HATS 2007 Professionals of the Year Script
June 28, 2007
Von Braun Center North Hall
Welcome Everyone to the 2007 HATS Professional of the Year Dinner. I'm Joe Fitzgerald, a Past President of HATS and twice a POY recipient in the last millenium. Translation, I'm not all that old, I just started very young.
I have the honor of being your emcee this evening.
Before we get started with our program, I want to introduce the President of HATS, Dr. Belur Desarathy, for a few welcoming remarks.
Thank you.
Tonight is a very special night. Each year our technical community sets aside one night for honoring individuals that have made great contributions in their chosen fields and have made our lives better through their actions.
At this time, I would like to ask you to please rise for our Pledge of allegiance to our Nation's Great Flag. Our Pledge will be lead tonight by United States Army Drill Sergeant James Horrocks.
Please remain standing for our invocation led by Dr. Sam Cooke.
I would like to extend a very Special Welcome to those Honorees that are representing their Professional Societies and Associations. You are truly our Nation's finest professionals and deserve to be very proud of your accomplishments.
Each Year the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies conducts this Professional of the Year Banquet to provide a forum for each member professional or technical society to publicly recognize its own professional of the Year.
But first, let me take just a moment to talk about HATS. The Huntsville Association of Technical Societies is an organization of organizations. Its members are technical societies and professional associations.
HATS sponsors the Science and Technology Education and Training (STEDTRAIN) K-12 program to provide much needed money directly to classroom Science Teachers.
HATS strives to serve its member organizations by maintaining a calendar of events, to help you de-conflict meetings.
HATS maintains a central location of contact information about each member organization, so when new professionals move into the community they can easily find out where their professionals meet and how to get involved.
HATS assists and supports its member organizations in conducting events and organizes the Annual Holiday Reception at the Botanical Gardens Arbor Hall - which has grown to be quite popular. This helps organizations that might not otherwise be able to have a Christmas Party to join with other organizations and celebrate the Holiday.
In short, HATS is here to help your organization better serve your membership and work better with other organizations and the community.
If you are interested in serving on the HATS Board of Directors please let us know (see a member of the HATS Board) - getting involved in your profession, is always a good thing to do.
Before we begin our Meal, I want to acknowledge and extend our thanks to those that made this night possible, our volunteers and sponsors:
Very Special Thanks to Mike Cowger, John Young, Morton Archibald, Woody Williams, Mike Baran, Dr. Belur Dasarathy, Al Modrall, Dr. Paul Ruffin, Cristina Hinkle and Dr. Philomena Grodzka who contributed much volunteer time to make this event possible.
We want to extend a very special thanks to all of you and the Professional Societies that you represent. HATS is very grateful for your support and your efforts throughout each year to make our professional community a great place to live and work. You represent Huntsville's premier organizations that truly care about technical professionals and show it with your programs and activities. Please give tonight's sponsoring organizations a very warm round of applause.
[Break for Dinner]
It is my distinct privilege to introduce our special guest speaker, Mr. Richard Stocks, Founder and CEO of Gold Leaf Corporation, Preservationists of the Artifacts from the Statue of Liberty and of Ellis Island. I have gotten to know him over the past several years and have developed a deep appreciation for what he and his company stands for and is working to accomplish. He will speak to us on his company's activities to carry the spirit of liberty and freedom throughout the world, and what liberty and freedom means to science and technology. Please give a very warm Tennessee Valley welcome to Mr. Richard Stocks
Thank you Richard,
[Mr. Richard Stocks]
Now is the time we recognize and honor our Professionals of the Year for 2007. All of tonight's honorees deserve to be very proud of their accomplishments. We are grateful for their service to their profession and to our community.
As I call your name, please come forward to receive your award and have your picture taken. If a representative of your organization would like to make a few brief remarks or assist in the presentation, you may come up to do so with your awardee.
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Ms. Sandra Pape. Ms Pape is the AFCEA Chapter Secretary. Ms. Paper supported the AFCEA Chapter's co-sponsorship of the 2007 JIAMD Summit by serving as the Data Management Team Leader. she was responsible for recruiting and managing a large team of volunteers assigned to collect the Focus Area Capability Team Results and compile the Final Report. Her dedication, leadrship, professionalism, and enthusiasm have contributed enormously to this technical community. Congratulations to Ms. Sandra Pape, the AFCEA POY for 2007.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Alabama-Mississippi Section's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Mr. Thomas M. Hancock. Mr. Hancock currently serves as the Avionics and Software Project Engineer for the Ares 1 Upper Stage. He has led Software IV&V for the James Webb Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and the X-43C and AIM missions. He has co-authored a book on Artificial Intelligence and numerous papers on space science, software development, IV&V, project engineering and spacecraft development and design. His is a past chair of the Section, and has made outstanding contributions to his profession by leading the initial restoration of the NASA Skylab Astronaut Trainer at the SRC. He recruited and organized volunteers to restore this trainer which had been abandoned outside, uncovered and exposed for over 7 years. The SRC valued the restoration led by Mr. Hancock at $1M. Congratulations to Mr. Tom Hancock, AIAA Alabama-Mississippi Section POY for 2007.
