60th annual onor wards

onor60th ANNUAL

wardsPROGRAM

2008

United StatesDepartment of Commerce

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SixtiethHonor Awards Program

Herbert C. Hoover Building14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.

November 18, 2008

IntroductionHonorable John J. Sullivan

Deputy Secretary

Presentation of ColorsArmed Forces Color Guard

National AnthemPaul Bell

AddressHonorable Carlos M. Gutierrez

Secretary of Commerce

Announcement of AwardsJeffery K. Nulf

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration

Presentation of Gold and Silver MedalsSecretary Gutierrez assisted by Department Officials

Closing RemarksHonorable John J. Sullivan

Deputy Secretary

SoloistPaul Bell

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MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

Working for America and the American people is a responsibility that the men andwomen of the U.S. Department of Commerce carry out with great dedication.Their stories and the stories of their extraordinary achievement are rememberedand recognized in our annual Honor Awards ceremony. This year’s ceremonymarks the 60th year in which the Department has honored its outstandingemployees in this manner.

Our mission is to promote economic opportunity that fosters U.S. growth, jobs,and competitiveness in world markets. With one of the broadest and mostchallenging portfolios in government, we build for the Nation’s future. Commercepersonnel work to advance America’s trade, technology, business development,environmental prediction and protection, and statistical research and analysis.

Fulfillment of these responsibilities touches the daily lives of all Americans.Through accomplishments as varied as issuing early severe weather forecasts,developing the world’s best atomic clock, opening international markets to U.S.businesses and workers, and enhancing first responder communication, Commercehonorees have made important contributions to our Nation’s strength, prosperity,security, and welfare.

President George W. Bush has applauded service as an integral part of theAmerican character. In carrying out their duties, the public servants being honoredhere today have demonstrated a dedication to the highest standards of professionalexcellence, integrity, commitment and accomplishment.

I am honored to recognize and salute the talented recipients of the U.S.Department of Commerce 2008 Honor Awards.

Carlos M. Gutierrez

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Gold MedalThis award, the highest honorary award given by the Department, is granted

by the Secretary for distinguished performance characterized by extraordinary, notable, or prestigious contributions that impact the

mission 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, is granted by the Secretary for exceptional performance characterized by noteworthy 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 qualitative and 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 AND PROFESSIONALEXCELLENCE

Scot B. GonzalesRichard P. JereskiChristopher J. TafeCriminal Investigators

Bureau of Industry and Security

Special Agents Gonzales, Jereski, andTafe are honored for exceptionalinvestigative efforts that resulted inChiquita Brands International Inc.pleading guilty to making substantialpayments in support of an organizationdesignated as a global terrorist.Chiquita’s sentence included a$25 million criminal fine which is thelargest fine ever obtained by ExportEnforcement. This investigation hashad a major impact on the fightagainst terrorist financing and hassent an important message to“corporate America” that fundingterrorists can never be treated as a costof doing business.

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Wendy B. HauserSupervisory Criminal Investigator


Ms. Hauser is recognized for hercontinual guidance and dedication tothe Office of Export Enforcement(OEE). Since her arrival at the ChicagoField Office, there have been numerouscriminal prosecutions and multiplecases pursued through administrativeremedies. She has increased thevisibility, and viability of OEE withall law enforcement partners andincreased office participation incounterproliferation task forces andcounterintelligence working groups.She also served as the Acting AssistantDirector, and Acting Assistant Directorof Investigations for numerous monthsover the course of several years.

Elizabeth J. ScottSupervisory Industrial Specialist

Betty LeeKimberly OrrMicrobiologists


The group is recognized for taking thelead on analyzing biosecurity issuesinvolving synthetic genomics andoligonucleotide synthesis. Theysuccessfully convinced the HomelandSecurity Council to explore and furtherinvestigate whether proposed securityregulations were technically feasible,necessary, or beneficial. The groupcombined diplomatic persuasion andtechnical expertise to introduce in thepolicy debate different and moreeffective proposals to addressbiosecurity concerns related to thesynthesis of select agents that would notunnecessarily disadvantage industry.

