter, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education and Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Southern California President Emeritus, Occidental College

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are Necessary, but Poor Substitutes for Justice

Manyhigher education leaders and pundits are convinced that affirmative action in college and university admission practices will be on the chopping block as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearings on the Harvard and University of North Carolina cases before them.

The plaintiffs are charging that in their efforts to achieve diverse student bodies, those institutions discriminate against Asian-American applicants in favor of less qualified students, primarily Black and Latinx candidates.

In a recent article, “Derailed by Diversity,” that appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Richard Thompson Ford, a Stanford University professor of law, argues that justice—not diversity—should be the purpose of affirmative action and that the Supreme Court’s decision in the 1978 Bakke case led higher education down a path that it has, perhaps unmindfully, been unable to exit.

The Bakke opinion by Justice Lewis Powell, whom Ford asserts “was not an advocate of racial equality,” framed the Court’s decision. Powell maintained that affirmative action could only be used where educational benefits would accrue because of diversity, but not for the purpose of erasing racial discrimination. Thus, “diversity” became the aspiration for most American higher education.

I found Ford’s article both compelling and unsettling. It has caused me to review and question my own writings, speeches, and actions over the past 40 years as the chancellor of the University of Maryland, College Park, president of Occidental College, and more recently, as a USC professor.

I have always emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion but have failed to take adequate consideration of the fact that the root cause for their need is the invidious and enduring racial injustice in American society. The Supreme Court

led me astray also.

In my most cynical moments, I have thought that perhaps Powell’s emphasis on diversity for educational purposes only was to provide privileged students an opportunity to learn something from Black and brown students about their cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

I envisioned that this might be a strategy to assist them in determining how they can continue to succeed, thrive, and lead in a society that is becoming increasingly multiracial, multiethnic, and multicultural. But I trust that is not the case.

Whether “affirmative action” survives or not, colleges and universities need to assiduously and honestly examine all their policies and procedures. They need to ensure that there are no overt or covert practices that prevent full access and opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities as well as for women, LGBTQ, disabled, first-generation, and international students. To do less, even in the face of the political interference many public institutions are experiencing, will prove to be disastrous in the long term—not only for higher education but more importantly, for the nation. S

“Whether “affirmative action” survives or not, colleges and universities need to assiduously and honestly examine all their policies and procedures.”

Leading Voices

Why Executive Leadership Coaching Made All the Difference

Foras long as I can remember, I’ve always had a coach in my life. Whether it was my dad, neighborhood volunteers, or a leader in high school or college, coaches raised me and shaped me into the man that I am today.

I grew up playing every sport that I could—it was how my parents kept my brothers and me out of trouble. We grew up just south of Chicago, where if you weren’t staying busy with extracurriculars, you were finding trouble elsewhere. There are many parallels between sports and life, and I learned that a great coach could help you navigate both effectively. When my playing career ended and I began transitioning to another, I realized that many of the lessons that brought me success in sports could be applied in the office. Lessons like hard work, adaptability, teamwork, etc. All these things helped me find different levels of success.

I’ve been at my current company for nearly 10 years, and throughout this time, I’ve learned a lot and been able to achieve just as much. Thanks to my competitive spirit, I wanted to accomplish more. But there was one problem: I had no idea what the next level looked like.

So, when the opportunity came along to work with a coach from the Four Forces Executive Group, LLC, I knew it was the answer. Four Forces specializes in executive coaching and leadership training. From senior executives to new professionals across the private, government, military, and nonprofit sectors, they help uncover the potential in individuals and teams, inspiring them and their organizations to use their collective advantage.

After spending time getting to know each other, setting goals, and understanding where I am in my career, my coach and I got to work. We started with personality assessments, which was an enlightening exercise that helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. I must admit, a lot of the results were not a surprise. But even though they were traits that I recognized in myself, my

coach introduced new ways to apply my strengths so that they’d have more of an impact. When it came to my weaknesses, there were some things I was aware of, but other points were new to me. Nevertheless, all were true. Drilling down into those weaknesses is where I found the true value of this program.

helped me take a big step forward and showed me how to refocus that energy and recalibrate. It feels amazing when I’m able to apply a lesson that we went over in a session to a real-life situation—and watch it work. Thank you to my coach Terri Williams, and the entire Four Forces team, for helping me become a better coworker, manager, and, ultimately, person. If you’re seeking guidance and would like to experience this program, please visit their website at www.fourforceseg.com and try it out for yourself.

