Stennis Space Center Director Rick Gilbrech and Marshall Space Flight Center Director Todd May presented annual NASA Honor Awards to Stennis employees during an onsite ceremony Aug. 9.
This is a press release
Three Stennis employees received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal. This medal is awarded to government employees for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced the NASA mission. The award recognizes an individual’s leadership and effectiveness in advancing NASA’s goals and image.
Kenneth R. Human of Covington, Louisiana, received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for his work as Stennis associate director. Human has played a key role in strengthening the workforce culture, helping Stennis gain recognition as the “best place to work” among all NASA centers for six consecutive years and one of the top workplaces among all federal agencies for five consecutive years. He is noted for exemplary leadership and innovative legal and business strategies in support of Stennis and NASA
Robert S. Harris received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for progressive leadership as procurement officer and senior procurement official at Stennis. Harris is responsible for overseeing a $4.7 billion acquisition management program and supporting more than 40 resident agencies of the Stennis federal city. He is noted for innovative procurement and high-impact savings strategies, model leadership and exceptional contributions to the business and cultural success of Stennis and NASA.
Marguerite M. Jones Mandeville, Louisiana, received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for her work as deputy director of the NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate at Stennis. Jones provided leadership and technical guidance to the successful expansion of restricted airspace at Stennis, a critical need to assure the primacy and privacy of the center’s mission. In doing so, Jones demonstrated exemplary leadership in managing complex relationships between NASA and other agencies and components.
Eight Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. This medal is awarded to government employees for sustained performance that embodies multiple contributions to NASA projects, programs or initiatives.
Randall R. Canady (retired) of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for contributions in project construction and management at Stennis, including as chief of the Project Management Division in the Engineering and Test Directorate. Canady joined NASA in 1991. At Stennis, he assisted in the identification of priorities for the revitalization and sustainment of propulsion test facilities and infrastructure, including enhancements for safety and operability. His achievements helped advance NASA mission goals and heighten Stennis’ reputation as a world-class facility.
Andrew L. Clarke of Long Beach, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for 31 years of service at Stennis including as a project engineer, project manager, facilities manager and real property accountable officer. Clarke has worked on – and often led – more than 40 high-visibility projects that have impacted both Stennis activities and physical landscape. He has contributed to the center with achievements and influence in construction projects, refurbishment projects, public outreach and mentoring
Wendy T. Holladay of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 35 years of ongoing service in various roles at Stennis. Beginning in 1982 as a NASA electronics engineer at Stennis, Holladay’s knowledge and safety awareness have been critical in maintaining the safety and quality of the center’s test facilities and operations. Beyond technical achievements, Holladay has proven to be an exceptional mentor to both NASA engineers and aspiring college and high school students.
Randolph R. Holland (retired) of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 32 years of service as a project manager at Stennis. Holland began his NASA career as a data and control systems engineer. He led recovery and mitigation projects at Stennis following Hurricane Katrina and provided exceptional leadership and management of other critical site projects as well. His achievements have helped to advance propulsion test quality and capabilities at Stennis.
Melissa M. Huggins of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for technical capabilities and leadership as a NASA control system engineer at Stennis. She has been recognized as a consummate team player who works to ensure engine test sequences are programmed correctly, to meet all customer requirements and to enable safe, accurate test activities. Huggins serves as a coach and mentor, helping engineers become reliable resources for the test operations team.
Paul T. Rieder of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for 26 years of ongoing service as a NASA aerospace technologist at Stennis. He has excelled in project engineering and provided critical mechanical designs to important NASA propulsion test projects. Throughout his Stennis career, Rieder has worked to meet and exceed customer requirements and expectations, helping to advance the technical capabilities and reputation of Stennis.
Steven W. Taylor of Pass Christian, Mississippi, received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for his work as a NASA senior procurement analyst and senior contracting officer at Stennis. Since 2008, he has made exceptional contributions, particularly in procurement guidance and support on a number of high-profile projects. Taylor also has provided strategic support and leadership regarding small businesses. He has made key contributions to produce millions of contract dollar savings annually and is recognized as a consummate acquisitions professional.
Charles M. Willis (retired) of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for his 26 years of service in design and construction project management at Stennis. Willis was recognized as the authority on the Stennis high-voltage electrical distribution system and is credited with ensuring its reliable operation and maintenance through solution-oriented leadership and inspiring others to perform at optimal levels. Willis also served as the contracting officer representative for a variety of Stennis projects.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal. This medal is awarded to individuals who are not government employees but have made exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA.