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PERSONAL ANDPROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Perry A. DavisJonathan V. SvendsenCriminal Investigators

Export Enforcement

Glenn KaminskySenior Attorney

Office of the General Counsel


The group is recognized for theirdiligence and thoroughness during the7-1/2 year investigation of MTSSystems Corporation and 6 Indianparties. The investigation identified adiversion network to acquire U.S.technology to support India'sunsafeguarded nuclear programs andlicense applications in which MTSknowingly omitted details of potentialnuclear end-use. The group preventedthe illegal export of $3,710,000 innuclear-related equipment, deniedexport privileges of 6 entities for80 years and prosecuted MTS, resultingin criminal and civil fines of $836,000.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTADMINISTRATION

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Bobby D. HunterEconomic Development Representative

Economic Development Administration

Mr. Hunter is recognized for his servicefollowing Hurricane Katrina's impact ofthe Mississippi’s Gulf Coast thatresulted in loss of life, catastrophicdamage and severe economicdislocations. His unselfishcommitment to directly assist impactedcommunities resulted in $8.2 millionin EDA assistance for economicrecovery of Mississippi’s Gulf coast,creating or saving 1,074 jobs andsupporting $180 million in privateinvestment. As a result, theMississippi's Gulf Coast long-termregional economic recovery wassupported.

Joseph S. Spearman, Jr.Economic Development Specialist

Economic Development Administration

Mr. Spearman is recognized for hisleadership in helping to design an on-line Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)performance management system forEDA. Not only did he take the lead inperforming this assignment, he did soin addition to his regular duties asprogram officer. The system designedby Mr. Spearman automaticallygenerates each required RLF Semi-Annual report accurately and reliably.The time savings is 7 hours forpreparation and 1.5 hours for actualdata entry per report. The new systemcontains 25 key data entries, contrastedto a previous number of 197 entries,29 of which were redundant.

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ECONOMICS ANDSTATISTICS ADMINISTRATION

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

William G. Bostic Jr.Chief, Foreign Trade Division

Stephanie B. DunlapProgram Analyst

Joe A. CortezJerome M. Greenwell Supervisory Survey Statisticians

Dale C. Kelly Assistant Division Chief for

Data Collection

Ian Russell O’Brien Statistician

Joey MoralesOmari S. Wooden Survey Statisticians

U.S. Census Bureau

J. Patrick Heelen Senior Attorney

Roxie Jamison Jones Chief, Counsel for Economic Affairs


U.S. Census Bureau

Economics and Statistics Administration

The Export Regulation Team isrecognized for its excellent leadership insimplifying the export clearance processand submission of the Shipper ExportDeclaration information. Significantimprovements were made to the qualityof trade statistics, while meeting U.S.national security and the Departmentof Commerce trade data collectiongoals. The mandatory use of theAutomated Export System reduces

burden on the export community byreducing costs to file, made filing moreuser-friendly, and improved theefficiency and accuracy of the CensusBureau's data collection process.

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Trudy A. SuchanChief, Information Resources and

Dissemination Branch

Marc J. PerryChief, Population Distribution Branch

James D. FitzsimmonsAssistant Division Chief, Geographic

Studies and Information Resources

Anika E. JuhnGeographer

U.S. Census Bureau


This group is recognized for thedevelopment, planning, production,review, publication, and disseminationof the Census Atlas of the UnitedStates. This is the first comprehensivepopulation and housing atlas producedby the Census Bureau since the 1920s.Through the efforts of the book’s fourCensus Bureau authors, the CensusAtlas permanently documents, in aninformative and visually-appealing way,the geographic patterns of data fromCensus 2000 and earlier censuses.

SCIENTIFIC/ENGINEERINGACHIEVEMENT

Brian C. Monsell Supervisory Mathematical Statistician

U.S. Census Bureau


Mr. Monsell is recognized for hiscontributions to the development of theU.S Census Bureau's X-12-ARIMAseasonal adjustment software, which isused by national and internationalstatistical offices and central banksaround the world. His contributionsinclude programming much of thesoftware, providing extraordinarysupport to users from the public andprivate sectors, and makingcontributions to the methodology,all over a period of more thansixteen years.

William L. Peil Chief, Data Capture Staff

Paul R. Friday Chief Information Technology Engineer

U.S. Census Bureau


The Integrated Computer Assisted DataEntry (ICADE) group is recognized fordeveloping a technology which hasimproved the operations of the DataCapture Processing Areas in theNational Processing Center. ICADE isa highly innovative system for thecapturing, tracking, and scanning ofrespondent data using Key From ImageTechnology. It provides digital imagingof respondent questionnaires which arethen processed by a combination ofimaging algorithms, Optical CharacterRecognition, and automated datapresence keying. The system hassignificantly reduced the overall datacapture costs and the timeframe fromcheck-in to data analysis.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE

Robert A. MarskeChief, Customer Relations and

Outreach Branch

U.S. Census Bureau


Mr. Marske is recognized foroutstanding leadership in implementingan innovative customer serviceapproach that has made the conduct ofthe Economic Census more efficient inworking with the nation’s largestcompanies to facilitate the collection oftheir data. Mr. Marske has made greatstrides in moving towards the overallresponse rate targets set by seniormanagers. These contributions havehad a long-lasting impact on theCensus Bureau’s mission to be theleading source of quality data aboutbusinesses in serving the needs of policymakers, the business community, andacademic research.

