The Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) first introduced the Legacy Award category in 2016 as a fitting tribute to a generation of awardees, many of whom continue to light a path in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Every year since, we have recognized new winners at the Engineering Deans’ Event with awards that bear the name of past winners so that future BEYA generations will be reminded of their impact on innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. As per tradition, we are proud to present the 2023 Legacy Awards winners.

The 2023 Black Engineer of the Year Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Selection Committee has announced the winners of the STEM awards for the thirty-seventh annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA). This year’s recognition program attracted nominations from top employers for STEM employees in private and nonprofit sectors and higher education fields.

The 2023 Black Engineer of the Year Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Selection Committee has announced the winners of the STEM awards for the thirty-seventh annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA). This year’s recognition program attracted nominations from top employers for STEM employees in private and nonprofit sectors and higher education fields.
The winners were selected by a peer review selection committee drawn from a diverse group of scientific and technical leaders and top supporters of the 15 ABET-accredited historically Black colleges.

Hosted by Career Communications Group’s US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, the 15-member Council of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Engineering Deans, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, the 37th annual BEYA STEM Conference will take place  Feb. 9-11, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C., as well as online on BEYA STEM digital twin experience (DTX).

The three-day event unites thousands of students, college representatives, professionals, and leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). There will be seminars and workshops, networking opportunities, and the conference’s popular career fair, which provides access to leading employers.

The conference will wrap up on Saturday, Feb. 11 with the BEYA Gala, where Colin Parris, Ph.D. will receive the top award as Black Engineer of the Year. Dr. Parris is the senior vice president and chief technology officer of GE Digital. He is recognized for his notable achievements and accomplishments in STEM.

ADMIRAL MICHELLE HOWARD LEGACY AWARD
Captain Timothy C. Moore Jr.
Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command

ANTHONY R. JAMES LEGACY AWARD
Larry Laws
Director of Distribution System Operations
Baltimore Gas & Electric

CAPT. DONNIE COCHRAN LEGACY AWARD
Camille Daniel, D.Eng.
Cybersecurity Executive Leader
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

DR. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI III LEGACY AWARD
David Canada
Director of Business Operations, Boeing Global Services
The Boeing Company

DR. JAMES W. MITCHELL LEGACY AWARD
Jared C. Gavin
Specialist Software Engineer
L3Harris

DR. LYDIA W. THOMAS LEGACY AWARD
How-Kai (Helga) Tong
Cyber Systems Engineer Technical Specialist
Peraton Inc.

DR. WILLIAM WILEY LEGACY AWARD
Tammye Michelle Turner, DC
Director, Global Service Technical Operations — Immunoassay and Clinical Chemistry
Abbott

GENERAL JOHNNIE WILSON LEGACY AWARD
William J. Croghan
Senior Principal Systems Engineer
BAE Systems — Navigation and Sensor Systems

GERALD JOHNSON LEGACY AWARD
Dale Killins
Engineering Supervisor — Steering Mechatronics and Electro-Hydraulic Systems
Ford Motor Company

LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD
Linda Dorsey
Director, Cyber Security Engineering, Privacy and Resiliency Operations
GDIT

RODNEY ADKINS LEGACY AWARD
Huntley B. Myrie
Vice President, Strategy and Business Development — Commercial Programs
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

WALT W. BRAITHWAITE LEGACY AWARD
George Ndayizeye
Structural Analysis Engineer
The Boeing Company