VOLUME 16 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2014

Center Adds Two R&D 100 Awards!

Materials and Electronics Research Recognized 

NASA Glenn researchers and scientists, who contributed to two of the top 100 

technologically significant new products from 2013, will be recognized during 

R&D Magazine’s awards banquet, Nov. 7, in Las Vegas.

The R&D 100 Awards have been a benchmark of excellence for industry sectors 

as diverse as telecommunications, high-energy physics, manufacturing and 

biotechnology. The awards can be vital for gauging government agency’s efforts at 

commercializing emerging technologies. The technologies and teams selected are:

Superelastic Intermetallic Nickel Titanium Alloys and Manufacturing Techniques 

for Advanced Bearing Applications

Used in ball bearings, gears and other mechanical components, these new alloys 

can withstand tremendous loads and stresses. Unlike components made of steel, 

these are immune to corrosion and rust and do not chemically degrade lubricants. 

They are also 20 percent lighter than steel, non-magnetic, electrically conductive, 

polish to a smooth finish and are readily machined before final hardening. They 

are ideal for use in harsh terrestrial, marine and aerospace environments.

Continued on page 2

Safety and Health 

Awareness Day

C-2014-6433 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Guest speaker Bruce Wilkinson talked 

about making safety personal during 

Glenn’s Safety and Health Awareness Day. 

See page 12 for highlights. 

Glenn Celebrates NASA Agency Honor and Center Awards

C-2014-6218 Photo by Marvin Smith

NASA Glenn celebrates the agency's top honors, 

in the new MIC Auditorium. Left: Director Jim 

Free, presents appreciation plaque to speaker 

Alex Longo. See page 5 for a listing of honorees. 

C-2014-6093 Photo by Michelle Murphy

In This Issue

Director's Safety Corner.............

.

..2

GVIS Gets A Makeover................ ..4

Softball Wraps Up Season...........4

2014 NASA Honor Awards.............5

2014 Center Awards ...................10 

Safety-Health Roundup..............12
Your Safety Efforts Count

I continue to be proud of the Glenn workforce in working collaboratively 

to enhance safety in our operations and missions. One noted example is the 

recent success in the Institutional, Facilities and Operational Safety Audit 

conducted by the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA). Our center 

received no catastrophic or critical noncompliances against OSHA and NASA 

SMA requirements. Further, Glenn was cited for two best practices and nine 

commendations and we reduced the number of noncompliances of the 2010 

audit by nearly half. Wow! I commend each of you for your part in making 

Glenn a safer place to work.

Thank you for participating in Safety and Health Awareness Day on Sept. 17! 

It reminds us all that every day is safety day at Glenn. —Jim

Combined Federal 

Campaign Events

Pacesetter Ends: Oct. 10

Collegiate-Directorate Tailgate 

Challenge: Oct. 16, Cafeteria

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Basket Raffle/Halloween Costume 

Contest: Oct. 24, Cafeteria

 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cook Off Competition

(Includes Pie the Manager!)

Nov. 13, Administrative Bldg. 

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

International Food Fest

Dec. 4, Administrative Bldg.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CFC Art Show

Dec. 11, MIC Auditorium

(time TBD) 

R&D 100 Awards

Continued from page 1

Thin Titanium-Water Vapor Chamber Therma-Base®

This invention is a thermal management system for cooling electronics. 

Along with low weight, high strength, and high heat dissipation 

capability, it also improves thermal performance by up to 15 times 

compared to a solid copper-based heat spreader. Its cutting-edge, 

two-phase cooling approach provides extremely reliable thermal 

conductivity. Its unique planar structure renders it thin and compact, 

making it ideal for cooling proton exchange membrane fuel cells and 

for use in many space-based, military, and commercial applications—

particularly computer electronics and light-emitting diode-based 

devices—that require highly reliable heat dissipation in a small and 

compact form. —By Katherine K. Martin

The Therma-Base® team, left to right: 

Glenn’s Dr. Anthony Colozza, Ian Jakupca 

(Vantage Partners) and Ken Burke. Not 

pictured: Sergey Semenov, Frank Surina 

and Steve Linton of Themacore, Inc., 

Lancaster, Penn.

C-2014-3783 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Therma-Base® is a heat pump 

design that is simple but highly 

effective with no moving parts. 

C-2014-5529 Photo by Bridget Caswell

The Alloys and Applications team. left to right: 

Glenn’s Walter Wozniak, Glen Bigelow, Fransua 

Thomas, Dr. Christopher DellaCorte, Dr. Malcom 

Stanford, Dr. Santo Padula II and Dr. Ronald Noebe. 

Not pictured: Glenn Glennon of Abbott Ball Company, 

West Hartford, Conn.

Working with Abbott 

Ball Company, NASA’s 

Glenn has developed 

a set of methods to 

create high-performance 

alternatives to conventional ball bearing 

materials. C-2012-3947

For more information on the 2014 R&D 100 

awards, visit: http://www.rdmag.com/awardwinners/2014/08/2014-r-d-100-award-winners.

2
 OCTOBER 2014

News and Events

C-2014-3777 Photo by Marvin Smith

Inspiring Future Aerospace Leaders

On July 31, NASA Glenn’s Hispanic Advisory Group sponsored a 

program for summer interns interested in pursuing aerospacerelated careers, titled “Pathways to Leadership in Space Flight.” 

The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Director 

of Space Flight Systems Bryan Smith and members of his 

organization. Topics ranged from project management challenges 

to work–life balance. Pictured: Smith moderates a discussion 

with panelists, left to right: Steve Sinacore, Nancy Hall, Trudy 

Kortes and John Hamley.

Glenn-Airport Review Mishap Training

Members of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport 

Fire-Rescue Department and NASA first responders 

participated in 3 days of mishap training and exercises in 

Glenn’s hangar, Aug. 12–14. Facilitated by the center’s Aircraft 

Operations personnel, the training was the first in a series 

of quarterly training initiated by Allen Turner, Office of 

Protective Services, to acquaint local responders with Lewis 

Field’s planes and emergency procedures. Glenn pilots Jim 

Demers and Kurt Blankenship (in helmet), Aircraft Operations 

Office, demonstrated how to extract crew members from the 

S–3B in an emergency. 

Photo by S. Jenise Veris

Glenn Returns to the Cleveland Air Show

A display of Glenn’s flying laboratory, the S–3 Viking aircraft, drew 

a steady crowd to NASA’s tent during the Cleveland Air Show, held 

downtown Cleveland, Labor Day weekend, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. 

Glenn pilots, flight staff and researchers discussed the aircraft’s role 

in current missions related to testing communications for unmanned 

aircraft and monitoring algal blooms. Visitors also engaged in interactive kiosks and talked with Glenn personnel about advanced technologies and concepts in aeronautics and space. Pictured: David Ashpis, 

Turbomachinery and Turboelectric Systems Branch, right, talks with 

visitors inside the tent.

 g

Photo by David DeFelice

POW/MIA Observance: POW Son Shares Memories

Did you know more than 83,000 Americans are missing from U.S. wars 

and conflicts? Glenn employees learned these startling statistics durin

Glenn’s POW/MIA Observance, Sept. 18. Additionally, Dr. Bruce Swaffield, 

Regent University professor, talked about growing up as the son of Robert 

Swaffield, a former World War II prisoner of war, and how captivity shaped 

his father’s life. Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) 

members; Center Director Jim Free; and Tom Hartline, VAC 

trustee and director of Facilities, Test and Manufacturing, 

participated in the observance. Pictured are members of 

the Lorain High School Army Junior ROTC performing 

the Presentation of Colors, and later, the POW/MIA Table 

Ceremony. Inset photo is Swaffield. 

C-2014-6564 Photo by Bridget Caswell

3
GVIS Lab Reinvented to Enhance Computer-Aided Tools, Expertise

Looking for a place to explore your 

creativity? Glenn’s newly reinvented 

Graphics & Visualization (GVIS) 

Lab provides the space, tools and 

expertise to innovate your scientific 

and engineering projects like never 

before. 

Working with Glenn’s Lean Six Sigma 

(LSS) Team, the GVIS Team created 

a new working environment in its 

multipurpose creativity and innovation 

laboratory. The facility offers advanced 

visualization technologies, low-cost 

consumer devices for science and 

engineering applications, advanced 

user interface devices, mobile devices 

and computers. 

“The lab serves as a ‘hackerspace’ 

for computer technology, allowing 

employees to work on projects 

while sharing ideas, GVIS highend computing equipment and 

knowledge,” explained Herb Schilling, 

Scientific Computing and Visualization 

Team lead.

Schilling said the GVIS team specializes 

in helping employees and external 

customers represent their science 

problems in a visual manner enabling 

them to deliver a compelling project 

story. The team offers technologies 

that support the entire project process 

from proposal development, design 

and implementation to publication 

and outreach. A wide variety of hardware, software and consulting services 

also enable rapid prototyping of ideas. 

