BEYA winners ‘make a mark on the world that can’t be erased’

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"If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased,” Dr. Maya Angelou once said. Throughout the month of May, which is National Military Appreciation Month, Black Engineer dot com will be celebrating Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) winners who are in or out of the United States military.

The Harry S. Truman Library Institute recently presented Admiral Michelle Howard with the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. The retired admiral was the keynote speaker at the 24th annual Wild About Harry event at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in April.

Admiral Michelle Howard accomplished historic feats throughout her career. She was the first woman to attain the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy and the first woman to hold the position of vice chief of naval operations. Additionally, she became the first African American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship in 1999.

The Black Engineer of the Year Legacy Awards has been recognizing engineers who have made significant contributions to mentoring, talent development, and workforce excellence since its launch in 2016.

The legacy award that is named in honor of Admiral Michelle J. Howard, a Black female military pioneer who has received several accolades at the BEYA STEM Conference, has been presented to trailblazers from Newport News Shipbuilding, the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research and Naval Research Laboratory, and L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Capt. Timothy Moore, an executive assistant to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) commander in the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Admiral Michelle Howard Legacy Award this year.

In response to receiving the award, Moore expressed his surprise and gratitude, acknowledging the trailblazing legacy of Adm. Michelle Howard. He also credited his wife and daughters for their unyielding support throughout his career.

The Adm. Michelle Howard Legacy Award was presented by Lin Li, interim dean of the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University, and Hampton University Engineering Dean Joyce Table Shirazi at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Engineering Dean's event. According to Shirazi, Captain Timothy Moore brings critical thinking skills, technical knowledge, and an informed perspective to executive leadership on Naval Sea issues.

"His incomparable discipline and work ethic creates performance beyond his years," Shirazi said of Moore, who is a Hampton University alum. "He stands firmly by the principles of respecting others, striving for self-improvement, and being a team player."

Capt. Moore said he was honored to receive the award as part of Naval Sea Systems Command.

"As a surface warfare acquisition professional, I appreciate the NAVSEA enterprise of which I was a customer for over twenty years," the captain said in his acceptance speech. "I now have the opportunity to work closely with everyone from the headquarters staff to the shipyards, industry partners, and our international allies to deliver operationally relevant combat power to the global naval force. From my humble beginnings at Hampton University, I would like to thank everyone who has gotten me here today. Most importantly, my mother Linda, my wife Teresa, and our three daughters, especially our oldest daughter who is creating her own legacy as a surface warfare officer aboard a guided missile destroyer I accept this award as much for them as I do myself."