July 19, 2006

Katherine K. Martin
Media Relations Office
216-433-2406
katherine.martin@grc.nasa.gov

RELEASE: 06-037

GLENN RECOGNIZES TOP EMPLOYEES AT HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY

NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, presented its most 
prestigious medals and awards to its workforce yesterday. Astronaut 
Charles Camarda joined Glenn Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow to 
present the awards at the annual Honor Awards ceremony. 

The following people were recognized for outstanding contributions in 
helping NASA and Glenn achieve its goals of excellence in science, 
engineering and administrative service:

Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive 
John M. Hairston, Cleveland, for sustained accomplishment in 
management of programs of the United States Government and for 
noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in the public 
service. Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service.
John W. Sikora, North Ridgeville, for sustained accomplishment in 
management of programs of the United States Government and for 
noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in the public 
service. Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service.
Anthony J. Strazisar, Chesterland, for sustained accomplishment in 
management of programs of the United States Government and for 
noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in the public 
service. Meritorious Executive in the Senior Scientific and 
Professional Service.

Outstanding Leadership Medal
Dallas Lauderdale, Solon, for outstanding leadership as a steward for 
a safe and effective infrastructure in support of the research 
mission of Glenn.
Stephen N. Simons, Medina, for excellent leadership of space flight 
projects, development of space flight project managers and 
maintenance of the space flight culture at Glenn, which have 
positioned Glenn for the capture of new flight projects.

Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal
John W. Slater, Westlake, for outstanding work in supersonic inlet 
design and analysis and for contributions to the continuing 
distribution and application of a primary U.S. flow solver code.

Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal
Richard A. Blech, Strongsville, retired, for outstanding contributions 
to the early demonstration of advanced computational technologies 
that have reduced aerospace simulation and design time while 
improving the quality of results.

Exceptional Achievement Medal
Milind A. Bakhle, Westlake, for exceptional contributions to research 
in propulsion aeroelasticity that have led to computational methods 
in aeroelasticity and computer codes to model turbomachinery blade 
flutter and forced response vibrations.
Gerald V. Brown, Lakewood, for research and technology contributions 
beyond previous disciplinary limits of structures, electromagnetics 
and cryogenics.
William D. Ivancic, Westlake, for outstanding contributions by 
performing pioneering research in secure mobile networking 
technologies that have influenced the development of revolutionary 
space and aeronautical communications architectures.
Lee S. Mason, North Royalton, in recognition of achievements in 
developing nuclear power system concepts and design tools for future 
NASA missions.
Laura Maynard-Nelson, Grafton, for exemplary contributions to the 
development and implementation of flight software for microgravity 
science experiments and to the advancement of software engineering 
within NASA.
Mark E. McNelis, Strongsville, for sustained engineering excellence 
and leadership in providing structural dynamic expertise to Glenn's 
space flight experiments programs.
Sandi G. Miller, Northfield, for outstanding contributions to the 
development of advanced power and propulsion materials, in 
particular, polymer-clay nanocomposites.
Richard L. Patterson, South Euclid, for improving reliability and 
reducing cost of NASA missions by developing new electronics that 
will operate in the very cold environment of deep space.
Frank J. Ritzert, Brunswick Hills, for leading the development of the 
metallic overwrap concept for on-orbit repair of space shuttle 
orbiter wing leading edges.

Exceptional Service Medal
Raymond F. Beach, North Olmsted, for exceptional service in the 
advocacy and development of aerospace flywheel technology.
Robert J. Boyle, Rocky River, for significant and sustained 
contributions in turbine heat transfer measurement, analysis and 
modeling, leading to improved understanding and accuracy.
Renato O. Colantonio, Brunswick, for significant and sustained 
performance in partnership development and project management towards 
the successful advancement and transfer of NASA aerospace 
technologies.
Daniel L. Dietrich, Westlake, for sustained leadership in microgravity 
combustion, bioscience and spacecraft fire suppression.
Michael A. Ernst, Bay Village, for exceptional and sustained 
engineering design and modification activities for NASA aircraft, 
resulting in higher levels of flight safety and significant dollar 
savings.
John A. Hamley, Brunswick, for exceptional engineering, management and 
leadership service across many organizations at Glenn.
Earl R. Hanes, Jr., Middleburg Heights, for outstanding contributions 
toward establishing world-class laboratory facilities for advanced 
ceramic materials research at Glenn.
James C. Johnston, Euclid, for outstanding contributions to the 
development of advanced materials through the application of advanced 
spectroscopic techniques and computer science.
Gary A. Klann, Strongsville, Vehicle Technology Directorate (Army), 
for outstanding service in managing the nation's premier propulsion 
wind tunnels and aeronautics engine systems ground test facilities at 
Glenn. 
Bruce A. Manners, formerly of Glenn, for innovation and service in 
developing and guiding NASA's space power projects.
Michelle A. Manzo, Cleveland, for sustained accomplishments in 
advancing the state of the art of energy storage system technologies 
for aerospace applications.
Nancy B. McNelis, Strongsville, for sustained excellence in 
engineering and project management in aerospace programs.
Angel M. Otero, Elyria, for outstanding program and project management 
and managerial leadership in enabling the success of major Glenn 
spaceflight programs and projects.
Ann P. Over, Middleburg Heights, for outstanding service to NASA in 
enabling exploration research through space experiments and 
technology development by innovative project management. 
Lori J. Rachul, Rocky River, for outstanding contributions in the 
development and implementation of media campaigns to promote NASA, 
Glenn, its people, projects and programs.
Benjamin Rodriguez, Middleburg Heights, for exceptional sustained 
performance in support of the research and development labs, 
demonstrating a high commitment to technical achievement, employee 
development, safety and organizational excellence.
Donald J. Roth, Rocky River, for exceptional contributions in research 
and leadership of internationally recognized teams of experts in the 
field of nondestructive evaluation.
Herbert W. Schilling, Parma, for exemplary contributions to software 
engineering projects and outstanding efforts to inspire young minds.
George L. Stefko, Westlake, for outstanding and innovative leadership 
of the Research and Technology Directorate branches and technical 
contributions over the past 25 years.
Linda L. Yavoich, North Ridgeville, for exceptional administrative 
leadership, professionalism and dedication that have significantly 
contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Office of the 
Chief Information Officer.

