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 37 years, the BEYA STEM awards have continued to provide employers throughout the country with the opportunity to voice the accomplishments of minorities in STEM. For 2023, BEYA’s theme is Becoming Everything You Are.
We’re proud to announce that this year, four talented Electric Boat employees are recipients of the Modern-Day Technology Leader Outstanding Achievement Award. The Modern Day Technology Leader Award recognizes bright men and women who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology through cutting-edge technology and research. Our winners demonstrate what Becoming Everything You Are means through their commitment and dedication that shapes us to be the world’s premier submarine builder.
The 2023 BEYA Awards Ceremony is taking place on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, where our fellow colleagues Christopher Wells, Delano Wilson, Ikechukwu Chima and Marin Sorcek will be awarded for their continuous hard work and success. General Dynamics (GD) will hold a separate ceremony dinner on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort to personally recognize winners from GD business units.
Christopher Wells
Engineering Supervisor, VCS Internal Structures
Christopher Wells started his career at EB in 1999 as a Project Engineer. During his time at Electric Boat, he transferred through various organizations including Operations, Quality and Engineering. In 2021, he was promoted to Engineering Supervisor, overseeing a team for the Subsea and Seabed Warfare Program for the Virginia-class submarine. Christopher is a member of EB’s Black Engagement Council (BEC) Employee Resource Group and a member of various organizations including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
“Winning this award is definitely an achievement for me, because it recognizes all of the hard work that I’ve contributed to the various Design and Engineering programs I’ve been involved with, and also highlights some of the milestones that I’ve accomplished during my career here at EB. Looking back at my experience at EB, I can honestly say that winning this award is a proud moment for me and my family. This award motivates me to continue to set a standard of excellence and quality in everything that I do. It also gives my engineering team a sense of pride that their supervisor achieved this great accomplishment.”
Delano Wilson
Engineering Supervisor, Systems
Delano Wilson started his career at EB in 2012 as an Engineer in the Reactor Plant Planning Yard. During his time at Electric Boat, he has continued to be promoted to positions with greater responsibility due to his work ethic and technical ability. He is now an Engineering Supervisor, responsible for resolving technical construction and design issues in multiple disciplines for Columbia construction at the Newport News shipyard. Delano is a member of EB’s Black Engagement Council (BEC) Employee Resource Group, the previous BEC Director of External Programs and a member of various organizations including Phi-Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the National Society of Black Engineers (NBBE) and is a mentor and youth leader at Ivy Baptist Church.
“Winning this award feels like the culmination of 10 years of striving for excellence on the job from a technical and personnel standpoint. I feel honored and grateful for all of the opportunities that I’ve had in my career and for the heartwarming letters of recommendation from my peers, mentors and management. This award will represent a personal reminder of both the success that I’ve had in my career and motivation to keep pushing toward future success. I hope it also inspires my fellow engineers as they pursue their career goals.”
Ikechukwu Chima​
Operations Supervisor, Outside Electricians
Ikechukwu Chima started his career at EB in 2018 as an Operations Supervisor in the Career Development (CD) Program. During his time at Electric Boat, he has transitioned through various roles in Operations and Engineering while increasing his roles and responsibilities. Ikechukwu is a member of EB’s Black Engagement Council (BEC) Employee Resource Group and the owner/driver of Chima Motorsports, LLC.
“It is an honor to be a recipient of this award early on in my career. It highlights the contributions I make on a daily basis as a leader at Electric Boat. To be recognized at this level is a humbling experience that I will carry for the rest of my career. This award provides further motivation to keep challenging myself and others around me to continue performing work with careful attention to detail, high quality and a commitment to excellence.”
Marin Sorcek
Engineering Supervisor, Emergency Planning
Marin Sorcek started her career at EB in 2015 as an Engineer in the Radiological Controls (RADCON) department before transitioning to an Emergency Planning Engineer. In this role, she supported the Radiological Technical Branch of the Radiological Emergency Response Organization. She has greatly contributed to maintaining Electric Boat’s relationship with Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Marin has gained increased responsibilities and roles through her dedication and commitment. She was the principle leader in obtaining Naval Sea Systems Command’s approval and implementing a web-based application for the entire Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Due to this dedication, she was promoted to Radiological Controls Supervisor in 2021.
“Being recognized for my dedication, determination and integrity is one of the greatest achievements of my career to date. Winning this award validates all of the barriers that I have overcome and motivates me to continuously improve myself. This award motivates me to continue to evaluate how technology can streamline our processes and improve our products.”
Congratulations to Christopher, Delano, Ikechukwu and Marin on their exceptional achievements!
To learn more about BEYA and for more information on how to nominate an employee for future BEYA Awards, contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at EB_DEIE@gdeb.com.