Three recent clients include Glenn’s 

Turbomachinery and Turboelectric 

Systems Branch, Kennedy Space Center 

and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

The GVIS team offers technology 

demonstrations, and invites users 

to bring their data and advanced 

computing challenges for extended 

discussions and prototyping. The lab is 

located in Lewis Field’s Research Analysis 

Building (142), room 286B, and operated 

under the Information and Application 

Division, Office of Chief Information 

Officer. To learn more, contact the team 

at grc-gvis@lists.nasa.gov or visit 

https://ocio.grc.nasa.gov/gvis. 

Pictured are student interns (unless noted) in the newly reinvented GVIS Lab, left to right: 

Natilya Ratcliff; Connor Winnestaffer; Calvin Robinson, Information and Applications 

Office; Karlie Daff; Helen Su; Herb Schilling, team lead; and Cecilia Chen.

Glenn’s Creativity & Innovation Team has developed several “creative spaces” 

across the center for creative and innovative thinking. The GVIS Lab is one of 

these spaces. The C&I Commons (building 142, room 160D) and 

the iLab (building 5, room CW–12) are the other spaces. 

NASA Softball League Concludes 2014 Season

The 2014 NASA Glenn Softball League season ended with the 

Darkside as the Regular Season Champions. However, the Hit 

Squad won four games in a row to become Tournament Champions.

Darkside (below): standing, left to right, Cory Smith, Dan Hackney, 

Rick Bozak, Marcus Tarver, Brandon White, Ryan Brown,

Brandon Ruffridge, Brian George and Zachary Lucas. Kneeling, 

left to right, Gerald Traster, Jeff Kregenow, Jose Guerra, Tony Baez, 

Johnny Winter and Eddie Lajeski.

Hit Squad (above): left to right, Anthony Manco, Cory 

Tuley, Darrell Williams, John Mangan, Scott Manco, 

Bill Cherry, Joe Sorok, Antonio Davis, LaSalle Olsen, 

Austin Manco, and Billy Cherry. Not pictured: Alex 

Camargo, Shana Donley, Tyrelle Hairston and Team 

Mascot: Lilah Taylor.

4
 OCTOBER 2014

a role model, 

 influencing 

h Center

ship of more 

 fluid phys-

, and human 

ns aboard the 

ion

NASA's Agency Honor and Center Awards 2014

Honor Awards—Outstanding Leadership Medal

Michael A. Bilinovich

For outstanding leadership 

and commitment managing 

complex security projects, 

which have created a safer, 

secure environment and 

have elevated the Center’s 

security posture

Robert J. Buehrle

For outstanding organizational and 

technical leadership in the development of aerospace flight and ground 

systems contributing to the success of 

NASA’s mission

Frank Gati

For outstanding leadership in the

Systems Engineering discipline at Glenn 

Research Center (GRC), allowing NASA 

to meet mission requirements and attain 

goals

Dennis L. Huff

For outstanding leadership through 

exemplary collaborative effort with 

industry and international regulatory 

organizations utilizing NASA-developed 

technologies

Mary C. Lester

For outstanding leadership and commitment to the management of critical 

Center Operations functions leading to 

successful program and mission support

Lee S. Mason

For outstanding leadership guiding 

significant advances in space nuclear 

power generation technology and systems development for the Agency

Timothy P. McCartney

For outstanding leadership in the 

Advanced Aircraft Project Office, demonstrating programmatic and supervisory skills achieving significant levels 

of mission success

Marsha M. Nall

For outstanding leadership of the GRC 

Human Research Program, advancing 

NASA’s crew health and exploration 

goals through innovation, collaboration, and personal leadership

Thomas P. Ratvasky

For outstanding leadership through a 

profound and indelible contribution 

to icing flight research

Ronald W. Sepesi (not pictured)

