VOLUME 17 ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2015

New Deputy Administrator Dr. Newman Visits Glenn

..............

On Aug. 20, Center Director Jim 

Free welcomed NASA’s new Deputy 

Administrator Dr. Dava Newman to 

NASA Glenn for a full day of activities 

and tours. During an All Hands meeting, Newman expressed her enthusiasm for visiting Glenn and connecting 

with fellow aerospace researchers.

“I look forward to working with you 

as we push forward on our journey to 

Mars and fulfilling our promise to advance exploration of our solar system 

and beyond while maintaining global 

leadership in aeronautics,” Newman 

affirmed. Continued on page 2

GRC-2015-C-5344 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Dr. Newman, right, marvels at the size and capabilities of the Reverberant Acoustic Test 

Facility at Plum Brook Station during a tour conducted by Jerry Carek.

Around the Center

GRC-2015-C-5147 Photo by Marvin Smith

NASA’s William Gerstenmaier visited; 

recognized Rodney Spence, right. See page 2.

GRC-2015-C-4356 Photo by Jim Polaczynski

The 2015 Center Picnic offered decadethemed games and more. See page 3.

GRC-2015-C-5059 Photo by Marvin Smith

Guest speaker Rear Adm. Fred Midgette, left, 

assisted with the Honor Awards. See page 5.

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corner 2

CFC Activities Announced! ........... 2

GRC Hall of Fame Set .................... 4

Exploration Efforts Highlighted ... 12

This special 12-page issue highlights

the NASA Honor & Center Awards.
Dedicating Today and Every Day to Safety

Over the past year, I’ve discussed topics in this column that impact health 

and safety in our workplace and personal lives. On Sept. 23, many of these 

topics—and their importance—will be showcased in a dynamic way during 

Glenn’s Safety and Health Awareness Day. The day is packed with speakers, 

panel discussions, information booths and our annual health walk. This is a 

day for us to break from our schedules to reflect on the good practices that 

keep us safe, healthy and successful in our missions. Most importantly, it’s a 

day to become empowered to speak up about safety and take responsibility 

for the safety of ourselves and others. See you there!

Safety and Health Awareness Day is Sept. 23 and Every Day! 

 

 —Jim

Dr. Newman, Gerstenmaier Visit 

Continued from page 1

Previously with MIT, Newman noted 

that Glenn subject matter experts

mentored her students and supported 

her own space life sciences research. 

She cited the partial gravity simulator 

and Space Acceleration Measurement 

System (SAMS) among the Glenndeveloped technology used in her research. She also noted the value of the 

Glenn-developed FoilSim application 

for the cool visualizations that help 

make learning aeronautics fun and inspiring for her students.

Newman spent the balance of the day 

touring various Lewis Field and Plum 

Brook Station facilities. Much of the 

tour centered on work that is integral 

to advancing NASA’s journey to Mars. 

Gerstenmaier’s Town Hall

Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) William

Gerstenmaier—a native of Akron, Ohio, 

and former NASA Lewis (Glenn) aerospace engineer—visited Glenn, Aug. 5.

He conducted a Town Hall meeting, 

met with senior staff, attended the student poster sessions and toured various 

facilities at Lewis Field and Plum Brook 

Station. 

At the top of the Town Hall, Gerstenmaier 

presented a NASA Space Flight Awareness 

(SFA) Award to Glenn’s Rodney Spence, 

Space Communications and Spectrum 

Management Office. Spence was recognized for his support to the Space 

Communications and Navigation (SCaN) 

Program’s assessment of the potential 

impact to NASA’s space global positioning system (GPS) applications from 

broadband interference.

Gerstenmaier confirmed such Glenn 

contributions and others that enable 

the agency to continue moving forward 

in human spaceflight and the journey to 

Mars. He also cited crew module flight 

readiness, combustion fluid dynamics, 

heat transfer and advanced solar array 

technologies for in-space propulsion as 

areas of achievement.

Gerstenmaier stressed that space is not 

just a place to visit. “We’ve established 

operations and are constructing in low 

Earth orbit,” he said. “Now, we have to 

build sustainable projects—with an eye 

toward Mars.” 

By S. Jenise Veris

Aeronautics Strategic

Plan Released

Dr. Jaiwon Shin, NASA’s Associate 

Administrator of the Aeronautics

Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), 

has released the ARMD Strategic

Implementation Plan. The plan culminates the past year and half of work to 

transform NASA into an organization 

that is more strategically focused on carrying out the innovative research necessary to meet the future needs of a globally interconnected aviation community. 

Visit http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/

strategic-plan.htm, to read the plan.

2015 Combined 

Federal Campaign 

Sept. 17 – Dec. 31, 2015

Pacesetter Campaign: Sept. 16–Oct. 9

Kick-Off & Agency Fair

Thursday, Sept. 17

Kick-Off: 9–10 a.m.

Agency Fair: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Ad Bldg. Auditorium

Tailgate & Chili Cook-Off

Friday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cafe Dining Room

Basket Raffle

Friday, Oct. 23, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cafe Dining Room

Plum Brook CFC Festival

Friday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Engineering Bldg.

International Food Fair

Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Ad Bldg. Foyer

Art Show

Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

MIC Auditorium

Pie the Manager

Thursday, Dec. 10, noon–1 p.m.

Cafe Dining Room

Chair: Andrea Bonesteel

Co-Chair: Mary Jo Long-Davis

Loaned Executive: Haley Proszek

2
SEPTEMBER 2015

The past and present came together during the Center Picnic at 

the Lewis Field Picnic Grounds, Aug. 5. The theme “Celebrating 

US—Standing on the Shoulders of NACA” recognized a century of 

NACA/NASA achievements. Civil servants, contractors and retirees 

enjoyed lively music, refreshments and sunshine! Glenn directorates and offices sponsored games and activities that spanned 

10 decades. To view additional information about the activities, visit http://

events.grc.nasa.gov/centerpicnic/. 

GRC-2015-C-4332

The Director’s Office and the Office of Chief Financial Officer teamed for a remake of “YMCA” 

using NACA and NASA lyrics.

GRC-2015-C-4328

Employees relax, mingle and enjoy lunch.

GRC-2015-C-4374

The new Glenn Band shares their talents.

GRC-2015-C-4340 Photos by Jim Polaczynski

NACA and NASA retirees attend the picnic this year to reminisce and have fun.

GRC-2015-C-4339

Center Director Jim Free cuts the cake!

GRC-2015-C-4350

Employees enjoy the 1930s-era National Air 

Races game sponsored by the Aeronautics 

Directorate and NASA Safety Center.

GRC-2015-C-4337

Matt Murray randomly shares the microphone and keeps the party rocking.

3
News and Events

Astronaut Foreman Addresses Summer Interns

Bids Farewell to NASA

GRC-2015-C-4151 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Prior to retiring from NASA on July 31, astronaut Mike Foreman visited Glenn to 

talk with summer interns and fellowship program participants, July 23. He shared 

video highlights of his STS–129 mission, while discussing his space experiences. 

Foreman, a native of Wadsworth, Ohio, flew on two space shuttle missions and performed five spacewalks during his NASA career. He also held a variety of technical 

assignments in the Astronaut Office. Foreman served as Glenn’s External Programs 

Division chief from June 2010 to May 2011. The Center Operations staff hosted a 

farewell picnic for Foreman to wish him well. 

GO–BIKE Club Makes Significant Donation

Over the past three summers, Glenn’s GO−BIKE club has collected unused/

unwanted bicycles to give to local refugees placed in Cleveland. On July 15,

GO−BIKE member Marilyn Groff, pictured far right, delivered 40 bicycles, previously owned and donated by Glenn employees, to refugees who gathered at the 

Hope Center in West Park. The bikes will be used for enjoyment by children and 

as transportation to and from work for adults. The club has donated more than 180 

bikes through the nonprofit organization Building Hope in the City. 

GRC Hall of Fame 

Ceremony Set

In honor of the NACA Centennial and the upcoming Glenn 75th

Anniversary, the center has established a GRC Hall of Fame. This is 

a prestigious honor that recognizes 

those who came before us and those 

whose shoulders we stand on. 

Employees had an opportunity to 

nominate retirees who they believe 

to be pioneers, trailblazers and profoundly important to the history 

of the center. This year’s inductees,

focusing on NACA-era employees, 

will be inducted in a ceremony, Sept. 

25, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the MIC Auditorium. This includes a reception. 

Look for details on Today@Glenn. 

POC: Anne Mills

Speaker Series Stresses 

Creativity, Innovation

Glenn’s Creativity and Innovation (C&I) 

Speaker Series offered fresh perspectives toward enhancing the center’s 

C&I methods and initiatives. Joe Pulizzi, 

content marketing expert and founder 

of the Content Marketing Institute, 

spoke on July 9. Joseph Yanoska (pictured), executive director of Interactive

Operations, at American Greetings

Interactive, spoke on Aug. 4. 

4
SEPTEMBER 2015

NASA's Agency Honor and Center Awards 2015

Honor Awards—

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP MEDAL

Amy L. Bower

For exceptional leadership in 

the advancement of Institutional Safety and Occupational 

Health efforts at the Glenn Research Center

Gregory J. Follen

For outstanding programmatic/supervisory skills, achieving continuous success during a significant transitional 

period for the Aeronautics Mission

Directorate and the Center

John A. Hamley 

For outstanding leadership of the

Radioisotope Power Systems program 

to advance spacecraft power system

capabilities to enable new NASA exploration missions

Damian R. Ludwiczak

For exceptional service as the Deputy 

Principal Lead Engineer for the Crew and 

Service Module, directly contributing to 

the success of Exploration Flight Test-1 

(EFT)

David E. Taylor 

For outstanding leadership of NASA 

Glenn's Plum Brook Station and

significant Agency projects through

innovation, collaboration, and personnel

management

Wayne A. Whyte 

For outstanding leadership as the International Spectrum Program Manager for 

NASA

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE MEDAL

Anita L. Arnold 

For exceptional Human Resources service to NASA in the 

areas of Employee and Labor 

Relations in the Office of Human Capital Management

Thomas J. Benson

For exceptional contributions to the 

Agency's mission of inspiring and

engaging the next-generation aerospace 

workforce

Christopher J. Blasio

For exceptional service and technical 

expertise in leading and implementing a highly effective radiation safety

program that has resulted in making 

GRC a safe place to work

Jeffrey A. Chambers

For exceptional performance in facilities project management and engineering for many projects having critical 

significance to the fulfillment of the 

mission of GRC

Irene Cierchacki

For outstanding service, creativity, and 

expertise in support of major programs, 

projects, and initiatives with Agency

impact, particularly at the NASA Glenn 

Research Center

Kestutis C. Civinskas

For sustained, exceptional service

to NASA, and specifically to NASA’s

aeronautics missions and goals, through 

programmatic planning, development, 

and execution

Bower Follen

Hamley Ludwiczak

Taylor Whyte

Arnold Benson

Blasio Chambers

Cierchacki Civinskas

5
Susan M. Crawford

For exceptional service to NASA’s

Aeronautics missions and goals through 

budget management and project

execution

Laura A. Henry

For consistent, exceptional success as a 

litigator, significantly improving NASA’s 

precedential legal posture and setting 

a standard for other NASA attorneys to 

emulate

Jeffrey S. Hojnicki 

For outstanding knowledge of electrical 

power systems and exceptional skills 

in creating highly sophisticated analytical models that impact critical human 

spacecraft designs

John D. Lekki

For outstanding technical leadership in 

advancing sensor-systems technologies 

through the Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) series of engine 

testing

John F. Leone 

For exceptional leadership and vision in 

managing, maintaining, and improving 

the testing and operations of the GRC 

wind tunnel and propulsion research 

facilities

Ronald J. Sicker

For exceptional service to the ISS Research Program in advocating and expanding NASA’s capabilities to conduct 

significant research on the International 

Space Station

Robert A. Zalewski 

For exceptional service as an innovator and leader in the management and 

execution of an efficient, cost-effective 

information technology environment 

supporting NASA programs

EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC 

SERVICE MEDAL

Eric C. Clemons

For exceptional public service in managing the Glenn 

Engineering and Scientific 

Services (GESS) contract, 

plus leading strategic business development opportunities and partnerships 

for the benefit of NASA Glenn Research 

Center, the Agency, and the State of Ohio

Martha L. Clough

For demonstrating outstanding service 

as the Leidos Program Manager for 

the Safety, Health, Environmental and

Mission Assurance (SHEMA) contract at 

GRC

Jeffrey C. Smith

For exceptional management of technician resources, the apprenticeship 

program, and the lifting device program in the test facilities at NASA Glenn

Research Center

EXCEPTIONAL 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Donald F. Easterling

