RDECOM and HENAAC Join Forces for a Diverse Engineering Future

By Ms. Andricka Thomas (CECOM)October 16, 2008

RDECOM and HENAAC sign Memorandum of Understanding
Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., commander, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, and Ray Mellado, founder and CEO of HENAAC, sign a Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony in Houston to signify the commitment to work together to ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOUSTON - The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command and HENAAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding Oct. 11, during a ceremony as part of the HENAAC 20th Anniversary Conference.

HENAAC is a Hispanic engineer national achievement and awards organization dedicated to identifying, honoring and documenting the contributions of outstanding Hispanic American science, engineering, technology and math professionals.

The ceremonial signing signified RDECOM's commitment to work with HENAAC to increase the participation of Hispanic youths in the fields of engineering, science, mathematics and technology.

"Our goal is to increase the pipeline of talent and expertise for the Army and the nation by growing the educational, research and employment opportunities for Hispanic Americans in technical fields," said Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., RDECOM commander.

Ray Mellado, HENAAC founder and CEO, said he is confident in the partnership's ability to nurture the development of young Hispanic engineers. "We [HENAAC] can accomplish the mission with your [RDECOM and other Department of Defense partners] help," said Mellado.

As a result of the agreement, RDECOM is working to provide engineering and high-tech job opportunities available to qualified Hispanic scientists and engineers. Through community outreach events like HENAAC's Annual College Bowl, RDECOM is dedicated to educating the Hispanic engineering community about career programs and opportunities available within the command, and the Army.

"We must continually seek ways to inspire and promote the creative talent of our young men and woman," said Robinson Jr. "We must provide opportunities for each of them [Hispanic engineers] to excel."