For outstanding and sustained leadership as the Center’s Source Evaluation 

Board (SEB) Advisor, enabling Agencyhigh process efficiency and assuring 

high-quality selection decisions

Laurence A. Sivic

For outstanding leadership in achieving results, serving as 

leading people, and

change at Glenn Researc

Thomas H. St. Onge

For outstanding leader

than thirty successful

ics, combustion science

health flight investigatio

International Space Stat

Honor Awards

Ahmed Arnold

Bencic Bilinovich

Bowersox Buehrle

Carmichael Crawford

Cross Derolph-Kolibas

DiCarlo Doglio

5
Honor Awards

Kevin R. Carmichael

For outstanding service in 

developing and overseeing 

the execution of engineering and software standards 

while also performing and 

delivering on substantial

additional duties

George S. Crawford

For exceptional service in managing 

and improving the Glenn Research

Center’s counterintelligence and counterterrorism programs

Robert B. Cross

For outstanding leadership, service,

innovative approaches, and contributions in the area of risk reduction and 

audit analysis for Safety and Mission 

Assurance

Steven L. Fedor

For outstanding service in small and 

minority business, reimbursable agreements, and export control and for

providing expertise in the administration of these critical areas

Cynthia D. Forman

For exceptional Human Resources service to NASA in Employee/Organization

Development, Staffing/Classification, and

Employee Relations in the Office of

Human Capital Management

Thomas W. Haag

For exceptional contributions to the 

electric propulsion field, including the 

evaluation of numerous innovative

concepts and qualification of electric 

propulsion systems

Michael A. Meador

For exceptional service in leading

NASA’s Nanotechnology R&D activities and representation of the Agency 

as a proactive member of the National

Nanotechnology Initiative

Gary A. Morse (not pictured)

For exceptional sustained service

to NASA’s mission and for making

significant contributions to Space

Communications Network Services

planning, development, and operations

Thomas J. Parkey

For exceptional service to NASA’s Cost 

Estimating and Analysis community on 

multiple projects and initiatives

Jeffrey J. Rusick

For outstanding dedication and sustained performance in applying safety 

and mission assurance requirements 

and processes enabling mission success 

for NASA programs and projects

Gwynn A. Severt

For exceptional service as the Facility 

Manager and engineer of the Engine 

Research Building and role model/

mentor for students and young

engineers

Joseph S. Wisniewski

For exceptional technical leadership, 

outstanding performance, and service 

in support of the Engine Research 

Building (ERB), NASA Glenn High 

School Internship Program (GHIP) 

and the NASA Test Facilities Operation, 

Maintenance, and Engineering (TFOME) 

Apprentice Program

Exceptional Public Service Medal

Richard L. Gilmore

For exceptional leadership 

in transforming the Agency’s 

approach to evaluating the 

impact of projects and tools 

focused on students that 

are underrepresented and 

underserved

Paul J. Lizanich

For exceptional leadership in the safe 

electrical/electronic operation of the 

Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL) 

facility and as the vice chair of the 

Testing Division’s Electrical Engineering team

William V. Meyer

For exceptional technical leadership 

in the field of soft-condensed matter 

physics

Ruth E. Scina

For outstanding service in support

of the Space Communication and

Navigation Program, including configuration management, outreach, and 

integration

Exceptional Achievement Medal

Salah M. Ahmed

For exceptional leadership 

in the Agency-wide Master 

Planning Community, advancing collaboration toward 

improved future facility 

capabilities to meet mission 

requirements

Exceptional Service Medal

Fedor Fischer

Forman French

Gati Gilmore

Haag Harder

Harvey Heyd

Huang Huff

6

Honor Awards
 OCTOBER 2014

Susan E. Derolph-Kolibas

For exceptional achievement in development of practices, procedures, tools, 

and training for space flight project 

integrated master schedules

Emily A. Doglio

For exceptional achievement strengthening Glenn’s information technology 

(IT) posture and the Agency’s IT Investment practices through superior

leadership and innovative approaches

Kristie A. French

For exceptional achievement in providing technical excellence, integrity, and 

accomplishment in completing Agency 

high-visibility mishap investigations

David P. Irimies

For exceptional achievement as the 

SCaN Testbed (STB) Project Manager, 

leading the checkout, commissioning, and operations of the STB on the

International Space Station (ISS)

Thomas A. Jett

For exceptional technical leadership in 

management and operations, enabling 

successful completion of the W-7

Compressor Test for the Environmentally 

Responsible Aviation Program

Robert E. Jones

For exceptional achievement in developing and implementing NASA Glenn 

and Agency radio frequency spectrum 

management mission requirements, 

policies, and initiatives

Robert F. LaSalvia

For outstanding achievements and 

leadership in implementing online 

educator development strategies for 

improving teachers’ ability and confidence instructing STEM subjects

Thong Luu

For exceptional technical excellence 

in the development of Center process 

and product quality assurance (PPQA) 

