Great Minds in STEM Announces Class of 2013 Military and Civilian Award Winners

    MONTEREY PARK, CA, August 02, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Great Minds in STEM is proud to announce the class of 2013 Military and Civilian Award Winners. These outstanding role models in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will be honored at one of two recognition events held during the 25th Anniversary HENAAC Conference, October 3-5, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

For twenty-five years, Great Minds in STEM has showcased the achievements of America's best and brightest engineers and scientists within the Hispanic community at our annual conference. In a much-honored tradition, GMiS singles-out those award winners who represent our nation's military branches and have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving our nation. Please join us as we congratulate the following outstanding Military & Civilian honorees.

2013 HENAAC Award Winners

The following individuals will receive their award and address the audience during the HENAAC Awards Show on Friday, October 4, 2013 and will also be recognized at The Salute to our STEM Military & Civilian Heroes on Thursday, October 3, 2013:

Professional Achievement II
Commander George Perez, Jr.
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. New Mexico, SSN-779
U.S. Navy

Civil/Environmental Engineering
Sheila E. Hint, EIT
Environmental Engineer
Buffalo District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Most Promising Engineer Advanced Degree
Captain Ryan J. Silva
Director of Students & Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Air Force

2013 Military & Civilian Heroes

The following Military and Civilian Hero honorees will be recognized and address the audience at The Salute to our STEM Military & Civilian Heroes Reception which will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Jose A. Camberos, Ph.D.
Team Lead-Design Space Exploration
Air Force Research Laboratory
U.S. Air Force

Maria D. Melendez
Computer Engineer
Software Engineering Center
Communications Electronics Command
U.S. Army

Lyan I. Garcia Beltran
Research Civil Engineer
Engineer Research and Development Center
U.S. Army

Lieutenant Roberto C. Concepcion
College Student Pre-Commissioning
Initiative Coordinator
U.S. Coast Guard

Claudia Garcia
Head, Avionics Engineering Department
Naval Air Systems Command
U.S. Navy

Jose Romero-Mariona, Ph.D.
Cyber Security Lead Research Scientist
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
U.S. Navy

2013 Military Luminaries

The following Luminaries representing our military branches will be presented their awards at The Salute to our STEM Military & Civilian Heroes Reception which will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Sandra M. Ortiz
Electronics Engineer
Cryptologic Systems Division
U.S. Air Force

Oscar N. Ruiz, Ph.D.
Biological Scientist
Air Force Research Laboratory
U.S. Air Force

Benjamin Polanco-Ramos
ISR Portfolio Manager
ISR Directorate, Communications Electronics Command
U.S. Army

Dennis E. Garcia, P.E., P.S.
Chief, Reservoir Control Branch Engineer
Albuquerque District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Rebeca V. Ward
Office Engineer
Fort Worth District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Yolanda Torres
Senior Project Manager
Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division
Naval Surface Warfare Center
U.S. Navy

Fernando J. Escobar
Engineer/Scientist
Space and Naval Warfare
Systems Center Pacific
U.S. Navy

For more information on the 25th Anniversary HENAAC Conference or the Great Minds in STEM organization please visit www.greatmindsinstem.org.

About Great Minds in STEM
Great Minds in STEM is an education, national 501c3 nonprofit, whose vision is to be a national leader in keeping America technologically strong by promoting science, technology, engineering and math careers especially in underserved communities. Now, in its 25th year, it remains the only national entity, which has consistently recognized the esteemed technical achievements of STEM role models through a selective, peer-reviewed process. For more information, please contact Julie Magallanes-Guevara, Manager of Public Affairs at (213) 435-9934 or (323) 262-0997 ext. 628 and visit the Great Minds in STEM website at www.greatmindsinstem.org.

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