ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Feb. 27, 2015) -- A former U.S. Marine has found a new way to serve his country -- by inspiring students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"I never thought I would leave California, but the opportunity provided to me to manage STEM programs for the Army and Department of Defense allows me to serve my country again in a different capacity," said Louie Lopez, the education outreach program manager for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics program at the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. "That's what enticed me to leave home and family in California and move to the East Coast."
Lopez received the Northeastern Maryland Technology Council's Leader Award at its Visionary Awards Gala Feb. 26.
"I was actually a little surprised. It's certainly humbling to know that you're being recognized," he said. "It's an honor to be recognized by your peers."
After serving as an enlisted Marine for eight years in the Field Artillery Branch, he pursued an education in mathematics and educational technology.
Lopez directed pre-collegiate and collegiate STEM programs at California universities for 12 years. During that time, he also taught math at community colleges and computer science at the university level.
"I knew when I was in college that the sciences and math were of interest to me. I was always drawn to those topics," he said. "I've always enjoyed training, teaching and passing on knowledge.
"I thought it was a good fit when I first got my job at a university to be one of the coordinators for
their STEM programs."
Lopez joined RDECOM four years ago and said the command plays a large role in STEM outreach through the Army Education Outreach Program. RDECOM acts as the executive agent on behalf of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology in leading Army-wide efforts.
"To be at the forefront in shaping the Army's STEM programs says a lot about our command's capabilities, and what our scientists and engineers have to offer not just to the Soldier, but to our future STEM talent," Lopez said.
RDECOM and Aberdeen Proving Ground have a unique ability within the Army to connect aspiring student-scientists with experts working in Army laboratories, Lopez said.
"The major contribution that the Army has when it comes to STEM education is how we leverage our research facilities and subject matter experts. It's always inspiring to me to know that the scientists and engineers who do so much work for our warfighter and also set aside time to mentor the next generation. Seeing those scientists and engineers devote their time to the next generation of STEM talent really gets me going in what I do," he said.
NMTC honored five additional Army civilians from RDECOM's research centers at APG:
Leader Award
Erica Fineman-Bertoli (Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center)
Innovator Award
Joseph Domanico (Edgewood Chemical Biological Center)
Technology Advancement Award
Rick Moore, Brad Ruprecht and Lester Hitch (Edgewood Chemical Biological Center)
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RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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