For exceptional achievement in completing the

complex 25-year environmental remediation program eliminating GRC’s

liability for legacy environmental damage

Brenda L. Ellis 

For exceptional achievement mitigating 

NASA’s top IT security risks and fostering mission and project success through 

implementation of Agency training and 

awareness products

Danielle M. Griffin

For outstanding improvements to 

the Glenn Research Center Mishap

Reporting and Investigation Program

that ensures employee health and safety

Francis T. Jennings

For the consistent production of highquality communications products that 

effectively share GRC’s technology

expertise and accomplishments with

diverse audiences

Dennis R. Kay

For exceptional visionary leadership 

as Lead Systems Engineer for NASA’s

Identity, Credential, and Access

Management (ICAM)

George Kopasakis

For outstanding development of higher 

fidelity dynamic modeling of propulsion systems for supersonic civil aircraft

James D. Stegeman

For exceptional achievement as the 

GRC Technology Manager for the Space 

Communication and Navigation (SCaN) 

Program to develop key enabling technologies for NASA

Vicente J. Suarez

For outstanding and significant technical achievements in the structural engineering design and development of 

spaceflight hardware

Robert T. Tornabene 

For outstanding contributions to the assembly, integration, and testing of the 

Saffire (Spacecraft Fire Safety) flight 

Crawford Henry

Hojnicki Lekki

Leone Sicker

Zalewski Clemons Zalewski

Clough Smith

Easterling Ellis

6
SEPTEMBER 2015

combustion experiments that will provide critical science data on large-scale 

flames

Irene A. Wirkus

For outstanding efforts as the technical 

lead for the successful NASA Mishap

Information System implementation,

resulting in cost savings and enhanced 

security and performance

EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Scott Belock

(photo not available)

For exceptional management and operation of the 

satellite machine tool repair program at NASA GRC

Mohammad Kassemi

For exceptional research achievements 

in the effects of long-term microgravity on human health and on the performance of cryogenic propellant systems 

and materials processing in space

EXCEPTIONAL 

ENGINEERING 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Robert J. Bruckner

For exceptional engineering 

achievement in resolving

the external Active Thermal 

Control System ammonia

pump failure investigation for the International Space Station

Donald E. Van Drei 

For exceptional engineering achievement in the implementation of the

Time-Triggered Gigabit Ethernet Data

Network for the Multi-Purpose Crew

Vehicle

EXCEPTIONAL 

SCIENTIFIC 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Timothy P. Gabb

For exceptional research

achievements advancing

the understanding of turbine engine disk alloys critical to higher efficiency turbine engines

Robert K. Goldberg

For exceptional achievement in the

development, validation, and dissemination of theoretical models and computational tools for impact analysis of

composite engine structures

EXCEPTIONAL 

TECHNOLOGY 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Marc A. Gibson 

For exceptional achievement in advancing the 

technology readiness of 

high-temperature water

heat pipes for a broad array of NASA 

and commercial applications

Frances I. Hurwitz

For exceptional development of a 

broadly applicable aerogel technology for advanced insulation capable of

1200 °C use temperatures

Rainee N. Simons

For outstanding contributions to the 

development and advancement of highpower, high-efficiency space traveling wave tube amplifier technology in