procedures leading to successful recertification to software engineering

Capability Maturity Model—Integrated 

(CMMI), Maturity Level 2

Donald L. Simon

For outstanding development of an 

innovative integrated model-based

approach for combined aircraft engine 

performance trend monitoring and gas 

path fault diagnostics

Christopher J. Steffen

For exceptional leadership as the Chief 

Engineer for the Advanced Stirling 

Radioisotope Generator project

Exceptional Public

Achievement Medal

John W. Heyd

For exceptional support and 

innovative leadership resulting in effective management of 

resources and services critical 

to enabling Agency objectives 

and program milestones

Ivan E. Locci

For outstanding and innovative technical achievements that have provided 

significant contributions to NASA’s 

mission

Exceptional Engineering

Achievement Medal

Peter E. Kascak

For exceptional engineering 

achievement in the creation 

of an electric motor without 

bearings, significantly decreasing the likelihood of failures 

in rotating equipment

Salvatore M. Oriti

For exceptional engineering achievement 

in completing an extensive test campaign 

utilizing the Flight-Like Advanced Stirling 

Convertor E3 Pair 1

Exceptional Technology

Achievement Medal

Timothy J. Bencic

For outstanding new technology development of Light Extinction Tomography 

which significantly advances future

research capabilities and critical testing 

in engine icing

James A. DiCarlo

For exceptional technological contributions in understanding durability of 

ceramic matrix composites, enabling 

development of composites with

increased temperature capability

David G. Fischer

For exceptional and innovative technology advances to optical diagnostic and 

sensing systems for critical aeronautics 

and space missions

Steven M. Arnold

For outstanding micromechanics-based constitutive 

and multi-scale modeling

capabilities, extending our

computational capabilities from 

the micro- to component-scale 

design

Honor Awards

Huynh Irimies

Jett Johnson

Jones Kascak

LaSalvia Lester

Lizanich Locci

Luu Mason

7
Honor Awards

Hung T. Huynh

For outstanding leadership and successful development of high-order

numerical methods by the Flux Reconstruction Approach and technology

transfer to external organizations

Exceptional Administrative 

Achievement Medal

Stephanie J. Black (not pictured)

