Black engineers honored during annual gala

  • Published
  • By Karen Jackson
  • Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Neville Thompson, a senior electronics engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory, is one of the recipients of the 2007 Professional Achievement in Government Award.

Mr. Thompson, assigned to the AFRL Munitions Directorate, received the honor for his outstanding accomplishments during the 21st anniversary of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference, held Feb. 15 - 17, in Washington D.C. This year's list of accomplished engineering and technology inductees have achieved exceptional career gains in government and industry and have earned a lifetime of achievements for their pioneering feats and contributions.

In the course of his more than 17 years in government service, Mr. Thompson has been a bench-level engineer, test engineer, program manager and branch chief. Proven as a talented scientist, financial expert and engineer, he has worked as a team leader in a variety of programs, including the development and evaluation for smart-weapon algorithms.

He is currently a key player in ensuring that important research and development programs get adequate consideration in the president's budget. Through the years, he has remained true to his almamater, Tuskegee University. He sits on the College of Engineering and Architecture and Physical Sciences Advisory Councils and has successfully encouraged AFRL's Munitions Directorate to hire several Tuskegee University alumni, as well as minorities from other historically black colleges and universities.

He is a chief recruiter for his directorate, directly resulting in a 350 percent increase in African American engineers and a 30 percent increase in female engineers.

His service to the nation has been remarkable but so has his service to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Through their office, he has been a foster parent to more than 20 children who affectionately refer to him as "Poppa T."