2006 58th awards book - united states department of...

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Fifty-eighth

Honor Awards Program

Herbert C. Hoover Building Auditorium14th and Constitution Avenue, NW

November 8, 2006

IntroductionDeborah A. Jefferson

Director for Human Resources Management

Presentation of ColorsArmed Forces Color Guard

National AnthemPaul Bell

AddressHonorable Carlos M. Gutierrez

Secretary of Commerce

Announcement of AwardsHonorable Otto J. Wolff

Chief Financial Officer andAssistant Secretary for Administration

Presentation of Gold and Silver MedalsSecretary Gutierrez assisted by Department Officials

Closing RemarksDeborah A. Jefferson

Director for Human Resources Management

SoloistPaul Bell

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MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

The men and women of the U.S. Department of Commerce serve the Nation in waysthat enhance our economic and national security. With responsibilities in the areas oftrade promotion, next-generation technology, business development, environmentalstewardship, and statistical research and analysis, the Department’s broad mandate isto foster economic growth and opportunity for the American people.

This important responsibility frequently demands extraordinary commitment. Forexample, Commerce personnel provided early warnings and helped to meet the needsof communities devastated during the unprecedented 2005 hurricane season.

Today in this Honor Awards ceremony we recognize those who put themselvesin harm’s way and the many others who formulate and carry out the programsthat make America and American companies and workers stronger, safer, andmore competitive.

President Bush said that those in public service should strive to leave a record ofexcellence. The accomplishments of the caring, talented, and dedicated men andwomen that we celebrate here meet that goal and set the highest standards forservice to the Department and the Nation.

It is with great pride that I salute the recipients of the U.S. Department ofCommerce 2006 Honor Awards.

Carlos M. Gutierrez

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Gold Medal

This award, the highest honorary award given by the Department, is grantedby the Secretary for distinguished performance characterized by

extraordinary, notable, or prestigious contributions that impact themission of the Department and/or one operating unit and that

reflect favorably on the Department.

Silver Medal

This award, the second highest honorary award given by the Department, isgranted by the Secretary for exceptional performance characterized bynoteworthy or superlative contributions that have a direct and lasting

impact within the Department.

To warrant a Gold or Silver Medal, a contribution must focus on qualitativeand quantitative performance measures reflected in the Department’s

Strategic Plan and be identified in one of the following areas:

leadership

personal and professional excellence

scientific/engineering achievement

organizational development

customer service

administrative/technical support

heroism

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BUREAU OF INDUSTRYAND SECURITY

Gold Medal

PERSONAL ANDPROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Joel R. ChristyPerry A. DavisJuventino MartinDavid R. NardellaCriminal Investigators

Office of the Assistant Secretaryfor Export Enforcement

Bureau of Industry and Security

The Wen Enterprises/Nin Wen, et al.Investigative Team is cited forconducting a highly publicizedinvestigation of an illicit Chineseprocurement network. Theinvestigation disrupted a Chinese frontcompany illegally sending sensitive U.S.goods to China for potential militaryuse. The team’s work resulted in foursubjects prosecuted and collectivelysentenced to more than 11 years inprison, assessment of criminal finesexceeding $100,000, and cash andproperty seized. Proceeds of the illegalactivities were valued in excess of over$500,000.

William W. MartinCriminal Investigator



Special Agent Martin is honored for hisrole in investigating the activities ofInfocom. Infocom was suspected ofillegally exporting dual-usecommodities in an illicit transfer oftechnology in connection with the HolyLand Foundation, a terrorist fundingorganization co-located at Infocom’s

business address. This investigationresulted in the criminal conviction ofInfocom and five individuals for illegalexports, conspiracy, money laundering,and false statements, with theassessment of jail time and $281,000in fines.

John D. SondermanSupervisory Criminal Investigator

Scot B. GonzalesKent D. BenjaminCriminal Investigators


James SittonExport Control Officer

Trade Promotion andU.S. & Foreign Commercial Service


The group is recognized for identifyingand disrupting U.S.-origin shipments ofmaterials bound for use by illicitweapons of mass destruction (WMD)programs and state sponsors ofterrorism. The agents, activelyparticipating in several U.S.government working groups targetingWMD and terrorism-relatedprocurement activities, worked withU.S. federal agents and foreigngovernments to detain shipments andto approach exporters to obtain theircooperation in denying current andfuture transactions. These actionsdirectly supported U.S. nationalsecurity and the President’s global waron terrorism.

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Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Bernard KritzerDirector, Office of National Security

and Technology Transfer Controls

Elroy G. ChristiansenRobert G. TeerGeneral Engineers

Kelly L. GardnerExport Policy Analyst

Office of the Assistant Secretaryfor Export Administration

Julie L. SalcidoSupervisory Criminal Investigator


Jeannette ChuExport Control Officer



The Boeing Team is recognized forcoordinating a $7 billion sale ofBoeing 787 aircraft to China whileremaining consistent with U.S. nationalsecurity requirements. Due to concernswith the modernization of the Chinesemilitary, the team worked with Boeingto identify co-production technologiesthat would gain interagency approvalfor export to China. The teamnegotiated highly technical licenseconditions to minimize technologytransfer risk. The results are a sterlingexample of U.S. government supportfor American businesses, American jobs,and American security.

