ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Two U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command employees received national awards from the International Test and Evaluation Association at the 2012 Annual International Test and Evaluation Symposium in Huntington Beach, Calif., Sept. 19.
Shane Esola, from ATEC's Aberdeen Test Center, and Michael Modica, from ATEC's Army Evaluation Center, each received one of seven professional T&E awards given to those who have made significant contributions, either as an individual or a group, to advancing the test and evaluation profession.
Esola, a science officer in the ATC Firepower/Protective Equipment Division, received the ITEA Special Achievement Award for his leadership, vision, and technical expertise in assessing the impact of variations in testing, developing a way ahead to ensure more repeatable test results, and ensuring the test community had statistically accurate results that were defensible when making armor selections. His efforts also led to the develop of a new ballistic clay that will result in simplified test progression, increased standardization and repeatability, reduced costs, and overall improved quality of testing of body armor.
"As this is my first professional award given to me by an agency outside, I was thrilled to be recognized for my work," he said. "National and international recognition is important to the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, as well as its subordinate command the U.S. Army Aberdeen Center."
Esola believes ATC is quickly establishing itself as the center of excellence for body armor testing. "I'm honored to help further the program name in any way I can," he added. "Winning the award has inspired me to continue to push myself in the name of serving the warfighter."
Modica, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ATEC System Team chairman, Sustainment Evaluation Directorate, AEC, received the Junior Achiever Award for exceptional achievements as a test and evaluation professional. Modica said he is lucky to be assigned to high visibility projects which have given him the chance to impact some of the larger acquisition programs like Mine Resistant Ambush Protection vehicles and the JLTV. "I appreciate my leadership having confidence in me to get the job done, despite my comparative youth," he said.
After only four years of experience as an evaluator, Modica was selected as AST chair for the JLTV, an unprecedented feat for an Acquisition Category I program with Office of the Secretary of Defense oversight. His demonstration of outstanding performance as the lead evaluator on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected ambulance programs and the rapidly procured mine roller programs had direct impact on Soldiers and the Army's ability to field life saving materiel.
"I am honored to be recognized for such a prestigious award, but to me, the work I have done in the last few years has been in line with what is required for our mission," said Modica. "In the end it's all about supporting the end user: the Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman."
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