February 16, 2012

(LANHAM, Md.)—Data Solutions & Technology Incorporated (DST) Founder and CEO Deborah Scott Thomas received the Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) STEM Trailblazers award today. Workforce leaders in industry, education, government, and professionals and students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields are meeting in Philadelphia at the annual BEYA STEM Conference to address the challenges of recruitment and retention in STEM and promote opportunities in technical and scientific careers.

BEYA is the nation’s largest annual gathering of STEM professionals and leaders committed to increasing the percentage of underrepresented communities in the technology workforce.  The twenty-sixth annual conference is hosted by the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and US Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine.

According to USBE&IT magazine Publisher and BEYA Chairman Tyrone Taborn, “The need for this initiative is more important than ever. Education is key to American competitiveness, and our nation is falling behind. That’s why leading military officers, U.S. government officials, and Fortune 500 executives have committed to addressing this crisis by attending and supporting the national conference to strengthen the STEM pipeline.”

The BEYA STEM Conference—which is scheduled for February 16-18, 2012 at the Philadelphia Convention Center and Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA.—recognizes a number of technology leaders who are being acknowledged for their career achievements and their efforts in strengthening the STEM pipeline. Among them is David L. Steward, the chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, Inc., one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in America.

Data Solutions & Technology, located in Lanham, MD, provides a full spectrum of professional services in Information Technology, Aviation Management, Logistics and Operations, Management Support, and Scientific and Technology Support that result in cost-effective solutions of strategic value to its customers. DST provides support services to state and federal agencies as well as private industry clients by helping them to successfully manage, staff, develop, and operate their programs.  The company, which is veteran and woman-owned, is ISO 9001:2008 certified and CMMI-SVC Maturity Level 3 appraised.  More than 250 people work at DST in the United States and abroad.

Before opening Data Solutions & Technology in 1994, Thomas worked for a number of Fortune 100 companies and small businesses. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Alabama State University and a master's in public administration from Webster University. She is also a retired Colonel from the United States Air Force Reserve and has received numerous awards including being named one of The Network Journal's 25 Influential Black Women in 2011; the Legacy of Leadership Award from Spelman College; the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc.; the Silhouette of Service Award from ASU’s College of Business Administration; and the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE) Bronze Eagle Award.

About Black Engineer of the Year STEM Conference
The annual BEYA STEM Conference is hosted by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. This three-day national event brings together students, college administrators, recruiters, engineering and IT professionals, scientists, and high-level decision-makers from the corporate, government, and military communities, in an effort to broaden diversity in this country's technical and scientific work forces.

Contact
Tammi L. Thomas, vice president for Strategic Management, DST
240-487-1479
www.dstincorporated.com