ECONOMICS AND STATISTICSADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal

SCIENTIFIC/ENGINEERINGACHIEVEMENT

Robert A. LaMacchiaChief, Geography Division

Linda M. FranzAssistant Division Chief,

Geographic Partnership Programs

Brian SwanhartAssistant Division Chief,

MAF/TIGER Operations

Gerard BoudriaultRicardo J. RuizDaniel ToddSupervisory Information

Technology Specialists

Alfred H. PfeifferBrian John ScottSupervisory Geographic Specialists

Michael R. RatcliffeJanemary G. RosensonSupervisory Geographers

U.S. Census Bureau

Economics and Statistics Administration

The team is recognized for creating aspatially accurate nationwide digitalmapping database years ahead ofschedule and within budget. The teamrealigned the nation’s 11 million linearkilometers of road and increased theaccuracy of the database to within 7.6meters of true location for virtuallyevery roadway in the country. Censusoperations are now more accurate andless costly. In addition, their effortsresulted in improved products andservices throughout the economy, andimproved planning, response, andrecovery for disaster situations.

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Sumiye OkuboAssociate Director for Industry

Carol A. RobbinsEconomist

Carol E. MoylanChief, National Income and

Wealth Division

Barbara FraumeniChief Economist (Former)

Bureau of Economic Analysis


The team is recognized for creating aResearch and Development (R&D)Satellite Account to assess thecontribution of R&D to GrossDomestic Product and othermacroeconomic variables. The team’sinnovative research captured the impactof R&D, a significant, difficult-to-measure contributor to economicgrowth and competitiveness, using thenational accounts framework andtreating R&D as investment. Theteam’s work makes the U.S. the worldleader in setting the internationalstandard for national income accountsto adopt the treatment of R&Das investment.

Silver Medal

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Zoe O. AmbargisSupervisory Economist

Rebecca M. BessHope L. FranklinMolly A. WellerEconomists



The team is cited for providing crucialeconomic information and tools tosupport economic growth and theeffective decision-making ofpolicymakers, businesses, and theAmerican public. The team’s work wasespecially important in assisting withthe recovery from Hurricanes Katrinaand Rita, and with the U.S. military’sproposed base closings andrealignments. The team provided userswith valuable training on and updatesof the Bureau of Economic Analysis’regional economic multipliers, and alsoprovided users more data options onindustry detail and vintage of theseestimates.

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ADMINISTRATIVE/TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Michael RandallDouglas KlearChristopher SiwyInformation Technology Specialists

Brian M. CallahanDeputy Chief Information Officer

Stephen P. HollidaySupervisory Information

Technology Specialist

Computer Systems and Services Division

Lisa NinomiyaEconomist

David WasshausenSupervisory Economist

Carol E. MoylanChief, National Income and

Wealth Division

Robert HillSupervisory Information

Technology Specialist



The team is recognized for thedevelopment and implementation ofthe System for Tabling and AggregatingTime Series (STATS), a centralized andauthoritative data repository andprocessing engine for the Bureau ofEconomic Analysis’ quarterly GrossDomestic Product estimates. TheSTATS framework encompassesa flexible and integrated system forprocessing and report generation,including a multiple-level reviewcapability and a “what-if ” function.This system has substantially improvedprocessing times, reduced error rates,and enhanced customer service.

INTERNATIONAL TRADEADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal


Joseph SpetriniDeputy Assistant Secretary for

Antidumping/Contervailing DutyPolicy and Negotiations

Ronald LorentzenDirector, Office of Policy

Jonathan HerzogInternational Trade Compliance Analyst

Judith RudmanSally GannonSupervisory Import Policy Analysts

Samantha BiondoSenior Import Policy Analyst

Sarah KeyesImport Policy Analyst

Import Administration

John McInerneyChief Counsel for

Import Administration

Scott McBrideDavid RichardsonGeneral Attorneys

Office of the General Counsel

International Trade Administration

The team is recognized for negotiatingan innovative bilateral agreementbetween the United States and Mexicocovering imports of cement. Theagreement institutes an annual quota ofthree million metric tons of Mexicancement to be distributed among thevarious sub-regions of the U.S. affectedby shortages. This is notable becausethe agreement is market-liberalizing,resolves a long-standing trade dispute


between the two countries, and helpsensure that the hurricane-ravaged GulfCoast will have the resources necessaryto rebuild.

HEROISM

Dahir Al-NaderFiras MuhammedCommercial Specialists



Messrs. Al-Nader and Muhammed arehonored for enduring personal sacrificesand direct, grave risks in order toestablish and provide the essential localknowledge and presence to successfullyoperate the U.S. Embassy’s CommercialSection in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi citizens,especially professionals, who work foror with the U.S. Government andU.S. firms, are ruthlessly targeted byinsurgents, terrorists and organizedcrime. This meant that they had toexpose themselves and their families toconsiderable risk, includingassassination attempts, to carry outtheir duties.

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Donald C. van de WerkenDirector, U.S. Export Assistance Center

(USEAC), New Orleans, Louisiana



Mr. van de Werken is cited for histireless work to rebuild the NewOrleans USEAC and the internationaltrade community in New Orleans andsouthern Louisiana in the wake of thedevastation resulting from HurricaneKatrina. His office has reached out toover 1,500 small and medium-sizedcompanies to help get them theassistance they need to revitalizetheir businesses. Mr. van de Werken’sefforts have also galvanized the NewOrleans international trade communityby assisting companies with over$10 million in export transactions.His efforts have propelled theDepartment to the forefront of agenciesthat are delivering results in the NewOrleans business community.

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Megan B. CroweInternational Economist

Christine A. McDanielLead International Economist

Vidya KoriJoanne G. SonenshineEconomists

Manufacturing and Services


The team is honored for leadershipand expertise in responding to aCongressional request on the domesticeconomic effects of the disparitybetween U.S. and world marketsugar prices. To better understandU.S. sugar policy, the team met withsugar producing and consumingconstituencies, as well as withindependent economic analysts/consultants who have published studieson the policy. The result was a reportcontaining a comprehensive literaturereview, substantial economic data, andanalysis, which resulted in widespreadpress coverage with respect to theongoing U.S. sugar policy debate.