INTERNATIONAL TRADEADMINISTRATION

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

ACF Team

Market Access and Compliance

Manufacturing and Services

Trade Promotion and U.S. and ForeignCommercial Service

International Trade Administration

The Americas Competitiveness Forum(ACF) Team is recognized for developingand executing a highly-successful forumin which approximately 1,000 peoplefrom the region participated, including30 Ministers, 3 U.S. Cabinet members,and 2 Vice Presidents. The ACFprogram redefined the topic ofcompetitiveness in the Americas.Furthermore, in the collapse of the FreeTrade Area of the Americas negotiations,the ACF created a new framework foreconomic cooperation among the34 countries of the Hemisphere.

Damon GreerInternational Trade Specialist



Mr. Greer is recognized forimplementation, interpretation, andoutreach efforts for the U.S.-EuropeanUnion Safe Harbor Framework. TheSafe Harbor is the United States'groundbreaking strategy to comply withthe European Union's Directive onData Protection. He speaks withauthority on complex issues such asinternational privacy policy and itsimpact on U.S. industry. Hisdedication, commitment, andperseverance have played a critical rolein ensuring the continued flow ofpersonal data worth billions of dollarswith our largest trading partner.

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Robert BeadleAlexis HaakensenEric W. LenzInternational Trade Specialists

Dean W. WoodardSupervisory International

Trade Specialist



The group is recognized for concludinga landmark Organization for EconomicCooperation and Developmentagreement on official aircraft financeafter more than three years ofnegotiations. The agreement eliminatesseveral controversial financing practices,decreases the risk of trade disputes, andcreates a level playing field by ensuringthat export competition is based onprice and product quality rather thanfinancing. Some $7-$10 billionannually of official financing for aircraftexports will be governed by the rules,which set an example of multilateralcooperation for emerging aircraftmanufacturing countries.

Sally C. GannonJudith Wey RudmanSupervisory Import Policy Analysts

Joseph SpetriniDeputy Assistant Secretary for

AD/CVD Policy and Negotiations

Ronald LorentzenActing Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Policy and Negotiations

Samantha BiondoSenior Import Policy Analyst

Sarah KeyesImport Policy Analyst

Dana GriffiesAdministrative Specialist

Import Administration

John McInerneyChief Counsel for

Import Administration

David W. RichardsonGeneral Attorney

David MasonSupervisory Attorney Advisor



The group is recognized for negotiatingan innovative and market-stabilizingamendment to an established agreementbetween the United States and Russiaon imports of Russian uraniumproducts. The amended agreement willallow Russia to make sales ofcommercial uranium products directlyto U.S. utilities while, at the same time,facilitating a long-term source of supplyfor U.S. electric utilities andminimizing disruption to newly-developing U.S. uranium enrichmentplants. The group demonstratedcreativity and perseverance in thecomplex negotiations leading up to thesigned amendment.

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Ana GuevaraDeputy Assistant Secretary for Services

Helen MaranoDirector, Tourism Development

Isabel HillInternational Trade Specialist

Brian BeallPolicy Analyst


Caroline KatzinSpecial Counsel to Secretary

Jennifer LeeCommercial Representative

Jing DingCommercial Assistant

Trade Promotion and U.S. andForeign Commercial Service

Rebecca KarnakInternational Trade Specialist

Market Access and Compliance

William YueSenior Counsel

Sarah LossAttorney Advisor



The group is recognized for negotiatingan historic U.S.-China MOU on GroupLeisure Travel. In cooperation withState, DHS, NSC and Treasury, thegroup crafted creative trade solutions toopen a significant market to expandU.S. travel exports. With Chinesetravelers forecasted to triple by 2020, aninfusion of Chinese tourists to theUnited States will significantly improvethe U.S. balance of trade with Chinaand increase the competitiveness ofU.S. businesses.

Boris PopovskiCommercial Specialist

Trade Promotion and U.S. andForeign Commercial Service


Mr. Popovski is recognized for histireless work over the past year toopen the Serbian market to U.S.franchises. Mr. Popovski embarkedon an initiative to educate and trainSerbian entrepreneurs about thebenefits of purchasing U.S. franchisesthat resulted in previously unrealizeddemand that directly benefited U.S.exporters while accomplishing bothDepartmental and ITA goals ofadvancing U.S. international andcommercial strategic interests andto enhance U.S. competitiveness ininternational markets.

