The Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Conference is held annually to recognize the contributions of individuals who are developing innovation and blazing the trail in their professional careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For 36 years, the BEYA STEM awards have continued to provide employers throughout the country with the opportunity to voice the accomplishments of minorities in STEM. We’re proud to announce that this year, four talented Electric Boat employees are recipients of outstanding achievement awards.
The 2022 BEYA Awards Ceremony is taking place on Friday, February 18 virtually, where our fellow colleagues Wilmer Lambert, David Ferber, Larry Wiley and Saray Checo will be awarded for their continuous hard work and success. General Dynamics (GD) will hold a separate virtual ceremony on February 17 to personally recognize winners from GD business units.
Wilmer Lambert
Wilmer is a recipient of the ‘Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award,’ which recognizes men and women who are actively creating new paths for others in science, research, technology and development. Regardless of career point, recipients of this award have distinguished themselves by setting their sights higher and striving to innovate and open doors for others.
Wilmer launched his EB career in 2011 as a Test Engineer and has continued rising to positions of greater responsibility due to his work ethic and technical ability. He is now an Engineering Supervisor responsible for the execution of test program and simulation development for the Columbia Class Ship Control Project. Many also know Wilmer as the President of EB’s Black Engagement Council (BEC), an Employee Resource Group, where he is leading the path of fostering a diverse environment within Electric Boat for all to succeed.
“Being nominated for and winning this award is an honor for me. I am very grateful for the community of support that has taken the time to mentor, coach and guide me throughout my career. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity of this achievement. This is as much their achievement as it is mine. This award provides perspective that for me, ties into EB’s Core values. It’s a reminder of the importance of making time to mentor and build each other up and to bake into that process the time to recognize the progress that is made.”
David Ferber
David is a recipient of the ‘Modern Day Technology Leader Award,’ which recognizes bright men and women who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology through cutting-edge technology and research.
David started his career at EB in 2014 as a Systems Engineer in the Habitability Systems group (Columbia Class Fluid Systems Department). Through his tenure at EB, he has been a leader of several initiatives and recently became an Engineering Supervisor in 2020. In this role, David led the team responsible for integrating the Virginia Payload Module and SSW design changes to freshwater systems and more recently, seawater systems. David is passionate about creating a workplace that is rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion, and in 2021, he helped launch a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) known as the Employee Queer and Allies League, or EQUAL, for which he is the founding member. Through this group, he makes strides to foster authenticity and inclusion within the diverse Electric Boat workforce.
“Winning this award is a tremendous honor, because I am being recognized among some of the most talented STEM leaders in the country. As a black queer engineer, this award further validates the importance of diverse leadership within an organization and affirms the hard work that is being done at EB to cultivate a culture where we value each other because of our differences.”
Larry Wiley
Larry is a recipient of the ‘Modern Day Technology Leader Award.’ He started his career at Electric Boat in 2011 as a Security Officer before transferring to the Radiological Services organization and qualifying as a Radiological Controls Technician. In 2016, he was promoted to Supervisor of Radiological Controls (Radcon), where he supervised Radcon instructors and oversaw the development and delivery of classroom and practical examination instruction. Larry continued to rise in his career and was promoted to Chief of Nuclear Trade Training in 2021, taking on the responsibility of overseeing the development of radiological and nuclear skills to ensure an effective, modern and forward-thinking workforce.
“I am very appreciative of the recognition for being a modern day technology leader. This award is a testament to the work that I have put in up to this point in my career. However, this award is not only about the work I have put in, but the work of others who have helped me along the way. I would like to thank my leaders and mentors who influenced me the most up to this point, and most importantly, the supervisors, instructors and support personnel in my organization that are doing the day-to-day tasks that allow me to be the leader that I am being recognized as. Without their support and dedication, I would not be who I am.”
Saray Checo
Saray is a recipient of the ‘Modern Day Technology Leader Award.’ She started at Electric Boat in July 2015 as a Structural Engineer in the Waterfront Engineering Organization. So far in her career, Saray has been able to work and collaborate with various organizations, gaining her valuable experience and advancing her to roles including sea trials Test Supervisor, Engineering and Design Liaison, and currently the Engineering Project Lead for IPS, Columbia Propulsion Plant Systems. Saray is president of EB’s Hispanic Shipbuilding Association (HSA), an Employee Resource Group, where she’s heading the group’s mission of continuously fostering a diverse network of professionals within EB that empowers career development, promotes Hispanic culture and contributes to the betterment of local communities.
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized as a technology leader. This year’s conference theme is ‘Engineering Our STEM World to Engage, Learn, Evolve, Advance and Thrive.’ I relate to this year’s theme as an engineer at Electric Boat, as I am inspired to learn, innovate and engage with my peers to ensure we are delivering the best possible product to the Navy. Being recognized for the hard work and achievements I have accomplished thus far is a huge morale booster for me to continue to perform my very best for Electric Boat. Winning this award has allowed me to connect with new people at EB that have become valuable connections that will be maintained throughout my career here.”
Congratulations to Wilmer, David, Larry and Saray on their exceptional achievements!
To learn more about BEYA and for more information on how to nominate an employee for future BEYA Awards, please contact your HR Business Partner.
Click here to view previous EB BEYA Award winners.
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