Office of Western Hemisphere

Office of Latin America andthe Caribbean

Industry Analysis


The organizations are recognized fortheir vision, leadership and creativitycontributing to the passage andimplementation of the United States-Central American-Dominican RepublicFree Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Theoffices developed state-specific CAFTAbenefits analyses, which weredistributed to each member of Congressand used extensively by the U.S. TradeRepresentative, the White House andthe business community. Theorganizations’ work is building supportfor Free Trade Agreements by ensuringthat U.S. companies can take fulladvantage of the CAFTA.

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NATIONAL OCEANIC ANDATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal

LEADERSHIP

Nancy B. ThompsonDirector, Southeast Fisheries

Science Center

National Marine Fisheries Service

National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration

Dr. Thompson is recognized forexceptional leadership in theresumption of the Department’sfisheries mission activities in theGulf of Mexico following thedevastating impacts of HurricanesKatrina, Rita and Wilma. Thesestorms caused many employees to losetheir homes and rendered laboratoriesinoperable. Dr. Thompson providedthe support and means necessary toaddress employees’ physical, emotionaland professional needs, in addition torestoring mission operations. Herefforts resulted in valuable lessons onthe setting of operational prioritiesafter natural disasters.


Aircraft Operations Center


The Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) iscited for its flawless performance duringthe record 2005 hurricane season. AOCstaff flew 123 hurricane missions,including post Hurricane Katrina flights.NOAA's Citation aircraft took over7,000 photos in 7 days followingKatrina's landfall, which allowed thepublic to download over 5 million photosof the affected area. NOAA's helicoptercrew delivered life saving supplies to bothNOAA personnel and facilities inPascagoula, Mississippi, including theNOAA ships GORDON GUNTER andOREGON II as well as the NationalData Buoy Center in Stennis, Mississippi.

National Seafood InspectionLaboratory and Southeast FisheriesScience Center; MississippiLaboratories

Office of the Chief AdministrativeOfficer, Project Planning andManagement Division

Office of Marine and AviationOperations


The organizations are cited for quicklyresuming operations to severely disruptedNOAA Fisheries Service’s Northern Gulfof Mexico operations following HurricaneKatrina. As part of a collaborative effortand amongst personal losses, the officesaccounted for employees; secured on-sitehazardous materials; retrieved critical data,specimens and equipment; and flewaircraft to assess hurricane impacts. Inaddition, the organizations swiftlyresumed key survey cruises; collectedcritical data for the Department to assessmarine fishery resources; and resumednational/international seafood inspectionfor export/import services.


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Morris BenderTimothy MarchokMeteorologists

Office of Oceanic andAtmospheric Research

Naomi SurgiResearch Physical Scientist

David MichaudInformation Technology Specialist

National Weather Service


The group is cited for developmentof critical improvements to theGeophysical Fluid DynamicsLaboratory Hurricane PredictionSystem and its implementation intooperational hurricane forecasts. Inaddition, this group greatly expandedthe suite of model guidance availableto forecasters. These improvementswere crucial in producing outstandingoperational track and intensity forecastsof Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two ofthe most powerful storms to hit theU.S. in 2005. Advanced warning ofthese devastating catastrophes wasvital to mitigating the loss of lifeand property.

Richard A. FeelyTsung-Hung PengSupervisory Oceanographers

Esa P. PeltolaChristopher L. SabineRik H. WanninkhofOceanographers

Catherine E. CoscaDana GreeleyPhysical Scientists

Robert D. CastleBetty E. HussInformation Technology Specialists

Marilyn F. RobertsPhysical Science Technician



The group is cited for its painstakingobservations and groundbreakingresearch over the past fifteen years,showing that the uptake and storage ofanthropogenic carbon dioxide by theocean is causing the pH of the ocean todrop. Ocean acidification, as thephenomenon is called, occurs becausethe carbon dioxide reacts with the waterto form a weak acid. Because oceancalcifying organisms are extremelysensitive to pH levels, oceanacidification has major impacts oncorals and other marine life, whichcould have significant impacts onfisheries, tourism, and other ocean-related economies.


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Seth I. GutmanKirk L. HolubPhysical Scientists

Stanley G. BenjaminSupervisory Meteorologist

Susan R. SahmInformation Technology Specialist



The team is honored for its developmentof Global Positioning System (GPS)meteorology, a new low cost, upper-airobserving system that uses GPS tocontinuously measure the total amountof water vapor in the atmosphere. Theteam successfully demonstrated newapplications for GPS meteorology thatare essential to NOAA’s Integrated EarthObserving System/Global EarthObserving System of Systems. Theirefforts have advanced weatherforecasting, climate monitoring andatmospheric research by providing a newway to monitor atmospheric water vapor.

Vera TrainerSupervisory Oceanographer


National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration

Dr. Trainer is honored for creating amonitoring program for harmful algalblooms (HAB) that now is funded fromfees collected by Washington State forrecreational licenses. She strengthenedcollaborations between Department,state, and tribal partners to develop anearly-warning system, using advancedtechnologies, for transfer to WashingtonState managers. Reduced time and areaclosures saved Washington coastalfisheries $3 million each year duringbloom events in 2001 and 2003 to2005. The HAB program is serving as atemplate in Oregon and for the first-ever HAB monitoring program on aRussian coast.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center

National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration

The Tropical PredictionCenter/National Hurricane Center isrecognized for providing exceptionalproducts and services during 2005,most notably during the U.S. landfall ofmajor hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Ritaand Wilma. The 2005 hurricane seasonproduced a record number ofhurricanes, including three of the sixstrongest hurricanes in at least the past150 years. It delivered timely andaccurate forecasts and warnings evenwhile storms left its own staff withoutconventional municipal services formany days, damaged their homes and,in some cases, left their homesuninhabitable.