support of NASA missions

EARLY CAREER 

ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Stephen J. Barsi 

For outstanding early career 

performance and leadership in cryogenic propellant 

management and chemical 

propulsion that enables future exploration missions

Othmane Benafan

For exceptional scientific contributions 

to the field of shape memory alloys and 

innovative advancements in aeronautics 

and space actuation systems

Joseph A. Downey

For outstanding technical achievement 

and innovation leading to the demonstration of the highest recorded data 

rate through NASA’s Tracking and Data 

Relay Satellite System

Justin S. Gray

For exceptional vision and leadership of 

the OpenMDAO effort, contributing to 

its ongoing innovation in the multidisciplinary design and analysis optimization 

(MDAO) field and its widespread adoption within and external to NASA

Jared P. Reed

For outstanding facilities engineering 

contributions to fulfill the mission of 

the Glenn Research Center

Griffin Jennings

Kay Kopasakis

Stegeman Suarez

Tornabene Wirkus

Kassemi Bruckner

Van Drei Gabb

7
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT 

OPPORTUNITY MEDAL

Joseph W. Connolly

For outstanding contributions to advancing

opportunities for underrepresented minorities in 

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers

SILVER ACHIEVEMENT 

MEDAL—INDIVIDUAL

Clayton L. Meyers

For exceptional demonstration of NASA’s core values 

of teamwork and excellence 

in the execution of project 

management responsibilities 

on aeronautics research projects

Lisa M. O'Connor

For exceptional demonstration of

NASA’s core values in the execution 

of responsibilities for the Aeronautics

Directorate at NASA Glenn

SILVER ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL—

GROUP

High Rate Ka-band Waveform 

Experiment Team 

For outstanding technical achievement, 

excellence, and innovation in developing and flight-validating the high-rate, 

bandwidth-efficient Ka-band waveform 

for the Space Communications and

Navigation (SCaN) Testbed

PIV Smartcard Team

For exceptional team performance 

in the implementation of NASA’s

PIV-Mandatory initiative at the Glenn 

Research Center

Saffire Vibration Testing and Analysis 

Team

For outstanding mission contributions and stellar group achievement in 

performing Saffire vibration tests and

analyses

The Mechanical Vibration Facility 

(MVF) Table Team

For exceptional achievement in the

execution of the Mechanical Vibration 

Facility Table project

GROUP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

BOPPS Mission Team for Planetary 

Science

For exceptional achievement developing 

and successfully launching the Balloon 

Observation Platform for the Planetary 

Science stratospheric balloon mission

Design of Solar Electric Propulsion 

System Technology 

For exceptional design of an advanced 

electric propulsion system applicable 

to near-term NASA solar electric propulsion missions and extensible to future 

human exploration

Facilities Application Consolidation 

Project 

For outstanding accomplishments 

achieving successful centralization,

optimization, and cost efficiencies 

across GRC’s business application

infrastructure

GRC 1'×1' SWT Team

For outstanding team effort in the successful completion of 1'×1' Supersonic 

Wind Tunnel testing and analysis of nozzle plume and shock interaction effects 

on sonic boom

GRC Orion Exploration Flight Test-1

(EFT-1) Team

For exceptional achievements that

contributed to the success of the Orion 

Exploration Flight Test, the first spaceflight of Orion

Harmful Algal Blooms Airborne 

Hyperspectral Team 

For outstanding achievement in conducting airborne campaigns and enabling new remote sensing and analytical capabilities for monitoring harmful 

algal blooms in Lake Erie

NASA Mishap Information System 

For the exceptional and timely deployment of the NASA Mishap Information 

System and migration of 20,000+ mishap reports, which enhanced security 

and performance

SCaN Compatibility Test Set Team 

For outstanding achievement in the 

design, development, and delivery of a 

state-of-the-art reconfigurable system 

for space network compatibility testing

Solar Cell Experiment on the 

International Space Station 

For exceptional innovation in designing, fabricating, validating, and delivering the Solar Cell Experiment for

integration onto the International Space 

Station

Vacuum Facility 5 (VF5) Upgrade 

Project Test Team 

For outstanding achievement of doubling the effective pumping speed of 

an already-recognized world-class facility, Vacuum Facility 5, during the recent 

upgrade project

Goldberg Gibson

Hurwitz Simons

Barsi Benefan

Downey Gray

Reed Connolly

Meyers O'Connor

8
SEPTEMBER 2015

VIPR 2 Engine Testing Team

For outstanding achievement in advancing technology readiness levels of more 

than one dozen new sensor systems 

through on-wing engine testing

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

Robert M. Button

Robert M. Button was appointed to the 

position of Deputy Chief, Power Division, 

effective October 5, 2014

Dawn C. Emerson 

Dawn C. Emerson was appointed to the 

position of Chief, Communications and 

Intelligent Systems Division, effective 

September 21, 2014

Kaprice L. Harris 

Kaprice L. Harris was appointed to the 

position of Chief of the Office of Acquisition, effective December 28, 2014

Susan L. Kevdzija

Susan L. Kevdzija was appointed to the 

position of Deputy Director of the Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate, effective September 21, 2014

