FOSA Awards – FOSA
Skip to main content

FOSA Awards

FOSA 2023 Premier Member Awards

 

 

FOSA 2022 Premier Member Innovation Award winner: Hifi

 

 

FOSA Presents Champion of Innovation Award to Representative Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN) 2022

Representative Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN) and FOSA Chair Dave Cunningham

 

FOSA inaugural Premier member awards program 2021 Innovation Award winner OptaSense and Runner-up tie between FEBUS Optics and Network Integrity Systems

Winner: OptaSense – for its Development of static strain and temperature sensing in a Rayleigh backscatter-based system
Runner-Up: Tie between
FEBUS Optics – FEBUS G1-C/CX and
Network Integrity Systems – Pulse™ Sensor Verification System

 

2021 Project Award winner tie between Fotech Solutions and Hifi

Fotech Solutions – Air Quality Simulation project – part of SIMULATE Live Lab program, Air Quality Challenge

Hifi – Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline project

 

FOSA Presents 2021 Champion of Innovation Awards to Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Representative John Katko (R-NY)

Representative John Katko (R-NY) Ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committeee, FOSA Chairman Kent Wardley, Fotech (r) & FOSA Public Policy Chair JJ Williams, OptaSense (l)

Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) Chair of the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee with FOSA members

 

FOSA Presents 2020 Champion of Innovation Award to PHMSA Administrator Howard “Skip” Elliott

The Fiber Optic and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Administrator Skip Elliott’s leadership in creating a pipeline research, development, and testing capability at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

“A research, development, and test site takes a giant step toward improving pipeline safety in the United States,” said FOSA Chairman Mike Hines of OFS. “The Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies each have centers for the validation of new technologies and techniques with time-tested examples of improved safety. No such resource has existed for pipelines. Thanks to Skip Elliott, a comprehensive pipeline safety test site is now in the works.”

 

FOSA Presents 2019 Champion of Innovation Awards to Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA)

The Fiber Optic Sensing Association recognized Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) as recipients of FOSA’s Champion of Innovation Award for 2019. The selection is based on their extraordinary leadership in enhancing the safety and security of U.S. critical infrastructure through the use of advanced technology.

“Representative Anna Eshoo and Senator Deb Fischer understand the positive contribution that technology makes to society,” said FOSA Chairman JJ Williams of OptaSense. “Both of FOSA’s honorees have promoted common sense legislation advancing the adoption of promising new solutions. We are proud to recognize Senator Fischer and Representative Eshoo as Champions of Innovation.”

As Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, Sen. Fischer has worked to advance the capacity of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to test promising new safety and security technologies.

Among Rep. Eshoo’s numerous technology initiatives has been to author the U.S. “Dig Once” legislation, facilitating installation of broadband conduit along America’s highways.

“These awards represent our appreciation to Sen. Fischer and Rep. Eshoo for their leadership in facilitating the use of new technologies, and we look forward to working with them in the future,” added Mike Hines of OFS and FOSA Vice Chairman.

Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) 3rd from left. Left to right: Linqing Luo, FOSA Member; Andrew Yeskoo, FOSA Member; Representative Anna G. Eshoo; Stan Fendley, FOSA Public Policy Committee Chair; Judy Hafner, FOSA Consultant; Joy Molony, FOSA Membership Director.

Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE, 4th from the left). Left to right Stan Fendley, FOSA Public Policy Committee Chair; Joy Molony, FOSA Membership Director; Paul Wasik, Senator Fisher’s Legislative Assistant; Senator Deb Fischer; Kelvin Self, FOSA Member; Judy Hafner, FOSA Consultant; Mark Uncapher, FOSA Executive Director; Mike Hines, FOSA Vice Chairman

 

FOSA Presents 2018 Champion of Innovation Awards to Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Representative Will Hurd (R-TX)

The Fiber Optic Sensing Association recognized Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Representative Will Hurd (R-TX) as recipients of FOSA’s Champion of Innovation Award for 2018. The selection, based on the extraordinary leadership demonstrated by Tester and Hurd in the 115th Congress to make U.S. security programs more effective through advanced technology, was made at FOSA’s annual conference in Washington, DC.

As the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, Senator Tester has encouraged the federal government to adopt the use of advanced technology, like fiber optic sensing, to solve border security and other security challenges. He has used his leadership role to provide funding to government agencies focused on solving issues of critical national security.

One of Representative Hurd’s signature bills in the 115th Congress was H.R. 3479, the “Secure Miles with All Resources and Technology Act” or SMART Act, a bill that directs the Department of Homeland Security to deploy the most practical and effective technology available, such as radar, tunnel detection technology, unmanned aerial vehicles, and sensors, to achieve situational awareness and operational control along the U.S. border.

“Congressman Hurd has brought to the Congress his experience in both technology and national security,” said FOSA Vice-Chairman John Williams of OptaSense. “Augmenting border security through advanced technology has support on both sides of the aisle and we appreciate his leadership in this regard.”

“We are pleased to recognize Senator Tester and Congressman Hurd as Champions of Innovation and look forward to working with them in the future,” Williams said.

Represenative Will Hurd (2nd from right); Mike Hines, FOSA Chairman (far left); Joy Molony, FOSA Membership Director (2nd from left); Mark Uncapher, FOSA Director (far right)

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT, middle); Mike Hines, FOSA Chairman (far left); Joy Molony, FOSA Membership Director (2nd from left); Dr. Alex Philp, FOSA Member;and JJ Williams, FOSA Vice-Chairman (far right)