For exceptional achievement 

in improving the management support of the Space 

Operations Project Office

and enabling successful

execution of NASA’s goals in 

human spaceflight

Early Career Achievement Medal

Bryan J. Harder

For exceptional contributions 

to NASA’s Aeronautics goals 

by developing new environmental barrier coating systems 

for ceramic turbine engine

materials

Wensheng Huang

For outstanding early career performance and leadership in electric

propulsion that enables future science 

and exploration missions

Craig I. Mehl

For outstanding achievement planning

integrated solutions to manage complex, 

multiphase security projects elevating the

security posture of Agency and Center 

SAP Security Programs

Aaron A. Olmsted

For exceptional professional and personal 

achievements in support of the Glenn 

Research Center projects and programs

Rohit Shastry

For outstanding early career performance and leadership in electric

propulsion that enables future science 

and exploration missions

Lucas D. Staab

For outstanding mission contributions, excellent work performance,

and notable technical achievements as 

an Early Career Aerospace Engineer in 

Structural Dynamics

Brian J. Tomko

For outstanding development of a

system where Matlab/Simulink Code

is loaded onto microcontrollers for a 

rapid-prototyping solution that can be 

used across the Agency

Kathryn K. Trase

For exceptional achievements on a 

major NASA program and a special 

assignment early in a career that 

promises to be full of many more exceptional achievements

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Medal

Dexter Johnson

For outstanding commitment 

to the diversity and inclusion

values within the Science,

Technology, Engineering and 

Mathematics fields while executing the NASA mission

Silver Achievement Medal

Gerald F. Piasecki

For outstanding contributions to the advancement 

and readiness of the NASA 

Core Value—Safety—across 

the Agency

Adopt-a-City Team

For extraordinary technology transfer 

to local manufacturers, resulting in significant economic development under 

the President’s Strong Cities, Strong 

Communities Initiative

Fall Hazard Mitigation Team

For outstanding dedication and commitment to personnel safety by 

successfully mitigating extreme and 

high fall hazards at Glenn Research 

Center

Glenn Research Center Audit Team 

For outstanding support of the efforts of 

the Glenn Research Center to achieve 

and maintain AS9100 C certification

GRC Shutdown Team 

For outstanding planning, execution, 

and successful Center-wide shutdown 

processes during the 2013 Government 

Shutdown at NASA Glenn Research 

Center

System for Tracking & Registering 

Apps and Websites 

For outstanding dedication and commitment to personnel safety by 

successfully mitigating extreme and 

high fall hazards at Glenn Research 

Center

McCartney Meador

Mehl Meyer

Nall Navarro

Olmsted Oriti

Parkey Piasecki

Ratvasky Rusick

8
 OCTOBER 2014

Group Achievement Awards

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope

Generator Team

In recognition of the team overcoming 

challenges and successfully completing tests that confirm the readiness of 

dynamic radioisotope power systems

for flight qualification

Iso-Kinetic Probe (IKP) Flight 

Campaign Team

For outstanding performance in the

design, fabrication, testing, delivery, and 

operations of an iso-kinetic probe in 

support of the High Altitude Ice Crystal 

Flight Campaign

NASA/United States Department

of Education Pilot

For outstanding development of a

groundbreaking model of interagency 

collaboration for the advancement

of high-quality science, engineering,

technology, and mathematics (STEM)

teaching and learning in afterschool

settings

Orion Crew Service Module Structures 

Team 

For outstanding and significant contributions to the Multi-Purpose Crew

Vehicle service module project in the 

development of the fully faired Orion 

design option

Space Flight Program and Project

Integration Team 

For exceptional performance of project 

planning, control, and integration activities for space flight systems developed 

and operated by NASA Glenn Research 

Center

Specialty Gas Management Team 

For exceptional service in developing 

and implementing a specialty gas management system responsible for major 

process efficiencies, product accountability, and cost savings

Survey Audits Assessments and

Reviews Information 

For outstanding team achievement in successfully migrating the Surveys, Audits,

Assessments and Reviews Information

System (SAARIS) to GRC without disruption of service while achieving cost savings 

and enhancing security and performance

The PSL Engine Icing Validation Test Team

For outstanding accomplishment of the 

first-ever replication of an in-flight ice

crystal icing event using ground simulation with a full-scale engine at altitude

The W7 Front Block Compressor 

Research Team 

For exceptional accomplishment of

the single-stage compressor test in W7 

High Speed Multistage Compressor

Facility before shutdown to complete a

major environmentally responsible aviation (ERA) milestone

UAS-in-the-NAS S-3B Aircraft Flight 

Research Team 

For exceptional performance during

research demonstration and validation 

of communication systems technologies for the Agency and partners in 

support of national requirements

Senior Executive Service 

Appointment

Sean M. Gallagher

Sean M. Gallagher was appointed to the 

position of Chief Information Officer, 

effective July 27, 2014

Marla E. Perez-Davis

Marla E. Perez-Davis was appointed 

to the position of Deputy Director, 

Research and Engineering Directorate, 

effective January 26, 2014

Gallagher Perez-Davis

Service Awards

Forty-Year Service Award

Stephanie J. Black

Robert G. Everett

Thomas V. Hudach

David P. Huntsman

Patrick A. Iler

Susan M. Johnson

Donna L. Miller

Gary A. Morse 

James J. Onest

Ronald W. Sepesi

James F. Soeder

Carol J. Stofka

Deborah L. Thompson

Walter A. Wozniak

Robert A. Ziemke

Forty-Five Year Service Award

Kestutis C. Civinskas

James L. Smialek

Fifty-Year Service Award

Gerald V. Brown

Honor Awards

Scina Severt

Shastry Simon

Sivic Staab

Steffen St. Onge

Tomko Trase

Wisniewski

9
Craftsmanship Award

Manufacturing Technologies

For exemplary skills, attention to detail, 

and creativity in solving the instrumentation and assembly challenges for the

Transonic Turbine Blade instrumentation

Terry L. Ferrier

Assembly & Buildup Technology

In recognition of work reactivating

Cell 11 for Green Propellant Infusion 

Mission (GPIM) testing

Olen J. Reed

Steven V. Szabo Engineering

Excellence Award 

Recovery Team for the ISS Ammonia 

Pump Failure

For engineering excellence in resolving the External Active Thermal

Control System ammonia pump failure 

investigation for the International Space

Station (ISS)

Richard A. Manco and Robert J. Bruckner

Support Assistant/Clerical Award/GRC

For exceptional administrative support 

to the procurement staff, improving the 

timeliness of action item completion 

and the efficiency of senior-level document routing

Mary A. Salvo

For outstanding Support of the Lockheed 

Martin Materials and Structures Division

Amanda C. Thompson

Support Assistant/Clerical Award/

SGT, Inc. 