John M. Sankovic 

John M. Sankovic was appointed to the 

position of Director of the Office of 

Technology Incubation and Innovation, 

effective September 21, 2014

James J. Zakrajsek 

(photo not available)

James J. Zakrajsek was appointed to the 

position of Deputy Chief of the Materials and Structures Division, effective

October 5, 2014

 PRESIDENTIAL RANK AWARDS

 The President of the United States 

 of America has conferred upon

Thomas Hartline

the rank of Meritorious Executive 

in the Senior Executive Service 

for sustained superior accomplishment in management of programs 

of the United States Government 

and for noteworthy achievement of 

quality and efficiency in the public 

service.

Janet L. Kavandi

the rank of Meritorious Executive 

in the Senior Executive Service 

for sustained superior accomplishment in management of programs 

of the United States Government 

and for noteworthy achievement of 

quality and efficiency in the public 

service.

Center Awards 

ABE SILVERSTEIN MEDAL

Brett A. Bednarcyk

For development of novel integrated 

computational materials engineering 

(ICME) and multiscale analysis methods 

and tools for advanced composite materials and structures

STEVEN V. SZABO ENGINEERING 

EXCELLENCE AWARD 

Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic 

Shielding (HERMeS)

For the magnetic, plasma, thermal, and 

structural design activities resulting in 

the successful demonstration of the 

HERMeS Hall thruster

Li C. Chang

Wensheng Huang

Lauren K. Clayman 

Hani Kamhawi

Christopher M. Griffiths 

Ioannis G. Mikellides

Thomas W. Haag 

James L. Myers

Rich R. Hofer

John T. Yim

CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD 

Robert E. Kohler

For skillful assembly of the three Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire) flight 

units and significant contributions to 

the success of the Spacecraft Fire Safety 

Demonstration project

2013 DISTINGUISHED 

PUBLICATION AWARD 

Advanced Optical Diagnostics for 

Ice Crystal Cloud Measurements in 

the NASA Glenn Propulsion Systems

Laboratory

Timothy J. Bencic

Jonathan P. Kirkegaard

(Jacobs Technology)

Amy F. Fagan

David P. Rohler

(Plexar Associates, Inc.)

Judith F. Van Zante

Arjun Maniyedath

(Plexar Associates, Inc.)

Steven H. Izen

(Case Western Reserve University)

2014 DISTINGUISHED 

PUBLICATION AWARD 

Derivation of Microwave Refractive

Index Structure Constant (C 2

N ) of the 

Atmosphere From K-Band Interferometric Phase Measurements

James A. Nessel

Robert M. Manning

Button Emerson

Harris Kevdzija

Sankovic Hartline

Kavandi Bednarcyk

Kohler Walker

DeGreen Fiorilli

9
DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD 

Darlene S. Walker

For continued advocacy and commitment to diversity, as well as pioneering 

work in the advancement of science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with under-represented,

under-resourced students across the

country 

SAFETY AWARD

John J. DeGreen (individual)

For exceptional application of safety practices and requirements, and comitment to 

utilizing best practices to improve safety 

at Lewis Field and Plum Brook

Timothy J. Fiorilli (m.a.c. Paran 

Consulting Services)

For exemplary technical expertise,

guidance, and dedication to the MIC

Legionella Investigation Team to ensure 

a healthful work environment for all

GRC employees

Process Systems Safety Committee 

(PSSC) (team)

For exemplary performance and collaboration in ensuring the safe operation of institutional process systems 

vital to GRC's research mission

SCaN GRC S-Band Ground Station 

Team (team)

For excellent coordination and implementation of safety practices in the

design, implementation, and successful

performance verification of the SCaN

Testbed GRC S-Band Ground Station

SUPERVISOR AWARD

Mary Jo Long-Davis

For demonstrating outstanding leadership and management skills as Chief of 

the Inlets and Nozzles Branch

SUPPORT ASSISTANT/CLERICAL 

AWARD 

Andrea R. Bonesteel

For superior executive support services to the Office of Human Capital and

spirit of collaboration and team work to 

meet Directorate and Center needs

Samantha L. Brinkman

For exceptional performance of duties

and delivering a level of service exceeding expectations to the Chief Financial 

Officer Organization and to the Associate Director's Office

Kathryn M. Roser

For outstanding performance of executive administrative duties in support 

of the Center Director's Office at the 

Glenn Research Center 

Debra K. Clevenger (SGT, Inc.)

