BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The men and women of Lockheed Martin congratulate 35 of their colleagues who were recognized at the annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Conference, held in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9-11. 

The Lockheed Martin employees were honored for their career achievements in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and for their efforts to open up opportunity for all. Industry leaders and attendees at the conference also joined together to encourage more students to become STEM professionals, sharing their experiences and practical advice for life-long success.

Lockheed Martin has been a sponsor of BEYA since its inception 31 years ago. Today, BEYA is widely considered the premier event of its kind – and is part of Lockheed Martin's ongoing commitment to promote diversity in STEM disciplines and greater inclusion in the workplace.

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson spoke at the awards event on Saturday, Feb. 11, congratulating award recipients on their professional achievements in leadership and innovation and on their personal efforts to increase STEM outreach.

"The BEYA conference and awards gala is a celebration in which we honor scientists and engineers who are the best in their fields – scientists and engineers who are building a brighter future for us all," said Hewson. "At BEYA, we advance important issues such as STEM education, diversity and inclusion, and economic opportunity. Because of our shared dedication to the next generation, we are making a difference."

Read Hewson's full remarks.

The BEYA STEM Conference provides a talent-rich atmosphere for networking, sharing best practices and recruitment. BEYA Awards recognize STEM professionals and leaders for their career accomplishments and personal dedication to helping build a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce. 

Steven Hill, director of Communications and Security Technologies at Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems division, received a Career Achievement – Industry Award for his guidance of strategic, operational and program execution for the organization. His volunteer efforts with the University of Akron's Women in Engineering Career Day programs to encourage STEM learning for first through sixth graders were also honored.

Terrance Moore, advanced technical leadership program engineer at Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics division, received Most Promising Engineer – Industry Award for his work with customers, leadership across the F-22 program, volunteerism in the community building homes with Habitat for Humanity and mentoring at alternative schools for juveniles.

Other employees were honored with a Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award or Modern Day Technology Leaders Award:

• Science Spectrum Trailblazers: Doreen Foggy, Lynnette Drake
• Modern Day Technology Leaders: Aaron Butler, Alan Conley, Claudie Busby, Claude Brown, Eric Broadhurst, Eric Dees, Ezra Ward, Geoffrey Vibert, Nigel Francois, Steven Walker, Travis Rose, Troy Lambert, Vatanna Gaines, Xavier Thomas, Zelda Gills, Angelo Guevara, Paulette Nassiff, King Dukes, LaCresha Martin, Melvin Redmond, Rena Hill, Adrian Knight, Alvarez Clay, Andrew Ambris, Brandon Montgomery, Chanel Johnson, Eric Tillman, Jamal Davis, Richard Thompson, Roland Brooks, Larry Ramie

As part of Lockheed Martin's commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company also recognizes its talent during other key events throughout the year, including the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference and the Asian American Engineer of the Year event.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin