# News

## U.S. Air Force LogoUnited States Air Force

# 23 Department of the Air Force members selected for BEYA STEM awards

              - Published  Feb. 9, 2023
              -                             By Staff Sgt. Nick Z. Erwin                                                    
              - Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

**ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  **
Twenty-three Department of the Air Force members have been selected for special recognition at the 2023 Black Engineer of the Year Awards, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, scheduled for Feb. 9-11.

Both uniformed and civilian members of the Air Force and **Space Force** will be recognized during the 18th Annual Stars and Stripes Awards Dinner on Feb. 10 and the BEYA Awards Gala on Feb. 11 for their accomplishments and contributions in STEM-related fields over the past year.

"STEM is critical to our nation's defense," said Secretary of the Air Force **Frank Kendall**. "Each of our BEYA award recipients are high performers who are shaping the way we fight tomorrow, helping to ensure that we remain the premiere Air and Space Force in the world. They should be proud of their accomplishments. In addition, the BEYA STEM conference supports the military community tremendously by helping to build cross-organizational mentorships and partnerships."

The BEYA STEM conference is a three-day event held annually for more than three decades, focusing on minorities with professional interests in STEM fields. It offers high school and college students; as well as corporate, government and military professionals; an opportunity to come together to participate in networking, mentorship sessions, learning opportunities and recognition ceremonies.

The 18th Annual BEYA-sponsored Stars and Stripes Youth Mentoring session and Awards Dinner is scheduled for Feb. 10, during which the award recipients from the Department of the Air Force will be recognized, along with awardees from other military branches. See below for the list of DAF awardees.

2023 BEYA STEM award recipients from the Department of the Air Force:**Senior Executive Service Award:**•    Dr. Gerald D. Curry, Air Force Review Boards Agency director, Arlington, Virginia**Military Service Award:**•    Col. Felicia Burks, 82nd Medical Group commander, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas•    Lt. Col. Alison Gonzalez, Air War College, U.S. Space Force**GS Stars and Stripes Award:**•    Ladonna Myers, Headquarters Space Force, Arlington, Virginia•    Dr. Shantia Smith, Secretary of the Air Force Associate Director of Resources, Arlington, Virginia**Most Promising Engineer in Government Award:**•    Kelan Berry, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Air Force Material Command**Modern Day Technology Leader Award:**•    Kevin Belcher, Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Air Force Material Command•    Aisha Brown, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Air Combat Command•    Senior Airman Camry Green, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, United States Air Forces in Europe•    Karen Hudson, Air Force Lifecyle Management Center, Air Force Material Command•    Tamika McKinney, Air Force Lifecyle Management Center, Air Force Material Command•    Shava Meadows, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Material Command•    Master Sgt. Gregory Miller, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, United States Air Forces in Europe•    Quentin Morales-Perryman, Tyndall AFB, Florida, Air Combat Command•    Master Sgt. Janaan Parms, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, United States Air Forces in Europe•    Master Sgt. Randy Rogers, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany, United States Air Forces in Europe•    Keith Sylvester, Robins AFB, Georgia, Air Force Material Command•    Tech. Sgt. Stevie Thomas, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, United States Air Forces in Europe, •    Dr. Reginald Turner, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Education and Training Command•    1st Lt. Richard Washington, Lackland AFB, Texas, Air Combat Command**Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award:**•    Capt. Jean-Luc Duckworth, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany, United States Air Forces in Europe•    Kenny Johnson, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Air Force Material Command**Collegiate Award:**•    Sirri Akaya, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado 

FSUSAFAFAir ForceBEYAstemBlack Engineer of the Yearsciencetechnologyengineeringmathawardrecognitionspace forceACCAir Combat CommandAETCAir Education and Training CommandAFMCAir Force Materiel CommandUSAFEU.S. Air Forces in Europe