Each year, The Department of the Navy recognizes the top 0.1 percent of Navy military and civilian scientists and engineers with the Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Award. This year, NAVFAC EXWC engineer GERRITT E. LANG was one of fifteen awardees, recognized for his work developing standards and a consistent methodology for assessing the strength of critical waterfront facility components as they age, specifically focused on mooring bollards.
The award is named after Dr. Delores M. Etter, President George W. Bush’s Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions) from 2005 to 2007, responsible for acquisition of all Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, vehicles, and information technology.
As Mr. Frederick J. Stefany, acting ASN (RD&A), said, “You are the scientists and engineers that are the best of the best. By leading the development of cutting-edge technologies, systems, and procedures, you help our Navy and our Marine Corps maintain a real advantage over our potential adversaries all around the globe.”
Gerritt Lang is an Ocean Engineer for Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC). He has been involved in a variety of programs since joining EXWC in 2009, including waterfront structures, fleet mooring systems, energy management and engineering, marine energy development, and waterborne systems. His duties included managing several Research, Development, Test and Engineering (RDT&E) projects that have resulted in technology transfer to the Fleet. His specialized expertise includes engineering of waterborne systems, anchors and moorings, piers and wharves, and marine energy systems.
Mr. Lang spent the first five years of his engineering career with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). In this role, he served as a test engineer and naval architect for future ship concepts. He also worked as a technology portfolio manager at the Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Technology Office from 2014 to 2015.
In 2004, Mr. Lang received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Ocean Engineering in 2011, both from Virginia Tech. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Virginia and has Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certifications for Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Science and Technology Manager. In his free time, he volunteers with Engineers Without Borders and is currently leading a project to build a water supply in rural Tanzania.
Quick Facts
Each year, The Department of the Navy recognizes the top 0.1 percent of Navy military and civilian scientists and engineers with the Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Award. This year, NAVFAC EXWC engineer GERRITT E. LANG was one of fifteen awardees, recognized for his work developing standards and a consistent methodology for assessing the strength of critical waterfront facility components as they age, specifically focused on mooring bollards.