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MINORITY BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Gold Medal

LEADERSHIP

John F. IglehartRegional Director, Dallas National

Enterprise Center

Minority Business Development Agency

Mr. Iglehart is honored for hisexemplary work associated with theGulf Coast recovery and rebuildingefforts while he managed the MinorityBusiness Development Agency's(MBDA) Dallas and Atlanta NationalEnterprise Centers. Mr. Iglehart’suntiring work helped promote andmanage the Gulf Coast recovery andrebuilding efforts while MBDAperformance goals were exceeded andthe performance of both the DallasNational Enterprise Center and theAtlanta National Enterprise Centerincreased under his leadership.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OFSTANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Gold Medal


James C. BergquistTill P. RosenbandPhysicists

National Institute of Standardsand Technology

The group is recognized for exceptionalcreativity in developing new types ofatomic clocks with world-leadingperformance. The team developed theworld’s best atomic clock, based on asingle mercury atom, twenty timesmore precise than the current U.S. timestandard. They also developed theworld’s only atomic clock based on theprinciples of quantum computing, onlya few percent less precise than themercury clock, and certain to improvesignificantly. These clocks will enableinnovation in telecommunications,navigation, remote sensing, and manyother technologies.

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William E. BurrSupervisory Electronics Engineer

David W. FlaterAlan H. GoldfineJohn M. KelseyJohn P. WackComputer Scientists

Barbara GuttmanSupervisory Information

Technology Specialist

Nelson E. HastingsElectronics Engineer

Sharon J. LaskowskiSupervisory Computer Scientist

Mark W. SkallChief, Software and Systems Division


The group is recognized for theirachievement in developing standardsand guidelines that enable a newgeneration of voting equipment to bemore usable, accessible, reliable andsecure. The new standards are acomprehensive set of rigorous,scientifically-based requirements thatbalance competing interests. Thestandards provide the ability to testvoting equipment to ensure theirintegrity. These standards have beenadopted by at least 39 states, each ofwhich is using them to transform theway elections occur in areas such asusability, security, and accessibility.

John M. ButlerNIST Fellow

David L. DuewerPeter M. ValloneResearch Chemists

Margaret C. KlineBiologist

Janette W. RedmanPhysical Science Technician


The group is recognized for developinga suite of tools relied upon to assureaccurate assessment of human identitybased on DNA obtained from crimescenes or mass disasters. These toolsinclude advanced DNA measurementmethods and data interpretation andthe development and dissemination ofstandard reference materials, databases,and tutorials. The group is alsorecognized for its outstanding outreachthrough service on expert panels thatoversee the use of DNA analysis in massdisasters (e.g., Hurricane Katrina, theWorld Trade Center collapse), militaryoperations, and criminal investigations.

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Stephen I. KerberDaniel MadrzykowskiFire Protection Engineers


The group is recognized for advancingthe science and understanding ofpositive pressure ventilation andwind-driven fires and transferringthis knowledge to the fire service,arson investigators, and codes officials.This research combined bothexperimental and modelingcomponents to understand anddocument how wind impacts fires instructures and how positive pressureventilation can improve the safety andeffectiveness of fire fighters. Theresearch has led to implementation ofbetter firefighting tactics and will leadto decreased injuries for fire fighters andbuilding occupants.

Carl J. WilliamsChief, Atomic Physics Division


Dr. Williams is recognized for aresearch program in theoretical appliedquantum physics that has advancedNIST's measurement mission byimproving the accuracy of atomicclocks; enhancing the quality of atomicreference data; inventing new methodsfor laser control of atomic andmolecular processes; elucidatingultracold atomic and moleculardynamics; and, finding new tools forquantum computing andcommunication vital to nationalsecurity. His research group is a worldleader in this field. Dr. Williams is afounding co-director of the JointQuantum Institute of NIST and theUniversity of Maryland.

Silver Medal


Kevin G. BradySupervisory Computer Scientist


Mr. Brady is recognized for outstandingprofessional excellence and initiative inidentifying and filling criticalautomation needs at NIST that couldnot be met with off-the-shelf software.He created several unique web-basedautomation systems, all the whileexcelling at his formal duties of runninga group that develops supply chainstandards for the electronics industry.His contributions to NIST automationare saving both time and money, andare providing many intangible benefitssuch as preserving institutional memoryand establishing a comprehensivepublications repository.