For exceptional administrative support 

to, and invaluable knowledge of, the 

Space Science Project Office, including 

significant support of the CLOUD science and NEXT-C Projects

Carmen D. Gonzalez (SGT, Inc.)

For continued excellent support to the 

Combustion Physics and Reacting Processes Branch and the Fluid Physics and 

Transport Processes Branch, including 

willingness to accept the role as the LT 

division summer intern coordinator

Renee K. Smiley (SGT, Inc.)

For a cooperative team attitude approach in the Logistics and Technical 

Information Division, including extensive research and data entry in creating 

several new databases used by the Division

GRC LARGE BUSINESS PRIME 

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR 

Leidos, Inc.

GRC SMALL BUSINESS PRIME 

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR 

Vantage Partners, LLC

GRC SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT PERSON OF THE YEAR

Aaron A. Olmsted

GRC SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL 

TEAM OF THE YEAR 

ISS Distillation Assembly Bearing 

Development Team

GRC SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM 

PERSON OF THE YEAR 

Jeffrey A. Chambers

SERVICE AWARDS 

50-Year Service Award

Gustave C. Fralick 

Hugh M. McLaughlin 

45-Year Service Award

Robert J. Shaw

40-Year Service Award

Thomas J. Benson

Robert D. Buttler 

Terrell J. Jansen 

William H. Jones 

Barbara A. Mader 

Jeffry F. Paulin 

Robert M. Plencner 

Jerri A. Vokac

Long-Davis Bonesteel

Brinkman Roser

Clevenger Gonzalez

Smiley Olmsted

Chambers

Credits:

Citations are reproduced from the 

Honor Awards Book. 

Note: Some citations in online issue 

were updated with corrected information on 9/14/15. Design and Layout 

by Kelly Shankland. Photos by Marvin

Smith.

10
SEPTEMBER 2015

Welcome to the 

NASA Family

GRC-2015-C-3291 Photo by Bridget Caawell

GRC-2015-C-3462 Photo by Marvin Smith

Glenn welcomed nine new employees, 

trainees and a Department of Veterans 

Affairs intern to the workforce in June. 

They include, top photo, front row, 

left to right: Drew Ahern, Propulsion

Division; Mary Howell, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer; and Christopher

Colwell, Facilities Division; back

row, left to right: Gerald Voltz,

Office of Education; and Michael

Borghi, Propulsion Division. Bottom

photo, left to right: Timothy Adcock,

Testing Division; Jana Sjoquist,

Accounting & Financial Analysis

Division; Janet Lane, Facilities Division; 

and Donald Hammett, Testing Division. 

New hires that reported in the months of 

July and August will be posted in an upcoming issue.

Retirements

Scott Benson, Space Science Project

Office, Space Flight Systems Directorate, retired July 31, 2015, with 30 years of

service. 

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

More Than a Memory

Fordyce Encouraged Employee Input

Former Center Deputy Director Dr. James “Stuart” Fordyce, 

83, a 1994 retiree with 28 years of service, died Aug. 8. 

Fordyce joined NASA in 1966 as a research scientist. He made 

significant contributions through research in electrochemistry and managed a broad spectrum of programs in space 

power and terrestrial energy. Fordyce served as director of 

Aerospace Technology for 7 years prior to his appointment as 

Dr. Fordyce center deputy director in 1991. He was a strong advocate of 

empowering employees by soliciting their ideas and input. Following retirement, 

he joined the Ohio Aerospace Institute, serving as chief scientist until 2006.

