NETL employees were honored for their excellence in government service at a recent ceremony hosted by the Federal Executive Board May 8 at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Student Union.

Three NETL employees received prestigious Excellence in Government awards, which recognize outstanding federal employees for efforts that encourage innovation and excellence in government; reinforce pride in federal service; and call public attention to the broad range of service provided by federal employees. An independent committee of federal executives selected the award winners.

NETL employees received awards for the following achievements:

• Allen Lichvar (Gold Award, Outstanding Supervisor/Manager in a Professional Series) for outstanding leadership and technical expertise in serving as site manager for NETL’s Morgantown and Pittsburgh (acting) sites and demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of services to the public by enabling the Lab to more effectively address today’s energy challenges.

• David Hopkinson (Silver Award, Outstanding Professional Employee) for outstanding technical leadership in mixed-matrix membrane development that resulted in one of the best-known materials for separating carbon dioxide from nitrogen for post-combustion carbon capture.

• Ken Mechling (Bronze, Outstanding Administrative Employee) for exceptional leadership in building and managing NETL’s K-12 STEM Education and Outreach program into a strategic, well-executed and highly impactful educational asset.

The Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board (FEB) is composed of more than 100 federal agencies and 20,000 federal employees in the Pittsburgh region, representing 22 counties in western Pennsylvania and 14 counties in north-central West Virginia. The FEB strives to provide effective communications and coordination between federal agencies and all levels of government. The goal of the FEB is to be a constructive, unifying force within the federal government and local community by facilitating valuable collaboration.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory that produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. From developing creative innovations and efficient energy systems that make coal more competitive, to advancing technologies that enhance oil and natural gas extraction and transmission processes, NETL research is providing breakthroughs and discoveries that support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled men and women at three NETL research sites — Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.