[SatNews] The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) will honor two government leaders with its annual Stellar Award for Government Service.

Maj. Gen. Martin Whelan, Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, and Madelyn Creedon, Assistant Secretary for Global Strategic Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, will be honored during the Stellar Reception prior to SSPI’s annual Gala Dinner on March 11, the opening night of the SATELLITE 2014 Conference, in Washington, DC.  The Stellar Awards honor service to the United States Government using satellites and satellite technology.

About the Honorees:

• Maj. Gen. Martin Whelan, Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base—Maj. Gen. Martin Whelan is responsible for defining the future of space and cyberspace systems through requirements definition, mission area architecting and science and technology in support of the joint warfighter, Department of Defense, civil and national users.  His mission areas include missile warning/defense, military satellite communications, responsive space, cyber warfare network operations, global positioning system, space control, space protection, launch and range operations and requirements generation.
• Madelyn Creedon, Assistant Secretary for Global Strategic Affairs, US Department of Defense—Madelyn Creedon was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs (GSA) on August 2, 2011.  In this capacity she supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in overseeing policy development and execution in the areas of countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), U.S. nuclear forces and missile defense, and DOD cyber security and space issues.

"SSPI is proud to once again acknowledge the contributions of key military and civilian leaders to the government’s ability to make efficient, strategic and cost-effective use of satellites to protect the security and welfare of the United States," said SSPI executive director Robert Bell.  "We know that leadership is a team sport, but strong teams are a reflection of great leaders who know how to champion change where it is needed."
 
The Stellar Reception is an exclusive reception taking place immediately prior to SSPI’s Gala Dinner on the opening night of the SATELLITE 2014 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC. SSPI will also be honoring the recipients of the 2014 Industry Innovator Awards during the Gala.

Previous Stellar Awards have been presented to Lieutenant General Larry D. James, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, U.S. Air Force; Douglas L. Loverro, Executive Director, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command; Lieutenant General Ellen M. Pawlikowski, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command; and General James Cartwright, then-Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.