More About Four Forces Executive Group, LLC

Drilling down into weaknesses is where I found true value

The first step in solving a problem is identifying whether there is one. We spent several sessions addressing my weaknesses and how they show up in my work or impact my job and colleagues. Then we discussed solutions, leaning into ways I could improve and address the weaknesses in my day-to-day life. This process changed everything for me.

For a long time, I felt stuck in my career. I didn’t know where I wanted to go; it felt like I was doing everything and nothing all at the same time. But Four Forces

The Four Forces Executive Group is a global leader in executive coaching and leadership training services. They offer world-class workshops, scalable learning solutions, private coaching and high-impact consulting. From senior executives to new professionals across the private, government, military, and nonprofit sectors, They help organizations large and small uncover their potential in individuals and teams. Inspiring them and their organizations to use their collective advantage. Today, effective leadership demands self-awareness and aspiring leaders at every level in every environment typically face a diverse span of circumstances, often with complex overtones. Four Forces’ approach uses the concept of performance tension to help clients move past their current comfort zones into a zone of peak performance. The will test your new behaviors and move you through challenges to systemize the predictable and focus on the exceptional.

https://www.fourforceseg.com/ S

There are many Leading Voices stories available at Blackengineer.com.

Rayondon Kennedy Manager, Digital and Print Operations, Career Communications Group, Inc.

“For a long time, I felt stuck in my career. I didn’t know where I wanted to go; it felt like I was doing everything and nothing all at the same time. But Four Forces helped me take a big step forward and showed me how to refocus that energy and recalibrate my trajectory.”

Providing a diverse, differentiated and more powerful CHOICE in leadership coaching services for our clients in the STEM profession

Leadership coaching can be an integral part of individual professional development at critical stages of a STEM career path that focuses on strengthening both inner-core and outer-core competencies.

STEM professionals who have received coaching report improved work performance, more confidence, better business acumen, more efficient time management, increased team effectiveness, and more career growth and opportunities, as a result of coaching.

OUR ICF - ACCREDITED COACHES DELIVER RESULTS!

The strength of coaching is built upon creating a safe and confidential space to do the hard work to drive yourself to peak performance.

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MATH CAREERS

CAREER OUTLOOK

CAREERS IN MATHEMATICS: Don’t Drop the ‘M’ in STEM

Typically, when we talk about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the jobs that come to mind are those that many people think of as scientific or technical.

Rarely do we mention careers that are in the “M” category.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of mathematicians (and statisticians) is projected to grow 31 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. In this edition of Career Outlook, we look at jobs, educational pathways, and the role of mathematicians.

INSIDE

> Jobs for Mathematics Majors

> Top 5 Jobs You Can Get with a Math Degree

When students, graduates, and job seekers think of STEM careers, they often name careers in science, technology, and engineering. However, there is a wide range of rewarding, fulfilling careers in the field of mathematics. While some students and jobseekers might shy away from mathematics, do not let intimidation get in the way of seeking out one of the following interesting, attainable careers.

In fact, in the best-selling book, Overcoming Math Anxiety, by Sheila Tobias, math anxiety is discussed as an invented or imagined construct that hampers students from reaching their full potential.

These data science professionals work with large amounts of medical data and research studies in medicine and public health. Biostatisticians are already in demand with significant predicted growth, in part due to the societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A biostatistician conducts research, analyzes data, calculates summary statistics, evaluates and interprets the results of statistical modeling, and interprets visual presentations of statistical data. All these skills lead to solving specific problems in the biostatistician setting, such as a hospital or pharmaceutical company.

Biostatisticians earn an average of $75,000 with a bachelor’s degree, $90,000 with a master’s degree, and $105,000 with a doctorate degree. More experienced biostatisticians who take on leadership roles can make over $200,000 per year.

Financial analysts study trends in financial markets, analyze financial data, create models based on their analyses to inform organizational decisionmaking, and develop financial plans. Financial analysts are valuable members of their company and serve a key role in providing insights and quantitative data that inform key decision-makers and allow the company to make the best moves for its bottom line.

The demand for these professionals increases during periods of economic growth and positive market trends, but there is an overall steady growth for these positions as companies grow and strategize.