Weather Forecast OfficeJackson, Mississippi



The NWS Forecast Office, Jackson,Mississippi, is cited for issuing warningsan average of 25 minutes in advance for14 tornadoes on April 6, 2005. Theoffice used innovative technology suchas instant messaging to enhancecommunication of critical weather datawith the media and emergencymanagement. The life-saving resultswere best seen at a school complexwhere an F3 tornado destroyed thesecond story and several portableclassroom buildings. Advanced warninginformation enabled the school’s staff toimplement protective measures for the700 people at the school, resulting inno injuries.


Weather Forecast Offices:New Orleans, LouisianaMobile, Alabama

Lower Mississippi RiverForecast Center



The organizations are cited for theirhigh-quality, timely, and definitivewarnings during the approach andlandfall of Hurricane Katrina. Duringthe event, the staffs remained on dutyissuing critical life-saving services toemergency management, media, andthe public while high winds, flooding,and damage were occurring in thevicinity of all three offices. During therecovery period, despite horrific damageto the area, and under tremendouspersonal stress to care for families andsometimes unlivable homes, staffspersevered in providing critical servicesfor recovery efforts.

HEROISM

Christopher ParishEngineering Technician

National Ocean Service


Mr. Parish is honored for his selflessdedication in providing humanitarianaid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.After caring for his own family in ruralMississippi, he voluntarily chain-sawedhis way into neighborhoods, brought infuel and water from great distances,secured meals for the poor, andprovided critical assistance toemergency personnel, all while riskingpersonal safety. He also served withgreat distinction as a FEMA volunteerand as a liaison officer to St. CharlesParish, Louisiana, where he coordinatedthe daily activities of a dozenorganizations providing critical aid.

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Todd WilsonLead Fisherman

Vernon SwigerElectronics Technician

Mondle BurrellEngineering Technician

Office of Marine andAviation Operations


The group is recognized for its life-threatening and heroic efforts, whichsaved the NOAA Ship OREGON IIfrom being torn from her mooringsduring Hurricane Katrina. As Katrinamoved inland and surge waters began torecede, OREGON II was tenuouslyheld to the dock by one mooring line.Leaving their families behind and in theface of great personal peril, the groupmet at the dock and immediatelysprung into action to avert acatastrophe. The group’s actionsprevented the OREGON II frombecoming a casualty of Katrina's wrath.

Silver Medal


Sarah L. BorakoveDavid ElliottBert S. HoBrian A. LinkRobert W. RamseyPhysical Science Technicians

Alan R. BunnPhysical Scientist

LCDR Richard A. FletcherDeputy Chief, Navigation

Services Division

Anthony C. GodetteWarren S. KrugElectronics Technicians

LT Sarah K. MrozekHydrographic Support Coordinator



The group is recognized for helping tosave lives, restore services and keepsupplies and maritime commercemoving through 13 economically-vitalGulf ports and waterways within daysafter landfall of Hurricanes Katrina andRita. The group conductedhydrographic surveys for underwaterhazards. NOAA’s navigation responseteams, regional navigation managers,water levels field support andheadquarters staff worked tirelessly andunder hazardous conditions toimplement a large-scale, multi-agencyresponse effort with the U.S. CoastGuard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,U.S. Navy, FEMA and localgovernments.


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Edward Little, Jr.Fisheries Biologist

Charles ArmstrongDeborah Batiste Elizabeth BourgeoisJay BouletHorace Flowers, Jr.Albert GabelLinda GuidryKathleen HebertGary RousseFishery Reporting Specialists



The group is honored for itsextraordinary resilience and professionalcommitment in the first 30 daysfollowing the landfalls of HurricanesKatrina and Rita. Amongst severepersonal devastation and majordisruptions at work locations, theyorganized search and rescue missions forfellow Port Agents, and re-establishedcontact with, and gave support to, localfishing communities, often as the onlyfederal presence. Their detailed reportswere crucial to informing NOAA socialscientists and state and federal agencieson damage to fishing communities andthe commercial fishing industry.

Mark W. MillerJames FarrRobert JonesPhysical Scientists

Pauline JenneJon ReinschInformation Technology Specialists

Robert PaviaGlen WatabayashiSupervisory Physical Scientists

Jerry MuhaskyMathematician

Debra PaytonSupervisory Oceanographer

William LehrResearch Oceanographer



The team is cited for enhancing theCAMEO/ALOHA software to provideusers with unprecedented capabilitiesby adding hazard assessments for fires,explosions and new chemical reactivitypredictions. These additions uniquelymeet the needs of first responders inthe post 9/11 world and provide apowerful, accessible tool for planningand responding to chemicalemergencies. The software has seen atenfold increase in use since 2001.Also, the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme adopted CAMEO for usein developing countries, and traininghas been held in over 50 countries.


