Each year, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) celebrates excellence in naval engineering by recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in one or more facets of the industry.
ASNE is pleased to announce our 2021 recipients of the following prestigious awards:
2021 Gold Medal Award (Engineering) Recipient – Dr. Charles Choi, Chief Engineer, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Presented annually since 1958, the Gold Medal is given to an individual who has made a significant naval engineering contribution in a particular area during the past five years.
2021 Harold E. Saunders Award (Lifetime Achievement) Recipient – Dr. Alan J. Brown, CAPT, USN (Ret.), NAVSEA Professor of Ship Design; Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Presented annually since 1977, the Harold E. Saunders Award honors an individual whose reputation in naval engineering spans a long career of notable achievement and influence.
2021 Rosenblatt "Young Naval Engineer" Award Recipient – Mr. Alexander Rinaldi, USN, Engineer; Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport
Established in memory of Mandell and Lester Rosenblatt, the Rosenblatt Young Naval Engineer Award is presented to persons less than 35 years of age who have demonstrated remarkable, early professional achievement in one or more areas of naval engineering.
2021 Frank G. Law Award (Service to ASNE) Recipient – CAPT Rich Delpizzo (USNR), Associate Professor & Interim Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering; George Mason University
Originally presented in 1980, the Frank G. Law Award is given to an individual whose longtime dedication and service to the Society is deemed worthy of special recognition.
2021 Claud A. Jones Award (Fleet Engineering) Recipient – CDR William J. Sumsion, USN, Submarine Branch Head; U.S. Fleet Forces Command
Presented annually since 1987, the Claud A. Jones Award is given to a fleet or field engineer who has made significant contributions to improving operational engineering or material readiness of our maritime forces during the past three years.
2021 Solberg Award (Research) Recipient – Dr. Jason M. Anderson, USN Senior Scientist for Hydroacoustics; Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD)
The Solberg Award, presented annually since 1967, is awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to naval engineering through personal research during the past three years.
2021 Frank C. Jones Award (Major Maintenance & Alterations) Recipient – Ms. Sarah E. Wickenheiser, USCG, Engineering Program Manager; USCG Yard
The Frank C. Jones Award, named for RADM Frank C. Jones, a past President of ASNE, is presented for major achievements in Maintenance and Alteration. The award recognizes Naval Engineering professionals who, over a period of the last ten years, culminating in the most recent previous year, have substantially and significantly contributed to their agency's intermediate and/or depot-level ship maintenance and/or alteration programs that involve the complex work of managing, planning, preparation and/or execution of extensive repairs, overhauls, upgrades and/or modernizations.
2021 Clifford G. Geiger (Naval Logistics) Recipient – Mr. Jeffrey Heron, USN, Industry and International Partnership Lead and Small Business Advocate; U.S. Navy Commander Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC)
This award recognizes naval logistics professionals who, over a period of years, have exemplified the ideals portrayed by Clifford G. Geiger through his exceptional leadership and influence within the naval logistics community, his determined efforts to strengthen the synergy between engineering and logistics, and his dedication to enhancing the capability and stature of the naval logistics profession through increased emphasis on education and professional development for naval logisticians.
Learn more about the ASNE Awards Program.