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Andrew J. AllenPhysicist

John E. BonevichMetallurgist

Robert F. CookSupervisory Physicist

Vincent A. HackleyMichael R. WinchesterResearch Chemists

Debra L. KaiserChief, Ceramics Division

Leonard F. Pease IIIChemical Engineer

Andras E. VladarElectrical Engineer

Rebecca A. Zangmeister Chemist


The group is recognized for developingand producing the first nanoparticlereference materials in the 10 nm to 60nm size range. The gold nanoparticlereference materials are essential forcalibrating instruments used forphysical and dimensionalcharacterization of nanoparticles;qualifying pre-clinical biomedicalresearch methodologies; developing in-vitro assays to measure biologicalresponse to nanomaterials (e.g.,cytotoxity, hemolysis); and, assessingenvironmental, health, and safetyhazards of nanoparticles.

Uwe ArpCharles E. Gibson, Jr.Ping-Shine ShawHoward W. YoonPhysicists


The group is recognized for developing,validating and disseminating the world’smost accurate standards for themeasurement of ultraviolet radiationimportant in materials processing,semiconductor manufacturing, andspace sciences. To achieve this, thegroup advanced the science ofsynchrotron radiation measurements toprovide an ultraviolet radiation sourcewith a known absolute output based onfundamental laws of physics. Theresulting absolute ultraviolet radiationstandard proved to be the best in theworld in a recent comparison withother national standards laboratories.

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Ravikiran AttotaMechanical Engineer

Richard M. SilverPhysicist

Michael T. Stocker Electronics Technician


The group is recognized fortransformational advances insemiconductor overlay metrology.Achievements include the firstcalibrated overlay standards used todevelop reference metrology at theSemiconductor ManufacturingTechnology consortium (SEMATECH)and to improve metrology tooluniformity in industry. The researcherspioneered widely used in-chip overlaytargets and invented sub-resolutionsupertarget technology, supported byfundamental optical microscope designchanges. These innovations will enableten times greater density in processorand memory chips at the 45 nm nodeand beyond.

Alan MinkElectronics Engineer

Xiao TangSupervisory Physical Scientist


The group is recognized forextraordinary creativity, insight, andtechnical excellence in the developmentof the world's most capable system forexchange of cryptographic keys withsecurity based on the laws of quantumphysics. The group led in theengineering of an optical fiber-basedquantum key distribution system whosespeed far exceeds all others whileenabling communication up to50 kilometers or more. Essential to thisachievement were the development of

polarization compensation systems,photon frequency up-conversiondevices, and special-purpose, high-speedcommunications hardware.

Andrew K. PersilySupervisory Mechanical Engineer


Dr. Persily is recognized forcontributions to the increasedprotection of building occupantsagainst airborne chemical and biologicalreleases through the development andapplication of measurement science andpredictive tools related to buildingairflow and contaminant transport. Histechnical accomplishments have led tonew technologies and practices. Bothpublic and private sector buildings havebenefited from this effort through saferand more secure buildings includingiconic structures such as the U.S.Capitol and the Pentagon.

Stephen A. WiseChief, Analytical Chemistry Division


Dr. Wise is recognized for outstandingcontributions in advancing organicanalytical methodology throughpioneering research in analyticalseparation science, and his criticalinvolvement in the development ofStandard Reference Materials (SRMs)for organic chemical analysis. He hasbeen involved in the certification of100+ SRMs which are used worldwidefor validation of analytical methods andfor quality assurance of analyticalmeasurements to supportenvironmental, food/nutrition, andclinical diagnostic measurements.

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NATIONAL OCEANIC ANDATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal

LEADERSHIP

David HolstChief of Staff

Michael AnnisSteve BrodetPhysical Scientists, AUV Program

Rob DownsAUV Project Manager

David ElliottNavigation Response, Team 2 Lead

Kevin KirschInjury Assessment Coordinator

Jason RolfeVieques Program Manager

LT Briana WeltonMid Atlantic Navigation Manager

Diane WehnerRegional Resource Coordinator

National Ocean Service

LT Jake YoosCommissioned Officer,

NOAA Ship RAINIER

Office of Marine andAviation Operations

National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration

This group is recognized for leadershipin integrating National Ocean Service's(NOS’s) respected nautical chartingtechniques with mapping technologyand applying that suite of skills andtools to locating unexploded ordnance(UXO) in the coastal waters of ViequesIsland, Puerto Rico. The Vieques UXOProject was conducted as part of NOSefforts to restore the island's coastal and

marine resources impacted by decadesof live-fire training conducted by theU.S. military. UXO were identifiedand mapped, and the resulting productswill be used to clean up and restoremarine resources and improve Viequespublic safety.

