Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Ninety-Six Earn NIST Awards

Ninety-six employees of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards (NIST) were honored with the Departmental Bronze Medal and other NIST awards in ceremonies held Dec. 1, 2004. NIST Acting Director Hratch Semerjian and Acting Deputy Director Richard Kayser presented the awards, assisted by other Institute officials. Sixty-three staff members received the Bronze Medal Award, the highest honorary recognition given by the Institute. The award, initiated in 1966, is given for significant performance characterized by outstanding or significant contributions that have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of NIST. Receiving the award were:

  • Mark Carson, Computer Scientist, Information Technology Laboratory;
  • Elisabeth Gomez, Social Scientist, Technology Services;
  • Kevin Kimball, Senior Legislative Analyst, Office of the Director;
  • Stefan Leigh, Mathematical Statistician, Information Technology Laboratory;
  • Michael Mitch, Physicist, Physics Laboratory;
  • George Mulholland, Research Chemist, Building and Fire Research Laboratory;
  • George Rhoderick, Research Chemist, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory;
  • Joseph Rice, Physicist, Physics Laboratory;
  • Mark Sobolewski, Electronics Engineer, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory;
  • David Stieren, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory;
  • A. Romain Tweedy, Supervisory Information Technology Specialist, Manufacturing Extension Partnership;
  • Robert Vest, Physicist, Physics Laboratory;
  • Lillian Ware, Secretary, Manufacturing Extension Partnership;
  • Carol Wood, Contract Specialist, Office of the Director;
  • Taner Yildirim, Physicist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory;
  • Cynthia Zeissler, Physical Scientist, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory;
  • Alec Belsky, Physical Scientist, Technology Services, and Vicky Karen, Research Chemist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory;
  • Edward Early (former employee), Physicist, and Maria Nadal, Research Chemist, both of the Physics Laboratory;
  • Dean Ripple, Supervisory Physicist; and Gregory Strouse, Physicist, both of the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory;
  • James Beall, Electronics Engineer; Margaret Crews, Physical Science Technician; and Jonathan Koch, Electronics Engineer, all of the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory;
  • Robert Chirico, Research Chemist; Qian Dong, Computer Specialist; and Michael Frenkel, Supervisory Research Chemist, all of the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory;
  • Pavel Kabos, Physicist; Anthony Kos, Electrical Engineer; and Thomas Silva, Electrical Engineer, all of the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory;
  • Robert Densock, Supervisory Computer Scientist; William Haag, Jr., Computer Scientist; Beth Monaghan-Bly, Telecommunications Specialist; and Deana Ramsburg, Telecommunications Specialist, all from the Office of the Director;
  • Mary Brady, Supervisory Computer Scientist; Sandra Martinez, Computer Scientist; Carmelo Montanez-Rivera, Computer Scientist; Richard Rivello, Computer Scientist; and John Tebbutt, Computer Scientist, all of the Information Technology Laboratory;
  • Jason Averill, Fire Protection Engineer; Nelson Bryner, Supervisory Chemical Engineer; Richard Bukowski, Fire Protection Engineer; Thomas Cleary, Chemical Engineer; Richard Peacock, Chemical Engineer; and William Walton, Fire Protection Engineer, all of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory;
  • Alice Jane Blessley (retired), IT Specialist, Office of the Director; Mary Clague, General Business Specialist, Technology Services; Gail Ehrlich, Program Analyst, Office of the Director; Bruce Mattson, Group Leader, Technology Services; Jack Pevenstein, General Engineer, Technology Services; Claire Saundry, Chief, International Affairs, Office of the Director; and Cathy Smith, International Specialist, Office of the Director;
  • Roger Bostelman, Electronics Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Tommy Chang, Computer Scientist, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Geraldine Cheok, Research Structural Engineer, Building and Fire Research Laboratory; Tsai Hong, Computer Scientist, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Adam Jacoff, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Alan Lytle, Supervisory Research Civil Engineer, Building and Fire Research Laboratory; Richard Norcross, General Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Harry Scott, Electronics Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Michael Shneier, Supervisory Computer Scientist, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; and Brian Weiss, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory.