Another point to consider is that medium to large companies need financial analysts for their insights, allowing for a large smattering of jobs across all geographic areas. Depending on the company, these roles can also be held partially or entirely remotely. A financial analyst has a median salary of $83,000, with the highest 25 percent of analysts making an average of $112,460. An entry-level salary for these positions is around $60,000.

Are you a math major looking to join the healthcare, medical, or research education industries?

Consider a career as a biostatistician.

An actuary is another career steeped in mathematics with stable job growth and competitive salaries. These professionals use mathematics and data analysis to design and analyze financial plans and determine financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use financial theories and models to assess the risk of possible events and inform management of their results in order to inform decisionmaking.

Actuaries work for financial firms, corporations, government agencies, market research groups, and often a variety of insurance companies. Actuaries must take large amounts of statistical and financial data, analyze it, draw conclusions, and present their findings to other stakeholders.

Actuaries have a median salary of $111,000, with the lowest 25 percent earning an average of $83,000 and the highest 25 percent earning an average of $151,000 per year. Actuaries need to hold a bachelor’s degree and then pass a series of exams for certification.

There are many more careers that rely heavily on math expertise with similar degree requirements and competitive salary ranges. Do not let math anxiety discourage you. Anyone can learn math; it takes perseverance and a time commitment, but the payoff is worth it! S

Anyone can learn mathematics, and everyone’s expertise is needed in tackling the most complex problems of today and the future.

To stay up to date on all news and events, visit our website: www.blackengineer.com

Top 4 Jobs You Can Get with a

Across the United States, there are countless jobs in mathematics.

Likewise, there is a growing demand for these occupations, as they require specific degrees and sometimes specialized certifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow over 30 percent in the next 10 years, which greatly outpaces the average for all occupations.

Where are these jobs located? The proliferation of remote work has greatly altered the location considerations of many industries, and math careers are certainly included in that shift. Much of the work in math careers can be done remotely with minimal to zero in-person presence required. This benefits both the employer and the employee—as the

best-qualified candidate can fulfill the role regardless of their proximity to the physical office.

Still, individual employers may require or prefer in-person work, so be sure to do your research prior to applying for open positions. Likewise, some roles within government agencies are located within specific areas, such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, or branches throughout the United States.

One major trend in math careers is the increased use of vast amounts of data, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and cloud computing. There are a number of future-forward math careers that are likely to be in demand in the future. These industries and occupations are most likely to have increased job growth due to the cutting-edge nature of their work.

One particularly futuristic career is space supply chain manager, a professional who ensures that products and equipment are manufactured and

delivered in the most efficient manner possible. Relying on large amounts of data, data analytics, modeling, and a logical approach to problem-solving, these professionals will make sure that people living or working in space have the items they need.

A biostatistician is another futureforward career that relies heavily on mathematics. These professionals rely on math and medical data to perform research, conduct and analyze trials, and present their findings.

Data architects work in both mathematics and computer science in order to design and build data storage systems that collect data safely and securely.

A math-based career that is seeing a resurgence in demand is a statistician. Traditionally, statisticians worked in research and academia. With the explosion of data-driven decision-making and the integration of metadata and data analytics into virtually every sector,

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

Math Degree

statisticians play an increasingly relevant role in most companies.

Preparing to enter a career that relies heavily on mathematics will require at minimum an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in some area of mathematics, such as statistics, mathematics education, mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, or actuarial science.

You’ll want to speak with your current teachers, college advisor, and other trusted adults to determine the best major for you based on your career goals. For example, if you’re considering working in the pharmaceutical industry as a biostatistician, you’ll want to major in statistics and also consider a dual major or minor in medicine or healthcare. If you’re considering a career in data analytics, you may consider a math major with a minor in data science. Other than hard skills gained through college undergraduate and graduate programs, consider utilizing internships

To stay up to date on all news and events, visit our website: www.blackengineer.com

and other experiences to gain soft skills, networks of support, valuable job connections, and priceless on-the-job experience. You can find local internships by checking with your university or college mathematics department, searching for jobs on Indeed and LinkedIn, or using government programs such as the Department of Defense STEM Internships program. Internships are a great way of discovering which careers are right for you and which areas of growth you might work on. These internships can help prepare you for one of the future-forward STEM careers in mathematics! S

One major trend in math careers is the increased use of vast amounts of data, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing in STEM careers.

LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD

Linda Dorsey

SCIENCE SPECTRUM TRAILBLAZER AWARD

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Tyrone Dell

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MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY LEADER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Miguel González González

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Roberto Arias Corona

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Myster Duck

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Eros Omassi Herrera

Terence Pace

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Devon Reynolds

Xóchitl Richarte Meza

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Blas Romero Aceves

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Antonio Zamudio Rochín

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MAKE WAVES

Invest in Engineering Innovation

Navy Civilian Careers (NCC) is a place where people who want to make a difference in the world will find a welcome home. Where professionals can put their innovative thinking on the line. Where people looking for a challenge can ride the wave of the future.

We are looking for the best and brightest to join us in our mission supporting the U.S. Navy in Engineering, Science, Logistics, Business, Finance, Contracts, and Cybersecurity fields.

Your education or professional experience can add to our success. As a federal civilian employee, the opportunities are exciting and very rewarding.

Learn how you can make a difference. Chat with NCC recruiters at the BEYA career fair or scan the QR code below to upload your resume.

at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) with the SOAR Program!

SOAR is a summer internship/research experience designed for students who are from a diverse background and provides them with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Advance technology for artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles

• Use state-of-the-art machinery and creativity to solve real-world challenges

• Participate in new pathways for research and technology while making an impact on the future

To learn more about this exciting program and other opportunities at ARL, visit https://www.arl.psu.edu/lcs/student-programs/.

We’d like to talk to you about your future at ARL, so contact us at recruit@arl.psu.edu

“My experience at ARL was exhilarating. I was able to build on old skills as well as learn new ones. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had because I created so many new bonds and pushed myself to greater limits.”

Come Define Possible With Us

LEADERSHIP IS AN EXACT SCIENCE. WE’VE PERFECTED IT.

Exceptional People.

Exceptional Contributions.

When your goal is to provide exceptional service to the nation, you need exceptional people. That’s why Sandia National Laboratories, which provides essential science and technology to solve the nation’s toughest security challenges, seeks out team members whose principles, perspectives, and outlook can contribute to game-changing solutions. We value the qualities that make our people unique—and know that what makes each person different makes all of us stronger.

For an exceptional career, visit sandia.gov/careers.

technologies.

C loud care ers as unique as you

Where Technology Meets Creativity

Be bold, do great things, make the world a better place.

From space exploration and cybersecurity to missile defense, arti cial intelligence, and more, we work on the cutting edge of innovation. Whether you work in technology, research, or business operations, APL is where your passion can thrive.

We'd like to recognize our employees for their winning contributions to our team:

• Camille Daniel, D. Eng. selected for the Capt. Donnie Cochran Legacy Award

• Malcolm Taylor selected as a 2023 Modern-Day Technology Leader

• Nicole Brown selected as a 2023 Science Spectrum Trailblazer

• Jamie Porter, Ph.D. selected as a 2023 Science Spectrum Trailblazer

• Gill Brown II selected as a 2023 Science Spectrum Trailblazer

•

Consider a career in engineering, math, cyber, science, or AI with Johns Hopkins APL! Whether you’re a student, new graduate or experienced professional, we have an opportunity for you

Learn more about us and apply for jobs at jhuapl.edu/careers

WHO WE ARE

Whiting-Turner’s growth and success is attributable to the belief in and strict adherence to the core values established over a century ago by our founder, G.W.C. Whiting, and exemplified by subsequent presidents Willard Hackerman and Timothy Regan.

WHAT WE DO

Whiting-Turner provides construction management, general contracting and integrated project delivery services on projects small and large for a diverse group of customers. We constantly strive to exceed each client’s expectations through innovation, collaboration and best practices.

WHERE WE WORK

With over 50 offices nationwide, Whiting-Turner has a strong presence throughout the country. We pride ourselves on familiarity with our local communities and our ability to give our clients the attention of a small business with the resources of a national corporation.

JOIN OUR TEAM

We are consistently looking for talented, dedicated individuals to join the Whiting-Turner community. Each of our employees is an integral part of our amazing and unique culture, and it is our mission to provide them with the opportunities and challenges to achieve their personal career goals. Come be a part of something special!

