ST. LOUIS, Feb. 04, 2002 -- A Boeing engineer and the student intern he advises as a mentor will receive 2002 Black Engineer of the Year Awards on Feb. 16.
Jimmy Williams Jr., Ph.D., director of Manufacturing Process Improvement for Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems, will receive an award for professional achievement in industry. Roberto Young, a Boeing INROADS intern who is pursuing bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering and mathematics at the University of Memphis, is the award recipient for student leadership.
The Black Engineer of the Year Award recognizes the achievements of the country's most successful African-American engineers, scientists and technology leaders.
Williams and Young will be honored during ceremonies at the 16th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference in Baltimore, Md. The conference, one of the nation's premier technology events, presents awards in 20 categories. More than 7,000 participants are expected to attend.
Boeing is one of 130 companies, government agencies, colleges and universities that support the program. Williams and Young join 10 other Boeing employees nationwide who have received Black Engineer of the Year awards.
Williams leads an organization of more than 250 technical professionals that ensures Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems effectively transitions the best and most up-to-date processes and technologies into its production operations to maximize product affordability and performance.
His team develops manufacturing equipment, materials, processes, procedures and systems that sustain efficient manufacturing operations and increase productivity. During 2000, Williams' organization documented $427 million in savings.
Williams has advanced rapidly during his 18-year career at Boeing. He has been senior manager of Advanced Manufacturing Research and Development in the Boeing Phantom Works and Military Aircraft and Missile Systems, manager of system assessment and planning, manager of F/A-18 supplier management, team leader for the F/A-18 landing gear and arresting hook, a consultant for strategic planning, deputy program manager for advanced materials and structures, team leader for F/A-18 final assembly, senior engineer for producibility, general foreman in Production Operations, and engineer in the Manufacturing Center.
Williams holds a patent for the development of a Power Feed Aline-A-Drill that is lighter, more reliable and more economical to operate than traditional drilling units for aircraft fastener holes.
He also has worked extensively with the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom to develop a center of excellence in advanced metals machining.
Williams, of St. Louis, received his doctorate in science, engineering and policy from Washington University in 2001, his master's degree in business administration from Lindenwood University in 1987, and his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1983.
He has been a mentor to fellow award recipient Young, who has completed four years as an INROADS intern at Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems. During his internship, Young worked on projects that include the development of hardware and software for test equipment in support of F/A-18E/F electro-optical sensor systems, software for a configuration management system, and hardware and control systems for an advanced fastener deployment system in support of advanced manufacturing technologies.
Young, of St. Louis, is president of the INROADS Students Association, or ISA, acting as the voice of student interns and coordinator of their community service activities. He is a former vice president of the ISA, St. Louis freshman intern of the year and St. Louis intern of the year.
He will graduate from the University of Memphis in May 2002 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and mathematics. After graduation, Young plans to pursue an additional bachelor of science degree in computer engineering, which he is scheduled to complete in May 2003.
A student athlete at Memphis, Young had the highest grade point average among members of the Tiger football team in 1998. In 1998-99, he was a member of the Tiger Top 30, which includes University of Memphis athletes who earn the top 30 grade point averages.
Young volunteers to instruct students at high schools on technology processes and employment. He regularly visits grade schools to encourage young people to stay in school, say no to drugs and respond effectively to peer pressure. He has also participated in community service activities in St. Louis and Memphis through his membership in fraternal organizations, and he visits hospitals to inspire children dealing with terminal illnesses and life-threatening injuries.
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