Vance R. Wanner Memorial Award

About the MORS Vance R. Wanner Memorial Award

Established in 1978, the Wanner Award recognizes an individual who has played a major role in strengthening the profession of national security operations research as well as the Society at-large. Recipients of this award demonstrate sustained, distinguished service and excellence as leaders, resulting in timely and significant contributions to operations research in support of the security of our nation. They exemplify effective, strong leadership and imbue a deep sense of ethical conduct.

The call for nominations is released annually in the spring.

Purpose

• To set up a tribute to CDR Vance R. Wanner, USN, the first Executive Secretary of the Society from 1966-1977 and a respected colleague who gave so much enduring value to the national security operations research community.
• To give evidence to the belief of MORS that operations research represents a symbiosis of people and systems, not merely a set of techniques for manipulating data and evaluating results. Our discipline has revealed that the human factor of the equation frequently falls victim to the elegance of mathematics; even the best solutions fail when the human element fails.
• To emphasize that leadership in national security operations research includes more than a mastery of a kit of analytic tools. We seek to identify and recognize members of our profession who have advanced beyond mere excellence in individual achievement and have expanded the application of national security operations research and raised its standards.
• To consider the management and leadership of national security operations research—its direction and control, quality, applicability, and timeliness. We hope this award will inspire members of the national security operations research community to broaden their scope of participation in the advancement of the profession by emphasizing the functions as an integral element of the whole.

Criteria

Nominees should exhibit the following:

• Distinguished service over time as a leader in the conduct of national security operations research, resulting in important contributions to the profession.
• Broadening the vision of decision makers and increasing the recognition of operations research as a force multiplier to national security.
• Contribution to the institutional aims, goals, and professional status of MORS, leading to long-term enhancement of its role in providing a forum not otherwise available to the community.

Note: Current MORS Sponsors and members of the MORS Board of Directors are not eligible for this award.

Past Award Winners

2023 - Mr. Walt DeGrange

2022 - Dr. William Forest Crain, FS

2021 - Dr. George Akst

2020 - Dr. Robert F. Dell

2019 - Dr. John A. Battilega

2018 - Ms. Virginia R. Beall

2017 - Mr. Edward "Ted" A. Smyth, FS

2016 - Dr. Jacqueline Henningsen, FS

2015 - Mr. Ervin Kapos, FS

2014 - Mr. John F. "Jack" Keane, FS

2013 - Dr. Gregory S. Parnell, FS

2012 - BG (Ret) Michael L. McGinnis, FS

2011 - Dr. Andrew G. Loerch, FS

2010 - Mr. Andrew W. Marshall

2009 - Mr. Stuart H. Starr, FS

2008 - Mr. Thomas L. Allen, FS

2007 - Mr. Walter W. Hollis, FS

2006 - Mr. Roy E. Rice, FS

2005 - Mr. Vernon M. Bettencourt, FS

2004 - Mr. David M. Maddox

2003 - Ms. Natalie W. Crawford

2002 - Mr. Michael F. Bauman, FS

2001 - Mr. William G. Lese, Jr., FS

2000 - Mr. Seymour J. Deitchman

1999 - Mr. Donald B. Rice

1998 - Mr. Larry D. Welch

1997 - Mr. Paul K. Davis, FS

1996 - Mr. Edward C. Brady, FS

1995 - Mr. E.B. Vandiver III, FS

1994 - Mr. James N. Bexfield, FS

1993 - Mr. David S.C. Chu

1992 - Mr. John D. Robinson

1991 - Marion L. Williams, FS

1990 - Mr. John K. Walker, Jr., FS

1989 - Mr. Wayne P. Hughes, Jr., FS

1988 - Mr. Clayton J. Thomas, FS

1987 - Mr. Wilbur B. Payne, FS

1986 - Mr. Seth Bonder, FS

1985 - Ms. Marion R. Bryson, FS

1984 - Mr. David A. Schrady, FS

1983 - Mr. Jasper A. Welch, Jr.

1982 - Mr. Walter L. Deemer

1981 - Mr. Jack R. Borsting, FS

1980 - Mr. Glenn A. Kent

1979 - Mr. Bernard O. Koopman