David F. ReidPhysical Scientist

Office of Oceanic andAtmospheric Research


Dr. Reid is honored for developingand leading a multiyear, bi-nationalresearch program on ballast-borneinvasive species risk from “NOBOB”(no-ballast-on-board) ships, whichthreatened both the Great Lakesecosystem and transoceanic maritimecommerce. Saltwater flushing wasidentified as a practicable, enforceableprocedure that was adopted by U.S. andCanadian regulators for enhancedprotection of the Great Lakesecosystem. It significantly reduces riskwhile providing the maritime commerceindustry with a new managementpractice to strengthen its environmentalstewardship.

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Patrick FlynnJames CassinMichael HenrySpecial Agents

Susan WilliamsAssistant Special Agent-In-Charge

National Marine Fisheries Service


The team is honored for coordinatingand executing a joint investigationwith U.S. federal and foreign lawenforcement agencies that identifiedand apprehended two internationalwildlife smuggling rings. Their effortsexposed one Ukrainian kingpin,three United Kingdom smugglers, andnine primary U.S. smugglers withillegal proceeds exceeding $1,500,000.To do so, the team establishedinternational protocols for intelligencegathering and information sharingbetween international wildlife lawenforcement agencies.

Weather Forecast Office,Dodge City, Kansas

National Weather Service


WFO Dodge City is honored forproviding forecast warning services toresidents of Kansas during theMay 4-6, 2007, severe weatheroutbreak. A total of 31 tornadoesoccurred during this period, includingan EF5 tornado that devastated the cityof Greensburg, Kansas. WFO DodgeCity issued a tornado warning forGreensburg 26 minutes before thetornado entered the south side of townand emphasized the danger in aTornado Emergency Message issued12 minutes before the tornado struckthe town. Every tornado whichoccurred during this period waspreceded by a warning with an averagelead time of 16.3 minutes.

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Felix Kogan Physical Scientist

National Environmental Satellite, Dataand Information Service


Dr. Kogan is honored for developing aspace-based system to assess vegetationhealth and the severity of droughtglobally. After a significant amount ofempirical research, he accomplished thissystem by innovatively mergingobservations from different spectralregions of a NOAA satellite instrument.He also transferred this capability tousers in over 10 nations and trainedusers to apply the system locally. Policymakers in these nations and officials atinternational agencies are nowempowered to take actions to preventor reduce the effects of potentiallydevastating droughts.

Richard D. MethotResearch Fishery Biologist



Dr. Methot is honored for developingthe Stock Synthesis 2 (SS2) model thatis widely used nationally andinternationally to conduct fish stockassessments. Requiring less time toproduce more accurate fish abundanceestimates, it is adaptable to manyfisheries and facilitates identification ofmaximum catch quotas that still sustainthe fisheries. Developed to address the2004 GAO Report: Pacific Groundfish-Continued Efforts Needed to ImproveReliability of Stock Assessments, it is usedfrom Alaska to California, in Australia,and in the Pacific, and in 2008, theAtlantic east coast.

Peter D. R. Moeller Research Chemist



Dr. Moeller is honored for leading aninteragency team that discovered andcharacterized a new group of toxinsproduced by the toxic microbePfiesteria. His leadership of this multi-year research was characterized by hisscientific expertise, professional tenacity,and skilled partnering. Dr. Moeller'spioneering work paved the way for thedevelopment of reliable assays to detectand track such toxins and otherbioactive agents in marine and coastalwaters, and to harness them for publichealth and economic benefit throughpotential use in drug therapies.

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HEROISM

CAPT Mark P. Ablondi Commanding Officer, Marine

Operations Center – Pacific

Michael C. BorriesJohn C. HegreSteven A. Ralson Maintenance Mechanics

William Brandenburg Supervisor, Facility Operations

Specialist

James R. Schell Environmental Protection Specialist

LCDR Douglas R. Schleiger Associate Director for Operations,

National Marine Mammal Laboratory

LT Daniel M. Simon Operations Manager,

Marine Operations Center – Pacific

CDR Frank A. Wood Chief, Operations Division,

Marine Operations Center – Pacific

Office of Marine andAviation Operations


The group is recognized for respondingto a four-alarm fire that eruptedbeneath the pier at NOAA’s MarineOperations Center, Pacific onJuly 5, 2006. Upon receivingnotification, these individualsimmediately responded to the scene.There, they acted instinctively,identifying and removing hazardousmaterials; evacuating governmentvehicles and vessels; rescuing sensitivegovernmental records; and providingcritical chemical and facilityinformation to the fire department.The following days, these individualsworked tirelessly to quickly restore theoperational status of the Center.

