A prominent local R&D firm, Dynetics, Inc., has received the IEEE Region 3 Employer Professional Development Award "For Outstanding Contributions to Employee Continuing Education and Professional Development Over the Last Three Decades." The Huntsville Section nominated Dynetics for this prestigious annual honor. A plaque commemorating this accomplishment will be presented to company officers at RADARCON, which will be held at the Huntsville Marriott in May 2003. Dynetics has been a strong supporter both of RADARCON and the Huntsville Section.

Dynetics, Inc. has been firmly committed to continued professional education for its employees ever since its founding in 1974. Recent accomplishments specifically cited in our nomination included:

• Over the last decade, Dynetics has paid for employees to take an average of 100 courses per year at local colleges and universities.
• Since 1974, over 100 employees have obtained undergraduate and advanced degrees, funded entirely by Dynetics.
• Recognizing that some employees would benefit from academic level training outside the normal academic setting, and that courses in some narrow disciplines of great importance to Dynetics employees are not routinely offered at local universities, Dynetics has established an in-house training program referred to as "Dynetics University". These technical courses involve 20 contact hours with homework and other formal completion requirements. In Company Fiscal Year (CFY) 2001 one hundred forty-seven certificates were awarded to employees completing requirements in these courses. In CFY 2002 this increased by 43% to 210 certificates.

The Huntsville Section congratulates Dynetics on this well-deserved recognition. The Awards Committee would also like to especially thank Mervin Budge, Eric Grigorian, and Christopher Zoeller who wrote endorsement letters in support of the Dynetics nomination.