Symbol, under Swartz's leadership, was the winner of the National Medal of Technology, the nation's highest honor for technology innovation. It was only the 11th corporate recipient in the 20-year history of the award and the only company to win the award for 1999. Swartz received the award from President Clinton at a ceremony at the White House on March 14, 2000.
Symbol is the global leader in mobile and wireless data transaction systems.
Swartz received a B.E.E. degree from the City University of New York and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Brooklyn's Polytechnic University, where he was the recipient of National Science Foundation and Ford Fellowships. Swartz is a member of the HKN, TBPi and Sigma Xi Honor Societies. He has taught electrical engineering at both Polytechnic and City University and remains closely involved in the educational process. Swartz represented high technology companies at the 1986 conference co-sponsored by the White House and the Department of Education to stimulate minority opportunities in technology. He is a member of the Foundation Board at Stony Brook University and a Trustee at the Polytechnic, where he was recipient of the University Alumni of the Year Award in 1990.