Page 16 - 2020 March E-issue

Announcing the Award Recipients

Join us Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Come congratulate eight 2019 Engineers of Distinction

2019 How have you used your engineering skills for community and 2019
Engineer of Distinction professional leadership? Engineer of Distinction
I was fortunate to have excellent mentors early in my career; I have tried to ‘pay it forward’ by mentoring
engineers in early stages of their career, both terms of both technical and career aspirations.

What do you consider your greatest engineering achievement?
The AN/PRC-117G was truly a ‘cradle-to-grave’ product development for me; L3Harris enabled me to
champion the original concept, and allowed me to follow the product through to high volume production and
field use by satisfied customers.
Describe a key event or individual that had a profound effect on your
career.
Floyd Koontz was an excellent mentor early in my career; he was entirely unafraid of any technical
challenge, willing to explore a wide landscape of possible solutions. In my youth, Alma Buckley provided a
Richard J. Buckley home environment that fostered education. Janet C. Ibarluzea
Senior Fellow / Senior Scientist, What advice would you give to our scholarship recipients, who will be in Director, System Engineer -
L3Harris Technologies attendance at the Gala? International Radio Software
Be yourself and find you personal areas of passion; energy and positive attitude can overcome most - Communication Systems,
Education: obstacles; teamwork is more important than ever; try to have fun, it’s a long career for most of us L3Harris Technologies
Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
BSEE with Distinction (1981) Articulate your vision for engineering in Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester is blessed with an engineering legacy, excellent universities and a strong engineering talent pool. Education:
MSEE (1993) My vision is to work collaboratively across all of those resources to collectively solve emerging challenges Michigal State University, BS Computer
that likely face society in the next generation. Science (19991)

2019 How have you used your engineering skills for community and 2019
Engineer of Distinction professional leadership? Engineer of Distinction
I actively participate in the Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Conferences and as
a Technical paper reviewer. I also participate in several industry related groups such as the HF Industry
Association and US Military Standards groups.

What do you consider your greatest engineering achievement?
The design, development and productization of several HF data waveforms that provide enhanced
communication capabilities under very challenging conditions and have been used extensively by our troops.

Describe a key event or individual that had a profound effect on your
career.
Early in my career at Harris I worked with Dr. Ron Lefever. In a short span of time Ron taught me key skills in
signal processing, data modem design and communication system theory, skills I continue to use today.
William N. Furman
What advice would you give to our scholarship recipients, who will be in Jon M. Kriegel
attendance at the Gala?
Sr. Fellow / Sr. Scientist Find a mentor to help develop your skillset. Understand the bigger picture of how your product will be used.
L3Harris Technologies Promote and push for your ideas. Most importantly, do all this as you get your assigned task done flawlessly. RES Board Member
STEM Bridges Director

Education: Articulate your vision for engineering in Rochester (RES STEM Initiative)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers in Rochester should take pride in our world class history of science, technology and innovation
BS Electrical Engineering (1982) while at the same time leveraging the local talent, educational institutions and capabilities. We should all be Education:
ME Electrical Engineering (1983) proud when a new product says, “Made in Rochester, New York”. Rochester Institute of Technology
BSME (1970)

16 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER MARCH 2020 cover article