Eugene Casson Crittenden Award

The Crittenden Award, established in 1967, recognizes superior achievement by permanent employees who perform supporting services that have a significant impact on technical programs beyond their own offices. The award this year was presented to the following staff members: Bernard Brusko, Planner Estimator; Andrew Halich, Planner Estimator/Electrical; Ernest Matthews, Jr., Custodial Worker; Mark Miller, Supervisory Firefighter; Kenneth Seward, Sheet Metal Mechanic; Dean Smith, Electronic Technician; Nancy Snyder, Engineering Draftsman; and Leon Urbain, Utility Systems Repair Operator, all of the Office of the Director.

Allen V. Astin Measurement Science Award

The Allen V. Astin Measurement Science Award, first presented in 1984, is granted for outstanding achievement in the advancement of measurement science or in the delivery of measurement services. The award this year went to the following group: Timothy Burns, Mathematician, Information Technology Laboratory; Brian Dutterer (former employee), Instrument Maker, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Richard Fields (retired), Metallurgist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory; Michael Kennedy, Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Lyle Levine, Physicist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory; Richard Rhorer, Research Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; Eric Whitenton, Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; and Howard Yoon, Physicist, Physics Laboratory.

Edward Uhler Condon Award

The Condon Award recognizes distinguished achievements in written exposition in science and technology. The award was initiated in 1974. This year's award was presented to Ronald Munro, Supervisory Physicist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory.

Judson C. French Award

The French award, first presented in 2000, is granted for significant improvement in products delivered directly to industry, including new or improved NIST calibration services, Standard Reference Materials, and Standard Reference Databases. The award went to Paul Williams, Physicist, Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory; Eric Stanfield, Physical Science Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory; and Peter Linstrom, Chemical Engineer, and W. Gary Mallard, Supervisory Research Chemist, both of the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory.

Jacob Rabinow Applied Research Award

The Jacob Rabinow Applied Research Award, first presented in 1975, is granted for outstanding achievements in the practical application of the results of scientific engineering research. Receiving the award this year was a team consisting of Paul Brand, Materials Research Engineer; Richard Fields (retired), Metallurgist; and Henry Prask (retired), Physicist, all from the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory.

Edward Bennett Rosa Award

The Rosa Award, established in 1964, is granted for outstanding achievement in or contributions to the development of meaningful and significant engineering, scientific, or documentary standards either within NIST or in cooperation with other government agencies or private groups. The award went to Douglas Blackburn, Guest Researcher; Steven Choquette, Research Chemist; Edgar Etz, Research Chemist; and Wilbur Hurst, Physicist, all from the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory.

William P. Slichter Award

The Slichter Award, first presented in 1992, is granted for outstanding achievements by NIST staff in building or strengthening ties between NIST and industry. The award was presented to Jonathan Martin, Supervisory Physical Scientist, Building and Fire Research Laboratory.

Samuel Wesley Stratton Award

The Samuel Wesley Stratton Award, first presented in 1962, is granted for outstanding scientific or engineering achievements in support of NIST objectives. Receiving the award was Paul Julienne, NIST Fellow, Physics Laboratory.

George A. Uriano Award

The Uriano Award, first presented in 1996, is granted for outstanding achievements by NIST staff in building or strengthening NIST extramural programs, with emphasis on fostering U.S. competitiveness and business excellence. The award was given to Thomas Chung, IT Specialist, and John Garguilo, Acting Group Leader, both of the Advanced Technology Program.

Safety Award

This award, first presented in 1979, is granted to any deserving employee within the Institute, in either a supervisory or a non-supervisory position, for unusually significant contributions to NIST Occupational Safety and Health Program activities. Receiving the award was Michael Kennedy, Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST develops and promotes measurement, standards and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade and improve the quality of life.

Released December 7, 2004, Updated January 23, 2023