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Bernadita AnulacionSean SolOceanographers


Shailer Cummings, Jr.Oceanographer


Mark PetersonLinda RhodesMicrobiologists

Tracy CollierGina YlitaloSupervisory Research Chemists

Jon BuzitisChemist

Elizabeth DentonLT William MowittResearch Fisheries Biologists



The group is recognized for mounting acrucial field effort on the NOAA ShipNANCY FOSTER to address publicconcern regarding seafood safety in theGulf of Mexico within 72 hours afterHurricane Katrina struck the GulfCoast. Using its expertise in fieldassessment, toxicology andmicrobiology, the group collectedsamples around the clock and in theface of unknown hazards. Ten dayslater, hundreds of Gulf of Mexico fishand seafood were delivered to NOAAlaboratories for analysis of their safetyfor public consumption, therebysaving millions of dollars in potentialfishery losses.

Northwest Fisheries Science Center


The Northwest Fisheries Science Center(NWFSC) is honored for ensuring thesafety of Gulf of Mexico seafood in thewake of the impact of HurricaneKatrina. Within two weeks after thestorm and responding to intense publicconcern, NWFSC laboratory staffworked around the clock to completemultiple analyses of over 400 samples ofwater, fish and shellfish for chemicaland microbial contamination, with fiveseparate reports of no harmful impactsprovided within a ten-week period.This data was critical to assure thepublic that seafood from hurricane-affected areas was safe.


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CUSTOMER SERVICE

Sam AlbaneseChristopher T. MaierJames J. PrangeMichael A. RichmondLarry Van BussumEdward ZingoneMeteorologists

Mary Jocelyn PerryDavid C. WhiteElectronics Technicians

Aimee M. DevarisIntegrated Services Coordinator

Craig SearcyInformation Technology Specialist



The group is honored for theirdedication, customer service andtechnical support to emergencyresponders after the catastrophicgrounding and oil spill of the 738-footSELENDANG AYU. The team’sefforts led to more efficient andeconomical recovery operationsfollowing this disaster. Their dedicationin providing emergency responders withtimely and accurate weatherinformation created a safer operatingenvironment during some of the world’smost dangerous recovery operations,demonstrating their commitment tosafety and the protection of life,property and the environment.

John S. Jensenius, Jr.Meteorologist



Mr. Jensenius is honored for initiatingNOAA’s Lightning Safety AwarenessProgram. He initiated the firstLightning Safety Awareness Week in2001, and organized a team to work ona national effort to promote lightningsafety. He developed awareness themes,public service announcements, andwebsite information. He appearedlive on network television to promotelightning safety, and provided lightninggraphics for USA Today. Since 2001,NOAA’s Lightning Safety AwarenessWeek has saved lives by promotingenvironmental awareness andimproving public understandingof lightning hazards.


Joseph W. StinusDirector, NOAA NCDDC,

Stennis Space Center, MS

Russell BeardElizabeth Schenk-GardnerOceanographers

Susan M. StarkeEric RobyInformation Technology Specialists

Bradlee B. NunnComputer Scientist

Mary E. O’CheryAdministrative Officer

Sharon M. MesickGeographer

Julie A. BoschTechnical Information Specialist

National Environmental Satellite, Data,and Information Service


The group is honored for dedicationand service in restoring operations tothe National Coastal DataDevelopment Center (NCDDC) withindays after the devastating effects ofHurricane Katrina. The group’s actionsincluded assisting in the recovery ofstaff and others who lost their homesand possessions and developing aKatrina website to link/access imagery,data, maps, and models to assist inrecovery programs. Within 60 days,this website had over 1.5 million hits.NCDDC also assisted state agencies inreplacing lost equipment and data torestore their operations.

Weather Forecast OfficeMilwaukee/Sullivan, Wisconsin



The NWS Forecast Office,Milwaukee/Sullivan, Wisconsin, is citedfor providing exceptional life-savingwarning services prior to and duringWisconsin’s largest single outbreak oftornadoes. Twenty-seven tornadoestouched down in a 24-hour period.The WFO’s average warning lead timeof 17 minutes was 4 minutes greaterthan the national average, with leadtimes of 54 and 9 minutes given inadvance of an F3 tornado which struckStoughton, Wisconsin. Thecombination of timely warning services,trained spotters, effective emergencymanagement and media partnersresulted in only one fatality and few(23) injuries.

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NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONSAND INFORMATIONADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal


David J. AtkinsonRandall S. BloomfieldJeffrey R. BratcherEldon J. HaakinsonEric D. NelsonAndrew ThiessenElectronics Engineers

Val J. PietrasiewiczSupervisory Electronics Engineer

Kenneth R. TilleyTechnical Writer-Editor

Bruce R. WardElectronics Engineer Intern

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences

Dereck OrrManagement and Program Analyst

National Institute of Standardsand Technology

National Telecommunications andInformation Administration

The team is recognized for establishingand implementing a national strategicapproach for telecommunicationsinteroperability among public safetyagencies. The team convened theSummit on InteroperableCommunications for Public Safety thatresulted in the development of publicsafety requirements for communicationsand interoperability, and a criticalstandard for tying communicationsystems together. The U.S. Congress,government agencies and the publicsafety community have recognizedthese accomplishments that advancethe lifesaving activities of publicsafety organizations.

Silver Medal


Fiona M. AlexanderTelecommunications Policy Specialist

Office of International Affairs


Ms. Alexander is honored fornegotiating an outcome at the UnitedNations (U.N.) World Summit on theInformation Society (WSIS) that assuresthe continued stability and security ofthe Internet's infrastructure. Thecurrent U.S. role in overseeing theInternet's domain name and addressingsystem was directly challenged atWSIS by countries that sought totransition the U.S. role to the U.N.Ms. Alexander's tireless efforts and adroitnegotiating skill assured the continuityof U.S. oversight of the Internet.

John R. McFallTelecommunications Specialist

Office of Spectrum Management


Mr. McFall is cited for providinginnovative means to rapidly approveradio frequencies for federal respondersto the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Heprovided radio frequencies on a 24/7basis to all federal agencies and assistedwith sharing radio spectrum with theFederal Communications Commissionfor private sector requirements.Mr. McFall provided direction andguidance to the Department of HomelandSecurity, Department of Defense, andall other federal agencies that respondedto the disaster so that they received clearand interference-free communicationsin support of their mission.


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Brent L. BedfordJ. Randy HoffmanElectronics Engineers

John D. EwanElectronics Technician

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences


The group is recognized for developinga highly advanced, mobile radiospectrum measurement system capableof characterizing the latest complexcommunications and radar signals. Thegroup designed and developed a “plugand play” architecture where newequipment could be connected to alaboratory and used with previouscomponents, thus continuallyadvancing the state-of-the-art. Thesystem allows all tasks to be fullyautomated and repeatable, eliminatinglong-standing problems of operatorerrors and equipment limitations.Their efforts provide a cutting edgemeasurement capability in support ofspectrum management policy.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Silver Medal


David M. HeilSupervisory Criminal Investigator

Suzanne M. CourtneyComputer Forensics Investigator

Office of Investigations

Office of Inspector General

The team is cited for investigation andsuccessful prosecution of an employeefor possession and production of a largevolume of child pornography, and forthe use of sophisticated investigativetechniques and an extensive internationallaw enforcement network to apprehendthe suspect after he fled the country.Their work resulted in the addition of achild victim to the National Center forMissing and Exploited Children(NCMEC) database. Since childpornography prosecutions require proofof an identified victim, the addition ofeven a single name to the NCMECdatabase is significant.

Donald E. NussComputer Scientist

Office of Systems Evaluation

Office of Inspector General

Mr. Nuss is recognized for his leadershipin developing and enhancing the Officeof Inspector General’s (OIG’s)information security evaluation program,which has advanced the Department’sefforts to protect its many critical ITassets. Mr. Nuss’ technical expertise andhis acquisition of contract resources haveallowed OIG to successfully performevaluations, which identify and offersolutions to significant Department-wideinformation security issues.


PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Gold Medal

LEADERSHIP

Lynne G. BeresfordCommissioner for Trademarks

Amy P. CottonNancy L. OmelkoAttorney Advisors

Eleanor K. MeltzerSenior Level Attorney

Sharon R. MarshSenior Level Trademark Legal and

Exam Policy Specialist

Assistant Commissioner for Patents

Patent and Trademark Office

The group is recognized for leadershipin developing and executing a successfulstrategy, on behalf of the United Statesand American businesses, to update theTrademark Law Treaty of 1994. Dueto the group’s vision, planning, andstrategic efforts the United Stateswas able to sign the “SingaporeTreaty on the Law of Trademarks” onMarch 28, 2006, along with 40 otherdelegations, the largest number ofsignatories ever. The revised trademarklaw treaty makes it significantly easierfor American trademark owners toacquire and maintain trademark rightsin other countries.

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Elizabeth A. ShawIntellectual Property Research Specialist

Susan K. AnthonyJohn David RodriguezAttorney Advisors

Mary CritharisPatent Attorney

Donald Lawrence TarazanoPatent Examiner

Assistant Commissioner for Patents

Patent and Trademark Office

The group is honored for leadership increating and implementing a publicawareness and education program onintellectual property rights protectionand enforcement. The U.S. Patent andTrademark Office’s (USPTO)Intellectual Property AwarenessCampaign grew out of a Congressionalmandate to “protect intellectualproperty here and abroad.” TheUSPTO joined other bureaus in aGovernment-wide Strategy TargetingOrganized Piracy (STOP), which givesAmerica’s small businesses a chance torecover losses due to intellectualproperty theft, estimated at $250billion and the loss of 750,000 jobsper year.

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TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal

LEADERSHIP

Patrick D. GallagherDirector, NIST Center for

Neutron Research


Technology Administration

Dr. Gallagher is recognized forleadership, as chair of an interagencyNational Science and TechnologyCouncil working group, in developing anew system for evaluating theperformance and needs of nationalfacilities for neutron and synchrotronX-ray research. As a result of hisinnovative approach, the effectiveness ofthese major technology resources wasgreatly enhanced, and new modes ofinteragency cooperation were created.As part of this enhancement, a majorincrease in the capabilities of the NISTCenter for Neutron Research wasincluded in the AmericanCompetitiveness Initiative.

James E. HillDirector, Building and Fire

Research Laboratory



Dr. Hill is cited for leadership of theNIST Building and Fire ResearchLaboratory through a time ofsignificant change and transition. Fromthe onset of the World Trade Centerdisaster investigation, he led theorganization in a new direction withrespect to conducting building failureinvestigations and directing researchand development programs. Dr. Hillsignificantly strengthened theeffectiveness of the Laboratory byproviding the fundamental tools,metrics, models, and knowledge, tomodernize the codes, standards, andpractices used by the Nation’s buildingand fire industries.

Lisa R. KaramSupervisory Research Chemist



Dr. Karam is honored for leading thedevelopment of a national infrastructurefor standards and measurements forradioactivity and ionizing radiation as itrelates to countermeasures to potentialterrorist attacks using radiological ornuclear material. Dr. Karam’s teamdeveloped standards for prevention,detection, response and recovery fromradiation attacks, as well as standardsfor X-ray inspection systems forexplosives and radiological material.The equipment ranges from hand-helddetectors for responders to large portalmonitors for cargo containers.