In recognition of a cooperative team

attitude approach in the Space Technology 

Research Grants (STRG) Program Office 

and the STRG Program Plan

Jennifer Johns

In recognition of continued excellent support to the Human Capital

Development Division, including willingness to accept a new role as the

Deputy SATERN Administrator Lead

Laura K. Baker

In recognition of exceptional administrative support to, and invaluable knowledge of, the Office of Human Capital

Management, including significant efforts 

resulting from the Center Reorganization

Rhonda S. Billick

Diversity Leadership Award

For leadership in the African Heritage 

Advisory Group (AHAG) and other programs and activities designed to foster 

diversity and inclusion in the Glenn

Research Center workforce and the 

greater Cleveland community

Nikki D. Welch

Federal Acquisition Certification for 

Program and Project Managers

Thomas J. Sutliff

GRC Large Business Prime

Contractor of the Year 

Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc.

GRC Small Business Prime

Contractor of the Year 

DB Consulting Group, Inc.

GRC Small Business Subcontractor 

of the Year

Quality Assurance and Risk

Management Services, Inc.

GRC Small Business Procurement 

Person of the Year

Ra-Deon L. (Kirkland) Sledge

GRC Small Business Technical 

Person of the Year 

William T. Spilker

GRC Small Business Program

Person of the Year

John P. Pokatello

NASA Small Business Prime Socioeconomic Goal Achievement Award

Glenn Research Center

Service Disabled Veteran Owned 

Small Business Achievement Award

Glenn Research Center

Citations are reproduced from the Honor 

Awards Program. Graphic design and

layout by Kelly Shankland and Jim Lucic. 

Photos by Marvin Smith.

Baker Billick

Center Awards

Bruckner Ferrier

Johns Manco

Pokatello Reed

Salvo Sledge

Spilker Sutliff

Thompson Welch

10
 OCTOBER 2014

11

 

Owens Crusaded for NASA Safety

Glenn D. Owens, 57, SLI/Safety and Mission Assurance 

manager for the Test Facilities Operations Maintenance and 

Engineering contract, died suddenly, Aug. 25.

Owens joined the NASA Glenn workforce as a Certified Safety 

Professional in 2005, supporting the Facilities, Test and 

Manufacturing Directorate at Plum Brook Station. He 

advocated task-based hazard recognition through the Job 

Hazard Analysis and introduced several OSHA compliance 

programs at the center.

“Glenn worked closely with his NASA counterparts and championed evolving 

programs for which he received several awards,” SLI Program Manager Brian Rice 

reflected. “He personally made a significant impact on safety at both Lewis Field 

and Plum Brook Station.”

Owens was a U.S. Navy veteran. He previously served at NASA’s Marshall Space 

Flight Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plum Island Animal Disease 

Center. 

More Than a Memory

Gwendoly n A . 

Davis, 71, a 2005 

retiree with 38 

years of federal 

service, died Sept. 

5. Davis began her 

NASA career following her tenure 

at the VA Medical 

Davis Center. She was 

chief of the Program and Policy Division 

in the Office of Human Resources, and 

Labor Relations Officer. In 1986, Davis 

earned NASA's Outstanding Leadership 

Medal “for contributions to the creation 

of a highly productive, motivated and 

empowered workforce.” Her husband, 

James Davis, is a Glenn retiree.

Jack A. Heller, 93, a 1988 retiree with 32 

years of NASA service, died July 7. Heller 

made significant contributions to Space 

Power Systems. He co-authored papers 

on the performance of the Brayton-B 

Power System. He also helped develop 

the Advanced Rankine–Potassium Cycle 

System, considered the most efficient system for generating space electric power. 

Heller formed the Lewis Stamp Club, 

specializing in aviation and space stamp 

cachets. He returned as a contractor for 

4 years after retiring and coordinated a 

monthly eastside NASA retiree luncheon.

Norman W. Orth, 78, a 1995 retiree with 

41 years of NASA service, died April 9. 

Orth was a physical science technician 

who worked primarily in the Materials 

Division. He was 

part of the Conservation Of Strategic Aerospace 

Materials Team 

that examined 

substitute materials to help reduce 

costs and improve Orth performance of 

aircraft engines. Orth’s 1989 Suggestion 

Award proposed the use of a melt spin 

rig catcher to improve the quality of

research materials, which significantly 

increased productivity.

Robert J. “Bucky” 

Walter, 83, a 1995 

retiree with 40

years of federal

service, died Aug. 

