Stennis Space Center Director Rick Gilbrech and NASA Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Robinson presented annual NASA Honor Awards to center employees during an onsite ceremony July 23.
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.
Dorsie Jones of Slidell, La., received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal for her work as manager of the NASA Office of Human Capital at Stennis. Jones leads and directs all NASA human resources services at Stennis. She has been responsible for a number of key successes, most notably in securing much-needed staff to complete assigned work and in guiding a cultural evolution that has led Stennis to rank second among 292 federal agency subcomponents as a best place to work and first among all NASA centers.
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.
Gary L. Benton of Carriere, Miss., (and a native of Meridian, Miss.) received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for his work in the Stennis Propulsion Test Project Office. During his tenure, Benton served as manager for space shuttle external tank ice/frost testing and space shuttle external tank diffuser testing. He currently serves as manager for the J-2X test project. In each of his roles, Benton has used his leadership and expertise to address significant technical challenges.
James D. Huk of Pass Christian, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for his work as deputy procurement officer and senior adviser to the procurement officer. Among his contributions, Huk was responsible for refurbishment of the liquid hydrogen barge and served as procurement lead for the Stennis Test Operations Contract. He also contributed to a 14.4 percent increase in total contract dollars awarded to small businesses in fiscal years 2009-11, allowing the center to exceed the small business goals in every category in 2010.
Nathan E. Laborde of Talisheek, La. (and a native of Marksville, La.) received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for 47 years of service within the Stennis propulsion test community. Since arriving at Stennis in 1966, Laborde has served in various contractor capacities to support Apollo and space shuttle test projects, including as a systems test engineer, an instrumentation engineer and electrical operations lead. He joined the NASA team in 2001 and currently supports test operations at the A-1 Test Stand.
Edward J. Toomey of Waveland, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for his work as senior cost accountant and lead for the financial accounting branch within the Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer. He has assisted, led and mentored many civil servants and contractors in key areas to ensure the accuracy and integrity of NASA’s financial information. Since 2010, he also has been responsible for preparing the annual economic impact report analyzing the financial impact of NASA and Stennis.
Five 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.
Robert S. Harris of Kiln, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for service in various capacities within the Stennis Office of Procurement, including his current role as Procurement Officer and senior procurement official. Among notable achievements, Harris led in the drafting of the first multiple award construction contract at Stennis. He led the effort in Stennis exceeding its small business goals and to the facility receiving its first-ever NASA Small Business Administrator’s Cup in fiscal year 2011.
Richard T. Rauch of Lacombe, La., received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for sustained achievements in space exploration program support and propulsion test planning with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Headquarters. His accomplishments through the years have helped advance NASA’s approach to propulsion test planning and execution.
Michelle M. (Richard) Stracener of Carriere, Miss., (and a native of Wakefield, Mass.) received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for her work as small business specialist and procurement analyst within the Stennis Office of Procurement. Stracener serves as the sole small business specialist for Stennis and helped the facility exceed small business goals in every category for the first time ever in fiscal year 2010. She also was instrumental in development of the NASA Small Business Improvement Plan and supports various small business activities at Stennis.
Charles C. Thurman of Hattiesburg, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for his work as the high-speed data acquisition system engineer for the E Test Complex within the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate. He provides critical support for the system. Thurman is known for his innovative approaches in collecting engine test data and his ability to overcome technological obstacles.
Monica M. Watts of Columbia, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for her work as property accountant in the Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Among her notable efforts, Watts provided key support to implement major changes in asset accounting and materials management. She also worked with the U.S. Army to complete the documentation process needed to transfer 4,400 acres of Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant property and facilities at Stennis to NASA ownership.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal. This medal is awarded to individuals for exceptional engineering contributions toward achievement of the NASA mission.
Daniel C. Allgood of Baton Rouge, La., received NASA’s Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal for his work as a computational fluid dynamics subject matter expert within the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate. Among other contributions, he serves as the technical expert for flame trench performance for the Aerojet AJ26 commercial rocket engine test project at Stennis. His state-of-the-art efforts have resulted in successful and cost-effective commercial and NASA propulsion test campaigns to support the nation’s space program.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Outstanding Public Leadership Medal. It is awarded to non-government employees for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced the NASA mission.
Michael E. McDaniel of Slidell, La., received NASA’s Outstanding Public Leadership Medal for his work as general manager of the Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc. at Stennis. In that role, McDaniel is responsible for leading his workforce in performing rocket engine hardware assembly and test operations for federal and commercial operations. Under his leadership, NASA recognized the company, formerly Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, with the Stennis Contractor Excellence Award in 2012.
One Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal. It is awarded to non-government employees who have made exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA.
Luke M. Scianna of Bay St. Louis, Miss., received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for more than 33 years in various capacities with the Facility Operating Services Contract at Stennis. His primary responsibility has been as a system engineer for maintenance and operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. He has provided critical support for operational improvements at the center, including the use of communication fibers to revolutionize how preventative maintenance is performed on systems.
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.
Vincent R. Pachel of Gulfport, Miss., received NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal for key leadership within the Stennis Engineering & Test Directorate in supporting NASA’s effort to prepare the A-2 Test Stand at Stennis for J-2X rocket engine testing and in the successful completion of the engine test series. He previously served as lead mechanical operations engineer and now serves as A-2 Test Stand test director with responsibility for all phases of the ongoing J-2X test project.
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.
Robert C. Bruce Jr. of Gulfport, Miss., received Stennis’ J. Harry Guin Outstanding Leadership Award for sustained leadership within the Stennis Project Directorate in new business development efforts for rocket propulsion testing. In his role, Bruce is the Stennis entry point for rocket propulsion test services for both agency and commercial customers.
For information about Stennis Space Center, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/
Rebecca Strecker
NASA Public Affairs Office
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
228-688-3249
rebecca.a.strecker@nasa.gov