Silver Medal


NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative Team



The team is honored for conceiving andimplementing the Open RiversInitiative (ORI). ORI works with localcommunities to remove dams and otherriver barriers, eliminate safety hazardsfrom dilapidated structures, and redirectlocal funds from maintenance andinsurance costs to augment recreationalopportunities. Removal of barriers inrivers and streams immediately providesmigratory fish access to criticalupstream spawning and rearing habitatpreviously blocked for decades. Theseremovals also eliminate public safetyhazards and liability and maintenancecosts for local communities.

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Lisa TaylorGeophysicist

John Campagnoli Computer Specialist

Paula DunbarJoy IkelmanKelly Stroker Physical Scientists

Susan McLean Supervisory Physical Scientist

Robin Warnken Oceanographer

National Environmental Satellite,Data and Information Service


The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamichallenged NOAA to strengthenworldwide tsunami warning, research,and mitigation. This dedicated teammet that challenge by acquiring dataand developing methodology andproducts that enabled better tsunamiforecasting and more hazard-resilientcommunities. Their coordination andcollaboration with federal, state, andinternational partners resulted in21 coastal digital elevation models,37 deep-ocean reconnaissance maps forDART® buoy deployments, the firsttsunami hazard assessment for all U.S.coasts and a 400% increase in thetsunami data archive.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

David J. HofmannDirector, Earth System Research Lab,

Global Monitoring Division

James H. ButlerRussell C. SchnellPhysical Scientists

Thomas J. ConwayEdward J. DlugokenckySteven A. MontzkaChemists

James W. ElkinsKenneth MasariePhysicists

Pieter P. TansSenior Scientist

Office of Oceanic andAtmospheric Research


The group is recognized for creating theNOAA Annual Greenhouse Gas Indexthat enhances the connection betweenscientists and society by providing aneasily understood standard that can befollowed annually. Greenhouse gas(GHG) increases are, with “very highconfidence” (9 out of 10 chances -IPCC 2007), the cause of observedclimate warming. However, warmingestimates have model uncertaintieswhich are much larger than those ofGHG measurements. In this work, anindex was developed that was directlyrelated to climate change but withsmall uncertainty.

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Edward O’LenicChief, Operations Branch,

Climate Prediction Center

Dan CollinsJon HoopingarnerZoltan TothDavid UngerYuejian ZhuMeteorologists

National Weather Service


The team is honored for collaboratingwith Canada and Mexico to developand implement the North AmericanEnsemble Forecast System (NAEFS).The NAEFS combines state-of-the-artweather forecast tools developed at theMeteorological Service of Canada andthe U.S. National Weather Service.Combined, these tools provide weatherand climate forecast guidance for theextended range that is much higherquality than previous operationalguidance. This has contributed to all-time record high skill scores forClimate Prediction Center’s extended-range temperature forecasts and toNorth American temperature forecasts,seamless across national boundaries.

Monterey BayNational Marine Sanctuary

Channel IslandsNational Marine Sanctuary



Monterey Bay and Channel IslandsNational Marine Sanctuaries arehonored for successfully reaching theLatino constituent base in localCalifornia sanctuaries about issuesfacing marine resources. MERITO(Multicultural Education for ResourceIssues Threatening Oceans) staff worksdirectly with diverse andunderrepresented communities throughadult school presentations, familyexpeditions, and school-basedprogramming focused on ocean issues.MERITO has been highly successfuland very well received due to intensededication and hard work by theMERITO Team.


NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONSAND INFORMATIONADMINISTRATION

Gold Medal


Kameron BehnamElectronics Engineer

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences

Mudumbai RanganathanComputer Engineer

Stephen QuirolgicoComputer Scientist


National Telecommunications andInformation Administration

The group is recognized for thedevelopment of a test tool which hasbeen used by industry to accelerate thedevelopment of a Public Safetyinteroperability interface, the Project 25Inter-Rf SubSystem Interface. The toolis used by industry to verify whether ornot communication interfaces betweendifferent first responder radio systemsare working. Components within thetest tool have also been leveraged incommercial product developmentswithin the public safetycommunications industry.

Silver Medal

LEADERSHIP

Edward DavisonDeputy Associate Administrator for

Domestic Spectrum Management

Darlene DrazenovichTelecommunications Manager

Charles GlassRobin HainesVernita HarrisChristopher HoferBrandon MitchellLiChing SungTelecommunications Specialists

Paul NajarianElectronics Engineer

Office of Spectrum Management

National Telecommunications andInformation Administration

The team is cited for achieving all U.S.objectives at the 2007 WorldRadiocommunication Conferenceresulting in global adoption ofinternational rules supporting ourcountry’s existing and future radiospectrum needs on land, at sea, in theair, and in space. The team ensuredprotection of existing critical radioservices necessary for our country’snational and economic security. Theirsuperb leadership furthered U.S.technological advances on a global scaleand opened the way for deployment ofnew technologies and services toimprove the lives of people in theU.S. and global communities.

