The OES Society Awards Ceremony was held during the Wednesday Plenary at OCEANS 2018 Charleston. We are honored to introduce the following 2018 OES award recipients. Congratulations!

2018 Distinguished Technical Achievement Award: Martin Klein
Martin Klein is presented the DTA award for the design and development of the first commercial dual-channel side scan sonar and contributions to new techniques in ocean exploration.
     Mr. Martin Klein is Founder and former President of Klein Associates, Inc., now Klein Marine Systems. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate (Class of 1962), Mr. Klein was Program Manager for Sonar Systems at E.G.&G. International (1962–1967) where he developed the first commercial dual-channel side scan sonar, establishing a lineage of seabed mapping systems that continues to evolve and to be used to this day. In 1968 he founded Klein Associates, Inc., where he improved and diversified the product, distributed the first dual-frequency system, and developed the first combined side scan and sub-bottom profiling sonar. These systems have seen worldwide use in surveys for the offshore commercial sector, for resource management, maritime archeology, as well as for military applications. The Klein Side Scan Sonar was one of the iconic objects selected for the MIT150 Exhibition, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of MIT.

Martin Klein receives the Distinguished Technical Achievement Award from OES president Christian de Moustier.

     Klein’s sonars have been used to help find numerous shipwrecks that include the Titanic, the Lusitania, the Edinburgh, the Hamilton and Scourge, the Lake George Radeau (oldest warship in the U.S.), and the HMS Erebus. In the 1960s Mr. Klein helped design, install and operate the first deep side scan sonar, and up-down and navigation sonar for the Bathyscaph Trieste during the search for the lost submarine USS Thresher. In the 1970s Mr. Klein worked with the Academy of Applied Science and the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau using his side scan sonar instruments to show the existence of caves in the steep walls of the Loch, locate cultural artifacts, and assess the fauna of that storied body of water. He participated in dives of several research submersibles, including a 5000- foot dive in the ALVIN with a team from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in which he made the first sub-bottom profile from a deep submersible.
     Mr. Klein is the author of numerous patents and publications. He is a Life Member of the IEEE, a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a fellow and former Director of Budget and Finance for the Marine Technology Society. Mr. Klein was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, is recipient of the Order of Excellence Award from the Alliance for Maritime Heritage Conservation and the Compass Distinguished Achievement Award sponsored by Sea Technology Magazine, and in 2018 received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oceanology International Conference in London. Currently Mr. Klein serves on the Advisory Board of the MIT Sea Grant Program and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and serves as a judge and mentor for the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV Competition.

2018 Distinguished Service Award: Jerry Carroll
Jerry Carroll is presented the DSA for contributions to the governance of the Society as an elected member of the Administrative and Executive Committees, for service as Treasurer (2005–2008), President (2009–2012), Junior Past President (2013–2016), and Senior Past President (2016–2018).
     Jerry Carroll attended Oklahoma State University majoring in geophysics. Before graduating, he worked for Petty Geophysical Co. performing seismic survey, and for Phillips Petroleum Co. After graduating he began his career with NAVOCEANO in Washington D.C. During his career in Oceanography, he served as Special Advisor to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, concerning Oceanography Programs from 1996 to 2008. While at the Naval Oceanographic Office, he was the Director of the Oceanography Department from 1981 to 1990 and Director of the Operations Directorate from 1991 to 1996, responsible for over 650 civilians, 100 military personnel and a fleet of oceanographic ships & aircraft. He developed a system at NAVOCEANO to find a major wreck off the Aleutian Islands that was set to create a nuclear explosion, but the threat was neutralized. His experience in the Navy Department was very valuable for involving Navy participation, organizing conferences and symposia for the OES, and expanding OES international participation. He was very influential in developing technical sessions with Navy participation for OES conferences and symposia.

Jerry Carroll receives the Distinguished Service Award from OES president Christian de Moustier.

     He received numerous awards, including the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Secretary of the Navy’s Hispanic 5 Point Award. He was very active in the Navy’s International Programs, establishing contacts in many countries. Mr. Carroll has been active in Professional Societies most of his career. As a member of the American Geophysical Union he helped organize Oceanographic Conferences in New Orleans. He is a Fellow in the Marine Technology Society and served as Vice-President for the MTS Southern Region. He was also a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and GRSS. He was affiliated with the University of Mississippi as a Research Scientist and a member of the Gulf Coast Gas Hydrate Consortium.
     As OES President and Treasurer of IEEE/OES, Jerry strengthened OES policy for controlling finances for conferences and symposia. He provided leadership and promoted new international symposia in South America, the Baltic and S.E. Asia.
     Mr. Carroll is a Senior Past President of the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society and served more than 10 years providing OES leadership in the administrative and executive committees. He served as OES Treasurer from 2005 to 2008 and as OES president from 2009 to 2012.
     In his term of office, he pioneered initiating international programs in South America, and initiated a series of symposia in the Baltic region. Mr. Carroll was successful in getting prominent speakers from the Navy Department and financial support from the Office of Naval Research Global whose responsibility included providing conference support for foreign universities. In 2006, Mr. Carroll played a major role in inviting Russian participation, including bringing a prominent Russian oceanographic ship into Klaipeda Harbor; inviting ship tours and an onboard reception. This was the first time that a Russian ship from neighboring Kaliningrad was allowed entry in the port of Klaipeda. Russian participation enabled exchange of ocean technology which was previously limited. He brought about discussions of very sensitive and new topics on marine activities in the Baltic such as obtaining valuable information on World War II ordinance disposal and monitoring, and the introduction of the gas pipeline from Russia along the Baltic floor. The disposal of World War II ordinance, including unexploded mines bearing dangerous chemicals, posed serious environmental problems.
     Mr. Carroll played a leading role in establishing symposia and workshops in South America. This represented the first OES penetration in South America. The symposia proved to be very successful. In Chile and Argentina, academic and naval organizations and their leadership were invited in responsible roles in symposia participation. Mr. Carroll played a leading role in planning and organizing the South American symposia and in particular, getting financial support. The symposia in Vina Del Mar, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina were very successful in providing OES South American participation. Mr. Carroll also participated in launching a new series of Underwater Technology (UT) symposia in Tokyo Japan which later led to the UT symposia in Taiwan, China and India.

