SSPI honors SMC commander with Stellar Award

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Society of Satellite Professionals International honored Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, with its second annual Stellar Award for Government Service at a reception March 13, in Washington, D.C.

Pawlikowski said she was honored by the recognition and attributed her success as a space professional to the dedication of the men and women she has worked with throughout her career. "I have been so lucky to work with so many people of such high caliber. Our shared vision has allowed the DoD to accomplish the gravely important mission of providing the most advanced and affordable space capabilities so warfighters can navigate with accuracy, communicate with certainty, and strike with precision."

The award, presented during the opening night festivities of the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition, honors service to the U. S. government using satellites and satellite technology. SSPI selected Pawlikowski for her strong support of the commercial industry and her thoughtful leadership in the areas of hosted payloads and use of international partners.

"SSPI is proud to honor a leader who is finding innovative new ways to merge the strengths of commercial and governmental space to ensure readiness while managing costs," said SSPI Chairman Keith Buckley, CEO of ASC Signal Corporation, in a press release posted to SSPI's website. "She is also a role model for a new generation of leadership in the U.S. military."

SSPI's Stellar Award for Government Service is presented to either a civilian official or military leader of the U.S. government in recognition of service to the nation using satellites. SSPI presented the first Stellar Award to Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Lynn Kirby, SMC Public Affairs, contributed to this story.