The Alabama Solar Association's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Mr. Larry Bradford. Mr. Bradford represented the association at a National Conference on solar energy and energy conservation. He taught classes to share this information with residents across the Tennessee Valley. He has worked tirelessly to bring the advantages of alternative energy to Alabama. Congratulations Mr. Larry Bradford, the Alabama Solar Association's POY for 2007.
The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) - Redstone-Huntsville Chapter's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Staff Sergeant James P. Horrocks. Sergeant Horrocks was the 59th Ordance Brigade Drill Sergeant of the Year. He is a teacher, mentor, and exercises with care his responsibilities to develop our sons and daughters into soldiers. He is recognized as the best of the best, and is the epitome of the Army's Non-Commissioned Officer Corps. Congratulations Drill Sergeant Scott, AUSA POY for 2007.
The Huntsville Aerospace Marketing Association (HAMA) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Ancil Hicks. As the President of HAMA, Mr. Hicks provided superb leadership, working tirelessly to promote excellent relations between industries and federal agencies - providing a forum for addressing issues of common interest. Congratulations to Mr. Ancil Hicks, HAMA POY for 2007.
Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) Professional of the Year for 2007 is John Young. Mr. Young's service as the HATS Treasurer during the last year has been truly outstanding. He successfully resolved a very complicated tax issue for the association. He also provided HATS and STEDTRAIN a great service by submitting comprehensive and timely reports and by proposing new ideas for how to improve their finances. Congratulations to Mr. John Young, HATS POY for 2007.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Keith A. Jadus. Mr. Jadus has served the IEEE and larger engineering community tirelessly for many years. He has served as section chair and in a Regional position. He Co-Chairs the 2008 IEEE Southeast Conference. He was recognized by the UAH College of Engineering as Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 2007. Army in roles of increasing importance for more than 45 years. He currently leads the Advanced Systems Team within the Tactical Missiles Branch of SS&DD in the AMRDEC. Congratulations to Mr. Keith Jadus, IEEE POY for 2007.
Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense (JIAMD) Summit Working Group Professional of the Year for 2007 is Ms. Deborah Fraley. in 2006 and 2007, Ms. Fraley served as the Deptuy Director for the JIAMD Summit Support Group. She planned and managed all of the Summit events. Without her efforts, dedication and unflagging enthusiasm, the 2007 JIAMD Summit would not have been possible. Congratulations to Ms. Deborah Fraley, JIAMD Summit Working Group POY for 2007.
National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Jerry Gabig. Mr. Gabig has made outstanding contributions to the education of the Government Contracting Workforce, particularly in the area of Government Contract Law. He has published articles in the NCMA Journal and Contract Management Magazine. He is a NCMA Fellow and a Delaney Award Winner. He is an extremely valuable member of the Huntsville Chapter and an asset to the Community at all levels. Congratulations to Mr. Jerry Gabig, NCMA Huntsville Chapter's POY for 2007.
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)Tennessee Valley Chapter, Professional of the Year for 2007 is Michael Barefield. Mr. Barefield has served as the Vice President for Awards/Scholarships since 2003. His outstanding and effective leadership since 2000 and over the last year have ensured that the NDIA TVC is recognized by the National organization as a leading chapter, and that the Space and Missile Defense Conference continues to improve. Congratulations to Mr. Mike Barefield, NDIA TVC POY for 2007.
Program Management Institute (PMI) North Alabama Chapter's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Lisa Galentine. Ms Galentine has served as Deputy PM for the Professional Development Syposium. She served in 2005 as its PM and on the board of directors as VP for Finance, and in 2006 as its President Elect. She is the current 2007 Chapter President. Her leadership and dedication contributed greatly to the advancement of the Project Management profession in the North Alabama region. Congratulations Ms. Lisa Galentine, the PMI North Alabama chapter's POY for 2007.
Society of Logistics Engineers, Tennessee Valley Chapter's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Mike Murphy. Mr. Murphy has consistently performed in an outstanding capacity. Particularly in his tenure as Vice-Chair of Training, His professionalism and dedication ensured that members of the Society were trained, and committed to the advancement of their profession. He was instrumental in the Chapter receiving the Gold Chapter Award - the only Chapter of its size in the nation to accomplish this feat two years in a row. Congratulations, Mr. Mike Murphy, the Society of Logistics Engineers, Tennessee Valley Chapter's POY for 2007.
