Women in Defense Michigan Honors Exceptional Professionals, Awards Scholarships

TROY, Mich., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At its annual Black Tie Gala, sponsored by Crain's Detroit Business, Women in Defense Michigan chapter (WID-MI) presented its Horizon Industry Awards to defense industry professionals for exceptional work, and its Horizons-Michigan scholarships to several women in the industry who are pursuing higher education.

"The individuals recognized by WID-MI are outstanding leaders," said Julie Wood, WID-MI president.  "WID-MI's Horizons winners are chosen because of their unparalleled commitment to excellence.  It's exciting to imagine the ways these women will continue to drive Michigan's defense and security industries forward."

In 2009, WID-MI established the Horizon Industry Awards to recognize defense and national security professionals who distinguish themselves in their field and help their organizations achieve critical business objectives and goals.

Horizon Industry Award winners are recognized for their leadership in product development, business development and innovation.  Since the program began in 2009, WID-MI has honored 13 industry professionals with a Horizon Industry Award.

The 2012 Horizon Industry Award winners are Shannon Percy of BAE Systems, who won the Product Development award, Pam McQueer of Logan Consultants, who won the Innovation award, and Sara Blackmer of Pratt & Miller Engineering, who won the Business Development award.

WID-MI's Horizons-Michigan scholarships program was established in 2009 to encourage females to pursue careers related to national security and defense interests of the United States, and provide development opportunities for women already working in these fields. Since 2009 WID-MI has given $61,000 in Horizon Michigan scholarships to 11 students.  WID-MI's 2012 Horizons-Michigan scholarships recipients are:

• Kimberly Klieber, a third year civil engineering student at Lawrence Technological University. She has been employed by the State of Michigan for the past two years as a geo-technical co-op student.  Prior to this position, Klieber was a two-year transportation and civil engineering high school intern with the State of Michigan.
• Larissa Dourjalian, a senior at Oakland University who is studying English and journalism. She is currently interning at Allied Integrated Marketing and plans to go to graduate school for communications.
• Rebecca Truitt, a junior at Lawrence Technological University who is pursuing a degree in chemistry. Her interest in science was stimulated by the Kevlar body armor that her father wore as a police officer. Upon graduation from LTU, Truitt hopes to obtain employment in the defense or aerospace industry. 

The WID-MI Jr. Horizons-Michigan Award recognizes an outstanding high school student.  This year's winner is Margaret Mooney, a senior at the Utica Center for Science & Industry (CSI).  Mooney is studying mechatronics, a field of study that merges the principles/processes of four engineering disciplines - electrical, mechanical, computer and industrial - to produce complex "smart" devices.  Mooney, who has a 3.96 GPA, plans to study biomedical engineering.  

ABOUT WID-MICHIGAN
Women In Defense Michigan chapter (WID-Michigan), is a non-profit professional networking and development organization for women and men across Michigan who contribute to national defense and security. Formed in 2007, WID-Michigan strengthens and influences the defense and national security industries by inspiring women, cultivating leadership, and growing professional relationships. WID-Michigan also assists in the educational development of young women in technical fields through scholarships and mentoring.  For more information, visit www.wid-mi.org.

SOURCE Women in Defense Michigan