FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA, November 13, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Peter R. Kurzhals with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Kurzhals celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Boasting over five decades of expertise in his field, Dr. Kurzhals retired in 2011 from his role as the Di-rector of Systems and Software for Boeing Space Systems, having distinguished himself for over two decades. An expert in human spaceflight and aviation, he was tasked with assisting in the oversight of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station program. Previously employed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for more than 26 incredible years. He began as a Manager of the Stability and Control Branch of the Langley Research Center, and later served as the Director of its Electronics and Space Divisions, and as Assistant Director of Mission Operations at the Goddard Space Flight Center. His distinguished record of leadership also included a brief appointment with the information technology consulting company Booz Allen Hamilton, where he developed a plan for a fully automated management information system for NASA. Later, he held the role of the director of advanced space flight programs for McDonnell Douglas, an aerospace manufacturing corporation and defense con-tractor in Saint Louis, Missouri. Since retiring, Dr. Kurzhals has focused his efforts on the honor society of Sigma Xi as the President of the Orange County Chapter.
Dr. Kurzhals also served as the President of the Orange County Engineering Council, and presided over its annual meeting, where outstanding corporations, colleges and individuals in Orange County were recognized.
As a seasoned engineer, Dr. Kurzhals was heavily involved with the artificial intelligence, robotics and extraterrestrial intelligence program and with management of space and electronic technology research at ten NASA Centers. He also acquired two patents on spacecraft pointing systems, including a double-gimbaled Control Moment Gyro (CMG) system which saved NASA over $50 million per month and a Spacecraft Pointing and Attitude Control System for payloads. Dr. Kurzhals has been widely published, co-editing two books on aircraft control configured vehicles, and authoring over 90 articles in profession-al publications on the subjects of spacecraft control, electronics technology, information systems, space operations and other topics. In addition to his writing contributions, he has served as a frequent speaker in the areas of leadership and innovation.
As a result of his years of practice, Dr. Kurzhals has been recognized by his peers as a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and as an inaugural member of the Academy of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Excellence. In the AIAA, he served as the Technical Director for Space and Information Systems and as a council member of the National Capital Section, where he nota-bly established a lunch and learn program with area companies. He also served on the AIAA Technical Activities Committee as National Coordinator for the International Space Station for eight years. Dr. Kurzhals is a member of the Ut Prosim Society of Virginia Tech, and currently sponsors four leader-ship scholarships for Virginia Tech cadets each year.
Born in Germany, Dr. Kurzhals later received a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech in 1960, 1962 and 1966, respectively. He is also a Certified Manager through the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, and a Certified Professional Engineer through the National Society of Professional Engineers. Recognizing his achievements, Dr. Kurzhals was named an Orange County Engineer of the Year in Orange County, California, and was named to the Aviation Wall of Fame.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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