27. Wa lter wa s 

a U.S. Army veteran, who began

his NASA career

Walter working in the

Rocket Lab in 1957. He transferred to 

Plum Brook Station’s (PBS) Rocket Systems Area in 1961, and helped bring the 

Space Power Facility and Wind Turbine 

Project on line. Back at Lewis Field in 

1974, he worked on the Automotive

Stirling program. Walter earned a NASA 

Group Achievement Award as part of 

the Hypersonic Air-Turbo-Ramjet Rake 

Fabrication team. He was a member of 

the Huriot RC Sports Flyers Club at PBS. 

Calendar

DISABILITIES AWARENESS EVENT: 

Glenn's own Maricela Lizcano will share 

her story on being visually impaired, 

during Glenn’s Disabilities Awareness 

Month Observance, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 

10 a.m. to noon, Ad Bldg. Auditorium. 

POC: Kathy Clark, 3–8354

NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH: Glenn will present its 

National Cyber Security Awareness Day 

program and training event, Thursday, 

Oct. 23. Participants will learn more about 

IT security threats and how to avoid such 

incidents through informative IT security 

presentations. See Today@Glenn for

details. POC: Brenda Ellis. 3–5214.

YOUNG ASTRONAUTS DAY STAFF: 

Staffers are needed for Glenn’s annual 

Young Astronaut Day, Nov. 1, from 

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the hangar. POC: 

Ashlie Flegel, 3–8037.

VETERANS FORUM: Glenn’s Veterans 

Awareness Committee will hold a Veterans Information Forum, Nov. 4, 11 a.m. 

to 1 p.m., MIC Auditorium, to provide 

veterans with benefits-related information. Representatives from the VA 

and other veteran-related organizations 

will provide information. POC: Peggy 

Cornell, 3–2748.

NARFE HEALTH FAIR: The National 

Active and Retired Federal Employees 

(NARFE), Chapter 470, and other 

Northeast Ohio chapters will host an 

Open Season Health Fair, 1 to 3:30 p.m., 

Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the North Olmsted 

Community Cabin, 28114 Lorain Road, 

North Olmsted. Representatives from 

health, dental and vision plans will be 

present. Current and retired federal 

employees are invited.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: LESA 

will hold its next membership meeting, 

Wednesday, Nov. 12, noon, in Glenn’s 

Employee Center’s Small Dining Room. 

In Appreciation 

I want to thank my friends and coworkers who were such a great help 

with their prayers and emotional support during my wife Amy’s illness and 

recent passing. I was always able to find 

a sympathetic ear and reassuring voice 

here with the NASA family. My family 

and I are more than grateful.

 —Terry Jansen

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines: Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT), Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333
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. 

November 2014 issue copy deadline: Oct. 24, noon

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, SGT, Inc.

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

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at http://aerospacefrontiers.nasa.gov

Safety and Health Awareness Day 

Center Director Jim Free reaffirmed the importance of work/life balance to the safety 

and success of the center in his remarks to employees 

during the kickoff held in the MIC Auditorium, which 

aired live to Plum Brook Station. Liang followed with 

a review of the center’s 2014 Key Accomplishments 

in Safety and the new Safety Culture Plan. NASA Safety 

Center Director Alan Phillips also provided a comprehensive overview of NASA’s mishap status and key lessons 

learned. A lively presentation by safety consultant Bruce 

Wilkinson, CEO of Workplace Consultants, Inc; and 

keynote address by NASA EVA Mishap Board Chairman 

Chris Hansen, reinforced the importance of leadership 

creating a climate that inspires employee vigilance in 

following safety procedures. However, presentations 

on lessons learned throughout the day 

revealed that safety is a value that should 

not be limited by task or time.

Glenn Safety and Mission Assurance Director Anita Liang and staff 

hosted the center’s annual Safety and Health Awareness Day, Sept. 17. 

The event featured speakers, information booths, health walks and a 

mishap panel to reinforce the message that “Every Day is Safety Day.”

Top right, clockwise: Plum Brook and 

Lewis Field (pictured) employees participate in the Center Health Walk. •

Keynote Speaker Chris Hansen, EVA 

Mishap Board chair, shares highlights 

of a mishap involving an astronaut's 

helmet on the International Space Station. • Glenn Emergency Response Team 

members, Brian Laney and Candice 

McDonald, provide information on the 

use of robotics in hazardous situations. 

• Lee Bates of Red Wing Shoes, left, gives 

tips on shoe safety and durability to Bud 

Vance and Kevin Winke at Plum Brook. 

C-2014-6459 C-2014-6436 Photos by Bridget Caswell

Photo by Doreen Zudell C-2014-6414

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