Glenn W. Faciane of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal for providing oversight and technical expertise to Stennis test activities as a Syncom Space Services (S3) associate manager. Since 1977, Faciane has supported various test projects and has become known for his staunch work ethic, ability to solve complex technical issues and commitment to performing tasks at the highest level. He now leads the S3 team supporting RS-25 and Space Launch System test projects.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal. This medal is awarded to 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.
Rae Lyn Anderson of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for her work as NASA software safety and quality assurance manager at Stennis. Since 2014, Anderson has led Stennis’ software management and quality assurance efforts, as well as NASA Headquarters software standardization. She has been a key contributor to propulsion testing at Stennis and has led in agencywide software risk assessment. Such efforts have contributed to overall mission success for all of NASA.
Four Stennis employees received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal. This medal is awarded to a government employee for unusual and significant performance during the first 10 years of an individual’s early career in support of the agency.
Howard J. Conyers of New Orleans received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his contributions as a NASA structural dynamics aerospace technologist at Stennis. Conyers has been involved in a variety of structural analysis and technology projects and is most recognized for development of the revolutionary High Dynamic Range Stereo-X camera system. Such efforts have contributed significantly to rocket propulsion test activities and has generated widespread public interest in NASA and its work.
Jeanne M. Koger of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for her work as a NASA attorney at Stennis. In that role, Koger has displayed an uncommon level of legal and business expertise to become an authoritative source on a myriad of issues. She also has ensured regulatory deadlines are met in such areas as ethics training and conflict-of-interest financial reporting. Koger has proven a champion of diversity and inclusion efforts at Stennis as well.
Mark P. Turowski of Metairie, Louisiana, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his work as a NASA electrical engineer at Stennis. He has excelled at providing critical controls engineering support for a variety of propulsion test projects and currently serves as the lead control system software engineer for the Space Launch System core stage test project at Stennis. Turowski is recognized for his technical excellence in control system software and his pursuit of innovative possibilities in the area.
Casey S. Wheeler of Gulfport, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his work as a NASA project manager at Stennis. In that role, Wheeler has consistently demonstrated the drive and commitment necessary to ensure Stennis’ mission success, an attention to detail and a quick mastery of construction processes. Wheeler has been recognized for exceptional contributions on a number of major infrastructure and construction projects at Stennis.
Four Stennis employees and one group received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal. This medal is awarded by NASA center directors to individuals or teams for a stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA’s core values.
Paula L. Hensarling of Mandeville, Louisiana, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for her substantial contributions on several high-priority and complex NASA and commercial propulsion test projects at the E-1 Test Stand at Stennis. A NASA aerospace technologist at Stennis since 2012, Hensarling has served as the mechanical design lead for the multiple projects, with a strong focus on coordination and teamwork in order to deliver precise and timely design products.
Ryan J. McKibben of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for his instrumental contributions to the success of RS-68, J-2X and RS-25 rocket engine test projects at Stennis. A mechanical operations engineer at Stennis since 2011, McKibben is recognized as an expert in propulsion handling and test conductance. He also has demonstrated an intricate knowledge of liquid oxygen barge operations, providing key support to the success of some of the site’s most challenging propulsion test projects.
Delton S. Rodriguez of Abita Springs, Louisiana, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for his work as NASA Electrical Safety Program manager to ensure electrical safety at Stennis. Rodriguez is responsible for administering the safety program and for technical decisions and recommendations regarding protection of site personnel and property from electrical hazards. His knowledge, professionalism and commitment to safety have helped ensure the program meets all regulations, laws and requirements.
Jennifer R. Rolison of Gulfport, Mississippi, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for her contributions as the NASA team lead for procurement support services at Stennis. Responsible for a multitude of tasks, Rolison leads a team that provides stellar support to NASA Office of Procurement operations. She is recognized as a premier system analyst and has been lauded for her problem-solving skills and expertise. She also has provided expert training on various systems and is noted for her attention to detail and very high level of accuracy and efficiency.
The R-4403 Expansion Leadership Team received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for leadership and their technical expertise and guidance in helping Stennis Space Center win approval for an expansion of its restricted airspace to support both NASA and U.S. Navy missions on site. Approval required coordination across NASA, Navy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offices, as well as meeting various environmental and operational requirements. Recognized members of the leadership team were NASA employee Paul Farr of Mandeville, Louisiana; Navy representatives Randy Jackson of San Diego, Kenneth Kopsco of Abita Springs, Louisiana, and Adrianne Saboya of San Diego; and FAA representative Benjamin Baughmann of Tylertown, Mississippi.
For information about Stennis Space Center, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/