CORE VALUES

PLEASE

BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S & DOCTORAL DEGREES

Civil Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Mechatronics Engineering

Secured Embedded Systems

Transportation Systems Engineering & Transportation Systems

Programs offered through the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.

School of Engineering support access to opportunities and enhance learning experiences.

Graduates are well-prepared to enter industry or advance their education with post graduate studies.

www.morgan.edu/soe

We see your greatest potential and your motivation to achieve. We see you at Norfolk State University.

Bachelor of Science

- Biology

- Chemistry

- Computer Science

- Nursing and Allied Health

- Mathematics

- Physics

- Engineering (Electrical and Optical) Technology

Master of Science

- Computer Science

- Cybersecurity

- Electronics Engineering

- Healthcare Administration

- Materials Science

Ph.D.

- Materials Science and Engineering

College of Science, Engineering and Technology Office of the Dean 700 Park Avenue | Norfolk, Virginia 23504 (757) 823-8180 | www.nsu.edu/cset

ENGINEERING. FORWARD.

From the buildings we live in to self-driving vehicles, our community depends on the work of engineers and computer scientists to drive research and innovation. North Carolina A&T's College of Engineering is the preeminent producer of African American engineers in the country.

ALWAYS DOING. NEVER DONE.

With 10 undergraduate degree programs, eight master's programs and five doctoral programs, we have a program for you Want to move forward with us? Visit ncat.edu/coe for more information.

Undergraduate

Engineering

Computer Engineering (B.S.)

Manufacturing Engineering (B.S.)

Computer Science

Computer Science (B.S.)

Applied Engineering Technology

Electronics Engineering Technology (B.S.)

Information Logistics Technology (B.S.)

Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)

Mathematics and Economics

Mathematics (B.S.)

Economics (B.S.)

Graduate Programs

Computer Science (M.S.)

Economics (M.A.)

Mathematics (M.S.)

Project Management (Certi�icate)

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The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities

US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine

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Actalent

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University of the District of Columbia

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

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Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State

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The Whiting-Turner Contracting

Company

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AAMU-RISE Foundation Inc.

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Army xTech Program

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Cummins Inc.

Deloitte

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Dominion Energy

Federal Aviation Administration

Fidelity

Ford Motor Company

General Dynamics

General Motors

Georgia Tech Research Institute

Harvard Business School

HII

Honeywell FM&T

IBM Corporation

Idaho National Laboratory

Jackson State University

Jacobs

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Keysight Technologies

KLA

Leidos

Lockheed Martin

Los Angeles City Bureau of Engineering

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Micron

MITRE

Morgan State University

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

Navy Civilian Careers

National Geospatial-Intelligence

Agency

National Security Agency

Northeastern University

Northrop Grumman

Office of Naval Research

Oracle

Qurate Retail Group

Raytheon Technologies

SAIC

Sandia National Laboratories

Snap-on, Inc.

Southern University and A&M College

Southwest Airlines

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

Textron

The Aerospace Corporation

The Boeing Company

The Whiting-Turner Contracting

Company

Tuskegee University

Ultium Cells

University of Maryland

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Virginia

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Cyber Command

U.S. Army Futures Command

U.S. Army Materiel Command

U.S. Army Recruiting Command

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense

Command

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation

Command

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Intelligence Community

U.S. Naval Academy

U.S. Navy Recruiting Command

Verisk

Walmart

Walmart-Info Sec

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UMBC

BEYA PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM

Raytheon Technologies

BEYA SEMINAR ROOM

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BEYA SEMINAR TRACK

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COLLEGE STUDENT LUNCH AND LEARN

BAE Systems

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HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS’ RECOGNITION EVENT PARTNER

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HBCU ENGINEERING DEANS’ ROUNDTABLE

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Walmart

INTERVIEW VILLAGE SPONSOR

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NETWORKING SUITE

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STARS & STRIPES EVENT PARTNER

BAE Systems

Booz Allen Hamilton

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

General Dynamics

General Electric

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Northrop Grumman

Raytheon Technologies

SAIC

The Boeing Company

World Wide Technology

STARS & STRIPES MENTORING PROGRAM

LMI

TECHNOLOGY RECOGNITION EVENT PARTNER

BAE Systems

Four Forces Executive Group, LLC

HII

Leidos

UL Research Insitutes

Walmart

World Wide Technology

Epic Human Impact Starts Here.

Learn more about our commitment to innovation