Dr. Robert D. Ingebo, 92, a 1995 retiree, 

died July 7. Ingebo was a World War II 

Navy veteran and chemist who served 

NASA for 45 years as an aerospace research engineer. He was internationally 

known for his research on the properties 

and performance of fuel nozzles used in 

aircraft turbine engines. He also contributed to the development of hypersonic 

propulsion systems and materials needed 

for today’s commercial airplanes. Ingebo retired from NASA’s Aerothermochemistry 

Branch of the Internal Fluid Mechanics Division.

Kenneth E. Kenipe Jr., 60, a dedicated volunteer for NASA Glenn’s Visitor Center 

and outreach efforts for nearly 30 years, died unexpectedly July 21. He supported 

a wide range of educational and community outreach activities. However, his passion was being a docent presenting educational programs, particularly on the solar 

system, to the public and school groups. Kenipe was the pastor at the West Park 

Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Dr. Ingebo Kenipe

Calendar

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE 

MONTH: The Hispanic Advisory Group 

will host its Hispanic Heritage Month 

Observance, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 

noon, Ad Bldg. Aud. This year’s theme 

is “Hispanic Americans: Energizing 

Our Nation’s Diversity.” Myra Rosario, 

president of Latino Cleveland Media 

Group and executive producer and host 

of “Yo Soy Latino Cleveland” on WKYC 

Channel 3, is the speaker. Food for 

purchase will be available. POC: Avis 

Hudson-Bradford, 3–6072

SATURDAY TOURS AT LEWIS FIELD:

Glenn’s last facility tour is Oct. 3. Tour 

buses depart from the Main Gate every 

hour starting at 10 a.m. One-hour tours 

begin with a multimedia presentation 

in the Briefing Center Auditorium. 

Come “Explore Locomotion on 

Planets” in Glenn's Simulated Lunar 

Connect with Glenn

Operations (SLOPE) facility. For more 

information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/

centers/glenn/events/tours.html.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: LESA 

will hold its next membership meeting, 

Wednesday, Oct. 14, noon, in the Glenn 

Employee Center’s Small Dining Room.

DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH: The 

Disability Awareness Advisory Group will 

hold its annual observance, Oct. 28, from 

2 to 3:30 p.m., Ad. Bldg. Aud. Dr. Maricela 

Lizcano, Materials Chemistry and Physics 

Branch, is the speaker. This year’s theme 

is “My Disability is One Part of Who I Am.” 

POC: Kathy Clark, 3–8354

11
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

www.nasa.gov

AeroSpace Frontiers is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is 

published the second Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications & External Relations in the interest of the Glenn 

workforce, retirees, government officials, business leaders and 

the general public. Submit short articles and calendar items via 

e-mail to the editor: doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov or 216–433–5317. 

October 2015 Calendar section deadline: Sept. 18, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, SGT, Inc.

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, SGT, Inc.

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/index.html

Glenn Visitor Center Activities Focus on Exploration 

Linking Space to Earth

NASA Glenn and the Great Lakes Science 

Center (GLSC) recently co-hosted

events to help the public learn about 

some of the challenges of traveling and 

living in space. 

The festivities began with Space 

Adventure Week, a celebration of 

NASA’s exploration of space, held 

in Glenn’s Visitor Center at the 

GLSC, July 27 to Aug. 2. Glenn staff 

conducted space and aeronautics

presentations and demonstrations

that aligned with NASA’s six communications priorities.

A live downlink from the International 

Space Station (ISS), July 31, highlighted

the weeklong celebration. Glenn

Deputy Director Janet Kavandi moderated the 20-minute in-flight educational 

conversation. Summer campers at the 

GLSC and MC2

 Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) 

high school students spoke with

Expedition 44 crewmembers Scott

Kelly and Kjell Lindgren. 

A free admission day, Aug. 17, enabled 

guests to peruse the Glenn Visitor

Center and the other galleries throughout the day. NASA Glenn provided 

exhibits and staff who highlighted

research activities at Plum Brook

Station. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2015-C-4291 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Kavandi moderates a downlink as students speak with ISS astronauts during Space Adventure Week at the GLSC.

Photo by David DeFelice

During free admission day at the GLSC, 

Nicole Smith highlights Plum Brook Station 

Mars exploration research activities.

Photo by David DeFelice

Dave McKissock talks about Deep Space 

Exploration during Space Adventure Week 

at the GLSC.