Press Release
Rebekah Yang Honored for Analytical Excellence at CNA Awards
Today, CNA honored Systems Engineer Dr. Rebekah Yang with the Phil E. Depoy Award for Analytical Excellence. In only seven years at CNA, Yang has made a significant impact at the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and correctional agencies. CNA leaders praised her analytical accomplishments, noting, "The depth and breadth of her analytical prowess and positive impact in the public interest are truly remarkable."
Presenting the award, CNA President and CEO Dr. Katherine McGrady said that Yang's UAS Traffic Management Message Security approach "has played a pivotal role in shaping the FAA's cybersecurity strategy." McGrady added, "One of Rebekah's skills that make her so influential with clients is her ability to simplify and crystallize complex concepts without diluting their substance."
The DePoy Award was one of several annual awards bestowed at CNA's Awards Day celebration. McGrady described the award recipients this year as "truly dedicated and inspiring."
The award recipients honored at this year's CNA Awards Day are:
Phil E. DePoy Award: Rebekah Yang
Dr. Rebekah Yang has made an analytical impact in cybersecurity, AI, and COVID modeling. In addition to influencing FAA cybersecurity strategy, the paper she wrote on her Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management Message Security approach won first place at the 2022 Integrated Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Conference. She was one of the primary authors of the FAA's "Certification Research Plan for Artificial Intelligence Applications," a paper that was co-signed by the director of NASA's Airspace Operations and Safety Program and by the chief scientist of FAA NextGen. And she played a key role in the development of CNA's SAFER-CTM model for protecting residents of corrections facilities from COVID-19.
CEO Teamwork Award: FEMA Grants Management Modernization Team
CNA's FEMA Grants Management Modernization Team was honored for their superior performance in leading business analysis for the FEMA GO grants platform for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Across nine years, CNA has played a key role in advancing the grants platform from idea to operational capability. Today, FEMA GO efficiently handles 36 grant programs, managing 84,000 users and more than $5 billion in grant awards. The Teamwork Award winners were praised for being a collaborative, high-expectations team, known for "extreme preparation" for new members to become successfully integrated into the project.
Mary Ann Pianka-Carey Kellam Award: Ronald Young
Named after revered former CNA employees Mary Ann Pianka and Carey Kellam, this award is given annually to an employee who demonstrates excellence in the quality and creativity of their work and commitment to service. Ronald Young, who has worked at CNA for 30 years, has developed a reputation for ensuring everything runs smoothly in the facilities he manages. Known for his smile and trademark humor, Young is dedicated to his job and performs as a "player-coach," leading by example. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he insisted on working at CNA headquarters every day to ensure that those who had to work in person would have a safe environment.
Deployer Award: Ray Wang, Annie Voigt, and Kevin O'Connell
The Deployer Award is given to CNA field representatives who undertake lengthy tours at sea or in combat zones. Dr. Ray Wang deployed twice aboard USS Gerald R. Ford while he was field representative to Carrier Strike Group Twelve, in 2022 and from May to December 2023. Throughout his deployment, he analyzed new systems performance.
Annie Voigt deployed with Carrier Strike Group One aboard USS Carl Vinson from August 2023 until May 2024. While aboard the Vinson, she was the technical lead for the Data Science @ Sea project, established to develop quick-response data science projects to make the strike group more efficient and effective.
Kevin O'Connell served on USS Eisenhower for six months before moving to Carrier Strike Group Seven. His deployment took him to the Arabian and Red Seas, where Houthi rebels in Yemen were launching strikes against ships and Israel. While there, he collected data on every U.S. Navy defensive engagement against missiles and drones.
CNA is a nonprofit research and analysis organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. It operates the Center for Naval Analyses—the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) of the Department of the Navy—as well as the Institute for Public Research. CNA develops actionable solutions to complex problems of national importance. With nearly 700 scientists, analysts, and professional staff, CNA takes a real-world approach to gathering data. Its unique Field Program places analysts on aircraft carriers and military bases, in squad rooms and crisis centers, working side by side with operators and decision-makers around the world. CNA supports naval operations, fleet readiness, and strategic competition. Its non-defense research portfolio includes criminal justice, homeland security, and data management.
Note to writers and editors: CNA is not an acronym and is correctly referenced as "CNA, a research organization in Arlington, VA."