TBE and TSI Present 2009 Special Awards

Powelson, Corpening, Geist, Bell, Taylor, Fisher, and King honored

Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE) and Teledyne Solutions, Inc. (TSI) have selected the following employees to receive special awards for their significant accomplishments in 2009.

Recognizing the highest level of technical accomplishments throughout the company is the Dr. Harry J. Watson Engineer/Scientist of the Year award, which was initiated in 1987 to honor the late Dr. Watson for his many contributions to the company.

Other TBE awards include the Technical Employee of the Year; James Michael Scherer, Sr. Administrative Employee of the Year; and the Support Employee of the Year.  Awards presented by TSI include the Dr. Ronald L. Lemke Engineer of the Year, Technical Employee of the Year, and Administrative/Support Employee of the Year.

Dr. Harry J. Watson Engineer/Scientist of the Year

William D. (Bill) Powelson has been selected as the winner of the prestigious Dr. Harry J. Watson Engineer/Scientist of the Year award.

Powelson is an integral member of the Manufactured Products engineering team as the lead design engineer on the Fluor contracts for the American Centrifuge project.  In 2009, he was responsible for all piping systems for the Gas Centrifuge Service Modules (GCSM), directing his team of engineers and designers in developing and documenting the piping systems to enable efficient manufacturing of the process headers, coolant water headers, and air supply headers.  He also was responsible for the piping designs, structural frame design, piping restraints, manufacturing tooling, and shipping fixture on the Interconnecting Process Pipeway (IPP) project for Fluor and supervised the structural analyses for each of the multiple configurations of IPP.  His efforts resulted in significant cost reductions, design improvements, shorter production times, and a new product line for TBE in the nuclear manufacturing arena. Powelson has also supported new work at TBE by contributing to several major proposals.

According to his nominator, “Bill provides thorough, sound engineering judgment and steadfast leadership to his assignments.  He is a recognized engineering lead that you can count on to give his utmost in all situations.”

A 27-year employee of TBE, Powelson holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University.  He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Alabama and Ohio and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Frank Carr (CBRN), Bill Sarver (CBRN, Edgewood, MD, office), and Brad Taylor (TSI) were also finalists.

TBE Technical Employee of the Year

Jeremy H. Corpening, Ph.D., Aerospace Systems, was selected as the TBE Technical Employee of the Year.  He supports NASA through TBE’s SEPS BPA contract as a propulsion engineer in the Main Propulsion Systems (MPS) Branch. 

Dr. Corpening has been instrumental in advancing the MPS designs for the Altair Lunar Lander, Ares V Core Stage, and the Ares V Earth Departure Stage.  Key accomplishments include developing pressurization models for these systems to analyze pressurant and propellant usage, mass, systems sizing, etc., and developing a specialized code to assess differential tank draining for the Altair descent module.  Dr. Corpening is noted for his professionalism, attention to detail, dedication to quality products, and propulsion engineering knowledge.  He has also contributed to several proposals in the last year for Ares V and Altair work.  Well recognized throughout TBE and NASA, his commendations and customer accolades are numerous for his technical performance and innovative thinking. 

According to his nomination, “Jeremy is a respected asset to the TBE and NASA teams he supports.  His teamwork attitude, communication skills, and continuous efforts to improv

e the Ares V and Altair designs have positively impacted his customers and co-workers.”

Dr. Corpening is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and holds three degrees in aeronautical/aerospace engineering – a Ph.D. and M.Aero.E. from Purdue University and a B.A.E. from Auburn University.

Janet Fisher (TSI) was also a finalist.