Vance R. Wanner Memorial Award
2001 Recipient
Citation
Military operations research contributes effectively to the
nation’s security to the degree that it meets the evolving needs of defense
and conforms to the highest standards of scientific quality and timeliness. To
grant recognition to individual practitioners who have made outstanding
contributions to the progress of this advancing profession, The Military
Operations Research Society has established the Vance R. Wanner Memorial Award.
The Directors of MORS have selected, for this award in 2001:
William G. Lese
In recognition of his enduring
contributions to the profession of military operations research, Dr. William G.
Lese is awarded the Vance Wanner Memorial Award for the year 2000. Dr. Lese's
commitment to analytical excellence has left a legacy of programs with direct
and lasting impact on the field of military operations research.
A staunch supporter of Joint analysis, Dr. Lese’s leadership and
innovation raised the quality of Joint and DoD analysis to new heights,
contributing significantly to the defense of the United States.
As architect of the Modern Aids to Planning Program, Dr. Lese initiated
analytic support to the combatant commands that endures under the Joint Analytic
Support Program. As Scientific and
Technical Advisor to the Commander in Chief, US Central Command, Dr. Lese was
instrumental in establishing the warfighting analysis cell that performed
admirable duty in Desert Storm. In
the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he oversaw program analysis leading to
the recapitalization of the Land Forces into the new era of force projection.
His insightful efforts led to significant improvements in Cost and
Operational Effectiveness Analyses in support of weapon system acquisition.
Dr. Lese has ensured that the tools of operations research meet the
demands of future defense analysis through the initiation of the Joint Analytic
Model Improvement Program and the Joint Warfare System (JWARS) program. Through his commitment to and support of the Defense Resource
Management System program, Dr. Lese used defense analysis as a means of
developing Partnerships for Peace with emerging democracies, materially
affecting the security posture of many Eastern Bloc nations.
Dr. Lese has been a consistent advocate and contributor to the Military
Operations Research Society, including service as a Director of the Society from
1984-1988 and 1991-1995, and as Sponsor of the Society for the Office of the
Secretary of Defense. Dr. Lese’s contributions to the science and practice
of military operations research and to the defense of the United States for over
35 years are in the highest tradition of the Vance R. Wanner Memorial Award.
