AAFEA, Inc.

AAFEA In The News

December 2009

SAME Honors William A. Brown Sr., P.E., HAIA, F.SAME,
with Golden Eagle Award for Contributions to the Engineering Profession

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) has selected William A. Brown Sr., P.E., SAME Fellow, as the recipient of the SAME Academy of Fellows Golden Eagle Award for his outstanding contributions to the engineering profession. The award will be presented at the SAME 2010 Academy of Fellows Golden Eagle Awards Dinner on March 19, 2010, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA.

As Executive Vice President of PageSoutherlandPage, LLP, Brown is responsible for establishing strategic focus in the federal market. He acted as Principal-in-Charge of the site evaluation study for the next major museum to go on the National Mall - the $500 million National Museum of African American History and Culture. Since Brown joined PageSoutherlandPage in 2003, the firm has moved from 255 to 144 on the Engineering News-Record list of top 500 engineering firms. PageSoutherlandPage is the Recipient of the Texas Society of Architects 2009 Architecture Firm Award.

Active in the engineering field where he encourages minorities to become engaged, Brown served for six years as Chairman of the Howard University School of Divinity Board of Visitors and also has served six years as moderator for the Panel of the Deans of 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, held yearly at the Black Engineers Conference in Baltimore, Md. In 2002, he founded the African American Federal Executive Association Inc., and has served as National President ever since. For the past two years he has served as the SAME representative on the Department of State Overseas Building Operations Industry Advisory Panel.

As a former Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Deputy Director of Military Programs, Brown directed one of the largest design and construction programs in the world - the annual $10 billion U.S. Army Military Construction Program. Brown directed this program for six years, leading a wide variety of projects throughout the U.S. and 60 foreign nations. Brown's unique ability to unite diverse groups of people for a common goal was key to his selection to lead a U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Russia, where he negotiated an agreement between the two countries for the design and construction of facilities to house weapons of mass destruction. Brown also was dispatched to Paris, where he negotiated an agreement between USACE and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to provide design and construction support for UNESCO projects worldwide. In addition, he participated as a senior member of diplomatic missions to Nigeria and Hungary, and he outlined for the President of Afghanistan ways to rebuild his war-torn nation.

Brown's numerous awards and citations include the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the U.S. Army Silver DeFluery Medal and the Senior Executive Service Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. In 2006, Brown became the 51st person inducted in the USACE Gallery of Distinguished Civilians; he is the first African American to receive this honor.

For more information about the Golden Eagle Awards, please refer to www.same.org/GoldenEagle .

November 2009

Tracey L. Pinson Named Recipient
of 2009 Distinguished Presidental Rank Award

Washington, DC native, Tracey L. Pinson, Director Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Headquarters, Department of Army, Office of the Secretary of the Army, has been named recipient of the prestigious 2009 Distinguished Presidential Award.

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, "Each year, the President recognizes and celebrates a small group of career Senior Executives and senior career employees with the Meritorious and Distinguished Presidential Rank Awards. Recipients of these prestigious awards are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service." This will be the first group of awardees recognized by President Obama.

In a letter to Ms. Pinson, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh wrote, "I take great pride in informing you that the President of the United States has approved a 2009 Distinguished Presidential Rank Award to recognize your contributions to the Nation and the United States Army. This achievement represents a significant milestone in your career. Know that you have made a difference at the highest levels of government and your efforts are greatly appreciated." Secretary McHugh added that he looked forward to presenting the award to Ms. Pinson at the 2009 Presidential Rank awards ceremony that will take place in early 2010.

Ms. Pinson, who received her undergraduate degree from Howard University and law degree from Georgetown University law Center, said, "I am both thrilled and honored to receive this recognition by President Obama."

In her position as Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Ms. Pinson advises the Secretary of the Army, the Assistant Secretaries and Army General Officers on all small business procurement issues. She is responsible for the Army's implementation of Federal acquisition programs designed to assist small businesses. The small business program under her supervision includes minority businesses, women owned businesses and veteran owned businesses.

In addition, Ms. Pinson provides management and oversight for the Army's business mentoring program as well as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions program. In Fiscal Year 2008, the Army awarded over $28 billion in direct awards to small businesses. Another $3 billion was awarded in subcontracts to small businesses. Historically, the Army awards the largest dollar amount of contracts to small businesses than any other federal agency.

From 1986 to 1995, Ms. Pinson served as Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Office of the Secretary of Defense. From 1983 to 1986, Ms. Pinson held the position of legal counsel to the US House of Representatives, Committee on Small Business, chaired by former Congressman Parren J. Mitchell (D-MD). In this capacity, she drafted and monitored legislation designed to create contracting opportunities for small businesses.

In 2002, Ms. Pinson received the Presidential rank award for Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service. For more information about the Presidential Rank Awards, please refer to www.opm.gov .