WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly honored Department of the Navy African American leaders during the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) STEM Conference 15th Annual Stars and Stripes Recognition Dinner Feb. 14.
The annual event hosted by The Council of HBCU Engineering Deans and US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine highlights and recognizes the significant accomplishments of African Americans in government and industry who have achieved exceptional career gains in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
“It’s a privilege to join you in saluting the innovators and problem solvers who power our integrated naval force,” said Modly. “The people who make up our force and our partnerships will always be our enduring advantage over any adversary. Tomorrow’s breakthroughs must come from everyone here – civilian and military, industry and academia. That’s why we’re investing in education and technology research partnerships.”
The annual BEYA Conference award ceremony recognizes people who create innovation and inspiration directly impacting opportunities for careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The BEYA Stars and Stripes awardees are selected from a peer-review of hundreds of nominations submitted by organizations and employers across the country.
Modly presented the 2020 Senior Executive Service Stars and Stripes Award to Navy Director of Small Business Programs Jimmy D. Smith, who serves as his advisor on all small business matters, acquisition policy, private sector partnerships and small business opportunities.
“That’s not all he’s done,” said Modly, detailing Smith’s accomplishments. “As Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Expeditionary Programs and Logistics Management, he delivered for the warfighter’s most urgent needs.”
Smith also served as the Director for Integrated Nuclear Weapons Safety and Security.
“I believe it goes without saying, but I’m humbled and honored to be amongst the other BEYA Stars and Stripes awardees tonight,” said Smith. “This award represents a recognition of the work and passion that we bring to our role, every day, to ensure that our Navy remains ready to go into harm’s way, if ever required, and prevail.”
Stars and Stripes is one of the nation's largest events honoring both active and retired African American admirals, generals and members of the Senior Executive Service. Each year the featured service of the Stars and Stripes event alternates between the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard Bureau. This year the featured service was the United States Marine Corps.
For more news from Secretary of the Navy, visit http://www.navy.mil/secnav/index.asp
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2020 15:57 |
| Story ID: | 363435 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Acting SECNAV Honors African American Innovators in Gov’t, STEM Fields, by PO1 Alexander Kubitza, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT