BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
time his civilian service began at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. From aircraft tracking gun fire support on cruises he was immersed in a world of radars, computers, launchers, antennas, missiles, gun fire control systems and directors as a fire control mechanic. Two years on, he was the lead mechanic on two main battery fire control systems for overhaul and testing during the restoration of the battle- ship USS New Jersey. During this time, he joined the Naval Reserve in 1986, and attended night school earning a Bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering and industrial technology from California State University at Long Beach in 1988. He joined the Naval Sea Systems at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, serving as an in- service engineering agent for a gun fire control system. And he also led the team that installed the first anti-ship missile defense radar system. He was field team lead on many ordnance alterations, techni- cal assists and casualty representative at sea, home and abroad. In 2001, Thompson transferred to the Naval Aviation Depot, North Carolina and he quickly adapted to the aviation world. His primary duties were to write specifications and provide over- sight during acquisition and maintenance of over fifty automated software systems. He was also assigned as the branch’s software quality assurance engineer, guiding ten engineers and technicians. He created the framework for the plnt engineering branch to attain quality levels and was assigned new technology insertion engineer for the FRC East in 2005. His efforts led to installation of the only operational automated rotor blade stripping system using a laser. A military reservist, he was mobilized in 2001 with an Inshore Boat Unit as a radioman, technician and gunner with the U.S. Navy for six months. He deployed again for four months with the Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit and received the Naval and Marine Corps Achievement medal in the Reserves for conducting vital repairs to an identification friend or foe transmitter while assigned to Assault Craft Unit Five. Thompson’s naval career ended in 2006 and he is currently serving in the Air Force Reserves as KC-135 crew chief and physical training leader.
Richard Williams Senior Program Manager Information Systems and Global Solutions
Lockheed Martin Corporation
that inspired them to pursue their dream. For hundreds of students across Maryland their inspiration comes from Rick Williams. Each year, he invests over one hundred hours volunteering. He has an enduring commit- ment to community and Lockheed Martin supports several education and engineering focused programs for schools and colleges through his outreach and his leadership. These include the annual Depart- ment of Energy Maryland Middle School Science Bowl competition hosted at the Patriots Technology Training Center. The science bowl tests knowledge in all areas of science.
E
www.blackengineer.com 46 USBE&IT I WINTER 2012
very engineer can recall a men- tor or a moment
Williams became STEM champion for the Math and Science Academy at Potomac High School in Maryland in 2003. The pro- gram’s workshops help to enhance student preparedness, engaging them in engineering and computer networking as well as providing mentoring and internship opportunities. The program also provides funding assistance to students in the Lockheed Martin Math and Science Academy to go on to community college in Prince George’s County. Many students also attend schools such as Temple Univer- sity, University of M Maryland, University of Wisconsin and more. Williams is also a champion for Project Lead the Way for Flowers High School. His efforts along with the support of Lockheed Martin, the University of Maryland, and volunteers helped the program provide nearly $20,000 in grants. This helps students achieve success during the summers with an Algebra-focused program for students at the University of Maryland. As a result of this partnership, the Flow- ers High School is now being considered as one of only ten “model” Project Lead the Way schools across the county. For the past two years, Williams has almost single handedly
made Ardmore Elementary School’s STEM dreams come true with a new computer lab. From a dozen local schools to national organiza- tions like the YMCA, Williams draws on his wealth of business knowledge and experience when he mentors students and helps the community. A long-time Lockheed Martin employee, Williams is a senior manager for a $40 million information and engineering servic- es portfolio of programs in Columbia, MD, where he is responsible for executing growth strategies for the division, project management, planning, labor forecasting and cost estimating.
Kelvin Woods, Ph.D. Technical Line Manager The MITRE Corporation
Tuskegee University in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Two years later he earned a Master’s degree in electrical engineering at Pennsylvania State University, and his Doctorate in Electrical Engi- neering at The Catholic University of America in 2001. He has over twenty years of experience in signal processing technologies and applications for the intelligence community and has been successful in both leading the work program and developing strong technical products that are highly valued by the customer. At Mitre, he leads a program that addresses sensitive national security problems in the ar- eas of signal processing and wireless communications. His technical contributions go beyond Mitre. He is a senior adjunct faculty in the Mathematics Division at Howard Community College, and is recog- nized in his technical peer community as a reviewer for an external conference and for r his external technical publications. His technical achievements have resulted in his election to three engineering and scientific honor societies.
K USBE&IT I WINTER 2012 46
www.blackengineer.com
elvin Woods graduated cum laude from
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