MSU alumnus named federal laboratory director of the year
March 10, 2011
VICKSBURG, Miss. — Dr. David Pittman, director of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERCC) in Vicksburg, Miss., has been named Federal Laboratory Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). The honor, which was previously awarded to ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory Director Dr. Ilker Adiguzel in 2008, recognizes directors who have made maximum contributions to the overall enhancement of technology transfer.
The FLC is a nationwide network that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking laboratory mission, technologies, and expertise with the marketplace. Organized in 1974 and formally chartered in 1986, the universe community group boasts more than 250 federal laboratories and centers.
Pittman’s ERDC career began in 1983, when he joined the Pavement Systems Division of what was then known as the Geotechnical Laboratory (GL) as a research civil engineer. After leaving for three years to serve as an assistant professor in the Civil Engineering Department of Auburn University, he returned to ERDC in 1997 as chief of the Airfields and Pavements Division of GL.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Mississippi State University and a doctorate in the same from the University of Texas at Austin. Previous awards for Pittman include the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal and the ERDC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Equal Opportunity Employment. He is a registered professional engineer in Mississippi.
Pittman will be presented with the Federal Laboratory Director of the Year Award at the annual FLC conference in Nashville, Tenn., in May.
The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for USACE, with more than 2,500 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities and an annual research program exceeding $1.2 billion. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.