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Jabez J. McClellandPhysicist



Dr. McClelland is recognized forleading the development of a noveltechnique of nanostructure fabrication,which integrates laser cooling of atomswith molecular beam epitaxy. Insteadof using lenses made of matter to focusbeams of light, Dr. McClelland usedlenses made of light to focus beams ofmatter. He created structures withfeatures far smaller than had ever beenachieved by an “optical” technique. Inaddition, Dr. McClelland demonstratedthe highly precise replication of thesenanostructures by a molding technique.This has resulted in a new lengthstandard for scanning-probemicroscopy, and points the way towardsmassively parallel fabrication of designernanostructures.

David B. NewellSupervisory Physicist

Richard L. SteinerPhysicist

Edwin R. WilliamsNIST Fellow



The team is recognized for providingthe world’s best determination ofPlanck’s constant with theunprecedented accuracy necessary tomonitor the drift of the last remainingInternational system of units (SI) baseunit defined by an artifact, theKilogram. This 12-year effortprompted an international redefinitionof the SI for 2011. The team set themost stringent drift rate limit of theKilogram, proved that watt balancetechnology is the best method forrealizing the new SI mass definition,and is leading the world toward a newSI based upon invariant fundamentalconstants of nature.


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Silver Medal


Barry J. BauerDa-Wei LiuResearch Chemists

Christopher L. SolesRonald L. JonesMaterials Research Engineers

Eric K. LinSupervisory Chemical Engineer

Wen-li WuNIST Fellow



The team is recognized for developmentof innovative, powerful methods tomeasure the structure and properties ofnanoporous low dielectric constant thinfilms essential for next-generationelectronics. These methods are nowwidely used by industry to screenpotential materials and develop processintegration strategies. Metrologycompanies such as Bede, Rigaku,Bruker, and Technos have developedproducts based upon these methods.

Alkan DonmezSupervisory Mechanical Engineer

Johannes A. SoonsMechanical Engineer



The group is honored for leadershipand technical achievements that led tothe first-ever harmonization of nationaland international standards for machinetool performance evaluation. Thescientific basis and technical solutionsdeveloped by the group were critical toenabling this international consensus.This included innovative methods tomeasure, and predict machine errors;the first-ever international standard testsfor accuracy of machine rotary axes; anda new methodology for the assessmentof thermal effects.

Mitchell L. FurstPhysicist



Dr. Furst is cited for leading atransformation of the capabilities ofSynchrotron Ultraviolet RadiationFacility (SURF) III. Since 2001,SURF III has delivered a 20-foldincrease in optical output power. Itsoperational cycle has increased from 4hours to 30 hours, allowing round-the-clock reliable and unattendedoperation. Its calibration services haveentered new regions. This greaterfunctionality has enabled NIST toeffectively address growing customerdemand from the semiconductorindustry and NASA missions, whiledecreasing staff workload.


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John J. KasianowiczPhysical Scientist



Dr. Kasianowicz is cited for discoveringthat by applying an electric field acrossa single biological nanopore embeddedin a lipid membrane, the passage ofindividual single-stranded DNAmolecules created a characteristicsignature. This work spawned anentirely new field of science that isbeing applied to measuring thestructure and function of singlemolecules, developing solid-statenanopores for the electronic sequencingof DNA, and developing new drugs anddiagnostics. Dr. Kasianowicz hasdemonstrated how nanopore technologycan be used to rapidly screen foranthrax lethal factor.

Laurie E. LocascioBiomedical Engineer



Dr. Locascio is recognized forleadership of the MicroanalyticalLaboratory project at NIST, a multi-disciplinary collaboration thatdeveloped microfluidic chips withintegrated chemistries, as well asunderstanding the benefits andlimitations of very small fluidic systems.Just as miniaturization and integratedfabrication technologies haverevolutionized the electronics industry,microfluidic devices are transformingchemical measurement instrumentation.Microfluidic devices cost less, requiresmaller samples, are easier to use, anddramatically reduce analysis time.

James E. PotzickPhysicist



Mr. Potzick is recognized for innovationin the development of standardreference materials (SRMs) for theaccurate measurement of sub-micrometer wide lines on photomasks,which embody the patterns printed onsemiconductor devices. The productioncontrol provided by these SRMs willenable the development of the nextgeneration of semiconductor devices,contributing billions of dollars ofeconomic value to the microelectronicsindustry. Mr. Potzick’s innovativemeasuring instrument and skillfullyapplied optical modeling techniqueswere critical to the accuratemeasurement of these standards.

William H. Rippard VStephen E. RussekPhysicists

Thomas J. SilvaElectrical Engineer



The team is recognized for designingand measuring the output of nano-oscillators that rely on electron spininstead of charge, and demonstratingsignal locking between multipleoscillators and external frequencysources. Synchronizing nano-oscillatorsgreatly amplifies their microwaveoutput power such that small arrayscould be used as reference oscillators ordirectional transmitters and receivers incell phones, radar systems andcomputer chips. Locking to externalsources may enable “nano-wireless”communications within or betweenchips on a circuit board.


Dean C. RippleSupervisory Physicist



Dr. Ripple is recognized for scientificleadership of programs that haveimproved the accuracy of temperaturemeasurements and the dissemination oftemperature standards. Dr. Ripple haspublished new measurements resolvinga long-standing inconsistency in theInternational Temperature Scale of1990 (ITS-90). Dr. Ripple's work wasa successful execution of precise, state-of-the-art metrology coinciding withinternational and public leadership indissemination of results.