2018 Institution Award: Brest Métropole
Brest Métropole is presented the Institution Award for its enduring support and contributions to the goals of the Society and their promotion during the biennial Sea Tech Week event since 2010.

René Garello receives the OES Institution Award on behalf of Brest Metropole.

     Sea Tech Week—the international marine science and technology conference—is organised every two even years in Brest, in the framework of “Campus mondial de la mer” by Brest Metropole city council and Technopôle Brest-Iroise, with the support of the European Union and the Brittany region. 
     Sea Tech Week was first launched in the 2000s. For Brest metropole, the idea was to offer the region’s stakeholders a showcase to raise the profile of all research as well as innovation-generating companies. 
     The conference represents over one thousand participants, researchers, industrialists and decision-makers and it offers also a unique opportunity to develop business relationships in taking part in the exhibition and face-to-face meetings. 
     Since 2009, the Brest event is supported by IEEE/OES through a memorandum of understanding which organizes a crossed promotion between Sea Tech Week, the even years, and the OCEANS conference held in Europe the odd years.

2018 Presidential Award: Venugopalan Pallayil
Venugopalan Pallayil is presented the Presidential Award with appreciation and thanks for his outstanding service to the Society.
     Venugopalan Pallayil is a Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Head at the Acoustic Research Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science, National University of Singapore. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics and PhD in microwave electronics from Cochin University of Science and Technology. His research interest includes ambient noise measurement and imaging, underwater sensor system development and seabed characterization. In 2004, the project ROMANIS, a second generation ambient noise imaging system, won the Defence Technology Prize for best group project. He has published widely in many international journals and conferences. He has participated, on invitation, in three international research cruises in collaboration with U.S. universities towards understanding acoustic interactions with the seabed. Prior to moving to Singapore, he spent about 11 years at the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Cochin, as an R&D Scientist where he worked on airborne ASW sensor systems.

Venugopalan Pallayil receives the Presidential Award from OES president Christian de Moustier.

     Venu has been a member of IEEE for the past 21 years and is a senior member since 2007. He is also a Member of Acoustical Society of America and Society of Acoustics, Singapore. He serves as a reviewer for many international journals and conferences. He served on the AdCom for IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society in 2016 as a nominated member and was again elected to serve for the period 2018-2020. He was one of the founding members of IEEE OES Singapore Chapter and served it in different capacities such as treasurer and Chair. As a leading member of the committee which initiated The Singapore AUV Challenge, an international student competition, he supported its activities in many capacities including its chairmanship. He has been the Chair for sponsorship for this event since 2013 and generates on an average $35K for running this competition. Venu was associated with the IEEE OES programme sub-committee for OTC Asia since 2014 and served as its Chair in 2018. In 2006 he served as the Chair for Finance for the OCEANS conference held in Singapore. He will be the General Chair for OCEANS 2020 Singapore.

2018 Emeritus Award: Daniel Alspach
Daniel Alspach is presented the Emeritus Award with appreciation and thanks for his outstanding service to the Society as an elected member of the Administrative and Executive Committee.
     Dr. Alspach, a company founder in 1973, served as Vice President/Technical Director till 1980 and has been President of ORINCON Corporation since 1980. As of July 1, 2000, Dr. Alspach was Chairman, President and CEO of ORINCON, Industries, Inc., the parent company. Using his 30+ years of technical and management experience, he has guided ORINCON in its mission of bringing quality systems analysis and software development skills to bear on real-world technical problems.
     As President of ORINCON Corporation, Dr. Alspach oversaw all corporate activities while maintaining a strong interest in ORINCON’s technical work. Under contracts to DARPA, the U.S. Navy, and other Government customers, he has led many company efforts, particularly inter-array processing and multiple coherence for ocean surveillance, designed and led the implementation effort for the SOSUS tracker, and the company’s first multi-target/multi-sensor tracking system. He led a DARPA-sponsored technology assessment of key issues in development of antiballistic missile concepts for the Strategic Defense Initiative.
     Dr. Alspach is a Fellow Member of the IEEE and past President of the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society and was a member of the Executive Board. He was a founding member of the OES and was on the Council of Oceanic Engineering from its inception in 1976. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Small Business Technology Coalition. Dr. Alspach has held faculty positions at the University of California at San Diego and at Colorado State University. Prior to founding ORINCON, he investigated spin-off concepts for the ORION nuclear-powered space vehicle at the General Atomic Division of General Dynamics and performed navigation and control studies of manned spacecraft at Honeywell, Inc., in the Advanced Space Flight Systems Division.
     Dr. Alspach received his B.S./M.S. in Physics from the University of Washington, 1962 and 1966, respectively, and his Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from the University of California at San Diego in 1970.