Public Service Medal
Barbara L. Kakiris, Cleveland, an employee of Analex Corporation, for 
unprecedented and outstanding contributions toward the marketing and 
outreach of NASA's people, programs and facilities.

Senior Executive Service Appointment
Rickey J. Shyne, Strongsville, for over 21 years experience as a 
researcher, project manager and manager of research and institutional 
organizations with extensive experience in computational and 
experimental research for aeronautics and space propulsion systems.

Distinguished Publication Award
Dr. Edmane Envia,  Brunswick, and Dr. Rajagounder M. Nallasamy, 
Strongsville, formerly of QSS Group, Inc. in recognition of advancing 
the capability to predict fan broadband noise generated by modern 
turbofan aircraft engines in their publication entitled "Computation 
of Rotor Wake Turbulence Noise."

Diversity Leadership Award
Frank Robinson, Jr., Strongsville, in recognition of significant 
contributions that encourage, promote and practice diversity in 
support of achieving an inclusive environment.

One NASA Center Best Peer Award
Twenty-three members of the NASA Ballistic Impact Test Team, for the 
impact made to fly the space shuttle as safely as possible.

Procurement Supervisor of the Year Award
Bradley J. Baker, North Ridgeville, in recognition of contributions to 
and outstanding support of NASA's space program and the Office of 
Procurement.

Forty Year Service Awards
Bruce A. Banks, Olmsted Township
William K. Coho, Vermilion
James L. Dolce, Lakewood
Julian M. Earls, retired, Beachwood
David P. Fleming, North Olmsted
Ernest R. Flower, Jr., Berea
Robert J. Freedman, Columbia Station
John B. Haggard, Jr., Rocky River
Pamela Kotlenz, Lakewood
Hugh M. McLaughlin, Fairview Park
John A. Mihevic, Litchfield
Stephen V. Pepper, Cleveland Heights
John P. Riehl, Strongsville
Vincent J. Scullin, Westlake
Richard C. Spangle, Litchfield
Charles M. Spuckler, Westlake
Adele C. Szuhai, Strongsville
Sherrill K. White, Elyria

Group Achievement Awards
Twenty-seven members of the GRC Aviation Safety Team, for significant 
and sustained NASA Glenn Research Center team performance in support 
and completion of the first phase of NASA's aviation safety program.

Seven members of the Large Aperture Inflatable Antennas Working Group, 
for outstanding contributions to the coordination, development and 
demonstration of large aperture inflatable antennas for 
high-data-rate space- and ground-based NASA communications.

Six members of the NASA/Industry Conservation Element/Solution Element 
(CE/SE) Method Development Team, in recognition of the development of 
the Conservation Element and Solution Element (CE/SE) Method, a 
revolutionary new capability for computational aeroacoustics.

Twelve members of the Composite Fan Engine Containment Systems Team, 
for outstanding contributions to the development of affordable, 
lightweight and durable composite fan engine containment systems.

Twenty-two members of the Distance Learning Team, for technical 
achievement, excellence and innovation in broadcast technology and 
programming.

Thirteen members of the Engine Aeroelastic Analysis Team, for the 
exceptional effort in developing and validating a computer code for 
the high-fidelity modeling of aeroelastic vibrations in 
turbomachinery of propulsion systems.

Seven members of the Ka-Band High-Power High-Efficiency Space 
Amplifier Team, for exemplary performance in solving the many 
technical problems associated with the development of a Ka-Band 
high-power, high-efficiency amplifier technology for deep-space 
communications.

Six members of the Forward Technology Solar Cell Experiment 
Electronics Design Team, in recognition of significant contributions 
to the successful completion of the Forward Technology Solar Cell 
Experiment, part of the MISSE5 package on the International Space 
Station.

Four members of the GRC Structural Seals Team, for exceptional team 
effort in providing critical technical and experimental support to 
engineers from the Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers in the 
investigation and resolution of space shuttle main landing gear door 
seal problems.

Nine members of the Student Support Team, for exceptional performance 
and contributions, impacting students across the nation and inspiring 
the next generation of explorers.

Fifteen members of the Low-Conductivity Thermal Barrier Coatings/High 
Heat Flux Laser-Based Testing Rigs Research and Development Team, for 
exceptional success developing unique thermal gradient test 
capabilities and a new class of thermal barrier coatings for higher 
operating temperature turbine engine components.

	
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