Society of Cost Estimating & Analysis (SCEA) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Stacy Houk. Ms. Houk has been instrumental in helping the Greater North Alabama Chapter to thrive and grow. Under her leadership as Vice President, President, Past President and other board positions of the past several years, she has helped the organization respond to members educational and professional needs and maintain the Chapter's reputation as one of the largest and most influential regional divisons of the Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis. Congratulations Ms. Stacy Houck, the Greater North Alabama Chapter, society of Cost Estimating and Analysis POY for 2007.
System Safety Society (SSS) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Susan Cantrell. Ms. Cantrell provided outstanding system safety engineering support to the GMD Program, where she was assigned as the acting system safety lead. Ms. Cantrell led efforts of GMD testing. Her many hours of research, coordination, planning, and safety assessments have contributed to setting the standard for future motor testing. She is a vigorous supporter of the System Safety Society. Congratulations Ms. Susan Cantrell, the System Safety Society POY for 2007.
Von Braun Astronomical Society's Professional of the Year for 2007 is Mr. Jeffery E. Delmas. Mr. Delmas has been a Society member for over 10 years and has held many leadrship positions. Currently serving as President, he has been intimately involved in nearly every facet of the Society's focused growth and improvement over the past year. He has built his own telescope, designing and manufacturing his optics by hand. This resulted in his recent completion of the Astronomical League's Messier Certification program. He joins a select group of two thousand amateur and professional astronomers nationwide to have completed this feat. Additional evidence of his efforts ar held with the continuing restoration project and recent return to service of the Societies historic 21" reflecting telescope - one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. Congratulations Mr. Jeffery Delmas, the Von Braun Astronomical Society's, Professional of the Year for 2007.
Women in Defense (WID) Professional of the Year for 2007 is Ms. Lisa Gilbert. Ms. Gilbert served as the President of the Women in Defense Tennessee Valley Chapter from April 2003 to September 2006. She initiated the role of WID in the annual JIAMD Summit; She partnered with NDIA to host quarterly luncheons for the defense community; She promoted women as leaders through quarterly mentorship luncheons, networking events, and providing opportunities for women to get greater involvement in the Defense community. Ms. Gilbert led WID in becoming one of the most active Chapters in the Nation and in establishing programs that strengthen the Defense Community. Congratulations Ms. Lisa Gilbert, Women in Defense, Tennessee Valley Chapter POY for 2007.
Please extend a warm round of applause to all the Professionals of the Year for 2007.
Recipients please join us at the conclusion of tonight's program for a group photo.
Ladies and Gentlemen, throughout the past 50 years in Huntsville, Joseph C. Moquin has epitimized the meaning of volunteerism and community support. He was the driving force behind the establishment of what is now known as Cumming Research Park. He served as President of Teledyne Brown Engineering; Interim President of UAH; and Executive Director of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. He served on the Boards of Alabama A&M University; Birmingham Southern; the UAH Foundation; Huntsville Hospital Foundation; and many others. Joseph Moquin is truly a model leader who has made extraordinary contributions to the community.
HATS has established the Joseph C. Moquin Award to recognize an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the North Alabama Technical Community. This award is selected each year from among the Professional of the Year honorees.
In 2006, we awarded the first ever Joseph C. Moquin Award to IEEE's Professional of the Year, Dr. Bill Craig, for his extraordinary contributions to the technical community and the nation as Director of the Software Engineering Directorate of the Aviation and Missile RDEC. Dr. Craig would like to make a few remarks before we announce the recipient of this prestigious award for 2007.
[Dr. Craig Speaks]
Dr. Moquin would you please honor us by joining with Dr. Craig and the HATS President Dr. Belur Desarathy in front of the Podium to make the award presentation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies it is our distinct honor to recognize the recipient of the 2007 Joseph C. Moquin Award.
And the Winner is:
Mr. Thomas M Hancock
2007 Joseph C. Moquin Award Recipient
AIAA Alabama-Mississippi Section's Professional of the Year
Ladies and Gentlemen please give Mr. Hancock a very hearty round of applause. Congratulations Tom.
Again, special thanks to all our professional associations and societies represented tonight. Special thanks to Who's Who in Huntsville Technology Magazine.
Tonight would not have been possible without the very hard work of two very special individuals, Mike Cowger and John Young. Please give these gentlemen and the entire HATS POY committee a warm round of applause.
Dr. Moquin, Dr. Craig, Mr. Hancock, and POY honorees, we are indeed honored by your being here and thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Dr. Moquin, Dr. Craig and honorees, please join us for a group photo.
I ask that you never forget those that are deployed in harms way protecting our freedoms and way of life. Pray for their victory and safe return to their homes and loved ones.
This concludes tonight's program. Thank you all for coming.
Please drive safely.
Contact Information:
Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS)
www.hats.org