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OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

Gold Medal


David BowsherDeputy General Counsel

Jennifer NistChief Counsel for Regulations


Jane LuxtonGeneral Counsel

Mary Beth WardDeputy General Counsel

Joel La BissonniereAssistant General Counsel for

Ocean Services

Jeffrey DillenDeputy General Counsel for

Ocean Services

Brett GroskoPamela LawrenceAttorney Advisors

Office of the Under Secretary

James LeckyDirector, Office of Protected Resources


David KaiserFederal Consistency Coordinator



The group is recognized for providingexceptional legal and programmaticsupport in securing the first-everPresidential exemption under theCoastal Zone Management Act(CZMA). Action was taken in responseto a court order enjoining critical Navy

training exercises off the southernCalifornia coast found to violate theCZMA. The team facilitatedexhaustive mediation efforts betweenCalifornia and the Navy, determinedthat the exercises posed no significantrisk to marine mammals, and secured aCZMA exemption from the Presidentauthorizing the training exercises tooccur because they are in the UnitedStates' paramount interest.

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OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Silver Medal


Patricia K. DerrMathematician

Carol N. RiceProgram Analyst

Office of Systems Evaluation

Susan I. CrismonAuditor

Office of Audits

Office of Inspector General

The group is recognized for evaluatingthe enumeration process for AmericanIndians living on reservations—adecennial operation that has long beenoverlooked despite poor historicaloutcomes. The team identifiedsignificant opportunities to improveprocess and procedures in the CensusBureau’s modified approach forenumerating this population in theupcoming decennial census, and offeredrealistic, cost-effective solutions forimproving the count in time to impactthe 2010 Census.

Frederick J. MenyElectronics Engineer

Martin C. TrockiComputer Scientist

Office of Systems Evaluation

Office of Inspector General

The group is recognized for identifyingcritical weaknesses in the Department’soversight approach for the next-generation Geostationary OperationalEnvironmental Satellite series(GOES-R), which had put the programat risk for significant cost overruns andschedule delays. This multibillion-dollar satellite system upgrade—a jointproject of NOAA and NASA—is thefirst for which NOAA and theDepartment have management andoversight responsibility. The team’swork was instrumental in strengtheningmanagement and oversight of thismajor acquisition.

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EXTERNAL AWARDS

ARTHUR S. FLEMMING AWARD

John M. ButlerNIST Fellow


Dr. Butler was recognized for hiscontributions in advancing forensicscience and human identification usingDNA measurement science. Among hismany contributions, the developmentof new short tandem repeat (STR)markers is expected to revolutionize thefield of DNA forensic science. Thismilestone contribution is the directresult of Dr. Butler’s achievements indeveloping new DNA tests to aidin the World Trade Center victimidentification effort from theSeptember 11, 2001, terrorist attack,and since then, has been used to aid inidentification of victims ofHurricane Katrina.

Eric L. ShirleySupervisory Physicist


Dr. Shirley was recognized forfundamental theoretical advances insolid-state physics and optics. He hasadvanced the first-principles calculationof the electronic structure of crystallineinsulators and semiconductors to allowthe highly accurate prediction of theiroptical properties from the far-infraredto the x-ray spectral region. He hasdeveloped efficient approaches in thesolution of the equations describingexcited states in solids. His advanceshave made accurate optical diffractioncorrections accessible to experimentalscientists developing infraredradiation standards.

Taner YildirimPhysicist


Dr. Yildirim was honored for apioneering approach that combinesfirst-principles, theoreticalcomputational calculations withneutron scattering measurements toidentify and exploit key properties innew and technologically importantmaterials. His innovative, quantum-mechanical methodology isfundamentally altering the approachto research problems and provides anew paradigm for addressing criticalissues in materials science. He hasinvented ways to enhance hydrogenstorage in a variety of solid-statematerials, potentially surmountingthe most serious obstacle to thehydrogen economy.

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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 Program ManagerMichael R. Osver

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Intern Stephen Ramos

Incentive Awards Program Officers of the Department

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

Glenn West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Census

Michael Barber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDA

Christine Agoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ITA

Roberto Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MBDA

Amy Cubert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NIST

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

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

Armed Forces Color Guard

Multimedia Division


60th annual onor wards

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