Stephen SemancikRichard E. CavicchiPhysicists

Kurt D. BenksteinJon EvjuDouglas C. MaierResearch Chemists

Christopher B. MontgomeryEngineering Technician

Michael J. CarrierElectronics Engineer



The NIST Gas Microsensors Team isrecognized for scientific achievement indeveloping Micro-electromechanicalbased gas microsensors for applicationsranging from homeland security toenvironmental monitoring. The teamachieved several scientific breakthroughsin chemical microsensors that enabledthem to detect trace amounts of targetgas molecules in the presence ofcomplex background gases present atconcentrations millions of times higher

than the targets. The team’s work helpsthe U.S. in meeting the challenge ofprotecting the public from intentionalreleases of dangerous chemicals.

Eric M. VogelSupervisory Electrical Engineer

Russell E. HajdajOleg KirillovJohn S. SuehleElectrical Engineers

Laurence M. BuckJames C. Owen IIIRichard RoppoloElectronics Technicians

Gerard HeneinResearch Engineer

Monica D. EdelsteinPhysical Science Technician

Kevin BradyComputer Specialist



The team is recognized for its visionand dedication in developing the NISTAdvanced Measurement Laboratory(AML) Nanofab. This facility providesa critical state-of-the-art infrastructureenabling the fabrication of a widevariety of prototypical devices, teststructures, measurement instruments,and reference materials down to thenanoscale for NIST and its partners.The NIST AML Nanofab is critical toNIST’s quest to solve nanoscalemeasurement and standards problemsimpeding the development ofnanotechnology, and is a cornerstone ofthe new Center for Nanoscale Scienceand Technology.

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EXTERNAL AWARDS

SERVICE TO AMERICA MEDAL

William D. PhillipsNIST Fellow



Dr. Phillips was recognized as one ofAmerica’s most creative scientists and asan inspiring ambassador for science andthe federal workforce to the public.In 1997, when Dr. Phillips wasawarded a Nobel Prize in Physicsfor his pioneering research on thelaser cooling and trapping of atoms,he accepted into his life newresponsibilities that he believed camewith this great honor. Primary amongthese was a commitment to share thethrill of discovery and the privilegeof a career in government science.Dr. Phillips’ dedication andextraordinary devotion to publicspeaking are legendary, as are thecontent of his talks. He has givennumerous official talks, mostly atuniversities and conferences. Butless common for a Nobel Laureateare the many inspiring talks he hasgiven on his own time to churches,schools, science fairs, senior centers,minority institutions and charitableorganizations.

ARTHUR S. FLEMMING AWARD

Bradley K. AlpertComputer Scientist



Dr. Alpert was recognized for asustained record of fundamentalcontributions to scientific computing,especially the development of fastalgorithms for solving challengingproblems of computational physics.His extensive collaborations withscientists and engineers have enabledadvances in electromagnetic andacoustic wave propagation, antennaand waveguide design, microcircuitsand transducer design, non-destructivetesting, and climate modeling. Hehas also given generously of his time topromote careers in mathematics withstudents from the high school to post-graduate level.

David M. AndersonSupervisory Physical Scientist

National Environmental Satellite, Data,and Information Service


Dr. Anderson was honored for hisexcellence in paleoclimatology researchfor promoting the use, visibility, andavailability of pre-instrumental climatedata. His work with colleagues fromthe United States and India providednovel reconstructions of major aspectsof the climate system, including theAsian monsoon, El Niño, and thecarbon cycle; all processes relevant toNOAA goals in understanding theclimate system. Beginning in 2002,Dr. Anderson published four articleson these topics in Science and Nature,in just over one year. His researchnot only provides long-term records


of pre-instrumental climate, includingthe first multi-century reconstructionof the Southwest Asian monsoon, butalso advances our understanding ofhow key climate processes have variedthrough time.

Yoshi OhnoElectronics Engineer



Dr. Ohno was recognized for innovativeresearch and international leadership inthe optical sciences of photometry andcolorimetry. Dr. Ohno’s research isaccelerating the development of solid-state lighting and its promise of a 10percent reduction in U.S. electricityusage by providing the tools to assessand optimize the performance of novellight sources. Among the newtechnologies he has introduced intophotometry and colorimetry areabsolute calibration methods usingcryogenic radiometers.

Carl J. WilliamsChief, Atomic Physics Division



Dr. Williams was recognized fordefinitive theories of the physics ofultracold atoms and molecules and theirapplication to precision measurement,atomic clocks and the new fields ofBose-Einstein condensation andquantum computing. This work hasguided the conducting of criticalexperiments, enabling the attainment ofnew condensate species and pointingthe way to novel quantum informationprocessing applications, such as high-speed quantum cryptography andquantum error correction.

JEANNE E. GRIFFITHMENTORING AWARD

Martin T. O’ConnellChief, Fertility and Family Statistics

Branch, Population Division

U.S. Census Bureau


Dr. O’Connell was recognized for hishonesty, integrity, dedication andtireless efforts to enhance thedevelopment of junior employees.Throughout his years of federal service,Dr. O’Connell has shown a graciousand collaborative style of leadership.The employees mentored byDr. O’Connell appreciate his ability tonurture and to develop and expand thecapabilities of employees both withinhis own work unit and in the CensusBureau as a whole.

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Many thanks to those individuals who contributedso much to today’s program.

Special thanks to:

Office of Human Resources Management Incentive Awards Staff

Michael R. Osver

Michael Dion

Incentive Awards Program Officers of the Department

Cheryl Woodard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BIS

Bisa Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Census

Charlene Gantt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ITA

Sheila Nichols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NIST

Jennifer Heyob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOAA

Anthony Calza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NTIA

Azalea Nunnally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OIG

Gina Bruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PTO

Armed Forces Color Guard

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2006 58th awards book - united states department of...

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