Suggested Searches

7 min read

Stennis Space Center Employees Receive 2012 NASA Honor Awards

Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann and Goddard Space Flight Center Director Christopher Scolese presented annual NASA Honor Awards during an onsite ceremony Aug. 9.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal, a high-level award for notable leadership accomplishments that significantly influence NASA’s mission. The award recognizes an individual’s leadership and effectiveness in advancing NASA’s goals and image.
Thomas Meredith of Slidell, La., received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Award for his work as deputy lead for the Design and Analysis Division of the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate. Meredith’s leadership was noted as being critical to the development of Stennis test facilities, which support agency and commercial test projects. He was particularly cited for his leadership in modifying and preparing Stennis’ E Test Complex for the commercial Aerojet AJ26 and Blue Origin engine test projects.
Four Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. This prestigious medal is awarded for significant, sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvements or contributions in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support or space-related endeavors that contribute to NASA’s mission.
Curtis “Duane” Armstrong of Picayune received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for 27 years of service and for his leadership as chief of the Stennis Applied Science & Technology Project Office. In his current role, Armstrong leads NASA’s Gulf of Mexico Initiative and $19 million research portfolio. Armstrong serves in a number of strategic roles, including inaugural member of the NASA Science Council and as one of four federal co-leads for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. His career is characterized by noteworthy contributions to both NASA engineering and applied science areas.
Rosalind “Rose” Baker of Mandeville, La., received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for more than 38 years of service to the government, including her work as senior contracting officer and cost/price analyst in the Stennis Procurement Office. Noted as a strong innovator, Baker has been a driving force in streamlining and strengthening procurement and contract processes for NASA. Her reviews of contract proposals have generated savings of more than $3 million for NASA.
Mary Byrd of Covington, La., received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for 13 years of service at Stennis, including her current role as the contracting officer’s technical representative for the Jacobs Technology Facility Operating Services Contract. Byrd works with NASA and Jacobs personnel to ensure contractual requirements and mission needs are fulfilled. Byrd also demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and expertise in previous roles related to facility maintenance and operations.
Jason Edge of Gulfport received NASA’s Exceptional Service Award for 12 years of service at Stennis, including lead of construction in the center’s Office of Procurement. In that role, Edge is accountable for all procurement actions related to construction activities at Stennis. Edge has demonstrated excellence in executing extensive construction contracts and has documented more than $11 million in cost avoidances and savings.
Three Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal. This prestigious medal recognizes a significant, specific accomplishment or contribution that improves operations, efficiency, service, science or technology contributing to the NASA mission.
Jeffrey Lott of Necaise received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for outstanding leadership and excellence in the execution of the Aerojet AJ26 engine and Blue Origin Thrust Chamber Assembly test projects at Stennis. Lott has made significant contributions as a test director within the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate for these commercial test projects, executed simultaneously on the center’s E-1 Test Stand.
David “Skip” Roberts of Gautier received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Award for his leadership in the transition to Stennis’ new propulsion test model and in the J-2X engine test project on the A-2 Test Stand. As both a test director and test conductor within the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate, Roberts has contributed to the advancement of rocket propulsion testing at Stennis and to meeting NASA mission goals. Roberts served as the first J-2X test conductor and led in the first-ever live, publicly broadcast engine test in Stennis history.
Karen Vander of Slidell, La., received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Award for her work in establishing a new configuration management philosophy and system at Stennis. As an aerospace technologist in the Stennis Office of Safety & Mission Assurance, Vander led in consolidating three disparate configuration management processes into one system. In doing so, she has ensured that all fundamental concepts are included in the new process and that workflows and processes continue in compliance with standards.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal. It is awarded to persons who are not government employees but made exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA.
Lawrence “Haynes” Haselmaier of Picayune received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for more than 35 years of engineering support at Stennis. A University of Southern Mississippi employee, Haselmaier has supported and led a number of key projects, such as the effort to replace and strengthen the safety of 45-year-old liquid oxygen barge pump systems and work on the liquid hydrogen run tank on the B-1/B-2 Test Stand.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal. It is awarded to persons who are not government employees for a significant specific achievement or substantial improvement in operations, efficiency, service, financial savings, science or technology that contributes to the mission of NASA.
Benjamin McGrath of Necaise Crossing received NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for his work as the principal quality inspector for source inspections on NASA direct contracts. An employee with the Jacobs Technology Facility Operating Systems Contract Group, McGrath was particularly cited for the expertise he demonstrated in inspections related to construction of the A-3 Test Stand at Stennis. His contributions have enhanced safety and generated tremendous cost savings.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal. It is awarded by NASA center directors to government or non-government individuals or teams for a stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA’s core values.
Craig Peterson of Madisonville received NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal for consistently demonstrating the highest standards of management in support of applied science work at Stennis. An employee with ASRC Research & Technology Solutions, Peterson represents NASA on several science project teams and is credited with helping to transform the way science is conducted and lowering barriers to broader participation in NASA science missions.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Early Career Achievement Medal. It is awarded to a government employee for unusual and significant performance during the first 10 years of a career.
Marvin Horne of Carriere received NASA’s Early Career Achievement Medal for demonstrating outstanding and sustained leadership as a contract specialist and contracting officer within the Stennis Office of Procurement. Horne was cited for providing sound analytical advice on a broad spectrum of projects and influencing the success of major efforts at Stennis.
One Stennis employee received Stennis’ J. Harry Guin Outstanding Leadership Award. It is awarded for demonstrating exemplary leadership that has significantly enhanced the role, capability or professional recognition of Stennis Space Center.
Thomas “Randy” Galloway of Carriere received Stennis’ J. Harry Guin Outstanding Leadership Award for his dedication to the NASA/Stennis mission, as well as his technical expertise and foresight. These qualities were demonstrated as Galloway led the transition of Stennis propulsion test operations from a contractor-led model to a NASA civil service-led arrangement. Galloway also was recognized for his strong commitment to employee development.
One Stennis employee received the inaugural Stennis’ Roy S. Estess Service Leadership Award. It recognizes NASA civil servants whose career achievements demonstrate business and/or technical leadership leading to significant advancement of NASA’s mission and whose record of volunteerism reflects a profound commitment to surrounding communities.
Myron Webb of Diamondhead received Stennis’ first-ever Roy S. Estess Service Leadership Award for 27 years of professional and volunteer accomplishments that reflect a profound commitment to NASA, its mission and communities surrounding Stennis Space Center. Webb currently serves as the Stennis Legislative Affairs Officer and as liaison to the INFINITY Science Center, Inc., board. She was cited for enhancing the recognition and prominence of Stennis.
For information about Stennis Space Center, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/ .

– end –

text-only version of this release

Rebecca Strecker
NASA Public Affairs Office
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
(228) 688-3249
Rebecca.A.Strecker@nasa.gov